Non-Fan’s Romance Ends In Disaster After Getting Catfished By “GOT7’s Jackson Wang”

It’s a tale as old as time–or at least, the internet. For as long as The World Wide Web has existed, so too have scammers, and many of them use love to prey on unsuspecting victims.

A 48-year-old Thai woman was cheated out of a staggering amount of money after coming into contact with someone who claimed to be GOT7‘s Jackson Wang. It began when the woman, who wasn’t a fan of Jackson at the time, liked a video clip of Jackson that she happened to see online.

The video’s uploader DMed the woman in English, claiming to be the idol himself. Understandably, the woman didn’t believe him. To convince her, “Jackson” video-called her and invited her to join his so-called “V.I.P. Fan Club,” which would give her access to Jackson’s concerts and backstage meet and greets. Given that the woman wasn’t Jackson’s fan at the time, she turned down the offer.

Little did she know that “Jackson” wouldn’t give up so easily. He bombarded her with messages, which included content featuring Jackson, and eventually convinced her that he was the real Jackson. Once he’d convinced her, “Jackson” did what scammers do best–he asked for money that he had no intention of repaying, let alone with the interest he promised her.

The first amount was over ฿70,000 (approximately $2,000 USD), which the woman paid in cryptocurrency in March of 2023. “Jackson” continued to coax money out of his non-fan-turned-stan by speaking to her affectionately and offering so-called investment opportunities. He also asked for various loans.

By May of 2023, the woman had given “Jackson” ฿5M (approximately $143,424 USD), having believed that they would be together in the future. Where did she get the money? To pay “Jackson,” the woman drained the funds she had set aside for her mother’s medical expenses and her own life savings.

Unfortunately, this cautionary tale ends with an empty bank account, a broken heart, and a police report. The woman, who has been experiencing anxiety and suicidal ideation since being scammed, reported “Jackson” to the police, but so far none of her money has been returned.

Sadly, this is not the only time that scammers have impersonated celebrities.

Woman Demands Divorce From Her Husband After Being Catfished By “Ji Chang Wook”