On September 23, the Spanish Ministry of the Interior announced that five individuals impersonating Brad Pitt had been arrested for scamming two women out of more than $350,000 this year. According to Spanish authorities, the arrests took place following the capture of three online scammers last November, with two more apprehended in July of this year.
Five People Arrested for Impersonating Brad Pitt!
According to a report from The New York Times, the criminals contacted the women through a fan page dedicated to Brad Pitt. The Oscar-winning actor’s impersonators communicated with the women via text messages and emails, convincing them that they were speaking directly to Pitt. Authorities indicated that the victims believed they had developed a close relationship with the scammers and even thought they were in a romantic relationship.
The scammers requested money from the women under various pretenses, and unfortunately, both women fell into the trap. One woman sent $168,000, while the other sent $195,000. However, so far, only $94,000 has been recovered as part of the ongoing investigation.
Brad Pitt’s spokesperson, Matthew Hiltzik, stated in an interview with The New York Times, “It is horrifying that scammers exploit the strong bond that fans have with celebrities. This incident serves as an important reminder not to respond to unsolicited online messages from celebrities, especially those from actors who do not have social media accounts.”
Brad Pitt does not have an official account on social media platforms like Instagram or X (formerly Twitter). Although the famous actor is not active on online platforms, he continues to keep his name in the spotlight with the upcoming crime comedy “Wolfs,” set to premiere on Apple TV+ on September 27.
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