A woman was left without a husband and $10,000 after being tricked into believing she was in a romantic relationship with actor Dacre Montgomery.
McKayla, a filmmaker from Kentucky, thought she had met Dacre — best known for playing Billy Hargrove in Stranger Things — on an online forum for creatives. The pair quickly bonded and “really hit it off,” forming what McKayla believed was a genuine emotional connection.
Over time, the man claiming to be Montgomery confided in her about his personal life and told her he had ended his relationship with his girlfriend. Convinced the romance was real and hopeful about a future together, McKayla made the difficult decision to divorce her husband in order to be with him.
Shortly afterward, the fake Dacre claimed he was experiencing financial difficulties following the breakup. Trusting him, McKayla sent money on several occasions, ultimately loaning him a total of $10,000.
As the relationship progressed, McKayla began to notice inconsistencies in his stories and repeated excuses for why they could not meet in person. Growing suspicious, she contacted the online investigation show Catfished for help.
The investigation revealed that the man she had been speaking with was not Dacre Montgomery, but a scammer using stolen photos and a false identity to manipulate her emotionally and financially.
By the time the truth came to light, McKayla had lost both her marriage and the money she had sent. She later described the experience as devastating and admitted she ignored several warning signs because the relationship felt authentic.
Dacre Montgomery has previously warned fans that he does not engage in private online relationships and has urged people to be cautious of anyone claiming to be him on social media or online platforms.
Experts warn that celebrity impersonation romance scams are on the rise, often targeting emotionally vulnerable individuals. Victims are encouraged to report suspicious behavior and seek support.
McKayla has since shared her story to raise awareness, hoping others will think twice before trusting someone they have never met — no matter how convincing the connection may seem.
