French Woman Scammed of $820K by Fake Brad Pitt Using AI

A French woman fell victim to a scam in which a fraudster impersonated Hollywood star Brad Pitt, defrauding her of approximately $820,000. The scammer leveraged personal chats and AI-generated images to convince the victim of their false identity.

The scam began on social media, where the perpetrator initiated contact with the woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous. Over time, the fraudster gained her trust, sending messages and AI-generated photos depicting “Brad Pitt” in medical settings. The scammer claimed to be undergoing treatment for a severe health condition but was unable to access funds due to alleged legal complications from his divorce with Angelina Jolie.

Manipulated by these claims, the victim sent substantial sums of money, believing it was for medical expenses. French authorities and cybersecurity experts are investigating the case, emphasizing how advanced technologies like AI and deepfake images can be weaponized for fraud.

This incident highlights the importance of verifying identities, especially when interacting with individuals claiming to be celebrities, who rarely engage directly with fans online. Officials urge people to be cautious with unsolicited messages and financial requests and to report such activities to cybercrime units.

The victim, devastated by the ordeal, has shared her experience to warn others about the dangers of online scams. Experts advise verifying identities through official channels and refraining from sending money to people met only online.

For more information on staying safe online or reporting scams, individuals are encouraged to contact local cybercrime authorities.