Brad Pitt has responded to a viral case involving a French woman who was conned out of $850,000 by a fraudster using AI-generated images and impersonations of the actor. The victim, Ann, a 53-year-old interior decorator, shared her experience in the French program. September a Huitrevealing that she believed she had been in a long-distance relationship with Pitt for over a year.
Anne explained that the scam started when she was contacted on Instagram by someone posing as Pitt’s “mother”. The fraudster used deepfake photos and emotional messages to claim he needed $1 million for kidney treatment and was unable to access his funds due to his ongoing divorce with Angelina Jolie. It wasn’t until Pitt went public about his relationship with Ines de Ramon that Anne realized she had been betrayed.
Pitt’s rep released a statement. E! News Condemning the scam, it said, “It’s appalling that fraudsters take advantage of the strong connection fans have with celebrities. It’s an important reminder not to respond to unsolicited online access, especially from actors.” By those who don’t have a social media presence.” Pitt does not maintain any personal social media accounts.
Anne, who admitted she was unfamiliar with social media, shared that the ordeal deeply traumatized her. After widespread backlash and ridicule after the interview aired, French channel TF1 removed the segment from its platform. TF1 presenter Harry Rosellmack explained the decision on X (formerly Twitter), citing concerns about Anne’s safety and mental health.
The scandal underscores the growing dangers of deepfake technology, which is increasingly being used in cybercrimes. DeepMedia reports that nearly 500,000 deepfake videos and voice clips were shared on social media globally in 2024, which is expected to grow to 8 million this year. Experts are urging the public to be vigilant, as cases like Enz’s highlight the devastating effects of such scams.
The incident serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of online interactions and the need for greater awareness of deepfake technology.
