A 53-year-old woman from France, identified only as Anne, was swept into a web of deception when she believed she was having a romantic relationship with Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.
The scam, which began in February 2023, ultimately led Anne to make life-altering decisions, including a divorce from her millionaire husband and the loss of €830,000.
Anne’s ordeal began when she received a message on Facebook from someone posing as Pitt’s mother.
From there, the situation quickly escalated, with the scammer impersonating the actor himself.
Anne, eager to believe the relationship was real, communicated only through text messages, as the so-called Brad Pitt was always unavailable for phone calls.
In an attempt to further convince Anne, the scammer sent her AI-generated videos of Pitt, reinforcing the illusion of a genuine connection.
Despite the lack of voice calls or in-person meetings, Anne believed that she was in a relationship with the famous actor.
As the online romance deepened, the scammer proposed marriage to Anne.
In an impulsive decision, she divorced her wealthy husband, believing she was about to marry the star of “Fight Club”.
Afterward, the scammer claimed to have purchased lavish gifts for Anne but needed more than $9,000 to cover the customs fees.
Trusting the fake Pitt, Anne provided the requested sum, unaware of the deception unfolding.
The scammer's manipulation grew more sophisticated as he fabricated a story about needing urgent treatment for kidney cancer.
He sent AI-generated images and videos showing Pitt in a hospital bed, which played on Anne’s emotions.
He also claimed that his ongoing divorce with actress Angelina Jolie had left him unable to access his own money, further convincing Anne to send additional funds.
By this point, Anne had already sent large sums, believing she was helping the actor in distress.
Anne’s world came crashing down when she saw recent media coverage of the real Brad Pitt, alongside his new girlfriend, Ines de Ramon.
Brad Pitt and Ines de Ramon
The images made her realise that she had been a victim of a scam.
She had been duped into believing the romance was genuine and had lost over €800,000 in the process.
After filing a police complaint in 2024, an investigation was launched into the fraud scheme.
Anne is currently receiving treatment for severe depression in a clinic, coping with the emotional toll of the scam.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working tirelessly to track down the perpetrator.
Earlier this month, both Johnny Depp and Kelly Rowland warned their followers about growing online scams, where fraudsters impersonate celebrities.
Depp revealed scammers are using AI to mimic his face and voice, urging fans on Instagram to be cautious about fake requests for money or personal info.
Though Brad Pitt is not among the top targets for cybercriminals according to McAfee's 2024 report, scams impersonating celebrities are becoming increasingly common.
Fans are advised to stay vigilant, especially on platforms like Facebook, Telegram, and WhatsApp.
In September 2024, Spanish authorities arrested five individuals involved in a similar scam that also used Brad Pitt’s identity to extort funds from unsuspecting women.
According to reports, the scam in Spain led to losses exceeding €330,000.
Police recovered part of the stolen funds and seized items used in the operation.
As the investigation into Anne's case continues, her story serves as a chilling reminder of the lengths to which fraudsters will go to exploit the trust of vulnerable individuals.
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