French Woman Defrauded of €830,000 by Fake Brad Pitt Speaks Out

The victim and her daughter highlight the emotional toll of the scam and call for awareness as investigations into the cybercriminals continue.

Anne, a 53-year-old French woman, was scammed out of €830,000 by cybercriminals posing as actor Brad Pitt through elaborate fake photos and messages.
The scam lasted over a year and a half, during which the perpetrators exploited Anne’s trust and fabricated stories, including a false cancer diagnosis, to solicit money.
Anne’s daughter, Margaux, spoke on M6’s 'La Grande Semaine,' describing her mother’s emotional struggles, including multiple suicide attempts, and criticizing the online harassment following the story's broadcast.
The victim’s lawyer revealed that an investigation is underway by the financial brigade in La Réunion to trace the accounts involved, with early indications pointing to Nigeria-based scammers.
The case has drawn attention to the growing risks of online fraud, particularly with the use of AI tools to enhance scam credibility, prompting warnings from Brad Pitt’s representatives.