Nigerian scammers face legal action over AI-driven fraud impersonating Brad Pitt
A French woman, Anne, is pursuing legal action against three Nigerian scammers who used AI-generated images to impersonate actor Brad Pitt. She lost 830,000 euros ($850,000) after being tricked into believing she was in a romantic relationship with him. The scammers contacted Anne on Instagram, claiming Pitt needed money for kidney treatment due to frozen bank accounts amid divorce proceedings. This case highlights a shift in Nigerian scams, now incorporating advanced technology like AI. Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission stated it can only investigate if a formal petition is submitted. The country has a long-standing reputation for internet fraud, with recent operations leading to the arrest of 792 suspects, including foreign nationals.