A rise in complex artificial intelligence (AI) scams using celebrity impersonations has led to urgent warnings from several Hollywood actors. The warnings follow numerous incidents where victims lost millions to scams employing deepfake technology, including a recent case involving an $850,000 swindle using an AI-generated image of Brad Pitt.
An emergency alert was issued by Pitt’s representatives after AI-generated images were used to defraud a French woman of $850,000. The victim, a 53-year-old interior decorator known as Anne, was deceived over a year and a half by fake social media and WhatsApp accounts purporting to be Pitt and his mother. The fraudsters claimed Pitt required funds for kidney cancer treatment and that his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, had frozen his bank accounts. Anne discovered the scam after reports about Pitt’s current partner surfaced, having divorced her husband during the period of deception.
Pitt’s representative stated “It is awful that scammers take advantage of fans’ strong connection with celebrities,” adding that Pitt does not have a social media presence and urging fans to ignore any unsolicited messages claiming to be from him.
Johnny Depp has also raised concerns about the AI threat, cautioning his fans about the capability of fraudsters to duplicate his face and voice using AI technology. This warning is part of a wider celebrity reaction to the escalating sophistication of these imposter scams.
Tom Hanks has consistently alerted his followers about AI impersonation scams, specifically those involving false advertisements using his image. “There’s a video out there promoting some dental plan with my image in it. I have nothing to do with it,” Hanks cautioned. He also warned fans about unauthorized AI-generated ads promoting “miracle cures and wonder drugs” appearing across various platforms.
Other notable figures, including Gayle King and MrBeast, have issued warnings about AI-generated “deepfake” content falsely depicting them endorsing products or services. These AI-manipulated images and videos are becoming increasingly challenging to distinguish from genuine content, raising alarms about the possibility of widespread fraud.
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) has prioritized AI protection in its discussions with major Hollywood studios. The union is seeking to establish rigorous protections for actors’ rights and prevent unauthorized use of their likenesses, voices, or performances in response to the escalating threat of AI misuse.
Legislative measures are also being taken. A bipartisan group of senators has introduced the NO FAKES Act, aimed at providing increased legal protection for individuals against unauthorized use of their voice and likeness. The proposed law seeks to address the rapid evolution of AI technology that has outpaced current regulatory structures, offering celebrities and ordinary citizens legal recourse against unauthorized AI images in the public sphere.
French authorities have begun a formal investigation into the Brad Pitt impersonation case, with police focusing on tracing the complex network behind the scam. The victim has been hospitalized with severe depression following online harassment after the scam became public, underlining the devastating personal effects of such frauds.
In England and Wales, the proliferation of AI-generated deepfakes has led to legal amendments, especially concerning their use in pornography. The government has reinforced laws to facilitate the prosecution of offenders who create and distribute such content without consent, reflecting the growing global concern about AI misuse.
Law enforcement agencies report that these AI-powered scams represent a significant evolution in fraud tactics. Criminals are now using advanced technology to create convincing fake profiles, messages, and deepfake videos that challenge traditional methods of verification. These scams often promise personal connections, VIP access, investment opportunities, or support for charity, all intended to exploit emotional ties between celebrities and their fans.