A woman in Los Angeles lost nearly $100,000 after falling victim to a sophisticated scam involving a deepfake impersonation of Steve Burton, the actor known for his role as Jason Morgan on the soap opera General Hospital. According to a report by ABC 7 News, the scam began in October 2022 when the perpetrator established an online relationship with the victim, who has been identified as Abigail.
The scammer initiated contact with Abigail through Facebook Messenger, where he sent her AI-generated videos and engaged her in conversations that later transitioned to WhatsApp. Abigail, who struggles with mental health issues including Bipolar 1 Disorder, believed the scammer’s claims of a romantic relationship. He convinced her that he desired to spend the rest of his life with her, even going as far as sending messages that suggested their union was meant to be, stating, “Steve Burton and Abigail Burton sounds like a dream come true.”
The situation escalated when the scammer fabricated a story about losing his home in the devastating Los Angeles fires. This emotional manipulation led Abigail to send a total of $81,304 in cash, gift cards, and Bitcoin, under the belief that these funds would help them buy a home together. Tragically, Abigail’s financial situation deteriorated to the point where she is now facing bankruptcy. In a desperate attempt to fund the scammer, she even sold her condo for $350,000. Fortunately, her daughter, Vivian Ruvalcaba, intervened before the transaction was completed.
Vivian took her mother’s videos to ABC’s 7 On Your Side, where experts confirmed the authenticity of the deepfake videos. The investigation revealed that the videos were not genuine and had been created using advanced artificial intelligence technology. Following this revelation, the real Steve Burton was contacted, and he acknowledged that he had heard of similar scams targeting individuals by impersonating him.
In a bid to raise awareness about such cyber scams, Abigail’s family has decided to share their story publicly. They have also initiated legal action related to the sale of the condo, seeking justice for the emotional and financial damages incurred.
This incident highlights the growing concern over the use of artificial intelligence in scams, particularly how deepfake technology can be utilized to impersonate public figures. As technology continues to advance, both individuals and authorities must remain vigilant against such deceptive practices, ensuring that potential victims are informed and protected.
