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Brad Pitt’s representative has come forward after scammers were busted for allegedly posing as the Hollywood star, tricking women on social media into handing over their money.

The 60-year-old Oscar winner does not have any official social media accounts of his own, with the rep telling PEOPLE in a statement on September 25, that it’s “awful that scammers take advantage of fans’ strong connection with celebrities”, reflecting on how this is an important reminder to not respond to unsolicited online outreach, “especially from actors who have no social media presence.”

Just hang on a minute while I message Ryan Gosling back and tell him I’m not having any of it!

Spain’s Ministry of the Interior said in a September 23 statement that five scammers were arrested and more are under investigation for posing as a “fake Brad Pitt” in connection with a “criminal organisation” that allegedly defrauded over $350,000 from two women online. That’s a cool R6 million.

In the translated press release, authorities revealed that the scammers reached out to their victims, pretending to be Brad Pitt and luring them with promises of a future romance. Once they’d gained the women’s trust, the scammers allegedly convinced them to send money, claiming it was for investments in his projects.

That’s a laughable red flag, come on!

Three suspects were arrested in November and two more were arrested in July, with charges including fraud, money laundering and forgery.

Several celebrities, including Whoopi Goldberg, Tom Hanks, and Johnny Depp, have raised their voices to warn fans about fake accounts impersonating them on social media, trying to scam and solicit money from unsuspecting followers.

In August, Florence Pugh shared a statement on her Instagram Stories reminding her followers and fans that she doesn’t have any other account other than the one.

“No private pages or private chats or private messaging accounts.. just this one,” she assured, noting how it was “brought to my attention that some people have been asked for money/pictures/communication through pages pretending to me,” the actress, 28, added at the time.

“I’m firstly sorry that this is a weird hobby that some people like doing, and I’m also sorry that you were [led] to believe that those spaces were save. Please unfollow and reports.”

 

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Wait till someone uses a deep fake on the fans – then all hell will break loose.

[source:poeple]