Catfished by Gary Barlow? Woman offered chance to meet real star
Janet Smith was convinced she was talking to the Take That star after adding him as a friend on Facebook. However, the fairy tale came crashing down when she realized it wasn’t the real Gary Barlow at all.
Scammer Poses as Gary Barlow
The scammer added Janet on Facebook after spotting her name in the likes. As conversations progressed, Janet, 62, got suspicious, and “Gary” eventually admitted he was a 24-year-old from Nigeria. He then declared his love for her and began begging for cash.
Real Gary Barlow’s Response
After Janet spoke out about the scam, the real Gary Barlow took notice and shared her story on Instagram. He expressed his sympathy for Janet’s situation and extended an invitation for her to attend any of his shows to meet him in person.
Janet’s Reaction
Pizza restaurant worker Janet, who resides in Colchester, Essex, expressed disbelief at the attention her story received. She mentioned receiving a message from someone who claimed to have seen the story, but she had not been contacted directly by Gary Barlow as of yet.
Concerns and Impact
Commenting on the incident, Janet highlighted her concerns about vulnerable individuals being targeted by scammers impersonating celebrities. She emphasized the potential financial losses that unsuspecting victims could face and the tarnished reputation of the celebrities unknowingly involved.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on her experience, Janet acknowledged the unfortunate reality of scammers preying on innocent people, particularly the elderly. While she empathized with their financial struggles, Janet underscored the importance of awareness and vigilance to prevent others from falling victim to similar schemes.
Overall, the ordeal serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with engaging in online conversations with unknown individuals claiming to be public figures. By sharing her story, Janet hopes to raise awareness and prevent others from falling prey to deceptive online practices.