I never imagined I would have to ask for help like this.

Recently, I suffered a devastating financial loss after someone stole the identity of one of my closest friends and used AI to impersonate his voice.

I genuinely believed someone I loved was in serious trouble and needed my help. The situation felt urgent, frightening, and completely real. I heard what sounded like my friend's voice, believed I was communicating with him, and thought I was doing everything I could to help someone I knew and trusted.

I had no idea I was being deceived.

After everything had happened, I called my real friend believing he knew what I had just done for him. I told him that I had helped him and saved him from going to jail.

He was completely confused.

He had absolutely no idea what I was talking about.

That was the moment we realized something was terribly wrong.

Someone had stolen his identity and used AI to imitate his voice, exploiting the trust I had in someone very close to me. My friend immediately contacted law enforcement, and the matter is now under active investigation.

By the time we discovered the truth, the money was gone.

The financial impact has been overwhelming, but the emotional impact has been difficult as well. It is hard to describe what it feels like to realize that someone deliberately used your compassion, fear, and trust in someone you love against you.

I am a children's entertainer and puppeteer, and bringing joy and laughter to children and families has been an important part of my life. I never expected to find myself in a position where I would be the one asking others for help.

I was not making an investment or knowingly taking a financial risk. I believed someone I loved was in trouble, and I was simply trying to help.

Now, I am the one asking for help.

The funds raised through this GoFundMe will help me recover the money that was taken from me and begin moving forward from what has been an incredibly difficult experience.

If you are able to give, please consider making a donation of any amount. No gift is too small. I do not expect one person to replace what I lost. My hope is that many people, each giving what they comfortably can, can help me recover from a loss that is extremely difficult for me to absorb on my own.

If you cannot donate, please share this fundraiser.

Sharing is one of the most important ways you can help me.

I do not have a large social-media following, so this fundraiser can only reach beyond my immediate circle if others are willing to pass it along. One share can put my story in front of people I could never reach on my own. Someone who sees your share may be able to donate, share it again, or help spread awareness.

Please consider sharing this fundraiser with your friends, family, church community, coworkers, and anyone else who may be willing to help.

I am also telling my story because I want to warn others about how frighteningly convincing AI impersonation has become.

Hearing the familiar voice of someone you know and love may no longer be enough to prove that you are actually speaking with that person.

If someone contacts you unexpectedly claiming that someone you love is in an emergency and needs money, stop and independently contact that person using a phone number you already know before sending anything.

I wish I had known just how real an AI-generated voice could sound.

I cannot change what happened, but I can try to recover, move forward, and hopefully prevent someone else from experiencing the same thing.

Someone used my compassion against me. I am hoping the compassion of others can now help me recover.

If you are able to give, please donate.

If you cannot give, please share.

If you can do both, I would be deeply grateful.

Every donation and every share matters.

Thank you for reading my story, helping in whatever way you can, sharing it with others, and keeping me in your prayers.

With love and gratitude,

Bonnie