Influencer and entrepreneur Maureen Waititu has spoken out strongly against fraudulent online advertisements using her photos without consent.
In a detailed statement shared on her social platforms, Waititu expressed frustration over a page that has allegedly been using her images for months to promote products she has never used or endorsed.
“I wonder how some people build business on lies and still expect to thrive,” she wrote, setting the tone for a firm stance against the misuse of her likeness.
According to Waititu, she had initially chosen to ignore the situation despite receiving repeated messages from followers raising concerns.
“For months I’ve been receiving messages from my followers about a certain page using my photos to advertise their products. I chose to ignore it at first, but enough is enough,” she stated.
She clarified that the products being advertised are not associated with her in any way, raising further concern about the authenticity of the businesses behind such promotions.
“These are products I have never used, and from what I can see, they seem to rely on stolen content from other people’s work as well,” she added.
The influencer emphasized that her decision to speak out now goes beyond personal frustration, pointing to a deeper issue of integrity in business practices.
“Why am I addressing it now? Because this is bigger than just photos being used without permission — it is about honesty and integrity,” she explained.
Having built her personal brand over more than a decade, Waititu highlighted the potential damage such actions can cause.
“Actions like this can damage a brand I have worked hard to build for over 10 years. Trust takes years to build and seconds to damage — that is why it matters,” she noted.
Waititu did not hold back in directly calling out the page responsible, even as she revealed that she has been blocked by the account.
“So the page involved — shame you. They have since blocked me, but my images are still on their page. Please help me report the account,” she urged her followers.
The incident highlights a broader issue affecting influencers and celebrities, where scammers exploit trusted public figures to market questionable products. By using familiar faces, such ads can easily appear legitimate, increasing the likelihood of unsuspecting consumers falling victim.
