AI Brad Pitt duped a French woman out of €830,000, thus highlighting the increasing threat posed by AI-assisted scams. A French interior designer fell victim to an elaborate scam involving fraudsters posing as actor Brad Pitt. The woman, aged 53, was conned out of €830,000 (£700,000; $850,000) after being led to believe she was in a relationship with the Hollywood star for over a year.
The case has sparked widespread mockery, forcing French broadcaster TF1 to withdraw a segment about her experience due to the backlash and harassment it generated.
Victim Conned Through Social Media Hoax
French authorities are investigating after AI Brad Pitt duped a French woman out of €830,000, leaving her financially and emotionally devastated. The ordeal began in February 2023 when the victim downloaded Instagram. Someone claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother, Jane Etta, contacted her. The imposter said Pitt needed “a woman just like her.” Shortly after, an individual pretending to be Pitt contacted directly, initiating a series of deceptive exchanges.
The scammers convinced the woman to transfer money under false pretenses. They claimed Pitt’s bank accounts were frozen due to his divorce from Angelina Jolie and that he needed funds to pay customs fees on luxury gifts he tried to send her. Later, the fraudsters fabricated a story about Pitt requiring money for kidney cancer treatment, even sharing AI-generated photos of him in a hospital bed to gain sympathy.
Life Savings Lost to Scammers
The victim, who was awarded €775,000 in a divorce settlement from her wealthy husband, sent all of her savings to the scammers. Despite doubts raised by her daughter and others, the victim remained convinced of the relationship due to the scammers’ manipulative tactics.
The situation escalated when gossip magazines published photos of the real Brad Pitt with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, in mid-2024. To cover their tracks, the fraudsters sent a fake news video featuring an AI-generated anchor claiming Pitt was in an exclusive relationship with the victim.
The truth became clear when Pitt’s relationship with Ines de Ramon was officially confirmed in June 2024. After additional attempts by the scammers to extort money, including posing as an FBI agent, the victim approached the police. Authorities are now investigating the case.
Public and Celebrity Reactions
A representative for Brad Pitt condemned the scam, stating, “It’s appalling that scammers exploit the strong connection fans feel toward celebrities.” The spokesperson also warned against responding to unsolicited online messages, particularly from individuals impersonating public figures.
The shocking story of how AI Brad Pitt duped a French woman out of €830,000 has sparked debates on online safety and fraud prevention. While the case has drawn mockery on social media, some users have defended the victim. Many pointed out the difficulty older generations face in recognizing AI-generated scams. An op-ed in Libération highlighted the increasing dangers posed by technology, calling the victim a “whistleblower” for sharing her story.
Harassment Forces TF1 to Pull Segment
TF1 was criticized for its handling of the story. After the segment aired, the victim experienced a wave of online abuse. The broadcaster removed the program from its lineup but has not removed it entirely from online platforms.
The victim now lives with a friend and has little left from her previous life. She expressed deep pain over the scam and said the perpetrators deserved to face justice. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat posed by AI-assisted scams. Experts urge caution while interacting online and emphasize the need for greater awareness of digital fraud tactics.
