In an age dominated by social media, celebrities are more accessible than ever, but this also makes them prime targets for online scams. A 43-year-old man from Southampton, Paul Davis, recently learned this the hard way when he was tricked by a scammer pretending to be Friends star Jennifer Aniston.
Paul befriended the fake Aniston on Facebook, where he received flattering messages, videos, and even a doctored driver’s license to convince him that he was truly communicating with the actress. The scammer went to great lengths to make their interactions appear real, even referring to Paul as “my love” and sending affectionate, flirty messages to gain his trust.
“I’ve been targeted by other scams before, including fake AI-generated videos of Aniston, Elon Musk, and Mark Zuckerberg,” Paul shared. “They make it look so real.” Despite having encountered other scams, Paul fell victim to this one, which ultimately cost him hundreds of pounds.
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The scammers, using doctored documents to support their story, convinced Paul that “Jennifer” needed Apple gift cards to renew a subscription. Paul was pressured to send £200 in Apple gift cards, which were non-refundable, as a “quick fix” for the issue. The fake Aniston even sent him videos, saying she loved him, further manipulating his emotions to secure the money.
“I believed it – and I paid,” Paul admitted, adding, “Once bitten, twice shy.” He mentioned that this was not the first time he had been targeted, and that he knew others who had lost significant sums to similar scams. “Someone I know lost over a grand in Apple gift cards to these scams,” he revealed.
Paul now urges others to be cautious, as these scams have become increasingly common on social media platforms. The scammers often ask for sensitive information like bank details or credit card info, making it even easier to fall into their traps. “They’re asking for everything,” Paul warned.
Dr. Jennifer Williams, an AI expert from the University of Southampton, explained that these scams are a more sophisticated version of traditional phishing attempts. With the rise of AI and deepfake technology, it’s easier than ever for scammers to impersonate celebrities. Dr. Williams advises people to be cautious of pixelated images, unusual phrasing, and emotional language designed to manipulate the recipient.
Paul’s experience highlights the dangers of these increasingly sophisticated scams, and his story serves as a warning to others to stay vigilant online.
Be sure to share this article with others to help raise awareness of the growing risk of online scams.
