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Spanish police arrested five scammers who posed as Brad Pitt and defrauded two women of €325,000 (₹3 crore) through emails and WhatsApp by promising romantic relationships and fake investment opportunities. The criminals identified vulnerable, emotionally fragile victims through social media analysis, building false trust before extracting money; authorities recovered €85,000 and seized evidence including phones, computers, and a diary of deceptive phrases used in the scam. This case reflects a broader trend of celebrity impersonation scams targeting lonely, vulnerable individuals online.

Two women in Spain were defrauded of $362,000 by scammers posing as Brad Pitt through a fan site and WhatsApp, with the criminals profiling victims on social media to target vulnerable individuals experiencing depression and social isolation. Five people were arrested and ten investigated in Operation Bralina, with authorities recovering $95,000 of the stolen funds. The article warns that unsolicited contact from celebrities via text, DM, or messaging apps is always a scam and advises checking on vulnerable acquaintances who may be targeted by such schemes.

Meta has partnered with Australian banks through the Fraud Intelligence Reciprocal Exchange (Fire) program to combat celebrity deepfake investment scams, removing over 17,000 fraudulent pages and scam posts in its first six months. Australians reported $43.4 million in social media scam losses to Scamwatch from January to August 2024, with nearly $30 million attributed to fake investment schemes featuring manipulated images of public figures. The initiative enables direct information sharing between Meta and seven major banks to identify and block scams more rapidly, though the program's impact remains limited compared to the overall volume of reported losses.

Computer security company McAfee identified the top 10 celebrities whose identities are most frequently exploited in online scams, with Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, and Johnny Depp leading the list. Scammers use these celebrities' names and likenesses without permission across various fraudulent schemes including fake product endorsements, cryptocurrency investments, ticket scams, deepfake videos, and malware distribution designed to steal financial information or enable identity theft. As AI tools make fraudulent content increasingly convincing, experts warn consumers to exercise caution and verify authenticity before engaging with celebrity-related online offers.

Cybercriminals are exploiting the names and images of popular Indian celebrities like Orry and Diljit Dosanjh to create malicious content and scams, with a McAfee report identifying them as the most targeted celebrities in 2024. The rise of AI-generated deepfakes has significantly increased threats, with 18% of surveyed Indians reporting they fell victim to deepfake scams, and 31% of victims losing money, including some losing over ₹8 lakh. The report notes that 80% of Indians are increasingly concerned about deepfakes, and 64% find AI-assisted scams harder to detect.

Social media platforms, particularly Meta, face increasing pressure to combat fraud after a new UK Authorized Push Payment reimbursement scheme took effect in October, with Revolut reporting that over 60% of APP fraud victims in the first half of 2024 originated on Meta platforms. The article outlines six prevalent social media scams: romance scams (building trust before requesting money), job scams (fake postings requesting upfront fees or personal information, with finance roles most targeted at 35.45%), marketplace scams (rental and ticket fraud), phishing links, cryptocurrency/investment scams, and celebrity impersonation schemes. Payment service providers and social media companies are debating responsibility, with critics arguing

This educational article outlines six common scams targeting seniors in Central Florida: check tampering, voice printing/deepfakes, celebrity impersonation on social media, grandparent scams, sweepstakes fraud, and good Samaritan email scams. The piece advises seniors and families to contact the Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) to verify suspicious communications and identify potential fraud attempts.

Meta announced the expansion of facial recognition technology across its platforms (Facebook, Instagram) in the EU, UK, and South Korea to detect and remove celebrity-impersonation scams ("celeb bait"), where scammers use public figures' images to lure users to fraudulent websites requesting money or personal information. Since deploying these anti-scam measures, user reports of celebrity-bait ad scams dropped 22% globally in the first half of 2025, with facial recognition technology more than doubling the detection rate of such scams; the technology now protects nearly 500,000 public figures while remaining optional for users.

Meta is testing new facial recognition tools to combat "celeb-bait" scams on Facebook and Instagram, where scammers use celebrity images in fraudulent ads to steal money and personal information from users. The technology compares faces in suspected scam ads to verified celebrity profiles to block fraud faster, and will also allow users to regain account access via video selfie verification rather than traditional document submission. Early testing showed promising results in detecting and preventing scam ads, though Meta stated the facial data will be deleted after use and noted privacy concerns that led to the company shutting down its previous facial recognition system in 2021.

Meta is deploying facial recognition technology to combat celebrity scam advertisements on Facebook and Instagram, which fraudulently use celebrities like Elon Musk and Martin Lewis to promote investment schemes and cryptocurrencies. The system compares flagged ad images against celebrities' profile photos to automatically delete confirmed scams, with early testing showing promising results. Additionally, Meta is testing facial recognition for account recovery while acknowledging that scammers increasingly use deepfake technology to create more convincing fraudulent endorsements.

Meta announced a trial program using facial recognition technology to combat celebrity investment scam ads, comparing ad images against public figures' profiles to detect and remove fraudulent content in real time. The December rollout will involve 50,000 opt-out celebrities or public figures worldwide, with the same technology also enabling account recovery through video selfies. Meta acknowledged that while early testing shows promising results, some scams will inevitably slip through as scammers continuously adapt their tactics, and the company faces lawsuits from Andrew Forrest and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission over its failure to prevent scams using their images.

Meta is testing facial recognition tools on Facebook and Instagram to combat fraud in two ways: verifying user identity to restore compromised accounts via video selfies, and detecting "celeb-bait" scam ads by comparing faces in suspicious ads against public figures' profile pictures. The technology, previously discontinued in 2021 due to privacy concerns, will initially enroll affected celebrities automatically with opt-out options, with wider rollout expected in the coming months.

A West Mifflin woman lost $100 after purchasing weight loss gummies she believed were endorsed by Kelly Clarkson, only to discover the endorsement was fake and created using AI technology. The FTC has implemented new rules to combat fake celebrity endorsements, fraudulent reviews, and testimonials, with plans to penalize scammers and potentially return money to victims.

Scammers in 2024 frequently impersonate celebrities through deepfakes and fake endorsements to defraud victims, with Scarlett Johansson, Kylie Jenner, and Taylor Swift being the top targets according to cybersecurity firm McAfee. Common scams include unauthorized use of celebrities' names and likenesses to promote fake products (health cures, cosmetics, cryptocurrency), ticket fraud, giveaway schemes, and false political endorsements. To protect yourself, verify celebrity endorsements through official channels, be skeptical of unsolicited ads using celebrity images, and report suspected scams to relevant platforms and authorities.

Deepfakes are AI-generated videos, photos, and audio that realistically fabricate or alter someone's likeness, increasingly used by criminals to execute scams targeting older Americans, who lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023. Common deepfake scams include investment schemes (such as an 82-year-old losing $690,000 to a fake Elon Musk video), romance scams (with victims in Hong Kong losing over $46 million), political misinformation, extortion/grandparent scams (which generated over $13 million in losses from 2020-2021), and celebrity endorsement frauds. Understanding

This article presents educational advice from a Scam Jam event in Richmond, Virginia, where experts from organizations including AARP Virginia and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service provided seniors with strategies to protect themselves against fraud. Speakers described various scams targeting older Americans, including durable medical equipment fraud, mail theft, identity theft, phishing, and AI-powered impersonation calls, and advised attendees to avoid unsolicited contacts, protect personal information, and use secure mailing practices. The event emphasized that fraudsters use both low-tech methods like mail theft and high-tech tactics like voice manipulation, and stressed that seniors should be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.

This article covers a "Scam Jam" educational event in Richmond, Virginia organized by AARP Virginia where law enforcement and fraud prevention experts educated about 30 seniors on common scams targeting older adults. Presenters from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Virginia Senior Medicare Patrol discussed various fraud schemes including mail theft, identity theft, durable medical equipment fraud, and AI-powered impersonation scams, while offering practical protective strategies such as mailing checks directly to post offices and shredding personal documents.

Meta received a Shonky Award for failing to protect Australians from scams, as social media fraud losses reached $95 million in 2024, with a Queensland retiree losing $110,000 in a fake celebrity investment scam that remained on Facebook for six to eight weeks. Scams on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) account for 76% of all reported social media scam losses, and CHOICE found that Meta's response times to reported fraudulent ads were inconsistent, with some remaining live for at least four days. The Australian government has introduced legislation imposing fines up to $50 million on social media platforms and other companies that

Actor Alan Davies revealed he has been scammed "relentlessly" online, including losing £400 on a fake PlayStation 5 listing in 2022 and nearly losing £457 on a fraudulent website selling Christmas gifts. He also had his X (Twitter) account hacked by a Bitcoin scammer, resulting in the loss of 800,000 followers, and reported difficulty contacting human representatives to resolve the issue. The article additionally notes similar incidents involving other celebrities, including actor Tony Maudsley who was targeted in a Facebook ticket scam but whose bank stopped the fraudulent £600 payment.

Google identified five major online scams gaining traction: fake AI-generated celebrity IDs promoting fraudulent investments, cryptocurrency schemes promising unrealistic returns often with fake celebrity backing, cloned apps and websites targeting personal information, fake tech support and employee login portals, and event-based scams exploiting major events to promote counterfeit products or fake charities. To protect themselves, users should verify sources before engaging with offers, keep devices updated with security patches, and enable Safe Browsing features to block suspicious sites.

During India's festive season (October 1-28), 45% of Indian consumers were targeted by or fell victim to shopping scams, according to a McAfee survey, with nearly half of those scammed losing over ₹41,500. The scams primarily involved AI-driven deepfakes, fake shopping websites mimicking platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, phishing emails, and fraudulent celebrity endorsements shared on social media, with 78% of shoppers reporting increased concern about online fraud in 2024. McAfee blocked 24,000 suspicious URLs during the period and noted that cybercriminals exploited the shift toward online shopping, with sc

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk online and defrauding a 74-year-old North Texas woman of approximately $600,000 between 2023 and mid-2024. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. befriended the victim under the guise of Musk, encouraging her to invest in his businesses with promises of a $55 million return, with financial records confirming at least $250,000 in confirmed transfers to accounts he controlled. The case was investigated by both Frisco police and the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit, which reported handling nearly $3 million in fraud losses involving victims

A 56-year-old Bradenton man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 in an investment scam; the victim's husband reported approximately $600,000 total may have been lost. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan, Jr. used Musk's real profile photos and news about his activities to build trust over months before proposing an investment opportunity that would turn $500,000 into $55 million. Evidence suggests other people were involved in the scheme and Moynihan may have also impersonated Johnny Depp and Lionel Richie, with

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook to defraud a 74-year-old Texas woman out of approximately $250,000 to $600,000 through a fake investment scheme promising to turn $500,000 into $55 million. The victim was convinced by the perpetrator's use of Musk's real profile photos and references to his public activities over several months of conversation in 2023, though her husband eventually reported the fraud after their bank flagged the suspicious withdrawals. Investigators believe additional suspects are involved and note this type of celebrity impersonation scam

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk online and defrauding a 74-year-old North Texas woman of approximately $600,000 over several months in 2023. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. promised the victim a $55 million return on her investment in fake Musk businesses and transferred at least $250,000 to accounts he controlled. The Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit made the arrest, noting that this case is part of a broader pattern of elder fraud involving nearly $3 million in losses to victims over 60 this year.

A 56-year-old Florida business owner was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of at least $250,000 over several months in 2023. The victim was lured into investing in fake business opportunities and promised a $55 million return, with funds transferred to bank accounts belonging to the suspect and his painting business. The victim's husband reported she may have sent approximately $600,000 total to the scammer.

**Summary:** Bradenton Police's Elder Fraud unit arrested Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan, Jr. for defrauding a woman out of $250,000 by impersonating Elon Musk. The arrest highlights a common elder fraud scheme where scammers pose as wealthy public figures to manipulate victims into sending money.

A 56-year-old man in Bradenton, Florida was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of over $600,000 after convincing her to invest in fake business opportunities with promised returns of $55 million. Elder fraud is rising across Florida's Suncoast region through various scams including romance and phishing schemes, with authorities recommending residents pause to verify requests, question urgency, and recognize too-good-to-be-true offers.

ITV Love Island star Amy Hart lost £5,000 to a sophisticated phone scam in 2022 when fraudsters impersonated her bank's fraud team, demonstrated knowledge of her finances, and used high-pressure tactics to manipulate her into authorizing unauthorized access to her account. Hart has since spoken publicly about her experience to reduce stigma around victimization and encourage other victims to come forward, emphasizing that scammers are professionals who exploit psychological pressure rather than victim negligence.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., was arrested and charged with grand theft for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook to scam a 74-year-old Texas woman out of $250,000 (with her husband reporting the actual total may reach $600,000) by convincing her to invest in fake business opportunities. Moynihan established rapport with the victim over several months in 2023 by referencing real Musk social media posts, eventually persuading her that she had legitimately invested with the tech billionaire; police also discovered evidence he used false identities of actors Johnny Depp and Lionel Richie, an

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook and defrauding a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by posing as the billionaire and promising massive returns on fake investments. Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr. befriended the victim over several months, using real posts from Musk's social media accounts to appear authentic, and directed the money to bank accounts he controlled. The case highlights a broader epidemic of celebrity impersonation scams targeting elderly victims across the United States.

A 56-year-old Florida man was arrested for impersonating Elon Musk on Facebook to defraud a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 through a fake investment scheme promising returns of $55 million on a $500,000 investment. The perpetrator, Jeffrey Arthur Moynihan Jr., built trust over months by synchronizing messages with public events and news, and used his painting company as a front to conceal the stolen funds. He was arrested in November by the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit and faces charges of grand theft and identity theft.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Jeffrey Moynihan Jr., allegedly impersonated tech billionaire Elon Musk on Facebook beginning in 2023 and defrauded a 74-year-old Texas woman of approximately $600,000 by convincing her that investing in Musk's business ventures would yield returns up to $55 million. The victim transferred funds to accounts actually owned by Moynihan and his businesses, and police arrested him on grand theft charges in November 2023, though none of the victim's money has been recovered. The case highlights the vulnerability of elderly individuals to investment scams involving celebrity impersonation on social media.

During the holiday shopping season, online scams proliferate through fake websites, social media ads, and AI-generated deepfakes impersonating major brands, with non-delivery scams being particularly prevalent. Gift card fraud is a major concern, with 30% of Americans having received worthless gift cards in the past year, as criminals tamper with cards in retail stores or use ghost bots to drain balances. Experts recommend shopping only on trusted platforms, using credit cards for payment protection, and immediately registering and checking the balance of gift cards upon receipt.

A "pig butchering" romance scam targeting elderly people involves fraudsters impersonating actor Johnny Depp on Facebook, then moving conversations to messaging apps to convince victims to send money via cryptocurrency, gift cards, and other payment methods. The FTC received 197 complaints over one year from victims across the country, many in their 60s who lost thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars from retirement accounts, with one Minnesota woman losing $1,700 before her bank intervened. The scammers exploit emotional vulnerability and loneliness by posing as Depp or associates like his fictional "manager Jack Wingham," using flattery and false promises of romance or investment returns.

South Korean actress Yoo In-na revealed she was victimized by a romance scam in her early 20s when a scammer stole her photos from Cyworld (a Korean social network) and used her identity to defraud a man of approximately 1-2 million won (roughly $800-$1,600). The scam was resolved only after the victim confronted the perpetrator with evidence of the real Yoo In-na's identity, prompting the scammer to repay the borrowed funds. Romance scams remain a significant problem in the Philippines and globally, with authorities warning the public to verify identities online and be cautious of deepfake AI videos used by scamm

Google has warned of a surge in phishing and scam emails targeting its 2.5 billion Gmail users, particularly as a second wave of attacks is expected following the holiday season. Three prevalent scams are currently in heavy use: extortion scams threatening physical harm or blackmail using victims' home addresses, fake invoice scams designed to trick users into calling fraudulent numbers to dispute charges, and celebrity impersonation scams. While Google reports blocking over 99.9% of spam and phishing attempts through new AI technology, the company urges users to remain vigilant as attackers intensify their efforts during this period of increased email traffic.

A 67-year-old woman in Vista lost tens of thousands of dollars over two years to a romance scam in which scammers impersonated actor Keanu Reeves, ultimately leading to her homelessness. The scammers used "love bombing" tactics, promising marriage while making repeated requests for gift cards, Bitcoin transfers, and wire transfers, with constant excuses preventing in-person meetings. Her case exemplifies the broader problem: romance scams cost Americans $1.1 billion nationally in recent years, with San Diego County victims losing $1.3 million in 2023 alone.

A 67-year-old San Diego woman lost tens of thousands of dollars over two years to romance scammers impersonating actor Keanu Reeves, ultimately losing her home and now living in her car. The scam began in 2022 when she was initially contacted by an imposter, but continued after she received messages from someone claiming to be the real Reeves, who offered sympathy and eventually claimed to want marriage, using isolation tactics and repeated requests for money via Bitcoin, gift cards, and wire transfers. According to the San Diego County District Attorney's Office, romance scams cost the U.S. $1.1 billion annually, with San Diego County victims losing $1.3

A 67-year-old widow in San Diego lost over $60,000 in savings to a romance scam involving an impersonator claiming to be actor Keanu Reeves over a two-year period, ultimately leaving her homeless and living in her car. The scammer gained her trust by claiming to be the "real" Reeves after she initially blocked a fake account, then repeatedly made excuses to avoid meeting in person while soliciting money, gift cards, and Bitcoin. Romance scams like this cost Americans $1.1 billion in 2023, and the victim is now speaking publicly to raise awareness about the targeting of elderly and lonely individuals.

A 67-year-old San Diego widow lost over $60,000 in savings to a romance scam involving an impersonator claiming to be actor Keanu Reeves, who convinced her to send money and cryptocurrency over two years by promising marriage despite never meeting in person. After the money ran out in August, the scammer became hostile, leaving Goodson homeless and living in her car; she went public to raise awareness about celebrity romance scams targeting seniors, as romance fraud cost Americans $1.1 billion in 2023.

Katherine Goodson, a 67-year-old from San Diego, lost her entire life savings of over $60,000 to scammers impersonating Keanu Reeves over a two-year romance scam, leaving her homeless. The fraudsters groomed her with promises of love and marriage through daily messages, using tactics like love-bombing and isolation, and accepting payments via direct deposit, gift cards, and cryptocurrency before becoming hostile once funds dried up. Experts note that isolated older adults with emotional vulnerabilities are particularly susceptible to romance scams that exploit human need for connection rather than just financial theft.

Katherine Goodson, a 67-year-old widow from San Diego, lost her entire life savings of over $60,000 to a romance scam involving scammers impersonating Keanu Reeves, sending money through direct deposits, gift cards, and cryptocurrency over a two-year period. After falling victim to a similar scam in 2022, a second impersonator exploited her vulnerability through "love-bombing" tactics, convincing her the actor wanted to marry her before becoming abusive once her funds were depleted, leaving her homeless. The case illustrates how romance scammers use psychological manipulation and emotional grooming to target lonely, vulnerable individuals.

Johnny Depp warned fans on Instagram that scammers are impersonating him through fake social media and email accounts to solicit money, exploiting AI technology that can replicate his face and voice. He clarified that he and his team never ask fans for money, personal information, or payment for meetings, memberships, or fan cards, and provided his official social media handles while noting he is not on X, Snapchat, or Discord. The warning reflects a broader trend of celebrity impersonation scams affecting stars like Scarlett Johansson, Taylor Swift, and Kelly Rowland, with the FTC advising consumers never to send money to unknown individuals claiming to be celebrities on social media.

Johnny Depp warned fans on Instagram that scammers are impersonating him and his team through fake social media and email accounts to solicit money, exploiting AI technology to mimic his appearance and voice. He clarified that he and his team never ask fans for money, personal information, or payment for meetings, calls, or memberships, and shared his official account handles while noting he is not on X, Snapchat, or Discord. This follows similar warnings from other celebrities including Kelly Rowland and Reba McEntire, as scammers frequently use celebrity identities in online fraud schemes targeting fans.

A woman in New Hope became the victim of a romance scam after sending her entire life savings ($20,000) via FedEx to an online boyfriend who did not actually exist. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins highlighted this case while warning the public about multiple prevalent scams, including phone spoofing schemes impersonating the sheriff's office, utility companies, and government agencies, as well as employment, cryptocurrency, lottery, and tech support scams. Hawkins emphasized that scammers are sophisticated professionals and advised victims to hang up and call official numbers directly rather than staying on suspicious calls.

Former TV host David Koch's image was used without permission in a fraudulent investment scam that convinced victim Allison to lose $250,000. The article reports that fake celebrity-endorsed investment advertisements have defrauded over 600,000 Australians as part of a multi-billion-dollar scam industry, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate celebrities and create fake endorsements. NAB warns that common red flags include unexpected contact, artificially created urgency, and celebrity or expert endorsements, particularly on social media platforms.

**Article:** Rahul Dogra - 2025 Cyber Scams in India This article outlines emerging sophisticated scams in India driven by AI and deepfake technology, including KYC/bank scams where fraudsters impersonate officials to steal sensitive information, job fraud schemes demanding upfront fees for non-existent positions, and digital arrest scams using intimidation tactics to extort settlement payments. Additional scams target elderly individuals through medical emergencies and fake insurance, electricity bill scams threatening service disconnection, and romance scams, with prevention advice emphasizing direct verification with official sources, avoidance of unsolicited links, and independent research before sharing personal

A 53-year-old French interior designer was defrauded of $855,000 over 18 months in an AI-enabled romance scam where perpetrators impersonated actor Brad Pitt and his mother, using AI-generated photos and messages across multiple platforms before claiming he needed money for cancer treatment. The scammers exploited advances in artificial intelligence technology to create convincing fake profiles and communications, a tactic that has become increasingly common—with similar Brad Pitt impersonation schemes in Spain resulting in $350,000 in losses from two women in 2024. Romance scams globally caused over $652 million in losses in the US alone in 2023,

This educational article identifies major online scams targeting people in 2025, including romance baiting (formerly called "pig butchering"), immigration fraud, and AI-generated scams that exploit vulnerable populations. The author advises vigilance against scammers who use social engineering tactics, noting that law enforcement offers limited recourse for victims and recommending awareness of common warning signs to avoid becoming a target.