Women scammed out of $360,000 by Brad Pitt impersonators in 'Operation Bralina' scheme

Police in Spain have arrested five people suspected of scamming two women out of more than $360,000 by impersonating Brad Pitt.

An additional 10 people are under investigation for possible involvement in the scheme known as "Operation Bralina," Spain's national law enforcement The Guardia Civil confirmed in a news release. Police said the two primary co-conspirators behind the scam have been identified among those detained.

Scammers posed as the movie star on a fan website dedicated toward him, police said. Convinced the money was going toward Pitt, one woman sent 175,000 euros (around $195,000) while the other lost 150,000 euros (around $167,000).

Officials managed to recover 85,000 euros (around $95,000) of the swindled total, according to The Guardia Civil.

The operation involved several bank accounts used to create fake identity documents and money mules to help launder funds, police said.

Victims deceived into having future with Brad

Through messaging platform WhatsApp, the two women were tricked into thinking they were investing in some of Pitt's projects, according to The Guardia Civil. Both were under the impression they had a "romantic relationship and a future together."

"In order to find their victims, the cyber criminals studied their social networks and put together a psychological profile of them, discovering as a result that both women were vulnerable people suffering from depression and a lack of affection," The Guardia Civil said in a statement.

In a video shared on X, police showed a handwritten love letter that read "My love for you is a real feeling that comes from my heart and forever. Please forgive me and accept me more than ever because I love you and this world is in love with you."

After multiple bank transfers, the two victims learned they had been scammed and informed the police, according to the agency.

This story has been updated to resolve a misspelling.