Scammers impersonating Hollywood star Kevin Costner almost siphoned tens of thousands of dollars from a woman in an AI deepfake scheme.
National Australia Bank (NAB) says a woman, identified only as Sue, believed she had formed a legitimate online relationship with the Oscar-winning actor and was preparing to help him move money into Australia.
According to NAB, Sue visited a bank’s local branch to open a new account after being told she would receive funds from Costner for a business venture. Banker Angus Murdoch says alarm bells rang immediately when Sue explained the source of the money.
“She said she was expecting money from a well-known American celebrity she had been speaking to online. That was the first red flag.”
NAB says Sue told bank staff she had participated in what she believed was a live video call with Costner, which scammers had created using a sophisticated AI deepfake.
During those interactions, the scammer said he wanted to establish an office in Australia and needed help purchasing commercial property.
Says Murdoch,
“He told her he wanted to set up an office in Australia and needed help buying commercial property. Since she’d worked as a property manager, it felt like a natural fit.”
The scammers instructed Sue to open an Australian bank account so “Costner” could transfer $200,000 from the United States. She was also planning to deposit $100,000 of her own savings, believing she would be repaid with interest.
Murdoch says he recognized multiple warning signs, including emotional manipulation, a fabricated celebrity identity and requests for large financial transfers. He says he abruptly halted the process and referred Sue to NAB’s fraud team before any funds were moved.
“I could see the concern growing in her face as she started to realise what was really happening… These criminals were likely trying to use her as a money mule. And if she’d transferred her own savings, she could have lost everything.”
NAB says Sue ultimately chose not to open the account and walked away without financial loss.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed at CapitalAI Daily are not investment advice. Investors should do their own due diligence before making any decisions involving securities, cryptocurrencies, or digital assets. Your transfers and trades are at your own risk, and any losses you may incur are your responsibility. CapitalAI Daily does not recommend the buying or selling of any assets, nor is CapitalAI Daily an investment advisor. See our Editorial Standards and Terms of Use.