Controversial influencers, Andrew Tate and his brother, Tristan, are begging to be released on bail, admitting to a U.S. District Court that Andrew’s previous statement about having a Nigerian passport was a lie, intended to attract likes and followers to boost his social media profile, court filings seen by Peoples Gazette showed.

The Tates brothers, who are both British-U.S. citizens, are facing over 50 charges of sexual abuse across borders including the UK. The brothers are requesting their release while the British prosecutors process their extradition to the UK.

British prosecutors are fiercely opposing their request for bail arguing that Andrew has repeatedly showed off on social media, saying he could go to any country of his choosing to evade arrest because he carried many passports.

But Andrew pleaded to be released, admitting the post about passports, his fake Nigerian accent and luxury lifestyle were only exaggerations to boost his social media persona.

“The videos in which Andrew claimed to possess passports from Estonia, Nigeria, Poland, the UK, U.S., was a joke complete with Andrew portraying a false Nigerian accent,” the lawyers argued according to court filings seen by the Peoples Gazette.

The lawyers admitted that “the so-called Mexican “passport” bearing the name “Vladimir Scorpius” was a cardboard prop Tristan used for a Halloween costume.” 

For instance, Andred admitted he was not the owner of a fleet of Bugattis and Aston Martins in one of his social media pictures. He said he only rented them to pose beside them for the picture.

“For example, the $2.1million Aston Martin and $5million and $7million Bugattis featured in Tristan’s videos were rented,” the lawyers submitted, adding that “it is in their interest to portray themselves on social media as uberwealthy.” 

According to the lawyers, the more outrageous the lies, the more viral the posts and more popular they become. 

“The outrageousness of the posts by them and about them is the point. The more hyperbolic and outlandish the post, the more likely it will generate views and likes, which in turn generates income. In short, they are playing a role,” stated court filings.