“Fake Brad Pitt” Scam: Woman Defrauded of 830,000 Euros, Investigation Underway

A victim trapped in a virtual scam, with an international investigation in progress

Anne, a 53-year-old interior designer living in Reunion Island, fell victim to a large-scale scam in which criminals impersonated the famous actor Brad Pitt and members of his family. Through months of correspondence, the scammer(s) managed to steal 830,000 euros from Anne, mainly to pay for fake medical treatments. The investigation, launched after Anne filed a complaint last October, has been entrusted to the Financial Brigade of the Territorial Judicial Police Service (STPJ) of Reunion Island.

The case gained widespread attention after Anne’s story was featured on the Sept à Huit show on TF1, sparking a wave of mockery and cyberbullying on social media. She was ridiculed by many internet users for her perceived naivety. In the show, she defended herself, saying, “I’m not crazy or silly as some claim… You would have fallen into the trap too.”

The case has quickly expanded internationally, with leads pointing to Nigeria, where the “scammers” seem to have far-reaching connections. Additionally, Spanish police recently announced that a “fake Brad Pitt” had also defrauded two women there for a total of 325,000 euros. Meanwhile, Anne’s lawyer is preparing legal action against Anne’s bank for failing to alert her about suspicious transfers to a foreign account in Turkey.

In response to the case, Brad Pitt’s spokesperson issued a statement warning fans not to respond to any fraudulent solicitations.