A 64-year-old man from Pennsylvania was scammed out of $42,700 by someone pretending to be WWE star Rhea Ripley, according to the Pennsylvania State Police. The incident occurred in March, as reported by troopers in Kittanning, Armstrong County, located about 45 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. The scammer contacted the man while impersonating Ripley and successfully deceived him into handing over the money, police said, with details shared by WPXI.
A police spokesperson revealed that the victim has declined to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, and no arrests have been made so far. Authorities have not disclosed how the scammer initially reached out or how the funds were transferred. Rhea Ripley, a two-time Women’s World Champion known for having one of the largest social media followings in WWE, has publicly cautioned fans about fake accounts impersonating her. These celebrity impersonation scams often start with a fraudulent social media or messaging profile, where scammers build trust over time before requesting money under various pretenses such as emergencies, travel expenses, or meetup fees. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center notes that confidence and romance scams disproportionately affect people over 60 more than any other age group.
Anyone who suspects they have been contacted by someone posing as a WWE performer should report the incident to the social media platform involved and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov. WWE stars do not ask fans for money through direct messages.
Fan Take: This incident highlights the growing risks of online scams targeting wrestling fans, especially older supporters who may be more vulnerable. Protecting the integrity of the sport means raising awareness so fans can enjoy their favorite fighters without falling prey to these harmful schemes.
Source: wrestlingnews.co
