Leo Varadkar scam ads

Furze99

Just curious. Why are 'Leo Varadkar' scam ads appearing now on Boards.ie? Rubbishy crypto investment scams, as in

https://vomegtob.in.net/?subid3=boards.ie&subid2=612371220465&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIo9m3yPKY-QIVBGUVCB1KwwLhEAEYASAAEgJCL_D_BwE

I've noticed the same for the past few weeks on the Guardian site as well. Maybe they just come into my feed?

I'm no fan boy of our Leo, but I'm pretty surprised that these haven't been clamped down on hard.

Edited to add that the link above now points to some other page but was displaying photos of Leo and saying he recommended certain crypto investments.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119393604#Comment_119393604

Yeah, I think other people have had their names used in similar advertisements. But these ones relating to Leo have been knocking around for at least 3-4 weeks. I'm just surprised that they're still up. I don't know to what degree reputable sites like the Guardian have control over pop up ads but for them to be associated with this sort of scamming doesn't do their reputation much good. And of course as noted, popping up now on Boards.

markodaly

Using Leo plays to a certain audience here that is perpetually outraged about him. Clever guys these scammers are.

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058256300/leo-varadkar-scam-ads

The ad's are targeted based on links/search's etc

Based on the people who have also reported this issue they all seem to have in common a strange obsession with Leo. Now maybe in your case it is different.

Best to raise a thread in the feedback forum but not sure what boards can do, they are just paid for space and then as I said the ad's are based on what you have searched for

So I have VidaXL on my ad now because I was looking at stuff earlier on their website. Need to tidy up garden

ThoseSpikesAreSore

The adverts are targeting potential crypto currency buyers. They are not targeting Leo Varadkar people. 😂

Most of those types of ads are targeted, but not always. If you have shown an interest in cryptocurrency for example if you have read an article or forum about crypto, then it may be targeted. However, given that it is crypto they could also be random.

It is very unlikely to have anything to do with our good Tanaiste as much as many may wish it had.

The guardian and boards probably pay the same advertising company and have no control over the adverts displayed.

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119394987#Comment_119394987

No idea why they haven't hit me yet so :-)

Do you honestly think people who are involved in cryto would be foolish enough to fall for those online pranks? not a market I would think many companies would go after as most are tech savvy

Jim_Hodge

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119394987#Comment_119394987

They're not targeted at all. They've popped up for me twice and I have no particular interest on way or the other and have absolutely nothing to do with crypto. It's just random.

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396310#Comment_119396310

I never ogot them, I have "Secrets Bahia real Resort and spa" and "Semrush"

pjcb

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058256300/leo-varadkar-scam-ads

look at the text thats pulled in from that url about gardening in texas, multiple use url? https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/fraudsters-use-leo-varadkars-image-to-lure-investors-into-buying-non-existent-cryptocurrency-online-41862877.html

 A spokesperson for the Tánaiste said: “The Government is already toughening up regulations around online misrepresentation. But there is also an onus on all websites to ensure that they do not carry false, incorrect, misleading or defamatory material.”

A Google spokesperson said: “Protecting users is our top priority and we have strict ads policies that govern the types of ads and advertisers we allow on our platforms. We continue to invest significant resources to stop bad actors and we are constantly evaluating and updating our policies and improving our technology and we’ll continue to work hard to keep our users safe.”

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119394943#Comment_119394943

I don't take a particular interest in either crypto or Leo Varadkar / Fine Gael. I've looked at the odd thread here on crypto but not enough to warrant any interest. It is profiling of some sort but the only factors I can think of are 'located in Ireland' and 'age'. It might be assumed that being over 50 I might in a demographic to be taken for a few bob.

But as I say above, what strikes me is that they're going a few weeks now and you'd think that Leo's legal people would be on top of it. You can't abuse peoples names like that, can you?

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396380#Comment_119396380

What can Leo legal people do anything?

It's a scam company, not sure what you expect them to do.

It is happening all the time, just look at the boys from Stripe etc who are constantly used on these types of adverts to say they are giving advice. Now I do get them:-)

You could spend thousands trying to get legal people to chase around to find a dummy server setup in some random country with no owner

dePeatrick

Yes and the Ryanair fella…mick what’s his name?

skimpydoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396391#Comment_119396391

Get Google to pull the ad's.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396391#Comment_119396391

You may well be right. Whatever about them being on the Guardian site, having them on Boards.ie is closer to home. You'd like to think that whoever is running things here might be having a word with whoever they have an ad deal with!!

To be honest, when I saw them on Guardian site initially, I didn't bother clicking on one and assumed they were some sort of negative advertising paid for by one of the opposition parties here or associated backers! The stuff that goes down in USA. So was only the other day, I tapped on one out of curiosity and saw that it was to do the crypto.

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396418#Comment_119396418

Boards just sell space on the page. They have no say on whats goes into that space. Like I have crocs advertised now. That changes every couple of mins. Boards wouldn't have the capability to hold data on all the ad's presented to each user, not that they would want to.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396534#Comment_119396534

Sure, but there are genuine ads and there are ads like the Varadkar example, where images and quotes from a prominent individual are being used, almost certainly made up and without their permission. When this individual is the Tánaiste of the state, you'd think the owners of the site might not approve? To put it mildly, if I was them I'd be sweating.

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396582#Comment_119396582

Why?

Teh ads as I did are based on teh user, if you click on the ad it gives details. I’m on phone but on laptop it was “Adchoice” was the company. They provide targeted ads. Nothing to do with boards

Loads of websites have the same so not just boards. From what I can see they use Google searches etc

So I searched for pool heater, clicked on VidaXL and then when I log into boards I get ads from them and pool devices

Kermit.de.frog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396396#Comment_119396396

I've heard he has a "project" that will change your life.

I'd say it's just the usual cheap crypto scam being targeted at a demographic that uses this site. Doubt there's anything more nefarious than that.

skimpydoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396660#Comment_119396660

Adchoices are not providing the ads Google are. Adchoices do not providing advertising and more info can be found below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AdChoices

brokenangel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396959#Comment_119396959

Cheers 🍻

dePeatrick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119396732#Comment_119396732

Naw…isn’t that that cute Cork hoor…oh the name escapes me…punchable face wants to sell you apartments somewhere over there…

skimpydoo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119397145#Comment_119397145

Eddie Hobbs?

conorhal

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119394592#Comment_119394592

There's some 'exceptional' logical leap right there: 'I loathe Leo Varadkar ....but damn if he doesn't make a persuasive argument for crypto?'

Surely only someone that thought Leo was a trustworthy individual who understood finance would be interested in clicking on that link?

I put it to you that the scammers probably reckon that if you're dumb enough to think Leo trustworthy, you are certainly dumb enough to buy into a scam.... which begs the question, how much are you down on your 'investment' Mark? 🤣

dePeatrick

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119399024#Comment_119399024

The very one, thanks, now hopefully forget all about him again soon 😂

global23214124

I saw one of these ads recently on a news website, I think it was the independent and I've looked into crypto before but that a couple of years ago. Not crazy about Leo but don't mind him too much.

Furze99

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119399986#Comment_119399986

Nothing to do with Leo of course. They've just lifted his image and written a speel to go with it. But persisted for about 3 weeks and may still be on the go.