Sheriff’s Office: Fake Rock Star Scams Local Woman

JOHNSTON COUNTY — A Johnston County woman learned the hard way that not everyone online claiming to be a celebrity actually is — and that international music stars don’t usually sell concert passes through social media messages.

According to the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office, the 59-year-old woman believed she was communicating with musician Kid Rock after leaving a comment on one of his YouTube videos. She told deputies that someone claiming to be the entertainer responded to her comment and later suggested they continue the conversation privately on Snapchat.

After communicating for a period of time, the impersonator offered to sell the woman VIP passes to future concerts and promised the opportunity to meet in person. The woman sent $3,560 for the tickets, which never arrived.

Still believing she had been corresponding with the musician, the woman contacted the sheriff’s office and requested that Kid Rock be arrested.

Investigators quickly determined the YouTube account was not operated by Kid Rock but by an unknown individual using a similar appearance and online persona. Authorities said they are confident the entertainer was not involved and will not be making an appearance at the Johnston County Detention Center.

Please remember:

• Celebrities do not personally sell concert tickets or request money from fans online.
• Requests to move conversations to private messaging apps are a common red flag.
• If a famous person asks for cash, it’s almost certainly not them — and definitely not a backstage pass.
• Suspected scams should be reported to law enforcement and the social media platform involved.

The victim was unable to recover the money. The investigation remains ongoing.