Recently, a woman was allegedly swindled out of more than $81,000 through sophisticated AI-generated videos featuring General Hospital star Steve Burton. Authorities are investigating what could have become an even more devastating financial loss, as investigators believe the scam might have cost the victim over $400,000 if it had continued unchecked.
Vivian Ruval Cava discovered that her mother, Abigail, had fallen victim to an elaborate romance scam involving fake videos that looked and sounded authentically like the popular soap opera actor. The deepfake videos were so convincing that Abigail believed she was in a genuine relationship with Burton, prompting her to send substantial amounts of money to the scammers.
“Hello, Abigail. I love you so much, darling. I had to make this video to make you happy, my love,” one of the fake videos stated, demonstrating the convincing nature of the AI-generated content. According to police reports, Abigail sent the scammer more than $81,000 in prepaid gift cards, cash, and Bitcoin after “Burton” claimed he had lost property in the LA fires and needed financial assistance.
The situation was particularly tragic as Vivian explained her mother has bipolar disorder and was experiencing a manic phase when she fell for the elaborate deception. “In her head, there was no scammer. She was talking to Steve Burton the entire time,” Vivian said, expressing her devastation at not recognizing the signs earlier.
The financial damage extended beyond the initial loss, as Abigail had sold her condo for $350,000 and was prepared to send an additional $70,000 to the scammers before her daughter intervened just in time. “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 revealed.
When shown the fake video, the real Steve Burton issued a clear warning to his fans: “First of all, I don’t need your money. I would never ask for money.” He noted the heartbreaking reality of encountering fans at appearances who believed they had established online relationships with him over years.
The LAPD continues investigating this case and reports that such scams are more pervasive than many realize. The sophisticated scammers have become adept at covering their tracks, making prosecution challenging. Authorities emphasize the crucial rule: never send money to someone you haven’t met physically in person, and be extremely wary of anyone requesting money online or over the phone, regardless of how legitimate they may appear.