Brad Pitt Speaks Out on AI-Powered Romance Scam That Cost French Woman $850,000

Hollywood actor Brad Pitt has addressed a shocking case of online fraud in which a French woman was conned out of $850,000 by a scammer impersonating him using advanced artificial intelligence. The fraudster created a fake online persona mimicking Pitt, convincing the victim she was in a romantic relationship with the Hollywood star.

The Scam in Detail

The unidentified French woman believed she was communicating with Pitt via social media and messaging platforms. The fraudster utilized AI-generated content, including images, videos, and voice simulations, to build a highly convincing façade. Over time, the scammer manipulated her trust and persuaded her to transfer large sums of money under the guise of “personal projects” or urgent financial needs.

Brad Pitt Condemns the Fraud

Pitt, 59, publicly condemned the incident, expressing sympathy for the victim. In a statement through his representatives, he said:
“It’s disheartening to see my name and likeness exploited in such a fraudulent way. I sympathize with the victim and hope this serves as a reminder to verify the identity of anyone asking for financial help online.”

He also clarified that he does not engage in personal communications with fans online, nor does he request money for any reason.

AI and the Rise of Sophisticated Scams

This incident highlights the growing dangers of AI technology in online fraud. By generating hyper-realistic content, scammers can impersonate public figures more effectively than ever before, exploiting their popularity to gain financial and emotional leverage.

The case has brought renewed attention to the lack of regulations around AI-generated content and its potential misuse in financial crimes.

Ongoing Investigation

The French authorities are investigating the scam, which experts suspect could be linked to an organized cybercrime network. While the victim has suffered a devastating financial loss, Pitt’s public support has reportedly provided her with some solace.

Celebrity Impersonation: A Growing Concern

This is not the first case where a celebrity’s identity has been used for fraud. Similar scams have involved actors like Keanu Reeves and Tom Cruise. However, the use of AI deepfakes in this instance underscores how technology is enabling a new era of highly sophisticated scams.