Angelina Jolie's kidnap fear

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are terrified for their son Pax Thein's safety after learning of a $100 million plot to kidnap him.

The Hollywood couple have reportedly tightened security after their bodyguards heard of a "credible and meticulously planned" bid to snatch their newly adopted three-year-old Vietnamese son.

The Los Angeles-based gang members were allegedly planning to demand a staggering $100 million ransom.

A source Life and Style Weekly magazine: "They're highly skilled operatives with little regard for human life. "Information came out that leaders of the gang ordered their Los Angeles members to devise a plan to kidnap Pax before demanding a ransom of $100 million for his safe return.

"Brad and Angelina would have a number of days to hand over the money or risk the boy's life."

The gang behind the alleged plot are said to have previously carried out a number of kidnappings.

The couple - who have two other adopted children, Maddox and Zahara, and a naturally conceived daughter Shiloh - were allegedly informed of the threat as Angelina was preparing to leave Vietnam with Pax earlier this month.

A friend of the couple said the "life drained out of Brad" when his security team told him his son was in legitimate danger.

A spokesman for the couple has denied the claims.

- BANG! SHOWBIZ