Celebrity Romance Scams Are Devastating Families—Here’s How to Fight Them
Real stories of heartbreak and hope—plus the strategies that are helping victims win this fight
Social media connects us to people worldwide, but it’s also opened the door to sophisticated romance scams. Fraudsters are developing digital relationships with their victims, often posing as famous actors and musicians to connect with a trusting fan—and the results can be devastating. That has been the case for several Reddit users, who recently took to the platform to share their experiences of having loved ones victimized in celebrity romance scams. Below you’ll find the advice they have for others who may be in the same situation to help instill some hope.
Real stories: When ‘celebrity relationships’ turn into financial nightmares
The long-distance ‘relationship’ that never was
In a heartbreaking post, a Reddit user sought help from others after recently discovering their mother-in-law was being scammed by a fraudster on Facebook claiming to be a famous band member.
“Yesterday was so sad, she got all dressed up and ready for him because he was supposed to fly into our town to meet up with her but of course, she was stood up,” the poster wrote. “We found out that she even rented an Airbnb for them to stay in.”
The consistent effort on behalf of the scammer is adding to the frustration family members are experiencing. The unknown individual has been sending his victim gifts, daily texts and even fake voice notes to maintain that relationship with her. Those who know the victim assume she’s been sending the scammer money in return, which is common for romance scams like this.
A four-year scam that cost one woman everything
Another user shared that a former friend found herself involved in an online relationship with a member of a famous rock band of which she was a fan. Over the course of four years, the victim had taken some concerning steps to please the alleged celebrity.
This included:
- Selling her home (after he said he could never live in it and she would need a new residence), then giving him some of the proceeds.
- Sharing a large portion of a $275,000 inheritance.
- Purchasing so many digital gift cards from GameStop daily that she was banned.
The large and frequent transactions also led to the woman’s credit union account being closed. The same situation happened at her new bank after she was caught wiring large amounts of money at the request of the “celebrity” to people she didn’t know.
Concerned, the commenter tried to help her friend, but was told by authorities there was nothing she could do as long as the victim was able to take care of herself and make her own decisions.
“Had I been a family member I’d have tried to figure out something else, perhaps,” the person revealed. “But I just couldn’t continue pretending that she wasn’t in deep, deep trouble and that it was ruling her life. I had to admit defeat. It was so painful.”
When proof isn’t enough to break the spell
In yet another upsetting situation, a commenter shared how they have been dealing with this same situation with their mother for the last nine months. Like others, the victim “met” a famous singer on Facebook and now believes she is in love with him.
“No amount of proof I have given her has shaken the delusion,” the poster wrote. “I’ve communicated with the famous singer directly, and showed her the correspondence where he states that he is not and would never communicate with a fan directly through private messages. She told me that [the] communication was fake.”
Other attempts to provide their mother with proof of fraud (even directly from the band’s manager) have been unsuccessful. The victim has simply insisted the singer had his email hacked and he was not the one asking for money.
What families have learned about fighting back
If these stories sound familiar, know that you’re not alone, and you’re not powerless. With so many coming together to share stories of loved ones falling prey to celebrity romance scams, it gave people an opportunity to both ask for and provide advice on what may help. Here’s a look at what the commenters suggested:
Show them they’re not the only one
For some individuals, hearing others have been “involved” with the exact same celebrity (or in a very similar situation) may be enough to provide a bit of a wake up call.
“My friend printed up and showed her mom an article about the exact same scam, right down to [the] same actor,” one Reddit user shared.
If they read that others have been duped, they might realize the person they are talking to is not who they seem to be.
Use real-time proof to reveal the truth
Celebrities often have jam-packed schedules, which loved ones can use to their advantage when helping victims. One commenter suggested finding real-time proof (such as a livestream or event video coverage) of the famous person being busy at a time when the scammer is writing them.
“I saw something years ago where a scammer had duped an elderly woman and they also said they were local and coming to see them,” the person explained. “Their family showed them at the Cannes film festival [premiering] their film and they were sort of forced to realize ‘how can they be talking to you right now when they are live on TMZ at the Cannes Film Festival?’”
Take control of finances and communication
For family members caught up in a romance scam, it might be necessary to intervene and take more serious steps. That has been the case with the Redditor commenter whose mother is currently caught up in this fake relationship.
“I had to take another approach, which is to secure her finances while simultaneously trying to block as much communication from the scammer as possible and continuing to be as supportive as I can so that she doesn’t lose trust in me,” they explained.
The steps the loved one has taken:
- Using a power of attorney and becoming a co-signer (with permission) on bank accounts.
- Sharing an email address that the family member can monitor.
- Providing a phone with parental controls so messaging apps can’t be downloaded.
- Sending regular articles about cyber romance scams and how to end them.
Where to get help if you or a loved one has been scammed
Every situation is different, so it’s important to have an open and honest conversation with the victim to figure out next steps.
If you are the one who has been scammed, it’s particularly important to get help, “Loop in someone you trust,” Philip Martin, CSO at the cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase, told Woman’s World for a story on pig butchering scams. “Scammers rely on panic and isolation to keep victims from getting help. The faster you take action, the more options you have to limit the damage.”
Know that if you or a loved one has been involved in a romance scam, it’s never too late to end the communication and recover from the situation. Consider contacting the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360, which is free and available to anyone who needs it. A specialist will provide detailed advice so you can bounce back and cut the fraudster out of your life for good.
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