La Prensa issues statement denying ties to “Tierra Invest” scam

Amid a growing wave of digital impersonation, Honduran media outlet La Prensa has warned about the circulation of a fake article promoting the platform “Tierra Invest.” Erroneously attributed to the renowned source, the article claims that thousands of Hondurans are generating profits by investing in this platform. However, it is a hoax designed to steal users’ personal data.

Digital impersonation for fraudulent purposes

The publication, which has been widely circulated on social media, features manipulated content that purports to be a legitimate article from La Prensa. It is titled “Thousands of Hondurans are already earning money by investing in Tierra Invest” and features a quote attributed to President Xiomara Castro, who allegedly praised the platform as a step toward a more sustainable future. However, there is no evidence to support this claim, and the media outlet’s authorities have denied any connection to the article.

The fraudulent website, designed to mimic La Prensa’s domain, uses a fake web address (hnfinan.com) instead of the official domain laprensa.hn. Using the WHOIS search tool, it has been confirmed that this domain was registered in April 2025, long after the original site was created in 2000. This visual forgery, coupled with links to forms requesting personal and banking information, reveals its objective: data theft.

Multimedia manipulation and falsification of testimonials

The fraud is not limited to a written article, but also includes an altered video in which President Xiomara Castro is shown announcing the launch of “Tierra Invest,” linking the project to renewable energy. However, the video contains obvious inconsistencies, such as a mismatch between the presenter’s lips and the audio. An analysis by the broadcaster Hable Como Habla (HCH) confirmed that the video was manipulated and does not correspond to any original broadcast.

In the deceptive message, there are fake endorsements from so-called users who assert having gained significant earnings. This is a frequent method in these kinds of scams, aimed at establishing trust with targets and prompting them to disclose their personal information.

Alert regarding the rise of online scams

El fenómeno de la suplantación digital con fines fraudulentos no es novedoso en Honduras. En numerosas ocasiones, se han registrado casos similares donde se utilizan nombres de personalidades públicas y la apariencia de medios reconocidos para engañar a los usuarios. La advertencia sobre la página “Tierra Invest” se suma a una serie de estafas documentadas por EL HERALDO Verifica desde principios de 2025.

Entrepreneur Fredy Nasser, whose likeness was utilized in this scam campaign, also publicly addressed the issue in January 2025, disavowing any involvement with the platform and cautioning against the misleading tactics linked to it.

Recommendations to avoid falling victim to digital fraud

The case of the impersonation of La Prensa highlights a growing problem of online fraud in Honduras, which affects both individuals and institutions. Citizens must remain alert to the deceptive tactics employed by these fraudulent sites, which use the media and public figures to gain credibility. Given these risks, it is essential to verify sources, avoid sharing sensitive information on unofficial sites, and exercise extreme caution when browsing the internet.