PARIS: A French woman lost €800000 to a scammer posing as Brad Pitt. The impostor contacted Anne, 53, on Instagram. The scam began with a message from an account pretending to be Pitt’s mother, Jane Etta Pitt. Anne, then on a ski trip, replied, and soon “Brad Pitt” initiated contact.
Anne became friends with the fake account and was quickly drawn into a fabricated romantic connection. Her initial doubts faded as she received love poems and romantic declarations. According to her, the messages were so persuasive they rekindled her hope in love.
Photos and AI-Generated Videos Deepened the Illusion
Anne, going through a rough time in her marriage, believed she found solace in the actor. Despite avoiding phone calls, the impersonator sent AI-generated videos and photos to prove authenticity. He used these fake materials to claim intimacy and trust with her.
Promises of luxury gifts and declarations of eternal love eventually escalated. He even proposed marriage to Anne, reinforcing her belief in the relationship. However, requests for financial support soon surfaced under false pretenses.
Scam Peaks with Medical Emergency Claims
After Anne finalized her divorce, she received €775,000 in compensation. The fake Pitt claimed his accounts were frozen due to a divorce from Angelina Jolie. Pretending he was undergoing kidney surgery, he used doctored photos of a hospital to ask Anne for money.
Feeling pity and love for him, Anne transferred large sums. She trusted him entirely, even when suspicious circumstances arose. The scammer promised luxurious gifts but never delivered any items to Anne.
Truth Emerges as Real Brad Pitt Appears in News
The fraud unraveled when Anne saw reports of Brad Pitt dating jewelry designer Ines De Ramon. Realizing she had been scammed, Anne suffered severe depression and needed hospitalization. Her ordeal highlights the dangers of online deception and impersonation.
Authorities remind the public to verify identities online and avoid transferring money to unknown individuals.
