There are always explanations for why the invented persona needs cash, and the scammer also presents sophisticated evidence chains for it. Most people are susceptible to it; see the massive success of spear phishing in corporate environments.
He pretended he was sick and his money was frozen because of his divorce and needed a lot of money for expensive operations which failed one after another.
That’s the whole point. Of course he’s rich, there’s just this thing with the bank right now, but this other bill is due immediately, so he just needs a loan, but don’t worry, he’ll pay you back, I mean he’s Brad Pitt, everyone knows he’s loaded, it’s not like some bum asking you for change…
