Online scammers are nothing new but with the rise of AI-generated images, they’re becoming more sophisticated, especially regarding true romance.
One such case involved a 53-year-old French interior designer who was tricked into paying €830,000 ($855,000) for someone posing as actor Brad Pitt for alleged cancer treatment.
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The scam began when the woman received a message on social media from an account claiming to be Brad Pitt’s mother. The following day, another message arrived — this time from an account impersonating the actor himself.
Admittedly, she was experiencing marital problems with her millionaire husband and sought comfort in what she believed to be an unexpected friendship with Pitt. The scammer sent her poems and affirmations, creating a genuine bond during a challenging time.
“There are so few men who write you this kind of thing. I liked the man I was talking to. He knew how to talk to women, it was always very well done,” she said, originally in French, for a BFMTV interview.
Although she admitted to having doubts about the account, the AI-generated photos and videos eased her suspicions. However, as the financial demands grew increasingly absurd, she finally reported the situation to authorities, prompting an investigation.
How does this happen?
Romance scammers will spin elaborate tales to tug at your heartstrings — and empty your wallets.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, in 2022 nearly 70,000 people reported a romance scam and reported losses hit $1.3 billion.
These scammers are experts in crafting the perfect narrative. By closely monitoring information shared online, they create the illusion of being a perfect match. Dating apps are often their preferred hunting grounds, but they also use direct messages on social media platforms to lure victims. If you’re searching for the one these scammers are conveniently looking for the same – though their intentions are far from romantic.
In the case of the interior designer, the fake Pitt proposed and promised extravagant gifts. The scammer went even further, asking for financial support to cover urgent kidney cancer treatment, claiming they couldn’t use their own money due to Pitt’s divorce from Angelina Jolie. To make the story even more convincing, they sent AI-generated photos of Pitt appearing bedridden in a hospital.
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Recognizing the signs
Scammers often rely on an arsenal of photos and fabricated stories to draw you into their lies. However, their schemes usually unravel when you ask them to meet in person — they simply can’t.
These scammers often claim to be living abroad, traveling for work, stationed on an oil rig or engaged with an international organization — excuses used to explain their absence and build trust. But their endgame is to quickly access your money, often through difficult-to-track methods, such as wire transfer via Western Union or MoneyGram or gift cards like Amazon, Google Play or iTunes.
While these tactics raise obvious red flags, victims often forget to verify the person’s identity. For example, in the case of the ‘Pitt Scam,’ one X user questioned why the victim didn’t simply Google whether the star was hospitalized. A quick search could have easily exposed the scam.
If you suspect you might be falling for an online romance scam — even one that doesn’t involve a so-called celebrity — there are simple ways to verify a person’s identity. Social media platforms like LinkedIn or Facebook can be tools to see if the person has a profile, followers and authentic interactions with others. If someone you’ve never met is asking you for money, it’s a clear sign to pause and reconsider that it might be an online scam.
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