A Stolen Identity Turned Into a Global Scam
Scott Cole, a 63 year old tai chi and yoga instructor from Palm Springs, says he has spent the past fifteen years fighting a digital nightmare that never seems to end. According to Cole, scammers have been taking his photos and creating fake social media accounts to lure women into emotional and financial traps. What began as a single suspicious profile in 2010 eventually multiplied into dozens across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn. The impostors often used new names such as Kevin Ottomar, Wilson Davis or John Bryant while keeping Cole’s face front and center to appear trustworthy. Over time, women from several countries began contacting him. Some believed they had been in months long relationships with the man in the photos. Others were trying to warn him that his identity was being used to deceive innocent people. The schemes often followed the same pattern. A scammer would pretend to be a widower, military contractor or engineer working overseas, slowly building emotional attachment before asking for money to solve an urgent crisis.
Emotional Toll and Financial Fallout
Cole says the stories he receives are devastating. Many of the women who reach out genuinely believed they had met a caring partner. Some were on the verge of sending thousands of dollars when they finally discovered the truth. Others admitted they had already wired money and felt ashamed or embarrassed. The personal impact on Cole has been heavy. He described nights spent searching for new fake profiles using his picture, knowing that every one represented another potential victim. He said the frustration, anger and helplessness have taken a toll on his well being. Romance scams as a whole have become one of the most financially damaging forms of online fraud. Losses in the United States alone have reached staggering levels in recent years. Cole’s experience exposes the lesser discussed victims, the people whose images are repeatedly stolen and tied to crimes they did not commit.
Platforms Struggle to Keep Up
Cole says he has reported the fake accounts many times. While some platforms removed the profiles, new ones often appeared just as quickly. He filed two reports with federal authorities but says he has not received meaningful follow up. Experts say scammers frequently choose images of people who appear friendly, fit or professional. A convincing photo combined with a fabricated backstory is often enough to gain trust, especially for victims seeking companionship.
Impact Felt Across Communities
Romance scams affect people everywhere. Women in Europe, South America and all across the United States have contacted Cole because of impersonators. For regions like South Florida, where online dating and digital communication are widespread, cases like this highlight both the scale and sophistication of modern fraud. Cole’s story is not only about financial deception. It exposes how identity misuse can harm both the people being fooled and the people being impersonated.
How to Protect Yourself
Cole urges anyone communicating with a new online contact to take precautions. Reverse image search suspicious profile photos. Be wary if someone avoids video calls. Never send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency to someone you have not met in person. People who find their own images being used in fake accounts should report them immediately, notify the platform and file a complaint with the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
A Fight That Continues
After fifteen years, Cole says he is still trying to regain control of his own likeness. His case reflects a growing reality of digital life. Once a photo is online, it can be copied, stolen and repurposed in ways most people never expect. Until platforms and law enforcement improve coordination and response, both direct victims and those impersonated will continue to suffer the consequences.
