Ryan Tubridy has revealed that his image is still being used in a social media promoting fake cryptocurrencies.
Speaking on Thursday, Tubridy raged about being falsely linked to the currency scam and told listeners that he ‘knew nothing about them’ and had ‘nothing to do with them’.
The RTE presenter revealed that ’30 people’ had reached out to him and let him know that his image was linked to the cryptocurrency advertisement.
He said: ‘I am kind of, a little bit fed up of the fake stuff happening on the internet still — this week, I was sent about 30 different people sent me stuff saying, “This is going around the place,” and people being very decent and watching my back.
‘Because some clowns out there going around saying that I’ve invested in Bitcoin, and my face shows up going, “Tubridy talks about his Bitcoin.”‘
Sighing Ryan exclaimed: ‘I don’t know what Bitcoin is!’
He explained that he had tried to learn about the currency, to no avail.
‘I invited a guest into this [RTE] studio to explain what it is, and despite his most valiant, articulate efforts I pretended to you the listener that I understood him just because we could all go home!’ he said.
Ryan revealed he was so confused on the subject that he spent the interview thinking about what he’d have for lunch.
He said: ‘In my head, “I think I’ll have a toasted sandwich,” or maybe… do you know what I’m not mad about Sprite, I like 7Up more. I don’t know, there’s just something about Sprite, it’s just a little less interesting,” the poor man was still talking. About Bitcoin.
Ryan reiterated that he knew nothing about Bitcoin, he said: ‘I wouldn’t know what it is.’
‘I know what a coin is, and I think a bit is a comedy sketch. But together, it is like a comedy because I know nothing about it,’ he joked.
Getting slightly serious, the broadcaster and presenter warned: ‘So whoever — whatever creatures in whatever basement in whatever country, or parts of this country, are cobbling together these things and sending them out there.
‘Would ya stop lads? Because that’s fake news.
‘End of rant.’
A message from a listener informed the presenter there was nothing to be afraid of, and explained that Bitcoin being linked to him was in actual fact AI intelligence.
According to the listener the internet figures out a person’s favourite things or people, and links bitcoin to that person or object in order for it to look more appealing.
The presenter noted that he was ‘not afraid of it, I’m just annoyed.’
This is not the first time Ryan’s image has been linked to cryptocurrency scam ads.
In March, the RTE star threatened legal action when he discovered he was the face of various ads used to sell cryptocurrency.
Taking to his radio show at the time, Ryan set the record straight noting he had ‘nothing to do with cryptocurrency.’
Tubridy said: ‘This is a scam. We’re living in generation scam and the internet is alive and thriving with scams and financial cruelty to people who are vulnerable.’
The initial posts were taken down however more appeared on social media.
At the time, Ryan said: ‘It’s a bit like whack-a-mole — as soon as they git rid of one [ad] another pops up, and it’s my face, and the caption reads something along the lines of “Ryan Tubridy backs crypto.” The truth of the matter is, I don’t know what cryptocurrency is.
‘I’m sure it’s making some people somewhere a load of money, [but] I have nothing to do with it. So please tell your friends. The ad looks really professional every time I’ve seen it, but we’re trying to get rid of them.’
Referencing colleague Miriam O’Callaghan’s court case against Facebook following a number of fake ads, Ryan hinted he might not be far behind her.
He said: ‘I expect Miriam O’Callaghan, when she won that case recently, it was along these lines,’ Ryan said, adding ‘I might not be that far behind her if this continues, as irritatingly as it has been as it’s too much.
Extra.ie have reached out to RTE whether the broadcaster would be considering taking further legal action.
No Comments Yet