In the age of artificial intelligence, love itself has become a dangerous illusion. Across the world, fans are falling prey to fake online relationships with AI-generated versions of their favorite stars — from Lee Jung-jae to Brad Pitt, Kevin Costner, and Keanu Reeves — losing not only vast sums of money, but also their emotional stability and trust in human connection.
A “Relationship” With Lee Jung-jae That Never Existed
In South Korea, a woman recently lost 500 million won (≈ $365,000 USD) to scammers posing as actor Lee Jung-jae, best known for Squid Game. The con artists used AI-generated images, voice messages, and carefully scripted chats to build trust over several months.
The victim was led to believe she had formed a deep, personal connection with the actor — only to realize too late that her supposed lover never existed at all.
The “Brad Pitt” Love Story That Cost $850,000
Earlier in 2025, a French woman fell victim to another elaborate scheme. She was manipulated into sending $850,000 USD to someone impersonating Hollywood icon Brad Pitt.
The scammers created AI-altered hospital photos of Pitt, pretending he was ill and in need of financial help because his bank accounts were “frozen after a divorce.”
Believing she was helping a man she loved, the woman even left her husband for this fantasy romance. It was only after reading news about Brad Pitt’s real relationship that she realized the truth and went to the police.
“It’s horrifying that scammers exploit the emotional bond between fans and celebrities,” Pitt’s representative told Entertainment Weekly. “This is a reminder to be skeptical of online contact, especially from stars who don’t maintain public social media accounts.”
A Growing Epidemic: When AI Meets Emotional Exploitation
An investigative report by The Hollywood Reporter exposed how celebrity impersonation scams have become a global epidemic, targeting the most emotionally vulnerable — often the elderly or lonely.
One victim, Margaret (73), transferred over $100,000 USD to a fake “Kevin Costner” account after months of loving messages and deepfake video calls.
“She just wanted to feel loved again,” her sister Carol said. “After her divorce and retirement, she thought she had found someone who really cared.”
By the time the truth surfaced, Margaret had lost her savings — and her faith in people.
AI’s Dark Role in Deepfake Romance Scams
According to the FBI, Americans reported over $672 million in losses from romance scams in 2024, with victims over 60 suffering the most — an average of $83,000 each.
The rise of AI-generated content — including cloned voices, realistic photos, and deepfake videos — has made these scams harder to detect.
“Public figures are especially vulnerable,” an FBI cybercrime expert explained. “There’s so much publicly available media of celebrities that AI can perfectly replicate their face, voice, and mannerisms. The result looks frighteningly real.”
Keanu Reeves: The Internet’s Most Faked Star
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Keanu Reeves is currently one of the most impersonated celebrities online. The reason? His universally positive image, iconic film roles, and mysterious absence from social media.
Scammers exploit this “information vacuum” to fabricate countless fake accounts and deepfake content — from love confessions to business offers — all using his face and voice.
The Cost of Believing in a Digital Dream
Despite growing awareness, the emotional manipulation behind these scams remains powerful. Many victims refuse to come forward, too ashamed or still clinging to the hope that their online “relationship” was real.
As AI grows more advanced, the line between truth and fiction becomes dangerously thin — and love, once the most human of emotions, has become a weapon in the hands of criminals.
Experts recommend a few key precautions:
- Never send money to anyone you’ve only met online — regardless of their fame.
- Verify official social media accounts — celebrities often use verified badges or agency-linked profiles.
- Consult friends or family if something feels off.
- Report suspicious activity to authorities immediately.
Romance scams may look like fairy tales at first — charming messages, emotional confessions, and the thrill of being “noticed” by someone famous. But behind every AI-generated smile lies a trap.
Sources: Kenh14,Hollywood Reporter,Entertainment Weekly,FBI,TF1,Sina
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