Steve Burton, AI-Generated Imposter, Scams Woman Out of Life Savings and Selling Her Home
In a harrowing real-life story, ABC7 Los Angeles has brought to light the deep fake AI’s and how they are permeating the social media space, conning fans of soap opera stars for money and more.
During an investigative segment on 7 On Your Side, we meet Vivian Ruvalcaba who’s mother, Abigail had been texting a scammer pretending to be the real ‘General Hospital’ star, Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).
Ruvalcaba was able to save one of the videos the scammer sent her mother, which was then forwarded to AI experts, who agreed that AI software was used to clone’s Burton’s voice and face.
Courtesy/ABC7
“I’m sickened by it because it went this far,” Vivian said. “Why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t I see what was happening? What did I miss?” As it turns out, Vivian’s mother has a history of mental illness and bipolar one disorder and was ripe for scammers to go after.
In the AI-generated video below, and subsequent messages, the “Steve Burton” scammer says, “Hello, Abigail. I love you so much, darling. I had to make this video to make you happy, my love.” Later, Abigail started receiving the videos on Facebook Messenger in October of last year, where she was tricked into believing the real Steve Burton was in love with her.
Photo: ABC7
Ramping things up, the scammer moved the conversation over to WhatsApp, where he told Abigail, “I want to live the rest of my life with you,” and, “Steve Burton and Abigail Burton’ sounds like a dream come true.”
Vivian recalled, “Sadly, in her (mother’s) head, there was no scammer. She was talking to Steve Burton the entire time.” Then, believing Steve Burton needed money, she sent “AI Steve” over $81,000 dollars in gift cards, cash and bitcoins. Things get even more disgusting and troubling, Abigail texted the scammer a message in regards to her home, writing, “I remember you had suggested to sell this place. I said no. Now I don’t care.” “AI Steve” replied, “If selling the place is what will give us a fresh start and bring us closer to where we both want to be, then I am behind you.”
Shockingly, Abigail sold her Harbor City condo for $350,000. At the time, she was scheduled to send the scammer $70,000 of that money before her daughter intervened.
Courtesy/ABC7
Later in the segment, the ABC 7 investigative team meets up with the real Steve Burton outside the studios of General Hospital and tell him about the scam which does not surprise him as he has heard stories like this before. “First of all, I don’t need your money,” Burton said. “I would never ask for money.”
When ABC7 shows Burton the AI video that conned Abigail, Steve said, “Sounds like my voice for sure, 100%,” while adding that this style of scam has become an epidemic. “I see people come to my appearances and look at me like they’ve had a relationship online for a couple years, and I’m like, ‘No, I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are,’ and you just see, it’s so sad, you see the devastation.”
The mother and daughter have now filed a lawsuit to try to get her mother’s condo back, but the attorney for the new owners says the woman was in her right mind when she made the decision to sell. Now, there will be a court hearing.
Take a look at the upsetting Steve Burton deep fake scam segment below.
