If a celebrity flirts with you online, watch your bank account
Illustration by Shana Black for Black Girl Media
CLEVELAND (Feb. 14, 2024) — As Valentine’s Day approaches, officials in Cuyahoga County are warning residents to be on the lookout for online scammers impersonating celebrities to defraud fans.
The county’s Scam Squad has received reports of scammers posing as celebrities such as former NCIS actress Pauley Perrette and singer Michael Bolton to solicit money from unsuspecting victims, according to Sheryl Harris, director of the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs.
“The scams use romance—or the promise of romance—to convince people to send money or invest in fictional ventures,” Harris said.
Celebrity romance scams are not limited to the holiday, officials said. Public figures including actors Sandra Bullock and Johnny Depp have previously denounced similar schemes in which fraudsters swindled money from enamored fans.
Authorities urge residents to watch for warning signs of celebrity romance scams, which often include a celebrity reaching out on social media and quickly urging a private conversation. Scammers may also “love bomb” their targets with constant affectionate messages before requesting money or suggesting an investment opportunity, sometimes connecting victims with a fake “broker.”
“Romance scams can be financially and emotionally devastating,” Harris said. “They can also cause rifts between those targeted and the real-life people who love them.”
Officials encourage residents to verify celebrity interactions through official channels and to remain cautious when communicating online. Suspected scams can be reported to the Cuyahoga County Scam Squad.
If you are sending money to someone you only know online, or know someone who is, call the Scam Squad line at 216-443-7226.