Welsh actor Ioan Gruffudd has issued a public warning about artificial intelligence-generated content being used to deceive fans, after encountering a woman who believed she had been in a romantic relationship with him for over a year. According to BBC News, the 53-year-old star described the discovery as "distressing and disturbing" and urged his followers to remain vigilant against similar schemes.
Gruffudd, who hails from near Aberdare in Rhondda Cynon Taf, revealed that the woman approached him at a convention with hundreds of AI-generated images and videos purporting to show intimate communication between them. The fraudster had contacted her through a Facebook page dedicated to the crime drama Elsbeth, in which Gruffudd portrays a musician named Angus, and subsequently directed her to communicate via Telegram, a messaging application.
How did the scam operate?
The impersonator obtained the woman's contact details through the Elsbeth fan page and provided a cell phone number, instructing her to switch to Telegram for private conversations. Once communication moved to the messaging platform, the fraudster began transmitting AI-generated images and videos designed to convince the woman that she was genuinely corresponding with the actor. According to the Daily Mail, Gruffudd included a phone number allegedly used by the impersonator in his public warning.
The encounter took place at Chattanooga Comic Con, held on November 7–8 at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Tennessee, where the woman confronted Gruffudd directly about the relationship she believed they shared.
What is Gruffudd's message to fans?
In an Instagram post, Gruffudd made clear that he will never initiate private contact with fans through unofficial channels.
"I will never give out my cell number to anyone that I don't personally know,"he stated. He instructed anyone who believes they are communicating with him via social media accounts other than his verified official channels to assume the contact is fraudulent and to cease all engagement immediately.
"Please do not engage and never send money! I urge you to ignore and block all contact from anyone that claims to be me."Gruffudd also encouraged victims to report the impersonator and their contact details to law enforcement.
"If you have been targeted by this person, please report them and their number to the police for investigation. I have done the same."
Is this a widespread problem among celebrities?
Gruffudd is far from the only public figure to experience such fraud. In January, Sir Tom Jones issued a comparable alert after discovering numerous fake social media profiles impersonating him and attempting to defraud his admirers. His management team posted on Instagram:
"Regrettably, it has come to our attention that there is a large number of fake online profiles impersonating Sir Tom Jones and / or his team, who are attempting to scam fans and members of the public."
The warning continued:
"Please be aware that Sir Tom Jones only has access to his verified (blue tick) Facebook/Instagram/X/YouTube and Tik Tok accounts. Sir Tom does not communicate to individuals directly or personally via his social channels. If a fake profile tries to chat to you privately, report and block them. This will NOT be Sir Tom Jones or his team."
Other prominent figures who have raised concerns about AI-enabled impersonation include Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks, and financial expert Martin Lewis. The entertainment industry has been particularly vocal about these threats. Over 80 performers including Matt Lucas and Hugh Bonneville have called on the UK government to introduce legislation protecting voices from AI cloning, citing rising threats to the entertainment industry.
What broader context exists around AI fraud?
The problem extends beyond celebrity impersonation. Criminals are using AI to create convincing fake websites, clone voices and generate deepfakes to steal money, with National Trading Standards publishing a watchlist of scam techniques. Scammers have also deployed AI-generated imagery in other contexts; fraudsters have been observed using AI-generated images of missing pets to demand reward money from desperate owners, sometimes threatening to harm animals if payment is refused.
Authorities have begun issuing guidance to the public about protecting themselves from such schemes. The UK National Crime Agency and Internet Watch Foundation advise parents to limit public sharing of children's photos due to rising AI-generated sexual abuse material risks, urging privacy settings, social media audits, and cautious consent practices.
Key Facts
- Gruffudd encountered a woman at Chattanooga Comic Con who believed she had been in a year-long relationship with him via AI-generated communications
- The scammer used a Facebook page dedicated to the television series Elsbeth to identify and contact potential victims
- Gruffudd has reported the impersonator to police and urges other victims to do the same
- Multiple celebrities including Sir Tom Jones, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Hanks have issued similar warnings about AI-based impersonation schemes
- AI fraud techniques are becoming increasingly sophisticated, affecting not only celebrities but also vulnerable members of the public
