Catfishing in the LPGA: Deep Dive into a Growing Problem
The internet has revolutionized the way we connect with people, including our favorite athletes and celebrities. But with this increased access comes a dark side: the rise of sophisticated scams like catfishing and impersonation. This is a particularly pressing issue in the world of professional sports, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
What is happening in the LPGA isn’t just a few fans getting a sketchy message. It’s a widespread and dangerous network of scams that has duped fans and put both them and the players in a vulnerable position.
The Catfishing Playbook
The scam often starts innocently enough. A fan follows an athlete on social media, and a fake account impersonating that athlete reaches out, often with a message that seems too good to be true. The conversation quickly moves off the social media platform to an app like Telegram or WhatsApp to avoid detection by the platform’s security tools.
Once there, the scammer builds a relationship with the fan, offering an exclusive opportunity — a private dinner, a personal connection, or a chance to invest. The goal is always the same: to extract money through untraceable payments like cryptocurrency or gift cards.
What makes these scams so effective is their authenticity. The impersonators use real photos and videos of the athletes, sometimes even using AI-altered videos to make it seem as though the athlete is speaking directly to the victim. They also create elaborate backstories to explain why they can’t meet in person or why they need money, such as a controlling manager or family member.
The Real Victims
While the financial loss is a devastating consequence for fans, the impact of these scams extends far beyond money. The psychological toll on both the fan and the athlete is immense.
For the victims, the betrayal can be heartbreaking. Some have lost thousands of dollars, their retirement funds, or their life savings. The feeling of being duped is often accompanied by shame and embarrassment, making it difficult for them to report the crime. Worse, some victims refuse to believe they have been scammed and have shown up at tournaments to confront the athletes they believed they were in a relationship with.In one case, a man who believed he was married to an LPGA player traveled from Asia to a U.S. tournament. In another, a man lost $70,000 to a fake account and showed up to a tournament to meet the player, only to learn the truth.¹
For the athletes, the situation is not only frustrating but dangerous. They are the target of this malicious impersonation and are often blamed for the scammer’s actions. Some players, like Nelly Korda, have a warning statement pinned to the top of their social media profiles. Others, like golf influencer Paige Spiranac, have had to hire security and even get restraining orders.¹
The constant barrage of fake accounts is relentless and overwhelming. Despite reporting dozens of these accounts daily, new ones appear just as quickly.
What Tracer Can Do
At Tracer, we understand that the foundation of the fan-athlete relationship is built on trust and authenticity. When fans invest in an athlete’s journey, they are making a commitment to a genuine connection. But catfishing and impersonation shatter this bond, leaving fans financially and emotionally vulnerable while damaging the athlete’s personal brand and reputation.
That’s where Tracer comes in. Our mission is to provide innovative tools that empower players and their teams to verify their digital identity, proactively safeguarding that trust. While we can’t stop every scam, our solutions are dedicated to helping both athletes and fans identify and avoid fraudulent accounts and interactions, protecting them from becoming victims.
¹Source: “The catfishing scam putting fans and female golfers in danger,” The Athletic.
