A woman, who handed over £700,000 to an imposter posing as Brad Pitt, found herself homeless and divorced. Despite her circumstances, she expressed no complete remorse due to a specific reason.
Anne Deneuchatel, a 53-year-old interior designer, engaged in an online relationship with a fraudster who utilized AI-generated images and videos to deceive her into believing she was communicating with Brad Pitt. The scam began in February 2023 when a person posing as Brad’s mother messaged Anne on Instagram, followed by direct contact from the fake ‘Brad,’ initiating a year-long virtual affair.
Anne shared with French media her admiration for the scammer’s romantic gestures, remarking on his ability to communicate effectively with women. Consequently, she divorced her husband and proceeded to send substantial amounts of money to the imposter under the guise of various expenses, including customs fees for luxury items and funds for fictitious kidney cancer treatment, totaling over £7,500 and £50,500, respectively.
Despite the financial toll, Anne believed she was potentially saving a life, as reported by The Telegraph. However, in 2024, upon discovering authentic photos of Brad Pitt with his girlfriend, Anne began unraveling the deception. Subsequently, she fell victim to another scam where a phony FBI agent promised to assist her in exchange for £4,200.
Following the series of scams, Anne now finds herself destitute and homeless, as per The Sun. She has relocated to reside with a friend and initiated a fundraising campaign to cover legal expenses. Law enforcement is currently investigating the situation following Anne’s police report.
Post the fraudulent incidents, Anne experienced severe mental health issues, including depression, requiring hospitalization, as reported by French media outlet TF1. Despite the hardships, she acknowledged a positive aspect arising from the ordeal – her divorce from her former spouse.
Anne disclosed to Le Monde that her ex-husband, who was significantly older and wealthier than her, had created a stifling environment in their shared abode in Mauritius, likening it to a “gilded prison.” She criticized his manipulative behavior, stating that she became financially reliant on him after closing her boutique. Feeling compelled to assist ‘Brad’ over herself at one point, Anne reflected on the pitfalls of romance scams, emphasizing the vulnerability of individuals to such deceit.
Asserting that everyone is susceptible to romance scams, Anne, now recounting her story in a book titled “Je ne serai plus un proie” (I will no longer be prey), aims to raise awareness about the dangers of online deception and financial exploitation.