AI-Generated Videos Used in Celebrity Romance Scam Cause Major Financial Loss
A widow in Cambridgeshire lost 570,000 euros and her home in a romance scam where fraudsters used AI-generated videos impersonating actor Jason Momoa. Cambridge Police confirmed the incident affected a vulnerable woman, and similar cases using the actor's likeness have been reported elsewhere.
What happened
A widow in Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom began following a fan account of actor Jason Momoa after her husband's death following 50 years of marriage. She then received a message she believed to be from Momoa himself.
Fraudsters used AI-generated videos to convince the woman that she and the 46-year-old actor were destined to be together. The false Momoa claimed he needed 570,000 euros for film projects and requested funds to build a dream house on Hawaii.
The woman sold her house to raise the requested amount. After she transferred the money, the scammer disappeared.
Reported impact
The victim lost her life savings of 570,000 euros and became homeless after selling her house. Cambridge Police confirmed the case, stating it left a vulnerable woman without a home.
Index analysis
This case is not the first time the image of Jason Momoa has been misused in this manner. Another grandmother from Newcastle fell victim to a similar scam, losing 92,800 euros.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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