A group of scammers has been defrauding women in Spain for more than ₹3 crore by posing as Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. The fraud scheme mainly targeted individuals looking for investment and romance opportunities, resulting in significant financial losses.
In one case, a woman from Andalusia fell victim to the scam, losing 175,000 euros (about Rs 2 crore). Another victim from the Basque Country reported losing 150,000 euros (over Rs 1 crore).
Read more: Indian Government Issues Warning to These Microsoft Users, Check Details Here
The scammers used a variety of tactics to gain the trust of their victims. They initiated contact through a fan page dedicated to Brad Pitt, luring women with promises of romantic relationships and investment opportunities in fictitious projects. The criminals monitored their victims’ social media activity to identify individuals who might be more vulnerable to their scams.
Spain’s Guardia Civil police reported on the methods used by the scammers. According to their findings, the cybercriminals created psychological profiles of their victims based on social media interactions. They determined that both women targeted were vulnerable, lacking emotional support, and suffering from depression.
Read more: Blocked accounts on X can still see your posts; Know why this can affect your privacy
Police revealed that the scammers used instant messaging platforms to communicate with the women, creating a false sense of intimacy, making the victims believe they were communicating directly with Brad Pitt, who allegedly promised a future together.
Law enforcement took action, arresting five individuals in Andalusia. Authorities conducted searches at several locations linked to the scam, seizing mobile phones, two computers, bank cards and a diary containing phrases used to manipulate victims. In addition, they recovered 85,000 euros (about 80,000 rupees) during these operations.
Read more: Duolingo to Debut AI Video Calling Chatbot, Mini-Games, and More at Duocon 2024- Details
Precautions against such scams
To reduce the risk of falling victim to such scams, people should consider taking the following precautions:
1. Maintain skepticism: Do not share personal or financial information when responding to unsolicited communications.
2. Verify authenticity: Always confirm the legitimacy of any financial requests through official channels.
3. Update security software: Make sure all devices have the latest security software to protect against malware and cyber threats.
4. Update information: Stay informed about the latest cyber threats and scams through online sources.
Read more: ChatGPT Just Got More Human: Now Supports 5 Voices, New Local Accents, and Remembers Where You Live
5. Be careful on social media: Limit sharing sensitive information on social media platforms.
6. Use strong passwords: Create complex passwords for online accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
7. Track financial accounts: Regularly check your bank accounts for unusual activity and report any suspicious transactions immediately.
8. Educate yourself: Participate in educational resources to learn about emerging cyber threats and scams.
By taking these measures, individuals can protect themselves against the growing risks of cyber fraud.
