Spanish police arrested 5 folks for impersonating Brad Pitt as a way to rip-off ladies by convincing them that the famed Hollywood actor was in love with them. The 2 ladies focused by the web scammers misplaced a mixed €325,000 ($364,000), Spanish media reported.
Police say that the criminals operated by visiting on-line platforms for followers of the actor, and constructed up psychological profiles of the potential victims. They selected the 2 ladies, reportedly each aged 60, as a result of they believed they lacked romantic relationships and seemed to be in states of despair.
The scammers then despatched WhatsApp messages and emails pretending to be Pitt (who doesn’t have any social media presence) and promised future romantic relationships.
“My love for you is true. Feeling from my coronary heart and endlessly, please forgive me and settle for me … it’s as a result of I like you and am very a lot in love with you,” one handwritten letter that was discovered throughout a search of the criminals’ property reads, in accordance with Occasions of London.
After the criminals satisfied the victims of Pitt’s love, they started suggesting the ladies make investments with him in varied tasks. Police have since been capable of get well roughly $95,000 (€85,000) on behalf of the victims.
In a press release to the New York Occasions, Matthew Hiltzik— a publicist to Pitt—issued a warning in regards to the dangers of scams and reminded the general public that the actor does not have a social media presence.
Hiltzik is quoted as telling the publication: “It’s terrible that scammers make the most of followers’ robust reference to celebrities. However this is a vital reminder to not reply to unsolicited on-line outreach, particularly from actors who haven’t any social media presence.”
TIME has reached out to Guardia Civil, the Spanish police company dealing with the case for additional remark.
In case you have been scammed, you need to act instantly and phone the related authorities to alert them of your state of affairs. Within the U.S., specialists advocate contacting the Federal commerce fee on the ReportFraud.ftc.gov. The primary reason for motion is prevention, however in case you do end up falling sufferer to a rip-off, there are further steps you possibly can take.