**Ore Oduba Brought to Tears After Falling Victim to Scam by Impersonator of Personal ‘Hero’**
Respected TV presenter, actor and former Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba has bravely opened up to the public after being targeted in a convincing online scam. The incident, which the star recounted in a recent emotional social media post, underscores the pervasive threat of digital fraud—even for those who pride themselves on their consumer savvy.
Oduba, aged 39, is well known for both his broadcasting work and for offering consumer advice to others. Ironically, he once presented BBC’s ‘Claimed and Shamed’, a programme dedicated to exposing scams and educating viewers on avoiding fraud. Yet, as his story demonstrates, even those with a wealth of experience can find themselves vulnerable when emotions are involved.
The scam unfolded after Oduba shared his admiration for American motivational speaker and author Mel Robbins during an appearance on ITV’s ‘Loose Women’. In a follow-up move, he tagged Robbins and her podcast in a post to his social media accounts. Later, in what seemed to be a crowning moment, his agent forwarded an email purporting to be from Robbins’ team, inviting Oduba to feature on her acclaimed podcast.
Initially overwhelmed with excitement, Oduba confessed in his six-minute video that he poured his heart out in response to the email, explaining how Robbins’ life philosophies and bestselling works had helped him through difficult times. Believing he was on the verge of a transformative opportunity, Oduba admitted to shedding tears aboard a train from Birmingham to London, imagining that his life was about to change dramatically.
However, elation soon gave way to suspicion. Oduba managed to compose himself and, on closer inspection, noticed inconsistencies in the email correspondence—including a misspelling of Mel Robbins’ name and the use of a generic Gmail address, rather than an official domain. After contacting Robbins’ actual representatives via her official website, it became clear he had been the target of a sophisticated impersonation.
In his Instagram post, Oduba candidly addressed his sense of embarrassment and shame, highlighting how the manipulation of emotions and the advanced use of AI technology by scammers rendered the deception highly credible. He issued a warning to his followers, emphasising that such schemes can ensnare anyone, regardless of their level of awareness or caution. “Listen to your gut, it’s most likely telling you the truth,” he advised, adding that “it’s no fun being scammed”.
Throughout his heartfelt account, Oduba continued to speak highly of Robbins, expressing gratitude for the support and swift response from her real team. His experience, while deeply unsettling, serves as a timely reminder of the emotional vulnerabilities that can be exploited online—especially when individuals are blindsided by admiration or hope for life-changing opportunities.
Oduba has garnered national attention since rising to fame as the presenter of CBBC’s Newsround. His subsequent career has encompassed numerous high-profile television roles, stage performances in prominent West End productions, and notable broadcasting assignments, including hosting BBC and ITV shows as well as special events. His victory on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 further cemented his status as one of Britain’s most beloved media personalities.
Meanwhile, Mel Robbins, the subject of Oduba’s admiration, is renowned worldwide for her motivational speaking, podcasting, and bestselling books. Her ‘5-Second Rule’ and ‘Let Them Theory’ have both achieved huge popularity, guiding millions towards greater confidence and self-motivation.
Oduba’s cautionary tale resonates in an era where the lines between genuine connection and manipulation are increasingly blurred by technological advancements and social media. His willingness to share his experience, complete with moments of vulnerability, may offer solace and valuable insight to others—reminding everyone that, when it comes to online scams, nobody is immune.
In closing, Oduba reaffirmed his continued respect for Robbins and expressed relief that he had discovered the scam before any real damage was done. “I got lucky—it could so easily have been too late,” he concluded, urging others to remain vigilant and never ignore those warning instincts.