An Evanston woman recently lost $62,000 in a Kevin Costner impersonator online scam in Illinois, after being led to believe she was investing in cryptocurrency with the famed Yellowstone actor. The case, unfolding in a suburb of Chicago, highlights a broader pattern of scammers targeting victims by posing as celebrities online.
Illinois Resident Fell Victim After Months of Deception
The scam began when the woman started communicating with someone on Telegram who claimed to be Kevin Costner. Over a six-month period, she sent a series of gift cards, thinking these would be converted into cryptocurrency investments, with assurances of financial returns. The impersonator promised her profit, convincing her to continue making payments under the guise of legitimate investing. However, she never received any cryptocurrency or any return on her investment, and the funds vanished.
The Evanston Police Department later determined that the individual she was interacting with was a fraudster. This scam is part of a larger, ongoing cryptocurrency scam ring that has been preying on individuals since at least 2018.
Little Hope of Recovery or Justice for Victim
The woman has not been able to reclaim any of her lost money. Authorities have advised her to contact her credit card companies in an attempt to recover some of the funds, but the outlook remains bleak. According to local police:
“Due to the nature of the crime, an arrest is highly unlikely,”
—police
The perpetrator appears to be outside the reach of immediate legal consequences, and, as with many internet frauds, victims are often left with little recourse. Reports from NBC 5 emphasize that law enforcement and financial institutions may have limited power to intervene in such cases.
Celebrity Online Impersonation Scams on the Rise
This incident is not unique, as scammers regularly impersonate well-known figures to gain victims’ trust. Country stars have frequently had their identities misused in similar online scams. Earlier this year, a woman from Texas was deceived into accruing over $18,000 in debt after falling for a fake Morgan Wallen online romance. In another alarming example, a Vince Gill fan was financially devastated after losing retirement and savings money, straining her personal relationships.
Strategies to Avoid Falling for Impersonation Schemes
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has repeatedly warned the public about sending money to individuals claiming to be celebrities online. Their advice includes pausing to consult with someone you trust before transferring funds and researching both the celebrity’s name and the word “scam” online. In the event that money is sent, the FTC urges immediate contact with your bank, gift card company, wire transfer provider, or any payment platform used.
The FTC specifically discourages the use of gift cards for online payments. According to the agency, about a quarter of those reporting fraud state that the scammer requested the numbers from the back of gift cards. This is because gift card payments lack significant buyer protections, their transactions are largely irreversible, and scammers can remain anonymous throughout the process.
Wider Implications and Next Steps
The case of the Kevin Costner impersonator online scam in Illinois underscores the persistent challenge posed by celebrity impersonators and online investment schemes. Victims, such as those mentioned above, often find themselves isolated without support or effective legal remedies. As scam techniques grow increasingly sophisticated, public awareness and vigilance remain the best defense.
The Evanston Police Department, the Federal Trade Commission, and media outlets such as WGN 9 and NBC 5 continue to advise residents to be cautious online, especially when approached with offers of financial opportunity by individuals claiming to be famous personalities. The outcome for the Evanston victim serves as a stark warning about the real risks of cybercrime and the difficulty in seeking restitution after such events.
