Johnny Depp Warns of Fraudsters Using Advanced Technology to Impersonate Him
Johnny Depp, known for his iconic roles in “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “Fantastic Beasts”, has issued a stern warning to his fans about online scammers.
In a heartfelt New Year message on Instagram on 6 January 2025, the 61-year-old actor alerted his 28.5 million followers to fraudulent activities by individuals impersonating him through deceptive social media and email accounts.
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AI-Generated Illusions Pose New Threat
Highlighting the sophistication of modern scams, Depp explained how artificial intelligence technology can convincingly mimic his face and voice.
He wrote:
“Today, AI can create the illusion of my face and voice. Scammers may look and sound just like the real me. But, neither I, nor my team, will ask you for money or your personal information.”
Official Social Media Accounts Listed
To prevent further deception, Depp clarified which platforms he officially uses.
He emphasised that his genuine presence is limited to Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok.
Importantly, he stated,
"I am not on X, Snapchat, or Discord."
Depp listed out all of his official social media accounts.
No Paid Interactions Offered
Depp also refuted any claims suggesting that he offers paid interactions such as meetings, phone calls, or fan memberships.
He urged his fans to remain cautious, saying,
“I do not offer paid meetings, phone calls, club memberships, or fan cards. If you are ever asked for any money for a meeting, call, membership, or fan card, it is a scam.”
Spike in Complaints Linked to Scams
The warning from Depp comes after a report from Gizmodo on 4 December 2024, revealing that the United States Federal Trade Commission received 197 complaints over the past year about scammers posing as the actor.
These impostors often initiate contact on platforms like Facebook before transitioning to messaging apps such as Telegram, WhatsApp, or Zangi.
A Growing Problem for Celebrities
Depp is not the only celebrity addressing impersonation issues after the new year.
On 3 January 2025, singer Kelly Rowland shared a now-expired Instagram Story to warn her followers of similar scams.
She cautioned her fans to "be careful out here," while emphatically slammed the fraudulent messages, boldly declaring them as “FAKE AF!!” in large letters.
Top Target for Cybercriminals
A report by cyber-security firm McAfee in October 2024 placed Depp among the top 10 celebrities most exploited in online scams, with American actress Scarlett Johansson leading the list.
Fans must be more vigilant against such schemes in light of this revelation.
Depp’s Assurance to Fans
In his post, Depp reassured fans that neither he nor his team would ever directly contact them for personal information or money.
He stressed,
"Again, neither myself, my team, my agent, nor my family will ever contact you on my behalf asking for money or your personal information."
As sophisticated online scams increase, this serves as a timely reminder for everyone, not just fans, to stay aware and protect themselves from becoming victims.
Remember, when something seems too good to be true, pause and question its validity.
It could be a trap waiting for you.