'Really thought it was Jelly Roll': Ohio man says he was scammed by AI video of singer
Share this @internewscast.com

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (WDTN) A Springfield, Ohio, man says he lost money through an app that utilized AI, making him think he was getting prizes from country music star, Jelly Roll.

As artificial intelligence advances, some are using the technology to impersonate celebrities, sometimes to convince people to hand over money. Ronnie Flint said he fell victim to one such incident and is now sharing his story to warn others.

Flint spoke to local affiliate WDTN, saying he is shocked to see technology come so far and be used in a way to harm others.

“I really thought it was Jelly Roll,” Flint explained. He said he was going about his day when he got a message on Facebook that appeared to be from a celebrity that he happens to be a fan of. The message said he won $50,000 on a brand new car.

The real Jelly Roll is seen on the left below, while the AI version of Jelly Roll can be seen on the right, wearing a backward hat.

Then the account sent Flint a video of a man, who appears to be singer-songwriter Jelly Roll, asking him to cover shipping to get his prizes. Flint was not convinced, even after the page sent him what they say is Jelly Roll’s official driver’s license.

There are plenty of inaccurate features on that driver’s license, seen below. For example, the singer in question goes by Jelly Roll, not “Jolly roll.” Since that’s his stage name, it wouldn’t appear on his driver’s license either his real name, Jason DeFord, would. It also appears to be a Permanent Resident Card, something Jelly Roll, a U.S. native, likely would not have. But if he did, “Nashville” wouldn’t appear on the card. In that place, according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, would be his country of birth.

But then Flint received a second video, which he said surprised him.

“When they sent the second video where he actually said my full name, that got me,” said Flint. “I was like, wow, it really is Jelly Roll. He said my name.”

The account then asked him to send money through Apple gift cards. Flint sent them a total of $70, even though he’s on a fixed income.

“I even told him that I’m on disability. You know, this is all the money that I have for the rest of the month,” said Flint.

A family member warned Flint that this seemed like a scam, and he promptly stopped and filed a police report, but the messages for more money keep coming.

“They’re thinking I’m going to send them another $30 on the 3rd, which ain’t going to happen,” said Flint, who added that he wants to share his story in order to make sure no one has to go through what he did.

Multiple organizations, as well as police departments, say that if it’s too good to be true, it often is too good to be true. You should also always be wary if people ask you to pay with gift cards.

The  Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has warned against sending money to celebrities who contact them online.

“Imposter scams come in many varieties, but they all work the same way: a scammer pretends to be someone you trust to convince you to send them money. And that’s exactly what these celebrity imposters are trying to do,” the FTC said.

Earlier this year, an Illinois woman lost $62,000 to an account impersonating the actor Kevin Costner.

Nexstar’s Addy Bink contributed to this report.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Michigan Woman Wins $100K Powerball Jackpot with ChatGPT’s Assistance: A Modern Twist to Lottery Success

LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A Michigan resident has credited ChatGPT with helping…

Study Reveals Trump’s Immigration Policies Could Slash 15 Million Workers by 2035 – Economic Impact Looms

A recent study unveiled on Friday forecasts that President Trump’s immigration policies…

Massive ‘No Kings’ Protests Sweep the Nation: Americans Unite Against Trump

On Saturday, crowds of protesters from various age brackets gathered en masse…

SSU Selected as One of 30 Schools for Innovative Freshman AI Program

SAVANNAH, Ga. — Savannah State University (SSU) has been chosen as one…

New Documents on Epstein Unveiled by House Panel: What You Need to Know

The House Oversight Committee has unveiled new documents related to the criminal…

Suspects in Immigration Detention Center Shooting Charged with Terrorism: Latest Developments

Two individuals apprehended in connection with a shooting incident in July at…

Shocking Incident: Florida McDonald’s Dispute Over Service Ends in Gunfire

A late-night dispute at a McDonald’s in Davenport, Florida, turned violent when…

Former LAPD Officer Arrested at LAX for 2015 Homeless Man’s Fatal Shooting: Shocking Details Revealed

In a significant development, former Los Angeles Police Department officer Clifford Proctor…

Champaign Co. EMA Secures Major Grant for Cutting-Edge Technology Enhancements

URBANA, Ill. — The Champaign County Emergency Management Agency is set to…

Illinois Youth Hunters Achieve Record-Breaking Deer Harvest During Three-Day Season

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Recent figures released by the Illinois Department of Natural…

Controversial Artillery Plans During Vance Visit Sparks Tension with California’s Newsom

A plan to conduct a live artillery exercise over a major highway…

US Raises Alarm on Hamas’s Potential Threat to Palestinian Civilians Amid Gaza Ceasefire

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – On Saturday, the U.S. State Department reported…