Fake Brad Pitt scams two Spanish women of 325,000 euros via WhatApp and other instant messaging platforms

Spanish police have apprehended five individuals accused of defrauding two women of 325,000 euros by impersonating Hollywood star Brad Pitt. The con artists engaged with the victims through online platforms and WhatsApp, convincing them they were in a romantic relationship with the actor and persuading them to invest in fake projects.

The scam originated when the suspects reached out to the women via a fan site dedicated to Brad Pitt.Over time, they cultivated trust, leading the victims to believe they were genuinely communicating with the actor. Authorities revealed that the group, identified as cybercriminals, created detailed psychological profiles based on the women’s social media activity, targeting them for their emotional vulnerabilities and depressive states.
Using instant messaging platforms like WhatsApp, the scammers exchanged messages, promising romantic connections and a shared future. The women were led to believe they were conversing directly with Pitt, which resulted in them transferring substantial sums of money under this false pretence. The victims, one from Andalusia and the other from the Basque Country, fell for the scheme, with the Andalusian woman losing 175,000 euros and the other victim 150,000 euros.

In response to the fraud, police launched an investigation that led to the arrest of the suspects in Andalusia, including the alleged ringleaders. During the operation, authorities raided five residences, seizing several mobile phones, computers, bank cards, and a diary containing the phrases used by the scammers to deceive their victims.
Authorities have successfully recovered 85,000 euros of the stolen funds and are actively working to trace the remaining money. This case highlights the increasing risks of online scams and the tactics criminals employ to exploit vulnerable individuals through social media platforms.
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