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Fitness Trainer's Image Used in Online Romance Scams

11/13/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Scott Cole, a 63-year-old fitness trainer from Palm Springs, endures online romance scams.
Scammers use his image to create fake profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn.
They target vulnerable women who exchange messages and sometimes lose money.
Despite reporting accounts, Cole cannot stop the impersonation, while platforms claim detection.
Liese, a German woman, nearly fell for a scam using Cole's photo but recognized the deception.

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Story summary

Scott Cole, a 63-year-old fitness trainer from Palm Springs, endures online romance scams.
Scammers use his image to create fake profiles on Facebook and LinkedIn.
They target vulnerable women who exchange messages and sometimes lose money.
Despite reporting accounts, Cole cannot stop the impersonation, while platforms claim detection.
Liese, a German woman, nearly fell for a scam using Cole's photo but recognized the deception.