Fraudsters Impersonating Hollywood Stars Con Victim, Leaving Her Homeless
A mother from Kidderminster, UK, has faced a devastating financial loss after falling prey to fraudsters impersonating Hollywood stars. Jennifer Barton, 44, transferred £250,000 to these criminals over two years, leaving her homeless.
Nature of the Scam
Ms. Barton was targeted by six different con artists. They posed as various celebrities, including:
- Alexander Ludwig from “Vikings”
- Charlie Hunnam of “Sons of Anarchy”
- Nicky Byrne from Westlife
- Michael Ray, an American country singer
The fraudsters made initial contact through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, expressing their love and intentions to marry her. Ms. Barton recounted your common chat that quickly escalated into requests for money.
Escalating Demands
The impersonators manipulated her feelings by inventing stories of personal crises, including messy divorces and financial troubles. They soon began requesting urgent payments.
The scam began when someone pretending to be Alexander Ludwig reached out on Instagram. They suggested moving the conversation to Telegram for privacy, marking the start of an emotional deception.
Initially, the requests were modest, with demands for around £3,000 for supposed court fees. Ms. Barton, feeling an attachment to the scammer, felt compelled to send money.
Significant Financial Losses
Over time, she transferred £6,000 in cash and an additional £6,000 in Bitcoin. One impersonator later extracted more than £100,000, claiming it was necessary to catch the original fraudster.
One incident involved an actor pretending to be Charlie Hunnam, who was unmasked during a video call when his accent revealed he was not British. However, the most damaging interaction came from an individual impersonating Michael Ray.
This fraudster convinced Ms. Barton to sell her home and possessions. Claiming to lead a charity, the scammer promised financial assistance upon her initial payment of £140,000.
The Consequences
Ms. Barton sold her house and used most of the £111,000 proceeds to support this scammer. Despite reassurances about a fresh start, she found herself without money before Christmas. The reality hit when the impersonator repeatedly avoided in-person meetings.
Currently, Ms. Barton lives in a house of multiple occupancy, waiting for emergency accommodation. She shared her experience, urging others facing similar situations to seek support from family and friends.
Fraud Prevention Efforts
Ms. Barton’s case is under review by Action Fraud, part of the City of London Police. She has engaged CEL Solicitors to help recover her lost funds. Jessica Hampson, CEO, remarked that such scams are more common than often recognized.
This harrowing case highlights the risks associated with online relationships, particularly involving financial transactions. Impersonation scams have become an unfortunate reality for many, fostering emotional attachments that lead to significant financial harm.
