Woman Scammed Out of $62K by Fraudster Pretending to Be Kevin Costner

An Illinois woman was tricked into sending gift cards worth $62,000 to someone pretending to be actor Kevin Costner, hoping to boost her financial portfolio. Unfortunately, she became the latest target of a scam that federal authorities say has been active since at least 2018.

According to Evanston police, the woman sent the gift cards over six months via Telegram, an instant messaging app, to a person claiming to be Costner. The scammer promised to multiply her investment through cryptocurrency. However, she never received any of the promised digital currency.

This type of cryptocurrency scam often involves scammers impersonating celebrities and asking for gift cards as payment. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has previously cautioned consumers against sending money to celebrities who contact them online.

“Imposter scams take many forms, but they all follow the same pattern: a scammer pretends to be someone you trust to persuade you to send money. This is exactly what these celebrity impersonators aim to do,” the FTC explained.

To help residents protect themselves, Evanston police and the FTC shared these tips:

• Take your time. Before sending money, consult someone you trust.
• Research thoroughly: search the celebrity’s name along with the word “scam.” Do the same for any charity or cause you’re asked to support. Learn more about charity scams through trusted resources.
• Never send money, gift cards, or prepaid debit cards to people you don’t know or have never met — even if they claim to be celebrities on social media.
• If you realize you’ve sent money to a scammer, immediately contact the company you used to transfer funds (bank, wire service, gift card company, etc.). Report the fraud and ask if the transaction can be reversed.
• Report your experience to the social media platform where you were contacted and to the FTC.

“While some celebrities do genuinely raise funds for causes, it’s important to verify both the cause and the person asking for support,” the FTC added.