Love-struck fan duped by AI videos of popular soap star in $81K scam
Share and Follow

A Los Angeles woman was reportedly duped out of more than $81,000 by a scammer using AI-generated videos of “General Hospital” star Steve Burton.

According to a report from ABC7 News on Thursday, Abigail Ruvalcaba sent money via prepaid cards, cash, and bitcoin after falling victim to a scam. She was deceived into thinking that an actor had lost properties in the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year.

Abigail even sold her LA condo for $350,000 and planned to give the funds to the con artist until her daughter, Vivian Ruvalcaba, stepped in.

“Had I not intervened when I did, she was scheduled to send the scammer $70,000 out of that money that was sitting there,” Vivian shared.

Abigail believed she was in a relationship with Burton after she started receiving AI clips of the actor’s likeness professing his love for her.

One of the messages released by the news outlet showed the deepfake version of the actor saying to Abigail: “Hello, Abigail. I love you so much, darling. I made this video just to make you happy, my love.”

Vivian explained to the outlet that her mother, who has bipolar 1 disorder, was experiencing a manic episode when she started receiving messages from the scammer last October.

“Bipolar disorder, formerly called manic depression, is a mental health condition that causes extreme mood swings. These include emotional highs, also known as mania or hypomania, and lows, also known as depression,” according to the Mayo Clinic. In certain cases, mania “may cause a break from reality.”

“In her head, there was no scammer. She was talking to Steve Burton the entire time,” Vivian said.

Abigail is now “in complete debt” due to the calculated scheme and is “going to have to file for bankruptcy,” according to her daughter.

“She’s ashamed and to put that stress on me, on herself, on my dad, the entire family, I know it weighs heavy on her,” Vivian continued.

Vivian teared up as she emotionally told the outlet that she was “sickened” by the ordeal.

“I’m sickened by it because why did it go this far? Why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t I see what was happening? What did I miss?” she said.

Burton — who has starred as Jason Morgan on “General Hospital” since 1991 — also talked to the outlet, confirming that he’s unfortunately seen this type of con using his likeness play out many times before.

“That I know of who have lost money, it’s in the hundreds. It’s in the hundreds,” Burton said. “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.’ It’s so sad, you see the devastation.”

He also cautioned his fans to be wary of similar scams, saying: “I don’t need your money. I would never ask for money.”

A similar romantic scam was reported in January after a French woman coughed up $850,000 to someone on social media posing as Brad Pitt.

The interior designer named Anne gave the fake Pitt her life’s savings after she was duped by AI images into believing Pitt was sick in the hospital and needed help paying his bills.

She realized she had been deceived by scammers after she saw reports of Pitt’s ongoing relationship with Ines de Ramon.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Donald Trump tells Norway he 'no longer feels an obligation to peace'

Donald Trump Announces Shift in Peace Policy During Address to Norway

In a surprising move, former President Donald Trump has intensified his demands…
Expert weighs in on bone box of Jesus' brother discovered in Israel

Unearthed: Astonishing Discovery of Jesus’ Brother’s Bone Box in Israel Stuns Experts

The James Ossuary, a carved limestone box dating back to the first…
Professors were disciplined for vulgar posts after Charlie Kirk's assassination: where are they now?

Discover the Fate of Professors Disciplined for Controversial Posts Following Charlie Kirk’s Assassination

Following the shocking assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk, a wave of…
St. Johns County records zero homicides in 2025, sheriff said the milestone was unexpected

St. Johns County Achieves Unprecedented Zero Homicides in 2025: Sheriff Hails Surprise Milestone

A landmark achievement in public safety has been recorded in St. Johns…
NASA's new moon rocket Artemis II moves to the pad ahead of astronaut launch as early as February

NASA’s Artemis II Moon Rocket Advances to Launch Pad for Potential February Astronaut Mission

Located in Cape Canaveral, Florida, NASA’s colossal new moon rocket headed to…
Jennifer Lopez's 'rude' Glambot moment explained by Cole Walliser

Cole Walliser Sheds Light on Jennifer Lopez’s Awkward Glambot Incident

Jennifer Lopez recently found herself at the center of controversy, accused of…
NASA offering Artemis II 'boarding passes' ahead of space launch

Secure Your Spot: How to Get a NASA Artemis II ‘Boarding Pass’ for the Historic Space Launch

Have you ever dreamed of journeying to the moon and back? Now…
ICE says 2 demonstrators were arrested in Minnesota for allegedly assaulting officers

ICE Arrests Two Protesters in Minnesota for Alleged Assault on Officers

In a recent development in Minnesota, two individuals found themselves in custody…