Rhea Ripley impersonator scams Pennsylvania WWE fan out of $42.7K

Fans need to be careful, as a 61-year-old Pennsylvania man was scammed out of $42,700 by an impersonator of WWE Superstar Rhea Ripley.

WPXI in Pennsylvania reported on the crime, which occurred in March 2026. However, it is unknown how many people were acting as “Mami.” The victim reportedly refused to cooperate with the troopers' investigation, and no arrests have been made.

Going forward, fans should be careful about impersonators preying on them. This isn't the first time such an incident has occurred, as a 79-year-old man was scammed out of around $1 million, believing he was in a relationship with Alexa Bliss.

What happened to WWE star Rhea Ripley?

Currently, Ripley is on the shelf due to a torn meniscus injury that required surgery. Her last televised match was at Clash in Italy against Jade Cargill. “Mami” retained the Women's Championship against Cargill in a rematch of WrestleMania 42.

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Initially, WWE appeared hopeful Ripley could return to action in the near future. The company held a ladder match to determine an interim champion (which Chelsea Green won).

Green has since been named the lineal champion since Ripley's injury required surgery. She will likely be out of action for the foreseeable future, ending “Mami's” second Women's Championship reign at 104 days.

Hopefully, Ripley is able to return sooner rather than later. She is one of WWE's top stars, and the company needs her as the year winds down and the Road to WrestleMania 43 begins. Maybe she will return at the 2027 Royal Rumble.

Throughout her young career, Ripley has already won a Royal Rumble and four main roster world championships. Additionally, she is a former NXT Women's Champion and two-time Women's Tag Team Champion (with Nikki A.S.H. and Iyo Sky). She also beat Toni Storm to become the inaugural NXT UK Women's Champion in 2018.