Celebrity Impersonation Scam: How Criminals Are Targeting Elderly Victims

by Olivia Wann

Scammers are increasingly impersonating celebrities online to manipulate and financially exploit elderly people. These celebrity romance scams combine emotional manipulation, identity theft, and financial fraud. Is your loved one at risk? The consequences can be devastating, wiping out the person’s life savings and risking their home.

It all starts with impersonations online typically on social media platforms. The impersonator will be using messaging apps with their fake profile and pictures. The elderly person is usually someone who is lonely and has time on their hands. 

The initial contact involves a friend request, claiming to be the celebrity’s “private account.” Over the next few weeks, the criminal builds a relationship with the elderly victim. Conversations become very personal and seem to fill a void. The scammer asks the victim to keep their online relationship secret. They never conduct a live video call.

The scammer then formulates a crisis in which they need money. They may claim their money is wrapped up in another country or their manager won’t release funds. Victims are typically instructed to send funds through gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or cash. It’s hard to believe an individual would fall victim to this type of scam knowing that legitimate celebrities do not privately solicit money from fans online, but they do.

Why are elderly people targeted? They are perceived as being financially stable and can be very trusting.  They are not as familiar with online scams. They are lonely or may even be isolated from friends and family, especially in rural areas.

It is extremely important to have a valid general durable power of attorney document in place giving you authority to manage their finances if needed. If the individual is not competent to sign a legal document, it may be necessary to petition the court for a conservatorship.

How can you protect your loved one? Monitor their bank account, evaluating any suspicious activity.   Report suspicious accounts to social media platforms. Try to educate your loved one about these types of scams to raise their awareness. If you loved one has been scammed, report it to law enforcement and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at Home Page – Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). 

These scammers thrive on emotional manipulation, and the victims may feel ashamed and try to conceal the activity. Raising awareness can help prevent your loved one from being defrauded.