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Steve Burton, AI-Generated Imposter, Scams Woman Out of Life Savings and Selling Her Home

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: ABC

In a harrowing real-life story, ABC7 Los Angeles has brought to light the deep fake AI’s and how they are permeating the social media space, conning fans of soap opera stars for money and more.

During an investigative segment on 7 On Your Side, we meet Vivian Ruvalcaba who’s mother, Abigail had been texting a scammer pretending to be the real ‘General Hospital’ star, Steve Burton (Jason Morgan).

Ruvalcaba was able to save one of the videos the scammer sent her mother, which was then forwarded to AI experts, who agreed that AI software was used to clone’s Burton’s voice and face.

Courtesy/ABC7

“I’m sickened by it because it went this far,” Vivian said. “Why didn’t I know this? Why didn’t I see what was happening? What did I miss?” As it turns out, Vivian’s mother has a history of mental illness and bipolar one disorder and was ripe for scammers to go after.

In the AI-generated video below, and subsequent messages, the “Steve Burton” scammer says, “Hello, Abigail. I love you so much, darling. I had to make this video to make you happy, my love.” Later, Abigail started receiving the videos on Facebook Messenger in October of last year, where she was tricked into believing the real Steve Burton was in love with her.

Photo: ABC7

Ramping things up, the scammer moved the conversation over to WhatsApp, where he told Abigail, “I want to live the rest of my life with you,” and, “Steve Burton and Abigail Burton’ sounds like a dream come true.”

Vivian recalled, “Sadly, in her (mother’s) head, there was no scammer. She was talking to Steve Burton the entire time.” Then, believing Steve Burton needed money, she sent “AI Steve” over $81,000 dollars in gift cards, cash and bitcoins. Things get even more disgusting and troubling, Abigail texted the scammer a message in regards to her home, writing, “I remember you had suggested to sell this place. I said no. Now I don’t care.” “AI Steve” replied, “If selling the place is what will give us a fresh start and bring us closer to where we both want to be, then I am behind you.”

Shockingly, Abigail sold her Harbor City condo for $350,000. At the time, she was scheduled to send the scammer $70,000 of that money before her daughter intervened.

Courtesy/ABC7

Later in the segment, the ABC 7 investigative team meets up with the real Steve Burton outside the studios of General Hospital and tell him about the scam which does not surprise him as he has heard stories like this before. “First of all, I don’t need your money,” Burton said. “I would never ask for money.”

When ABC7 shows Burton the AI video that conned Abigail, Steve said, “Sounds like my voice for sure, 100%,” while adding that this style of scam has become an epidemic. “I see people come to my appearances and look at me like they’ve had a relationship online for a couple years, and I’m like, ‘No, I’m sorry. I don’t know who you are,’ and you just see, it’s so sad, you see the devastation.”

The mother and daughter have now filed a lawsuit to try to get her mother’s condo back, but the attorney for the new owners says the woman was in her right mind when she made the decision to sell. Now, there will be a court hearing.

Take a look at the upsetting Steve Burton deep fake scam segment below.

Now, let us know, what did you think of what happened to Abigail? Have you been the victim of scammers? Share your thoughts in the comment section, and please remain diligent and don’t fall for any alleged soap star asking you for money or leading you into an online ‘faux” relationship. 

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This is very sad.

Scary and sad for the victims and the celebs. I don’t know the laws. Maybe those affected can have recourse one day. No one’s likeness should be used or impersonated like that. Such a shame. To see Steve say it’s in the hundreds is so disheartening.

This is so horribly sad. The people who can pull of these scams are highly skilled and knowledgeable. They should use those skills to get an honest tech job. There is a special place in hell for these thieves.

They will be in the same place as members of ICE.

Will the real Steve Burton please stand up?

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Britt and Rocco Say Their Goodbyes, Then She Gets Arrested; Anna Reveals “Nathan West” is an Imposter

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On the Friday, June 26 episode of General Hospital, emotional moments, a new duo on the run, the end of the line for Britt and an eye-opening moment between Anna and Felicia were the order of the day. Let’s take a look at what went down, but first let’s give a round of applause for Kelly Thiebaud (Britt) and Finn Carr (Rocco) on their goodbye scenes.

In the story, Rocco insists to his parents, Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Lulu (Alexa Havins) that he wouldn’t leave Tortola without Britt. Dante is getting impatient because Britt brought all the trouble in recent months to his son. They need to protect him and they can’t if he stays with Britt. Lulu tells Britt she is the only one who can do the right thing, right now.

Britt explained it is too dangerous for Rocco to stay with her. She was very selfish and made a lot of terrible decisions along the way and Cullum is tracking her down because she did not finish the project he enlisted her for. She convinces Rocco to go with his parents and gives him a little token of something that reminded her of when he was a baby which is a bottle to blow bubbles with.

Courtesy/ABC

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF

Rocco makes Britt promise to take her medication to ward off her Huntington’s disease symptoms and to keep changing locations so she is not caught. The two share a final hug as both are in tears. Dante makes a call. While in the car ready to leave Britt behind, Rocco says he will never forgive himself is something happened to Britt.

Back inside, Britt is ready to inject herself with her medication but is unaware that Cullum has now tainted it with poison! But she is saved from that, when two police officers burst through the door to arrest her for kidnapping charges! Did Dante call the local police? Is he doing this to keep her safe or to pay her back?

In Port Charles, Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) arrives at Crimson, completely unaware that the man in the elevator is following her. Nina (Cynthia Watros) and Charlotte have an argument about Willow (Katelyn MacMullen). Suddenly, Willow calls her mother that she is being questioned by the PCPD, and Nina learns, it is as a suspect for being the other driver that left Jordan and Curtis injured by the side of the road on Route 91.

ARRIVALS AND DESTINATIONS IN QUESTION

Chase (Josh Swickard) comes to Willow’s rescue much to Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Justine’s (Nazneen Contractor) chagrin. Willow learns Lucy  and Drew are the supposed witnesses against her. Chase figures out when Joe (Jonathan Bennett) was alone with Drew, he got him to blink in a way that implicated her. However, in a shocking moment, Justine reveals that the trip log from Willow’s BMW SUV placed her at the scene of the accident just second before it occurred.

Meanwhile, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) comes by Crimson to see Charlotte. He says he broke into the WSB office to get info to expose Cullum as a double agent. Charlotte blows a gasket! She can’t believe that he would do something so stupid that it could have gotten him killed. She firmly tells Danny that best thing he can do to help Jason is to stay out of things. Danny storms out, but notices the stranger in the elevator who now steps into the Crimson lobby.

Courtesy/ABC

The man tells Charlotte he is Agent Mark McKay with the WSB and he has orders to bring her in. When she resisted, he was about to chloroform her, when Danny knocked him out and took off with Charlotte.

ANNA PUTS HER TRUST IN FELICIA

In France, after having some private time with Emma (Braedyn Bruner), Anna (Finola Hughes) wants to talk to Felicia (Kristina Wagner). She tells her best friend she was trying to figure out what memories of her past with Faison, she could trust and not trust. Since Felicia knows her best she is hoping she can believe what she is about to tell her.

It is then that Anna says, “Nathan West (Ryan Paevey) is not who he says he is.” Felicia looks dumb-founded. Will she believe her friend … or think she has drummed this all up in her mind? Stay tuned.

So, what did you think about the goodbye scenes featuring Finn Carr and Kelly Thiebaud? Did you reach for the hankies? Do you believe that soon, Cassius will be caught for his duplicity and the truth about Britt’s “illness” will come to light? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below. But first check out the scenes featuring Anna on her road to recovery in France

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Drops First Single EDM/Dance Track ‘If You Need Me’

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Last weekend, we shared the news that General Hospital alum and Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos) was releasing his first single today on June 26th and it has indeed dropped! And for those readers who guessed that Duell’s first track out of the gate was going to be an EDM/Dance/House track … you are correct, sir!

The song entitled, “If You Need Me” is perfect for the late night clubs and can be found on Spotify and other major streaming platforms! Duell is noted as the performing artist, but as the composer/ lyricist and the beatmaker of the track. For his music projects, Chad is going solely by the name of “Duelly” which has been his social media handle for years.

Taking to his Instagram on Friday, Duell explained his deep dive into making music, expressing, “I’ve wanted to make music for a long time… I just never did it. It always felt like this huge, overwhelming thing to learn. All the technical side of it, the programs, everything that goes into actually building a track… it was easy to keep pushing it off.  A couple months ago I finally just decided to go for it.”

Photo: JPI

BIT BY BIT PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Chad added, “Since then I’ve been putting in a lot of time learning, experimenting, figuring things out, and slowly starting to find a sound I’m really proud of. This first release is more of a dance/EDM vibe, but I’ve also been working on a lot of different styles behind the scenes that I’m just as excited about. At some point I realized I could keep holding onto everything trying to make it perfect… or I could just start putting music out and grow as I go.”

Stepping out of his own way, Duell firmly says, “So that’s what I’m doing.  My first track “If You Need Me” is out now. More coming soon… this is just the beginning.”

As GH viewers know, Chad made the decision to step away from General Hospital after a 15-year run with the series where his last episode aired in January of 2025. By May of last year, the role was recast with Rory Gibson debuting in the part.

Give a listen below to Duelly’s “If You Need Me,” and let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: What Did You Think of the Return of Anna Devane, and What’s In the Letter?

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Finola Hughes made her dramatic return on-screen on the Wednesday, June 24 episode of General Hospital. Viewers will see Finola as Anna Devane again on tomorrow’s June 26th episode.

In the story, while in the French mental health facility, Anna has a session with Dr. Laurent. She tell her she now knows she was never kidnapped and that Cesar Faison is dead.

As she continued with her ruse, she went on to say she understands she was enlisted back into the WSB on a secret mission, and through that she relived all the trauma she endured by Faison, which caused her to have a psychotic break. Anna promises Dr. Laurent that her treatment plan had helped her so much in figuring out what was real, and what was in her imagination.

Courtesy/ABC

ANNA’S GOT HER OWN PLAN TO ESCAPE

In a smart move (hopefully) Anna told Laurent if she could talk to someone else who had known Faison that it might aid in her recover. She was given the phone and she called Felicia (Kristina Wagner), who agreed to fly to France in the morning. Dr. Laurent claims she is pleased with Anna’s progress, but that they still have a very long long way to go.

Now by herself, Anna pulled out a packet of letters from a bedside table. There is one in particular that she is fixated on. What does it contain? Is this all a part of her escape plan? Will she warn Felicia that “Nathan” is really Cassius (Ryan Paevey)? If so, will Felicia even believe her?

In a summer preview with Soap Opera Digest, GH co-head writers Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten shared, “We’ll see echoes of Anna’s earliest incarnation as she returns to Port Charles with deadly intentions.”

So, were you happy to see Anna Devane back on your screens? What do you think is in the particular letter she was staring at? Will Felicia help Anna escape or not believe a word she says? Weigh-in via the comment section.  But first, you can check out some of the scenes from Anna’s on-screen return below.

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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