A 70-year-old Philadelphia Phillies fan has reportedly fallen victim to a scam, losing an estimated $50,000 to an individual posing as Phillies shortstop Trea Turner. The victim, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, was targeted after she defended Turner on social media.
A 70-year-old Philadelphia Phillies fan has reportedly been swindled out of an estimated $50,000 after being scammed by an individual pretending to be Phillies shortstop Trea Turner.
The victim, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, began communicating with an impersonator when she came to Turner's defense on social media. She then received a message from someone she believed was the two-time MLB All-Star asking to talk to her on Google Chat.
Initially having doubts, the woman's suspicions faded as the conversations continued and the fake Turner started sharing details about his personal life. The chats continued for around three weeks, with the imposter Turner expressing sympathy for the woman's condition and claiming to be struggling with marital problems.
The faux Turner then asked the woman to send him large sums of money to various accounts, claiming he needed to make sure his wife did not have access to some properties. After sending a total of $50,000, the woman realized she had fallen victim to an elaborate scam and contacted law enforcement.
The victim admitted her gullibility, stating, "I believed him. I should've known better but, I just, I overlooked it." Police in Pennsylvania are currently investigating the incident, but it remains unclear if the perpetrator is located in the U.S.
The incident serves as a reminder to be cautious when engaging with individuals online, especially those claiming to be public figures. Scammers often target vulnerable individuals, preying on their trust and exploiting their desire for connection.
It is important to remember that legitimate individuals rarely reach out to fans through unsolicited messages, and never ask for money. If you receive a message from someone claiming to be a celebrity or public figure, exercise extreme caution and do not provide any personal information or send money.
If you suspect you have been the victim of a scam, report it to the authorities immediately. You can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP or reportfraud.ftc.gov.
