A French woman lost €830,000 (£700,000; $850,000) to scammers posing as actor Brad Pitt in a sophisticated fraud operation involving artificial intelligence and deepfakes. The case, which has sparked widespread attention and debate, highlights the growing dangers of online scams and the devastating impact they can have on victims.
The victim, Anne, a 53-year-old interior designer, shared her ordeal on a French primetime program aired by TF1, which has since been pulled after the broadcast triggered a wave of online harassment against her. In her testimony, Anne revealed how she was manipulated over 18 months into believing she was in a romantic relationship with the Hollywood star.
“I just got played,” Anne later told a popular YouTube show. “I admit it, but that’s why I came forward—because I am not the only one.”
How the Scam Unfolded
Anne’s ordeal began in February 2023 when she downloaded Instagram and was contacted by someone claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother, Jane Etta. The alleged “mother” claimed that her son needed “a woman just like her.” The next day, a person posing as Pitt reached out.
Though initially suspicious, Anne, unfamiliar with social media and advanced online scams, was gradually convinced by the fraudsters. They used AI-generated photos, fake news videos, and emotional manipulation to build trust. The scammers claimed Pitt’s accounts were frozen due to his divorce proceedings with Angelina Jolie and requested money for luxury gift deliveries, customs fees, and later, kidney cancer treatment.
“They sent me photos of Brad Pitt in a hospital bed,” Anne said. “I looked them up online but couldn’t find them, so I thought they were just for me.”
Anne ultimately gave away her life savings, including a €775,000 divorce settlement from her wealthy entrepreneur ex-husband. Her suspicions only grew when tabloids revealed Pitt’s real-life relationship with Ines de Ramon, but the scammers countered with an AI-generated news video falsely affirming his supposed exclusive relationship with Anne.
The Fallout
When Anne finally confronted the scammers and refused further demands, they introduced a new persona: “Special FBI Agent John Smith,” attempting to extract more money. At this point, Anne reported the fraud to the police.
The fallout has been catastrophic for Anne. Now living with a friend, she has described her life as reduced to “a small room with some boxes.” Her attempts to take her life three times since the scam came to light underscore the emotional toll such crimes can exact.
“I told myself I was saving a man’s life,” said Anne, who is herself a cancer survivor. “Why was I chosen to be hurt this way?”
Public Backlash and Mixed Reactions
The TF1 program faced backlash for the public mockery Anne endured following its airing. French football club Toulouse FC issued an apology after posting a now-deleted joke about Anne on social media. Similarly, Netflix France faced criticism for a post advertising “four films with Brad Pitt (for real).”
While Anne has faced widespread ridicule online, some have come to her defense. “We’re talking about a woman in her 50s who was targeted with advanced AI deepfakes that most people wouldn’t recognize,” one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote.
An op-ed in the French newspaper Libération called Anne a “whistleblower,” warning that her case is a sign of things to come. “Life today is paved with cybertraps… and AI progress will only worsen this scenario.”
A Growing Threat
Experts and public figures have pointed out the alarming ease with which scammers can use AI to exploit victims. A representative for Brad Pitt told Entertainment Weekly: “It’s awful that scammers take advantage of fans’ strong connections with celebrities. People shouldn’t respond to unsolicited online outreach, especially from actors who have no social media presence.”
French authorities have launched an investigation into Anne’s case. Meanwhile, cybersecurity advocates urge vigilance in an increasingly digital and AI-driven world, where the line between reality and deception is growing ever thinner.
Anne’s plea remains simple but urgent: “Please help me find these people. They deserve hell.”
