Enrique Iglesias Warns Fans After Woman Duped by Impostor

LOS ÁNGELES, California — Enrique Iglesias has issued a public warning to his fans about scams involving impostors pretending to be celebrities, following the case of Guadalupe Cepeda. The 63-year-old woman from Los Angeles fell victim to a fraudster who impersonated the singer, leading her to believe they were in a romantic relationship for two years.

Cepeda lost over $3,000 in gift card purchases based on emotional manipulation tactics used by the scammer. In an interview aired on the television program Primer Impacto, she recounted her experience, revealing how the impostor claimed to love her and even made her consider divorce from her husband, Martín Pérez.

Recognizing the distress her situation caused, Pérez made a public plea on the show, asking Iglesias to help his wife grasp the reality of her deception. “If Enrique finds out, please help my wife see the truth. She is emotionally devastated,” Pérez said, trying to reach out for assistance on behalf of his wife.

After becoming aware of the story, Iglesias and his team released a formal statement urging fans to only engage with verified profiles. Iglesias addressed the issue directly on social media, stating, “Everything else is a scam. It’s very sad to see criminals take advantage of good people with lies. Don’t let anyone trick you, please.” The singer’s message was published in both English and Spanish to ensure broader outreach.

The story of Cepeda has drawn considerable attention on social media, sparking discussions about the vulnerability of older adults to such scams, particularly those who may be emotionally susceptible. It was later confirmed that the fraudulent contacts were traced back to Nigeria, a known hub of cybercrime.

This incident is not isolated; identity theft on social media has surged in the digital era, with many celebrities experiencing impersonation for fraudulent purposes. For instance, a woman in France recently lost €850,000 after being deceived by someone posing as actor Brad Pitt. Such scams often elude detection, employing emotional manipulation and advanced online deception strategies.

Iglesias, who maintains a private life in Miami with his wife, Anna Kournikova, and their three children, aims to raise awareness to prevent others from falling prey to similar frauds. He emphasized the importance of educating the public on recognizing scams and urged them to exercise caution when interacting online.

Guadalupe Cepeda’s case serves as a stark reminder of the risks that can arise with online interactions, especially for those who seek romantic connections. Experts recommend that individuals verify the authenticity of the accounts they engage with, especially in cases of financial requests, to mitigate the threat of falling victim to identity theft and scams.