In a heartbreaking tale of deception, a 53-year-old French woman named Anne found herself tricked into sending £697,000 to someone posing as Hollywood star Brad Pitt. The elaborate scam, which unfolded over months, preyed on Anne’s vulnerabilities and her trust in a false connection with the actor.
Anne’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online fraud and the lengths scammers will go to exploit their victims.
A Message That Started It All
The ordeal began in February 2023 when Anne received a social media message from someone claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother. “Hello, Anne,” the message read. “My mother told me a lot about you. I would like to know more.”
Initially skeptical, Anne couldn’t believe she was corresponding with a celebrity. However, the messages were persistent, and soon after, an account claiming to be Brad Pitt himself began reaching out. “At first, I told myself it’s fake, but I didn’t understand what was happening,” Anne explained during an interview with French media.
What began as simple conversations quickly turned into a daily interaction. Anne described the messages as heartfelt, saying, “He knew how to talk to women—it was always very well done.”
A Vulnerable Moment
At the time of the scam, Anne was going through a difficult period in her marriage. The messages from the fake Brad Pitt provided her with a sense of comfort and companionship. “I was in a fragile state,” she admitted. “I liked the man I was talking to.”
The scammer cleverly used Anne’s vulnerabilities to gain her trust, slowly weaving a narrative of friendship, support, and eventually romance. “It felt real,” Anne shared, “even though deep down, I had doubts.”
The Emotional Manipulation
The imposter spun an elaborate story, claiming they needed financial help for cancer treatment. According to the scammer, Pitt couldn’t afford the funds due to his ongoing divorce from Angelina Jolie. To lend credibility to their story, the scammer sent AI-generated photos of the actor in a hospital bed, holding cards with personalized messages for Anne.
Anne was convinced. “It was so believable,” she recalled. “Who would think someone would go to such lengths to fake this?”
The Financial Toll
Over time, Anne transferred a staggering £697,000 to the fake Brad Pitt, believing she was helping him through his struggles. The scammer promised luxury gifts in return, such as Chanel and Hermès bags, but claimed Anne needed to pay customs fees first.
Despite sending thousands of euros for these supposed fees, Anne never received any of the promised items. “Every time there was an excuse,” she said. “It was always something else that needed to be paid.”
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The Turning Point
Anne’s suspicions grew when she saw media reports of Brad Pitt publicly appearing with his new girlfriend, Ines de Ramon. Confused and betrayed, she decided to hire investigators to uncover the truth. What they found confirmed her worst fears: she had been the victim of an elaborate scam.
The realization left Anne devastated. “I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I had trusted this person, and it was all a lie.”
The Aftermath
The emotional and financial toll of the scam has been immense. Anne is currently receiving treatment at a hospital clinic for severe depression. While an investigation is reportedly underway, it is unclear whether Anne will recover any of the money she lost.
Her story echoes similar cases of celebrity impersonation scams. Last year, a representative for Brad Pitt warned fans about these schemes, saying, “It’s awful that scammers take advantage of fans’ strong connection with celebrities. This is a reminder not to respond to unsolicited online outreach, especially from actors who have no social media presence.”
A Harsh Lesson
Anne’s experience highlights the dangers of online scams and the emotional manipulation that often accompanies them. She hopes her story will serve as a warning to others. “If it can stop someone else from going through this, then maybe something good can come from it,” she said.
Experts urge people to be cautious when interacting with strangers online, especially those claiming to be celebrities. As Anne’s case demonstrates, even the most elaborate stories can be fabrications designed to exploit trust and vulnerability.
Moving Forward
Though the road to recovery will be long, Anne remains hopeful that justice will be served. “I want people to know what happened so they can protect themselves,” she said.
Her story is a reminder of the importance of vigilance in the digital age and the need for greater awareness about the tactics scammers use to prey on unsuspecting victims.
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