
Once upon a time, there was Anne, a 53-year-old interior decorator in Tignes. She led a peaceful but monotonous life, in a marriage where silences were more frequent than laughter. In search of a new breath of life, she turned to Instagram, that realm where one believes anything is possible. But Anne was about to discover that in this digital world, the stars that shine the brightest sometimes hide unsettling shadows.
A Meeting from Hollywood… or Almost
One day, her screen flashed. A message. A certain "Jane Etta Pitt," mother of the world-famous actor Brad Pitt, wrote to her: "You are perfect for my son." Anne burst out laughing. "Is this a joke?" But curiosity took hold. After all, the idea that Brad Pitt was looking for love on Instagram had something… romantic about it.
A few days later, the supposed Brad himself entered the scene. His profile? Perfect: glamorous photos, mysterious quotes, and awkward poetry. Anne, who had never seen a celebrity other than through a screen, got caught up in the game. His messages had the sweetness of honey and the depth of a photo novel. In no time at all, Anne from Tignes, though married, found herself swept away by this golden illusion.
Love, Promises, and… Transfers
The very next life with Brad promised her mountains and marvels. A villa in Beverly Hills. Dinners under the stars. But the life of an actor is not always easy, it seemed. Between two declarations of love, he slipped in that he was facing "temporary financial difficulties." All his accounts were blocked due to his ongoing divorce with Angelina Jolie. With Anne, touched by his distress – after all, even stars have their dark moments – she sent a first transfer. Then a second. Then hundreds of thousands of euros claimed by the supposed doctor of the actor allegedly suffering from kidney cancer… In total, 830,000 euros, vanished into distant accounts, far from Beverly Hills.
The Truth Comes Out… Too Late
Doubt crept in when she examined more closely the photos he sent her. A detail caught her attention: the setting did not look like Hollywood. Stranger still, an image showed Brad in a hospital bed with a sign in the background written in Turkish. The illusion crumbled when a friend explained to her that the videos and photos she was receiving were likely deepfakes, those digital montages capable of bringing the most incredible lies to life.
Anne realized she had been duped. Her dream of love with a star (and her lifestyle) had turned into a nightmare. A supposed FBI agent would claim to help her. He too would scam her. She finally filed a complaint in Savoie, but her money, like her illusions, had disappeared.
A Society of Appearance and Greed
The case made headlines when it was revealed on Sept à Huit. On social media, the story triggered an avalanche of reactions. Some expressed compassion. Others mocked without restraint. Humorous videos, memes, and even TikTok filters titled "Brad Pitt scammer" multiplied.
@alex7miguel IG : alexmiguel7 / on rigole on rigole mais bon on envoie du soutient à Anne malgré tout
♬ son original – Alex Miguel 🦇
Beyond the anecdote, this story reveals something deeper about our time. We live in a society of appearance, where glitter attracts more than ever. Even ladies over 50. Deepfakes, by blurring the line between true and false, fuel the wildest dreams… but also the most devious scams. Sometimes planned thousands of kilometers away.
The Moral of the Story
This modern fable reminds us of a timeless truth: all that glitters is not gold. Promises too good to be true often hide traps. And in a world where the screen is king, distrust is an essential virtue.
So, beware of stars who suddenly descend from their galaxies to brighten your daily life. They are not always looking for love. Sometimes, they (or their avatars) are just after your savings. On the web, keep your dreams… but above all, keep your eyes open.