If you have been on Twitter in the last few days, chances are you may have come across lottery winner Shane Missler offering money in exchange for follows, likes and retweets.
If you thought the 20-year-old, who won the $451 million (£327 million) last week, giving away his cash sounded too good to be true, that’s because it is.
Missler, from Port Richey in Florida, is not going to give you a piece of Mega Millions jackpot pie no matter how many times you like, share or retweet on the posts because all those “Shane Missler” Twitter accounts making such promises are fake – including @misler_shane, whose post has garnered more than 70K tweets.
Hey guys! I am the lottery winner of $451 Million. With this incredible opportunity I am giving back $5,000 to the first 50k followers that retweet and like this post. This is to much money and I love helping people!?? pic.twitter.com/jOh7vxhcu1
— Shane Missler (@misler_shane) January 14, 2018
The real Shane Missler is believed to go by the Twitter handle @theshanemissle and appears to be aware of the fake Twitter accounts bearing his name.
Again, thank you all for tuning in. This journey has only just begun, mark my words. Unfortunately many fake accounts have already circulated. My only active and real accounts are Instagram and Twitter both @TheShaneMissler ?? ? #GratefulBeyondWords
— Shane Missler (@TheShaneMissler) January 13, 2018
He has also reiterated his message on Facebook saying “fake social media accounts have already surfaced and circulated”.
Thank you everyone for the kind words. I am truly grateful and appreciative! Unfortunately fake social media accounts…
Posted by Shane Missler on Friday, January 12, 2018
Hey guys, don’t worry I have all the money I need now I wanna help you guys so the first 1,000 people to retweet this will get $5,000. I have way to much to give so come on !
— Shane Missler (@fortnite_shaneB) January 16, 2018
I am giving back $5,000 to the first 50k followers that retweet and like this post. This is to much money and I love helping people!?? pic.twitter.com/ciRk5Tj8N6
— Shane Missler (@TravelTheGlobes) January 16, 2018
Hey Everyone! With this opportunity and blessing I am giving back $5,000 to my first 50k followers on twitter and first 200k followers on instagram! If you weren’t one of the first, however you can subscribe and show proof by replying with a screenshot on this tweet! Good luck! pic.twitter.com/tF6LV1zhGJ
— Shane Missler (@shane_missler23) January 16, 2018
The time has come to give back Now. It is far too much money for me to handle. I will be giving away $1000 to the first 50,000 RTs on this tweet. Be patient once you have retweeted as I have recruited a team to successfully deliver the money to the lucky 50,000.Good luck! pic.twitter.com/gfbMY7LZWm
— Shane missler (@shanemissler20) January 16, 2018
A spokesman for Twitter declined to comment citing “privacy and security reasons” for individual accounts.
According to the social media site’s policy, impersonation is a violation of the Twitter Rules.
“Twitter accounts portraying another person in a confusing or deceptive manner may be permanently suspended under the Twitter impersonation policy,” Twitter’s guidelines say.
Missler, who chose to receive his winnings in a lump-sum payment of $282 million (£204 million) after tax, said he wanted to use the money to do “some good for humanity”.
He said: “I’m only 20, but I hope to use it to pursue a variety of passions, help my family and do some good for humanity.”
