A "despicable" con artist is currently targeting Peaky Blinders fans by offering an exclusive meet-and-greet with the show's actors for a staggering £1,000.
Yasemin Kaptan runs a fan page dedicated to Cilian Murphy who plays Tommy and was among those who received the fake initiation. The 46-year-old from London said she immediately thought "it didn't look right" and is now keen to warn fellow fans of the scam.
In the message sent under the name of actor Paul Anderson, Yasemin was offered dinner dates and "amazing" photographs in exchange for £1,000. The real Paul Anderson portrays Arthur Shelby Jr in the BBC crime drama series which is set in Birmingham.
Read More: Dad disgusted at compensation from payday loans company
Yasemin told the Sunday Mirror : "As soon as I saw the message I contacted the official Peaky Blinders Instagram page and they confirmed that it was a scam. I knew it didn’t look right, he wouldn’t be asking for money.
"I would hate to think that any Peaky Blinders fans get conned by this and pay. I think it is despicable what he is doing. I contacted the real Paul Anderson to tell him what is happening. It isn’t right, it’s a scam. I don’t want people joining a fan page to get ripped off."
According to Yasemin, the scammer lures fans in by requesting private chats and asking fans for their email address before offering the "private meet-and-great" in exchange for a huge sum of money. The message reads: “Greetings from the entire management team. The private meet and greet gives you the opportunity to take amazing pictures, autographs, dinner date and also present from the entire management.
"The cost of the meeting is £1,000. The money isn’t the problem, it’s the management rule to make sure our meetings are properly and adequately handle, our lawyer will put into writing immediately payment is made and might be a refundable payment if Mr Paul desires.
"Let us know if your making the payment now, we can send the details. Thank you and stay safe."
The official Peaky Blinders site warned fans of the scam after Yasemin contacted them and said in a statement: "This is definitely spam, don’t give any money."
The BBC did not respond to requests for comment.
