Larry Emdur Issues Blunt Warning Over AI-Powered Cryptocurrency Scam
Beloved television personality Larry Emdur, host of the Morning Show, has taken to social media to issue a stark warning about a malicious scam. Over the weekend, Emdur shared a post alerting his followers that his name and image were being used without authorization for what appears to be an artificial intelligence-driven cryptocurrency trading platform. In his characteristic straightforward style, Emdur did not hold back, labeling the fraudulent scheme as "b******t" and urging fans to steer clear.
Emdur's Colorful Critique of the Scammers
Emdur used humor to emphasize the seriousness of the situation, stating, "They’re liars and thieves and I reckon they’d have B.O, halitosis, genital warts and probably park illegally in disabled parking spots." He added, "They’re that low. Stay away!" This comedic yet pointed approach aimed to grab attention and highlight the deceitful nature of the scam.
The fake advertisement, which Emdur shared on Instagram, featured the name Noble Gaingrove and depicted a smiling Emdur surrounded by gold coins. The ad falsely claimed the platform was the "best way to earn passive income," written in the first person as if from Emdur himself. It read, "I have been using this platform for several years now and I can say that investing is the best way to earn passive income. Even as a side job. I encourage everyone to register today to avoid being too late tomorrow. Everyone in Australia will benefit from it! Larry Emdur."
Clear Warning and Scam Details
To counter this, Emdur crossed out the text with a bold red X and wrote "SCAM" over it, providing a clear warning to his followers. The website for Noble Gaingrove claims it is free to register with no hidden charges and offers traders a competitive edge through its platform. Its FAQ section also asserts there are no restrictions on when profits can be withdrawn. 7NEWS.com.au has reached out to Noble Gaingrove for comment, but no response has been received at this time.
Rise of AI-Powered Scams in Australia
This incident highlights a growing trend of AI-powered scams in Australia. According to Scamwatch, run by the National Anti-Scam Centre, Australians reported losing just under $260 million over 159,000 separate incidents between January and September last year. This represents an increase of about 15 percent compared to the same period in 2024. The majority of these reports involve online scams targeting victims through email and social media accounts.
Roland Winter, executive director of forensic and cybersecurity at KordaMentha, explained to 7NEWS.com.au that AI-based scams have surged alongside the technology's advancement and popularity. "It’s really taken off over the past 18 months; they’re becoming more commonplace ... It’s just that AI has taken over the world," Winter said. This underscores the need for increased vigilance as scammers leverage sophisticated tools to deceive the public.
Emdur's proactive warning serves as a crucial reminder for Australians to be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those involving celebrities or AI technology. By speaking out, he hopes to prevent others from falling victim to similar fraudulent schemes.
