EXCLUSIVEWhy Tammy Hembrow has been been caught up in a FURIOUS online row over a social media giveaway that has cost dozens of small business owners a lost fortune

A social media giveaway allegedly involving influencer Tammy Hembrow has left dozens of small business owners thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Mum-of-three Hembrow, 30, was claimed to be the face of a new campaign being run by e-commerce mentor Matt Stevenson and his Influencer Giveaways  firm at the start of the year.

It offered dozens of small business owners the chance to gain up to 16,000 followers by paying $1,200 to have their profiles boosted in an unspecified social media giveaway featuring the fitness influencer and her 17 million followers in March this year.

Hembrow has previously taken part in a similar successful scheme with Mr Stevenson which saw participants enter a lottery for a free Mercedes Benz.

But despite luring in businesses with the promise of Hembrows involvement in a new giveaway, six months later the companies who signed up say the promotion has never materialised.

Hembrows representatives have also sought to distance her from the new venture.

Max Connecters, the influencer PR firm who represent Hembrow, said she is in no way affiliated or aware of any giveaways with Matt Stevenson, according to an email seen by Daily Mail Australia.

However multiple business owners who bought into the campaign say they have not  seen any return on their investment, and hundreds of emails, messages and calls to Mr Stevenson demanding answers or their money back have gone unanswered.

Meanwhile they have had to watch on as Mr Stevenson showcases his luxury lifestyle online with his influencer wife Shanice and their young children.

Tammy Hembrow previously took part in a similar scheme with Matt Stevenson which saw participants enter a lottery for a free Mercedes Benz (pictured together) and she featured prominently in promotional material for Mr Stevensons current scheme

Marketing specialist Bronte Godschalk, who signed up to the current giveaway because she wanted to promote her chocolate brownie brand, said she had heard nothing but radio silence from Mr Stevenson and accused him of running an unscrupulous scheme.

He has blocked several victims on social media and ignored countless emails and legal correspondences, she told Daily Mail Australia.

Many businesses have been left stranded, with no way to recoup their investments or hold him accountable.

Daily Mail Australia has approached Mr Stevenson for comment. 

The Influencer Giveaways website has been taken down. 

Several business owners said they had done previous giveaways with Mr Stevenson that had been successful.

He ran one with Hembrow in March last year which promised entrants the chance to win a free Mercedes Benz A-Class Sedan car worth an estimated $75,000.

The mother-of-three featured prominently in promotional material for Mr Stevensons current scheme, which was due to launch in March (pictured)

However, Hembrows representatives have sought to completely distance herself from it. In an email obtained by this publication, Max Connecters, the influencer PR firm that represents Hembrow, said that she is in no way affiliated or aware of any giveaways with Matt Stevenson

The giveaway was funded by an offer to small business owners to boost their followings on social media by up to 15,000, in addition to access to marketing emails, in exchange for $1,200.

Hembrow featured heavily in the promotions for the scheme, including in a video shared with her 17.3 million followers.

‘This is the biggest giveaway I’ve ever done,’ she said as she sat on the bonnet of the car in a figure-hugging black dress.

‘I’ve partnered with Influencer Giveaways. We are giving one of you the chance to win this beautiful Mercedes Benz. 

All you’ve have to do is share this post, go over to Influencer Giveaways, follow everyone they are following and then come back here and tag a friend. Good luck!

In another video, Mr Stevenson described it as the most hyped giveaway ever.

This, several business owners claimed, gave a veneer of legitimacy to the most recent collaboration. 

This image was bolstered by Mr Stevensons influencer wife, who boasts almost 26,000 followers and regularly documents their lavish life together.

Clare Houghton, who hoped to boost the profile of her clothing brands and her sustainable shoe wipe company, said these posts were grating.

Its obviously irritating when I see him going out on a Tuesday night to buy an $80 steak and posting it on social media, she said.

And his wife boasting shes asking for a  $12,00 Cartier bracelet for her birthday -  obviously its annoying because it feels like hes doing it with other peoples money. 

These giveaways normally attract around 70 sponsors so its perfectly possible he has over $100,000 of other peoples money.

Clare Houghton (pictured), who hoped to boost the profile of her clothing brands and her sustainable shoe wipe company, suggested Mr Stevenson could have up to $100,000 of other peoples money

Mr Stevenson ran a successful promotion with Hembrow in March last year which promised entrants the chance to win a free Mercedes Benz A-Class sedan worth an estimated $75,000

Several business owners are now considering legal action in an attempt to recoup their money. 

Another ‘sponsor, Tenae Adamcic, said she had contacted police about Mr Stevensons actions but they were unable to help.

‘Fair Trading wasnt able to do anything about it either,’ she added.

‘We’re basically left with proceeding with legal action, which will obviously put us further out of pocket.

But of course, if he claims bankruptcy, then theres no options of getting our money back.’

In emails, seen by Daily Mail Australia, Mr Stevenson told those involved that over 40 sponsors have not paid their invoices. 

He also claims to operate a no refund policy. 

Daily Mail Australia has approached Hembrow and Max Connectors for further comment.