Princess Leonor scam: How they deceive people on social media

Cyberpeace Tech
2 days ago
3 min read

Social media has become fertile ground for digital fraud. The ease of creating fake profiles, coupled with the use of artificial intelligence, has allowed cybercriminals to perfect their methods of deception. A recent example is the Princess Leonor scam, a fraud that has gained notoriety for its level of sophistication and for using a public figure to generate trust.

Although this case was detected in Spain, the mechanism used is completely replicable in other countries, including Mexico, where scams that impersonate celebrities, officials, or institutions are also on the rise.

Princess Leonor scam: how the deception begins

The fraud begins with the creation of fake accounts on platforms such as TikTok. These profiles appear to belong to the heir to the Spanish Crown and post videos generated with artificial intelligence, in which the supposed princess addresses users directly with friendly language and personalized messages.

The level of realism in the videos, along with simulated interactions and positive comments from other fake profiles, creates a credible environment that reduces initial suspicion.

Over time, these accounts can accumulate thousands of followers, reinforcing the sense of legitimacy.

Building trust through direct interaction

Once the user interacts, the fake account responds quickly to private messages. This immediacy is key to reinforcing the idea of exclusive contact.

Conversations begin with simple, friendly questions, which gradually evolve into a more emotional and personal tone.

This type of manipulation seeks to build trust, making the victim perceive the interaction as something special and authentic, lowering their digital defenses.

The critical point: requesting data and payments

The decisive phase of the scam comes with the promise of a benefit. Under the guise of an exclusive giveaway or reward for followers, the user is asked for their WhatsApp number.

Once outside the social network, the discourse intensifies. High-value prizes are promised and an advance payment is requested, supposedly to cover administrative or shipping costs. The amount required is usually low, which makes many people accept the risk without questioning it.

In some cases, audio recordings or calls with voices generated by artificial intelligence are even used to reinforce the feeling of authenticity.

Warnings from authorities and context in Mexico

Authorities have warned that this type of fraud is difficult to track, as many operations are carried out from abroad. In addition, the use of public figures and advanced technology complicates early detection.

In Mexico, this scheme is particularly relevant, as digital fraud also often relies on impersonating well-known figures, false promotions, or supposed financial support.

The pattern is similar: build trust, move the conversation to a private channel, and request money or sensitive information.

Additional risks of digital fraud

One of the most alarming aspects is that some of these scams transcend the digital environment. There are cases where scammers attempt to arrange physical meetings or fake deliveries, increasing the risk to victims.

The combination of public figures and artificial intelligence marks a new level of complexity in digital fraud, making it more difficult to distinguish between legitimate and manipulated content.

Official position of the Princess of Asturias Foundation

In view of the proliferation of these scams, the Princess of Asturias Foundation has clarified that it does not offer financial support, raffles, or monetary benefits to individuals.

It has also confirmed the existence of fake profiles that use its name and that of the princess for fraudulent purposes.

The recommendation is clear: do not share personal data or make payments in response to messages received on social media, even when they appear to come from recognized institutions or figures.

At Cyberpeace, we believe that information is one of the main tools for reducing the impact of digital fraud. Knowing how online scams operate allows you to identify warning signs and make better decisions when interacting in digital environments. Staying informed and developing a culture of prevention is key to protecting your identity and personal information.

If you are interested in learning more about cybersecurity, digital threats, and best practices for safe browsing, we invite you to follow our social media accounts and stay up to date.