Fake Pitt: Brad Pitt Impersonator Gang Arrested on Costa del Sol

A gang of Brad Pitt impersonators have been arrested on the Costa del Sol after swindling €325,000 off their unsuspecting victims.

The Guardia Civil on the Costa del Sol has dismantled an organised network of Brad Pitt-impersonating fraudsters who managed to steal €325,000 from their victims.  

The group, known for catfishing their victims by pretending to be Brad Pitt, targeted vulnerable women.

Operation “Bralina” was carried out in cooperation with law enforcement from several Spanish provinces, including Malaga, Granada and Vizcaya. The two ring-leaders have been arrested.

Fraudsters would target vulnerable users of an online Brad Pitt fan website. They would pose as Hollywood stars and catfish their victims before convincing them to invest in fake business ventures.    

One woman lost more than €170k, while another one lost €150k. Spanish law enforcement also confiscated a further €85,000 from other scams the group was running and searched five residential homes where they confiscated mobile phones, bank cards, and evidence of organised planning of the scams.   

The investigation began in August 2023 after one victim came forward, and it was expanded after uncovering similar scams. The ring-leaders operated a network of bank accounts under fake names and used ‘money mules’ to launder the money.