Johnny Depp cautions fans about online scam impersonators asking for money
Johnny Depp alerts his followers to be vigilant against online scammers.
The 61-year-old star of “Pirates of the Caribbean” stated in an Instagram message on Monday that scammers have been increasingly targeting his fans by pretending to be him and soliciting funds.
“These impostors create numerous fake social media and email accounts mimicking my identity and that of my team,” he elaborated.
“Today’s technology allows AI to replicate my appearance and voice. Scammers can appear and sound just like me. However, neither I nor my team will ever request money or personal information from you.”
Depp provided his official social media account handles and made it clear that he does not have accounts on X, Snapchat, or Discord. He emphasized that he does not charge for meetings, phone calls, club memberships, or fan cards, nor does he communicate directly with fans through social media, email, or chat apps.
“If anyone asks you for money for a meeting, call, membership, or fan card, it’s a scam,” he cautioned.
He reassured his audience that he and his team are “actively working to counter these fraudulent activities.”
Depp isn’t the sole celebrity facing online impersonation challenges.
Recently, Kelly Rowland posted on Instagram about a scam where a user received a direct message that pretended to be from the “Destiny’s Child” singer, asking for money to purchase a “plain ticket” for her to perform in their city.
“Stay safe out there!” Rowland urged, while highlighting the “fake” nature of the message. She added humorously, “And don’t think I don’t know how to spell P-L-A-N-E!”
In November, Reba McEntire similarly advised her fans to “protect yourself online” and not fall for scams. She reiterated on Instagram, “I and my team will NEVER contact you via direct message or cell phone asking for money to meet me.”
Furthermore, an October report from McAfee found Scarlett Johansson to be the celebrity most frequently victimized by online scams.
“These scams range from selling fake goods or services that rip off your money or bank details to social media or email scams that trick victims into clicking harmful links that can install malware,” McAfee stated. “All these scams threaten consumers’ data, privacy, and identity.”
Other celebrities frequently targeted by scammers include Kylie Jenner, Taylor Swift, Anya Taylor-Joy, Tom Hanks, Sabrina Carpenter, Sydney Sweeney, Blake Lively, and Addison Rae, as reported by McAfee.
In a warning issued by the Federal Trade Commission in 2018, they cautioned against scammers pretending to be celebrities on social media, soliciting money for various supposed reasons—such as claiming a prize, fundraising for charity, or offering some kind of assistance.
The agency emphasized that individuals should “never send money, gift cards, or prepaid debit cards to strangers, including celebrities you might encounter on social media.”