Introduction

In an outrageous twist of fate, a French woman fell victim to a sophisticated scam involving an AI-generated impersonation of Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt, leading her to lose a staggering €800,000 (£700,000). The deceit unfolded over a year and a half, as the woman believed she was in a romantic relationship with the famous actor, who purportedly needed financial assistance for urgent cancer treatment.

The Beginning of the Scam

The saga began when a message arrived from an account claiming to be Jane Etta Pitt, the alleged mother of the actor. This initial contact asserted that the woman was precisely what her son needed. Just a day later, an AI-generated version of Pitt himself reached out, seeking to learn more about her.

The Blooming Deceit

As their fake romance blossomed, the impersonation escalated dramatically. The false Brad Pitt showered her with poetic love letters and declarations, culminating in a proposal of marriage. Unbeknownst to the woman, this elaborate ruse was meticulously designed by scammers to extract money from her.

Vulnerability Exposed

During the time of this emotional manipulation, the victim was navigating a divorce from a wealthy entrepreneur nearly two decades her senior, which perhaps made her more vulnerable to the charade. The requests for financial assistance commenced when the scammer claimed he was sending her luxury handbags—yet insisted she cover the customs fees, starting with a hefty €9,000 charge.

Escalation of the Scam

The situation took a more dire turn when the AI, still masquerading as Pitt, claimed he had been hospitalized with kidney cancer. To further the deceit, he alleged that his former wife, Angelina Jolie, had frozen his bank accounts, leaving him financially incapacitated.

The Desperate Transfers

Despite harboring some skepticism, the woman fell deeper into the scam after receiving emails from a fake "doctor," who echoed the false narrative that Pitt was in critical condition. In a desperate attempt to help, she transferred nearly €800,000 to an account located in Turkey.

A Harrowing Realization

"I couldn’t believe I was talking to Brad Pitt; I was in disbelief," she recounted. "At first, I thought it was all too good to be true, but I was confused about the reality of the situation."

Confrontation and Denial

The illusion of romance persisted until her daughter confronted her, warning that her mother was being deceived. However, the woman held steadfast in her conviction of their impending meeting, exclaiming, "You’ll see when he’s here in person, then you’ll say sorry."

The Shocking Revelation

The shocking revelation came in the summer of 2024 when the real Brad Pitt was publicly seen with his current girlfriend, Inès de Ramon, leading the woman to realize she had been cruelly scammed. She later shared her distressing ordeal with French broadcaster TF1, but her revelation was quickly pulled from airwaves amid a wave of cyberbullying directed at her.

Conclusion

This alarming incident highlights the growing threat of AI technology utilized in romantic scams, prompting urgent law enforcement investigations. It serves as a cautionary tale illustrating just how far scammers will go to exploit emotions and how imperative it is for individuals to verify the authenticity of online relationships.