Martin Lewis Scam Warning (2026): Fake Deepfake Ads & How to Recover Your Money
If you've seen a Martin Lewis advertisement online, you could be a target. Read this guide before you click, invest, or share any personal details.
Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert and one of the UK's most trusted consumer finance experts, is also the most impersonated celebrity by fraudsters, accounting for over 32% of all scam ads reported to Report Fraud involving a public figure.
In 2026, the problem escalated: Lewis himself has said scam ads using his name and face have become "worse than ever," describing them as "a deliberate perversion of my name, reputation and work by organised criminals."
If you've seen an advert claiming Martin Lewis is promoting crypto, Quantum AI, or investment schemes - it's most likely a scam. Martin Lewis does not endorse any products.
What is the Martin Lewis & Quantum AI scam?
Fraudsters are using AI-generated deepfake videos to make it appear Martin Lewis is personally recommending an investment platform called Quantum AI. These fake ads appear across Google, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and MSN News and now include convincing AI-generated videos of "Martin" endorsing the scheme.
Refundee has spoken directly to victims of the Quantum AI scam. In a typical case, a victim sees what appears to be a genuine video of Martin Lewis urging investment, deposits money, watches their "balance" grow on screen and then finds they cannot withdraw. When victims try to withdraw, they are told to make additional "liquidity" or "security" payments, which are never refunded.
ITV have highlighted the issue in the article: Celebrity Scams: Are You At Risk?
They state: It’s estimated that a staggering £20 million has been lost to scams that have exploited fake images and videos of Martin.
Why are Deepfake Martin Lewis Scams so Convincing?
One of the most concerning developments is the use of AI-generated content, including deepfake videos and voice cloning. Fraudsters use AI tools to clone his voice and face from legitimate TV appearances, producing clips that are nearly indistinguishable from real footage.
Martin Lewis has explicitly stated that he and MoneySavingExpert never endorse products and if it's an ad featuring him, it is always a scam. He has requested that anyone who spots a fake Martin Lewis ad to report it via the MoneySavingExpert website. You can also report it to the UK fraud reporting service, Report Fraud (Previously Action Fraud).
How to Spot a Fake Martin Lewis or a Celebrity Investment Advert
Here are some checks you can do to prevent yourself from being a victim to this type of fraud:
Question the promotion - ask yourself why a trusted consumer champion would be promoting a get-rich-quick crypto scheme
Check the celebrity's official verified channels - the promotion will not appear there
Check the FCA register - every UK investment scheme must be FCA regulated
Check the FCA Warning List for companies already flagged as fraudulent
Search the celebrity's name + "scam" - you'll usually find victims or warnings about the same scheme
Question the returns - if the profits sound extraordinary, they aren't real
What to do If You've Been Scammed
Stop making any further payments immediately
Cut off all contact with the platform
Contact your bank to report the fraud as soon as possible
Gather all evidence - emails, transaction records, screenshots
If payment was made via a UK bank transfer, you may have options to recover your funds depending on your circumstances.
Can You Recover Money from a Martin Lewis Scam?
Investors who transferred funds from a UK bank account may be able to pursue reimbursement through Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud.
Refundee specialises in scam recovery on a no win, no fee basis. We have recovered over £130 million for victims, including many cases involving fake celebrity investment scams. If you've been affected, start your scam recovery claim here.
Read our verified TrustPilot reviews to hear from clients we've helped.
How would the process work?
Refundee manages the case from start to finish.
The process typically involves:
1️⃣ Investigating the circumstances of the investment
2️⃣ Preparing a complaint to the bank
3️⃣ Escalating the case to the Financial Ombudsman Service where appropriate
Recovery cases typically take 6–12 months, although timelines can vary depending on the circumstances.
More about Refundee
Here are the technical bits:
Refundee Ltd is a claims management company authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management activity FRN: 937096.
Registered with the Information Commissioner's Office; registration number: A8986071.
Registered office address: Refundee, 3rd Floor, 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE.
Registered as a company in England & Wales; number: 12855931.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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No. Martin Lewis has never endorsed Quantum AI or any investment platform. Any video or advert suggesting otherwise is a deepfake scam.
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Report it to MoneySavingExpert via their website, and separately to Report Fraud.
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If you paid via UK bank transfer, Refundee may be able to help you recover funds under APP fraud rules on a no win, no fee basis.
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Authorised Push Payment fraud is when you're tricked into transferring money to a scammer. UK banks are regulated to assess reimbursement claims in these cases.
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Recovery cases typically take around 6–12 months, but timelines vary based on the bank and complexity of the situation.
