Jeremy Renner romance scam - Crime Stoppers issues warning

Photo: Jeremy Renner/Facebook

Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers says someone is pretending to be actor Jeremy Renner in a romance scam.

Crime Stoppers is warning residents of Kelowna about a so-called romance scam being operated by someone who is pretending to be actor Jeremy Renner.

According to a Facebook post from Oct. 10, Crime Stoppers Central Okanagan said it was made aware of a person pretending to be Renner – who is known for his role in the Avengers franchise. The person allegedly promises to meet up with his targets, but says they need money for a variety of reasons like airfare and passport fees, CTV Vancouver reports.

A romance scam like this one, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, "involves any individual with false romantic intentions toward a victim in order to gain their trust and affection for the purpose of obtaining the victim's money or access to their bank accounts or credit cards." 

It's not clear whether anyone has fallen for the scam, but it's not the first time someone has pretended to be the star who plays Hawkeye in the movies.

More than two years ago, Renner took to social media to warn fans of scams using his name.

"Dear fans, please do not engage with any fakes on social media asking for money, or anything else for that matter," a post on Instagram from September 2017 says. "Only visit official blue checked sites on social media and my app for contests or offers that never ask for money!!"

To report a scam, first contact police and financial institutions if money was sent. Then call CAFC at 1-888-495-8501 or go online to www.antifraudcentre.ca to file a report.