Kate Beckinsale was forced to move from her California home after several men were duped by catfishers and terrifyingly showed up at her door.
The actress spoke of the scary situation on Instagram after reposting a comedian's skit in which a man is convinced he's in a relationship with Kate. While the "Underworld" star acknowledged that the online bit is "funny and really well done," it also hit really close to home … her former home, at least.
"During lockdown several men had been catfished to the degree that they flew to Los Angeles from out of state, had been given my home address and arrived on my doorstep late at night (on different nights, over a couple of week period) thinking we were in some sort of relationship.," she wrote. "My boyfriend at the time and I were completely freaked out, the catfished guys were humiliated and some of them arrested, the scammers weren't caught and I ended up ultimately having to move house."
At the time, Kate was dating musician Goody Grace, 25.
The scammers who duped the aforementioned men were so determined to seem legit that they even created fake social media profiles for Kate's beloved Persian cat, Clive.
One of Kate's followers said, "Sadly I've actually had messages from ones on here pretending to be you and select others (now [even] a fake Clive profile pops up?) and on Facebook, [some] even used your profile photo to try and lure me, but I was smart and thought, no damn way in hell."
Kate responded, "Oh God not Clive too, is nothing sacred?"
The brunette beauty hoped the Instagram video was a message to anyone who believes they are speaking to her online. They're not.
"Can this please be the definitive answer to anyone who thinks I am messaging them or talking to them on google hangouts or asking them for money or sending pictures of my passport or driving license – or that my personal assistant is messaging them on my behalf or anything in that vein – it's absolutely NOT me," she insisted, "and you are being horribly taken advantage of and please report and block anyone doing this to you."