A 61-year-old French woman, Anne, was scammed out of €830,000 ($850,000) after believing she was in a romantic relationship with Brad Pitt. The scammers used fake social media and WhatsApp accounts, as well as AI image-creating technology, to convince her she was communicating with the Hollywood star.
Anne, who suffers from mental health problems and depression, spent 18 months convinced she was in love with Pitt. She even divorced her husband and transferred funds into a bank account under his name. However, after news of Pitt’s real-life relationship with Ines de Ramon emerged, Anne realized she had been scammed.
The interview, which went viral on Monday, sparked a wave of online harassment and mockery. TF1 presenter Harry Roselmack announced the program’s withdrawal from their platforms due to concerns for the safety of the victim. Some critics accused TF1 of failing to protect Anne, who may not have been aware of the consequences of going public.
Experts say AI-powered scams are increasing the risk of identity theft, hoaxes, and online fraud. The French woman told TF1 that she was first contacted by someone posing as Pitt’s mother, claiming he needed her help. She explained how she fell victim to the scam, saying “I’ve never harmed anyone. These people deserve hell.”
Romantic scams have been a feature of the internet since its inception, but AI-powered technology has made it harder to detect and prevent such crimes. The incident highlights the need for greater awareness and protection measures online.
Source: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250114-french-woman-faces-cyberbullying-after-falling-for-fake-brad-pitt