News

Disgraced influencer issues apology after passing off stock images as his own work

The disgraced Singaporean influencer who ripped off stock images and claimed them as his own has apologised and said he will accept “all consequences” of his actions.

Daryl Aiden Yow was exposed as a photography cheat by Singapore website Mothership after doctoring images and passing them off as his own on Instagram posts.

Among the photos he claimed he took was one in Mykonos in a post promoting a Sony camera.

He superimposed himself in the image with the message: “So happy to announce the start of my journey with @sonysingapore featuring the A7RII”

In fact, the image was a stock photo found at Depositphotos.

His actions will pile more pressure on under-pressure influencers whose reputations are already fragile.

Mothership reported Sony as being “surprised and disappointed”, with the brand insisting it “encourages the art of creativity, however we do not condone any action such as plagiarism and take a serious stance on it”.

Another of several photographs ripped off by the influencer was this one taken in the Faroe Islands. The top image is from Visit Faroe Islands, with Yow’s post below.

Yow, who has 101,000 Instagram followers, apologised on the social platform and confessed friends had previously warned him of his actions.

“The outrage regarding how I have conducted myself is justified and I accept full responsibility for my actions and all consequences that arise from my actions,” he wrote.

Yow: I fell short of what was expected of me

“I was wrong to have claimed that stock images and other people’s work were my own. I was also wrong to have used false captions that misled my followers and those who viewed my images.

“Having marketed myself as a photographer I fell far short of  what was expected of me and disappointed those who believed – or wanted to believe – in me.

“For all that, I apologise.”

He added he had ignored warnings from friends about his practices, admitting he “did not take their advice seriously”.

“I let them down with my actions,” he wrote. “I know I have erred and hope that I will be given the time and space to grow and better myself.”

Brands have been quick to jump on the story with airline Scoot among those taking full advantage.

On his website, Yow lists a raft of brands he has worked with, including Coca Cola, Nespresso, Grand Hyatt and Topman.

ADVERTISEMENT

Get the latest media and marketing industry news (and views) direct to your inbox.

Sign up to the free Mumbrella Asia newsletter now.

 

SUBSCRIBE

Sign up to our free daily update to get the latest in media and marketing