Twitch Streamer Catfished by Fake Pokimane, Spends Thousands and Becomes Homeless
Twitch streamer Shelbo loses $5,500 in a catfish scam, believing he's engaged to Pokimane.
Image via Pokimane
Twitch streamer Shelby "Shelbo" Jacobs has gone viral after claiming he is "engaged" to popular content creator Imane "Pokimane" Anys—and insists it’s not a ploy for views. Despite being the victim of an elaborate catfish scam, Shelbo reportedly spent over $5,500 on what he believed was a genuine relationship with Pokimane.
Shelbo Claims He and Pokimane Are Engaged
During a February 26 livestream, Shelbo—known for his appearance on OTK’s Top Streamer show—made a series of concerning claims about his alleged relationship with Pokimane.
"Me and Pokimane have been dating for four months now. Today is our four-month anniversary," he stated. "I know she says she is single on social media, but she is not. She is taken."
He went even further, insisting that they were “engaged” and planning to get married soon. However, he admitted he did not have her address and had recently traveled to California in an attempt to meet her—spending nearly $500 on the trip, which left him homeless for 12 days.
Watch the clip: Shelbo’s stream
How Did the Catfish Scam Work?
The scam began after Shelbo tweeted at the real Pokimane about marriage. Soon after, a fake account named PokimaneLOL1 reached out to him. Initially suspicious, Shelbo blocked the account but later decided to engage with the impersonator.
From there, the scam escalated:
- $70 for initial communication
- $1,500 for a "secret link" to speak privately
- An additional $4,000 over time
"You might say, ‘Oh, are you rich or something?’ but absolutely not," Shelbo admitted. "But I use what I have."
Community Reactions and Concerns
The incident has sparked concern among viewers about Shelbo’s mental health. He has previously been open about his struggles with psychosis and schizophrenia—factors that may have made him particularly vulnerable to manipulation.
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While Pokimane has yet to comment on the situation, her past warnings about AI deepfakes and online impersonation suggest she is aware of the rising threats content creators face.
As Shelbo’s troubling claims continue to circulate, many hope he receives the professional help he needs.
