Caught in the Web of Artificial Reality: A Heartbreaking Scam Ordeal

The vibrant, ever-bustling neighborhoods of South Los Angeles became the backdrop for a tale that intertwines advanced technology with emotional vulnerability in a way that is both heartbreakingly real and cautionary. Abigail Ruvalcaba, an elderly Los Angeles resident, became a victim of an elaborate scam that employed artificial intelligence to deepfake the beloved actor, Steve Burton, from the iconic soap opera “General Hospital.” It all started with what seemed like harmless text messages and videos on social media.

The Alluring Illusion

Abigail believed that she was in a romantic entanglement with Burton, a cherished actor playing “Jason Morgan.” This illusion was carefully built by malicious scammers using deepfake technology that cloned Burton’s appearance and voice, making the deception eerily convincing.

Abigail’s daughter, Vivian Ruvalcaba, voiced deep regrets, wondering where she failed to notice the warning signals that something was awry. “Why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t I see what was happening?” Vivian lamented, as she recalled how her mother had been seduced by the allure of what she perceived to be a genuine connection.

Love, Built on Lies

The fake romance took a financial toll when the scammer weaved a story about losing properties in L.A. fires, successfully convincing Abigail that her help could bind them together. She, under the spell of the false relationship, handed over more than $81,304 through a range of payments, from gift cards to bitcoins.

“I remember you had suggested to sell this place,” ends up being one of Abigail’s last communications to the scammer. Encouraged by what turned out to be a wicked plot, she sold her condo for $350,000, seeking a dream that was nothing more than an elaborate deception.

An Epidemic Deception

According to Steve Burton himself, this is a familiar story. “Hundreds” of women deceive themselves into thinking they’re communicating with him, only to find they’ve been duped. “Sounds like my voice for sure, 100%,” Burton said after being presented with the AI-generated video that fooled Abigail.

This style of scam, as Burton puts it, has become an epidemic. Innocent fans end up misled, convinced about fictional online affairs, leaving a trail of emotional and financial ruin behind.

Seeking Justice and Awareness

Vivian, now her mother’s power of attorney, is taking legal steps to reverse the sale of the condo, arguing that Abigail’s mental state disqualified her from making such a substantial transaction. Their journey into the legal realm underlines an urgent message — the frightening proficiency of AI technology to deceive the unaware, leaving ripped families dealing with the aftermath.

She shared their tragic tale to serve as a beacon, alerting others to the incredibly convincing nature of AI-created scams, urging families to check in with their loved ones’ online engagements.

As the court battles loom, the sadness of realizing that, in the shadow of technology, something so unreal can devastatingly become a part of reality remains. After all, in a world where artificial intelligence knows no bounds, caution becomes our greatest ally.

According to ABC7 Los Angeles, this case joins others in raising crucial awareness about the perils of untrustworthy digital personas.