Internet tricksters have targeted social media sensations by impersonating them and sending fans messages to win prizes.

The scam messages sent via YouTube encouraged fans to click a link to win prizes and enter giveaways. The names, profiles and language of the stars are used in the messages to make it seem authentic.

YouTube said it was looking into ways to prevent these cons.

Social media stars such as James Charles, 19, Philip DeFranco, 33, and Jeffree Star, also 33, are some of the stars that have been targeted. Between them they have around 90 million subscribers.

Video credit: Philip DeFranco 

DeFranco was thanked by YouTube via Twitter for alerting the company about the spam requests.

 

Feature photo via Szabo Viktor @vmxhu on Unsplash