‘Deep concern’: Sandra Bullock issues rare statement
Sandra Bullock has issued a rare statement to fans, sharing a warning following a troubling new trend.
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Sandra Bullock has released a rare statement warning fans who might be targeted by scammers.
In a statement to PEOPLE on Monday, the Oscar winner said that she feels “deep concern” that her likeness is being used to exploit vulnerable people on social media.
In the statement, she explained: “My family’s safety, as well as the innocent people being taken advantage of, is my deep concern, and there will be a time when I will comment more, but for now our focus is helping law enforcement handle this matter.”
“Please be aware that I do not participate in any form of social media. Any accounts pretending to be me or anyone associated with me are fake accounts and have been created for financial gain or to exploit people around me,” added the Hollywood star.
Bullock’s stark warning comes after her younger sister, Gesine, took to social media on Sunday to reveal that people were pretending to be her on Facebook.
“When I report, I also report to a security service that gives the account addresses directly to a Meta employee,” she wrote.
She claimed that the “accounts are run by crime rings” that “also run fake groups where a fake me posts ‘official statements.’” “I’m a grown middle-aged woman with a life and I don’t troll around at 54 DMing people,” she added.
Gesine continued: “If you see a fake account, are friended or messaged by one, report and block. The only reason I stay on FB is to monitor this for my own knowledge so I am aware of the danger coming at me (and yes, because of these scams, I’ve had to involve local law enforcement and they’ve been outstanding).”
She added: “Strangely, Insta handles these things, and even informs me when someone creates an account that may be an impostor. But FB? Same company with same tech? Can’t be bothered.”
Scammers posing as celebrities has become a major problem on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
Last year, a woman in France was scammed for millions of dollars by a fraudulent account that was claiming to be run by Hollywood legend and Bullock’s pal, Brad Pitt.
The woman believed that she was dating Pitt and that he was in need of money to help pay for medical care.
Originally published as ‘Deep concern’: Sandra Bullock issues rare statement
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