LAGOS, Nigeria — A 53-year-old French woman, identified only as Anne, has reportedly lost her entire life savings in a sophisticated scam.
The perpetrators posed as American actor Brad Pitt, using artificial intelligence and digital tools to convince Anne that she was in a romantic relationship with him.
Legal action has been taken against the suspects, with Anne’s legal team accusing at least three Nigerian nationals of orchestrating the fraud.
The scam involved manipulating images, chat logs, and possibly voice recordings to create the illusion of genuine communication.
According to French broadcaster TF1, Anne was led to believe the interactions were authentic. The use of AI in this case highlights a growing trend where scammers employ digital technology to deceive victims.
French authorities are working with Nigerian law enforcement to locate the suspects. Legal experts point out the challenges of addressing cross-border cybercrime, underscoring the need for international cooperation to combat such activities.
Authorities are urging the public to remain cautious when engaging with individuals online, particularly in situations involving financial transactions.
Awareness campaigns are being suggested to help people recognize the signs of online scams and protect themselves from similar frauds.