Shocking fraud scheme: British fan of Kevin Costner lost money

A British fan of Kevin Costner became the victim of a sophisticated fraud. 63-year-old Eileen Leakes fell into a network of Internet fraudsters who promised her a meeting with a famous actor. Dramatic events unfolded around the purchase of vouchers, which the attackers claimed belonged to Apple.

Start of fraud

It all started with the fact that fraudsters contacted Eileen, offering her a unique opportunity to meet Kevin Costner. For this, the woman needed to purchase vouchers worth 200 pounds sterling (approximately UAH 10, 500). However, after making the payment, the attackers informed that in order to complete the transaction, it is necessary to purchase a VIP membership for 1, 000 pounds (approximately UAH 52, 100).

Suspicion and disappointment

Only after that, Eileen began to suspect a scam. After some time, she received a video call, and what she thought was Kevin Costner himself appeared on the screen.

"His face was moving, that's why I thought it was really him. He was sitting in a chair in his office and he was moving. He said, 'This is Kevin Costner, and you've been tricked, '" Eileen admitted.

Deepfake at the service of fraudsters

Later it turned out that the attackers used deepfake technology to create the illusion of the actor's presence. Kevin Costner's managers have confirmed that the woman did not actually speak to the movie star.

Conclusions and consequences

This story is a warning to all fans and internet users. Deepfake technologies are becoming more and more sophisticated, and even experienced users can become victims of fraudsters. Be careful and always verify information before making any financial transactions.

Editor: Emiliia Morozova