Retiree loses $110K in life savings to scam using Gina Rinehart’s image

Retirement should be a time of relaxation and enjoyment, a reward for decades of hard work.

But for one Queensland retiree, the golden years turned to lead when he lost nearly all his life savings to a cunning online investment scam.

The scam was so egregious that it caught the attention of mining magnate Gina Rinehart, who has since taken action against the social media giant where the scam proliferated.



Gary, a former auto-electrician, was looking to supplement his superannuation and thought he had found a golden opportunity when he came across an online trading scheme on Facebook.

The ads featured prominent Australian figures like Gina Rinehart, Twiggy Forrest, and Clive Palmer, lending an air of credibility to the scheme.


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A retiree fell victim to a scam that used Gina Rinehart’s image. Image source: ginarinehart.com.au



After seeing the ads repeatedly over several weeks, Gary was convinced of their legitimacy, thinking, 'They must be genuine because they would have been taken down by now.'

The trading platform, Rapidnex, appeared to be endorsed by Rinehart, and Gary even received a fake email from Hancock Prospecting confirming his account activation.



Despite his due diligence, checking the company's Australian Business Number (ABN) and not finding any immediate red flags, Gary was duped.

He invested a total of $109,055 over five transactions, believing he was watching his money grow in a cryptocurrency account.

Unfortunately, Rapidnex has been identified by the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) as a potential imposter entity, allegedly utilising the information of another Australian company bearing a similar name.

The harsh reality hit when Gary attempted to withdraw funds and discovered his account was empty.

‘It was all my savings bar a couple of thousand I kept in my savings account. Nearly all of my super—luckily, I did keep some of my super but I did take a lot out,’ Gary stated.

The devastating loss meant that his lifestyle had to change drastically, with holidays and other luxuries now out of reach.



Gina Rinehart's team has taken a strong stance on the issue, directly addressing Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and demanding accountability for the scams proliferating on Facebook.

They argued that Zuckerberg should compensate the victims of these scams, given the platform's role in their dissemination.

Rinehart's team has noted a stark contrast in the number of scams on Facebook compared to those on platforms owned by Elon Musk, suggesting that more could be done to prevent such fraudulent activities.

‘In our view, Mark Zuckerberg should be held accountable given his lack of action, and pay all those who have lost money on scams he has publicised,’ a spokesperson stated.

‘We have several staff trying to cope with getting these scams taken down, and also rely on people writing in, in case our staff miss any.’



Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest has also been proactive, bringing criminal charges against Meta and suing the company in California, USA.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has similarly launched legal proceedings against Meta for its role in publishing scam ads in 2022.

Meta has defended its practices, stating that it removed hundreds of millions of fake accounts and invests in tools to help users report and avoid scams.

A Meta spokesperson shared: ‘In the final quarter of 2023, we removed 691 million fake accounts globally. We also invest in tools on our services that allow people to report scams and to warn people if they are contacted by someone they don’t know.’

‘We partner with local organisations to educate consumers to spot and avoid scams and bring enforcement action against scammers,’ they added.



Gary's experience is a cautionary tale for everyone. He said that he considers himself ‘pretty lucky’ to still have money left.

‘There are a lot of people worse off than me,’ he said.

He is advising other Australians to exercise caution when investing online, to avoid falling victim to the same scam.

‘I wouldn’t believe anything that’s on Facebook and I wouldn’t be giving any money to any company or business online,’ he advised.

‘If you want to invest, do it with a broker, face to face in your city. I don’t even answer the phone anymore. If I see a number I don’t recognise, I just don’t answer it,’ he added.

This is not the first time cybercriminals have used the images of popular personalities to target online users.

TV veteran Tracy Grimshaw has previously warned fans about online scammers using her image and voice in a fake diet gummy ad on social media.

'Let me say it again. **This is a scam*** I’m not flogging gummies. I have zero sponsorship or advertising deals with anybody. Zero. So I’m not flogging anything. Ever,' her post read.

She also acknowledged Gina Rinehart, and famed Australian entrepreneur, Dick Smith, in her post.
Key Takeaways
  • A retiree lost nearly $110,000 in superannuation after falling for an online investment scam using the image of Gina Rinehart.
  • The scam advertised on Facebook appeared legitimate to the retiree due to the presence of well-known Australian figures and the duration it stayed on the platform.
  • Gina Rinehart's team has directly contacted Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, urging him to take action against the widespread scams and to take responsibility for those affected.
  • The mining magnate Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest has taken legal action against Meta for allowing scam ads featuring his image, while Meta claims to actively remove fake accounts and scams using various techniques, including machine learning.
Have you or someone you know encountered a similar scam? Share your experiences in the comments below to help raise awareness within our community.
 
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You entered into conversation and arrangements for Crypto currency on Facebook??
There in lies the problem, you should be embarrassed.
From what you have explained you are the main reason these scams continue.
So many warnings on a daily basis but people keep falling for them.
The only way to trade safely on Market place is to accept cash only, FULL STOP.
Thank you for Your non empathy!! Warnings on a daily basis where? If you say on TV channels, well I haven’t watched any free to air channels for some yrs, don’t believe what much of the media report. Sadly at 77yrs not as sharp as I used to be. Pls don’t bother replying with your sarcasm either.
 
Thank you for Your non empathy!! Warnings on a daily basis where? If you say on TV channels, well I haven’t watched any free to air channels for some yrs, don’t believe what much of the media report. Sadly at 77yrs not as sharp as I used to be. Pls don’t bother replying with your sarcasm either.
I would suggest with these Enticing Get Rich Scams. You use the A B C method. Assume nothing Believe nothing Check everything. Remember, You Can't Lose Something You Never Had. It doesn't matter whether you're 17yrs or 77yrs.
 
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Thank you for Your non empathy!! Warnings on a daily basis where? If you say on TV channels, well I haven’t watched any free to air channels for some yrs, don’t believe what much of the media report. Sadly at 77yrs not as sharp as I used to be. Pls don’t bother replying with your sarcasm either.
Stop using age as an excuse!
Warnings? Regularly on the news services, Current Affairs etc etc.
Warnings? From Banks and Telco institutions telling you that they don’t ask for personal information in emails or texts.
Warning! If you are stupid enough to respond to any get rich scheme on Facebook then you really are a fool.
I am 72 years old, old enough to check with the institutions before acting on anything.
 
I have seen a promotion supposedly endorsed by Gina but I know she does not have an American accent and ignored it. Wait until AI becomes more prolific in the hands of criminals and you won't be able to believe anything on the box.
 
Stop using age as an excuse!
Warnings? Regularly on the news services, Current Affairs etc etc.
Warnings? From Banks and Telco institutions telling you that they don’t ask for personal information in emails or texts.
Warning! If you are stupid enough to respond to any get rich scheme on Facebook then you really are a fool.
I am 72 years old, old enough to check with the institutions before acting on anything.
As I told you I don’t watch free to air news, current affairs etc. Etc. re Banks I don’t go to any banks non near me for over 100kms. I do know not to give out any info re phone calls. Ok so you are a few yrs younger than me, but you don’t know a thing about me so just lay off. leave me along!!
 
I have seen a promotion supposedly endorsed by Gina but I know she does not have an American accent and ignored it. Wait until AI becomes more prolific in the hands of criminals and you won't be able to believe anything on the box.
Yes and even here an advert pops up re Larry Emdur re the same thing as Gina R. I looked at Instagram this morning and some of the pics I wondered if truly real. Yes I agree will become really terribl.
 

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