The SCARS Institute Top 50 Celebrity Impersonation Scams

The SCARS Institute Top 50 Celebrity Impersonation Scams

The SCARS Institute’s Top 50 most impersonated traditional celebrities in online, SMS, and messaging scams targeting English-speaking audiences. These names are ranked by frequency of mention across scam tracking data, news reports, cybersecurity alerts, and consumer protection agency warnings from approximately 2020 to 2025. Each entry includes the celebrity’s primary field and how their identity is typically used in scams.

1. Martin Lewis
Financial journalist and TV presenter (UK)
Scammers use his name more than any other in the UK, mainly in fake investment and cryptocurrency scams. His image is misused in fraudulent ads promising huge returns.

2. Taylor Swift
Singer-songwriter
Heavily impersonated in fake ticket sales, bogus giveaways, and fraudulent endorsements. Appears in nearly a quarter of all celebrity-impersonation reports in English-speaking countries.

3. Elon Musk
Tech entrepreneur
A prime target in cryptocurrency investment scams, especially Bitcoin giveaway hoaxes. Frequently impersonated on platforms like Twitter and YouTube.

4. Scarlett Johansson
Actress
Scammers use her likeness in fake endorsements and even AI-based voice scams. Recently topped lists of celebrities most exploited by impersonators online.

5. Adele
Singer
Often impersonated in scams promoting fake diet pills or miracle weight-loss products. Also targeted in ticket resale frauds.

6. Kylie Jenner
Reality TV personality and entrepreneur
Used in phony giveaway campaigns and counterfeit merchandise scams. Her cosmetics brand is often imitated in fraudulent sales promotions.

7. Johnny Depp
Actor
Scammers exploit his fame in fake charity appeals, fabricated personal interactions, and crypto scams using his name.

8. Keanu Reeves
Actor
The most impersonated celebrity in romance scams. Scammers pretending to be Reeves build fake emotional connections with victims to solicit money.

9. Tom Hanks
Actor
Used in scams promoting bogus health products and false endorsements. Impersonators play on his trustworthy public image.

10. Jeff Bezos
Entrepreneur
Scammers impersonate him in investment hoaxes and fake Amazon crypto projects, often claiming to reveal “secrets” to financial success.

11. Mark Zuckerberg
Tech executive
Commonly used in fake giveaways and hoaxes promising cash or Facebook rewards. His name appears frequently in phishing and scam alerts.

12. Holly Willoughby
TV presenter (UK)
Regularly impersonated in beauty product scams. Her face is used in fake ads for diet supplements or skincare products.

13. Jeremy Clarkson
TV presenter and journalist
Targeted in fake investment stories, particularly in the UK, where his outspokenness is used to create false credibility.

14. Richard Branson
Entrepreneur
Appears in a wide range of scam formats, including fraudulent giveaways, get-rich-quick schemes, and fake interviews endorsing investments.

15. Oprah Winfrey
TV host and philanthropist
Used in fake charity solicitations and bogus prize scams. Scammers claim she’s giving away money or inviting victims to exclusive contests.

16. Dolly Parton
Singer-songwriter
Targeted in fake product endorsement scams, especially involving CBD and keto gummies. Impersonators also solicit donations under her name.

17. King Charles III
British royalty
Impersonated in investment scams falsely suggesting royal backing for crypto platforms or financial advice.

18. Rishi Sunak
UK Prime Minister
Used in investment frauds and scam articles that fabricate his support for trading platforms or financial apps.

19. Brad Pitt
Actor
Frequently impersonated in romance scams. One well-known case involved a victim losing hundreds of thousands of dollars believing she was in a relationship with him.

20. Simon Cowell
TV producer
Scammers use his name in fake finance ads, investment endorsements, and fraudulent contest invitations.

21. Ed Sheeran
Singer-songwriter
Targeted in ticket scams and fake fan giveaways. Impersonators also pose as him to engage with fans and request money.

22. Prince Harry
British royalty
Used in fake charity appeals and investment scams. Scammers exploit his public profile to fabricate royal partnerships or endorsements.

23. Phillip Schofield
TV presenter (UK)
Featured in fake diet pill and crypto ads. Impersonators use his image in fraudulent health and financial promotions.

24. Peter Jones
Entrepreneur (UK)
Victims have lost large sums to scams falsely claiming he endorsed specific investments or appeared in financial interviews.

25. Ryan Reynolds
Actor
Impersonators message fans under the guise of friendship or romance, eventually leading to money requests or fraudulent offers.

26. Sandra Bullock
Actress
Scammers target men with romance scams pretending to be Bullock. Also linked to emergency scams involving fake stories of needing help.

27. Jason Momoa
Actor
Another top name in romance scams. Impersonators often pose as Momoa to build trust before soliciting money.

28. Blake Shelton
Singer (country)
Impersonated in fake fan contests, such as being awarded “Fan of the Year,” where victims are asked to pay fees.

29. Garth Brooks
Singer (country)
Used in romance scams, especially on older fans. Scammers build emotional connections and request funds or gift cards.

30. Snoop Dogg
Rapper
Impersonated in scams promoting crypto, NFTs, or phony product giveaways. Also targeted in merchandise fraud.

31. Kid Rock
Singer
Scammers impersonate him in chat messages with fans, later asking for money or promoting fake investment links.

32. Jennifer Aniston
Actress
Used in skincare and weight-loss product scams. Her name and image are frequently misused in false endorsements.

33. Sabrina Carpenter
Singer and actress
Targeted in fake ticket sales and app scams. Scammers exploit her young fanbase and popularity on social platforms.

34. Sydney Sweeney
Actress
Scammers use her image in fake investment ads, especially in crypto promotions, often through fraudulent social media posts.

35. Blake Lively
Actress
Featured in fake diet pill ads and fraudulent giveaways. Her image has been misused to promote unapproved products.

36. Anya Taylor-Joy
Actress
Used in streaming scams and fake contests. Scammers create posts claiming she is giving away electronics or subscriptions.

37. Luke Grimes
Actor
Targeted in romance scams, particularly involving fans of the Yellowstone series. Impersonators message victims on social platforms.

38. Kane Brown
Singer (country)
Often impersonated in romantic scams directed at women, using fake profiles to establish relationships and request money.

39. Tom Selleck
Actor
Another romance scam target, especially among older fans. His identity is also used in fake retirement or investment promotions.

40. Jason Statham
Actor
Impersonators use his name on dating apps and Facebook to develop relationships before asking for money.

41. Paul Hollywood
TV chef (UK)
Scammers catfish fans pretending to be Hollywood. Victims have sent thousands to fake “managers” requesting charity donations or gifts.

42. Lewis Capaldi
Singer
Used in fake merchandise sales and concert ticket scams. Also impersonated in fan messages on social media.

43. Rod Stewart
Singer
Featured in investment scam stories and imposter charity solicitations. His identity appears in fabricated promotions.

44. James Martin
TV chef (UK)
Scammers use his name in fake prize scams or charity appeals, often on Facebook or messaging apps.

45. Bill Gates
Entrepreneur and philanthropist
A major name in crypto giveaway scams. Impersonated on social media and email campaigns promising Bitcoin rewards.

46. Brad Paisley
Singer (country)
Has warned fans about impersonators who message people pretending to be him, then request money.

47. Hugh Jackman
Actor
Used in fake casting or fan messages, where scammers try to start a romantic or personal connection and later ask for money.

48. Elton John
Singer
Scammers pretend he is offering cash prizes or collecting donations. Imposters create fake profiles and message fans directly.

49. Mark Ruffalo
Actor
Frequently impersonated in fan outreach scams. Fake profiles engage fans before shifting to private messaging for solicitations.

50. Robert Downey Jr.
Actor
Impersonators contact fans via fake accounts, thanking them and then asking for personal details or money. Downey Jr. has warned against these scams directly.

This list reflects a pattern: scammers favor celebrities who are trusted, emotionally resonant, or idolized. Impersonation scams often rely on the victim believing that the celebrity is personally contacting them, whether to offer love, investment advice, or free products.

Special Mention: Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres has been a frequent target for impersonation scams, particularly on social media platforms like Facebook. Scammers exploit her reputation for generosity by creating fake profiles or pages that claim to offer substantial prizes, such as cash, electronics, or even vehicles. These scams often require victims to pay upfront fees via gift cards or provide personal information under the guise of claiming a prize.

Common Scam Tactics Involving Ellen DeGeneres

• • Fake Giveaways: Scammers set up fraudulent pages or profiles impersonating Ellen DeGeneres, promoting fake giveaways that promise large cash prizes or expensive items. Victims are often asked to share the post, comment, or click on suspicious links to participate.

  • Upfront Payment Requests: To claim the alleged prizes, victims are instructed to pay fees ranging from $80 to $300, typically via gift cards. This tactic is a common red flag in many scams.

  • Phishing for Personal Information: Some scams involve collecting personal and financial information under the pretense of verifying identity or processing the prize, leading to potential identity theft.

Notable Incidents

• • The Identity Theft Resource Center reported a resurgence of the “Ellen DeGeneres scam,” where individuals received messages claiming they had won prizes like iPhones or Teslas, only to be asked for payment to claim them.

  • Malwarebytes highlighted scams where fake Ellen profiles promoted giveaways, directing users to dubious websites that required personal information or led to unwanted subscriptions.

  • A Reddit user shared an experience of receiving a message from someone impersonating Ellen DeGeneres, offering a free car, which was clearly a scam.

Prevention Tips

• • Verify Official Sources: Always check if the giveaway is promoted through Ellen DeGeneres’s verified social media accounts or official website.

  • Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Messages: Unexpected messages claiming you’ve won a prize, especially if they ask for payment or personal information, are likely scams.

  • Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter a scam, report it to the platform (e.g., Facebook) and to authorities like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – learn more at reporting.AgainstScams.org

  • Educate Others: Inform friends and family about these scams to prevent them from falling victim.

More Celebrity Impersonations (Dishonorable Mentions)

Alan Jackson – Country Singer
Amy Pascal – Film Executive
Ben Affleck – Actor
Betty White – Actress
Billy Joel – Musician
Billy Ray Cyrus – Singer
Bradley Walsh – TV Presenter
Bruce Willis – Actor
Bryan Adams – Musician
Celine Dion – Singer
Daniel Craig – Actor
David Attenborough – Natural Historian
Deborah Snyder – Film Producer
Drew Barrymore – Actress/TV Host
Faith Hill – Country Singer
George Clooney – Actor
Gordon Ramsay – TV Chef
Helen Mirren – Actress
James Corden – TV Host
Jamie Oliver – TV Chef
Jennifer Garner – Actress
Jon Bon Jovi – Musician
Judi Dench – Actress
Kathleen Kennedy – Film Producer
Katie Couric – Journalist/TV Host
Kevin Costner – Actor
Liam Neeson – Actor
Lionel Richie – Singer
Luke Bryan – Country Singer
Martina McBride – Country Singer
Meg Ryan – Actress
Mel Gibson – Actor/Director
Michael Caine – Actor
Miranda Lambert – Country Singer
Nigella Lawson – TV Chef
Paul McCartney – Musician
Phil Collins – Musician
Pierce Brosnan – Actor
Piers Morgan – TV Presenter
Reba McEntire – Country Singer
Rick Stein – TV Chef
Ringo Starr – Musician
Shania Twain – Country Singer
Steve Harvey – TV Host
Sting – Musician
Tim McGraw – Country Singer
Trisha Yearwood – Country Singer
Wendi Deng Murdoch – Businesswoman
Whoopi Goldberg – Actress/TV Host
Wynonna Judd – Country Singer

Remember

Recognizing that no real celebrity will ever personally message a fan to ask for money, gifts, or personal information is not just common sense—it is a fundamental rule in protecting yourself from impersonation scams. Celebrities, whether actors, musicians, athletes, or public figures, do not privately reach out to individuals through social media, text messages, or messaging apps to build relationships, promise prizes, or offer investment opportunities. If you receive an unexpected message from someone claiming to be a celebrity—no matter how convincing the profile looks or how flattering the message sounds—it is a scam.

Scammers exploit your admiration, trust, or emotional connection to that public figure. They may use real photos, deepfake videos, or fake verified-looking accounts to make their impersonation seem believable. But behind every message asking for money, gift cards, or help with a “personal emergency,” there is a criminal trying to manipulate and defraud you. No legitimate celebrity will ever ask you to keep a conversation secret, switch platforms, or send money through unconventional methods like cryptocurrency or wire transfers.

If someone claiming to be a celebrity contacts you, stop and ask yourself: Why would a wealthy, famous person need anything from me? The answer is—they wouldn’t. Identifying and rejecting these false contacts is a crucial step in staying safe. If it feels too personal, too emotional, or too financially suspicious, it probably is. Trust your instincts, verify everything independently, and report any impersonation to the proper platforms or authorities. Being aware of this one fact—that real celebrities don’t reach out for money—can prevent devastating losses.