Brad Pitt has spoken out after learning that his AI likeness was exploited by an online scammer to swindle a French woman out of an astonishing $851,000. The 61-year-old actor expressed his shock and outrage upon discovering that someone had deceived the woman, who fell victim to a fraudulent scheme.

The woman, named Anne and aged 53, became convinced she was in a romantic relationship with Pitt after nearly 18 months of online correspondence. The impersonator, using Pitt’s likeness, captivated her with declarations of love and even proposed marriage, prompting Anne to divorce her wealthy husband, who was 19 years older than her.

Initially, Anne paid customs fees for luxury handbags the fake Pitt had promised her, but as the scam developed, the fraudsters intensified their tactics. They claimed that the actor was hospitalized with kidney cancer and urgently required funds for treatment, persuading her to hand over hundreds of thousands of dollars. In a tearful television interview, Anne shared her experience of being manipulated into believing the false storyline, as reported by American media.

The impersonator claimed he couldn’t access his own funds due to an ongoing divorce from Angelina Jolie, further backing his requests for money with pictures of himself in a hospital bed. Anne recounted that her daughter had tried to warn her about the possibility of being scammed, but she was convinced by the fabricated evidence of her relationship with Pitt.

Her doubts only arose when she saw social media posts of Pitt with his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, but by then she had already lost around $850,000.

After the news broke last week, Pitt issued a statement through a spokesperson, describing the situation as “awful,” noting that scammers exploit the strong connection between fans and celebrities. He reminded the public to be cautious and avoid responding to unsolicited online messages, particularly from actors not verified on social media.

The French Police are currently investigating this scam designed to defraud unsuspecting victims of large sums of money.

This week, streaming platforms are set to deliver a fresh slate of entertainment with several new movies and shows making their debut. Leading the pack is Amazon Prime Video with the highly anticipated second season of “Paatal Lok” premiering on January 17, 2025. Alongside, viewers can look forward to “The Roshans” on Netflix, “Viduthalai Part 2” on ZEE5, and “Power of Paanch” on Disney+ Hotstar, among others.

1. Back in Action – Netflix 

Netflix is set to release “Back in Action,” a thrilling action movie starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx. The film features two retired CIA agents thrust back into the spy world after an unexpected incident disrupts their lives.

2. Viduthalai Part 2 – ZEE5 

The continuation of the Tamil period thriller “Viduthalai” stars Vijay Sethupathi, Soori, and Manju Warrier. The narrative follows a school teacher who is compelled to fight against oppression.

3. Hellboy: The Crooked Man – Lionsgate Play 

In the fourth installment of the Hellboy series, directed by Brian Taylor, Hellboy teams up with rookie BPRD agent Bobbie Jo Song to expose a witch community led by a mysterious figure.

4. Power of Paanch – Disney+ Hotstar 

This new series on Disney+ Hotstar centers on Bella and her friends who acquire superpowers, only to discover the heavy responsibilities that accompany them.

5. Harley Quinn – JioCinema

 The animated series on JioCinema features Harley Quinn as she navigates her new life separated from Joker in Gotham City’s criminal underworld.

6. Emergency – Theatres 

A political drama featuring Kangana Ranaut as Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Emergency of 1975. The film also stars Anupam Kher and Milind Soman.

7. Paatal Lok Season 2 – Amazon Prime Video 

Amazon brings back “Paatal Lok” with Jaideep Ahlawat reprising his role as Inspector Hathiram Chaudhary tackling a dangerous drug syndicate in Nagaland.

8. Wolf Man – Theatres 

“Wolf Man” follows Blake, who turns into a werewolf after an attack, jeopardizing his family’s safety.

9. The Roshans – Netflix 

Netflix’s documentary “The Roshans” delves into the legacy of Bollywood’s Roshan family, featuring Hrithik Roshan and others.

10. Azaad – Theatres 

Starring Ajay Devgn, “Azaad” is an action-packed drama about a young stable boy’s quest for freedom during a period of rebellion.

Suriya’s upcoming film “Retro”, directed by Karthik Subbaraj, has successfully sold its digital streaming rights for a notable sum. Known as “Suriya 44”, the movie is a period action-romance drama that is currently in production, with filming and post-production happening simultaneously. The anticipation for “Retro” has soared following the release of its title teaser and a new poster announcing the release date. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical debut on May 1.

Digital release details

Netflix has acquired the digital streaming rights for “Retro”, and it will be available on the platform in all languages after its theatrical run. This arrangement ensures that fans will be able to enjoy the film in multiple languages from the comfort of their homes.

About the film

The promotional materials for “Retro” reveal a period setting enriched with action-packed sequences. The plot centers on a reformed gangster who attempts to escape his violent history for a serene life with his wife. However, his past continues to haunt him, jeopardizing the peace he has strived to establish. The character portrayed by Pooja Hegde in the teaser has already stirred diverse reactions, heightening interest in the film.

The cast and crew

“Retro” features a stellar cast including Suriya, Pooja Hegde, Prakash Raj, Nassar, Joju George, Jayaram, Sujith Shankar, and Nandita Das, with Shriya Saran performing a special dance number. The soundtrack is composed by Santhosh Narayanan, while Shreyaas Krishna handles cinematography. The film is a joint production between Suriya’s 2D Entertainment and Stone Bench Creations, with editing by Shafique Mohamed Ali.