An Evanston, Illinois woman lost approximately $62,000 in a Kevin Costner impersonator online scam targeting her through a messaging app over a six-month period, authorities reported Wednesday. The elaborate scheme, centered around the well-known Yellowstone actor, involved fraudulent promises of substantial cryptocurrency returns.
The woman, residing in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, exchanged messages on Telegram with an individual presenting himself as Kevin Costner, police confirmed. Convinced she was making an investment that would eventually yield cryptocurrency profits, she sent gift cards repeatedly to the impersonator, expecting the funds would be transformed and returned to her with a financial gain.
Despite months of communication and increasing financial outlays, the woman never received any cryptocurrency or returns on her “investment.” The Evanston Police Department revealed that she had, in reality, been manipulated by a scammer orchestrating a cryptocurrency fraud scheme that has reportedly targeted victims since at least 2018. Following the realization that she had fallen victim to fraud, she was advised to reach out to her credit card companies, but authorities do not hold out hope for her financial recovery, nor for prosecution of the criminal involved.
“Due to the nature of the crime, an arrest is highly unlikely,”
—Police, Evanston Police Department
Sadly, the Illinois case echoes a growing trend where scammers assume the identity of famous personalities, often from the entertainment industry, to gain the trust and money of unsuspecting individuals. Other notable incidents include a Texas woman who was deceived by someone impersonating country singer Morgan Wallen and racked up over $18,000 in debt, and a devastating case in which a Vince Gill fan was scammed so severely that she lost her retirement funds and suffered strained personal relationships.
Steps to Defend Against Online Celebrity Impersonation Schemes
In response to such repeated scams across the country, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued official guidance to help people avoid falling victim to online impersonators. They strongly recommend never sending money to anyone claiming to be a celebrity online. The FTC’s tips include pausing to consult with a trusted friend or family member before transferring funds and searching the celebrity’s name alongside the word “scam” online for possible red flags.
For anyone who suspects they might have sent money to a scammer, the FTC advises immediate contact with banks, credit card companies, wire transfer providers, or the company behind any gift cards used for the transaction. Fast action may improve the chances of halting or recovering some of the funds, though success is often limited.
Gift cards remain a preferred payment method among scammers for good reason. The FTC warns against sharing gift card numbers, emphasizing that roughly one in four fraud victims report the scam involved handing over the numbers from a card’s back. Gift cards, the regulator notes, lack robust buyer protections, transactions are hard to reverse, and scammers can remain anonymous while extracting victims’ money.
The Evanston incident and similar scams serve as a sobering reminder of the ingenuity and persistence of online fraudsters. Law enforcement agencies like the Evanston Police Department, alongside federal watchdogs such as the FTC, continue to emphasize vigilant skepticism regarding unsolicited online communications, particularly those from individuals claiming celebrity status. These cautionary tales highlight the importance of greater public awareness and protective measures to curb the rising tide of impersonator frauds.
