A woman was recently scammed out of £700,000 in a romance con involving an AI pretending to be Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. The victim, a 53-year-old French woman known only as Anne, fell for the scam while going through marital troubles with her millionaire husband. The elaborate scheme began in February 2023 when Anne received a message from a fake Brad Pitt account after posting photos on Instagram. The fraudster used romantic gestures, poetry, and AI-generated images and videos to convince Anne she was in a relationship with the real Brad Pitt.
Initially sceptical, Anne was charmed by the scammer’s consistent efforts and promises of lavish gifts. The con artist asked for small payments upfront for customs fees and later requested larger sums, especially after discovering Anne was expecting a substantial divorce settlement. The scam peaked when the impostor claimed Brad Pitt needed financial assistance for kidney cancer treatment, citing frozen assets due to his divorce with Angelina Jolie. Despite transferring £697,000 to the scammer, Anne never had a direct conversation with the fake Brad Pitt.
Anne’s suspicions were confirmed when she saw reports of the real Brad Pitt dating someone else. Realising she had been deceived, she reported the scam to the police and is currently undergoing treatment for depression. The ordeal has left her heartbroken and devastated by the loss of a significant amount of money.
Romance scams are unfortunately common, preying on individuals’ emotions and vulnerabilities. It is crucial to be cautious when engaging in online relationships, especially if requests for money or gifts are involved. Seeking verification and conducting thorough research can help prevent falling victim to such scams.
In conclusion, Anne’s story serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers of online relationships and the importance of staying vigilant to protect oneself from falling prey to deceptive schemes. It highlights the need for awareness and caution when interacting with strangers on the internet, especially in romantic contexts.