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A poor woman lost her life because both she and her alleged murderer were being scammed by a nefarious third party -- and we talked to some experts who say ... this ain't gonna stop.

Tech expert Lance Ulanoff -- who's covered this field as Editor at TechRadar -- came on "TMZ Live" Wednesday to discuss the fatal shooting of Loletha Hall ... who was gunned down late last month in Ohio after 81-year-old William Brock mistook her for someone trying to secure a ransom out of him.

Lance tells us this is an extreme case of these types of stories -- which he says happen all the time, but usually don't rise to this level of violence and tragedy.

Unfortunately, here it did, and he says it's a cautionary tale on the dangers of these bad actors.

2:33 PM PT -- According to Essence, Nelly and Ashanti are also engaged -- so big day for them.

Ashanti says, "This new year of my life is such a blessing full of love, hope, and anticipation. Motherhood is something that I have looked forward to, and sharing this with my family, fiancé, and loyal fans, who have been so supportive of my career, is an amazing experience."

Ashanti is finally confirming what we've suspected for months now ... she and Nelly are indeed expecting a child together!

Comedian Blake Pavey is banning all people 85 and up from attending his shows, and he's got at least one legendary comic on his side ... George Wallace!

We caught up with the funnyman Wednesday outside LAX, and asked him about the Australian comedian's new rule, which George says he fully supports.

Wallace speaks directly to Pavey ... saying he doesn't blame him in the slightest for keepin' the old folks out -- even if it's really just a shtick to get publicity, as George suspects it to be.

Prince Harry has officially cut the cord with his British roots after years of royal tension ... making it loud and clear he's sticking with the U.S. for the long haul, and calling it home.

The Duke of Sussex updated his country of residence in new paperwork filed with Companies House, which was required for his eco-tourism nonprofit, Travalyst. Whereas he used to claim the United Kingdom as his home base ... that's now changed to America.

While Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle, have lived here in California for several years now -- these docs show the change in his residency didn't switch up on paper until last June.

Jeezy is clearing the air on his bid for primary custody of his kid -- now asking the judge to make sure he and Jeannie Mai each get their fair share of parental time.

In a new motion, obtained by TMZ ... Jeezy claims his estranged wife is restricting his access to their daughter, 2-year-old Monaco.

The rapper says he and Jeannie worked out an informal custody agreement last year, but that fell apart at the beginning of 2024 ... and he claims he's barely seen Monaco this whole year.

It looks like people were better behaved at Coachella Weekend 1 this year ... because arrests were down significantly compared to last year, TMZ has learned.

Indio PD released their data from the festival's first installment ... and they say they only clocked 81 arrests in their system between Friday and Sunday -- which is pretty damn low compared to years past, especially 2023.

That's down 20% from the 102 arrests made last year. There was also a small smattering of citations issued -- just 47 -- and they're all handicap parking related ... down 43% from last year.

O.J. Simpson has officially been cremated -- and it sounds like there were only a select few people around to bear witness ... including his attorney-turned-executor of his estate.

Malcolm LaVergne confirms to TMZ that his longtime client's body was burned to ashes Wednesday at a facility called Palm Mortuary in Las Vegas ... and he says he was present, as were some others, although he wouldn't say exactly who.

We're told the cremation went down this morning around 10 AM. LaVergne told AP there were no immediate plans for a public memorial.

Halle Bailey and DDG, the father of her child, have not gone their separate ways and are not broken up -- even though the internet certainly seems to think they did ... TMZ has learned.

The singer's rep tells us Halle and DDG are still together and that all the reports they've split are straight-up false -- point blank. The reason this even had to be addressed is because folks were running rampant with rumors that they'd thrown in the towel recently.

There were definitely indications there, perhaps, was trouble in paradise ... including the fact that they'd recently unfollowed each other on Instagram, which is kind of a big deal in 2024.

Jessica Chastain's claim about a popular baby name isn't holdin' water -- while she says lots of fans are naming kids after her "Interstellar" character ... Babynames.com says that's not the case.

The online database for baby names tells TMZ ... the name "Murph" -- Chastain's character's name from the hit 2014 movie -- isn't the big hit she thinks it is.

Babynames.com used the Social Security Office data, and it says "Murph" didn't make the top 1,000 names ... for men or women in any year.

Siggy Flicker's stepson has been arrested -- now facing charges for his alleged role in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot after authorities say his stepmom posted pics of him in the building.

Tyler Campanella -- the former 'Real Housewives' star's stepson -- was taken into custody in New York City Wednesday and booked on five misdemeanor charges, according to NBC News.

The feds claim Campanella's stepmom posted pictures of him from inside the Capitol Building alongside the caption, "I love patriots so much. Stay safe Tyler. We love you.”

Tekashi 6ix9ine appears to have run into more legal trouble here in the States -- because we've learned federal agents rolled up to his house ... and rolled away with his cars.

The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office tells TMZ they were dispatched to Tekashi's home in Lake Worth, FL Wednesday to assist IRS agents conducting an operation there. PBSO wouldn't give us more info on the exact nature of the operation, but there are some pretty clear clues.

According to photos/videos obtained by TMZ of the visit -- one for which Tekashi himself was not home, we've confirmed -- it looks like the agents were there to seize his stuff.

Brian Cox has never been one to mince his words, and Joaquin Phoenix is on the chopping block this time over his performance in the "Napoleon" movie.

The "Succession" star unleashed a rapid-fire tirade at London's HistFest this week ... slamming JP's 2023 portrayal of the historical figure as downright awful -- even suggesting he would've done the role more justice.

Brian says, "Terrible. It's terrible. A truly terrible performance by Joaquin Phoenix. It really is appalling. I don’t know what he was thinking. I think it’s totally his fault and I don’t think Ridley Scott helps him."

Sydney Sweeney's camp hasn't wasted time clapping back at the attack on her looks and acting chops by a Hollywood producer ... even though the woman herself is walking it back.

A rep for the "Euphoria" actress called out Carol Baum for her recent remarks that classified SS as "not pretty" and not a good actress, saying, "How sad that a woman in the position to share her expertise and experience chooses instead to attack another woman."

The rep adds, "If that’s what she’s learned in her decades in the industry and feels is appropriate to teach to her students, that’s shameful. To unjustly disparage a fellow female producer speaks volumes about Ms Baum’s character.”

An explosive new book about Victoria and David Beckham promises to throw loads of shade on the polished Brand Beckham with alleged details of their marriage.

"The House of Beckham: Money, Sex, and Power," penned by British investigative biographer Tom Bower, is dropping this June -- and if you've been curious about David's bedroom antics, especially those rumored affairs ... the author says you're in for a treat.

Even though V & B sat down amicably for 2 lengthy chats with a senior member of his team, Bower didn't meet them personally ... claiming he knew they'd end up turning him down.

Jontay Porter has just been banned from the NBA for LIFE ... after league officials say the Toronto Raptors player not only bet on his own team to lose, but also manipulated his play to tip the scales in his favor!

Adam Silver just announced the historic punishment on Wednesday ... explaining league investigators discovered that in March, Porter took part in a gambling scheme that ultimately called into question the integrity of the NBA's competition.

They claim the 24-year-old gave confidential information about his health to at least one known bettor. They say another bettor Porter knew then placed an $80K wager that Porter "would underperform" in the Raptors' March 20 tilt with the Sacramento Kings.

Chris Pratt looked like a legit action hero while filming a scene for his new movie -- and he's doing all his own stunts, it seems ... chasing a fictional bad guy into the Pacific Ocean.

The actor was spotted this week in costume and in character as an LAPD officer, shooting scenes up in Malibu -- which included one set piece that required him to chase a dude down into the sea, fully clothed mind you.

Chris was on the move in another clip too ... where he was seen holding out his gun and telling someone to get down. BTW, this movie he's filming is called 'Mercy,' and it's a sci-fi thriller where he plays a detective accused of a crime and needing to prove his innocence.