The fraudsters convinced Anne to transfer money for various fabricated reasons, including paying customs fees on luxury gifts and covering medical expenses.

After reportedly telling the scammer that she had recently divorced her husband, Anne sent almost all of her €775,000 divorce settlement — about $798,000 — after the fake Pitt said he had developed kidney cancer and needed a loan because his bank accounts were locked as a result of his ongoing divorce proceedings with Angelina Jolie .