To think if this is a scam it's not a very clever one

[pigsDOfly]

I got a friend request on face book yesterday from a man I don't know claiming to be from Rome.

A couple of photos: good looking, piecing blue eyes, beard and grey/white hair, there's even a 'cute' one with a puppy; oh and a slightly fuzzy picture of a young child; clearly covering all bases.

I've never watch any of the tv programmes he presents, and I know absolutely nothing about him, but even I can recognise old photos of Paul Hollywood.

Seriously if you're attempting to lure women in and scam money out of them at some future date - after you've declared your undying love of course - wouldn't you have to be incredibly stupid to use images of one of the most high profile faces on tv in the country in which you're doing your scamming.

Time to change my fb settings I think.

I read a story long ago about a woman who thought she was talking to the real Jason Statham and gave him around 10k because he told her he wasn't getting paid for making his movies on time so was skint

My friend had a request from Prince Andrew yesterday (not envy)

@Coldemort

I had an Instagram message once from a middle eastern Prince (with 10 followers). Had a whale of a time asking him what sort of prince he was. Started sending pictures of royal princes (William), then celebrities (Prince Nassim), then sent a picture of princes tuna. Readers.. he blocked me

You are my hero

@pigsDOfly

sapnupuas I would post the photos but I'm not actually sure how to get them from fb to here.

It was definitely Paul Hollywood. I Googled him and two of the photos were identical, although, I couldn't see the one with the puppy.

Can you do a screenshot and save it to your photos. Edit out your own details before posting it obviously.

sapnupuas Trust me it's not as 'cute' as it sounds.

I think it's a pug puppy and he's holding it against his cheek.

Both him and the puppy look very awkward.

The scammers generally aren't British or even European so live in this country and probably don't realise Paul Hollywood is a well known media celebrity in this country. A lot of the time they just use photos of models and probably just thought he was another.

On a different subject a number of years ago there was a scammer who pretended to be Kier Starmer who at the time was head of CPS. the scammer managed to scam at least 5 women out of significant amounts of money. They were all intelligent educated women. They did actually meet him and have a 'relationship' with him but I couldn't believe how not one of them had googled 'Kier Starmer' to realise the man they were seeing wasn't him!

Scammers are getting much less creative for sure. And seemingly dafter.

I had an email a few weeks back which would a few years ago be a niegrian prince, or someone with money tied up who canot release it emailing someone 'random' to help and give you cash when they get it. They were well known and quite daft, but at least sort of creative with the different backstories. The one I got? 'Please send me 5000 pound, and I will send back 20,000 in a week for you being nice and helping me'

It's always 'US military' men who I seem to attract on insta apart from the one obligatory foreign prince

You should have sent him this in reply....

@ravenmum

I've never heard of Paul Hollywood and have no clue what he looks like, so it could have worked on me!

Well, in these photos he looks incredibly handsome but I imagine they're not recent.

I don't think he's aged well, and anyway the photos are probably touched up to make his eyes look bluer and just generally improve his appearance, as photos of celebrities are.

I'm not overly familiar with him either but I have seen pictures of him and the photos just rung a bell.

And anyway, my first thought was, what the hell would some random man in Rome be doing trying to friend me on FB?

sparepantsandtoothbrush

I suspect the dog photo was put in because one of the very few photos I have on my fb page is of my dog.

I think I've only got one other photo on there and that's of me taken almost 10 years ago by my DD when I was all dressed up and about to go to a new year's eve party.

@ravenmum

I've never heard of Paul Hollywood and have no clue what he looks like, so it could have worked on me!

Where do you live?

The author Liane Moriarty wrote "Nine perfect strangers" one of whom is a lady who fell for a sophisticated internet scam. Sad (but written in an entertaining way). Worth a read.

lianemoriarty.com.au

This ????

@MJMG2015 Not in Italy, wasn't me but not in the UK - I'd guess he's just known among people with access to UK TV. He does look good, though!

I always get US Army doctors from Texas

My poor friend, who was desperate for a happy ever after, after a difficult divorce, fell hook line and sinker for a "US pilot" who just needed buying out of his contract.. I felt awful telling her to look into it all a little harder! She's still looking for a happy ever after 😞

Awww you've got to give it to Paul, he's a trier! Moving to Rome and changing his name 😂

S111n20 Oh yes, that's the one

EdwardCullensBiteOnTheSide Yeah pretty extreme right? But what can I do, some of us just have that affect on men

Buttybach

I've had Lenny kravits, the fella off top gear oh and a few hot models message me on Instagram. Really 🤷‍♀️😂

[quote ravenmum]@MJMG2015 Not in Italy, wasn't me but not in the UK - I'd guess he's just known among people with access to UK TV. He does look good, though![/quote]
I'd let him 🤣

He used to be a LOT more popular, but less so these days. Fine with me, less competition!! You should watch some you tube. He is a joy to watch kneading bread. 😋

pigsDOfly and sapnupuas

Just type 'Paul Hollywood and puppy images' in the google search box and you'll find a few

GeistohneGrenzen Thanks but I think I've seen all the Paul Hollywood and puppy photos I want to see thanks