Anne, a 53-year-old French interior designer, fell victim to an elaborate online romance scam orchestrated by a Nigerian fraudster posing as Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. The scammer initiated contact through Instagram, pretending to be Pitt’s mother and claiming the actor needed someone like Anne in his life. Shortly after, the fake “Brad Pitt” began messaging Anne directly, showering her with romantic poems, gestures, and promises of luxurious gifts. Vulnerable due to existing marital problems, Anne quickly became enamored with the online persona, ultimately divorcing her husband and receiving a settlement of €775,000. The scammer then began soliciting money from Anne, initially for “customs fees” on fictitious gifts and later for a fabricated cancer treatment. To further manipulate Anne, the scammer employed AI-generated images of Pitt in a hospital bed and had fake doctors email her about his supposed dire condition. He also claimed he couldn’t access his own funds due to his ongoing divorce from Angelina Jolie.
Over the course of a year, Anne wired approximately £697,000 to the scammer, believing she was supporting her beloved “Brad Pitt.” The charade crumbled when Anne saw pictures of the real Brad Pitt with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon. However, even then, the scammer attempted to maintain the illusion by sending fake news articles claiming Pitt was secretly dating someone special. Adding insult to injury, someone posing as an FBI agent then contacted Anne, offering to “rescue” her from the scam for an additional fee. Anne, devastated and financially ruined, was left homeless, battling severe depression, and facing public mockery after her story aired on French television. She has since launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover her legal fees and has been hospitalized following multiple suicide attempts.
Marwan Ouarab, founder of Find My Scammer, successfully tracked down the Nigerian scammer using a booby-trapped link to gain access to his phone. Ouarab’s investigation revealed the scammer’s identity, his Nigerian base of operations, and a network of 34 other victims. The investigation also uncovered that the scammer operates within a small group of three or four individuals and has already moved on to impersonating another celebrity, Keanu Reeves. Ouarab has shared evidence with Nigerian authorities and Interpol but expressed doubts about their willingness to take action, fearing the scammer will remain at large. The incident underscores the growing sophistication of online romance scams and the devastating impact they can have on victims.
This particular case highlights several common tactics employed by romance scammers. The scammer exploited Anne’s emotional vulnerability by preying on her marital problems and showering her with attention and affection. The use of a celebrity persona added a layer of allure and credibility to the scam. The fabricated cancer treatment story created a sense of urgency and tugged at Anne’s heartstrings, making her more likely to part with her money. The use of AI-generated images and fake emails from doctors further solidified the deception. Finally, the scammer’s claim about being unable to access his own funds provided a seemingly plausible explanation for why he needed Anne’s financial assistance.
The incident also underscores the challenges associated with prosecuting international scammers. While Ouarab’s team successfully identified the perpetrator and his location, the Nigerian authorities’ perceived inaction highlights the difficulties in pursuing justice across borders. This lack of accountability can embolden scammers, allowing them to continue operating with impunity. The case serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online interactions and the importance of verifying the identities of individuals encountered online, particularly those claiming to be celebrities. It also highlights the need for greater international cooperation in combatting online fraud and providing support for victims.
Brad Pitt’s team has publicly acknowledged the scam, labeling it “awful” and urging fans not to engage with unsolicited messages. They emphasized the importance of remembering that Pitt does not maintain any personal social media accounts. This incident is not an isolated case; Pitt has previously issued warnings about similar scams, including one in which two women were defrauded of over $350,000 by individuals posing as the actor. Spanish authorities arrested five suspects involved in that scheme, highlighting the global nature of these criminal activities. These cases serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and caution in the digital age, where scammers are becoming increasingly adept at exploiting vulnerabilities and manipulating emotions for financial gain.
