A shocking case of deception has emerged from France, where a woman has fallen victim to a scam involving an AI impersonation of the Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, resulting in a staggering loss of €830,000 (£700,000; $850,000). The victim, Anne, a 53-year-old interior designer, believed she was in a relationship with Pitt for a year and a half, and her plight has drawn both empathy and ridicule from the public.
During the broadcast of a primetime program on the French network TF1, which focused on her experience, Anne spoke out about how she was manipulated and ultimately conned by individuals pretending to be the acclaimed actor. In a candid interview with a popular French YouTube channel, she expressed her frustration at being perceived as "crazy" for falling victim to the elaborate scam. “I just got played,” she stated, emphasizing that she was not alone in facing such predicaments.
A representative for Brad Pitt condemned the actions of the scammers, stating it was "awful that fans' strong connection with celebrities is exploited." They advised the public against responding to unsolicited outreach, notably involving actors who lack social media presence. Despite the seriousness of the situation, Anne has faced cruel mockery on various social media platforms following her story's revelation, a reaction that prompted TF1 to withdraw the program to protect her from harassment.
The ordeal began for Anne shortly after she downloaded Instagram in February 2023, while still married to a wealthy entrepreneur. She was allegedly contacted by someone claiming to be Pitt's mother, initiating a fraudulent relationship. The scam escalated with requests for money under various pretenses, including urgent medical needs for Pitt. Anne expressed her misguided belief that she was helping to save a life, ultimately leading to her financial ruin.
After a difficult divorce and losing her life savings to the fraudulent operation, Anne's situation deteriorated, culminating in multiple suicide attempts. The troubling circumstances surrounding her case have ignited discussions about the dangers of AI deepfakes and how they can deceive even the savviest individuals. Despite much of the online community mocking her, there are those who empathize with her plight, noting the vulnerability that comes with romance scams, heightened by the advancements in technology.
As Anne's story unfolds, she now resides with a friend, grappling with immense emotional and financial strain. The issue highlights an urgent need for awareness around the potential of AI in online fraud. With ongoing investigations into the scam, Anne has made a public plea for assistance in tracking down the perpetrators.
