Prohibition PR is urging creative agencies and businesses across Yorkshire to stay vigilant, as the company becomes the latest Leeds-based marketing agency targeted by Facebook Marketplace scammers.
The scam, which has already affected multiple agencies, including Trio Media, involves FB Marketplace sellers fraudulently posing as employees of PR and marketing firms to defraud hundreds of pounds from unsuspecting customers who believe they are purchasing expensive digital cameras. All communication then stops once the payment has been made.
The fraudulent activity includes fake invoices using agency logos, contact details and false claims of employment at Leeds-based marketing firms in an attempt to ‘legitimise’ the sale.
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Chris Norton, founder and managing director of Prohibition PR, said: “This is a really serious issue that’s harming both creative businesses in Leeds and these poor individuals who believe they are making a genuine purchase. We are not the first agency this has happened to and fraudsters like this exploit trust – using the reputations of well-known companies to trick people out of their money.
“We just want to urge everyone to stay alert when using Facebook Marketplace – if a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is. We’ve had reports of multiple fake identities being used, including names such as Marcus Donovan and Dan Twine—none of whom are connected to the agency. While the scammer does not, and has never, worked for any of the agencies he claims to represent, they are fraudulently using our branding and it’s causing growing frustration and concern. They are using fake email addresses that bounce and untraceable mobile numbers, making them difficult to track.”
The details have been reported to the relevant authorities, but Prohibition PR is calling on the wider creative and business community to help spread awareness and prevent further losses.
Norton added: “This is now two agencies in Yorkshire that we know of, and it’s clear this scammer sees the creative sector as easy targets. Please, always check that the person you’re dealing with genuinely works at the company they claim to represent. A simple phone call to the business’s official office number could save you hundreds of pounds.”
If you have been affected by this scam, Norton urges you to report it to Action Fraud as soon as possible. The more reports they receive, the greater the chance of stopping the fraudster. You can file a report online at www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. Prohibition is also offering further information and tips on protecting yourself from scammers on its blog and Instagram.
