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() A Los Angeles woman was scammed out of over $81,000 after she fell for an AI-generated video of “General Hospital” star Steve Burton.
Vivian Ruvalcaba told KABC that her mother, Abigail, fell for the deepfake video.
“I’m sickened by it because it went this far,” Ruvalcaba told the station’s investigative team. “Why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t I see what was happening? What did I miss?”
“Good Morning America” obtained a police report, saying that Abigail Ruvalcaba sent the scammer more than $81,000 in prepaid gift cards, cash and bitcoin and sold her condo for $350,000. The fake “Burton” alleged that he lost his home in the Los Angeles fires.
The victim was planning to give the scammer $70,000
“In her head, there was no scammer,” Ruvalcaba told KABC. “She was talking to Steve Burton the entire time. Had I not intervened when I did, she was scheduled to send the scammer $70,000 out of that money.”
In an AI-generated video, the fake Burton said, “Hello, Abigail, I love you so much, darling,” while sitting in a car. “I had to make this video to make you happy, my love. I hope this puts a smile on your heart. Nothing will ever make me hurt you or lie to you, my queen.”
Ruvalcaba said Abigail has bipolar disorder and was in a manic episode at the time and that her mother was “ashamed” over what she did.
“To put that stress on me, on herself, on my dad, the entire family, I know it weighs heavy on her,” Ruvalcaba told KABC. “Now she’s in complete debt, and now she’s going to have to file for bankruptcy.”
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The stars of ABC’s Emmy® Award-winning daytime drama “General Hospital” returned to Elvis Presley’s Graceland® for a second annual “General Hospital”-themed fan celebration. The three-day event kicked off Friday, Jan. 17, and included numerous exclusive events held in various locations throughout the Graceland campus, as well as show panels, meet-and-greet opportunities, and autograph sessions. “General Hospital” airs weekdays on ABC (check local listings). (Robert Dye via Getty Images)
STEVE BURTON -
GENERAL HOSPITAL – Episode 14836 – General Hospital” airs Monday-Friday, on ABC (check local listings). (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)STEVE BURTON -
Steve Burton, winner of the award for supporting actor in a drama series for “The Young and the Restless”, poses in the press room at the 44th annual Daytime Emmy Awards at the Pasadena Civic Center on Sunday, April 30, 2017, in Pasadena, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) -
GENERAL HOSPITAL – “General Hospital” airs Monday-Friday, on ABC (check local listings). (Nick Agro via Getty Images)
STEVE BURTON -
GENERAL HOSPITAL – “Episode 15668″ – General Hospital” airs Monday – Friday, on ABC (check local listings). (Disney/Christine Bartolucci)
STEVE BURTON (Photo by Christine Bartolucci/Disney via Getty Images) -
GENERAL HOSPITAL – “Episode 15682” – “General Hospital” airs Monday – Friday, on ABC (check local listings). (Disney/Bahareh Ritter)
STEVE BURTON (Photo by Bahareh Ritter/Disney via Getty Images) -
GENERAL HOSPITAL – “Episode 15776” -“General Hospital” airs Monday – Friday, on ABC (check local listings). (Disney/Christine Bartolucci)
STEVE BURTON (Photo by Christine Bartolucci/Disney via Getty Images)
Steve Burton knows scammers use his likeness
The real Burton is aware of people using his likeness to scam others and said that he knows of “hundreds” of people who were scammed.
“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,” Burton said.
