A massive scam involving the A-list Oscar-winning Hollywood star Brad Pitt has been exposed, resulting in five arrests.
Pitt Scam Exposed
Police in Spain arrested the five individuals after they allegedly pretended to be Pitt, 60, and scammed two women out of 325,000 euros ($362,000). They were arrested as part of what has been dubbed Operation Bralina, which spread over eight Spanish provinces. Ten other people connected to the scam are still being investigated at this time.
One of the women lost 175,000 euros ($195,000) to the scammers. The second one lost 150,000 euros ($167,000). Of the stolen money, police have only managed to recover 85,000 euros ($95,000). The scammers had put quite a bit of work into scoping out their victims beforehand.
“In order to find their victims, the cyber criminals studied their social networks and put together a psychological profile of them, discovering as a result that both women were vulnerable people suffering from depression and a lack of affection,” police said in a statement obtained by CNN.
“They also used instant messaging platforms to exchange messages and emails with the two women until they thought they were chatting via WhatsApp with Brad Pitt himself, who promised them a romantic relationship and a future together,” the statement added.
Homes Raided – Arrests Made
Each of the female victims made several bank transfers to the person they thought was Pitt. When they both realized that they were being scammed, they stopped making the bank transfers and went to the police.
The fraudsters reportedly used fake identity documents to create a network of bank accounts. The scammers then used “mules” to help launder money through their own bank accounts in exchange for a small payment.
The five fraudsters, whose names have not been released, were arrested in the southern region of Andalusia. They include the people who are suspected to be the leaders of the group.
Five homes were also raided by police. Officials seized multiple mobile phones, bank cards, two computers and a diary “in which the phrases used by the fraudsters to deceive their victims were written down.”
Pitt Reemerges In California
Pitt has yet to speak out about the alleged scam. He’s making headlines in his own right as an A-list celebrity.
Last Saturday, Pitt reunited with the former Friends star Courteney Cox at a Rock4EB fundraising event in Malibu, California. This could have been a bit awkward, as Cox is best friends with her former Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston, who was married to Pitt from 2000 until they divorced in 2005. Pitt famously appeared on the iconic 2001 Friends episode titled “The One with the Rumor” during Season 8.
Despite their history, Cox and Pitt appeared to be relaxed as they put their arms around each other to pose for the photo. It is believed that Aniston and Pitt have become platonic fans in recent years, so she likely won’t mind seeing her best friend be photographed with him.
This Pitt scam serves as a reminder of just how easy it is to become the victim of fraud online. Be sure to stay vigilant when it comes to your online activities!
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