A Hollywood Reporter investigation has uncovered a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters, likely using AI, impersonate well-known podcasters and radio hosts to trick celebrities and industry figures into handing over money, login credentials or control of social media accounts. Victims include Broadway performer and SiriusXM host Seth Rudetsky, who was targeted with a fake invitation to appear on Nikki Glaser's podcast, and veteran comedy writer Bruce Vilanch, who believed he had been booked onto NPR's Fresh Air by host Terry Gross herself. The scam matters because it shows how convincingly AI-generated correspondence can now mimic real public figures, exploiting trust and flattery to defraud even industry insiders.

Rudetsky was lured by an offer of $4,000 to $5,000 to appear on the "Glaser" podcast, with the invitation citing specific, accurate details about his career, including his Broadway cruise work and collaboration with Sara Bareilles. Vilanch received an email that convincingly mimicked Terry Gross's style and appeared to demonstrate genuine knowledge of his work; after building trust, the impersonator asked him for money, claiming NPR needed help following government funding cuts, and he duly sent a contribution. The scammers then continued the ruse, scheduling a fake interview during which Vilanch was connected not to Gross but to an unknown man who claimed he would conduct the interview in her place, prompting Vilanch to refuse and hang up.