In a tale that seems almost too bizarre to be accurate, a French woman's adoration for Hollywood star Brad Pitt led her down a devastating path.

The scam, which preyed on her vulnerability and trust, is a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the digital world, especially for those who may not be as tech-savvy or are going through personal challenges.

This heart-wrenching story exposes how even the most seemingly innocent online interactions can be manipulated by fraudsters. It also sheds light on the emotional toll such scams can take on victims, particularly those already struggling with personal or mental health issues.

Anne, a 53-year-old interior designer, was ensnared in a sophisticated con after being contacted by someone claiming to be Jane Etta Pitt, Brad Pitt's mother, through Instagram.

The scammer's attention to detail and manipulation skills were so refined that they managed to convince Anne that she was not only communicating with Brad Pitt himself but also that they were in a romantic relationship.

A French woman was scammed out of A$1.4 million after being led to believe she was in a relationship with Hollywood star Brad Pitt. Credit: Facebook

The scammers went to great lengths to maintain the illusion, sending Anne AI-generated images of Pitt in various states.

This included undergoing medical procedures and professing love with messages like 'Anne, I love you' and 'I love you so much, my wife.'

Despite never hearing his voice—a red flag she unfortunately overlooked—Anne was drawn deeper into the scammer's web.

The requests for money started small, with a plea for A$15,000 to cover 'customs fees' for gifts Pitt supposedly wanted to send her.

The gifts, predictably, never arrived. Later, after Anne disclosed an impending divorce settlement from her wealthy husband, the scammers upped the ante, fabricating a story about Pitt suffering from kidney cancer and needing A$1.3 million for treatment.

It's a heartbreaking story, and what's worse is that Anne, who was reported to have mental health issues, has been subjected to cruel online trolling and mockery after her story went public.

The ridicule became so severe that a segment about her experience on the French TV program 'Sept a Huit' was removed from their platforms to protect her from further harm.

The psychological impact of believing a celebrity has taken a personal interest in us can be profound.

It taps into our innate desire for recognition and validation, which can be incredibly potent if we feel lonely or undervalued.

This is why it's crucial to remain grounded and remember that real celebrities have channels of communication far removed from direct messages to fans.

Always approach unsolicited contact with scepticism and remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Members of our Seniors Discount Club, this cautionary tale is a reminder that scams can happen to anyone, and they often target those who are most vulnerable.

Stay vigilant and sceptical, especially when dealing with strangers online. Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim to similar scams:

Never share money or personal information with someone you met online, and verify identities, especially if they claim to be famous.

Be cautious of emotional stories designed to manipulate you, and consult trusted friends or family if you're unsure.

Report any suspicious activity to authorities, such as the ACCC in Australia, and educate yourself on common scam tactics to stay protected.

In similar news, Spanish police arrested five individuals for scamming women by impersonating Hollywood star Brad Pitt.

The scammers tricked two women into believing they were in a relationship with Pitt, defrauding them of A$527,400.

Key Takeaways

• A French woman was scammed out of A$1.4 million after believing she was in a relationship with Hollywood star Brad Pitt.
• The scam involved AI-generated images and claims that Pitt needed money for cancer treatment after being left penniless by Angelina Jolie.
• The woman, identified as Anne, has since suffered severe depression and has been hospitalised after the scam was revealed.
• The story of the scam went viral, leading to online trolling and mockery of Anne, prompting a French TV station to remove the segment from their platforms for victim protection.

How can people protect themselves from scams that exploit emotions, especially involving celebrities? What red flags should be watched for when talking to someone claiming to be a celebrity online? Let us know in the comments below.

 

[deni67]

Oh please, why would Brad Pitt, a multi millionaire, ask for money!
Being a semi professional Photoshop user due to my 3D work those images stick out like dogs balls as fake

 

[Suzanne rose]

She is so delusional way too many red flags that she ignored

 

[HelenJo]

If this woman could be tricked into believing she was in a relationship with Brad Pitt, she very obviously does has mental health issues....but why on earth is someone not overseeing her activities online? Surely some family member must know this and instigate some precautionary measures!

 

[Isis]

It’s as though all commonsense flys out of the window. The question, why would Brad Pitt fancy me is never asked.
Remember watching dr Phil’s shows highlighting these problems maybe we need to bring this kind of show back and the problem visible to those who are so very needy.

 

[orange]

I am not surprised this Lady got scammed .. after disclosing personal information about her divorce settlement..

 

[Col@45]

What can you say !! Unbelievable

 

[Jest]

what a stupid female.

 

[David567]

A fool and their money are easily parted. How f n stupid could anyone be.
As soon as money enters the equation you can be rest assured it's a scam. A quick search on google would confirm Brad is fine.

 

[Jo Piper3]

How could be in a relationship with him if they never met? What a sad lady.

 

[Annna]

I'm just so sorry to read about this woman's terrible experience.

 

[Annna]

Commenters on this site please refrain from judgement. See attached:

 

[Leenie]

Please give me a break, this woman is delusional thinking (MrWonderful) haha, sickens me to think people are so gullible,she obviously needs therapy.

 

[cblayney]

Sometimes people are so lonely they will believe anything that makes them feel valued. Don't mock this lady, yes it was a silly thing to do but you don't know her situation.

 

[Clancieblue]

OMG, it's getting worse. When will people grow up?

 

[Joydie]

Look, it's a fact that people become attracted to someone in the first instance by their appearance. I sometimes watch a YouTube programme called 'Scamfish'. It's an American programme that specialises in investigating international romance scams. Most of the people who appear on the show are physically very unattractive. Scammers know that they'll be easy to hook because of their appearance. Despite what we may like to think, someone like Brad Pitt is not going to be interested in a relationship with any woman less than physically top notch.

Secondly, there is so much publicity about these online scammers. So many tools are available to detect whether a person is who they say they are. Just from watching that show, I know the script they follow. Most of the international romance scams are perpetrated in West Africa, usually Nigeria, although Ghana is also becoming popular as a scammer's paradise. In these countries, a traditional form of greeting is 'Have you eaten?' This pops up every time. That's your first red flag. They almost always begin to refer to a woman as, 'My queen' and 'My wife'. Their accents - if they do exchange phone calls - are unmistakably West African, but, while declaring themselves to be American, just longing to come home, they'll tell women that they have an accent because their parents were Dutch or Danish or some lesser known European country which an American woman probably knows little about. How they account for the fact that if they grew up in America they're more likely to have an American accent, I don't know.

In almost every case, they'll: 1. Be put in gaol for something that isn't their fault, 2. Be detained by customs for something that isn't their fault, 3. Have an accident that wasn't their fault, or 4. Be struck down with a critical illness. Every one of these calamities means they're desperately in need of several thousands of dollars.

The major red flag of course is asking for money while claiming to have $7m in the bank. If anyone reading this can relate, run, don't walk!

 

[Isis]

Sometimes people are so lonely they will believe anything that makes them feel valued. Don't mock this lady, yes it was a silly thing to do but you don't know her situation.

Thankyou people can be cruel and don’t know all the circumstances

 

[Viellarde]

Please give me a break, this woman is delusional thinking (MrWonderful) haha, sickens me to think people are so gullible,she obviously needs therapy.

You are not only judging but mocking someone you believe has mental health problems? How do you think you should be judged? Or do you think nobody is judging you because you are a rational, well-adjusted person? That's not how you come across.

 

[novezar]

I'm totally lost for words on what I would really like to say about this stupid lady.
The old adage is well known. i.e., once money is asked for, run for the hills as fast as you can.
Maybe this particular lady is/was totally sexually starved & desperately wanted same for satisfaction.

 

[Cheezil]

Look, it's a fact that people become attracted to someone in the first instance by their appearance. I sometimes watch a YouTube programme called 'Scamfish'. It's an American programme that specialises in investigating international romance scams. Most of the people who appear on the show are physically very unattractive. Scammers know that they'll be easy to hook because of their appearance. Despite what we may like to think, someone like Brad Pitt is not going to be interested in a relationship with any woman less than physically top notch.

Secondly, there is so much publicity about these online scammers. So many tools are available to detect whether a person is who they say they are. Just from watching that show, I know the script they follow. Most of the international romance scams are perpetrated in West Africa, usually Nigeria, although Ghana is also becoming popular as a scammer's paradise. In these countries, a traditional form of greeting is 'Have you eaten?' This pops up every time. That's your first red flag. They almost always begin to refer to a woman as, 'My queen' and 'My wife'. Their accents - if they do exchange phone calls - are unmistakably West African, but, while declaring themselves to be American, just longing to come home, they'll tell women that they have an accent because their parents were Dutch or Danish or some lesser known European country which an American woman probably knows little about. How they account for the fact that if they grew up in America they're more likely to have an American accent, I don't know.

In almost every case, they'll: 1. Be put in gaol for something that isn't their fault, 2. Be detained by customs for something that isn't their fault, 3. Have an accident that wasn't their fault, or 4. Be struck down with a critical illness. Every one of these calamities means they're desperately in need of several thousands of dollars.

The major red flag of course is asking for money while claiming to have $7m in the bank. If anyone reading this can relate, run, don't walk!

Unfortunately many lonely people miss the red flags like these that are so obvious to others