The Princess of Asturias Foundation has issued a statement to stop the use of Princess Leonor’s name for fraudulent purposes.
It appears that in recent weeks, fake profiles have surfaced on social media, impersonating both the institution and Princess Leonor herself to solicit money. The modus operandi is classic: they offer financial aid, subsidies, sweepstakes, and all sorts of monetary proposals that are, of course, a trap.
The serious issue is that they are exploiting the heiress’s name and image as a lure, taking advantage of her public profile and the trust her persona inspires.
The Foundation made it clear on its website, with a message that begins directly with the word “important,” that they do not manage any such program for individuals.
The statement clarifies that Leonor does not solicit, offer, or manage financial contributions through the Foundation under any circumstances. Any message or profile claiming otherwise is false.
The only legitimate information is that which comes from the official channels of the Foundation or the Royal Household. And to be clear, they included verified social media profiles.
Essentially, they are advising people to immediately report to Spanish authorities any communication that appears too good to be true and references Leonor or the Foundation. They also apologized for any inconvenience these criminal practices may have caused.
Princess Leonor, 20, is currently undergoing military training in San Javier, and her popularity has grown significantly in recent months. That makes her an attractive target for this kind of fraud. Scammers know that many people trust the institution and its credibility, so they exploit that trust to extort money.