Celebs who were catfished – Ukrainian president scam, TV star and by own mum

Con artists and scammers have been around for decades, but the term Catfish originated in 2010 after a film with the same name was released.

The film starred Nev Schulman and two years later, Catfish: The TV Show broadcast on MTV and depicted the truth and lies surrounding online dating, following those who were interacting with people who lied about their identity.

The American reality based documentary series, co-hosted by Nev and Kamie Crawford, showcased how social media platforms, such as Facebook and Instagram, have made it that much easier to communicate with strangers.

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While celebrities use these platforms to communicate with fans, there have been plenty of occasions where these stars have fallen victim to catfishing.

As Catfish was released 13 years ago today, Daily Star has looked back at different celebrities who were targeted by scammers.

Johnny Depp

A woman named Hope Lyn Jackson told ABC's Nightline programme that she contacted Johnny Depp and pretended her young daughter was dying from cancer.

Jackson claimed she spoke directly with the actor on the phone and he sent her gifts for her fictionally ill child.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star works closely with charities and often makes hospital visits to children suffering with cancer, therefore it's no surprise that he would be inclined to reply.

His representatives declined to confirm whether he had fallen victim to catfishing.

Country music singer Brad Paisley and his wife Kimberly Williams-Paisley were also targeted by the same scammer who had the same fake story.

A police statement published by ABC said: "I was contacted by Brad Paisley on September 18th, 2012, and he advised me that he had been scammed by a female (later identified as Hope Lyn Jackson).

Mr. Paisley also stated that the woman he and his wife had been corresponding with had told them that she had a daughter who was dying of cancer.

"She led them to believe this was true by sending them emails and photographs that she had used from other websites of actual children who were in fact sick and/or dying."

Former Dancing with the stars contestant and Jon & Kate Plus 8 star Kate Gosselin was also a victim of Jackson.

Jackson claimed her daughter's dying wish was to have contact with the reality star and used her own name as the suffering patient.

After an episode of her reality show based on their eight children, Jon & Kate Plus 8, Kate displayed the message 'In Loving Memory of Hope'.

The TV personality later revealed she screamed after discovering it was all a hoax.

Ian McKellen

In 2022, actor Sir Ian McKellen revealed he had fallen victim to catfishing.

The Lord of the Ring star explained he tricked into thinking he was involved in a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, however, it turned out to be a prank by Russian comedians.

Releasing a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, the 84-year-old opened up about the ordeal with his followers.

He wrote: "I'm not a politician, so I was surprised some weeks ago to receive a message that appeared to come from the Ukrainian Embassy in London, inviting me to participate in 'a private discussion with President Zelensky'.

"I checked with a couple of contacts in Ukraine who encouraged me to take the call," McKellen wrote. "At the appointed time, I found myself chat-ting, apparently, with the President of Ukraine."

The X-Men star continued: "As it soon turned out, it was not Zelensky or any Ukrainian official, but one of a pair of Russians who call themselves comedians.

"Understand they're popular in Russia, which is surprising because their jokes aren't funny."

Ian added: "I played along with things they suggested but was frankly bewildered that they seemed to think I might be in a position to provide substantial aid to Ukraine.

"Once I realised it was all just a dirty trick, I declined to cooperate any further."

Iggy Azalea

In a shocking turn of events, rapper Iggy Azalea revealed she was catfished by her own mother.

During an interview on The Cruz Show in 2016, the 33-year-old explained her mum, Tanya, posed as a fan after setting up a fake account on X.

The Black Widow hitmaker said: "There was this one fan, and I was like 'Oh, I like this fan. This fan is cool. I'm going to add them.'"

The mum-of-one soon learned the account was run by Tanya after she texted her saying: "Um, you know I'm Azalean for Life, right? That's me".

Thomas Gibson

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Former Criminal Minds actor Thomas Gibson was best known for playing Aaron Hotchner, a skilled FBI agent who was meticulous in catching criminals.

Unfortunately for the actor, he didn't realise there was a woman in his life who was catfishing him.

The 61-year-old was contacted on Twitter by a woman claiming to be a huge fan.

Over the next two years, they remained in contact and exchanged numerous explicit photos and videos, of which hers were taken from adult websites, according to TMZ.

In 2013, the dad-of-three realised the woman was lying about her identity and contacted his lawyers, who requested that she end all communication with the TV star.

The woman, who has never been named, then contacted TMZ and leaked a video that Thomas had previously sent of himself in a hot tub, letting the world know that he had been well and truly catfished.

The clip left fans wondering whether the actor had cheated on his wife, Christine, however it was confirmed they were separated at the time.

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