A French woman, identified as Anne, was scammed out of nearly $850,000 after being convinced she was in a romantic relationship with actor Brad Pitt. The fraudster used AI-generated images and videos to trick Anne into believing the relationship was real, even claiming Pitt needed financial help for “cancer treatment.” The scam began in 2023 when Anne received messages from an account impersonating Pitt’s mother, followed by “Pitt” himself.
The scam escalated with promises of gifts and marriage, requiring Anne to pay customs fees and medical bills. The fraudster even sent AI-altered images of “Pitt” in a hospital bed holding messages for her. Anne, divorcing her millionaire husband at the time, disclosed her financial situation to the scammer, who took advantage of her vulnerability.
It wasn’t until Anne saw reports of Pitt dating someone else in 2024 that she realized the deception. By then, she had lost almost a million euros and reported the incident to the police. The emotional toll left her hospitalized for severe depression.
This incident highlights the dangers of romance scams, which often target vulnerable individuals seeking connection. Experts urge caution with online relationships and emphasize the importance of verifying identities to avoid such devastating losses.
