Fake ads claims Brampton’s Michael Cera is shilling cryptocurrency

If you see advertisements claiming Canadian Hollywood actor and Brampton’s own Michael Cera is being sued by the Bank of Canada, don’t believe the hype.

The Brampton actor is just the latest famous Canadian to have their image used to promote cryptocurrency in a trend of A-listers being accused of shady financial dealings.

Insauga.com first found the apparently fake advertisement on X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday with what appears to be a doctored picture of the Brampton-born actor in handcuffs, claiming he is involved in a “scandal.”

Clicking on the ad brings you a fake copy of The Wall Street Journal with a headline claiming Cera is being sued by the Bank of Canada, but never elaborates on why.

It then goes on to share a fictional back-and-forth between Cera and late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon, and it’s almost painful to read. Every link in the article takes you to a cryptocurrency platform, which Insauga.com has chosen not to share.

“When someone says that I was just lucky, I laugh, because nowadays the Internet literally offers the opportunity to get rich without getting up from the couch, and anyone can become a millionaire,” the suspect-Cera tells faux-Fallon before asking for $250 to invest promising to turn it into “a million in just 15-20 weeks.”

Multiple ads featuring were making their way around the social media planform on Thursday. Requests for comment on the article sent to Cera’s management firm have not been returned.

Similar articles and ads on X surfaced earlier in the year claiming CTV personality Mary Berg was in a similar, albeit fake, predicament. Just like with Cera, the ads featuring Berg took readers to news stories shilling for cryptocurrency platforms.

These types of ads could fall under the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre’s (CFAC) definition of a phishing scam, where social media users are enticed into clicking on ads for a crypto investment.

The CFAC says social media users should be aware of crypto scams and take the following steps to avoid becoming a victim:

• Research carefully before making a crypto investment. Choose a reputable service
• Be careful when sending cryptocurrency. Once the transaction is completed you will be unable to recall it
• If you receive an investment opportunity from a friend, confirm that the message really came from them
• Be wary of individuals met on dating apps or social media who attempt to convince you to invest in cryptocurrencies
• Beware of unsolicited requests encouraging you to open and fund new crypto accounts. They will direct you to wallets controlled by criminals
• Prior to investing, research the team behind the offer and analyze the project
• Be clear on the conditions of your purchase and cryptocurrency ownership
• Keep it to yourself. If you buy cryptocurrency, do not announce it on social media as it might attract the criminals’ attention
• If you become a victim, report it to your national police

Cera grew up in Brampton before reaching fame in award-winning films like “Juno” alongside fellow Canadian actor Elliot Page. Known for his iconic roles in “Superbad” and “Arrested Development,” Cera once again upped his Hollywood profile last summer starring as Allan in the much-anticipated “Barbie Movie.”

The Brampton actor also recently stared in a strange and surreal Super Bowl commercial for CeraVe moisturizing cream.