Evanston Woman Scammed Out of $62K by Impersonator Posing as Kevin Costner
Evanston Woman Loses $62K in Celebrity Impersonation Scam
An Evanston woman was scammed out of more than $60,000 after she believed she was communicating online with actor Kevin Costner, police confirmed.
According to the Evanston Police Department, the woman was contacted by someone posing as Costner on the social media platform Telegram. Over a six-month period, she sent approximately $62,000 in gift cards, believing she was making an investment that would later be converted into cryptocurrency.
Investigators say the funds were not recovered. The woman has since been advised to contact her credit card companies.
“Due to the nature of the crime, an arrest is highly unlikely,” police said in a statement.
Celebrity impersonation scams are not new. In 2018, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued a warning about fraudsters who pretend to be celebrities on social media to trick fans into sending money, gift cards, or other forms of payment.
“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,” the FTC said. “Some celebrities do raise money for legitimate causes, but you want to be sure the cause—and the person asking you to support it—are real.”
The FTC advises consumers to verify the legitimacy of online contacts by searching the celebrity’s name alongside the word “scam.” They also warn against sending money or prepaid cards to anyone you haven’t met in person.
If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to this type of fraud, the FTC recommends contacting the company used to send the funds and requesting a reversal due to fraud.
