Burnley-born actor, Sir Ian McKellen, has warned fans to be vigilant of ‘imposters’ pretending to be him after some fell victim to an autograph scam.

Fans sent some of their items to be a Kent-based entertainment company, Smuggler’s Entertainment LTD, thinking they would be privately signed by the Lord of the Rings actor.

However, it wasn’t the real Ian McKellen and fans received fraudulent signatures which are reported to have cost between £75-£100.

The perpetrator turned up to the private signing in a “cap, black coat and facemask” while pretended to be McKellen.

Sir Ian issued a social media statement about the scam, updating his Twitter bio to read: “My only Twitter account. Beware of imposters who try to gain your confidence.”

Sir Ian confirmed he has never done paid signings and only does signings for charity or for people who send things to him directly.

 

 

A statement from Sir Ian said: “I have been made aware that a man impersonating me and two women posing as my representatives have recently approached a promoter in Kent, with the offer of a ‘private signing’ by Ian McKellen.

“I am very sorry for anyone who has sent in photos and items to be signed by this fraudulent impersonator.

“I understand that the promoter has offered to make refunds as soon as possible.

“To be clear, I have never attended paid signings. I do sign for charity and for individuals who submit items directly to me.”

Smuggler’s Entertainment LTD fell victim to the scammer. They have offered full refunds to customers who asked their items to be signed. The company is also offering to have signatures removed from signed items.

Posting to Facebook they apologised to customers and were sorry to have been “taken for a fool”.

They said: “Sorry guys for being taken for a fool and fell for it .

“Angry is under-statement… I promise you I’ll do everything I can to get this sorted”.