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Join Telegram ChannelBrad Pitt's rep is speaking out after five people were arrested by Spanish authorities for allegedly impersonating the actor online and scamming two women out of more than $350,000.
According to a statement released Monday by the Spanish Interior Ministry, three suspected scammers were arrested last November and two others were taken into custody in July. Spanish police said the individuals were part of a “criminal organization” that contacted women on social media posing as the Oscar-winning actor and then defrauded the victims.
“It’s appalling that scammers are taking advantage of fans’ strong connection to celebrities, and it’s an important reminder not to respond to unsolicited online messages, especially from actors who don’t have a social media presence,” a spokesperson for Pitt told Fox News Digital.
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Brad Pitt's rep has spoken out about the arrest of scammers who allegedly impersonated the actor to defraud women. (Maria Moratti/Getty Images)
Pitt, 60, does not have authorized social media accounts on Instagram, X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, TikTok or any other platform.
Police say the alleged scammers contacted the women through a Brad Pitt fan page and posed as the “Once Upon A Time in Hollywood” star. Authorities say the suspects created psychological profiles of potential victims and identified two women they believed to be vulnerable targets.
“It’s terrible that scammers are taking advantage of fans’ strong connection to celebrities, and it’s an important reminder not to respond to unsolicited online messages, especially from actors who don’t have a social media presence.”
The imposters began exchanging instant messages and emails with the women, who believed they were communicating with the real Pitt. The suspects “managed to make these women believe that they had become so close to the famous American actor that they thought they were having a romantic relationship with him.”
Pitt's rep reminded fans that the Oscar winner has no social media presence. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
After establishing “maximum” trust with the victims, the scammers then asked the women for money to invest with him in “various business projects.”
In a series of money transfers, one woman gave the alleged imposters about $167,000, while another sent about $195,500. Authorities said they have been able to recover about $94,000 so far in the investigation.
According to Spanish police, the alleged scammers are accused of fraud, counterfeiting and money laundering.
The suspects allegedly defrauded two women out of more than $350,000. (Lia Toby/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures)
Pitt has previously expressed his disinterest in social media. In a 2014 interview with GQ, Pitt explained why he didn't see the point in joining Twitter, now X.
“Look, I see an advantage to it. You could, you know, immediately combat misconceptions or misquotes. And if I had that in my youth, I would have used it,” he told the outlet.
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“Because I felt used, completely misunderstood, misinterpreted and not given the benefit of the doubt,” Pitt continued. “You know, I felt that way a lot in my early years. I would have brought some logic to the table and I would have brought it right away. But now, at this point, I don’t want to deal with it anymore.”
Pitt has previously said he sees no need to use social media. (Stéphane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
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In a 2019 interview with E! News, Pitt was asked what it would take for him to join Instagram.
“That will never happen,” he said.
“No, I would never say never,” Pitt qualified before adding: “Life is pretty good without it, I don't see the point.”
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