A California fitness trainer’s identity has been weaponized by international scammers for 15 years while Big Tech platforms refuse to implement meaningful protections, exposing the complete failure of corporate accountability in safeguarding American citizens from digital fraud.
Story Overview
- Scott Cole’s photos have been stolen by scammers since 2010, used to defraud women globally of hundreds of thousands.
- Social media giants like Facebook and TikTok continue to host endless fake accounts despite repeated reports.
- The FBI reports over $50 billion in losses from romance scams between 2020 and 2024.
- Tech companies possess tools to stop image theft, but choose profits over protection.
15-Year Digital Identity Theft Nightmare
Scott Cole, a 63-year-old fitness trainer from Palm Springs, California, has endured a relentless assault on his identity since 2010.
International scammers have created hundreds of fake social media profiles using his photographs, targeting vulnerable women worldwide with romance scams.
Cole’s images appear across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn under fabricated identities such as “Kevin Ottomar” and “Caleb Wilson,” demonstrating how easily criminals exploit American citizens while tech companies turn a blind eye to systemic fraud.
'Why does this happen?': Man says romance scammers have been using his picture to attract women for 15 years https://t.co/3eSLXTsCjL
— Bo Snerdley (@BoSnerdley) November 11, 2025
Big Tech’s Deliberate Negligence
Despite Cole’s repeated reports to Facebook and other platforms, fake accounts using his likeness continue proliferating without consequence.
Former prosecutor Erin West, who now runs Operation Shamrock, directly accused social media companies of choosing inaction over user protection.
West stated these corporations “could locate every instance of his image and remove it, and they’re choosing not to do that.” This represents a stunning abdication of corporate responsibility that leaves Americans defenseless against international criminals.
Sophisticated International Fraud Network
The scammers demonstrate alarming sophistication, as evidenced by Jennifer Liese’s experience in Germany. A fake “Kevin Ottomar” profile contacted her on LinkedIn with extensive connections and a detailed backstory.
The scammer maintained the deception for months through phone calls and shared artwork before requesting money for construction equipment. Only Liese’s vigilance and reverse image searching prevented financial loss, highlighting how these predators exploit human vulnerability while platforms profit from engagement.
Staggering Financial Impact
The FBI documented over $50 billion in losses from romance scams between 2020 and 2024, with Cole’s case representing just one victim among thousands whose identities fuel this criminal enterprise.
Some women have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars believing they were communicating with Cole. The psychological damage extends beyond financial loss, as victims often contact the real Cole seeking relationships, believing they know him intimately.
This creates secondary victimization that destroys lives while enriching both scammers and platforms through increased user engagement.
Corporate Accountability Crisis
LinkedIn’s hollow response, claiming “over 99% of fake accounts are removed proactively,” rings particularly false given Cole’s 15-year ordeal and the ongoing presence of fake profiles.
These corporations possess advanced facial recognition technology capable of instantly identifying stolen images, yet they deliberately choose not to deploy comprehensive protections.
This represents a fundamental breach of trust with American users who deserve basic security measures. Until meaningful legislation forces accountability, Big Tech will continue prioritizing profits over protecting citizens from international fraud networks that undermine American digital sovereignty.
