The age of AI is here—and it’s scary. In a shocking new report, scammers used an AI deepfake to trick a Los Angeles woman into believing she was in a relationship with General Hospital fan favorite Steve Burton (aka Jason Morgan). She ended up losing nearly all of her life savings.
In a fake video that shows a man who looks and sounds exactly like Burton, the scammer told the woman he loved her. Over time, she built an online relationship with him. She genuinely believed they were in love and that she was going to become Mrs. Abigail Burton.
In a report from ABC 6 Action News, Abigail’s daughter, Vivian Ruvalcaba, said to 7 On Your Side Investigates,
“I’m sickened by it because it went this far,”
“Why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t I see what was happening? What did I miss?”
The AI-generated video shows the scammer saying:
“Hello, Abigail. I love you so much, darling. I had to make this video to make you happy, my love.”
When the fake Steve Burton texted Abigail claiming he lost property in the L.A. fires, she believed him. Thinking they were going to buy a house together, she started sending him money.
According to an LAPD incident report, Abigail sent at least $81,304 in gift cards, cash, and bitcoin. Then she sold her Harbor City condo for $350,000. Fortunately, her daughter stepped in and stopped her from sending another $70,000 before it was too late.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time scammers have used fake profiles to target soap fans. Actors often post warnings saying they don’t ask fans for money, and that many of these accounts are fake.
When Steve Burton himself was shown the video, he was shocked. He told 7 On Your Side Investigates,
“First of all, I don’t need your money. I would never ask for money.”
Watch the full clip below! (Photo Credit: ABC.)
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