Nevada County 'Celebrity' Catfish Scam: Resident Loses $25,000 — Sheriff's Office Warns

Nevada County resident lost $25,000 to a sophisticated 'celebrity' catfish scam. Learn how these scams work, red flags, and how to protect and report fraud.

A Nevada County resident was scammed out of more than $25,000 in a sophisticated "celebrity" catfish scheme, prompting a formal warning from the Nevada County Sheriff's Office. Authorities say the fraud used fake profiles and convincing communication tactics to gain the victim's trust and extract money.

What is a celebrity catfish scam? These scams combine classic catfishing—creating a fake identity online—with the allure of celebrity. Scammers impersonate public figures or present someone as closely connected to a celebrity, using stolen photos and carefully crafted messages to create a believable persona. Targets are often coaxed into sending money through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards after weeks or months of grooming.

Red flags to watch for. Common warning signs include refusal to speak by video or meet in person, inconsistent or evasive answers, requests for money for urgent emergencies or investments, and pressure to act quickly. Accounts with few friends or followers, recent creation dates, mismatched profile photos, or links that redirect to other sites should raise suspicion. Performing a reverse image search on a profile photo often reveals whether a picture was stolen from elsewhere.

How to protect yourself. Never send money to someone you’ve only met online, even if they claim celebrity connections. Verify identities through video calls, ask for social media profiles with long histories, and look for verified badges on official accounts. Use strong passwords and two-factor authentication on social platforms, and be cautious about sharing personal or financial information.

What to do if you’re targeted or scammed. Immediately stop communication and document all messages, screenshots, and transaction records. Contact your bank or payment provider to try to halt or reverse transfers. Report the crime to the Nevada County Sheriff's Office and file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at FTC.gov and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at IC3.gov. Consider placing fraud alerts with your credit bureaus if financial information was exposed.

The Nevada County Sheriff's Office emphasizes the sophistication of these scams and urges residents to remain vigilant. Staying informed, verifying identities, and reporting suspicious activity quickly are the best defenses against online romance and celebrity catfish scams.

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