It was the dream finalizing for the owner of an unknown Nottingham gallery - an exhibition including the work of Hollywood actor-turned-artist Pierce Brosnan, who would also address meet fans.
But the gallery's owner has actually revealed how her livelihood and track record were 'messed up' after the Pierce Brosnan with whom she spent months negotiating the exhibition of a lifetime turned out not to be the Bond star however a 'deepfake'.
Simone Simms has actually promoted the very first time about how she fell for the fancy expert system (AI) scam which resulted in her losing her ₤ 30,000 Long Eaton gallery.
Ms Simms informed The Mail on Sunday she was 'villainised' after selling ₤ 20,000 worth of tickets to art lovers with the pledge of conference 71-year-old Brosnan, just to find she had actually been deceived.
Scammers utilized AI to generate a convincing likeness of Mr Brosnan video-calling her from his ₤ 80million home in Hawaii.
Ms Simms recalled 'how genuine' he appeared on Zoom and how she 'squealed with excitement that he remained in my living room talking to me' before taking the bait and hb9lc.org sending the fraudsters ₤ 3,000 for 'shipping charges' for the art.
Her headache started when she called what she believed to be Mr Brosnan's genuine Facebook page at the start of 2023 and asked if he would show his paintings at her location.
She then states she was contacted by what she believed was the star and around 200 messages were exchanged between them on the Telegram messaging app, consisting of a variety of voice notes talking about the exhibition.
The AI deepfake of 007 star Pierce Brosnan that deceived art gallery owner Simone Simms
Mrs Simms (envisioned, left) fell victim to a rip-off that led to her losing her ₤ 30,000 art gallery
More than 20,000 tickets were sold with the pledge of meeting 71-year-old Brosnan, who scammers had deepfaked to resemble he was calling Mrs Simms from his ₤ 80million home in Hawaii
A Pierce Brosnan painting. Mrs Simms exchanged 200 messages via Telegram with who she thought was the Bond actor
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In one audio message, listened to by The Mail on Sunday, a voice with Mr Brosnan's unique Irish accent discusses the upcoming exhibition.
'Simone, it's Pierce Brosnan here, how's it going? Just wished to apologise for not being able to set up a meeting,' the voice states.
'I have actually been overloaded lately. Please let your group know that I really value the invitation to the art exhibition.
'I have high expectations it will be a huge success.'
In a subsequent video call, Mr Brosnan's image appeared on the screen but the noise was off. Messages from the individual on the other side of the phone claimed there was a technological problem.
Two of Ms Simms's friends were also in the video meeting, one of 2 Ms Simms believed she had had with Brosnan, and were both tricked, insisting she was not an 'idiot'.
One of them, artist Neil Adcock, said: 'It appeared like his genuine face. He said his child had actually set it up for him. He said the noise issue was on our end. It carried on for a while.'
Pierce Brosnan at the Art Miami VIP opening in Miami Florida
After the fake event was reserved, Mr Brosnan put out a statement damning the gallery, insisting he 'would never charge for a satisfy and welcome'
The genuine Pierce's artwork. Mrs Simms marketed ₤ 500 'meet and greet' tickets with the deepfake Mr Brosnan
Another painting the genuine Mr Brosnan. Mrs Simms says she wishes the actor would acknowledge her as a victim rather than a villain
Others have actually reported being called by a phony Facebook account, claiming to be Mr Brosnan. Pictured: Among the real Mr Brosnan's paintings
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Meanwhile, after Ms Simms booked and marketed her program, the real Mr Brosnan saw an advertisement for the exhibit including his art online and provided a statement damning the gallery, insisting he 'would never charge for a satisfy and greet'.
His attorneys sent her an instant cease-and-desist letter in November 2023, 3 days after she advertised the ₤ 500 VIP meet-and-greet tickets.
A 'frightened' Ms Simms understood her mistake and tearfully recalled: 'It was the worst time of my life and it tainted my credibility.
'Pierce harmed me by issuing the declaration. He ought to have done more research study before he did because he would understand I was just a fan connecting however he villainised me and that's where it started to fail.
'I wish he would acknowledge me as a victim and not as a villain. He requires to inform the public about what really occurred and set the tone.
'I don't hate him, due to the fact that he is a victim too. People abused his photo. If I knew it wasn't him, I would never have established the exhibit or offered the tickets.'
An image by Piers Brosnan illustrating a green area on the coast
Ms Simms reimbursed the ₤ 20,000 in tickets however was required to shut her gallery in August 2024 after the occurrence left her credibility in tatters. Pictured: A painting by Pierce Brosnan
Among the genuine Pierce Brosnan's paintings portraying a lady lying down
As quickly as she realised she had actually been duped, Ms Simms reimbursed the ₤ 20,000 in tickets however was forced to shut her gallery in August 2024 after the saga left her credibility in tatters, with numerous still believing she had actually tried to fraud them.
Others have actually reported being called by a phony Facebook account, claiming to be Mr Brosnan, asking which of his movies is their favourite before asking for money.
It comes as last month The Mail revealed how a separated woman was deceived into turning over ₤ 700,000 to a fraudster impersonating Brad Pitt and asked for cash to money his urgent kidney cancer .
Mr Brosnan has actually been approached for remark.
NottinghamPierce BrosnanHawaii
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How aI Deepfake of 007 Star Left Art Gallery Owner's World in Tatters
Abdul Dieter edited this page 3 months ago