Imposter Brad Pitt “deserves hell” for scamming woman of $850,000

A distressing incident has emerged involving a French woman who lost a staggering $850,000 to a con artist posing as Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. This unfortunate individual, referred to as Anne, believed she was in a genuine romantic relationship with the star and was even convinced she was funding his cancer treatment.

The elaborate scam commenced in February 2023 when the 53-year-old Anne was contacted by someone claiming to be Pitt’s mother after she shared photos from a recent ski trip. The very next day, she received a direct message from the impersonator, who, despite her initial skepticism, ultimately managed to persuade her of his authenticity. The scammer offered emotional support, claiming to provide her comfort during a challenging divorce, and enticed her with the promise of extravagant gifts.

Inside the Deception: How Anne Fell Victim to the Fake Brad Pitt

The plot thickened when the scammer claimed that Pitt was suffering from kidney cancer and required urgent financial assistance for treatment, asserting that his assets were frozen due to ongoing divorce proceedings with Angelina Jolie. This manipulation became the turning point for Anne.

“There are so few men who write you this kind of thing. I liked the man I was talking to. He knew how to talk to women; it was always very well done,” Anne recounted in an interview with BFMTV.

The scammer employed sophisticated tactics to maintain the ruse, including fake social media profiles, WhatsApp accounts, and even deceptive AI-generated images of Pitt that appeared to be taken in a hospital setting. One particularly striking photo showed an edited image of Pitt holding a sign that read, “Anne, I love you,” while another image proclaimed, “I love you so much my wife.”

📸🇫🇷 Here are the photos, allegedly sent by Brad Pitt, that managed to fool Anne. https://t.co/rwf1QR6HLr pic.twitter.com/IJJEr14OiF

— AlertesInfos (@AlertesInfos) January 13, 2025

In a misguided act of love, Anne agreed to marry the impersonated star. She then made two critical financial blunders: the first being a demand to pay €9,000 ($9,265) for customs fees on gifts the scammer allegedly purchased for her. The second, a more significant error, occurred after her divorce when she transferred €775,000 ($797,823) to the scammer, believing it was needed for his medical care.

Anne’s revelation of the scam came when she saw the real Brad Pitt in public with his new girlfriend, Ines de Ramon. This realization sparked a police investigation into the fraudulent activities, while Anne is currently undergoing treatment for depression connected to the ordeal.

🚨 Anne, a 53-year-old interior designer, was the victim of an emotional scam of incredible magnitude. On the show Sept à Huit on TF1, she recounted how a man pretending to be Brad Pitt conned her into paying the astronomical sum of 830,000 euros. All… pic.twitter.com/bwZaIqPZ8u

— GOSSIP ROOM (@GossipRoomOff) January 13, 2025

The story has garnered significant attention on social media, leading to a variety of memes that mock Anne. In light of the backlash, TF1 decided to remove the broadcast from their platforms, with presenter Harry Roselmack stating, “The story broadcast this Sunday has resulted in a wave of harassment against the witness. For the protection of victims, we have decided to withdraw it from our platforms.”

Reflecting on her experience, Anne mentioned that she initially thought the situation was “ridiculous.” She admitted her unfamiliarity with social media dynamics contributed to her vulnerability. “I ask myself why they chose me to do such harm like this? I’ve never harmed anyone. These people deserve hell,” she fervently expressed.

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