Anne, a 53-year-old interior decorator, spent a year and a half believing she was in a relationship with actor Brad Pitt. According to TF1’s “Seven to Eight” program, scammers using AI-generated content deceived her into losing nearly a million dollars.
The scam began in February 2023 after Anne joined Instagram. She was first approached by someone claiming to be Pitt’s mother, who suggested her son needed someone like Anne. A few days later, the fraudsters, posing as Pitt, contacted her directly.
Using fake social media accounts and AI-generated imagery, the scammers maintained the illusion for over 18 months. AFP reported that Anne struggles with mental health issues, which may have made her more vulnerable.
At one point, the fake Pitt claimed his bank accounts were frozen due to divorce proceedings with Angelina Jolie and requested 9,000 euros ($9,268) for assistance. The demands escalated when “Pitt” claimed he needed money for kidney cancer treatment, with AI-generated images showing him in a hospital bed.
“At first, I thought it was fake, that it was ridiculous,” Anne admitted. “But I’m not familiar with social media and didn’t understand what was happening to me. Like a fool, I paid. Every time I doubted, he managed to ease my suspicions.”
Anne realized the truth last summer when she saw photos of the real Brad Pitt with his partner, Inés de Ramon. After sharing her story on TF1’s primetime show, she faced cyberbullying, including ridicule from reputable organizations, highlighting the harsh aftermath of her ordeal.