AI-Generated Brad Pitt Scams Woman Out of €830,000
A 53-year-old French woman fell victim to fraudsters who used AI-generated photos and videos of Brad Pitt to impersonate the famous actor, ultimately scamming her out of €830,000. This bizarre case highlights how advancing AI technology can be exploited for malicious purposes.
As technology progresses, it continues to be used for both good and bad. Unfortunately, this story falls into the latter category. The woman, identified as Anne, a 53-year-old interior designer, believed she was romantically involved with Brad Pitt online. She even divorced her husband, sending all the proceeds from her divorce settlement to scammers impersonating the Hollywood star.
Anne only realized she had been scammed when she read news about Brad Pitt’s real-life girlfriend. She subsequently filed a complaint with authorities, claiming fraud, and set up an online crowdfunding campaign to cover her legal expenses.
How the Scam Unfolded
Anne shared that the scam began in February 2023 when she created an Instagram account to post photos from her ski trip in the Alps. Soon after, she was contacted by a woman claiming to be “Jane Etta Pitt,” Brad Pitt’s mother. The woman told Anne, “My son needs a woman like you.” Shortly thereafter, a man claiming to be Brad Pitt messaged her, initiating regular conversations.
The victim explained, “It’s Brad Pitt we’re talking about—I was stunned. At first, I thought it was fake, but I couldn’t make sense of what was happening. We communicated daily and became friends.”
Anne, who admitted to being inexperienced with social media, requested proof of the man’s identity. In response, she received images of his passport, messages supposedly from people close to the actor, and AI-generated photos and videos. Over the next 18 months, she frequently chatted with the impersonator, exchanging poems and romantic messages, which strengthened their bond.
One day, the fake Brad Pitt proposed to her. Anne confessed she was very close to saying yes.
Deceptive Tactics
The scammers were highly strategic in their approach. The impersonator sent her messages about luxurious gifts he had supposedly purchased for her. However, he claimed that his accounts were frozen due to an ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, and requested €9,000 to pay customs fees for the gifts.
Later, he fabricated a story about being hospitalized with kidney cancer, claiming he needed €60,000 for treatment. The victim transferred this amount to a Turkish bank account. Ultimately, Anne lost her entire €775,000 divorce settlement and even sold her furniture to send more money.
After losing everything, she moved in with a friend and launched an online fundraising campaign to cover legal costs.
Devastating Consequences
The aftermath of the scam was severe for Anne. She reportedly attempted suicide three times and required hospitalization for clinical treatment.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of AI-driven scams and the need for vigilance when interacting online.