A French woman, who was deceived of €830,000 (£700,000; $850,000) by scammers pretending to be actor Brad Pitt, has faced extensive ridicule, prompting French broadcaster TF1 to cancel a show about her. The prime-time program, which aired on Sunday, made headlines, focusing on Anne, a 53-year-old interior designer who believed she was in a relationship with Pitt for eighteen months. Anne, however, emphasized that she was not "crazy or a moron," stating, "I just got played, I admit it, and that's why I came forward, because I am not the only one."
In response to the situation, a representative for Pitt expressed dismay that scammers exploit fans' strong connections with celebrities and warned against responding to unsolicited online approaches, especially from those like actors lacking social media presence. The report detailed how Anne lost her life savings and attempted suicide three times after discovering the scam.
Following the incident, Netflix France advertised "four films with Brad Pitt (for real)" in a post while Toulouse FC, in a now-deleted post, teased Anne about Pitt's supposed presence at the stadium. TF1 withdrew the segment on Anne due to the subsequent harassment, though it remains accessible online.
Anne's ordeal began when she downloaded Instagram in February 2023 and was contacted by someone claiming to be Pitt’s mother, leading to a series of events where she eventually lost a substantial sum to the scammers. Despite initial doubts, Anne fell victim to requests for money under the pretense of supporting Pitt's medical treatment. As the situation unraveled, Anne ended the deception and contacted the authorities, initiating an investigation.
Amidst controversy, Anne called for support in finding the culprits while reflecting on her devastating experiences and the repercussions on her life. Despite facing widespread mockery online, some defended Anne, highlighting the complex nature of the scam she fell prey to.