Social media can be a treacherous landscape, especially for the unsuspecting. Scammers lurk behind fake identities, ready to pounce and drain your pockets. McKala, a woman from Kentucky, USA, learned this lesson the hard way.
For a whole year, she believed she was engaging in romantic exchanges with Dacre Montgomery, the actor renowned for his role as Billy Hargrove in “Stranger Things.” Though they never met in person or spoke directly on the phone, McKala was willing to go to great lengths to be with him, even sending him thousands of dollars in gift cards – exactly what online scammers crave.
McKala went as far as leaving her husband to pursue this virtual romance. But as doubts began to creep in about the authenticity of her newfound love, she turned to the YouTube channel Catfished for help, specialists in unveiling online scams.
A Well-Crafted Ruse
Her story unfolded like a cautionary tale. Feeling unhappy in her marriage, McKala sought solace in an online community of artists, hoping to connect with like-minded individuals. Then, the supposed Dacre Montgomery, her favorite actor, reached out to her.
Thrilled by their initial exchanges, McKala was swept into a year-long virtual relationship. During this time, her correspondent confessed his unhappiness in his own relationship, claiming his partner was controlling – a sentiment McKala could relate to in her own marriage.
Months passed, and the fake Dacre professed his love for McKala, asking if she would be his, all while maintaining discretion due to his alleged relationship status. McKala’s suspicions seemed to dissipate when she noticed the absence of recent posts on the actor and his girlfriend’s Instagram accounts, seemingly confirming his story.
Unraveling the Deception
However, Catfished’s investigators quickly confirmed McKala’s suspicions, highlighting the implausibility of a year-long relationship without any direct communication. The fake Dacre even went as far as asking McKala to choose between him and her husband, a choice she made swiftly in favor of the “Stranger Things” heartthrob.
Throughout their virtual affair, the imposter repeatedly asked McKala for money, ranging from 100 to 200 euros in gift cards. Shockingly, McKala estimates she sent around 10,000 euros in total – a staggering sum for someone impersonating a Hollywood star reportedly earning a hefty paycheck.
Exposing the Scam
Catfished’s investigators uncovered the truth behind the facade, revealing fake reimbursement checks and even a photo of lasagna supposedly cooked by Dacre, which turned out to be a recipe from Martha Stewart. Devastated by the extent of the deception, McKala chose to share her story to prevent other women from falling victim to similar scams, acknowledging the irrationality that love can sometimes lead us to.
