When “Your Favorite Star” Isn’t Who They Say They Are

In our digital age, the thrill of connecting with a celebrity, an online influencer, or a “famous” name can be overpowering, especially for vulnerable populations like older adults who may value the promise of connection, trust, or recognition. But fraudsters are increasingly preying on this desire by posing as celebrities, using this guise to manipulate seniors, emotionally and financially.

What is a celebrity-imposter scam?

Put simply, a celebrity-imposter scam occurs when a fraudster pretends to be a famous person (a movie star, musician, athlete, influencer, etc.) in order to cultivate trust, create a relationship (through messages, video calls, social media posts), and then use that relationship to ask for money, gifts, personal information or access.

As one article explains: “A celebrity imposter scam happens when a fraudster pretends to be a famous person to win trust and take money or personal details.”

These scams often combine emotional appeals (flattery, romance, friendship) with urgent or secret-requests (e.g., “You’re the only one I trust,” “This is off-the-record,” “I need you to help me financially,” etc.).

For seniors, the risk factors can include:

• increased loneliness or social isolation (making them more likely to respond to a friendly online message)
• a lifetime of trusting interpersonal relationships (which may translate into trusting someone who “looks like a celebrity”)
• less familiarity with certain digital red flags (deepfakes, spoof e-mail accounts, social media impersonation)
• stable financial assets (retirement savings, home equity) that make them a tempting target.

Real examples

Here are a couple of real world instances that show how the scam can play out, one driven by romance/relationship, one by celebrity/endorsement style.

Example 1: The “celebrity romance” scam

In one widely reported case, a 67-year old widow in San Diego believed she was communicating with Keanu Reeves. The fraudster initially asked her to send a $500 gift card; later, the impersonator(s) claimed to be Reeves and his “management team,” they asked for Bitcoin and other transfers, over a two year period she reportedly sent more than $60,000. Eventually the scam collapsed and she realized it wasn’t really him.

This example highlights how imposter scams can combine: a celebrity persona, an emotional relationship (romance), requests for frequent money transfers (gift cards, cryptocurrency) and time to build the relationship and trust.

Example 2: A fake charity/celebrity endorsement style

In another case, Helen Mirren publicly warned her fans in June 2025 that scammers were using her name and likeness in a fake‐charity e-mail (“helenmirrencharity@gmail.com”) offering large sums of money and asking for a response. She clarified: “THIS IS NOT ME and it is not my email address, please beware and do not respond.”
While this may not (yet) be specifically a case of a senior being scammed, it clearly demonstrates the “celebrity imposter with a cause” angle that could easily be used to target older or more trusting individuals.

Example 3: A fake celebrity endorsement style

In another case, a 73-year old grandmother from the Seattle area was defrauded of at least $20,000 by a scam artist posing as Ari Melber, a well-known news anchor. The scam began with Facebook messages appearing to be from Melber, then requests for money and gift cards under the guise of helping a “sick dog.” At one point the victim was about to fly to New York to meet him when her family intervened.
While this did not explicitly target seniors exclusively via a celebrity figure, it shows how the “trusted public figure” facade can be used to lure vulnerable older adults into handing over money.

Why seniors are particularly at risk

• Emotional need: Seniors who may feel isolated or lonely might be drawn in by someone who “recognizes” them and “wants” a relationship. The romance angle plays a key role.
• Trust in authority/celebrity: A message that says “I’m a famous person” can exploit the natural respect some people hold for celebrity/authority.
• Less awareness of digital tools: Deepfake audio/video, spoofed accounts, clever impersonation, many of these tools are more familiar to younger internet users than older generations.
• Financial assets: Seniors often have more accumulated savings, making them valuable targets.
• Reluctance to report: Shame or fear of what others will think can make reporting fraud harder, giving scammers time to advance the scheme.

How seniors (and their families) can protect themselves

Here are practical steps to help prevent or limit harm from celebrity-imposter scams:

1. Be skeptical of unexpected contact

• • If someone in your inbox claims to be a celebrity and wants to chat privately, ask: How did they find you?
  • Celebrities do not typically reach out anonymously to ask for money, personal info, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
  • If there’s any ask for money, especially under pressure (“send now or I’ll lose X”), that’s a huge red flag.

2. Verify the identity independently

• • Go to the official website or social‐media account of the celebrity. Does their verified account mention this outreach?
  • Be wary of social accounts with no “verified” badge, few followers/friends, many recent posts about “helping me transfer money,” “gift cards,” etc.
  • Search the internet: sometimes news outlets already warn about impersonations of that person.
  • Don’t use contact details provided by the purported celebrity in the message, that may be a scam setup.

3. Never send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to someone you haven’t met in person (and even then: be cautious).

• • Gift cards are a favorite tool of scammers because they’re hard to trace.
  • Cryptocurrency or wire transfers are effectively irreversible.
  • Always check with a trusted friend or family member before transferring large sums.
  • Set a rule: “If someone asks for money to prove their identity, or for you to keep it secret, it’s a scam.”

4. Talk about it

• • Encourage older loved ones to talk about any unusual online chat or relationship, shame or embarrassment should not stop the conversation.
  • Families: consider periodic check-in chats about “who have you been chatting with online lately?”
  • If you suspect someone is being targeted, report it: to the financial institution, to local law enforcement, and to any organizations you belong to.

5. Keep digital tools updated & use security features

• • Use strong-passwords, two-factor authentication on e-mail/social accounts.
  • Be cautious of unsolicited friend requests and treat messages with caution even if they appear to come from someone you “know.”
  • Consider installing security software that flags phishing, spoofed domains, and other scam tactics.
  • Educate about voice/video “deepfake” risks: audio may be manipulated to sound real. As one site puts it: scammers use “celebrity names, likeness, voices to create the illusion that their victim is really communicating with someone famous.”

6. If you sent money and suspect a scam: act quickly

• • Contact your bank/credit card company immediately.
  • File a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or the equivalent local agency.
  • Change passwords and monitor accounts for unusual activity.
  • Consider speaking to a trusted attorney or financial advisor about next steps.

✅ Celebrity Imposter Scam Safety Checklist

1. If someone you don’t know contacts you (social media / email / text) claiming to be a celebrity, pause.
2. Ask: How did they find me? Have they messaged others like this?
3. Go to the celebrity’s official website or verified social media account. Check:

• • Do they have a “verified” badge?
  • Are there posts referencing contact with you? Unlikely.

4. Never send gift cards, crypto, wiring money, or share personal info (Social Security number, account numbers, etc.) because you believe it’s a celebrity.
5. If the person asks you to keep it secret or says, “you’re the only one I trust”, flag it.
6. Talk about it with a trusted friend or family member. Don’t rush alone.
7. Set up basic digital protections:

• • Strong, unique passwords.
  • Two factor authentication (2FA) on email and social accounts.
  • Never click unfamiliar links in messages claiming to be from a celebrity.

8. Report suspected scam:

• • To your bank/credit card company if money was sent.
  • To the FTC (or equivalent in your country).
  • To local law enforcement.

9. Monitor your finances afterwards: check for unusual withdrawals, unknown accounts, unexpected bills.
10. Cherish real relationships: If you’re feeling lonely or isolated, reach out to clubs, groups, senior centers, trusted friends, seeking connection is natural; just vet the source.

Closing thoughts: Empowerment through awareness

The underlying playbook of these scams isn’t just “pretend to be a celebrity”, it’s “exploit trust, emotion and urgency”. For seniors, who may naturally value kindness, connection and recognition, the line between a friendly chat and a manipulative pitch can blur.

But the good news: awareness is one of the strongest defenses. Knowing that “celebrities don’t randomly message you asking for gift cards or crypto” helps you pause, question, verify. Talking openly about what seems “special” or “personal” in an online relationship can diffuse the isolation and secrecy that scammers rely on.

If you or someone you care about suspects they’re being targeted, act quickly. You are not alone. Many resources exist to help.