Scammers Target K-Pop Fans: The Heartbreaking Case of Jackson Wang’s Impersonator
The digital age has made it easier than ever to connect, but it also opens doors to a slew of dangers, especially through the rise of online scams. One particularly deceptive method gaining traction is catfishing, where individuals pose as others to manipulate unsuspecting victims.
In a recent episode of the YouTube series Catfished, a woman named Fawna shared her painful experience of being deceived by someone she believed was GOT7‘s Jackson Wang. After struggling to find a partner, Fawna turned to online dating and was thrilled to connect with someone she thought was the K-pop idol himself.
Fawna, who lives with congestive heart failure and a clinical disability, recounted how her heart soared after discovering Jackson on TikTok. She said, “I spoke with this ‘Jackson’ every day and even had phone calls, although he never showed his face on video.”
As her feelings intensified, Fawna went so far as to buy engagement rings for their imagined future together. But the fantasy took a dark turn when “Jackson” started asking for money, claiming he needed assistance with various “necessities,” including a plane ticket and a passport renewal due to blackmail threats.
In total, Fawna sent approximately $4,000 to the imposter, who also requested sensitive personal information like her Social Security number.
The impact of these scams quickly became dire, affecting Fawna’s ability to pay her rent. Desperate for help, she reached out to the Catfished team, who employed tracking links to investigate the scammer’s true location. To her dismay, the accounts posing as Jackson and two others were traced back to Nepal, Laos, and Nigeria.
Feeling devastated, Fawna reflected on the emotional connection she felt with the catfisher. “No one else spoke to me that way, and I just felt seen,” she shared, revealing the loneliness she has faced following her mother’s passing. The show’s hosts offered her uplifting words and committed to covering therapy costs to help her navigate this painful chapter.
Viewers of the episode were largely supportive, expressing sympathy rather than judgment. Comments flooded in, with many affirming that Jackson would be saddened to learn about such incidents, even though they are beyond his control.
As Fawna continues to heal from this traumatic experience, we hope she finds solace and does not fall victim to any more scams in the future.
