EUGENE, Ore. – A local family is warning others about a dangerous online scam, known as a “muse scam,” after their 20-year-old daughter was tricked into sending $300 to fraudsters, who then escalated the situation with threatening messages and graphic images.
The scam began on April 1 when the daughter, whose identity is being kept anonymous, received a direct message on her TikTok account. The message appeared to come from an art page that showcased photo-to-painting services. The scammers claimed they liked her photo and offered to turn it into a painting. Trusting the seemingly legitimate interaction, the daughter accepted the offer and began communicating with the individual behind the account.
In an effort to appear credible, the scammers convinced the young woman to share her contact details, including her phone number and email address. Shortly thereafter, the scammers sent her a fraudulent check for $1,000, which she deposited into her bank account. They then requested a portion of the money back to cover “art supplies” for the painting.
Believing the transaction was legitimate, the daughter transferred approximately $300 to the scammers. However, her bank later flagged the check as fake, realizing it was part of a broader scam. Although the bank prevented further withdrawals, the damage had already been done. The daughter had sent real money in exchange for a counterfeit check.
The victim’s mother, who is also staying anonymous, explained that the art page looked convincing, and the scam seemed harmless at first. “It definitely was more of a convincing page. And so I myself probably wouldn’t have thought any different of it either,” she said. “But once the money and stuff got involved, it would have been more of a red flag.”
As soon as the daughter realized she was being scammed, she informed the perpetrators that she would no longer be sending money. This is when the situation escalated. The scammers became increasingly aggressive, urging her to try again and even suggesting she send funds through Bitcoin. Eventually, their behavior turned threatening, with the scammers sending disturbing photos of dead bodies and making explicit threats against her life.
“They started getting really aggressive and pushy, telling her to try again, try again, try again. Try to send it to this account. Try to do it here. Try to download Bitcoin,” the mother explained. “And that’s when it really triggered for her. And she realized that she was getting scammed.”
As the threats grew more intense, the daughter received multiple graphic images and videos, and the scammers even FaceTimed her at 3:00 a.m. in an attempt to intimidate her. The final straw came when the scammers sent a generic map of Lane County, where the family lives, causing them to fear for their safety.
With their concerns mounting, the family contacted the Eugene Police Department, initially filing a scam report. The situation took a darker turn when a threatening text included a map of their general location. Fearing for their safety, the family called 911, prompting the police to initiate further investigation.
In total, the scammers sent over 70 graphic photos, videos, and threatening messages over a 24-hour period. The family was taken aback by the intense and emotional nature of the attack. “It was just such graphic images. So many threats were coming. It was high emotions because we weren’t really anticipating that when we think of scammers,” the mother remarked. “We think they’re getting our money or they’re hacking into our information. But we never thought they would send graphic images or life-threatening messages.”
The family’s terrifying ordeal serves as a cautionary tale for others. The so-called “muse scam” is just one example of how scammers are using social media platforms to prey on unsuspecting individuals, particularly younger people. While many may be aware of phishing scams and fraudulent offers, the aggressive tactics and intimidation used by these scammers are harder to anticipate.
The family hopes their story will help others avoid falling victim to similar scams. They urge anyone receiving unsolicited offers on social media to remain vigilant and cautious, especially when it comes to sharing personal information or sending money. They also advise contacting authorities immediately if threatening or suspicious behavior is encountered online.
As the investigation continues, the family is working to recover from the emotional impact of the scam. They remain grateful that the bank caught the fraudulent check in time, preventing further financial loss. Meanwhile, local authorities are looking into the identity of the scammers, hoping to prevent more victims from being targeted by this dangerous scheme.
