Introduction

A shocking story has emerged from France, where a 53-year-old interior designer named Anne claims she was duped out of a staggering $850,000 by an AI impersonating Hollywood star Brad Pitt. The elaborate scam began when Anne received an unexpected message from someone posing as Pitt's mother, Jane, who claimed her son urgently needed financial help for kidney treatment.

The Initial Contact

“She reached out saying Brad needed someone like me,” Anne revealed during a Sunday interview on the French TV show "Seven to Eight" on TF1. Initially skeptical, Anne later got drawn into the ruse, convinced that Pitt’s financial troubles stemmed from difficulties accessing his bank accounts during his contentious divorce from Angelina Jolie.

Getting Drawn into the Scam

“I thought it seemed ridiculous, but I’m not very savvy with social media, and before I knew it, I was in deep,” Anne admitted. This unfortunate incident echoes a recently reported scam that ensnared fans of actor Johnny Depp, who had warned others about impersonators exploiting his image online, prompting nearly 200 complaints to the Federal Trade Commission about similar schemes.

The Year-long Deception

Over the course of a year, Anne received personalized messages and AI-generated photos from the scammer via social media and messaging applications, starting in February 2023 when she joined Instagram to post about her skiing adventures in the French Alps. Seeking connection and companionship, particularly as she deals with mental health challenges, the scam took a devastating toll on her personal life, ultimately exacerbating her situation as she parted ways with her husband.

The Shocking Discovery

After discovering the truth, Anne felt betrayed, especially upon seeing news reports of Pitt's girlfriend, Ines de Ramon. “I can't believe I fell for this. It feels like a cruel bait-and-switch,” she said. In light of these events, she has bravely filed a police report, seeking justice against the perpetrators.

Cyberbullying Fallout

In a troubling twist, the fallout from her interview has led to cyberbullying directed at Anne, raising concerns about the responsibilities media outlets have in protecting vulnerable individuals. Social media users have criticized TF1 for not safeguarding her against online harassment, with Netflix France even chiming in online with the insensitive post promoting "four films to see with Brad Pitt (really) for free."

Media Response and Acknowledgment

In response to the backlash, TF1 has pulled the interview from their programming, acknowledging the sensitive nature of the story and the urgency of the matter. "This situation reveals the darker side of technology and the internet," Anne lamented. “I can't help but question why they would choose to harm me like this. These scammers deserve severe consequences.”

Conclusion and Ongoing Discussions

As this news continues to unfold, it raises critical questions about the protection of individuals against sophisticated scams and the role of social media in escalating or alleviating such incidents. Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates on this distressing case.