Jul 8, 2024, 2:21 PM
Jul 8, 2024, 5:46 AM

Suffolk woman falls for fake Kevin Costner on Facebook

Highlights
  • Eileen Leeks, 63, was scammed out of £200 by a fake Kevin Costner on Facebook.
  • She thought she was going to meet the Hollywood star but ended up being catfished.
  • A cautionary tale about falling for imposters on social media.
Story

In a disturbing turn of events, a woman named Eileen Leeks, 63, fell victim to scammers posing as Hollywood actor Kevin Costner on Facebook. Leeks, a devoted fan of the Yellowstone star, was lured into a fraudulent scheme promising a meeting with the actor in exchange for purchasing Apple vouchers. The scammers then demanded more money, claiming she needed a £1,000 VIP membership card to actually meet Costner. Despite feeling skeptical, Leeks succumbed to the pressure and ended up losing a significant amount of money to the con artists. The elaborate scam took a surreal turn when Leeks received a video call from someone who appeared to be Kevin Costner himself, further deceiving her. Even after reporting the scam, the fraudsters persisted in their attempts to exploit her, offering fake job opportunities and accommodation in the US. Leeks, who is currently unemployed, expressed her dismay at the situation, emphasizing the financial losses she incurred and the emotional toll of being deceived by the scammers. This incident sheds light on the dangers of online impersonation and fraud, with unsuspecting individuals like Eileen Leeks falling prey to elaborate schemes orchestrated by cybercriminals. The exploitation of fans' admiration for celebrities like Kevin Costner underscores the need for vigilance and caution when engaging with unknown entities on social media platforms. Authorities have been alerted to the scam, but the perpetrators continue to target vulnerable individuals, highlighting the importance of raising awareness about online scams and protecting oneself from such deceptive practices.

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