A 53-year-old French interior designer named Anne was scammed out of €830,000 by an impersonator posing as an AI-generated Brad Pitt. She became so infatuated with the fake actor that she divorced her husband and transferred nearly all of her €775,000 settlement to the con artist, believing she was in a genuine relationship and expecting marriage.
Her deception started to crumble when she spotted photos of the real Brad Pitt with his new girlfriend, leading her to question her situation. Anne has since filed a legal complaint for fraud and initiated an online crowdfunding campaign to help cover her growing legal expenses.
Anne’s ordeal began in February 2023 when she set up an Instagram account to share her skiing holiday photos. She was contacted by a woman claiming to be Jane Etta Pitt, Brad Pitt’s mother, who suggested that her son needed a woman like Anne. The next day, “Brad Pitt” himself messaged her, expressing interest.
Initially skeptical, Anne became increasingly captivated by their online correspondence, which quickly developed into a virtual romance. Despite being new to social media, she eventually requested proof of his identity. In response, she received images of a passport, messages from individuals claiming to know him, and a series of convincing AI-generated photos and videos. Anne believed the images were specially created for her.
Over 18 months, Anne’s communication with the impostor posing as Brad Pitt intensified, as he sent her poems and heartfelt messages that deeply resonated with her. Anne was captivated by how well he expressed himself, stating, “There are so few men who write to you like that.” She felt a genuine connection, especially since he showed interest in her career, unlike her ex-husband.
The scam escalated when the fake Brad proposed marriage, and she was close to accepting. He later claimed to have sent her luxury gifts but stated she would need to pay €9,000 in customs duties because his accounts were frozen amid legal issues with Angelina Jolie.
The situation took a more serious turn when he claimed he was hospitalized with kidney cancer and requested €60,000 for treatment. Despite her reservations, Anne transferred the money after receiving a concerning email from someone posing as his doctor, believing she was helping to save his life.
Despite growing doubts, Anne’s friends and family were unable to convince her that she was being scammed by someone impersonating Brad Pitt. When her daughter warned her, Anne remained convinced that her “true love” would soon arrive. However, in the summer of 2024, when Brad Pitt was spotted with his new partner, the truth began to sink in.
The scammers continued to deceive Anne, sending fake news updates claiming that Brad Pitt was single, even after she had been told otherwise. The scam escalated further when a person pretending to be an FBI agent offered to help her escape the situation for €5,000, which Anne paid.
By this point, Anne had sold all her belongings, moved in with a friend, and set up an online fundraising page to cover her legal costs. The emotional toll of the scam was severe, with Anne attempting suicide three times before being admitted to a clinic for depression.
The aftermath of the scam has left Anne financially ruined and emotionally shattered. She is now seeking justice and has become a cautionary tale of the dangers of online scams targeting people’s deepest desires for connection and love. A prior incident in Spain saw five individuals arrested for pretending to be Brad Pitt and defrauding two women of €325,000 using similar tactics.