In a troubling development for the golf community, world No. 1 LPGA golfer Nelly Korda has alerted her supporters about a scam that recently cost one devoted fan $15,000, funds meant for his retirement. This incident highlights an alarming trend where impostors impersonate professional golfers to defraud their admirers online. The scam, occurring in mid-2024, has put the safety and trust of fans in jeopardy, with Korda and other players stepping forward to warn the public and push back against these fraudulent schemes.
Details of the $15,000 Scam and Its Emotional Toll on Fans
The victim of the scam was a 72-year-old man from South Carolina who encountered an account pretending to be Nelly Korda around June 2024. Believing he was interacting with the golf star, the man engaged in conversations that quickly became deeply personal, even leading him to believe he was going to marry the professional athlete. Under this false impression, he transferred $15,000—his entire retirement savings—to the hacker. The situation escalated to where he nearly sold his house to continue funding the fabricated relationship, despite his family’s repeated interventions. It was only after the scammer made an unconvincing excuse about Korda being injured, with no official reports verifying such claims, that he realized the truth and the devastating loss he had suffered.
This incident is part of a broader pattern where devoted fans are being exploited emotionally and financially through social media frauds, creating a climate of despair and distrust within the golf community and beyond.
Investigative Efforts Reveal How Scammers Deceive Golf Fans
Investigative journalists recently went undercover to expose how these scams operate. By creating a fake account and following genuine LPGA players, reporters attracted scammers posing as the athletes. The staged interactions exposed manipulative tactics, starting from casual greetings and quickly advancing to emotional manipulation designed to build false trust and extract money. This detailed exposure has brought awareness of the sophisticated methods scammers use to prey on devoted fans of athletes like Nelly Korda and others.
Nelly Korda’s Response: Raising Awareness and Protecting Fans
Deeply shaken by these scams, Korda has taken a proactive stance to educate and protect her followers. She pinned a statement on her official Instagram account warning fans about the increase in fake accounts using her name to scam people. She stressed emphatically that she will never ask fans for money, clarifying that any such outreach is fraudulent. To help fans distinguish impostors from genuine accounts, Korda has shared her official account usernames and regularly reports around 20 fake accounts daily.
“It’s been taken out of my hands being able to communicate freely with fans.”
—Nelly Korda, LPGA Professional
Korda described the frustration and heartbreak caused not only to the players but also to fans caught in these dangerous scams. She spoke candidly about the profound emotional impact of the fraud, emphasizing the urgency to curb this growing problem.
“You’re just put into a situation you really don’t want to be in. You feel bad, you feel guilty for people going through this. It’s the last thing you want,”
she explained.
“It’s not only putting the players in danger, in a sense, but it’s putting all the fans in danger.”
—Nelly Korda, LPGA Professional
Other Golfers Join the Fight Against Social Media Scammers
Korda is not alone in addressing this escalating threat. Fellow LPGA pros Michelle Wie West and Charley Hull have also spoken out to shield their fans from similar scams. Wie West warned on social media about fake accounts contacting fans and demanding money, reminding everyone that her original account is the only legitimate one.
“This is my only account!!! Please report any account trying to message you or request a follow!”
—Michelle Wie West, LPGA Professional
Similarly, Charley Hull has urged fans to be cautious and report fraudsters pretending to be her. After encountering fake accounts soliciting payments for fan clubs or meet-and-greet opportunities, Hull made clear that she will never ask for money or gift cards in exchange for such events.
“I will never ask for money or gift cards in exchange for meet and greets or fan club membership. There are SO many fake accounts out there claiming to be me, if you are contacted by them, please, please report. Let’s stick together so we can beat the scammers.”
—Charley Hull, LPGA Professional
Despite these warnings, scammers continue to devise new strategies, frustrating the golf community and exploiting fans’ admiration and desire to connect with their favorite athletes. This ongoing challenge underscores the need for heightened vigilance and collective action from both players and followers.
The Broader Impact of Online Scams on Sports Communities
The vicious cycle of deception extends beyond golf, placing athletes and their fans across various sports at risk. An investigation into these fraudulent practices was highlighted recently by sports journalist Gabby Herzig, who pointed out a disturbing trend of social media catfishing scams targeting LPGA players and their supporters.
“There’s a bizarre social media catfishing scam putting LPGA players and fans at risk. @CarsonKessler and I looked into the dangerous con for @TheAthletic’s series on stalking and safety in sports.”
—Gabby Herzig, Sports Journalist
The phenomenon has grown exponentially in the past few years, with multiple players sharing similar experiences of fans victimized through impostor accounts. The emotional and financial damage caused by these scams creates tension and sadness within tightly knit fan communities, calling for comprehensive measures to protect everyone involved.
Efforts to Safeguard Fans and Rebuild Trust
Recognizing the severity of the problem, Nelly Korda and her fellow golfers continue their efforts to safeguard fans by promoting awareness and encouraging vigilance. Their messages emphasize that genuine athletes will never request money or personal financial information from fans, and they encourage reporting suspicious behavior to the platforms involved. Through these communal actions, the sports world hopes to stem the tide of fraudulent activities and restore the confidence of passionate supporters.
The plight of the South Carolina retiree serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of such scams and the importance of keeping fans informed and protected. As these stories circulate, the onus is on the entire golf community and social media users to remain alert and united against those who exploit trust for personal gain.
Ultimately, Nelly Korda’s strong stance against these scams reflects a deeper commitment to her fans beyond the golf course, striving to preserve the integrity of interaction and support within sports culture. The rising sophistication of scammers demands continued vigilance, education, and swift action from both players and fans to prevent further heartbreak and loss.