Brad Pitt Responds to “Awful” Love Scam Incident That Deceived a French Woman

In a shocking and heartbreaking incident that recently came to light, a 53-year-old French woman found herself entangled in a love scam that cost her $850,000. The perpetrator impersonated Hollywood star Brad Pitt, deepening the already complex relationship between fans and celebrities.

The Unfolding of the Scam

This peculiar tale was first broadcasted on the French show “Sept à huit” aired on TF1. Anne, a respected interior decorator from France, recounted her ordeal, describing how she fell victim to the scam after being convinced that she was in a romantic relationship with the real Brad Pitt.

• The scam began while Anne was on a holiday with her family in the French Alps.
• Anne initially engaged with what she believed was Brad Pitt’s mother on Instagram.
• She received AI-generated images and eloquent messages from the fraudster pretending to be Pitt.

The scam’s architect tugged skillfully at Anne’s heartstrings by claiming that the actor needed $1 million for kidney treatment and was unable to access his funds due to his divorce with Angelina Jolie. Anne, in the throes of her own marital struggles, chose to extend financial help.

The Costly Impact

Tangled in the web of deception, Anne managed to secure funds during her divorce settlement, all of which were transferred to the fraudster. The con-artist bolstered their deception with AI-generated photos purportedly showing Pitt in a hospital bed. This affair tragically concluded when Brad Pitt publicly introduced his relationship with Ines de Ramon during the Venice Film Festival.

Brad Pitt’s Reaction

In response to this harrowing experience, a spokesperson for Brad Pitt expressed his dismay at how scammers exploit the intimate bond between fans and celebrities. This troubling reality serves as a potent reminder to refrain from responding to unsolicited messages online, notably those from figures who lack a social media presence.

While Brad Pitt’s spokesperson acknowledged the scam’s detrimental effect, they extended a crucial reminder about online safety.

The Aftermath of the Hoax

Anne’s revelation on “Sept à huit” prompted widespread social media backlash, causing significant distress and emotional turmoil. TF1 opted to withdraw the segment from their platforms as criticism mounted against both Anne and the show’s portrayal of her ordeal.

Amidst the chaos, Anne expressed remorse via an interview with Le Figaro. She lamented that the situation was oversimplified and her intentions misrepresented. As she explained, she merely endeavored to assist someone she believed needed help, rather than succumbing to naive romantic fantasies often associated with the trope of falling for a celebrity.

A Pattern of Celebrity Scams

This scenario is sadly not isolated. Numerous scams exploiting the allure of celebrity romance have been reported, echoing similar cases in Europe. Notably, a group in Spain allegedly scam women, stealing over 325,000 euros under false pretenses.

While this incident highlights vulnerabilities in the digital age, it also calls attention to the need for heightened awareness and scrutiny regarding interactions with others online, celebrity or otherwise.

The story of Anne and her experience illustrates a broader issue of exploitation, reflecting not only the personal impact such scams have on victims but also the broader social implications when individuals become targets due to the misleading persona of celebrity allure.

Conclusion

The unfortunate situation faced by Anne underlines a critical aspect of online interactions: the importance of skepticism and the need to question the authenticity of digital identities. Such tragic outcomes underscore the powerful influence celebrities wield over fans, often inadvertently.

While this reality may be daunting, increasing public awareness and encouraging responsible digital engagement can safeguard individuals against falling prey to similar scams. In doing so, we can strive to protect the vulnerable from such manipulative deceit, fostering a safer digital environment for all.

Source: https://variety.com/2025/film/global/brad-pitt-responds-scam-french-woman-1236275941/