A French woman’s harrowing experience of falling victim to an elaborate online scam involving an AI-generated version of Brad Pitt has sparked both sympathy and ridicule, leading to the withdrawal of a TV program recounting her story.
Anne, a 53-year-old interior designer, believed she was in a romantic relationship with the Hollywood actor for over a year. The scam began in February 2023, when she was contacted on Instagram by someone posing as Pitt’s mother. This led to daily exchanges with a person claiming to be Pitt, who used fake social media profiles, WhatsApp accounts, and AI-generated images to create a convincing illusion of love and trust.
The scammer eventually requested financial help, claiming Pitt needed funds for cancer treatment due to frozen accounts during a divorce from Angelina Jolie. Anne, recently divorced and emotionally vulnerable, transferred €830,000 to cover these fabricated medical expenses.
Anne said she realized she had been duped only after seeing media coverage of Pitt with his partner, Inés de Ramon. In an emotional interview with TF1’s Seven to Eight program, she shared: “I ask myself why they chose me to do such harm like this. I’ve never harmed anyone. These people deserve hell.”
Her story, however, became a target for online mockery. Satirical posts flooded social media, with some brands, like Toulouse Football Club and Netflix France, making light of her experience before issuing apologies. The backlash was severe enough that TF1 removed the segment from its online platforms, citing a need to protect victims of such scams.
TF1 presenter Harry Roselmack highlighted Anne’s mental health struggles, including a history of depression and hospitalization, as part of the decision to withdraw the program.
Anne’s ordeal serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online scams, especially those exploiting advanced AI technology to fabricate relationships. While her experience has drawn ridicule, it also highlights the importance of empathy and awareness. Such schemes prey on trust, leaving victims not only financially devastated but also grappling with profound emotional harm.