URGENT UPDATE: A fake ABC News website is promoting a completely fabricated story about Commonwealth Bank CEO Matt Comyn storming out of an interview, part of a wider scam targeting Australian social media users. This disinformation campaign is designed to mislead viewers into clicking suspicious links related to a fraudulent investment platform called Momentum Finspire.
Authorities confirm that the story falsely claims Comyn confronted veteran journalist Alan Kohler over the promotion of Momentum Finspire, which allegedly mimics banking investment strategies. The article, which surfaced in multiple Facebook advertisements, features misleading images and clickable links that lead users directly to the scam site.
One advertisement states, “WHAT WENT WRONG ON 7.30? Alan KOHLER VS MATT COMYN – WHAT SPARKED THE CLASH?” alongside images of a disgruntled Comyn. The fabricated narrative describes a heated exchange during a supposed interview overseen by 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson. It falsely reports Comyn’s outrage over Kohler’s promotion of Momentum Finspire, claiming he declared, “I have serious concerns about promoting these cryptocurrency schemes,” before storming off set.
The article also showcases fake testimonials, including one from a supposed user identified as David Thompson, a 41-year-old concreter from Geelong. However, a reverse image search reveals that this individual is actually a UK-based artist named Leo Murray. Additionally, Momentum Finspire is not listed on the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) website, casting further doubt on the legitimacy of the claims.
Despite the professional appearance of the scam website, several red flags indicate its fraudulent nature. The URL is unrelated to ABC News, and none of the links on the site function properly, except for those leading directly to the Momentum Finspire platform. Notably, many images featured on the site contain invisible watermarks, signifying they were generated using AI technology.
Kohler himself addressed the issue, stating, “
Not a word nor a photo of it was true. It was an AI fake. I won’t link to it because it would draw more attention to it. The article was convincing,”
he wrote. He also confirmed on social media that the supposed story is entirely false, urging the public to be cautious of such scams.
With misinformation like this on the rise, AAP FactCheck emphasizes the importance of verifying information before sharing. It is an accredited member of the International Fact-Checking Network and is dedicated to providing accurate information to combat disinformation campaigns.
As this story develops, authorities urge the public to remain vigilant against scams that exploit trust in established organizations. Follow updates on this developing story and others like it across social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, Threads, X, BlueSky, TikTok, and YouTube.
Stay informed and share responsibly to help combat the spread of false information.
