Michaela Alvez
A 53-year-old French woman has fallen victim to a heartbreaking scam involving an AI-generated version of Brad Pitt, who duped her into believing they were in a romantic relationship. The Brad Pitt AI scam swindled her out of her life savings for supposed cancer treatment.
Anne, an interior designer, explained that the scam began when she received a message from an account claiming to be Jane Etta Pitt, the mother of the Hollywood star. Pitt’s “mother” told Anne that she was exactly the type of woman her son needed. The following day, the AI-generated version of Pitt reached out to Anne, expressing interest in getting to know her better.
In an interview on the Seven to Eight program on France’s TF1 channel, Anne spoke about the year-and-a-half-long fraudulent relationship. She shared how AI-generated “Brad” would send her love poems, heartfelt declarations, AI-generated photos, and even proposed marriage.
“There are few men who write to you like that,” Anne told the French media. “I loved the man I was talking to. He knew how to talk to women and it was very well put together.”
The scammer’s demands for money started when they claimed to be sending Anne luxurious handbags but then told her she needed to cover the customs fees, with the first payment amounting to approximately $9,270.
The scammers escalated their tactics, with the AI still impersonating Pitt, claiming he was hospitalized with kidney cancer and required funds for treatment. They further manipulated Anne by stating that Pitt’s ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, had frozen his bank accounts during divorce proceedings, making it impossible for him to access his money.
Anne initially had reservations about the situation, but her doubts were eased when the Fight Club actor’s “doctor” emailed her, claiming that Pitt was dying and struggling for his life. Reassured by the message, Anne ultimately transferred about $850,000 to an account in Turkey.
Despite her daughter’s warnings that she was being conned, Anne dismissed concerns about the Brad Pitt AI scam and continued to believe in the relationship.
In the summer of 2024, Anne’s world came crashing down when she saw images of the real Pitt with his current partner, Inès de Ramon, and finally realized that she had been deceived.
Pig Butchering Scams On The Rise
Anne’s case with Brad Pitt AI scam resembles a typical pig butchering scam. These usually involve a prolonged relationship built on emotional manipulation, where the victim is led to believe they are engaged in a genuine romantic connection. The scammer then exploits this trust, convincing the victim to transfer significant sums of money under false pretenses, often citing urgent financial or personal needs.
Scammers behind pig butchering schemes often target older individuals who may not be as familiar with technology or digital financial systems. The victims, lacking experience in online security, are more vulnerable to the manipulative tactics used by fraudsters.
The rise in pig butchering scams can be attributed to several factors. The global proliferation of digital communication tools and the growing use of online dating apps have provided scammers with a wider pool of potential victims.
Additionally, the introduction of AI has made these scams more sophisticated, allowing scammers to tailor their messages and interactions to appear more personalized and genuine. The use of AI-generated images, as with this latest Brad Pitt AI scam, is becoming increasingly common, making it harder for victims to distinguish fraud from reality.
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Michaela has no crypto positions and does not hold any crypto assets. This article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice. The Shib Magazine and The Shib Daily are the official media and publications of the Shiba Inu cryptocurrency project. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.
