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A new form of scam has emerged in recent weeks: The hitman scam

In the murky world of crime, scams take many varied and often surprising forms. One of the most recent scams to attract the attention of the authorities and the general public is the hitman scam.

The hitman scam scenario

Hitman scams generally work as follows: One person receives an e-mail from a pseudo hitman telling that he has been commissioned to… kill that person!

The message may contain personal information about the victim, creating an illusion of credibility. The fake hitman claims to have been hired by someone to eliminate the victim, but offers an alternative: for a certain sum of money, he claims to cancel the contract and thus save the victim’s life.

The temptation to panic

Faced with such threats, many people panic and may be tempted to give in to the fraudster’s demands. Some individuals, in a state of stress, make impulsive decisions.

Fraudsters exploit this fear by putting pressure on their victims to act quickly, without thinking through the consequences.

Clues to detecting the hitman scam

It’s crucial to remain calm and analyze the situation before reacting to such threats. Several clues can help identify a hitman scam:

1. Anonymity: Messages generally come from anonymous individuals, making it difficult to verify their authenticity.
2. Request for payment in crypto-currency: Scammers often prefer to receive their payment in crypto-currency, as this makes transactions difficult to trace.
3. Pressure to act quickly: Fraudsters try to create a sense of urgency by demanding payment quickly, leaving little time for reflection.

How to avoid becoming a victim

To avoid becoming a victim of a hitman scam, here are a few steps you can take:

1. Stay calm: Don’t panic, and take time to think things through rationally.
2. Don’t pay: Refuse categorically to pay the scammer. These crooks usually disappear once they realize their scam has failed.
3. Report the incident: Contact the authorities and provide them with all the information you have on the scam. They can investigate and warn other potentially vulnerable people.

Conclusion

Hitman scams are a disturbing manifestation of modern crime. Fraudsters exploit people’s fear and vulnerability to manipulate and defraud them.

It’s essential to remain vigilant and calm in the face of such threats. Above all, don’t respond to these messages.

Scammers pretend to be Brad Pitt and swindle a Spanish Internet user out of 170,000 euros.

The story of this scam begins in 2022, according to Antonio Estella Aroza, the victim’s lawyer. His client joined a fan club dedicated to actor Brad Pitt on Facebook. As she became more and more involved in the group, Brad Pitt himself ended up interacting directly with her, or so she thought.

The only information made public is that the scam victim is from Grenada and “middle-aged”. Her lawyer chose not to provide any further information.

The crooks have been perfecting their scheme for just over a year. As Mr. Aroza explains, “they’re professionals: they mark time, they know when to give affection and when not to respond”. And when to ask for money.

A promise to make a film together

As it’s only a short step from friendship to love when it comes to scams, the actor suddenly fell in love with the woman. It was always a long-distance relationship, as is usually the case in these affairs, until the scammers promised that the fake Brad Pitt would come to Spain to meet her in person. As if that wasn’t enough, she was also promised that they would make a film together.

Then the demands for money began. The lawyer explains that the woman made transfers of up to 30,000 euros at a time to various Spanish and European bank accounts. Mr. Aroza points out that, in line with his experience in this field, these accounts were opened with stolen identity cards.

Just under a month ago, the woman realized that her relationship with the actor was a sham. She then contacted a lawyer. A complaint was lodged with a Granada court for fraud, identity theft – Pitt’s identity – and money laundering. Mr. Aroza believes the banks should have tracked the transfers due to the size of the amounts. In a series of transfers, the woman deposited 170,000 euros in the accounts of the swindlers to finance the film.

The scammers used the now traditional system of photomontages to maintain the ruse. They used images of the real Brad Pitt with superimposed messages containing words of affection for the woman in somewhat sloppy Spanish.

For the time being, the court has not ordered an investigation, says Aroza. While the real Brad Pitt turns his attention to his next Hollywood project, there’s no guarantee that the fake isn’t out looking for another victim.

Hidden subscription scams on the Internet are a growing problem

Internet hidden subscription scams are a form of online fraud that can cause considerable financial damage to consumers. These types of scams are particularly devious. They are designed to fool consumers into believing that they have purchased a unique product or service. But in reality, they have signed up for a paid subscription that automatically renews itself at regular intervals.

How does this work?

Fraudsters often use deceptive tactics to get consumers to sign up for their services. For example, they may offer a free trial of a service or product, asking the consumer to provide their credit card information to activate the trial. However, the terms and conditions of the service may be written in such a way that the user agrees to a paid subscription in addition to the free service. This way, billing begins automatically as soon as the banking information is provided.

Another tactic is to offer incredible deals on popular products, such as cell phones or laptops. The terms and conditions of the service can be hidden in small print at the bottom of the page. Consumers who don’t read carefully may be unknowingly tricked.

How can consumers protect themselves from hidden Internet subscription scams?

First, it is important to carefully read the terms and conditions of any service or product offered online. In particular, the terms and conditions of payment and billing. Consumers should be aware that fraudulent companies may hide abusive or misleading terms in small print or in inconspicuous places.

Consumers should also be careful when providing credit card information online. It is important to verify the legitimacy of companies before providing sensitive information.

What should I do if I find out I am the victim of a hidden subscription?

Hidden subscriptions can cause significant financial damage to consumers. In some cases, consumers may be billed monthly for services they do not use, or for services they do not intend to use in the long term. Bills can add up quickly, which can cause significant financial hardship. In some cases, consumers may not notice hidden charges on their credit cards for months or even years.

Don’t panic, depending on where you live, there may be laws that protect you. As you can see in detail on our page on hidden subscription scams, you can ask your bank to block payments. You can also, in some cases, ask your bank for a refund of the debit.

Be suspicious when you come across very attractive offers. In this case, do not hesitate to read the conditions of purchase in detail. Finally, check your bank statements regularly in order to detect any suspicious activity.