**Ore Oduba Left Emotional After Falling Victim to Convincing Scam Orchestrated in Name of Respected ‘Hero’**
British television favourite Ore Oduba has publicly shared his regret and embarrassment after revealing he was recently duped by an elaborate scam, set in motion by individuals posing as one of his personal inspirations. The incident has left the presenter, journalist, and Strictly Come Dancing champion shaken and eager to warn others of the ever-evolving tricks scammers now employ.
Oduba, aged 39, rose to prominence first through children’s television, before moving into wider presenting roles and famously lifting the Strictly glitterball trophy in 2016. More recently, he has been vocal in celebrating the positive impact of American life coach and motivational author Mel Robbins on his mental wellbeing. Tragically, it was this admiration that left him vulnerable to the sophisticated ruse.
The scam began in the aftermath of an appearance on ITV’s popular panel show, Loose Women, where Oduba spoke candidly about how Robbins’ bestselling theories and podcasts greatly supported him during a difficult period. Riding a wave of enthusiasm, he took to Instagram to share his appreciation, tagging Mel Robbins and her podcast in the process.
What happened next seemed, at first, to be a dream come true. Oduba received a message, channelled through his agent, purporting to be from the Mel Robbins podcast team. Overflowing with emotion, he replied with heartfelt gratitude, detailing the profound effect Robbins’ work had on his life and thanking her for apparently reaching out.
His sense of euphoria soon reached fever pitch when ‘Mel’ responded directly, personally inviting him onto her high-profile show. Hearing from what he believed was one of his heroes, Oduba found himself fighting back tears aboard a train journey, convinced his fortunes were about to dramatically change for the better.
Despite his past as a presenter on the BBC’s investigative programme Claimed and Shamed—a series highlighting consumer scams—Oduba apologetically admitted he let his guard down at precisely the wrong moment. In his Instagram confession, he commented on the insidious emotional manipulation he fell prey to: “I have watched enough Watchdog to last a lifetime—yet even I found myself right in the thick of it. Never thought I’d be the person who could be tricked.”
It was only after the initial flush of excitement that Oduba noticed the inconsistencies: a suspicious Gmail address, and the misspelling of Mel Robbins’ name in follow-up communications. Checking via the official channels, his fears were confirmed—the whole encounter was a fraud. Fortunately, he uncovered the deception before suffering any financial loss, but the psychological impact was clear, as he described feeling “ashamed… and humbled” by how easily he was taken in.
Reflecting on the experience, Oduba expressed concern about the sophistication of scams in the age of artificial intelligence, which can easily mimic trusted brands and personalities. “It was so convincing, it’s scary,” he said, highlighting just how persuasive fake digital communications can be—especially when targeted at fans with an emotional connection to public figures.
He also drew broader lessons from the ordeal, noting how people, when emotionally invested, can choose to overlook warning signs—something he compared to the way many behave in personal relationships. His message to followers: “Listen to your gut, it’s probably telling you the truth. Stay vigilant—falling for a scam is no laughing matter.”
Oduba finished his candid admission by reiterating his ongoing respect for Mel Robbins and gratitude towards her genuine team for their swift intervention, conceding that the situation could have ended far worse. His honesty received a warm response online, with supporters praising his willingness to share an experience so many find difficult to admit.
The incident serves as an urgent reminder of the increasing creativity and boldness of scammers, who are now leveraging advanced technologies to prey on even the most vigilant. As the public faces new digital threats, Oduba’s story stands as a humbling testimony that no one is entirely immune—and a timely call to remain cautious, no matter how convincing the approach may seem.