Latest news with #Ringstaff
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
AI Keanu Reeves Reportedly Scammed Woman Out of $160K
Word of advice: if Keanu Reeves hits you up online, be very, very suspicious. That's a lesson a Florida woman unfortunately learned the hard way. In an interview with Fox 13 in Tampa Bay, Dianne Ringstaff shared that the grift began when she was innocently playing Words With Friends. Out of nowhere, she received a message from the John Wick star—or at least someone claiming to be him. Ringstaff was understandably skeptical. Her initial reaction to the unsolicited message was that 'It can't be' Reeves, she told Fox 13. 'Until he videoed me,' she explained. 'And I was like, oh my God, that's him!'"I couldn't believe it,' Ringstaff continued. 'It was him, but it was far away. But I thought it was him." While she still felt the whole scenario was a bit implausible, that video call and a series of phone calls over a two-and-a-half year period eventually convinced Ringstaff that she was indeed talking to The Matrix star himself. The two became phone friends and would chat here and there. This was the case for a long time before things took a scammy turn. But when they did, the Not Reeves' requests for cash became persistent. The person posing as Reeves claimed that he was being sued by a former manager and that he was facing a potential legal headache after the FBI allegedly planted drugs in his home. Bottom line, claimed the grifter, his assets had been frozen and he was in desperate need of Bitcoin and says she did press a bit further: 'I said, but why don't you have a bank account?' Whatever the answer, it was enough to convince her to help. 'I was vulnerable,' she said. 'I just lost my boyfriend. And then later that summer in 2022, my dog died.' So she decided to help—which entailed taking out a home equity loan and selling her car. All in all, she estimates that the perpetrator, who is believed to be using AI to pose as Reeves, collected approximately $160,000 from her. Just a month ago, local sheriffs came knocking at Ringstaff's door to let her know that she wasn't the only person being scammed—and that some of the other victims' money was actually being funneled through her bank accounts. 'I just broke down and cried,' admitted Ringstaff. Until she decided to take back control. 'I'm by myself,' she said. 'I didn't have anybody to talk to, to give me guidance. So then I got mad, and I started getting my things together, and now I'm on track to get back on track.' Ringstaff is also bravely speaking out and telling her story in order to prevent others from falling into the same trap. According to Fox 13, these so-called 'romance' scams are one of the most common types of fraud being perpetrated right now. And the easy availability of AI makes it possible for determined fraudsters to impersonate just about anyone, including one of the world's most popular action stars. 'Knowing what I know now and all the technology that's out there, [people] can fake voices and everything else,' Ringstaff warned. 'It will never happen again. But I just want to let people know not to be naive and stupid and do your research and don't give anybody your personal information unless you already know them.' AI Keanu Reeves Reportedly Scammed Woman Out of $160K first appeared on Men's Journal on May 26, 2025
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
'Big ol' animal' fossils could slow Texas road construction
LUBBOCK, Texas - Recent archaeological excavations at a highway construction site in West Texas have uncovered the fossilized remains of "megafauna," according to a release from the Texas Department of Transportation. According to TxDOT, there's a possibility the dig could be the "first of its kind" for the department if certain ancient evidence is found. TxDOT says megafauna remains are not uncommon for the area, in Lubbock, which is in a region that's home to many remnants of Ice Age lakes called "playas." During construction for Loop 88, TxDOT contracted a process called staged mitigation for the area, in which archaeologists search for human artifacts near animal remains. Artifacts could include ancient tools or evidence of work, like spear points or chipped stone. So far, it's been confirmed that the remains of giant ground sloths were found, and scientists are working to determine whether other animals are included in the discovery. TxDOT, consulting archaeologists and the Museum of Texas Tech University are working together to prepare, identify and house the specimens. While other staged mitigation sites have discovered Ice Age human/animal interactions, a TxDOT site has yet to do so. Evidence of such an interaction would be the first of its kind for the department. TxDOT says their design plans are received far in advance, allowing for things like excavations to be conducted without interfering with a project's timeline. Loop 88 in particular is well ahead of its construction timeline, they say, and the dig is not expected to disrupt progress. That said, if human artifacts are found, TxDOT will have to address construction impacts on the site to comply with state and federal law. If it's found to be a pre-human site, however, TxDOT says they will not recommend further work and will proceed with construction. What they're saying The department says they often take steps like these to preserve the areas where they construct roadways. "Excavation is one of many steps TxDOT can take prior to road construction to ensure that Texas history is preserved," said Cultural Resources Section Director Rebekah Dobrasko. Chris Ringstaff, a project planner with TxDOT's environmental affairs division, spoke about the fossils found so far. "We know we've found giant ground sloth by its distinctive tooth," Ringstaff said. "Whether all the bones are giant ground sloth or there are different animals such as mammoth or mastodon, we're not sure. Paleontologists will give us positive identification." "We're here to get the road built," Ringstaff said of the continued construction plans. "But who doesn't love digging up big ol' animals?" The Source Information in this article came from the Texas Department of Transportation.
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
Texas DOT Uncovers Bones of 'Colossal Creatures'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said it uncovered "large, prehistoric animals" described as "colossal creatures" during a recent archaeological survey ahead of work on the Lubbock Loop 88 in a northern region of the Lone Star State. Newsweek contacted the TxDOT for comment via email on Friday. Why It Matters According to the TxDOT, the Texas Panhandle area hosts a number of playas that were created by lakes during the Ice Age that can contain evidence of prehistoric activity by humans and wild animals. Chris Ringstaff, a project planner with the TxDOT's environmental affairs division, said that if human remains are involved, they have to evaluate what action to take "under state and federal law." The bones of several large prehistoric animals were uncovered during an archaeological excavation ahead of work on the Lubbock Loop 88 in Texas. The bones of several large prehistoric animals were uncovered during an archaeological excavation ahead of work on the Lubbock Loop 88 in Texas. Texas Department of Transportation What To Know In a press release published on May 13 the TxDOT announced it had "unearthed some colossal creatures" during an archaeological dig in the Lubbock area as part of the Loop 88 freeway project. Ringstaff said the large prehistoric animals, known as megafauna, uncovered included a giant ground sloth identified by "its distinctive tooth." Other bones are still being identified by paleontologists, with Ringstaff saying it's unclear "whether all the bones are giant ground sloth or there are different animals such as mammoth or mastodon." The TxDOT said it is collaborating with the Museum of Texas Tech University to identify and house the bones. It was decided to conduct an archeological survey at the location as "Texas has other sites that show human activity with megafauna," with archeologists using a process called staged mitigation to search for "human artifacts like chipped stone or spear points." No signs of human activity have been discovered so far and if they are found it would be the first for any TxDOT project. Should that happen, it could also complicate the construction process as the TxDOT would be required to adhere to state and federal laws regarding the preservation of historic human sites. The Loop 88 project involves converting an existing 12.4-mile two-lane roadway into a six-lane freeway to reduce congestion, with the project to be completed in segments. Separately, archaeologists investigating a site on the Brazos River in Washington County, which has been dubbed the "birthplace of Texas," have uncovered more than 10,000 human artifacts. Spear points dating from between 13,500 and 15,500 years ago have also been discovered at Texas' Buttermilk Creek. The U.S. contains a number of important archeological sites, including Natchez Trace Parkway in Mississippi and Poverty Point, a 3,500-year-old Native American-constructed mount in Louisiana. What People Are Saying Chris Ringstaff, a project planner with the TxDOT's environmental affairs division, in a press release: "During the environmental review for Loop 88, TxDOT contracted an archeological survey. They found the bones of some large, prehistoric animals called megafauna, which is not unusual in the region. "If the site involves humans, we have to address road construction impacts under state and federal law. If the site has no artifacts and dates to a time well before humans, TxDOT will recommend no further work, and the project can proceed to construction. "We're here to get the road built. But who doesn't love digging up big ol' animals?" Rebekah Dobrasko, TxDOT cultural resources section director: "Excavation is one of many steps TxDOT can take prior to road construction to ensure that Texas history is preserved." What Happens Next The TxDOT and Museum of Texas Tech University will continue studying and seeking to identify the findings. If evidence of human activity is uncovered, the Loop 88 project could have to be altered to comply with state and federal laws.
New York Post
23-05-2025
- Science
- New York Post
Texas road construction unearths ‘colossal' prehistoric remains of ‘big ol' animals'
A recent excavation in Texas yielded some 'colossal creatures,' according to local officials – and archaeologists are hopeful more will be uncovered soon. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced the discovery in a recent press release. Advertisement In a statement, officials said the excavation took place in Lubbock during the environmental review for Loop 88, a proposed state highway. During the archaeological survey, diggers uncovered ancient bones dating back to prehistoric times. The remains belonged to megafauna, which are large mammals. Chris Ringstaff, a project planner with TxDOT's environmental affairs division, said that megafauna bones '[are] not unusual in the region.' Advertisement Ringstaff also noted that at least one giant ground sloth was identified, thanks to its distinctive tooth. 'Whether all the bones are giant ground sloth or there are different animals such as mammoth or mastodon, we're not sure,' he said. 3 Workers conduct a dig in the excavation site on the side of Loop 88 in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Department of Transportation 'Paleontologists will give us positive identification.' Advertisement 'We're here to get the road built, but who doesn't love digging up big ol' animals?' Ringstaff added. TxDOT noted that the Lone Star State is home to many dried-out lakes called playas, which date back to the Ice Age. 'In prehistoric times, animals and humans used playas as water sources and these sites can sometimes contain evidence of human activity,' the press release noted. 3 Officials begin to extract the remains of the megafauna in the site. Texas Department of Transportation Advertisement Archaeologists are still searching for small artifacts. They're also using dating techniques to determine the age of the remains. If any proof of human settlement is found, the project will be temporarily halted. 'Should the site reveal human activity with megafauna from the Ice Age, it would be [the] first of its kind for a TxDOT project,' the statement said. Several prehistoric bones are found in the US every year. 3 The fossil skeleton of the giant ground sloth, Megatherium. Florilegius/Universal Images Gro Last summer, archaeologists in Iowa unearthed a 13,000-year-old mastodon skull. Later in 2024, a New York homeowner found a complete mastodon jaw in his Scotchtown backyard.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Florida woman sent a scammer she thought was Keanu Reeves $160,000 before realizing she'd been duped with AI
Dianne Ringstaff was playing Words with Friends on her cell phone when she received a message from the one and only Keanu Reeves — or, as she would later discover, a scammer pretending to be the Hollywood superstar. Ringstaff was initially skeptical and refused to believe the John Wick star would reach out to a random woman and start a conversation, but after a video chat with the alleged Reeves — as well as multiple phone calls with a voice that sounded just like him — her skepticism began to fade. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) "It can't be," Ringstaff initially said to herself, according to Fox 13 News. "Until he videoed me, and I was like, oh my God, that's him!" Ringstaff wound up staying in touch with the alleged Reeves for two and a half years, but the seemingly innocent chats turned out to be a costly error. Before realizing she was being duped, Ringstaff unfortunately sent $160,000 to someone she later discovered was using artificial intelligence to impersonate the actor. Here's how it all happened, along with some tips on how to avoid falling victim to a similar scam. According to Ringstaff, she talked with the scammer who was pretending to be Reeves for a long time before the requests for money began. The alleged Reeves also seemed to have good reasons for needing the money, telling Ringstaff that not only was he being sued by a former manager, but the FBI had also planted drugs in his home and the courts froze his assets during the investigation. The scammer told Ringstaff she needed to send him tens of thousands of dollars in Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in order to get out of this mess. "I said, 'but why don't you have a bank account?'" said Ringstaff, who lives in Tampa Bay, Florida. But since she believed the faux-Keanu's story and wanted to help, Ringstaff took out a home equity loan and sold her car in order to send the scammer $160,000. She also provided the scammer with personal information, which — according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office — had enabled the scammer to funnel money from other victims into her accounts. The entire ordeal left Ringstaff feeling embarrassed and gullible. "I just hope that nobody is as stupid and naive as I was," said Ringstaff. Read more: You're probably already overpaying for this 1 'must-have' expense — and thanks to Trump's tariffs, your monthly bill could soar even higher. Here's how 2 minutes can protect your wallet right now Ringstaff may feel awful for falling for such tricks, but the unfortunate truth is she's not the first and likely won't be the last person to be victimized by this type of scam. According to the Federal Trade Commission, more than 64,000 romance scams were reported in the U.S. in 2023, with the financial losses totaling $1.14 billion. With the rise of AI, online scams such as this are becoming more prevalent. Research from McAfee, the virus protection software, indicates that 26% of people have either been approached by an AI chatbot acting as a real person on a dating or social media app, or they know someone who has. Thanks to AI images and voice generation, celebrity imposter scams are much easier to fall for these days. In fact, 21% of people have reportedly been contacted by someone pretending to be a famous celebrity, while 33% of those who fell for it sent money — with an average reported loss of $1,985. One of the factors that can explain why romance scams are so successful is that they prey on a target's loneliness and vulnerability. This is precisely what happened with Ringstaff. "I was vulnerable, I just lost my boyfriend," Ringstaff explained. "And then later that summer in 2022, my dog died." Now, Ringstaff has some advice for others who may be targeted by an AI romance scam. "Knowing what I know now and all the technology that's out there, can fake voices and everything else. It will never happen again," Ringstaff said. "But I just want to let people know not to be naive and stupid and do your research and don't give anybody your personal information unless you already know them." Beyond Ringstaff's advice, there are other ways to avoid becoming the target of a successful AI romance scam. 1. Be realistic: If someone or something seems too good to be true, it probably is. In this instance, it's very unlikely that a celebrity such as Keanu Reeves would contact a random woman out of the blue to start a relationship. 2. Look for the AI red flags: There are a few things to look for that can help you figure out whether a video is produced by AI. Body language: AI doesn't always capture the appropriate body language exhibited by humans, like blinking. If the person you're speaking with doesn't blink, that could be a red flag. Lighting: Keep an eye out for strange blurs, shadows or flickers of light where such a thing shouldn't exist. Irregular audio: Listen carefully to the person you're speaking with and if you notice any flat or unnatural tones, strange background noises or statements that sound choppy, that could also be a red flag. 3. Take the chat offline: Don't talk with an online friend or love interest for longer than a few weeks without arranging to meet in person and confirm they are who they claim to be. You should be skeptical of anyone you've met online who seems to have one excuse after the other in order to avoid meeting in person. 4. Never send money: Don't ever, under any circumstances, send money to anyone you've met online, particularly in an untraceable or irrevocable form like cryptocurrency. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
