Golf influencer Hailey Ostrom has recently recounted a frightening experience with a stalker, highlighting the precarious nature of fame and the threats that can arise from online interactions.
Ostrom, a professional golfer and prominent social media figure with close to 1 million Instagram followers and over 586,000 TikTok followers, is recognized for her stylish golf content. Unfortunately, the 30-year-old has also faced unsettling aspects of her increasing fame.
In a recent Instagram video, Ostrom discussed this disturbing encounter. The ordeal began when a man approached her at a golf course seeking her out. The club informed Ostrom about the incident, but as she didn’t recognize his name, she thought it was a harmless fan interaction.
The Incident
Things escalated when the man appeared at her residence on a Friday evening, reportedly leveraging his job to uncover her address.
“This was extremely alarming for me; I’ve never experienced anything like it,” Ostrom shared in her video.
She quickly alerted her parents and asked them to contact the police. Fortunately, the man departed without issuing any threats.
It later emerged that the man had become a target of a sophisticated scam. He was misled by an account pretending to be Ostrom, which requested $50,000 and then went silent.
“I’m unsure of his intentions,” Ostrom expressed, admitting her unease.
Ostrom revealed, “Based on previous experiences with certain fans, I was very cautious and alarmed, and I refused to take any chances.”
She also called out Instagram and TikTok for not effectively managing the issue of impersonation, stating that she has flagged numerous fake accounts masquerading as her.
“I never want to feel intimidated or as if my privacy has been invaded again,” she stated, assuring her fans that she is taking additional steps to ensure her safety.
Additionally, she took this opportunity to alert her followers about such scams.
“I would never reach out to my fans through alternative accounts or request money from them,” she clarified.
“I sincerely value my followers who behave appropriately and do not engage in such outrageous conduct.”