- The scam is AI-generated and highly targeted. Fraudsters created a fake Facebook post impersonating the City of Gretna in a Nebraska craft fairs group, then directly messaged interested vendors to solicit money, banking information, and gift cards.
- Small towns are especially vulnerable. AI expert Victor Winter warns that smaller communities are being specifically targeted because their tech infrastructure tends to be weaker than larger cities and their public records are easier to obtain — giving scammers more material to craft convincing impersonations.
- Verification is the best defense. Both city officials and Winter stress that if something seems suspicious, the simplest protection is to call directly and verify. The City of Gretna also reminds residents it will never request payment over the phone or through gift cards.
GRETNA, Neb., (KMTV) — The City of Gretna is warning residents about an AI-generated Facebook post targeting vendors in a Nebraska craft fairs group.
“A Facebook post that was posted in a Nebraska craft fairs group claimed that they were running the vendor sign ups for the holiday market and when someone would comment and state that they were interested in a being a vendor this page would messages them and then ask for money banking information, gift cards that sort of thing,” said Deputy City Administrator for the City of Gretna, Tori Schuetz.
City officials say one or two people have already fallen victim to the scam…