Late Friends star Matthew Perry’s X account 'hacked' in alleged fraud attempt
Friends actor Matthew Perry appears to have been the target of social media hacking, after his account on X has been the subject of fraud.
Matthew was found dead at his Pacific Palisades home in Los Angeles on October 28 at the age of 54, and following the star's death a webpage was set up by the Matthew Perry Foundation to allow for donations to continue the actor's charity efforts. However it now appears that the link shared via his X account now points to a copycat and fraudulent website.
The activity was revealed in an Instagram post from the Matthew Perry Foundation said: “We have received reports that Matthew’s official X page has been hacked and is directing users to a fraudulent site soliciting donations via cryptocurrency. Please do not donate to this site or share the fraudulent posts on social media."
READ MORE: BAFTA responds to Matthew Perry backlash after tragic star 'snubbed' from segment
The post continued: " MatthewPerryFoundation.org is the only website associated with the Foundation, and we are only accepting donations through this site."
Hear'Say star quit booze after drunken Friends impressions - to Matthew PerryThe caption attached to the post added: "This is the only official Matthew Perry Foundation Instagram account, and we will only ever post official Foundation communications. Please report imposter accounts, and do not submit donations through any channel other than MatthewPerryFoundation.org."
Following his shock death last year, after he was found dead in a hot tub at home in October, the foundation was set up in his name to help those struggling with addiction. FRIENDS co-star Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel Green, was amongst those in support of the foundation which was set up to "honour his legacy". Perry had been open about his previous struggles with alcohol and drug addiction for many years, writing candidly in his 2022 memoir, 'Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing'.
The social media hacking comes as the FRIENDS star appeared to be snubbed during the In Memoriam segment of the BAFTAS earlier this month, leaving fans outraged. Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham performed a pared down version of Cyndi Lauper’s Time After Time in Sunday’s in memoriam segment, which featured tributes to stars including Jane Birkin, Glynis Johns, Carl Weathers, Julian Sands, Tom Wilkinson and Tina Turner yet Perry did not appear to feature.
Responding to the backlash, BAFTA say he will be honoured at the organisation’s TV awards in May after he was not featured in Sunday’s film awards ceremony. In response to a user on X questioning Perry’s absence from the segment, the organisation’s official account said: "Matthew Perry will be remembered in this year’s TV Awards ceremony."