'Sentimental Ties': Fake Brad Pitt Scams 2 Women In Spain of 325,000 Euros

Spain: Spanish police have arrested five people accused of defrauding two women of 325,000 Euros by pretending to be Hollywood star Brad Pitt. The con artists, posing as the Oscar-winning actor through online platforms and WhatsApp, tricked the victims into believing they were in a romantic relationship with the star and persuaded them to invest in fake projects.

Women Scammed of Thousands of Euros by Fake Brad Pitt

The scam began when the suspects made contact with the women through an internet fan page dedicated to Brad Pitt. Over time, the gang built trust with the victims, leading them to believe they were communicating with the real Pitt. Police revealed that the group, described as cybercriminals, went so far as to create detailed psychological profiles of the victims based on their social media activity, targeting them because they were emotionally vulnerable and in a state of depression.

"The cybercriminals exploited the women's personal situations, knowing they were in need of affection, and manipulated them into believing they were forming a romantic relationship with Brad Pitt," said a spokesperson for the Guardia Civil.

The scammers used instant messaging platforms, including WhatsApp, to exchange messages, promising romantic relationships and a future together. The women were led to believe they were communicating directly with Brad Pitt, and under this false pretense, they were convinced to hand over significant sums of money.

The two women, one from Andalusia in southern Spain and the other from the northern Basque Country, fell for the scheme and transferred large sums of money, believing they were investing in projects promoted by the actor. The Andalusian woman lost 175,000 Euros, while the second victim was defrauded of 150,000 Euros.

Police launched an investigation and arrested five people in Andalusia, including the suspected ringleaders. During the operation, officers raided five homes and seized several mobile phones, computers, bank cards, and a diary that documented the specific phrases used by the scammers to deceive their victims.

Authorities have so far recovered 85,000 Euros of the stolen funds and are continuing their efforts to track down the remaining money. The case serves as a reminder of the growing dangers of online scams and the tactics used by criminals to prey on vulnerable individuals through social media platforms.