Spanish authorities have made significant progress in a fraud case that has stunned fans of Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt. In a statement released on September 23, 2024, Spain’s Interior Ministry announced the arrest of five individuals accused of impersonating Pitt online and scamming two women out of $350,000.
The scheme, which came to light last November, initially led to the arrest of three suspects, with two more individuals being apprehended in July of this year.
The New York Times reports that the fraudsters contacted their victims through an online fan page dedicated to Pitt, posing as the beloved actor. By exchanging instant messages and emails, they managed to convince the women they were engaged in a romantic relationship with Pitt himself.
The imposters used emotional manipulation as part of their deceptive tactics, convincing the victims to send large sums of money. One woman was scammed out of approximately $168,000, while the other transferred around $195,500. So far, only $94,000 has been recovered in the ongoing investigation.
In response to the alarming fraud, Brad Pitt’s publicist, Matthew Hiltzik, issued a statement warning the public about the dangers of engaging with unsolicited online interactions.
“It’s awful that scammers take advantage of fans’ strong connection with celebrities. But this is an important reminder to not respond to unsolicited online outreach, especially from actors who have no social media presence,” he stated, reiterating that Pitt remains offline and has no official accounts on platforms such as Instagram or X (formerly Twitter).
Pitt, who has recently been making headlines while promoting his latest project, the crime comedy “Wolfs,” which is set to stream on Apple TV+ starting September 27, continues to navigate the challenges of celebrity amid a troubling wave of online fraud. As authorities encourage potential victims to remain vigilant, this incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking in the depths of the internet.
