Florida woman loses $160,000 to AI-powered romance scam via video call fraud over two and a half years

Summary

A Florida woman, Dianne Ringstaff, was scammed in an AI-powered romance fraud involving an impostor posing as actor Keanu Reeves. The scam began when she received a message while playing a mobile game, followed by a video call that convinced her she was speaking with the actor. Over two and a half years, the scammer built a relationship with her and eventually asked for money, claiming Reeves was being sued and targeted by the FBI. Ringstaff sent approximately $160,000, having taken out a home equity loan and sold her car. Authorities later informed her that her bank account had also been used to funnel money from other victims. Ringstaff is now speaking out to warn others about AI-powered romance scams and the risks of sharing personal information online.