Spanish police arrested five individuals for scamming two women out of 325,000 euros by impersonating Hollywood actor Brad Pitt through online communication. The suspects contacted the victims via an internet page for fans and manipulated them into believing they were in a romantic relationship with the actor. They ultimately persuaded the women to invest in non-existent projects. One woman lost 175,000 euros while the other lost 150,000 euros.
The cybercriminals strategically examined the victims' social media profiles to create psychological profiles, identifying them as vulnerable individuals seeking affection. This meticulous planning allowed them to gain the trust of the women by pretending to maintain a romantic relationship with Brad Pitt, which led to the scam's devastating financial consequences.
During the investigation, police raided five homes in Andalusia, where they confiscated various devices and a diary containing phrases used by the fraudsters in their deception. Spanish authorities managed to recover 85,000 euros of the total amount that had been defrauded from the victims, shedding light on the thoroughness of their operation.
The suspects were adept at using instant messaging platforms, eventually convincing the women that they were communicating directly with Brad Pitt via WhatsApp. This manipulation created a false sense of intimacy and trust, culminating in significant financial losses for both victims.
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