Police Probe 'Brad Pitt' Airport Encounter in Southern Brazil

Overview

• A December 24 encounter near Erechim’s airport drew national attention after video of a Brigada Militar approach spread on social media.
• The 54-year-old from São Valentim told officers she had video-called Brad Pitt and planned to marry him, even though no flights were scheduled that night.
• On January 5 she filed a police report saying the situation was a joke with her 12-year-old son and that she neither sent money nor suffered any losses.
• The Civil Police opened an inquiry, are taking statements, and will weigh attempted estelionato or whether her conduct could constitute another offense, with local reports noting false testimony as a potential line of review if no scam is found.
• Authorities referred her to social assistance and she is expected to undergo psychological evaluation, as coverage underscores how fake profiles and AI tools have been used to impersonate celebrities in similar schemes.