Hallmark Channel star Tyler Hynes has warned his fans repeatedly to be wary of online scammers posing as him. But as scam artists’ tactics grow increasingly sophisticated, including using AI to generate video and audio that looks and sounds just like the celebrities they’re impersonating, it can be easier than it seems to fall for a fake.
On March 2, 2026, Hynes shared a video that’s gone viral, produced by YouTubers Stephen Findeisen (known as Coffeezilla) and Kitboga, both known for investigating and exposing all kinds of internet scams. The 24-minute video, called “Exposing a Romance Scammer,” chronicles their efforts to find and identify a man who scammed one of Hynes’ fans out of $15,000 before her death.
Hynes wrote in the caption of his post, “Awareness is the first step. ‘Exposing A Romance Scammer’ is a story wonderfully told that you can find on YouTube. Sending my love to Deirdre’s family and everyone behind this lovely video.”
How a Scammer in Nigeria Got $15,000 From Tyler Hynes Fan
Hynes has a dedicated and growing fandom of “Hynies” who love to support the actor and connect with each other online and at in-person events.
For Deirdre Gonzalez, a formerly vibrant and energetic mom who became a quadriplegic after breaking her neck in a freak accident, connecting with her online friends and following her favorite stars online became a source of comfort, her daughter Erin told Findeisen.
After Gonzalez died at age 62, Erin and her brother discovered nearly two years’ worth of private messages between their mom and someone posing as Hynes. They also discovered she’d been scammed out of $15,000 after someone who noticed her commenting on a Hallmark Facebook page reached out to her, pretending to be someone from Hallmark “management.”
The scammer convinced Gonzalez to pay for exclusive access to a private online club, promising she’d be able to connect with her favorite stars, including Hynes. No such club exists, but the scammer made sure his communications looked very real, from official-looking Hallmark stationery to leaving voicemails using AI technology, which sounded exactly like Hynes.
Gonzalez’s grown kids reached out to Findeisen, hoping he could track down the perpetrator. Incredibly, using some very clever techniques and high-tech tools, he and Kitboga were able to secure the ID of the scammer — a man in Nigeria, which Findeisen called “the capital of romance scams” like this one.
Tyler Hynes Wants His Community to ‘Look After Each Other’
Hynes is determined not to let the scammers destroy the beautiful community his fans have created, writing in his latest post, “The world is a wonderful place filled with lovely people like this looking out for one another and I am very grateful for you.”
That requires continually reminding people about new ways the online impersonators are trying to lure fans into their heartbreaking, money-making schemes. The filmmakers behind a documentary on Hynes’ fandom, due for release in 2027, have also begun sharing warnings from fans who’ve fallen victim to scammers.
In January, Hynes told EntertainmentNow, “In this time of cultural and technological transition, it seems the most lovely people can also be the most vulnerable. I’ve had the privilege of meeting many of them and when they realize the truth that they suspected, that who they’ve been speaking to is in fact not me (or any public figure)…well, that moment stays with me in ways I don’t think many can understand until you experience it.”
Hynes noted that he doesn’t want any fans who’ve become prey for scammers to feel embarrassed about sharing their stories as a way to help others avoid the same.
“They need to feel like it’s safe to share something they may feel is personal or even embarrassing.” he said. “It is not embarrassing. It is human nature and it’s a moment of history where we can hopefully show how we care for one another.”
There are literally hundreds of social media accounts pretending to be Hynes, but the “Three Wisest Men” star only posts to his Instagram account (@tyler_hynes) and never reaches out directly to fans via private messages on any app.
Way to go Tyler hynes in get the scammer so proud you and the people that help you .
Just another reason why I love you, Tyler. Your humanity and loving, caring spirit is evident in everything you do. And kudos to all your loving fans and those who work to expose and stop scammers.
Tyler i am so thankful he was caught. Unfortunately, I did not listen to all the warnings and have been
scammed multiple times through my stupidity i admire Tyler and all he does for us fans.
Rosemary Rockwell
I’ve received Friend Requests from Tyler but wasn’t sure it was really him. Too many Scammers around. Glad his Scammers have been caught. Good Job Tyler, You’re the Best & a Fabulous Actor.