Anne, a 53-year-old French interior designer, fell victim to an elaborate online romance scam orchestrated by individuals impersonating Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. The scam began with an Instagram message purportedly from Pitt’s mother, followed by direct messages from “Brad” himself. Over the course of a year, the scammers cultivated a relationship with Anne, showering her with romantic poems, AI-generated photos and videos, and personalized text messages. The skillfully crafted messages, designed to appeal to a woman’s emotional vulnerabilities, quickly captivated Anne, who believed she had found genuine love and connection. The illusion of a relationship with a world-renowned celebrity proved intoxicating, especially as Anne was experiencing difficulties in her marriage. The scammers exploited this vulnerability, creating a fantasy world where Anne felt cherished and understood.
The fabricated romance led Anne to make life-altering decisions. Believing she was in a genuine relationship with Brad Pitt, she divorced her husband and received a settlement of €775,000. The scammers then began requesting money for various fabricated expenses, starting with seemingly innocuous “customs fees” for luxury gifts, followed by increasingly larger sums purportedly for Pitt’s urgent medical treatment. Anne was led to believe that Pitt was battling kidney cancer and was unable to access his own funds due to his ongoing divorce from Angelina Jolie. Fake doctors even contacted her, emphasizing the severity of Pitt’s alleged condition. Driven by a desire to help the man she believed she loved, Anne wired substantial amounts of money to the scammers, ultimately totaling nearly £700,000.
Despite warnings from her daughter about the potential for a scam, Anne remained convinced of the relationship’s authenticity. She dismissed her daughter’s concerns, believing that the truth would be revealed when she finally met “Brad” in person. The scammers, adept at manipulating their victim, reinforced this belief by providing fake news updates about Pitt’s supposed secret relationship with a “special person,” further isolating Anne from her family and reinforcing her dependence on the fabricated relationship. This psychological manipulation effectively silenced any doubts and criticisms, preventing Anne from recognizing the deceitful nature of the situation.
The illusion finally shattered when Anne saw photographs of the real Brad Pitt with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon. However, even confronted with this irrefutable evidence, the scammers persisted, adding a final cruel twist to their scheme. Someone posing as an FBI agent offered to help Anne recover her money, demanding an additional £4,200 for their “services.” This final act of deception highlights the ruthless nature of the scammers, who preyed on Anne’s desperation even after their initial deception had been exposed. The emotional and financial toll of the scam left Anne devastated.
The consequences of this elaborate scam were devastating for Anne. Left penniless and homeless, she was forced to sell her belongings, move in with a friend, and launch a crowdfunding campaign to cover her legal fees. The emotional trauma led to three suicide attempts and hospitalization in a clinic specializing in severe depression. Anne’s story serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of online romance scams, which often target vulnerable individuals seeking connection and affection. The scammers’ meticulous planning and exploitation of emotional vulnerabilities highlight the sophistication and cruelty of these criminal operations.
This case is not an isolated incident. Similar scams involving Brad Pitt’s identity have been reported, including one in Spain where five individuals were arrested for defrauding two women of over €325,000. These recurring instances underscore the need for increased awareness and vigilance in the online dating world. Brad Pitt himself has issued warnings to his fans about these scams, emphasizing the importance of avoiding unsolicited online outreach, particularly from individuals claiming to be celebrities. He stresses that he does not have any personal social media accounts and urges fans to exercise caution when engaging online. Law enforcement agencies also play a crucial role in investigating and prosecuting these crimes, working to recover stolen funds and bring the perpetrators to justice.
