RUGBY league star Rob Burrow has slammed the "scumbags" who set up fake social media accounts to try and fleece money out of fans.

       The 38-year-old became an avid fundraiser since his devastating motor neurone disease diagnosis - but sick scammers have now tried to swindle well-wishers out of charity cash.

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       MND sufferer and former rugby star Rob Burrows branded the scammers 'scumbags' Credit: Rex

       Fraudsters set up a fake Twitter account impersonating the ex-England international asking people to send money via PayPal.

       But the Leeds Rhino legend condemned the vile con artists in a furious tweet.

       The father-of-three told his followers: "They have been asking for people to send money to an email account.

       "Please don't be the one who falls for the scumbags. Everything on here is true, don't fall for it. Thanks everyone."

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       Brave Burrow has remained a beacon of light amidst his terminal illness and has spearheaded fundraisers to finance research into MND after his diagnosis in 2019 at just 37-years-old.

       The debilitating condition, that affects an estimated 5,000 adults in the UK, causes muscles to waste away after a loss of nerve cells that control how you walk, talk, eat, drink and breathe.

       The condition is currently incurable and tragically half of the 1,500 people diagnosed each year die within just 24 months.

       Rob shared his courageous battle against the disease - that has robbed him of his ability to walk and talk - in a BBC documentary in 2020 titled Rob Burrow: My Year with MND.

       It was nominated for this year's Best Authored Documentary at the National Television Awards.

       His wife Lindsey said of the scammers: "It's just shameful that somebody would try and capitalise on this and take money that is being raised for a good cause.

       "We acted on it straight away and reported it and the person who tweeted deleted it.

       "UNBELIEVABLE"

       "Fortunately, it's the first time that we've come across anything like this. But it's quite unbelievable that somebody would try to do that.

       "It was a bit of a shock and it just shows you've got to be so careful and vigilant with social media."

       The sports star was awarded an MBE for his extraordinary work for raising awareness of motor neurone disease in the 2021 New Years Honours List.

       As well as a string of rugby pals, he has inspired thousands of others to get involved with fundraising.

       Just last weekend, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham ran the Great North Run in honour of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.

       Rob's former teammate Kevin Sinfield also created the 7 in 7 Challenge, which tasks people with completing seven runs or walks over seven consecutive days.

       Kevin ran seven marathons in seven days for the cause in tribute to his close pal and the fundraiser has since raised over ￡280,000 to help fight motor neurone disease.

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       His acclaimed documentary showing the struggle of his illness was nominated at this year's National Television Awards Credit: Rex