Deceitful Debbie promises Fijians the world

feed_watermark February 21, 2024
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The account is using fake images to target people in Fiji and PNG. Image by Facebook

A self-described seasoned financial trader from northern Fiji has posed for an image with the Austrian and European flags behind her.

That's because the woman in the image is not crypto trader Debbie Werran, as is claimed. The woman pictured is Austrian politician Margarete Schrambck.

Debbie Werran (archived here) is one of more than 100 supposed financial traders using deception and fake images to target Facebook users across the Pacific Islands. 

AAP FactCheck has analysed dozens of these accounts as part of a special investigation.

 The profile features several transfer notifications that the bank says are fake. 

Werran, who claims to be from Labasa, Fiji, and an alumnus of the University of San Diego, specifically targets people from Fiji and Papua New Guinea with the promise of huge returns on their investment.

The profile image supposedly of Werran can be traced to a 2021 Instagram post from the former Austrian minister, Schrambck.

It is not the only account to attempt to profit off Schrambck's image and name.

Remarkably, dozens of accounts belonging to "online traders" feature her name and image.

There is no suggestion Schrambck is connected to any of the accounts.

The image taken for Warren's profile picture is from this 2021 post.

There are also dozens of accounts belonging to so-called traders using the name Debbie Werran or Warren - many of which also use the image of the Austrian politician, examples here, here, here and here.

Werran has also posted various images of bank statements and transfer notifications as proof she is earning vast sums of money for her clients.

Among the images are statements from ANZ Bank (here and here),  M-PAiSA (here and here) and Bank South Pacific (BSP) (here and here).

Even to the untrained eye, many of the statements do not appear genuine.

In this example, supposedly of an ANZ account, the "payment from" information is in a different size and font from the rest of the information.

 ANZ told AAP FactCheck the bank statements are fake. 

ANZ, BSP and M-PAiSA confirmed the various images featured on Werran's page were fake.

In a post encouraging clients to invest, Werran also includes a photo of a cheque presentation.

But this has nothing to do with trading. Instead, it depicts the presentation of prize money to a rugby union team by the Fijian government. 

The Verdict

The claim a cryptocurrency trader has posted images of bank statements and transfers featuring her clients' huge returns is false.

The images of bank statements and transfers are fake. 

Additionally, the woman featured in the profile image is not Werran or any crypto trader. It is Austrian politician Margarete Schrambck.

False The claim is inaccurate.

AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network. To keep up with our latest fact checks, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Sources

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Every AAP FactCheck article is the result of a meticulous process involving numerous experienced journalists and producers. Our articles are thoroughly researched, carefully crafted and rigorously scrutinised to ensure the highest standard of accuracy and objectivity in every piece.

AAP FactCheck is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network