Scammers are still up to their old tricks, using fake celebrity accounts to scam people out of their money. This is a simple yet effective way to grift unsuspecting victims. The scammers pretend to be a beloved celebrity and ask for help, then they receive a large amount of money through wire transfers and gift cards. Recently, a con artist successfully used the likeness of Steve Perry, the frontman of Journey, to pull off this scam.
Recently, a 75-year-old woman rushed to her local police department after being contacted by an imposter who claimed to be Steve Perry. The fake Steve Perry offered her a “business opportunity for investment” that seemed dubious. Additionally, the imposter used the angle of romance, claiming that Perry was in need of a woman in his life. For those who grew up listening to “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the prospect might have seemed appealing.
The fake Steve Perry wasted no time taking advantage of the woman’s vulnerability. He started contacting her via text and WhatsApp and gained her trust over the course of several months. Eventually, the scammer was able to trick the woman into giving them $72k through wire transfers and an additional $50k in gift cards spread across various accounts in different states. The scammer even went as far as to request pictures of her passport and driver’s license, showing just how greedy and manipulative they truly were.
Fake Celebrity Scams Popping Up Across The Country
It’s disheartening to know that scammers have been impersonating celebrities to extort money from innocent people, and this year has seen no shortage of such incidents. In a recent case, a woman from Massachusetts fell victim to a fake Vince Gill who swindled her retirement fund. The scammer used a despicable tactic to deceive the poor woman into giving away thousands of dollars. According to Jackie, the woman’s daughter, the impostor spun a sob story, claiming that Vince’s wife, Amy Grant, was divorcing him because of allegations of rape by a young girl in a hotel. The scammer then went on to say that the girl was demanding $350,000 to keep quiet about the incident.
It’s a relief that the family stepped in to intervene, even though the mom had good intentions. It’s important that younger people possess a more thoughtful approach towards digital literacy. In case your beloved artist requests funds from you, it’s advisable to inquire and clarify any doubts.
