The Brad Pitt scam is a cautionary tale of how sophisticated online scams can prey on the vulnerable and the unwary. In January 2025, a French woman named Anne revealed that she had been conned out of nearly $1 million by fraudsters who claimed to be the Hollywood star Brad Pitt
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. The story, which has since gone viral, highlights the dangers of unsolicited online messages and the use of AI-generated images in elaborate scams
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Anne’s ordeal began in February 2023 when she received a message on Instagram from someone claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother
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. The message said that Brad needed someone like Anne
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. Initially skeptical, Anne eventually engaged with the scammer, believing she was chatting with the actor himself
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. Over the course of a year, the fraudsters sent her AI-generated images of Brad Pitt, including photos of him in a hospital bed, claiming he needed money for cancer treatment
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The scammers convinced Anne that Brad’s bank accounts had been frozen by his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, and that he needed financial assistance
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. Anne, who was going through a difficult divorce herself, transferred a total of $850,000 to the scammers
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. It wasn’t until she saw pictures of the real Brad Pitt with his girlfriend, Inès de Ramon, that she realized she had been duped
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Brad Pitt’s representative responded to the story, urging the public to be cautious of unsolicited online messages, especially from celebrities who do not have official social media profiles
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. The scam has raised awareness about the dangers of AI-generated images and deepfakes, which can be used to create convincing fake profiles and deceive people.
Anne’s story has also highlighted the emotional toll that such scams can take on victims. She has faced online harassment and mockery, but she has chosen to speak out to raise awareness and help others avoid falling victim to similar scams
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. Her bravery in coming forward has sparked a conversation about the need for better online safety measures and the importance of verifying the authenticity of online messages.
If you want to learn more about the Brad Pitt scam, you can watch the interview with Anne on the French TV show Sept à Huit here.
This story serves as a reminder to always be vigilant online and to verify the authenticity of any unexpected messages, especially those claiming to be from celebrities. It’s a sad reality that scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but by staying informed and cautious, we can protect ourselves and others from falling victim to these schemes.
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Hollywood Life | MSN
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Live Mint | MSN
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www.firstpost.com
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www.nbcnews.com
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