LEW: FAKE OFF!

The furious Brit has warned his army of fans not to buy any signed helmets from internet sites.

Fake Hamilton goods have flooded the sporting memorabilia market since he burst onto the Grand Prix scene last year.

But his fans are paying out thousands of pounds for so-called original and replica helmets, visors and other gear that he has NOT signed.

Worthless

One of Hamilton's trademark bright yellow helmets was put up for sale at an incredible £10,000 even though the signature was false.

Now Hamilton's father and manager, Anthony, has stepped in to try and stop fans being ripped off.

Hamilton Snr told the News of the World: "This is a big problem for us. One guy was selling a signed helmet that Lewis supposedly used in Monaco last year for £10,000 but it was absolutely worthless.

"I don't know how he does it but there was one guy in the United States knocking out Monaco replica helmets by the bucketload for £250-£350 a time.

"Again they had nothing to do with Lewis. And a new racing helmet costs around £7,000 just to buy, anyway.

"I can assure fans that no authentic or replica helmets have been signed by Lewis or sold by him. The only ones he signed were a few which McLaren give to their sponsors. They have not been put up for sale."

The popular eBay site this week saw a £360 bid for a ‘Lewis Hamilton signed F1 helmet with Photo-Proof and Certificate of Authenticity' from a UK-based seller.

But there was no helmet being signed in the photo image and the COA was from the seller — not Hamilton — saying he guaranteed the signature on the visor was authentic.

Identity

And a fake replica helmet — this time not signed — which Hamilton was claimed to have used in pre-season testing has reached over £100 after being put up by a seller in Argentina!

Hamilton, whose son is on his way to becoming the most famous sportsman in the world, added: "It is important that we protect Lewis's identity and rights.

"But we also don't want his fans being ripped off by buying something he has not signed.

"We thought about taking legal action but this costs more than just trying to warn the fans."

Hamilton Snr is so concerned that he has posted the warning on his son's re-designed website — www.lewishamilton.com.

The warning insists that no authentic helmets or visors have been signed, sold or released by the McLaren driver.

Fans will be able to buy authentic memorabilia — included helmets, clothing and prints — from the e-shop on Hamilton's website soon.

But these will all have signed certificates and registrations proving their authenticity.