In a shocking tale of deception, a 53-year-old French woman named Anne fell victim to an elaborate romance scam, losing $850,000 to a con artist who impersonated Hollywood actor Brad Pitt.
The scam began in 2023 when Anne, then married to a businessman, received a Facebook message from individuals claiming to be Brad Pitt’s family. Shortly after, the supposed “Brad Pitt” reached out, initiating a whirlwind online “romance” filled with grand gestures, marriage proposals, and requests for financial assistance.
The scammer wove an intricate web of lies, including fabricated stories about needing money for cancer treatment. To make the ruse more convincing, they shared fake hospital photos. The impostor also claimed that his ongoing divorce from Angelina Jolie left him unable to access his own funds, persuading Anne to send substantial sums of money from her marital savings.
Despite several red flags—such as the fact that “Brad” was always too busy to meet in person and communicated solely through text—Anne continued to trust the scammer. However, her doubts grew when she saw a photo of the real Brad Pitt with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon. The realization hit hard, and by 2024, Anne reported the fraud to authorities. Unfortunately, the con artist remains at large.
This incident underscores the dangers of online scams and serves as a cautionary tale for others, emphasizing the importance of verifying identities and being wary of unsolicited online relationships.
