A California woman, identified only as Abigail, has reportedly lost her paid-off home and more than $81,000 after falling victim to a sophisticated AI deepfake romance scam.The scam involved impersonators using advanced artificial intelligence to create convincing video calls and messages that appeared to be from Steve Burton, a well-known actor from "General Hospital".
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q1043.iheart.comAbigail was drawn into a fabricated relationship that escalated when the scammers manipulated her into sending money repeatedly.Her daughter, Vivian Ruvalcaba, described how the scammers isolated Abigail from her family while building a seemingly authentic romantic connection.Vivian shared that the deception was so convincing that Abigail genuinely believed she was in a relationship with the actor.
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abc7.comThe scam began when Abigail started receiving deepfake videos on Facebook Messenger in October of the previous year.These videos featured a lifelike portrayal of Burton, who has portrayed the character Jason Morgan on "General Hospital" since 1991.The impersonator sent messages that included romantic declarations, leading Abigail to believe she was in love with the actor.Vivian noted that the scammer eventually moved communications to WhatsApp, a tactic often used to obscure the trail and make tracing more difficult.
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abc7.comoperationshamrock.orgVivian expressed her horror at the situation, reflecting on how she wished she had realized sooner what her mother was doing online.Abigail, who has struggled with mental illness and Bipolar 1 Disorder, was particularly vulnerable to the scam.The impersonator preyed on Abigail's emotional state, even fabricating stories about losing properties in the devastating LA fires, which Abigail believed to be true.
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abc7.comoperationshamrock.orgThe financial toll was severe.Abigail sent the scammer at least $81,304 in various forms, including gift cards, cash, and bitcoin.The situation worsened when the scammer convinced her to sell her condominium, which she did for $350,000.Vivian intervened just in time to prevent Abigail from sending an additional $70,000 to the scammer.Now, Abigail faces severe financial distress and is contemplating bankruptcy due to the scam's impact on her life.
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q1043.iheart.comabc7.comThe real Steve Burton has commented on the widespread nature of such scams, stating that he is aware of hundreds of individuals who have lost money to impersonators using his likeness.He emphasized the emotional devastation these scams inflict on victims, many of whom believe they have established genuine relationships with him.Burton noted that he often encounters fans who feel a deep connection to him, despite having no prior interaction, which highlights the psychological manipulation involved in these scams.
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abc7.comoperationshamrock.orgIn an effort to recover her losses, Vivian and Abigail have filed a lawsuit to reverse the sale of the condominium.Their attorney argues that Abigail lacked the mental capacity to execute the contract due to the emotional manipulation of the scam.However, the buyers of the home dispute this claim, asserting that there is sufficient evidence showing Abigail was competent at the time of the sale.The case will ultimately be decided in a court of law.
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abc7.comTo assist with legal fees, a GoFundMe page has been created for Abigail and Vivian, highlighting the urgency of their situation and the need for public awareness regarding the dangers of AI and deepfake technology in scams.This incident serves as a cautionary tale about the evolving landscape of online deception and the vulnerabilities of individuals who may be susceptible to such manipulative tactics.
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abc7.comoperationshamrock.orgAs AI technology continues to advance, the potential for such scams grows, raising critical questions about trust and authenticity in digital communications.The story of Abigail is a stark reminder for everyone to remain vigilant and cautious about online interactions, especially when emotions are involved.
