Mercedes have been allegedly scammed by a 28-year-old man with a Lewis Hamilton fan account on social media known as ‘CenturionLewis’. On Twitter, the person was posing as an avid fan of the seven-time world champion and as a 20-year-old boy, tragically affected by terminal most cancers.
In March earlier this yr, he posted about his worsening battle with most cancers, stating:
“My most cancers has not lowered however has began to unfold round my physique, I had emergency radiotherapy remedy and went residence after which had a number of extreme seizures and now admitted into hospital, probably surgical procedure to come back.”
Earlier in July, he even claimed to have gotten right into a near-fatal automotive crash, gathering loads of sympathy from others on social media. These posts caught the eye of Mercedes, who reportedly invited him to Brackley to tour the factories and watch the 2022 F1 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Later in July, he introduced that Mercedes had given him the chance to go to the group in Brackley, posting:
“IM GOING TO BRACKLEY. Thanks a lot @MercedesAMGF1 you actually are probably the most unimaginable individuals and I really like you much more now.”
Two days later, it was introduced on the ‘CenturionLewis’ Twitter account that he had handed away. In consequence, tributes flooded social media.
The tweet saying the account holder’s alleged demise learn:
“Hiya everyone Simply to let you realize, CenturionLewis handed away peacefully this night after having a sudden decline in his well being at this time, he requested me to replace you all, I’m sorry it’s not higher information One of many final issues he stated was everyone must unfold extra love.”
Mercedes, too, posted their condolences to the account holder after the announcement was made.
Nevertheless, in a surprising flip of occasions, just a few days later it was revealed that the whole lot about this Twitter account was faux. The account holder, allegedly named “Liam T”, is actually a 28-year-old man, working as a hospital porter. He has two kids and has not suffered from most cancers or the supposed automotive accident. Most significantly, Liam is alive and properly.
@CenturionLewis Liam is working as a hospital porter and never as a railroad employee, nor was he concerned within the automotive crash. Liam additionally does not have terminal most cancers – not that we knew what sort of most cancers he allegedly needed to begin with. Liam is, actually – ALIVE and, most significantly, properly. https://t.co/b53OVuVGL3
As quickly because the information broke, Mercedes instantly took down their posts concerning Liam’s supposed demise. The 28-year-old not solely tricked the group into an unique tour and entry to the Hungarian Grand Prix but in addition profited off a GoFundMe marketing campaign after gaining sympathies for present process most cancers therapies. This took social media by storm, and Liam shut down all of his pages throughout the web.
@CenturionLewis Liam additionally by no means went offline; he began utilizing one other account, kindly DMing us with faux data and messages of help… So please report his profile as properly: @AFCxLT. https://t.co/mh8P74j66l
Some speculate that whereas Liam took down his ‘CenturionLewis’ web page, he’s nonetheless current on social media utilizing different faux accounts.
Michael Masi realizing he is now not probably the most hated man in System 1 after CenturionLewis https://t.co/5yJpP46IXE
Try the whole thread revealing the faux account under:
I posted my @Centurionlewis thread every week in the past. Since then, I have been a goal of fixed assaults, demise threats, and rather more. Let’s meet the individual behind the @Centurionlewis profile – Liam. https://t.co/GWkdgABHbN
Mercedes now not affected by bouncing points
Mercedes, who began off the season on a tough notice with worrying porpoising points, now not appear to be dealing with this drawback after a easy and promising 2022 F1 Hungarian GP.
The group’s trackside engineering director, Andrew Shovlin, advised Auto Motor und Sport:
“Bouncing is now not a difficulty in any respect. We nonetheless have just a few issues within the quiver, nothing spectacular however issues that may take us additional. We’re now not going round in circles however at the moment are transferring ahead constantly.”
The Silver Arrows at present stand third within the constructors’ standings, with 334 factors to their title.
Coming quickly!