Inside the £700,000 Scam: French Woman Duped by Brad Pitt Impersonator
A 53-year-old French woman named Anne was defrauded of approximately €830,000 (£697,000) by an individual impersonating actor Brad Pitt. The scam began in February 2023 when Anne received a Facebook message from someone claiming to be Pitt’s mother.
Shortly thereafter, she was contacted by the impersonator, who used AI-generated images and messages to convince her of his identity.
Over time, the scammer manipulated Anne into sending substantial funds, citing various fabricated needs, including medical expenses for cancer treatment and customs fees for purported gifts.
The deception led Anne to divorce her husband, believing she was destined to marry the real Brad Pitt. The fraud was uncovered when Anne saw media reports of the actual Brad Pitt with his new partner, prompting her to realize the deceit.
This case highlights the sophisticated tactics employed by scammers, including the use of AI-generated content to perpetrate romance frauds. Authorities are investigating the incident, and Anne is currently receiving treatment for severe depression resulting from the ordeal.
In a related incident, Spanish police arrested five individuals in September 2024 for defrauding two women of €325,000 (£271,000) by posing as Brad Pitt. These cases underscore the prevalence of such scams and the importance of vigilance in online interactions.
