[thiscatis]

From Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/UpliftingNews/comments/1i1uvjq/scam...

    French start up Find My Scammer carried out the investigation pro bono as the victim has literally no money left in her account, not even a cent.

    Victim had no experience whatsoever with social media before creating an Instagram account in 2023 to share holiday pictures.

    Victim was targeted after liking pictures related to Brad Pitt on Instagram.

    Victim was in the midst of a divorce before being contacted by scammer.

    Victim was groomed for months and months by scammer passing themselves as Pitt's mother, agent, etc, in addition to Pitt himself, using American phone numbers, fake articles, etc.

    Victim had no knowledge of technologies such as deepfake.

    Victim was lulled into a sense of security as grooming lasted for many months before she was asked to send money for the first time, thinking that such a scam would be more immediate.

    Victim has HIV and cancer, tried to end her life three times.

    French TV program which revealed the story accused of manipulating the subject matter and misrepresent facts to encourage ridicule against victim, has been pulled off all platforms.

    Scammer found in Benin, was tricked into clicking a link which gave start up full access to his computer, phone, information, living address, etc. Crypto wallet where the stolen money is stored found. All information in the hands of authorities investigating the crime.

    Scammer has over 30 victims. Also poses as fake Keanu Reeves.

[sebdufbeau]

An important point in the story: while she was contacted by the scammers when she was still married, it is after the divorce that she received most of the money that was eventually scammed - over €700k

[doctoboggan]

> Crypto wallet where the stolen money is stored found. All information in the hands of authorities investigating the crime.

This is great news, and I hope Anne and the other victims can see at least some of their money returned.

[anon22981]

Do such links really work so that it’s enough to load the page on your browser and you are done?

[_ink_]

Depends. Mostly not. But Pegasus spy software was put on iPhones via silent SMS. So those targets didn't even need to click a link. All they really had to do was owning an iPhone. And made their number known.