With so many warnings and reports of scammers impersonating celebrities to cheat unsuspecting victims online, you’d think people would wise up.
Except many still fall for them, like this 48-year-old Thai woman who was cheated of 5mil baht ($194K) by a scammer pretending to be Hong Kong star Jackson Wang.
And she wasn’t even a fan of the GOT7 member.
It all started out innocently enough.
According to Thai media Khaosod, in early 2023, while using a short-form video platform, she saw a clip of Jackson and liked it.
The person who uploaded the video then started DM-ing her in English.
When she expressed doubt that the person was a celebrity, the person video-called her immediately to convince her.
The scammer then invited her to join his “VIP Fan Club”, promising concert access and even backstage interaction with him.
Since she wasn’t familiar with Jackson Wang at the time, the woman was initially uninterested.
However, the person persistently messaged her, sending her videos and ads of Jackson, and eventually persuaded her to transfer over 70,000 baht (S$2.72K) in cryptocurrency.
The scammer continued to send her “investment” opportunities and requested loans for things like airplane repairs and to unlock mobile phone systems.
Between March and May 2023, she transferred around 5mil baht ($194K) in total.
The victim explained that during their early conversations, the scammer used affectionate language, leading her to believe that he wanted a future with her.
The impersonator also claimed he would repay her with interest.
But once she ran out of money, his demeanour changed entirely, though he continued asking for more money. This made her realise she’d been deceived.
She has filed a police report, but there has been no progress.
The money she transferred included her entire savings and funds set aside for her mother’s medical expenses, leaving her anxious and distressed with suicidal thoughts.
Photos: Jackson Wang/Weibo, Kkhaosod