Cuban singer El Chacal has released a video on Instagram from Berlin, Germany, urging his fans not to spend money on taking pictures with him. He made it clear that neither he nor his team charges for photos.
The message, shared by the account @305worldentertainment, was recorded at the outset of his European tour in 2026, leaving no room for misinterpretation: "Don't pay for photos. Neither I nor my team charge for any picture."
Known offstage as Ramón Lavado Martínez, the reggaeton artist clarified what he genuinely expects from his fans: "The only commitment is for you all to come to the concerts, have a good time, celebrate, and enjoy the music and hits that you love with us."
He concluded the video with a straightforward reminder: "But don't pay for photos, because this guy here doesn't charge for any picture."
This warning comes amid his European tour, which featured a performance at the 809 Club in Essen, Germany, on October 3, with ticket prices ranging from 30 to 60 euros, offering a mix of reggaeton, cubatón, and bachata.
The alert is timely: the impersonation of Cuban artists on social media to scam followers is a recurring and well-documented issue. Scammers create fake profiles mimicking famous figures to charge money for supposed giveaways, special access, or photos, with some victims reporting losses of hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
El Chacal himself previously warned about this practice in March 2023, when he exposed fake Facebook accounts impersonating him. According to a report by elTOQUE, other artists like Jacob Forever have also fallen prey to such fraud, with fake profiles on Telegram, Facebook, and Instagram using their names to solicit money.
In 2026, El Chacal maintains a busy international schedule, performing in Gran Canaria and various European cities. The artist has also faced other public disputes; in 2024, he claimed he wasn't receiving 50% of the royalties agreed upon in his contract for seven years.
The video gathered over 5,500 reactions and 187 comments on Instagram, indicating the level of concern among his followers regarding this issue.
Understanding El Chacal's Warning and Fan Concerns
Why did El Chacal issue a warning to his fans?
El Chacal warned his fans not to pay for photos with him because he and his team do not charge for such photos, and he wants to prevent scams involving impersonators.
What is the issue with impersonation of Cuban artists?
Impersonation of Cuban artists on social media is a common problem where scammers create fake profiles to defraud fans by charging money for fake opportunities or photos.
How has El Chacal responded to impersonation scams in the past?
In March 2023, El Chacal alerted the public about fake accounts on Facebook that were impersonating him, warning his followers to be cautious of such scams.