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Hollywood star Brad Pitt has spoken out after a 53-year-old French woman, Anne, fell victim to a catfishing scheme that cost her nearly $850,000. Fraudsters used artificial intelligence to impersonate the actor and trick her into believing she was in a romantic relationship with him.
The scam unfolded over 18 months, during which Anne received love declarations, marriage proposals, and AI-generated images of Pitt in a hospital bed. The scammers claimed he was undergoing cancer treatment and needed financial help, citing his ex-wife Angelina Jolie as having frozen his bank accounts.
Speaking on French television program Sept à Huit, Anne recounted how she was contacted by someone posing as Pitt's mother, Jane Etta Pitt. This introduction led to her developing an emotional connection with someone she believed to be the actor. "There are so few men who write you this kind of thing," Anne explained. "I liked the man I was talking to. He knew how to talk to women, it was always very well done."
Anne transferred large sums of money, believing it would pay for customs fees and later medical bills. Despite warnings from her daughter and growing doubts, she was reassured by messages from a supposed doctor, who claimed Pitt's life was in danger.
"It hurt me to do it," Anne said, "but I told myself that I might save a man's life." She only realized the deception in mid-2024 when photos of the real Pitt with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, surfaced online.
Reacting to the incident, Pitt's spokesperson issued a statement, saying, "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."
French police are now investigating the scam, which left Anne emotionally and financially devastated. Reports indicate she has been hospitalized with depression. Pitt's representatives also referenced similar incidents in Spain in 2024, where five arrests were made in connection with a similar scheme amounting to €340,000.
Anne, who lost most of her savings, expressed her anguish: "I ask myself why they chose me to do such harm like this. I've never harmed anyone. These people deserve hell."
Meanwhile, Sept à Huit pulled the episode featuring Anne to curb cyberbullying sparked by the broadcast.
