Victim of Elon Musk Impersonator Spends Years on Apple Gift Cards, Now Faces Eviction

Fodie Karim, 61, of Victoria, British Columbia, spent nearly two years buying Apple gift cards for a TikTok account impersonating Elon Musk after being promised a Tesla and millions in cash. The scam depleted much of his modest pension and left him about C$3,600 behind on rent, with an eviction notice now served by his landlord.

How the Scam Unfolded

Karim encountered the fraudulent TikTok account in 2024 while recovering from cancer surgery and chemotherapy. He told the impostor about his health struggles and his long-standing plan to finish a six-bedroom house for extended family in Sierra Leone. The scammer responded with images of a Tesla and stacks of money and claimed a vehicle and C$3 million were being sent to Karim.

To keep a fabricated shipment tracker "active," Karim was repeatedly told to buy Apple gift cards and send the redemption codes via WhatsApp. The contact used forged documents — including mock-ups purporting to be Elon Musk identification and a so-called Tesla "certificate of possession" — to bolster credibility. At one point the story shifted: Karim was told the Tesla had reached the Canada–U.S. border but could not be released without a C$20,000 payment. The promised cash later increased from C$3 million to C$5 million, with further demands for gift cards.

"Step by step, they got me wrapped up," Karim told the newspaper, describing how the scam escalated over time.

Financial Impact and Help

By the time Karim realized he was being scammed, nearly all of his roughly C$1,300 monthly pension was going toward Apple gift cards. He did not total every payment made over almost two years, but says he lost a substantial portion of his income. Karim retired in the winter of 2025 after health complications prevented his return to full-time work.

Together Against Poverty Society has been advocating for Karim and communicating with his landlord, Westsea Construction Ltd. Emily Rogers, the society's director of operations, said forged paperwork and unfamiliar digital techniques helped the impostor maintain the deception. With the society's assistance, Karim reported the fraud to Victoria police.

Authorities' Warnings and Practical Advice

Victoria Police Sgt. Brent Keleher, head of the economic crimes unit, said scammers often impersonate public figures and that requests for money can appear weeks or months after initial contact. He warned that fees described as clearing charges, taxes or activation costs are red flags — particularly when the requested payment method is prepaid gift cards.

The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) characterizes these as "prize scams": victims are promised winnings and then asked to pay fees through prepaid cards or other untraceable methods. Apple advises that gift cards are intended for Apple purchases only and cannot be used to pay government or unrelated fees; never share redemption codes with someone promising to release a vehicle or cash payment.

Anyone who has already shared Apple gift-card numbers should contact Apple Support immediately and keep the physical cards and receipts. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission suggests asking whether a balance remains and whether it can be frozen, and requesting a refund — though reimbursement is not guaranteed. Canadians should report fraud to local police and the CAFC, preserve receipts and message copies, and obtain a police file number for follow-up.

Why Recovery Is Difficult

Investigators warned the use of encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram, plus payments by gift card, complicates tracing and recovery. Rogers noted that scammers sometimes continue contacting victims even after they’re alerted to eviction or other hardships, as happened when Karim sent the impostor a photo of his eviction notice and still received messages claiming to be Musk.