Westlake Resident Scammed By Imposter Claiming To Be Journey’s Steve Perry

CLEVELAND, Ohio — A Westlake resident told police she was scammed out of thousands of dollars by someone claiming to be Steve Perry, the former lead singer of Journey.

The 75-year-old resident responded to a Facebook post in January from someone claiming to be Perry, the longtime lead singer of the San Francisco rock band known for its hit “Don’t Stop Believing.” The person claimed he had a business opportunity and “of course, needed a woman in his life,” Westlake police said in a statement Friday.

The victim reported the scam to police last week. Police said the victim “sent thousands of dollars to the person, who continued to correspond via text and WhatsApp.”

Police said that once the person demanded photos of his passport and driving license, the victim realized he had been scammed.

WKYC reported Friday that the scam siphoned more than $120,000 from the victim.

Investigators are investigating the case using electronic leads.