Toulouse FC Apologizes for Insensitive Joke About Scam Victim
Toulouse FC has issued a public apology following backlash over an insensitive social media post that mocked a woman who fell victim to a scammer impersonating actor Brad Pitt.
The incident involved a French woman, identified only as Anne, who lost her life savings of €830,000 after being deceived for 18 months by someone pretending to be Pitt. The scammer used AI-generated images and fake social media accounts to maintain the ruse. Anne only realized the deception after learning of Pitt’s real-life engagement.
After Anne shared her story on national television, she faced widespread ridicule and online harassment, prompting the broadcaster to remove the interview from their platforms. Toulouse FC joined in the mockery by posting a tweet inviting “Anne” to a match, claiming “Brad” would be there.
Following criticism for making light of the victim’s misfortune, Toulouse FC removed the tweet and issued an apology, stating: “We acknowledge our tweet may have been misinterpreted and deeply regret any negative message it conveyed. We appreciate the feedback regarding this error and commit to exercising greater care and sensitivity in our future communications.”
The incident highlights the need for increased awareness of online scams and the importance of compassion towards victims of such crimes.