20In an emotional public statement shared via her official Instagram Live on Thursday night, social media personality and fitness model Run’s N Rosse revealed that her images have been stolen and used by online scammers to exploit vulnerable women across various platforms.
Rosse, whose real name remains private for security reasons, has built a following of over 2 million fans with her bold style, empowering messages, and fitness journey. But behind her rising online success is a painful reality: her likeness has been manipulated to deceive people, particularly women, into romantic relationships for financial gain.
“I didn’t know what to say at first. I was shocked and honestly devastated,” Rosse said during the livestream, her voice shaking. “I’ve received hundreds of messages—some angry, some heartbroken—from women who thought they were talking to someone else… but it was my face, my photos, my voice, sometimes even AI deepfakes.”
Rosse recounted how she first became aware of the issue when a woman emailed her in early 2024, claiming that Rosse had been chatting with her for months on a dating app. The woman provided screenshots of private conversations and video clips—none of which Rosse had any part in creating. From that moment, reports started flooding in.
A Growing Threat
Rosse’s experience highlights a rapidly growing form of cybercrime: romance scams driven by identity theft. According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), romance scams cost Americans over $1.3 billion in 2023 alone. These scams often involve perpetrators creating fake profiles using the photos and personal information of real people—usually attractive public figures or influencers—to lure victims into emotionally charged relationships. Once trust is established, the scammers make financial requests under various false pretenses.
For Rosse, the consequences have been deeply personal. “I’ve had women accuse me of being part of the scam. Some believed I was pretending to be a catfish to cover up the truth. It’s twisted and heartbreaking,” she said. “They were lied to. They lost money, but also trust and confidence. And I feel like I’ve been forced into their heartbreak without even knowing it.”
Victims in Silence
In many cases, victims of these scams feel ashamed or embarrassed to come forward. Rosse hopes that by speaking publicly, she can help remove some of that stigma.
“This isn’t just about me or my pictures,” she emphasized. “It’s about the manipulation of hope, loneliness, and vulnerability. And it’s happening on a massive scale.”
Rosse urged her followers to stay vigilant and cautious when forming relationships online. She advised people to verify identities through video calls, be wary of individuals who avoid meeting in person, and never send money to someone they haven’t met physically.
Fighting Back
In the aftermath of the revelations, Rosse has started working with cybersecurity consultants and legal teams to report fraudulent profiles and file take-down requests across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and dating apps including Tinder and Bumble. Still, she admits that the process is like “playing whack-a-mole.”
“Every time we get one fake account removed, two more pop up,” she said. “These scammers are relentless.”
She’s also calling on social media companies to take stronger action, pushing for AI tools to flag suspicious accounts that use widely circulated influencer images. “It shouldn’t be this easy to weaponize someone’s image,” she added.
Support and Solidarity
Despite the grim nature of her announcement, Rosse ended the livestream with a message of strength and solidarity: “To anyone who’s been scammed using my pictures—I see you, I’m so sorry, and I promise you are not alone. This is not your fault. Let’s use our voices to bring change.”
Her followers have flooded her comments with support, sharing similar stories and rallying for stricter protections against impersonation online.
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