In Spain, authorities have arrested five individuals linked to a fraudulent scheme that scammed two women out of €325,000 (approximately $527,000) by impersonating Hollywood star Brad Pitt online. This operation, dubbed Operation Bralina, involved investigations across eight provinces, with an additional ten suspects also under scrutiny, according to the Guardia Civil.
The victims, who were targeted through a fan site, were convinced by the fraudsters that Pitt wanted to collaborate on various investment opportunities. Police reported that the scammers developed psychological profiles of their victims, revealing that both women were emotionally vulnerable and struggling with depression. Over time, they engaged with the women via instant messaging platforms, leading them to believe they were in contact with Pitt himself, who promised a romantic relationship.
As the deception progressed, the women transferred substantial amounts of money until they realised they had been duped and subsequently approached law enforcement. Investigations unveiled a sophisticated network involved in the scam, using fake identity documents to set up bank accounts and employing “mules” to launder money for a small fee. Officials managed to recover €85,000 ($137,000) of the total amount lost.