What is Devumi and did Paul Hollywood, James Cracknell and Martha Lane-Fox buy Twitter followers?
An investigation looked into the practice of people - including high-profile celebrities - paying for fake Twitter accounts known as "bots" to follow them
PAUL Hollywood has deleted his Twitter account after reportedly being found to have purchased fake followers.
A investigation into the practice of paying for fake Twitter accounts known as "bots" to follow them found a number of celebrities and public figures taking part.
What is Devumi?
The investigation focused on a company called Devumi, which are the main providers of bots but have taken the identities of actual users to create convincing fakes.
Devumi promises complete discretion.
The website reads: “Your info is always kept confidential.
“Our followers look like any other followers and are always delivered naturally. The only way anyone will know is if you tell them.”
The Times reviewed Devumi’s business and court records which revealed more than 200,000 customers, including reality television stars, professional athletes, comedians, TED speakers, pastors and models.
The article added: “In most cases, the records show, they purchased their own followers.
In others, their employees, agents, public relations companies, family members or friends did the buying. For just pennies each — sometimes even less — Devumi offers Twitter followers, views on YouTube, plays on SoundCloud, the music-hosting site, and endorsements on LinkedIn, the professional-networking site.”
Did Paul Hollywood buy Twitter followers?
The Great British Bake Off star deleted his account, with 700,000 followers, after being approached with question about his followers.
A reply to the New York Times read: “Account does not exist".
It is not known how many followers Paul paid for or what they cost. But as part of its investigation, the New York Times acquired 25,000 names for £160.
A representative for Paul told The Sun Online: "Paul deleted his personal account last week when he was alerted to the fake followers.
"The large percentage of his 650,000 followers - built up over eight years - were legitimate but like lots of high profile people, he followed advice at the time to build up his social media presence without realising what it involved.
"Paul and his team had already begun using @hollywoodbaker, set up last year.";
Which other celebrities were found to have purchased Twitter followers?
Olympic rower James Cracknell and LastMinute.com founder Baroness Martha Lane-Fox are also reported to have used the firm.
Cracknell bought 50,000 followers in 2016 - around half of his total followers.
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He claimed he thought Devumi was supplying real fans, and said: "I don't want anybody following me who is not interested in me. It's fraud."
Baroness Lane-Fox blamed a 'rogue employee' for purchasing at least seven batches of fake followers over the course of more than a year.
Team GB swimmer Adam Peaty and Union J singer Josh Cuthbert were also named in the investigation.