75-Year Old Journey Fan Scammed Out Of $122,000 By A Steve Perry Imposter

A 75-year-old Journey fan from Cleveland, Ohio, was scammed out of $122,000 by an online imposter pretending to be Steve Perry, the band’s former lead singer.

The woman first responded to a Facebook message in January from someone claiming to be Perry. According to Westlake police, the fake Perry presented a business opportunity and expressed a need for a woman in his life.

Over the following months, the woman sent $72,000 in wire transfers to various individuals in different states, as directed by the imposter. She also sent $50,000 in gift cards. The scam came to light when the imposter began demanding pictures of her passport and driver’s license. Realizing she was being deceived, the woman reported the scam to the police, who are now attempting to track down the criminal. They also advised her to report the scam to her bank and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Joe Elliott’s Straightforward Tips to Avoid Rock Star Impersonator Scams

Def Leppard frontman Joe Elliott has also spoken out against such scams. In a video released earlier this year, he warned fans about online imposters, expressing his frustration with their deceptive tactics.

“I don’t need your money, okay? I would never, ever ask you for money because my wife’s divorcing me or my leg fell off or I need a glass eye. It’s complete and utter horseshit. Anyone who sends you an email claiming that they’re me or they’re gonna take you on a date or… I don’t know, my house fell over, it’s not true!”

Elliott’s blunt advice aims to help fans spot these scams and avoid falling victim to them. The unfortunate experience of the Cleveland woman highlights the importance of being cautious online and recognizing the signs of potential scams.