Anne became a victim of a scam, losing 830,000 euros to someone pretending to be Brad Pitt. In a candid interview on *Sept à Huit*, she recounted her ordeal. Journalists from *Le Parisien* investigated scam tactics by creating a fake Instagram profile, which attracted numerous scammers using various celebrity identities. They uncovered that these fraudsters build trust over time before asking for money, with most operating from Ghana or Ivory Coast, amid a rise in online romance scams.
In a shocking turn of events, Anne found herself at the center of a scam, losing a staggering 830,000 euros to an individual masquerading as Brad Pitt. During her appearance on *Sept à Huit*, she bravely shared her experience, despite facing ridicule from various quarters. Meanwhile, journalists from *Le Parisien* delved into the intricate methods employed by these scammers to understand their deceptive tactics.
Creating a Facade: The Scammer’s Approach
On February 6, 2025, the investigative team from *Le Parisien* unveiled their findings after crafting a fictitious Instagram account. They introduced Nathalie Lambert, a charming woman in her fifties from Nice, with a captivating smile and a light brown bob. A devoted fan of French music and a single mother, Nathalie was brought to life on the social platform. Utilizing artificial intelligence, the journalists carefully designed her profile, showcasing her moments of solitude. It didn’t take long before she began receiving private messages from interested parties.
According to the journalists, scammers typically initiate contact with a critical question: “Is the profile fake?” To validate their authenticity, they often request a photograph. However, the *Le Parisien* team declined this request, yet the conversations persisted.
The Allure of Attention: How Scammers Exploit Vulnerability
The journalists soon grasped why many individuals fall prey to these plots. For weeks on end, scammers inundate their targets with daily messages, demonstrating genuine interest in their lives. As noted by David, also known as Meta-scammer, who specializes in trapping these fraudsters, *”Isolated women and men can quickly be seduced by such attention falling from the sky.”* He pointed out that for some, this might be the only interaction they have throughout the day.
Within just a few days, Nathalie received messages from five individuals claiming to be Kendji Girac, four as Florent Pagny, four as David Hallyday, one as Patrick Bruel, and another as Jean Reno. In total, over 22 alleged scammers reached out to the fabricated profile, all exhibiting similar behavioral patterns despite having different names.
As time passed, the scammers aimed to build trust before broaching the subject of money. They often sent *’proofs’* of their sincerity, including selfies, AI-generated videos, and convincingly fabricated identity documents. However, they consistently avoided phone conversations, claiming their managers prohibited sharing songs. Among the 22 scammers, only one requested money within the first week of chatting, while the others opted to foster a climate of trust first. *”Sometimes it takes months before they ask for a dime!”* Meta-scammer explained. With his assistance, the journalists identified the scammers’ locations, discovering that most were operating from Ghana or Ivory Coast. Complaints regarding online scams have surged over the years, with ‘romance scams’ comprising 7.6% of online complaints on the Thésée platform in 2024, a significant rise from 4.6% in 2022.