Beware the finfluencers.

You may well have seen Manosphere, Louis Theroux’s latest compelling and disturbing documentary on Netflix.

If you have seen it, you may have reached the very same conclusion as quickly as I did: namely, that it’s all just about making money. 

Just hard dollar, and nothing more. 

Because whenever the characters in question were challenged on their abominable comments or misogynistic viewpoints on women, they instantly say ‘that’s not who I am’ and run a mile from their very own toxic posts. 

‘Act like me bro’ and YOU WILL MAKE MONEY’ they boast – and who doesn’t want that?

After all, making money makes you friends, makes you relationships you wouldn’t have when broke….and, last but certainly not least, money makes the down payment on that Lambo’ you so lust after. 

Sounds great but there’s just one small problem. It’s all absolute bollocks.

And the penniless victims who’d taken this messaging hook, line and sinker bore this out in the excellent Manosphere documentary.

However, all this exposed a very, very dangerous growing trend. Dunno if you’ve noticed but there is so much hokum being spouted online from so called financial gurus, it’s clear that we all have to be more on our guard.

From Ai generated Martin Lewis doppelgangers to ‘How to not pay tax on a £1 million’, throw a USB stick and you’ll hit any number of financial influencers – or ‘finfluencers’ for short as they’re now being dubbed. From ‘how to flip ten properties without paying a penny in tax’ to ‘Did you know you can employ your 13 year old son or daughter in your business and claim their £12,700 personal tax allowance?’. 

‘Wow I didn’t know that’ you exclaim.

Well don’t worry too much, you’re not missing out because you can’t do any of these things because none are legal. Sorry to burst bubbles y’all.

Thing is, it’s all a bit wild west out there, partly due to inconsistency in legislation. For example, you have to be regulated to give investment advice but absolutely ANYONE can dish out tax advice. 

Crazy, I know.

‘Beware of false profits’ as David Brent  once (wrongly) paraphrased. Who knows, maybe he was referring to online marketing gurus with zero wisdom but maximum front too.