Brad Pitt slams 'awful' scammers who duped French woman out of €830,000

Anne, 53-year-old French interior designer, was sure that she was dating Brad Pitt when the truth eventually unveiled itself-that someone posing as Pitt had cheated her of €830,000. It started when a woman pretending to be Pitt's mother got in touch with Anne. Later on, it transpired into emailing someone pretending to be Pitt. For more than a year, Anne had been corresponding with the fraudster through fake social media profiles and WhatsApp accounts. The imposter even sent AI-generated images of Pitt, convincing Anne of the false relationship and prompting her to send money for supposed cancer treatments. The scam came to light when Anne saw a photo of Pitt with his real partner, Inés de Ramón, which revealed the deception. A spokesperson for Brad Pitt responded to the distressing scam, expressing sympathy for Anne and condemning the perpetrators. “It’s awful that scammers take advantage of the strong bond between fans and celebrities,” said the spokesperson. The statement emphasized the importance of being cautious when engaging with unsolicited online messages, particularly from celebrities who do not have official social media accounts. Brad Pitt, who has always kept a relatively low-profile online presence, has become a cautionary figure in this scam, with the incident shining a light on the vulnerabilities that exist in digital spaces. This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of online fraud and manipulation. The story of Anne’s devastating experience quickly went viral after it aired on the French news program Seven to Eight on TF1. Many viewers reacted with mockery, sparking a wave of jokes online about Anne’s gullibility. However, the situation took a more serious turn as it was revealed that Anne had been dealing with mental health struggles, including severe depression. Following the airing of the segment, the channel decided to remove the episode from its replay services, acknowledging the negative response and the potential harm caused by the online mockery. Despite the viral nature of the story, the focus has shifted toward raising awareness about online safety and the emotional toll such scams can have on individuals. The story of Anne’s scam is a stark reminder of the ever-present threat of online fraud, particularly for vulnerable individuals who may not be aware of the sophisticated ways scammers exploit technology. From fake social media profiles to AI-generated images, scammers can create convincing personas that trick people into parting with large sums of money. Brad Pitt’s response to the situation underscores the need for greater caution when interacting online, especially when the target is a celebrity with a limited digital footprint. This tragic case serves as both a cautionary tale and a call for stronger protections against online deception.