Johnny Depp has issued a stern warning to his fans about online scammers impersonating him and exploiting his supporters.
The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star took to Instagram on Monday, to alert his followers about the dangers of fraudulent schemes, where scammers solicit money while pretending to be him.
In a heartfelt post shared on his official Instagram account, Depp wrote: “Sadly, it has been brought to my attention that online scammers are intensifying their efforts to target my fans and supporters. As part of their tactics, they create multiple, deceptive social media and email accounts impersonating me and members of my team.”
Depp emphasised the dangers of artificial intelligence in creating fake versions of his face and voice, making the scams even more convincing.
“Neither I, nor my team, will ask you for money or your personal information,” he clarified, urging fans to remain vigilant.
To further protect his supporters, Depp reiterated that his official social media accounts include @johnnydepp on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and that he does not use platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, or Discord.
He firmly stated: “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.”
Depp’s warning comes amid increasing reports of scams involving his name. In 2024, a Gizmodo report revealed that scammers impersonating the actor were linked to 197 complaints filed with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Most of the victims, who were in their sixties or older, reported financial losses ranging from a few thousand dollars to as much as $350,000.
Depp concluded his post with a plea for vigilance.
In 2024, several other high-profile celebrities have also warned their followers about online scammers impersonating them.
Oprah issued a public statement alerting her fans to fake accounts and scam messages asking for donations or promoting false charity campaigns under her name. Similarly, Taylor Swift alerted her fans about fraudulent accounts pretending to offer exclusive concert tickets, merchandise, or access to meet-and-greets, urging fans to be cautious and report any suspicious activity.
“Neither myself, my team, my agent, nor my family will ever contact you on my behalf asking for money or your personal information.” Fans are encouraged to report suspicious activity directly to platform administrators and to avoid engaging with unofficial accounts.
IOL