A French woman lost $850,000 in a sophisticated scam after believing she was in an online relationship with an AI-generated version of actor Brad Pitt. The fraud began in February 2023 when scammers first made contact through social media, initially posing as Pitt’s mother to establish trust.
Over the course of a year, the scammers used advanced AI technology to create convincing photos, personalized messages, and even deepfake videos of the Hollywood star. When the victim expressed concerns about the lack of visual communication, the fraudsters produced an AI-generated video to maintain the deception. The victim was close to marriage as the scammers had nearly convinced her to accept a proposal.
They also created a fake TV news report to counter real media coverage of Pitt’s actual relationship status. The victim became so invested in the fake relationship that she divorced her husband.
The scammers then targeted her $775,000 divorce settlement. They requested money for various reasons, including customs fees for luxury gifts and treatment for a fake kidney cancer diagnosis. The victim’s own daughter warned her about the scam, but she remained convinced of the relationship’s authenticity. They claimed Pitt’s accounts were frozen due to his ongoing divorce proceedings.
The fraud extended beyond just impersonating Pitt. The scammers used AI to create convincing communications from people claiming to be Pitt’s family members and manager. They even sent AI-generated romantic poetry to strengthen the emotional connection.
The deception finally unraveled in summer 2024 when the victim saw news coverage of Pitt’s real-life girlfriend. After she reported the crime, Brad Pitt’s representative issued a statement condemning the scammers.
French police are now investigating the scheme. The victim faced public ridicule after sharing her story, leading some media platforms to remove coverage of the incident.
This case highlights a growing trend in celebrity impersonation scams, where criminals use increasingly sophisticated AI technology to create convincing fake personas. The total loss amounted to approximately 830,000 euros, equivalent to $850,000.
