Spanish police have detained five individuals accused of defrauding two women of a total of €325,000 (£271,000) by impersonating Hollywood actor Brad Pitt on the internet. The suspects allegedly connected with the victims through an online fan page dedicated to the Oscar-winning star, convincing them they were in a romantic relationship with him, according to a statement released by Spain’s Guardia Civil police force on Monday.
By posing as Pitt, the fraudsters reportedly persuaded the women to invest in fictitious projects. One victim from Andalusia was swindled out of €175,000, while the other, from the Basque Country, lost €150,000.
“The cybercriminals, to capture the victims, had studied their social networks and made a psychological profile of them, thus discovering that both women were two vulnerable people, lacking in affection and in a state of depression,” the police stated. “They also used instant messaging platforms to exchange messages and emails with the two women until they reached a point where they believed they were chatting via WhatsApp with Brad Pitt himself, who promised them a romantic relationship and a future together.”
The arrests took place in the southern region of Andalusia, where police apprehended the suspected leaders of the group. During raids on five residences, officers seized multiple mobile phones, bank cards, two computers, and a diary containing phrases used by the scammers to deceive their victims.
Authorities were able to recover €85,000 of the defrauded funds from the two women. The investigation highlights the importance of online safety and the risks associated with impersonation scams, especially those exploiting emotional vulnerabilities.
