Fake Brad Pitt Scams Two Women In Spain Of 325,000 Euros
Spanish authorities have arrested five individuals involved in an elaborate scam that defrauded two women of 325,000 euros. The suspects reportedly posed as Hollywood star Brad Pitt, contacting the victims via online fan pages and WhatsApp messages, convincing them they were in a romantic relationship with the actor.
According to a statement from Spain’s Guardia Civil, the scammers targeted the women, leading them to believe they were interacting with the Oscar-winning actor. The suspects then convinced the women to invest in fake projects. One woman from Andalusia was defrauded of 175,000 euros, while the other, from the Basque Country, lost 150,000 euros.
The cybercriminals took great care in studying the women’s social media profiles, creating detailed psychological profiles to exploit their vulnerabilities. Both women were reportedly in a state of depression and emotionally fragile, which the scammers used to manipulate them.
The suspects maintained communication with the victims through messaging platforms, with the women believing they were exchanging messages with Brad Pitt himself, who allegedly promised them a romantic future.
The police operation resulted in the arrest of five people in Andalusia, including the group’s leaders. During raids on five homes, officers confiscated mobile phones, bank cards, computers, and a diary that contained scripted phrases used to deceive the victims. Authorities were able to recover 85,000 euros from the fraudulent activities.