Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Gerardo Romano Targeted in US$55,000 Phone Scam That Faked Daughter’s Arrest in Uruguay

A convincing cross-border 'cuento del tío' call led him to reprogram his Mar del Plata show before he confirmed his daughter was safe.

Overview

  • Callers posed as Uruguayan police and claimed his daughter was detained after a robbery with a fatality, demanding US$55,000 for release and telling him not to hang up.
  • A woman convincingly impersonated his daughter for roughly 20–25 minutes, leaving the actor emotionally shaken and ready to halt his performance.
  • Romano contacted lawyer Diego Durán and alerted his theater producers as he sought to arrange funds during the call.
  • His family then reached his daughter, who was on a beach in Uruguay, confirming the episode was an attempted 'cuento del tío' scam.
  • Romano says the perpetrators appeared to know personal details, and reports indicate he had not filed a formal complaint at the time but may seek an investigation.