In the age of artificial intelligence, love itself has become a dangerous illusion. Around 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 CostnerAND Keanu Reeves – losing not only large sums of money, but also 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) to scammers posing as actors Lee Jung Jaebest known for Squid game. Scammers have been using AI-generated images, voice messages and carefully scripted chats to build trust for several months.
The victim was led to believe she had formed a deep and personal bond with the actor, only to realize too late that her alleged lover never existed.
THE “Brad Pitt“Love story cost $850,000
In early 2025, a French woman fell victim to another elaborate scheme. She was manipulated into sending $850,000 to someone impersonating a Hollywood icon Brad Pitt.
Scammers created AI-altered hospital photos of Pittpretending to be ill and in need of financial help because his bank accounts had been “frozen after the divorce”.
Believing she was helping the man she loved, the woman even left her husband for this fantasy love story. It was only after I read news about it Brad PittThis is the real report who realized the truth and went to the police.
“It’s terrifying that scammers exploit the emotional bond between fans and celebrities,” Pittthe Entertainment Weekly representative said. “This reminds us to be skeptical of online contacts, especially from stars who do not maintain public social media accounts.”
A growing epidemic: When artificial intelligence meets emotional exploitation
An investigative report by The Hollywood Reporter has revealed how celebrity impersonation scams have become a global epidemic, targeting the most emotionally vulnerable people, often the elderly or lonely.
One victim, Margaret (73), transferred over $100,000 USD to a fake”Kevin Costner” account after months of affectionate messages and deepfake video calls.
“She just wanted to feel loved again” said his sister Carol. “After his divorce and retirement, he thought he had found someone who really cared.”
By the time the truth came out, Margaret had lost her savings and her trust in people.
The Dark Role of Artificial Intelligence in Deepfake Romance Scams
According to the FBI, Americans reported more than $672 million in losses from romance scams in 2024, with victims over 60 suffering the most, averaging $83,000 each.
The rise of AI-generated content, including cloned voices, lifelike photos and deepfake videos, has made these scams harder to spot.
“Public figures are particularly vulnerable” an FBI cybercrime expert explained. “There is so much publicly available celebrity media that AI can perfectly replicate their face, voice and mannerisms. The result looks frighteningly real.”
Keanu Reeves: the fakest star on the Internet
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 create 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, feeling too ashamed or still clinging to the hope that their online “affair” was real.
As artificial intelligence becomes 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 some key precautions:
- Never send money to someone you have only met online, regardless of their fame.
- Verify official social media accounts: Celebrities often use verified badges or profiles linked to agencies.
- Consult friends or family if something is wrong.
- Report suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.
Romance scams can seem like fairy tales at first: charming messages, emotional confessions, and the thrill of it “noticed” by someone famous. But behind every smile generated by artificial intelligence lies a trap.
Sources: Kenh14, Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly, FBI, TF1, Sina
