– They contact people and pretend to be me. Through conversations, trust is built up, says the artist from Grimstad. Erlend Gunstveit became everyone’s property after winning the singing competition “The Voice” on TV 2 last year. He has become accustomed to fake profiles, but it has escalated in recent months. The artist says he has received well over a hundred inquiries from people who have received messages from fake accounts. – There are quite a few older people on Facebook and Instagram who do not find it so easy to distinguish between my user and a fake profile. Then you become easy prey, he says. Gunstveit himself has been sent several photos from fans who have been contacted by a fake profile. This is what one of them looks like: FFan: Remove the image of the cd cover! Fake profile! Erlend Gunstveit: I don’t understand what you’re saying? if you don’t want to talk to me you can block me ok… I created this profile so I can communicate with some of my fans one on one and know how they feel about my music. FFan: This is a fake profile! You are not Erlend. You are not allowed to use the image of the CD as a background. You have been reported to the police for false use of Erlend’s name and for illegal use of his photos. According to Gunstveit, the fraudsters are thorough. They download family photos and get into tour itineraries before sending messages to people pretending to be Gunstveit. – They mention concerts I’m going to have. They send pictures that I posted way back on my real profile, he says. Eventually they ask for money. Erlend Gunstveit thinks it is bad that his own brother has been abused by the fraudsters. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news Exploiting the family Swindlers have sent pictures of Gunstveit’s brother to convince the victims that they are in contact with the “real” Erlend Gunstveit. – When my brother gets dragged into it, and they find pictures of where I live, then it’s funny. One of the victims was scammed for NOK 170,000. – I tell followers that I never ask for money. All I ask is that they come to my concerts. Gunstveit knows of two cases where fans have paid money to the fraudsters. – There is probably a risk that there could be more. I feel that it is a bit taboo to talk about. But I know there are several who have understood that it couldn’t be me, when money was asked, he says. The artist has notified both Instagram and Facebook for help. But it has not been easy. – I have reported profiles, but they are not deleted. Gunstveit reported the fraud to the police, but it was dismissed. He has been told that fraud cases of a smaller size cannot be prioritized. Police chief Eirik Berg Thorsrud in the Agder police district. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news NOK 30 million Police Superintendent Eirik Berg Thorsrud in the Agder police district acknowledges capacity problems. Last year, fraud through social manipulation for NOK 240 million was registered in Norway, writes Vårt Land. This is NOK 55 million less than the previous year, new figures show. In Agder alone, private individuals were defrauded of NOK 30 million in 2021. – It is a fact that some cases do not lead to convictions. This may be due to a lack of evidence or capacity. Thorsrud emphasizes that NOK 170,000 is a lot for a private person, but in the larger context it is a small amount. The police prioritize cases of high severity. – That is why pre-construction is important. The police try to inform the public about how the fraud takes place so that it can be recognised. Good judgment and a critical sense are essential, says Thorsrud. Blackening name and reputation Gunstveit thinks it’s a shame that the police don’t prioritize his case. – I think it is serious when minimum pensioners are defrauded of NOK 100,000, he says. When the police dropped the case, the artist felt he had to go out and warn. – I get messages about every other day from people who have been contacted by the fraudsters in my name. One of the worst things for Gunstveit is that it tarnishes his name and reputation. – When doubts are sown about your name, it’s difficult. Here is one of the profiles that abuses Erlend Gunstveit’s position as an artist. He has tried to have it removed, without success. Photo: Per-Kåre Sandbakk / news Elderly people are exposed Eirik Berg Thorsrud in the Agder police district says there is a large amount of fake profiles in social media. It is often famous people who are exposed to ID thieves. – The fraudsters often make up a story about a stressful life situation, that you are going through a divorce or that your bank card has been stolen. The message is that you need money. The police use several methods to find the fraudsters, but it is painstaking work. Older people without digital skills are often exposed. – It has become a bigger area of focus because crime has moved online. We have a goal that people should feel safe in the digital space, says Thorsrud.
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Fans defrauded for NOK 170,000 – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
