In a shocking case that highlights the dangers of online scams, Hollywood A-lister Brad Pitt has spoken out against the “awful” fraudsters who duped a French woman into believing she was in a relationship with him. The scammers, impersonating the Oscar-winning actor, manipulated the 53-year-old interior designer, identified only as Anne, into sending them over €830,000 ($854,940) during an elaborate catfishing scheme spanning more than a year.
Pitt’s spokesperson addressed the viral story, which first emerged on the French news program Seven to Eight, in a statement to E! News. “It’s awful that scammers take advantage of the strong bond between fans and celebrities,” the representative said. “But this is an important reminder not to respond to unsolicited online outreach, especially from actors who have no social media presence.”
The Elaborate Scam Unfolds
The fraudulent online relationship reportedly began in February 2023 when Anne, who was married to a wealthy entrepreneur at the time, received a message from someone posing as Pitt’s mother. This initial contact led to another account reaching out to Anne, this time claiming to be the Fight Club star himself.
Over the course of more than a year and a half, the scammers communicated with Anne using fake social media profiles, WhatsApp accounts, and AI-generated images designed to look like selfies of Pitt. They even produced an apparent copy of Pitt’s passport to bolster their credibility.
Exploiting Trust and Empathy
The impersonator spun a tale of financial hardship, claiming that Pitt needed assistance paying for cancer treatment because his accounts had been frozen due to ongoing divorce proceedings with ex-wife Angelina Jolie. Anne received AI-generated pictures showing the actor appearing to be hospitalized.
Moved by the fraudulent plea, Anne transferred hundreds of thousands of euros to the scammer for purported medical expenses. It wasn’t until this summer, when she saw a photograph of Pitt with his current partner, Inés de Ramón, that she realized she had fallen victim to an elaborate scam.
“I thought we were in love,” Anne said during her appearance on Seven to Eight. “My money was stolen, but worse, my heart was broken.”
A Cautionary Tale
The program reported that Anne has filed a police complaint over the scam and has been receiving treatment for severe depression and other mental health issues triggered by the traumatic experience. TF1 subsequently removed the episode from its replay services after the story went viral, sparking a wave of online jokes about gullibility.
Pitt’s spokesperson emphasized the importance of exercising caution when engaging with unsolicited online communications, particularly those purportedly from celebrities who maintain no official social media presence. This distressing case serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated tactics employed by online scammers and the devastating emotional and financial toll their deception can take on unsuspecting victims.
- Always verify the source of unexpected online messages, especially those from public figures.
- Be wary of requests for money, no matter how convincing the story may seem.
- Report any suspected scams to the appropriate authorities to help prevent others from falling victim.
As the world becomes increasingly interconnected through digital platforms, it is more crucial than ever to remain vigilant against those who seek to exploit the trust and admiration fans have for their favorite celebrities. By staying informed and alert, we can help protect ourselves and others from falling prey to the manipulative tactics of online scammers.
