In a startling and heartbreaking case of online fraud, a French woman was scammed out of $850,000 by an individual posing as Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. The victim, identified as 53-year-old Anne, believed she was in a romantic relationship with the famous actor and sent him money for medical expenses over an extended period.
The scam began when Anne was contacted on Instagram by someone claiming to be Angelina Jolie’s former husband’s mother. The scammer later assumed Pitt’s identity and sent Anne love poems, declarations of affection, and AI-generated videos and images to maintain the illusion of their relationship.
Anne, who was experiencing marital difficulties at the time, ultimately divorced her husband and devoted herself to her supposed relationship with Pitt. To further manipulate Anne, the scammer sent fake hospital photos, claiming Pitt was in urgent need of medical treatment.
A unfortunate series of events
Over the course of their correspondence, Anne transferred a total of 830,000 euros (approximately $850,000) to the scammer, believing she was helping her beloved actor. The truth came to light when Anne saw reports of Brad Pitt’s relationship with jewelry designer Ines De Ramon, leading her to realize she had been deceived.
This shocking revelation has highlighted the vulnerability of individuals to online scams and the sophisticated methods scammers use to exploit their victims’ emotions. Anne’s story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of verifying the identity of individuals before sending money or personal information.
Online scams are becoming increasingly complex, and it is crucial for people to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited contacts, particularly those involving financial requests. Authorities are investigating the case, and Anne hopes her experience will warn others to be cautious and protect themselves from similar frauds.