A woman who was conned out of $850,000 after being tricked by a scammer pretending to be Brad Pitt has given a new update.
If you aren’t aware of this story, a French widow and grandmother named Anne fell victim to a shocking scam.
The ordeal began in 2023 when Anne was first contacted on Instagram by someone claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother.
Shortly after, she was approached by another account pretending to be the actor himself, sparking a fake online romance.
Anne described her initial reaction to the messages as disbelief. “In fact, we’re talking about Brad Pitt, I’m falling from the clouds. At first, I tell myself it’s fake, but I don’t really understand what’s happening to me,” per BBC News.
Over time, Anne and the scammer began communicating daily. She said the messages quickly turned into a romantic relationship.
“There are so few men who write you this kind of thing. I liked the man I was talking to. He knew how to talk to women, it was always very well done.”
Anne was convinced to send large sums of money to the scammer, who claimed the funds were needed for “cancer treatment costs” and other personal expenses.
To sustain the illusion, the fraudster used AI-generated images and intricate details, even going so far as to propose marriage.
“He made me dream. He used all the right words, all the poetry,” Anne said, reflecting on the ordeal.
It wasn’t until the summer of 2024 that Anne realized she had been duped after seeing photos of Brad Pitt with his new girlfriend, Ines de Ramon.
Anne’s lawyer, Laurène Hanna, confirmed her client is now attempting to recover the lost funds. The scam has left Anne homeless and emotionally devastated.
“Love scams on the internet are not new,” Hanna explained. “Anne is really not the only one. What my client needs is to be given some sensible advice and to be treated with dignity.”
In response to the story, Brad Pitt’s representatives issued a statement condemning the scam.
Speaking to The Independent, they said: “It’s awful that scammers take advantage of the strong bond between fans and celebrities.
“This is an important reminder not to respond to unsolicited online messages, especially from actors who are not present on social networks.”
