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Did your favorite celebrity reach out to you on social media?

Before you get too excited, are you sure it’s that person? Really sure? We’ve heard reports that scammers, who will try just about anything to separate you from your money, are now posing as celebrities on social media. They’re asking fans to send money for all kinds of supposed reasons – like claiming a prize, donating to a charity, or giving help of some kind. Some celebs do raise money for legitimate causes. But you want to be sure the cause—and the person asking you to support it—are real.

Imposter scams come in many varieties, but they all work the same way: a scammer pretends to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money. And that’s exactly what these celebrity imposters are trying to do.

So what should you do if a celebrity contacts you on social media and asks for money?

  • Slow down. Before you send money, talk with someone you trust.
  • Do some research: search online for the celebrity’s name plus “scam.” Do the same with any charity or cause they’re asking you to support—and learn more about charity scams here.
  • Never send money, gift cards or prepaid debit cards to someone you don’t know or haven’t met – even celebrities you meet on social media.
  • If you sent money to a scammer, contact the company you used to send the money (your bank, wire transfer service, gift card company, or prepaid debit card company). Tell them the transaction was a fraud. Ask the company to reverse the transaction, if it’s possible.
  • Report your experience to the social media site and to the FTC.

To learn more about imposter scams, visit FTC.gov/imposters.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

dreamer
October 29, 2019
My daughter just fell for a scam and sent them $800 of our rent company imposing as vandiesel and so called did a video chat with him asking to send this money and he will send $80,000 back in cash. She was not thinking and now we are out are rent money. Anytime you have to send money to get money is a scam. Beware anybody that thinks this will ever happen.
keeraj4
February 04, 2020
Acting if he's Brayn Okwara his targets are Women from different countries other than Nigeria
Tee239
July 13, 2020

In reply to by keeraj4

I think this same guy has been communicating with me as Bryan Okwara. He is extremely nice and romantic to women. He initially contacted me on Instagram. I am very skeptical to believe that a celebrity, I'm Nigeria would contact me through text message on a social media? If someone else is experiencing this, please advise..
JJ
August 05, 2020

In reply to by Tee239

I also have been scammed by someone pretending to be Bryan Okwara. He was very convincing, romantic, funny and kind. Professed their love and then began asking for gift cards to pay for different things. He sent a friend request to me on Facebook and we communicated through WhatsApp.
Gee
February 07, 2021

In reply to by JJ

I had a similar experience. Person's FB name was Williams Singh. Profile and numerous pictures were those of Bryan Okwara. Unfriended and blocked on What's App. Who is Williams Singh aka Bryan Okwara?
Rodriguez76
February 18, 2021

In reply to by JJ

Hello, that definitely sounds like Bryan!! I have been talking with him for 8 months via video calls and voice calls and he and his gang just tried to get me for $7000. Oh ladies it is definitely him it is not an imposter. That is what I thought at first. I would not have believed it if I had not have multiple video calls with him. Everything that looks good is not good!!
Andie
March 11, 2021

In reply to by Rodriguez76

Are you ever send your money to him or someone pretending Bryan ?
Cindy
March 16, 2022

In reply to by Rodriguez76

Omg that’s terrible, I was hopping it wasn’t him. I had 4 scammers pretending to be scott Eastwood

MzMoe
March 16, 2022

In reply to by Tee239

I’ve been getting messages from a so called Bryan Okwara as well even called me where u could see his face sent me pics that look just like the real guy then asked for $ because someone had suppose to stole his identity and need a Walmart card to buy data until his information was cleared . I didn’t fall for it though he tried to be so sweet and charming . A person with all of that fame need $ from all the way across the country lol
GG
January 06, 2021

In reply to by Tee239

I have in contact with someone pretending to be bryan okwara. I did not know of him before. It was through Instagram than WhatsApp. My spirit kept saying catfish he even video called me. I found out he was scamming cause I did research and told him off.
TT2020
March 06, 2021

In reply to by Tee239

Wow! I'm glad to have found this. I was contacted through Instagram and through WhatsApp from this Bryan Okwara. He was very smooth talking and a charmer. Beware!! It's sad that people take advvantage of others like this. I hope they get what's coming to them. You shouldn't play with people money and heart. You can't trust things nowadays.
Cyndy
November 02, 2019
Alexander Skarsgard... asking for $500 in ITunes gift cards. They have been messaging me for the last 3 weeks
JT
December 06, 2019

In reply to by Cyndy

Contacted by Alexander Skarsgård impersonator by Instagram. The modus operandi is the same: you receive a request to be followed by the “actual, but not verified” celebrity Instagram account (hacked account, I guess). Once that you accept to be followed, you receive a message from the same celebrity but from a different account (not the same that requested to follow you). You get excited and start chatting with them. As soon as they can, they ask you to move to a more personal account on Hangout. There, they send nice and friendly messages for weeks, but never answering real questions, or having real conversations with you. They are good at playing you, but they can make you doubt. I doubted, so looked up in the Internet and found this page, and everything make sense now. They did not ask me for money, but after reading all the scam reports, I am sure it was a matter of time. I was not going to stay to find out, so I just blocked them. Be aware!
Jv
February 02, 2020

In reply to by JT

Same thing for me but "they didn't have the chance to ask me for money!
Sammy
March 16, 2022

In reply to by JT

After you chat with them for awhile and they Romance you for awhile they get you to trust them because they are a celebrity then they ask you for cards such as iTunes first start off in small amounts then goes to larger amounts but once you tell them you do not have the money then they say don’t you love me any more let me know. So then I block them but they still come back
Goddess Babe
June 08, 2021

In reply to by Cyndy

I just received a message from him on Facebook last Saturday and now we are chatting via WhatsApp. Seems legit but I confronted him. He called via Viber and no vide haha so that means he is not legit hahaha
mzaries326
November 19, 2019
Usher Raymond Iv Fans world so I sent him a message asking are you the real usher he tells me yes if you don’t believe me I can video chat me so I said yes give him my hang out email dress he video calls me I seen his face but idk if it was some kind of app because I don’t think that was really usher idk I’m confused
Diamondinthesky
January 19, 2020

In reply to by mzaries326

Yes he contacted me on Twitter saying he was gave me a gmail saying it was private said he would send me 300.000 thousand on credit card personally forever it if I sent him a 50.00 stem card I blocked him on Twitter
Richiko
December 22, 2020

In reply to by mzaries326

I was dealing with the same guy! He managed to Trick me like that and got my ssn and bank account but my bank blocked it. He said he would send me 4,800$ and was constantly professing his love for me he said he was up in the studio writing a song about me and kept asking me to send money through cash app To the tag $TammyHarrisMorris to the point which I got sick of using cash app because it was annoying and I am thinking of deleting the app.
None2223
November 06, 2019
I’m got someone impersonating Garth Brooks.. said doesn’t talk on Twitter but use hangout app.. wanted me to give my email.. I’m like no I’m good.. Then blocked and unfollowed. but I try to research it can’t find nothing.. but I did screenshots and save the email address..
Tailsthefox6000
November 09, 2019
There is a person pretending. To be megan bomgaars from born this way .asking me for my amazon account. Money and gift card's ect
Dk
November 12, 2019
I have a country artist saying she wants to give me $500,000 and tickets to four of her fans just because her new album is coming out soon.
lilly
November 13, 2019
just got FB msgs from a singer (with the initials LG) think its a scammer I was really hoping it was the right person but the language was generic and alot of grammatical mistakes also wanted me to chat on Hangouts and then I researched and saw that this is more than likely a scam glad I reported it to FB under celebrity imposter but it nearly had me fooled and I got it early can anyone tell me why they want to move conversations to Hangouts ?
Asachs
November 21, 2019
Just offered a chance to meet a famous person. And then asked to donate for some needy kids. And then a second famous person started messaging me with the same personal emotions. Waiting to see if this one also wants donations.
SwimGirl
November 22, 2019
There was a scammer on IG stating he was “Ryan Paevey” didn’t fall for it but was watching the way he would word things & just really mushy to the extreme (made me sick to my stomach) and yeah the English was terrible at times, a lot of typos & management was always watching him, he couldn’t FaceTime or selfie ... etc... wanted me to goto Hangouts and I went for like a hot second but deleted the app because I knew this guy was trying and finally he started telling me that his plane was being used for drugs by his old management and he was in trouble and blah blah blah... then sent me this long dumb plea for no one believes that he need money because his account is frozen.... more lies and I said ask your folks and blocked and reported that fake account... it’s too obvious.... I didn’t send him anything... I hope that individual gets caught...
crgabc
November 22, 2019
Got hit up on Twitter. Aaron Carter. The thing I noticed was the spelling and words he used like for my niece he said when did he come? Not proper English. Fake Leo DiCaprio just said yesterday in Facebook I hope you keep watching my movies and listen to my music. Leo DiCaprio does not sing. And the account was created days ago. My bro said real celebrities would never speak or want anything to do with people like us. Very very true. So also look at how many followers they have. That is also a huge clue. And also check when the account was created. If it's a male celebrity and no males he's only friended females another clue. And vice versa. Just what I have learned and thought I would share.
amanda4049
November 25, 2019
I followed a country artist Dierks Bentley on Twitter I sent a tweet how I enjoyed his music when I get a messaged back. But it wasn’t from the real Dierks Bentley because there was no check mark by his name.
Help. I want t…
November 25, 2019
Do celebrities ask you to sell things for them but they'll buy them. And I would keep the money.
Sqil75
November 26, 2019
I've been contacted by supposedly Jeremy Renner, asking for $2,000 for Ava (long story). I asked him to video chat. He did, and it was him. I was shocked does anyone know if scammers use videos??
Suzykong
April 01, 2020

In reply to by Sqil75

Hi Sqil75, may I know more details about your “long story” ? I’m currently experiencing the samte thing with so call JR but I real don’t know the person that behind the software is real or not . great thanks
Suzyllo
May 03, 2020

In reply to by Sqil75

I am currently talking with someone so call JR too, may I ask about your long story? I really don’t know the person behind Hangouts is him or just another scammer because he real knew every move of JR and he’s such a caring person.. thank you
Oceanblue
May 10, 2020

In reply to by Sqil75

I also was contacted by Renner on tinder. Very convincing. I called him out on something and he hasn’t responded since. Be careful out there
Vincent
May 28, 2020

In reply to by Oceanblue

Yes, be careful. Don't send the money. Many scammer out there.
Carmen J
November 29, 2019
I just got contacted by a person claiming to be Keanu Reeves! At first I was flattered because he loved a post I had made about food. Then he asked if I was married. That was the signal that it was a scammer. How do we get them off messenger?
Cryinggirl
November 29, 2019
Has anyone been talking to Jared Leto singer/actor who ask for money for a foundation for homeless kids or says he needs money for heart surgery and hes money has been frozen by the FBI. I have a close friend who has gave him over 30k.
Janie
November 30, 2019

In reply to by Cryinggirl

Can you explain, why his account has been frozen by FBI ?. Have you ever asked the scammer, does he have health insurance? for heart surgery
Kat
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Cryinggirl

I’m being scammed right now by a Jared Leto. Hasn’t asked for money but wants me to do something with shares? And get a bunch of apps. I’m playing along to see what this person is really asking for
Dockstader
May 12, 2020

In reply to by Cryinggirl

What was the email used in this scam for Jared Leto?
Kat
May 13, 2020

In reply to by Dockstader

I have one now chatting with me. He says he is Jared Leto. Isn’t asking me fir money but wants me to get a prepaid card cuz he can’t dye to the virus.
Noa
June 02, 2020

In reply to by Kat

Someone claming to be Jared Leto is writing me on Instagram with an account @ja_redleto and asked me to talk with hangout, I haven't reply and after 3 days the profile (a private profile) disappeared...or maybe he has blocked me...who knows? Is there someone in the same situation?
Stunned
July 25, 2021

In reply to by Noa

I am talking with a Jared Leto now. I’m supposed to go to hangouts next. Lol
alisdoe
December 06, 2019
Anyone getting scammed by Chris Pine from Star Trek? Beware! This guy is very good ! Don’t want anyone go thru what I been thru! All these comments are sounding all to familiar to me !
Calisun75
March 12, 2020

In reply to by alisdoe

Yes talking to him now said he needed 500 dollar Amazon card. Couldnt get in contact with his manager I said your a millionaire why you need your managers permission? Talking to him since december this is first time he asked for money. Done we talk on WhatsApp no not sending you money sorry.
Booper
December 06, 2019
I want to know how to tell if an email from a celebrity is from the real celebrity
Amy Aiken
December 07, 2019
I've been receiving them from Chris Evans. I've received them on messenger, Instagram and Facebook. Beware they're knowledgable on Christopher Evans. They know he runs Chris's haven and ask you to donate. I've had them ask for i tune cards, Google play and to send money through money transfers and western union.
MissSiouxFallsSD
December 07, 2019
Another George Eads imposter is back at it again on Instagram wanting people to donate to his Orphanage Charity again. One dead and one fighting for his life. Shows you a photo of a really I'll child
Old hippie
December 07, 2019
My girlfriend has been communicating with someone she thinks is Giancarlo Esposito since the summer time. She has had many long texting sessions with many sexual overtones. She believes she is in love with him, and he, her. Recently he said to her that he was having management problems with his money, and asked her for $7000. She refused, and she confided to her girlfriend that she thinks he has emotional problems, but still believes it is him. She doesn't know I know about this, and am worried that she may eventually get scammed financially, as she has already been emotionally scammed.
no name
December 10, 2019

In reply to by Old hippie

yes my girl friend thinks she talking to chris hemsworth and yes she has falling in love with him and she thinks he is in love with her totally mad all she has spoken too is Nigeria scammers with bad English make sure she does not go on hang outs talk to scam stoppers on face book .
Daddytmk
December 11, 2019
I've got zac Efron asking me to donate to his charity using bitcoin. He's using google hangouts to talk to me is this a scam?