This month focuses on the AI Social Engineering Scam that cost a French Woman $850,000, Cybercriminals Using NFC Relay to Turn Stolen Credit Cards into Cash Without Aeeding a PIN, and the Crackdown On Online forums by Law Enforcement Authorities.

The AI Social Engineering Scam that cost a French Woman $850,000

A 53-year-old interior designer, Anne, believed she was in a relationship with Brad Pitt and lost 830,000 euros after scammers convinced her the actor had cancer and needed financial help.

Summary

• The fraud involved AI-generated images, fake messages, and deepfake videos, making the deception highly convincing. Pitt’s representative condemned the scam, warning fans not to trust unsolicited online messages.
• The scam began in February 2023 when Anne was contacted via Instagram by someone claiming to be Pitt’s 85-year-old mother, who told her that Pitt needed a woman like her.
• The scammers created a network of fake personas, including Pitt’s manager and daughter, to add credibility. They bombarded Anne with poetry, romantic messages, and doctored images.
• The fraudsters first introduced a minor financial request (customs tariffs for luxury gifts) before escalating to a fabricated kidney cancer diagnosis. They claimed Pitt couldn’t pay due to his divorce and convinced Anne to send most of her settlement money.
• When Anne questioned the lack of real video communication, the scammers sent an AI-generated video. They also shared images of Pitt in a hospital bed with a message reading, “Anne, I love you.”
• Despite blocking the scammer multiple times, Anne kept reconnecting due to emotional attachment. When she saw real reports of Pitt’s relationship with Inés de Ramon, scammers sent fake news to convince her otherwise.
• Anne finally realized she was being scammed after seeing real photos of Pitt and de Ramon together. She took legal action, but after sharing her story on French TV, she faced online harassment.
• Experts warn that AI tools make celebrity scams more convincing. With access to celebrity images and public personas, scammers create realistic fake social media accounts and messages.