It was the dream signing for the owner of an unknown Nottingham gallery - an exhibit including the work of Hollywood actor-turned-artist Pierce Brosnan, who would likewise address meet fans.
But the gallery's owner has actually revealed how her livelihood and reputation were 'ruined' after the Pierce Brosnan with whom she spent months working out the exhibition of a life time ended up not to be the Bond star however a 'deepfake'.
Simone Simms has actually spoken for the first time about how she succumbed to the sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI) rip-off which led to 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 fans with the pledge of meeting 71-year-old Brosnan, only to discover she had actually been fooled.
Scammers utilized AI to generate a persuading likeness of Mr Brosnan video-calling her from his ₤ 80million house in Hawaii.
Ms Simms recalled 'how genuine' he appeared on Zoom and how she 'squealed with enjoyment that he remained in my living-room speaking to me' before taking the bait and sending the fraudsters ₤ 3,000 for 'shipping fees' for the art.
Her nightmare started when she contacted what she thought to be Mr Brosnan's legitimate Facebook page at the start of 2023 and asked if he would display 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, including a number of voice notes going over the exhibit.
The AI deepfake of 007 star Pierce Brosnan that fooled art gallery owner Simone Simms
Mrs Simms (visualized, left) succumbed to a scam that resulted in her losing her ₤ 30,000 art gallery
More than 20,000 tickets were offered with the promise of meeting 71-year-old Brosnan, who fraudsters 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 star
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In one audio message, listened to by The Mail on Sunday, a voice with Mr Brosnan's distinctive Irish accent discusses the upcoming exhibit.
'Simone, it's Pierce Brosnan here, how's it going? Just wished to apologise for not being able to establish a conference,' the voice states.
'I've 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 substantial success.'
In a subsequent video call, Mr Brosnan's image appeared on the screen but the noise was off. Messages from the person on the other side of the phone claimed there was a technological problem.
Two of Ms Simms's good friends were likewise in the video meeting, one of two Ms Simms believed she had actually had with Brosnan, and were both fooled, insisting she was not an 'moron'.
Among them, artist Neil Adcock, said: 'It looked like his real face. He said his kid had set it up for bytes-the-dust.com him. He said the sound issue was on our end. It brought on for a while.'
Pierce Brosnan at the Art Miami VIP opening in Miami Florida
After the phony event was reserved, Mr Brosnan put out a statement damning the gallery, he 'would never charge for a meet and greet'
The real Pierce's art work. Mrs Simms advertised ₤ 500 'fulfill and greet' tickets with the deepfake Mr Brosnan
Another painting the real Mr Brosnan. Mrs Simms says she wishes the star would acknowledge her as a victim instead of a villain
Others have actually reported being gotten in touch with by a fake Facebook account, claiming to be Mr Brosnan. Pictured: One of the real Mr Brosnan's paintings
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Meanwhile, after Ms Simms reserved and marketed her show, the real Mr Brosnan saw an ad for the exhibit including his art online and provided a declaration damning the gallery, insisting he 'would never ever charge for a satisfy and welcome'.
His legal representatives 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 realised her error and tearfully recalled: 'It was the worst time of my life and it tainted my track record.
'Pierce injured me by releasing the declaration. He ought to have done more research study before he did due to the fact that he would understand I was just a fan reaching out but he villainised me which's where it began to fail.
'I want he would acknowledge me as a victim and not as a villain. He requires to tell the public about what truly took place and set the tone.
'I don't hate him, due to the fact that he is a victim too. People abused his image. If I knew it wasn't him, I would never have set up the exhibit or sold the tickets.'
An image by Piers Brosnan illustrating a green area on the coast
Ms Simms refunded 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
One of the real Pierce Brosnan's paintings illustrating a woman lying down
As quickly as she realised she had been fooled, Ms Simms reimbursed the ₤ 20,000 in tickets however was required to shut her gallery in August 2024 after the legend left her track record in tatters, with numerous still thinking she had actually tried to scam them.
Others have actually reported being called by a phony Facebook account, claiming to be Mr Brosnan, asking which of his films is their favourite before requesting money.
It comes as last month The Mail exposed how a divorced lady was duped into turning over ₤ 700,000 to a fraudster presenting as Brad Pitt and asked for money to money his urgent kidney cancer treatment.
Mr Brosnan has been approached for comment.
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 4 weeks ago