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"Je suis restée deux jours dans le coma" : escroquée par un faux Brad Pitt, Ann…
Escroquée de plus de 800 000 euros par un faux Brad Pitt, Anne avait déjà bouleversé la France en racontant son histoire dans Sept à Huit. Devenue la…
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"I Was Scammed by a Fake Brad Pitt": Woman Loses €830,000, Shares Ordeal to Warn Others
Paris, France – Anne Deneuchatel, a woman who lost an astonishing 830,000 euros to a sophisticated online scammer impersonating Hollywood actor Brad Pitt, has come forward to share her story and warn others. Her harrowing account, detailed in a recent interview, sheds light on the insidious nature of online fraud and its profound impact on victims. Ms. Deneuchatel recounted how the elaborate deception began, with the scammer claiming to be Brad Pitt and fabricating a series of urgent financial crises. "He told me his accounts were blocked, that he had millions of dollars but couldn't touch them," Anne explained. The requests started small, with a demand for "$500 for Knox's canteen," referring to Pitt's adopted son. Despite not being financially comfortable, Anne felt compelled to help, stating, "Because I have a good heart and because I am human." The financial demands escalated dramatically, with Anne eventually transferring 75,000 euros for a "private jet" and "medications for three months." The scam even led her to divorce her ex-husband, who was later ordered to pay her 800,000 euros in compensatory indemnity, money she had lost to the scam. A turning point came when Anne insisted on a video call to verify the identity of the man she believed was Brad Pitt. She received a brief video, which she now understands was an AI-generated deepfake. The scammer continued to make excuses, claiming his phone was "blocked" and "monitored." The realization of the fraud, she said, was devastating. The emotional toll was immense. Anne revealed she suffered suicide attempts and spent two days in a coma. Now, she is dedicated to preventing others from falling victim to similar schemes. "I want to warn as many people as possible who will listen to me and read this book," she stated, referring to her upcoming release, "Je ne serai plus une proie" (I Will No Longer Be Prey), set to launch on September 24. Anne also criticized banks for their lack of verification in these transactions and expressed hope that the "brouteurs" (scammers) responsible would be apprehended. She confirmed that her first complaint was filed in Africa and that law enforcement, including the FBI, is actively investigating the widespread identity usurpation of celebrities. "It's enormous for a student," she noted, highlighting that even smaller sums can be ruinous for many.
