PARIS: In a disturbing turn of events, a French woman named Anne has become a target of cyberbullying after revealing her harrowing experience of losing her life savings to scammers impersonating Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt.

The incident gained notoriety following an interview on the TF1 channel's “Seven to Eight” program, but in light of the backlash, the segment was pulled from the air on January 14.

A Heartbreaking Deception

In her candid appearance, the 53-year-old interior decorator shared how she had fallen for a fictitious romantic relationship with the actor, even going so far as to divorce her husband and transfer an astonishing 830,000 euros (approximately US$850,000) to the scammer.

The perpetrators exploited advanced AI image technology and fake social media accounts to create convincing communications that appeared to be from Pitt himself, including selfies and personal messages.

Scammers' Elaborate Story

The scammers concocted an elaborate story, claiming that the 61-year-old actor needed urgent financial help for kidney treatment, asserting that his bank accounts were frozen due to divorce proceedings with ex-wife Angelina Jolie.

Anne, who has faced mental health challenges, believed she was in a genuine relationship for over a year and only discovered the truth when news circulated about Pitt's real relationship with girlfriend Ines de Ramon.

Media Backlash and Cyberbullying

Harry Roselmack, the TF1 presenter, took to social media, stating, "The story broadcast this Sunday has resulted in a wave of harassment against the witness. For the protection of victims, we have decided to withdraw it from our platforms." This move underscores the media's responsibility to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly those with existing mental health issues, and highlights the potential hazards of public exposure.

The viral nature of Anne's interview led to an avalanche of mockery and jokes online, with some users failing to grasp the severity of her situation. Toulouse Football Club even tweeted a jest suggesting that Brad Pitt would attend their upcoming match, only to later retract the message and apologize.

Netflix France attempted to capitalize on the buzz with a tongue-in-cheek promotion for "four films to see with Brad Pitt (really) for free," further intensifying the vitriol Anne faced.

The Role of AI in Scams

Experts have noted that romantic scams have proliferated alongside the internet, but the advent of artificial intelligence has exacerbated the issue, making identity theft and digital hoaxes significantly more convincing.

Anne recounted how her descent into this scam began when someone posing as Pitt's mother reached out to her on Instagram during a family ski trip.

A Cautionary Tale

Reflecting on her ordeal, Anne said, "I ask myself why they chose me to do such harm like this? I’ve never harmed anyone. These people deserve hell." Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of online interactions and the increasing sophistication of scammers.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, individuals must remain vigilant, utilizing caution in their online engagements to protect themselves from potential scams and fraudulent schemes. The plight of Anne, while tragic, highlights a growing societal issue necessitating greater awareness and protective measures against digital deception.