A French woman, Anne, 53, has revealed how she was deceived into parting with nearly £700,000 after falling victim to an elaborate scam involving AI-generated images of Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.
Anne’s ordeal began during a difficult period in her life, as her marriage to a millionaire husband crumbled. She became entangled with a scammer who posed as Brad Pitt, exploiting her vulnerability with romantic gestures, heartfelt poems, and daily conversations.
AI-generated photos and videos of the actor convinced Anne that she was communicating with the real Hollywood star.
Initially skeptical, Anne’s doubts were overcome as the scammer’s messages became increasingly persuasive. She later explained: “There are so few men who write to you like this. I liked the man I was talking to. He knew how to talk to women, it was always very well done.”
The scam reportedly began in February 2023 after Anne posted photos of her ski holiday in Tignes on Instagram. She was contacted by someone claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother, followed by a fake account of the actor himself.
The impersonator claimed to be going through personal and financial troubles, eventually requesting financial help.
The scammer initially asked Anne to pay over £7,500 in customs fees for supposed gifts, as Anne shared details of her pending divorce settlement, the demands escalated.
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In one instance, the fraudster claimed that Pitt needed money for kidney cancer treatment, explaining that his assets were frozen due to a legal dispute with Angelina Jolie, however, the AI-generated images of “Pitt” in a hospital bed further fueled the deception.
Over time, Anne grew suspicious when Brad Pitt was publicly seen with his new partner, Ines de Ramon. This realization prompted her to report the scam to the police, by then, she had already lost a staggering £697,000.
Anne is now receiving treatment in a clinic for depression as she grapples with the emotional and financial toll of the experience according to BFMTV’s report.
