In today’s digital age, social media has made it easier than ever to connect with others—including celebrities. However, that same accessibility has opened the door to a growing number of online scams, where imposters use familiar names and faces to deceive unsuspecting individuals.
One such case involves Paul Davis, a 43-year-old from Southampton, who believed he had developed a friendship—and perhaps even a romance—with actress Jennifer Aniston through Facebook. What he later discovered, however, was that he had fallen victim to an online impersonation scam.
Paul shared that the person behind the messages sent him flattering notes, videos, and even what appeared to be a copy of a driver’s license—all intended to convince him that he was truly speaking with the beloved Friends star. The messages had a friendly, even flirtatious tone, and over time, the impersonator asked Paul to send Apple gift cards worth £200, claiming they were urgently needed to renew a subscription.
“I believed it—and I paid,” Paul said. “I got bitten. Once bitten, twice shy.”
Sadly, his story isn’t unique. Paul shared that he knows others who have been targeted by similar scams, including one acquaintance who lost over £1,000. He also reported being contacted repeatedly by other impersonators using AI-generated content, including fake videos of public figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, all designed to convince viewers of their authenticity.
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