Brad Pitt's Rep Reminds Fans Actor Does Not Use Social Media After Catfished Fan Was Scammed Out of $800K

Mar. 15, 2025

Brad Pitt on Dec. 5, 2024.Photo:Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty

Brad Pitt ahead of the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Devember 5, 2024.

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty

“It’s awful that scammers take advantage of fans’ strong connection with celebrities, but this is an important reminder to not respond to unsolicited online outreach, especially from actors who have no social media presence,” a spokesperson for the actor, 61, said in a statement.

Though she initially doubted the messages' validity, Anne reportedly sent the fake Pitt roughly $800,000 after the person claimed he had developed kidney cancer and needed a loan.

The woman was reportedly sent AI-generated images of Pitt’s face superimposed over men lying in hospital beds.

Fake photos of Brad Pitt in the hospital that were sent to a French woman to scam her out of money.

Fake photos of Brad Pitt in the hospital that were sent to a French woman to scam her out of money

When Anne read that Pitt was in a relationship withInes De Ramon, the scammers reportedly sent something denying the reports. Eventually,The Timesreported, Anne told TF1 that she read more about Pitt and De Ramon and accepted that she had been scammed.

Anne has since filed a lawsuit and a police inquiry has been opened, the outlets reported.

TF1 has since removed the interview, withThe Timesreporting that the outlet did so to protect her from a “wave of harassment” she has received online.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Fake photos of Brad Pitt sent to a woman in France.

Fake photos of Brad Pitt in the hospital that were sent to a French woman to scam her out of money

This is the second time in recent months that Pitt’s representatives have shared messages reminding fans that theOnce Upon a Time… in Hollywoodstar does not use any social media.

Pitt’s repreleased a similar statementback on Sept. 25, 2024, after government officials in Spain announced that five people were arrested during an investigation into a “criminal organization” that allegedly defrauded over $350,000 from two women online. Those scammers also posed as a “fake Brad Pitt” to target fans of the actor, and promise future romantic relationships, authorities said at the time.

Spanish authorities arrested three suspects in November 2023 for receiving part of the money obtained from victims in the scheme, they said in a September press release.

source: people.com