A 73-year-old Marysville, Washington, woman was scammed out of at least $20,000 by someone impersonating MSNBC anchor Ari Melber, her family said.
Patricia Taylor was deceived by a fake Facebook account claiming to be Melber, who allegedly requested money and gifts to treat a supposedly sick dog named Penny, her children told KING5 News.
“She’s a very trusting person,” Joey Taylor, Patricia’s son, said. “If you say the right words, she figures she has no reason not to believe you.”
Marysville woman scammed out of $20,000 by fake TV anchor https://t.co/3tyIikQHky
— KING 5 News (@KING5Seattle) December 14, 2024
The alleged scammer convinced Patricia they were in love and would marry, even reportedly sending her a cheap ring. When she became suspicious, the alleged impersonator sent an AI-generated voice purportedly from Melber to reassure her. (RELATED: Tom Hanks Issues PSA Cautioning Fans About Alleged Scams Using His Name)
“We found the ring,” Meri Taylor, Patricia’s daughter, told the outlet. “It’s a $30 ring.”
Patricia was prepared to fly to New York to meet the person, but her family intercepted her during a layover and brought her home.
“I believe they would have asked for some kind of ransom. We have your mom,” Meri said. “They’d see how much money they could get out of us … We want to vomit.”
“Our mother is not a dumb person,” Meri continued. “How did she fall for this? How did she not see what was going on? You try to explain the logic and it doesn’t sink in.”
MSNBC clarified to KING5 News that Ari Melber is not amorously involved with Patricia Taylor in any way.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
