Johnny Depp has raised concerns among fans with a recent social media statement shared during the New Year period.
The actor, known for iconic roles in Edward Scissorhands and Pirates of the Caribbean, issued a warning on Monday, January 6, about scammers impersonating him to defraud people.
In his statement, Depp revealed that fraudsters had created “multiple deceptive social media and email accounts impersonating me and members of my team.” He cautioned fans about the sophistication of these scams, noting that “AI can create the illusion of my face or voice. Scammers may look or sound just like the real me.”
The post from Johnny Depps Instagram account. (Link to original post below.)
Johnny Depp Addresses Scammer Threats
Depp clarified that he does not use X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, or Discord and that his official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts are identifiable by the @johnnydepp handle.
This warning follows a similar statement issued in 2022, with the actor’s name frequently appearing on lists of celebrities most targeted by scammers. Depp reiterated that neither he nor his team would ever ask fans for money or offer paid services such as meetings, phone calls, club memberships, or fan cards.
He concluded by stating: “Neither myself, my team, my agent, nor my family will ever contact you on my behalf asking for money or your personal information.”
Celebrity Scams and “Pig-Butchering”
A report by Gizmodo revealed that in 2024, 197 complaints were filed with the Federal Trade Commission about scams involving Depp impersonators. These scams typically begin on social media platforms like Facebook before shifting to messaging apps such as WhatsApp.
This type of fraud, known as “pig-butchering,” involves building a false sense of connection or romance between victims and a celebrity impersonator. Scammers often request financial support or encourage victims to invest in fraudulent schemes, with money typically transferred through apps like PayPal or Bitcoin ATMs.
Why Scammers Target Depp Fans
At 61, Depp’s impersonators may be exploiting his demographic of long-time fans, many of whom are now in a similar age group. Older individuals are often more vulnerable to these types of scams, making them a primary target for fraudsters.
Link to original post from Johnny Depp’s Instagram page.
