Scammers Prey on Brad Pitt’s Fans, Warns Representative
A Cautionary Tale of Impersonation Scams
A representative for Brad Pitt has issued a warning to fans, urging them to be cautious of impersonation scams, following a recent case in which a woman was scammed out of €830,000 by being made to believe she was in an online relationship with the Hollywood star.
The Scam
According to authorities in France’s La Reunion, the woman, identified only as Anne, was scammed by fraudsters who used fake social media and WhatsApp accounts, as well as AI image-creating technology, to send her what appeared to be selfies and messages from Pitt. The 53-year-old interior decorator, who has been in contact with Marwan Ouarab, the founder of the FindmyScammer.com website, claims she believed she was in a romantic relationship with Pitt, leading her to divorce her husband and transfer the large sum of money.
The Sting
Anne spent a year-and-a-half believing she was communicating with Pitt, only realising she had been scammed when news emerged of Pitt’s real-life relationship with Ines de Ramon. The scammers, who are believed to be three men in their 20s, are located in Nigeria.
A Global Problem
Impersonation scams are a growing concern globally, with scammers targeting fans of celebrities and other public figures. "It’s awful that scammers take advantage of fans’ strong connection with celebrities," said a spokesman for Pitt in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.
A Call to Action
The French authorities are now working to locate the accounts that received the transfers from Anne, and Ouarab has called on Interpol to take up the case. The woman has also faced online harassment and mockery following the broadcast of her story, leading to the programme being withdrawn.
Conclusion
Scammers are increasingly using sophisticated methods to deceive and defraud their victims, often targeting those who are most vulnerable. As fans of celebrities, it is essential to be aware of the potential risks and to always be cautious when engaging with online content or communications. By working together, we can prevent such scams from happening and keep our communities safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an impersonation scam?
An impersonation scam is a type of fraud in which scammers pretend to be someone else, often a celebrity or public figure, in order to deceive and defraud their victims. - How did the scam work in this case?
The scammers used fake social media and WhatsApp accounts, as well as AI image-creating technology, to send the victim what appeared to be selfies and messages from Brad Pitt. - Where are the scammers located?
The scammers are believed to be located in Nigeria. - What is being done to combat these scams?
The French authorities are working to locate the accounts that received the transfers from the victim, and Interpol has been called upon to take up the case.