A French woman was scammed out of thousands of dollars after being deceived into thinking she had an affair with Brad Pitt.
A scammer reportedly tricked a 53-year-old interior designer named Anne into paying 830,000 euros ($850,000).
The scammer claimed the funds were for Hollywood star Brad Pitt’s cancer treatment, according to BFM TV.
The woman thought that she was in a romantic relationship with Hollywood star Brad Pitt.
This incident highlights the dangers of online scams, especially those that exploit people’s emotions.
Fake “Brad Pitt” approaches her via Instagram
The story began in February 2023 when Anne was enjoying a ski trip. While on vacation, she posted photos on Instagram.
Shortly after, she received a message from someone claiming to be Pitt’s mother.
This unexpected message caught her attention and sparked her curiosity.
The next day, Anne received another message from an account pretending to be Brad Pitt himself.
She was amazed by the interaction.
Despite having doubts about the account’s authenticity, she dismissed them.
Anne felt that the person behind the messages knew how to charm women, which made her more trusting.
The scammed used AI tech to create fake ‘Brad Pitt’
To further deceive Anne, the scammer used AI-generated images and videos of Brad Pitt.
These realistic-looking visuals made it seem like she was truly communicating with the actor.
The con artist sent her love poems and heartfelt messages, deepening the illusion of a real relationship.
Anne began to believe that she was in love.
As their communication continued, the scammer proposed marriage to Anne and promised her extravagant gifts from luxury brands like Chanel and Hermès.
However, the gifts came with a catch: she had to pay customs fees to receive them.
Anne faced significant financial losses from scams.
Initially, Anne paid $9,800 for the customs fees, expecting to receive the luxurious gifts.
However, the gifts never arrived, and she soon fell into a financial trap.
The scammer continued to request money, claiming he needed funds for medical bills related to an alleged kidney cancer diagnosis.
He told her that his bank accounts were blocked due to a divorce from Angelina Jolie.
Anne, who was married to a wealthy man nearly 20 years her senior, decided to divorce him and confided in her new “friend” about her financial situation.
This made her more vulnerable to the scammer’s requests for money.
To persuade Anne, AI-generated photos depicted Pitt in a hospital bed.
One image showed his face superimposed on a hospital scene, holding a note that said, “Anne, I love you.”
The woman discovered the truth
It was not until the summer of 2024 that Anne realized she had been scammed.
She saw news reports about Brad Pitt and his new girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, which led her to question everything.
By that time, she had sent nearly one million euros to the scammer.
Feeling devastated, Anne reported the incident to the police.
Tragically, her emotional state deteriorated, and she ended up hospitalized due to severe depression.
The financial loss and emotional betrayal took a significant toll on her mental health.
Social media reactions
Social media users expressed their sympathy for her and condemned the cruelty of romance scams.
Many commented on how such scams often target vulnerable individuals seeking love and companionship.
She should have known something wasn’t right when he started asking for money.
I don’t know why some people are willing to believe they’re talking to the actual person without physical proof at least insist on a video call, one user said.
Let me guess Brad told her he needed money, because his money was tied up in the divorce from Angie, the second user said.
Omgs if you believe your in a relationship with Brad Pitt and he needs your money you kinda deserve it! The third user commented.
Soooo crazy!!! Why would Brad Pitt need money and #2 How could you be in a relationship you have never met the person? Common Sense is worth alot, another user said.
The growing problem of romance scams
Authorities warn that romance scams are one of the fastest-growing types of fraud.
Victims often include lonely individuals, those who have recently experienced loss, or those dealing with depression.
These scams can lead to significant financial losses, and many victims are reluctant to report the incidents due to shame or denial.
The police have stressed the importance of being cautious when interacting with people online.
They advise individuals to verify identities and be wary of anyone asking for money, especially under emotional pretenses.