by Palm Springs, CA — A California fitness trainer claims he’s been battling a disturbing online nightmare for more than a decade. Scott Cole, 63, says his photos have been used in romance scams since 2010, tricking unsuspecting victims worldwide into sending money to fraudsters pretending to be him.
Victim of an Unending Scam Cycle
Cole told ABC News that scammers have repeatedly stolen his images to create fake profiles on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. These accounts use his pictures—sometimes alongside his real name, sometimes under aliases—to deceive people into fake romantic relationships.
“These people are being scammed by my image and likeness and being asked for money,” Cole said. “It’s so awful, tragic, and mean.”
The longtime Palm Springs fitness trainer said his life’s work has always been about helping others. Now, he feels powerless as his face has become a tool for deception.
Women Worldwide Fooled by Imposters
One woman, Jennifer Liese from Kassel, Germany, said she fell victim to one of these scams. She believed she was speaking to an American man named Kevin Ottomar, who connected with her on LinkedIn.
Initially, she was skeptical, but the fake profile looked convincing — “very large,” she said, “with a great amount of contacts.” Months into their online relationship, “Ottomar” asked her for money after an alleged equipment accident at his construction job.
Liese decided to investigate, conducting a reverse image search that revealed the truth — the man in the photos was actually Scott Cole.
“I was disappointed that I had been betrayed,” Liese said. “Luckily, I didn’t suffer any financial loss.”
After her discovery, LinkedIn removed the fraudulent account.
Hundreds of Victims Over the Years
Cole says he has received hundreds of messages and emails from women worldwide who were deceived by these fake accounts. Some of them nearly sent thousands — even hundreds of thousands — of dollars.
“My natural response is to help them,” Cole said, “but at some point, it becomes so big that I can’t even do anything about it.”
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He added that some women are still convinced they know him personally and attempt to pursue real romantic relationships, despite his clarifications.
TikTok and FBI Respond
Cole says he filed two reports with the FBI, but hasn’t received any follow-up. He believes the issue is simply too widespread.
“I think one reason they may not have responded is that this is so rampant,” he said. “I’d love for technology to catch up and help stop this from going on.”
TikTok confirmed that the fake accounts using Cole’s likeness have since been removed.
“Those accounts have been taken down and the creators removed,” a TikTok spokesperson said. “We proactively remove about 94% of violative content before it’s even reported.”
Online Scams Continue to Surge
According to a Pew Research study released in July, 73% of U.S. adults say they’ve encountered some form of online scam. The FBI reported $16.6 billion in online fraud losses in 2024, marking an all-time high.
Authorities urge people to avoid sending money to anyone they haven’t met in person, verify images through reverse searches, and question inconsistencies in online profiles.
To stay safe, experts recommend limiting what personal details you share online — especially on dating platforms — and being skeptical of anyone who asks for financial help.
Have you or someone you know experienced a similar scam? Share your story and thoughts in the comments at mikeandjonpodcast.com.
