AI scammers use celebrity's identity to trick pensioner out of $780
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It’s a story that’s as shocking as it is heartbreaking: a 73-year-old pensioner found herself swept up in a five-year online romance with a celebrity—or so she thought.
In reality, she was the latest victim of a cunning new breed of scam, one that uses artificial intelligence to create eerily convincing impersonations of celebrities.
She was left 'furious' and $786 poorer, and her story is a cautionary tale for all of us.
It all began with a cheeky message on Facebook. The sender, posing as Dr Chris Brown, quickly moved the conversation to more private channels, such as Telegram and WhatsApp.
There, the fraudsters ramped up their manipulation, sending emotionally charged messages and even AI-generated videos that looked and sounded just like the honest Dr Chris.
'Whenever I became suspicious and tried to end contact, he’d get angry and send me a video saying he was real.
It certainly sounded and looked like him,' Daana Tomlin recalled.
The scammers’ tactics were sophisticated and relentless, preying on her trust and emotions.
Over the years, Daana was convinced to send nearly $800 through gift cards, Apple cards, and PayPal.
The scammers even promised a meet-and-greet at a New Zealand airport—Daana paid for it, but of course, Dr Chris never showed.
When she asked airport security for help, they confirmed her worst fears: there was no sign of the TV star.
Daana’s experience is not just about the money lost.
'I feel silly and embarrassed,' she admitted.
The fake Chris would call her 'his wife' and rang her every morning for five years.
For someone who had been married for 19 years and has a grown son, the emotional manipulation was 'evil, devious, exploitative, and invasive.'
It wasn’t until her support worker noticed the PayPal payments that the truth came out.
The scammer had even claimed to have bought Daana a car but demanded more money for 'registration.'
Daana’s story is not unique. Just last month, a UK pensioner, Lisa Nock, fell victim to a similar scam.
After losing her partner in a car crash and suffering her own injuries, Lisa was vulnerable and lonely.
When a fake Dr Chris Brown reached out on Instagram, she was thrilled. Over two and a half years, the scammers used AI-generated images and videos to convince her of their authenticity, eventually conning her out of her life savings.
Lisa’s story took an even more bizarre turn when the scammers, posing as Chris’s 'management,' claimed he’d been kidnapped and demanded $40 million for his release.
Thankfully, Lisa realised the truth and reported the scam to the police.
These scams are more sophisticated than ever, thanks to advances in artificial intelligence.
Scammers can now create videos and audio clips that closely mimic celebrities.
They use these tools to build trust, manipulate emotions, and, ultimately, extract money from their victims.
The scammers often start with a friendly message on social media, then move the conversation to encrypted apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.
They’ll shower their targets with affection, promises, and even fake gifts, all while slowly asking for money—usually through untraceable means like gift cards, Bitcoin, or PayPal.
Unfortunately, older Australians are often targeted by these scams.
Many of us didn’t grow up with the internet, and the technology can be confusing or intimidating.
Scammers know this and exploit it, using flattery, romance, and even threats to get what they want.
Loneliness can also play a role. After losing a partner or living alone, it’s natural to crave companionship. Scammers are experts at identifying and exploiting these vulnerabilities.
It’s easy to feel embarrassed or ashamed if you’ve been scammed, but remember, these fraudsters are professionals.
They use the latest technology and psychological tricks to deceive even the most careful among us. By sharing your story, you can help others avoid the same fate.
Have you or a loved one been approached by a scammer online? What warning signs did you notice—or miss? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Read more: She believed the TV star wanted to marry her—then scammers demanded $40 million
In reality, she was the latest victim of a cunning new breed of scam, one that uses artificial intelligence to create eerily convincing impersonations of celebrities.
She was left 'furious' and $786 poorer, and her story is a cautionary tale for all of us.
It all began with a cheeky message on Facebook. The sender, posing as Dr Chris Brown, quickly moved the conversation to more private channels, such as Telegram and WhatsApp.
There, the fraudsters ramped up their manipulation, sending emotionally charged messages and even AI-generated videos that looked and sounded just like the honest Dr Chris.
Pensioners from New Zealand and the UK have been targeted by AI-generated love scams using images of Dr Chris Brown. Credit: Facebook
'Whenever I became suspicious and tried to end contact, he’d get angry and send me a video saying he was real.
It certainly sounded and looked like him,' Daana Tomlin recalled.
The scammers’ tactics were sophisticated and relentless, preying on her trust and emotions.
Over the years, Daana was convinced to send nearly $800 through gift cards, Apple cards, and PayPal.
The scammers even promised a meet-and-greet at a New Zealand airport—Daana paid for it, but of course, Dr Chris never showed.
When she asked airport security for help, they confirmed her worst fears: there was no sign of the TV star.
Daana’s experience is not just about the money lost.
'I feel silly and embarrassed,' she admitted.
The fake Chris would call her 'his wife' and rang her every morning for five years.
It wasn’t until her support worker noticed the PayPal payments that the truth came out.
The scammer had even claimed to have bought Daana a car but demanded more money for 'registration.'
Daana’s story is not unique. Just last month, a UK pensioner, Lisa Nock, fell victim to a similar scam.
After losing her partner in a car crash and suffering her own injuries, Lisa was vulnerable and lonely.
When a fake Dr Chris Brown reached out on Instagram, she was thrilled. Over two and a half years, the scammers used AI-generated images and videos to convince her of their authenticity, eventually conning her out of her life savings.
Thankfully, Lisa realised the truth and reported the scam to the police.
These scams are more sophisticated than ever, thanks to advances in artificial intelligence.
Scammers can now create videos and audio clips that closely mimic celebrities.
They use these tools to build trust, manipulate emotions, and, ultimately, extract money from their victims.
The scammers often start with a friendly message on social media, then move the conversation to encrypted apps like WhatsApp or Telegram.
Unfortunately, older Australians are often targeted by these scams.
Many of us didn’t grow up with the internet, and the technology can be confusing or intimidating.
Scammers know this and exploit it, using flattery, romance, and even threats to get what they want.
Loneliness can also play a role. After losing a partner or living alone, it’s natural to crave companionship. Scammers are experts at identifying and exploiting these vulnerabilities.
They use the latest technology and psychological tricks to deceive even the most careful among us. By sharing your story, you can help others avoid the same fate.
Read more: She believed the TV star wanted to marry her—then scammers demanded $40 million
