We all love the guys! Old and “forever” young! However, as much as we want to believe that we are special and we have found the secret email or FaceBook page from Gianluca, Piero, or Ignazio, it is a FAKE!
I have received numerous emails over the past year from folks saying they were talking to the guys, usually Gianluca, on FaceBook. Some have been scammed out of various amounts of money.
PLEASE, PLEASE – the guys WILL NOT contact you, they WILL NOT ask for money or gift cards, they ARE NOT sick in the hospital, they WILL NOT ask you to keep a secret. Even if you THINK you are talking to them on FaceBook, you ARE NOT!
Time and again, things are posted on Instagram, that there are fake accounts, etc.
AGAIN – this site and those who run it, have NO PERSONAL CONTACT with any of the guys, Barbara, or Michele. I get many emails asking me when their next concert will be or if they can send a message to the guys, what their email is, etc.
We DO NOT have this information and never have. This blog site is just a fun, fan-based site, here to inform you of everything we can. Daniela does a wonderful job of keeping everyone informed and Pat does an excellent job posting!
I hate having to post this, but it is for your protection. I’m sorry if this post sounds harsh…
We will post, as soon as we know, when their next concerts will be in the United States/Canada. My GUESS is that they will come this year some time, but we DO NOT know anything at this point.
If they have any presence on FaceBook – I guarantee you, it is not under their real name, and no, we don’t know what the “fake” name would be.
The ONLY OFFICIAL presence they have, that I am aware of, is on Instagram, which is their real names as well as IlVoloMusic. When a concert or event is announced, it officially comes from them and/or Il Volo Music on Instagram.
Thank you for reading and PLEASE BE SAFE out there with all social media.
I’ve had many notices from people making saying they are one of the boys. I did look at the very first one an then I received a message saying they were returning my call. Well that never happened so I deleted everything. Thank you for the update on the horrible scam.
I have had over 20 fake piero s in the last year. Luckily I make a point of slagging them off so they have to shut it down.
Just take a look at their profile and you will know for sure.
They call you ‘dear’ which they repeat over and over.
I was taught if you comment ‘alaya’ that is nigerian for scammer.
I guarantee they won’t come back.
Hello Kay – wow that many fake Piero’s?? Maybe we should just learn “Scammer! I am reporting you to the authorities!” in 20+ different languages??? 🙂 Maybe we could organize a sting?
Thank you Jana for writing this. There are countless fake pages pretending to be Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca. Every day I block several on our Facebook page. One day I received friend requests at the same time from fake Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca and today a comment from Piero’s “fake” mother, yes, because now they have created fake pages of mothers too. It’s incredible!! But even more incredible are the fans who believe these fake profiles, despite the fact that we continue to write not to listen, not to respond and above all not to send money!!! Well done Jana.
Grazie Mille!! Yes, I had been meaning to post this for a while now, I now wish I had done it sooner. It is very distressing when folks write into the Flight Crew with these stories. My heart just goes out to them!!
Wow, fake parents now! That is so shameful!
I am glad though, people feel that they have a safe place to send us information like this. I don’t read it too often, usually when it’s time for the birthdays. But I do read everything that comes in to the Flight Crew email. And, I will never reveal names. 🙂
I can’t thank you enough for this post! I too have been a victim of their scams. Your best response is the block/delete button. If you respond the imposters know they got you! Be safe AND know you are doing the right thing in stopping any correspondence! One other note, ‘they are not all Nigerians’! As much as I hated to do it, I left Facebook, and while I miss it, I will never go back! BE SAFE AND CAUTIOUS!
Social media is not your friend – hugs to all!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU and as one of those who has been barraged with these fakes sigh ladies listen they are very persuasive and can cause you great dammage fianacially and emotionally!!! stay safe love Il Volo and their incredible music Be Blessed!!!!!
I am glad that information was stated, and Yes, any thing, and everything such as this is true even if it’s advertisement
or special offers, I can’t believe what is out there in the world today. many, many thanks for this.
Thank you Jana!! – my Son who has a University Bachelor of Arts Degree in Information Technology says if anyone asks you for money on Social Media – it is a scam & these people have no scruples – he warned me to be very vigilant as they have no integrity & are brothers from the gutter!! – however – on a positive note – I would like to say how much we fans love & appreciate this beautiful website & we all must protect ourselves & the stunning souls of flight crew who work so hard to bring us joy – much love.
Hello Jude – I’m so glad you listen to your son! Sometimes, our children end up being smarter than we are! Well, we did send them to school to get smart, right? 🙂
Thank you for loving our site. I do think ours is one of the last few that is around. The excitement is not quite there as it was in the beginning, but we continue to gain new followers and that is a really cool thing!
Thank you for writing this and I hope people will believe it and pay attention. I’ve actually gotten friend requests from the guys knowing full well they were scams. Ignacio posted something a while back on Instagram telling people that they do not post on Facebook and to ignore any activity that looks like it’s from them directly but people choose to believe differently.
Looking forward to the next concert hopefully closer to Raleigh but I can go to Florida if I need to. Happy New Year guys!
Hello Ruth – thank you for your experience with the fake friend requests as well. I get them on Instragram also – so be very careful on ALL SOCIAL MEDIA!
Yes, will be interesting to see where the guys land in North America this time – hopefully, it will be the warmer part of the year!! They always seem to come to Detroit in the dead of winter! 🙁 Except when they were here in September and that was perfect!
Thank you Jana for informing the many followers of Il Volo of scammers. I just get a real kick out of the fake postings that I have seen! I know that you know Gary from All Things Il Volo. He has posted many times to be aware of the FAKE postings and he is constantly deleting them from his site.There is much to much scamming going on. 😫😫
Thank you for this very emphatic warning. You probably will need to post it every couple of weeks, and even then not everyone who needs to, will see this and/or believe it. Our guys would never talk to us like those posts ” if you love me…..”. Really? Just delete those posts! Thank you, Jana and the Flight Crew staff for all you do to keep us informed about Il Volo!
Hola yo recibí en todas las redes sociales mensajes de el falso gianlucaginobel.y el falso Piero .ahora estoy confundida si la cuenta que sigo en Instagram de Piero barone que tiene la insignia verificada no sé si es real o fals
Loading...
I can’t say one way or another if the person you are following is real or fake! My first choice would be to say it is fake. As previously stated in the Flights posting, THE GUYS DO NOT MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH FANS! The use of the blue tick mark is not the confirmation of authenticity! Most are imitation!
Personally I have been receiving friend requests from all the guys daily! I delete them all immediately!!
Yes, I am probably the most recent victim of this scam. I was very stupid and not thinking clearly. I am 80 (soon), and I am not wealthy, so every penny is precious to me. When offered a free trip to Italy for a concert, free accomodations, a tour of Italy, I fell hook, line and sinker. Now I am faced with fear, sorrow, and possibly a loss of money. I am doing all I can to correct this horrible mistake. We all love the guys, and we want to cheer them on, be friends, and watch everything they do. Right now, it’s only 48 hours since finding out it was a scam, and I am still an emotional wreck. I will continue to cheer them on, listen to their music, watch every video, because I know and believe they would never do harm to their fans. My best and many prayers for success at Sanremo. Oh, and one more thing, I believe my scammer tried to lure me in by using Gianluca’s mother’s name. No one deserves to be used like that. Prayers, hugs and kisses to Il Volo.
I am so sorry you were a victim of the imposters! I too was a victim, and it cost me money however the worst part , it nearly cost me my daughter and other family. I read comments about people should know better than to be believe it is the real people of Il Volo. The emotional damage they do is unimaginable! My wish to all victims is you must put yourself first, focus on today, yesterday is past and love yourself ❤️.
can you post about their scam in detail?
Sorry for your loss!
Loading...
From what you say, I am 1000% your friend is following an imposter! The process starts with becoming friends with a person pretending to be a member of the group! The promises of trips, concert tickets etc come after I was told I needed to become a member of the fan club with the cost being $4500.00! I said forget it but he (imposter);said the membership would allow me to vacation with him all around the world. Not going into anything more but after awhile I went to the police and it ended! Your friend is very likely in trouble, however I strongly suggest you encourage her to go to the authorities.
Sad story but these disgusting people dwell on the emotions of others!
Loading...
Oh Karen!! I am so, so, sorry! Your scam sounds similar to someone else’s!! Thank you for coming forward and admitting this. Hopefully, your story will help others. I wish you luck in trying to correct everything.
I’m so sorry now, that I did not post this sooner!
do you have any Information in detail about their methods of scamming?
I think one of my friends is being scammed..
She tells me about flights and trips to rome etc. but never shows any pictures with her new „boyfriend“.
I am really desperate.
Thank you.
Loading...
Hello Karen,
can you tell what they promised you and wanted you to do in detail.
I think one of my friend is currently being scammed!
Thank you for helping and sorry that you were scammed!
Thank you so much, Jana, for this information. I am not on FaceBook or any of the other social media platforms and have heard horror stories of people losing their life savings by these horrible scammers. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is. Take it from a nearly 92 yr. old (May 1st) who has seen a lot of life but still has hopes for the future, short as it may be. Hugs, Dol.
Hi there! First of all, I’m glad this post was met with positive comments. I was afraid I’d get slammed!!
Second, I am so sorry that some of you were duped by these scammers and I truly applaud you for admitting you fell for one of the scams. That is not easy to do and I don’t know if I could do that!
Third, I am also very sorry, I did not post this sooner, as one of you said, it was just recently you realized it was not them.
And my goodness, posing as one of their mothers!! How abominable!!
Yes, please listen to your kids and grandkids…. when they say mom or grandma, “what are you doing???”
Generally speaking, with scams of this nature, we have to be careful EVERYWHERE – phone calls that are not your kids saying they are in a foreign country in jail, or need money, when you are pretty sure they are not out of the country. With Spring/Winter Break coming up soon, please be wary of all emails and phone calls that ask you for something monetary. Do not go to Western Union, or any other type of facility to wire money. And don’t go cashing checks that you have not earned, or if you didn’t enter any contests, etc.
I have a friend that works as a bank teller and she has told me many times, she gets people in there drawing large sums of money out, or trying to cash checks that are from some foreign bank or person. She is wise enough to stop them and call the authorities.
I keep forgetting to mention a few more things here….
We are always cautioned about putting “too much out there” on social media. Please be cautious of telling too much personal information about yourself. Everything is on Facebook these days, photos, locations, ages, trips, etc. When the scammers get your personal info, they use it against you, making you think they know you and that they are someone else. Please be careful not to disclose things about your actual address, phone numbers, where you live, etc. Even if you think you are in a private chat room, it’s probably being broadcast to all the evil scammers out there!
And again, if you think you’ve been scammed, delete the scammed account, or at least freeze it or something (can you do that?) Then if you contact the authorities, they have something to go on…
Create a new account, or better yet, just say goodbye. We somehow managed to live the previous 50 years without Facebook or Instagram!
Also remember – NOTHING is “unhackable!” Even the strongest security system can be breached or broken into. If only these evil criminals would put their brains to good use, we might be able to save the world! 😉
I too have been scammed, but about 45 years ago. When my husband died I went on a “dating” site. Met a lovely man who happened to be working in Nigeria!!! After losing almost $4,500.00 Canadian in many instalments, I came to my senses and broke off the relationship. Not even my children knew of this fiasco and many years have passed but I still feel I was a dummy to fall for such a scam. This probably was at the beginning of the “scam era” which is still ongoing, sad to say. Dol.
Thank you, Jana!
I’m sure there are new fans hearing this for the first time. Those of us who have been established fans for quite awhile realize your words are accurate! Some of us have been contacted by these fake folks and we knew to be suspicious and not participate in their fake communications, but to delete them immediately!
Thank you for sending your important message so members can remain safe.
-Vicki
someone on a chat app is pretending to be gianluca and the others in the trio it is not just going on with facebook this is a scam do not give them any information about your family or finances it’s an imposter the app is zangi please block the account if they contact you
The scam that I fell for was a Gianluca imposter. After several days of very sweet nothings, I caved in and bought a Steam card from Amazon, which took awhile to come and when I sent him the photos of the front and back, he wasn’t even able to use. Turns out that the gift cards you buy in one country can’t be used in other countries. Cost me about $185.00, but I have a Steam Card that I can use, if I only knew how!!!!
Thank you, Jana, for these posts. I believe I am being scammed now by a fake Ignazio. The scammer had me install Telegram for a private chat. The person is very friendly and chats often. But has recently tried to get me to spend thousands of dollars for a 5 day ” meet and greet.”. There began the real suspicion. I did send an apple card to ” il Volo management ltd.” to purchase some books and a CD but will probably never receive anything.
Now I will delete the accounts and the app. You have helped me make this ” tough” decision. Many thanks.
Hi, I sincerely hope that someone can please, please help me. My elderly aunt is a current ongoing victim of this exact scam. For several months she has been in contact on WhatsApp with a fraudster pretending to be Piero. The scary thing is despite me sending screenshots of the other comments on this post and an email from the official Il Volo office confirming that it is not him, he has managed to convince her that it is him. It’s got to the stage where he is telling her that he loves her and can’t wait to meet her in London where they are due to do a show in October and has a ticket for her. I am going to the police: can anyone please give me any more infoirmation of how they were scammed as I’m concerned she has already paid something out but won’t tell. At what stage where you asked for money and what were you told it was for? Thanks so much.
I am so sorry to hear about your aunt and what she is going through with a Piero scammer! The scam works well with people who want to believe they are being special and loved! Go to the police and I am certain they will just add her name to a long list! Your aunt needs to be the one to talk to the authorities and from what you are saying I don’t think she will! I was convinced to use Whats App, also Telegram and I did send money for a “membership” and expenses! Of course I would be repaid double the amount ! Of course I didn’t get back anything! As long as your aunt believes this is real, hopefully the police will be able to help her she is just another victim!
I still follow the group and get requests from “each of them daily”! I hit delete every time!
Ich habe mit ei en ” Piero Barone” erst auf Meddanger geschrieben dann über eine yspp Nsmend Zangi.
In diesem Chat hat er mir als Beweis seine Italienische ID Card gesendet.
Er war sehr höflich, hat viel erzählt….
Nach ca 2 Stunden bat er dann um eine Apple Card…..
Da war ich schockiert habe meinen Verstand wieder ei gesetzt und alles gelöscht….
Thank you very much! I get many many hits on my Facebook from Il Volo. It is terrible how people want to take advantage I knew we couldn’t be them. They’re just too professional and busy bring us joy.
Like others, I received a message from “Piero.” For the first few exchanges, I kept replying I didn’t think it was him but after while, he convinced me it was him. He even told me to be careful with impostors who were scamming people, told me not to answer messages from him in FB, and told me we should be in WhatApp. He hasn’t asked me for anything but then I would know because I don’t fall for people asking for money or information. I’m sorry I gave him my phone number. Sometimes he would reply to me with something that had nothing to do with my question. Yesterday, he even told me he loved me to which I replied how could he if we had only been chatting less than a week. He didn’t reply to that. It’s very interesting that he only gets in touch with me when it’s past midnight in Italy. Now, I know better.
Moi je n’ai plus envie d’être sur ces comptes (Facebook Instagram ou WhatsApp Il y a beaucoup trop d’imposteurs qui avoient des messages doux…c’est un fléau!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately my mom has been sending Gianluca gift cards and now money for 3 years. She WILL NOT listen to my sister nor myself!! She literally sent Gianluca a check last weed for $5000!! We have deleted, blocked, took as much money away from her as legally possible… we are at our wits end. They prey on older, lonely women and unfortunately my mom is one… we will be showing her this email today and praying and keeping our fingers crossed that it sinks in!!!!
At our wits end….
Kim
Well I am the most stupid of all! The a fake Barone no joking at all and don’t ask how anyone could be this stupid but over $350,000 yes three hundred fifty thousand dollars gone!!!
Oh my I am so sorry. I lost money too by buying cards . Wow I’m sorry again
Loading...
I am so sorry I don’t even know how to reply and I was so worried about how much I lost. This is Abhorrent have you contacted the law have you contacted Sue, the federal government cyber security scams there are many ways you can get at least the word out so they know what they’re looking for
I thank every person for posting about these scams. My Mom, for the second time, believes she is talking to Piero. No idea on how much she had given as she denies it but she defintiely doesn’t have $350k to give to scammers. When I know more about the scam I will post more but they defintielu got her phone number and got her to download telegram to talk.
Loading...
Jason , I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through people give their Social Security income honey to these liars he scammers these fools and I just you know I tell myself every day we may not be able to catch them but God will protect your mom every way you can she is not talking to piero if she got in touch with him on Facebook, especially but there are several sites that they are on now. Instagram is another one. They’re really attacking hard now and I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t know what age bracket your mother falls in, but I do know what I went through and it’s hard to get out of once you’re in there they even write you emails. They call your phone number they Will go to any links to get money from you ask a fool who knows
Loading...
Please translate to English
Loading...
I can’t believe this. I deleted Facebook, Instagram, telegram . Never was on TikTok or WhatsApp which I was asked to get in on those apps. Are they on zangi?
I thought I deleted it and there is a message from piero saying where he is in Poland and then asked for a card for subscription. I Never answered back.
Loading...
My spouse has been targeted by a scammer pretending to be piero Barone. This has been going on for 2 years now and still sending money in the hope to meet him one day.
I will list a couple of numbers this scammer is using to communicate on what’s app. It started with a polish number +48721903521 and since last month it’s a Florida number 7542599714. Anyone recognize these numbers?
I want to say I appreciate your info. But I’ve never seen those numbers
Thank you very much. I’m off all sites
Loading...
The first is the code for Poland the 48+ the second one is Broward county in Florida and both of those have been used often so I’m telling you yes these are definitely scammers because the boys do not contact people at all not In any way shape or form, ask your wife to get in touch with me please I can give her a little bit of information that might help her. cmshealy@msn.com. Cindi
I have deleted all of my sites. I did forget to say I received a message from piero saying he takes care of kids in orphanage and wanted to know when I would help him. I didn’t know if it was real but I said no and bye. This was on zangi. Please let me know. It’s just I thought about it now reading all of these posts. Thanks again everyone. Love Il volo forever ❤️
Take care everyone and pat too. The piero did say ok when I said no.
Loading...
Yes, please DO NOT BELIEVE anything on there!!!
I feel bad that so many have been taken advantage of. They could have had front row and first class airline tickets for the amount of money they’ve lost.
Buying a meet/greet ticket is the ONLY WAY to actually meet the guys and talk to them for about 30 seconds, but you get a picture for the memory!
Here’s another number to be aware of. These fraudsters are now more than one hit: they take money from people that believe they’re real for months if not years now. My aunt is currently under the spell of one and despite numerous people proving to her that’s he’s fake, she won’t listen. We’ve contacted the police and bank but they won’t do anything unless she reports it herself : which of course she won’t as she believes she’s in a long distance relationship with Piero 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️. She’s not lacking intelligence, she’s just elderly, not tech savvy and I guess lonely and so wants to believe he’s real.
The scammers bombard her with messages, dozens per day, so she’s pretty much been brainwashed.
+1 (769) 293-2842
I had to delete messenger from my aging Mom’s phone and deactivate her Facebook account because of this. Not once, but TWICE a fake Piero Barone account was catfishing her. She was sure we were wrong. My heart is broken for her because the first one got to her heart with his steamy words. The second was working on her already. The first started verbally abusing her when she would not (could not) send him gift cards. The second one I caught early but she was already in “friendship mode evolving to romance”. It is dangerous for the vulnerable! I could show her this page and believe she would still not believe me!
I’ve had many notices from people making saying they are one of the boys. I did look at the very first one an then I received a message saying they were returning my call. Well that never happened so I deleted everything. Thank you for the update on the horrible scam.
Yes, thank you for this fyi! No, the boys will never call us – as much as we try to slip our email or phone number in anything we give them! 🙂
Thank you so much
I HAD THAT FEELING AS THEY ASKED ME FOR MONEY AND GIFT CARDS.I BLOCKED ALL OF IT.THANKS AGAIN
I have had over 20 fake piero s in the last year. Luckily I make a point of slagging them off so they have to shut it down.
Just take a look at their profile and you will know for sure.
They call you ‘dear’ which they repeat over and over.
I was taught if you comment ‘alaya’ that is nigerian for scammer.
I guarantee they won’t come back.
Hello Kay – wow that many fake Piero’s?? Maybe we should just learn “Scammer! I am reporting you to the authorities!” in 20+ different languages??? 🙂 Maybe we could organize a sting?
Thank for keeping us informed about this. I have been a fan of ILVOLO since the were teenagers
Hello Maureen – I’m so glad. They wouldn’t be who they are, without us “old” American fans!!
Thank you Jana for writing this. There are countless fake pages pretending to be Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca. Every day I block several on our Facebook page. One day I received friend requests at the same time from fake Piero, Ignazio and Gianluca and today a comment from Piero’s “fake” mother, yes, because now they have created fake pages of mothers too. It’s incredible!! But even more incredible are the fans who believe these fake profiles, despite the fact that we continue to write not to listen, not to respond and above all not to send money!!! Well done Jana.
Grazie Mille!! Yes, I had been meaning to post this for a while now, I now wish I had done it sooner. It is very distressing when folks write into the Flight Crew with these stories. My heart just goes out to them!!
Wow, fake parents now! That is so shameful!
I am glad though, people feel that they have a safe place to send us information like this. I don’t read it too often, usually when it’s time for the birthdays. But I do read everything that comes in to the Flight Crew email. And, I will never reveal names. 🙂
Take care Daniela and keep the good info coming!!
Jana
I can’t thank you enough for this post! I too have been a victim of their scams. Your best response is the block/delete button. If you respond the imposters know they got you! Be safe AND know you are doing the right thing in stopping any correspondence! One other note, ‘they are not all Nigerians’! As much as I hated to do it, I left Facebook, and while I miss it, I will never go back! BE SAFE AND CAUTIOUS!
Social media is not your friend – hugs to all!
Oh Sheila! I am so sorry!! Yes, I keep forgetting to also say, DELETE EVERYTHING!! If you think you’ve been scammed, they have your info, etc.
I, personally, don’t really “do” Facebook. For me, it is way too time consuming. I prefer Instagram – short and to the point with the needed info.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU and as one of those who has been barraged with these fakes sigh ladies listen they are very persuasive and can cause you great dammage fianacially and emotionally!!! stay safe love Il Volo and their incredible music Be Blessed!!!!!
Michele Torpedine also has several accounts, both on Facebook and Instagram. I suspect that only mtorped is the right one
Cela me fâche beaucoup car j’ai vu beaucoup de ces faux comptes et à chaque fois j’envois un message à Facebook et rien n’est fait malheureusement!!!
Hello Ina – yes, I didn’t think about Michele having a fake one and likely Barbara, as well?
They say the best form of flattery is impersonation, but this is pure evil!!
Great advice, Cindi!!
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
🙂
I am glad that information was stated, and Yes, any thing, and everything such as this is true even if it’s advertisement
or special offers, I can’t believe what is out there in the world today. many, many thanks for this.
Hello William,
Yes, it is sad that I had to post this, but I am now very glad I did!
So when I get the message on Facebook to respond if”you love me That is not from them?
ABSOLUTELY NOT THEM PLEASE BE CAREFUL AND PROTECT YOUR SELVES!!!
Hello Genevieve – I am sorry to say, that it is likely not them…. they know they are loved, they do not have to ask!
Thank you Jana!! – my Son who has a University Bachelor of Arts Degree in Information Technology says if anyone asks you for money on Social Media – it is a scam & these people have no scruples – he warned me to be very vigilant as they have no integrity & are brothers from the gutter!! – however – on a positive note – I would like to say how much we fans love & appreciate this beautiful website & we all must protect ourselves & the stunning souls of flight crew who work so hard to bring us joy – much love.
So well said, |Jude! Hugs, Dol.
Hello Jude – I’m so glad you listen to your son! Sometimes, our children end up being smarter than we are! Well, we did send them to school to get smart, right? 🙂
Thank you for loving our site. I do think ours is one of the last few that is around. The excitement is not quite there as it was in the beginning, but we continue to gain new followers and that is a really cool thing!
Thanks, Jana
Thank you for writing this and I hope people will believe it and pay attention. I’ve actually gotten friend requests from the guys knowing full well they were scams. Ignacio posted something a while back on Instagram telling people that they do not post on Facebook and to ignore any activity that looks like it’s from them directly but people choose to believe differently.
Looking forward to the next concert hopefully closer to Raleigh but I can go to Florida if I need to. Happy New Year guys!
Hello Ruth – thank you for your experience with the fake friend requests as well. I get them on Instragram also – so be very careful on ALL SOCIAL MEDIA!
Yes, will be interesting to see where the guys land in North America this time – hopefully, it will be the warmer part of the year!! They always seem to come to Detroit in the dead of winter! 🙁 Except when they were here in September and that was perfect!
Thank you Jana for informing the many followers of Il Volo of scammers. I just get a real kick out of the fake postings that I have seen! I know that you know Gary from All Things Il Volo. He has posted many times to be aware of the FAKE postings and he is constantly deleting them from his site.There is much to much scamming going on. 😫😫
Hello Annette – yes, thank you. We try and try to inform people, but they don’t always want to believe it….
Thank you for this very emphatic warning. You probably will need to post it every couple of weeks, and even then not everyone who needs to, will see this and/or believe it. Our guys would never talk to us like those posts ” if you love me…..”. Really? Just delete those posts! Thank you, Jana and the Flight Crew staff for all you do to keep us informed about Il Volo!
Hello Maija – thank you – much appreciated!
Hola yo recibí en todas las redes sociales mensajes de el falso gianlucaginobel.y el falso Piero .ahora estoy confundida si la cuenta que sigo en Instagram de Piero barone que tiene la insignia verificada no sé si es real o fals
I can’t say one way or another if the person you are following is real or fake! My first choice would be to say it is fake. As previously stated in the Flights posting, THE GUYS DO NOT MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH FANS! The use of the blue tick mark is not the confirmation of authenticity! Most are imitation!
Personally I have been receiving friend requests from all the guys daily! I delete them all immediately!!
Yes,
Yes, I am probably the most recent victim of this scam. I was very stupid and not thinking clearly. I am 80 (soon), and I am not wealthy, so every penny is precious to me. When offered a free trip to Italy for a concert, free accomodations, a tour of Italy, I fell hook, line and sinker. Now I am faced with fear, sorrow, and possibly a loss of money. I am doing all I can to correct this horrible mistake. We all love the guys, and we want to cheer them on, be friends, and watch everything they do. Right now, it’s only 48 hours since finding out it was a scam, and I am still an emotional wreck. I will continue to cheer them on, listen to their music, watch every video, because I know and believe they would never do harm to their fans. My best and many prayers for success at Sanremo. Oh, and one more thing, I believe my scammer tried to lure me in by using Gianluca’s mother’s name. No one deserves to be used like that. Prayers, hugs and kisses to Il Volo.
I am so sorry you were a victim of the imposters! I too was a victim, and it cost me money however the worst part , it nearly cost me my daughter and other family. I read comments about people should know better than to be believe it is the real people of Il Volo. The emotional damage they do is unimaginable! My wish to all victims is you must put yourself first, focus on today, yesterday is past and love yourself ❤️.
Hello Sheila,
can you post about their scam in detail?
Sorry for your loss!
From what you say, I am 1000% your friend is following an imposter! The process starts with becoming friends with a person pretending to be a member of the group! The promises of trips, concert tickets etc come after I was told I needed to become a member of the fan club with the cost being $4500.00! I said forget it but he (imposter);said the membership would allow me to vacation with him all around the world. Not going into anything more but after awhile I went to the police and it ended! Your friend is very likely in trouble, however I strongly suggest you encourage her to go to the authorities.
Sad story but these disgusting people dwell on the emotions of others!
Oh Karen!! I am so, so, sorry! Your scam sounds similar to someone else’s!! Thank you for coming forward and admitting this. Hopefully, your story will help others. I wish you luck in trying to correct everything.
I’m so sorry now, that I did not post this sooner!
Jana
Hey Jana,
do you have any Information in detail about their methods of scamming?
I think one of my friends is being scammed..
She tells me about flights and trips to rome etc. but never shows any pictures with her new „boyfriend“.
I am really desperate.
Thank you.
Hello Karen,
can you tell what they promised you and wanted you to do in detail.
I think one of my friend is currently being scammed!
Thank you for helping and sorry that you were scammed!
Thank you so much, Jana, for this information. I am not on FaceBook or any of the other social media platforms and have heard horror stories of people losing their life savings by these horrible scammers. If it looks too good to be true, it usually is. Take it from a nearly 92 yr. old (May 1st) who has seen a lot of life but still has hopes for the future, short as it may be. Hugs, Dol.
Hello Dol – yes, you are certainly correct “if it looks too good to be true, it probably is!”
Take care and hope you make it to 93 and get to see the guys soon!
Jana
Thank you all this informstion
Jenny
Hello Jenny – you are welcome!!
Jana
Hi there! First of all, I’m glad this post was met with positive comments. I was afraid I’d get slammed!!
Second, I am so sorry that some of you were duped by these scammers and I truly applaud you for admitting you fell for one of the scams. That is not easy to do and I don’t know if I could do that!
Third, I am also very sorry, I did not post this sooner, as one of you said, it was just recently you realized it was not them.
And my goodness, posing as one of their mothers!! How abominable!!
Yes, please listen to your kids and grandkids…. when they say mom or grandma, “what are you doing???”
Generally speaking, with scams of this nature, we have to be careful EVERYWHERE – phone calls that are not your kids saying they are in a foreign country in jail, or need money, when you are pretty sure they are not out of the country. With Spring/Winter Break coming up soon, please be wary of all emails and phone calls that ask you for something monetary. Do not go to Western Union, or any other type of facility to wire money. And don’t go cashing checks that you have not earned, or if you didn’t enter any contests, etc.
I have a friend that works as a bank teller and she has told me many times, she gets people in there drawing large sums of money out, or trying to cash checks that are from some foreign bank or person. She is wise enough to stop them and call the authorities.
So, please do be careful out there!!
Thanks, Jana
Hi there – as an “added P.S.”….
I keep forgetting to mention a few more things here….
We are always cautioned about putting “too much out there” on social media. Please be cautious of telling too much personal information about yourself. Everything is on Facebook these days, photos, locations, ages, trips, etc. When the scammers get your personal info, they use it against you, making you think they know you and that they are someone else. Please be careful not to disclose things about your actual address, phone numbers, where you live, etc. Even if you think you are in a private chat room, it’s probably being broadcast to all the evil scammers out there!
And again, if you think you’ve been scammed, delete the scammed account, or at least freeze it or something (can you do that?) Then if you contact the authorities, they have something to go on…
Create a new account, or better yet, just say goodbye. We somehow managed to live the previous 50 years without Facebook or Instagram!
Also remember – NOTHING is “unhackable!” Even the strongest security system can be breached or broken into. If only these evil criminals would put their brains to good use, we might be able to save the world! 😉
Take care all – be safe!
Jana
I too have been scammed, but about 45 years ago. When my husband died I went on a “dating” site. Met a lovely man who happened to be working in Nigeria!!! After losing almost $4,500.00 Canadian in many instalments, I came to my senses and broke off the relationship. Not even my children knew of this fiasco and many years have passed but I still feel I was a dummy to fall for such a scam. This probably was at the beginning of the “scam era” which is still ongoing, sad to say. Dol.
Thank for the information!💕
Thank you, Jana!
I’m sure there are new fans hearing this for the first time. Those of us who have been established fans for quite awhile realize your words are accurate! Some of us have been contacted by these fake folks and we knew to be suspicious and not participate in their fake communications, but to delete them immediately!
Thank you for sending your important message so members can remain safe.
-Vicki
someone on a chat app is pretending to be gianluca and the others in the trio it is not just going on with facebook this is a scam do not give them any information about your family or finances it’s an imposter the app is zangi please block the account if they contact you
The scam that I fell for was a Gianluca imposter. After several days of very sweet nothings, I caved in and bought a Steam card from Amazon, which took awhile to come and when I sent him the photos of the front and back, he wasn’t even able to use. Turns out that the gift cards you buy in one country can’t be used in other countries. Cost me about $185.00, but I have a Steam Card that I can use, if I only knew how!!!!
Thank you, Jana, for these posts. I believe I am being scammed now by a fake Ignazio. The scammer had me install Telegram for a private chat. The person is very friendly and chats often. But has recently tried to get me to spend thousands of dollars for a 5 day ” meet and greet.”. There began the real suspicion. I did send an apple card to ” il Volo management ltd.” to purchase some books and a CD but will probably never receive anything.
Now I will delete the accounts and the app. You have helped me make this ” tough” decision. Many thanks.
Hi, I sincerely hope that someone can please, please help me. My elderly aunt is a current ongoing victim of this exact scam. For several months she has been in contact on WhatsApp with a fraudster pretending to be Piero. The scary thing is despite me sending screenshots of the other comments on this post and an email from the official Il Volo office confirming that it is not him, he has managed to convince her that it is him. It’s got to the stage where he is telling her that he loves her and can’t wait to meet her in London where they are due to do a show in October and has a ticket for her. I am going to the police: can anyone please give me any more infoirmation of how they were scammed as I’m concerned she has already paid something out but won’t tell. At what stage where you asked for money and what were you told it was for? Thanks so much.
I am so sorry to hear about your aunt and what she is going through with a Piero scammer! The scam works well with people who want to believe they are being special and loved! Go to the police and I am certain they will just add her name to a long list! Your aunt needs to be the one to talk to the authorities and from what you are saying I don’t think she will! I was convinced to use Whats App, also Telegram and I did send money for a “membership” and expenses! Of course I would be repaid double the amount ! Of course I didn’t get back anything! As long as your aunt believes this is real, hopefully the police will be able to help her she is just another victim!
I still follow the group and get requests from “each of them daily”! I hit delete every time!
Ich habe mit ei en ” Piero Barone” erst auf Meddanger geschrieben dann über eine yspp Nsmend Zangi.
In diesem Chat hat er mir als Beweis seine Italienische ID Card gesendet.
Er war sehr höflich, hat viel erzählt….
Nach ca 2 Stunden bat er dann um eine Apple Card…..
Da war ich schockiert habe meinen Verstand wieder ei gesetzt und alles gelöscht….
Thank you very much! I get many many hits on my Facebook from Il Volo. It is terrible how people want to take advantage I knew we couldn’t be them. They’re just too professional and busy bring us joy.
Like others, I received a message from “Piero.” For the first few exchanges, I kept replying I didn’t think it was him but after while, he convinced me it was him. He even told me to be careful with impostors who were scamming people, told me not to answer messages from him in FB, and told me we should be in WhatApp. He hasn’t asked me for anything but then I would know because I don’t fall for people asking for money or information. I’m sorry I gave him my phone number. Sometimes he would reply to me with something that had nothing to do with my question. Yesterday, he even told me he loved me to which I replied how could he if we had only been chatting less than a week. He didn’t reply to that. It’s very interesting that he only gets in touch with me when it’s past midnight in Italy. Now, I know better.
Moi je n’ai plus envie d’être sur ces comptes (Facebook Instagram ou WhatsApp Il y a beaucoup trop d’imposteurs qui avoient des messages doux…c’est un fléau!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Unfortunately my mom has been sending Gianluca gift cards and now money for 3 years. She WILL NOT listen to my sister nor myself!! She literally sent Gianluca a check last weed for $5000!! We have deleted, blocked, took as much money away from her as legally possible… we are at our wits end. They prey on older, lonely women and unfortunately my mom is one… we will be showing her this email today and praying and keeping our fingers crossed that it sinks in!!!!
At our wits end….
Kim
Me too and I’m 69
Well I am the most stupid of all! The a fake Barone no joking at all and don’t ask how anyone could be this stupid but over $350,000 yes three hundred fifty thousand dollars gone!!!
Are you serious, $350,000 you lost? I am so sad for you, however I do understand!
Oh my I am so sorry. I lost money too by buying cards . Wow I’m sorry again
I am so sorry I don’t even know how to reply and I was so worried about how much I lost. This is Abhorrent have you contacted the law have you contacted Sue, the federal government cyber security scams there are many ways you can get at least the word out so they know what they’re looking for
I thank every person for posting about these scams. My Mom, for the second time, believes she is talking to Piero. No idea on how much she had given as she denies it but she defintiely doesn’t have $350k to give to scammers. When I know more about the scam I will post more but they defintielu got her phone number and got her to download telegram to talk.
Jason , I’m so sorry to hear what you’re going through people give their Social Security income honey to these liars he scammers these fools and I just you know I tell myself every day we may not be able to catch them but God will protect your mom every way you can she is not talking to piero if she got in touch with him on Facebook, especially but there are several sites that they are on now. Instagram is another one. They’re really attacking hard now and I don’t know what to tell you. I don’t know what age bracket your mother falls in, but I do know what I went through and it’s hard to get out of once you’re in there they even write you emails. They call your phone number they Will go to any links to get money from you ask a fool who knows
Please translate to English
I can’t believe this. I deleted Facebook, Instagram, telegram . Never was on TikTok or WhatsApp which I was asked to get in on those apps. Are they on zangi?
I thought I deleted it and there is a message from piero saying where he is in Poland and then asked for a card for subscription. I Never answered back.
My spouse has been targeted by a scammer pretending to be piero Barone. This has been going on for 2 years now and still sending money in the hope to meet him one day.
I will list a couple of numbers this scammer is using to communicate on what’s app. It started with a polish number +48721903521 and since last month it’s a Florida number 7542599714. Anyone recognize these numbers?
No but thanks
I want to say I appreciate your info. But I’ve never seen those numbers
Thank you very much. I’m off all sites
The first is the code for Poland the 48+ the second one is Broward county in Florida and both of those have been used often so I’m telling you yes these are definitely scammers because the boys do not contact people at all not In any way shape or form, ask your wife to get in touch with me please I can give her a little bit of information that might help her. cmshealy@msn.com. Cindi
I have deleted all of my sites. I did forget to say I received a message from piero saying he takes care of kids in orphanage and wanted to know when I would help him. I didn’t know if it was real but I said no and bye. This was on zangi. Please let me know. It’s just I thought about it now reading all of these posts. Thanks again everyone. Love Il volo forever ❤️
Take care everyone and pat too. The piero did say ok when I said no.
Yes, please DO NOT BELIEVE anything on there!!!
I feel bad that so many have been taken advantage of. They could have had front row and first class airline tickets for the amount of money they’ve lost.
Buying a meet/greet ticket is the ONLY WAY to actually meet the guys and talk to them for about 30 seconds, but you get a picture for the memory!
Here’s another number to be aware of. These fraudsters are now more than one hit: they take money from people that believe they’re real for months if not years now. My aunt is currently under the spell of one and despite numerous people proving to her that’s he’s fake, she won’t listen. We’ve contacted the police and bank but they won’t do anything unless she reports it herself : which of course she won’t as she believes she’s in a long distance relationship with Piero 🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️🤦🏻♀️. She’s not lacking intelligence, she’s just elderly, not tech savvy and I guess lonely and so wants to believe he’s real.
The scammers bombard her with messages, dozens per day, so she’s pretty much been brainwashed.
+1 (769) 293-2842
Whose phone number is that? Hers or scammer?
I had to delete messenger from my aging Mom’s phone and deactivate her Facebook account because of this. Not once, but TWICE a fake Piero Barone account was catfishing her. She was sure we were wrong. My heart is broken for her because the first one got to her heart with his steamy words. The second was working on her already. The first started verbally abusing her when she would not (could not) send him gift cards. The second one I caught early but she was already in “friendship mode evolving to romance”. It is dangerous for the vulnerable! I could show her this page and believe she would still not believe me!
Omg! And I should talk