Johnny Depp Impersonators Are Swindling Elderly People Online

Have you or a loved one received a message on Facebook from someone claiming to be Johnny Depp? It’s a scam targeting elderly people that’s become common in recent years. These victims are often handing over enormous sums of money, according to consumer complaints filed with the Federal Trade Commission. Sometimes these people are draining their retirement accounts with tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars just to send that money to scammers.

Gizmodo submitted a Freedom of Information Act request with the FTC for all complaints about scammers posing as Johnny Depp over the past year. We received 197 complaints that span the entire country and we’ve published many of them below in an effort to raise awareness about how these scams are perpetrated. The victims were often targeted first on social media platforms like Facebook before the conversation moved to messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, or Zangi. And the methods of sending money included Coinbase, Bitcoin ATMs, Zelle, PayPal, and gift cards, among others.

Why Johnny Depp? The actor is one of the ten most popular celebrities to be used in scam deepfake videos, according to a recent report from McAfee. And while it’s not clear how the scammers in every case convinced the victims they were Johnny Depp, these people thought it was the real deal. Depp was likely chosen as a front for the scammers because he’s 61 and had his heyday in the 1990s. The vast majority of the victims are also in their 60s.

The scams are known as pig butchering, a common type of fraud that first got its name in the mid-2010s. It’s a scam that uses flattery or romance in an effort to extract as much money from the victim as possible over an extended period of time. Not every pig butchering scam uses celebrity impersonation, but it’s common for people to pose as high-profile figures like Elon Musk or Donald Trump to promise either incredible returns on their “investments” or simply time and love with a person they feel some connection with. In reality, they’re just handing money to scammers.

The thing that makes so many of these stories heartbreaking is that most people knew they acted foolishly by trusting a stranger on the internet. It’s easy to ask how someone could be so gullible, but there are a lot of people in the world looking for love on any given day. And when we reach out into the digital ether looking for some kind of human connection, vulnerable people can easily get taken in. The vast majority of the victims in the FTC complaints obtained by Gizmodo appear to be seniors, some with declining mental faculties, made clear by the number of times family members say they tried to reach out to social services.

A woman in her 60s from Minnesota is typical of the victims. She believed she was talking to Johnny Depp and handed the scammers $1,700 before the bank stopped her ability to send more money. And she’s clearly struggling with the shame and embarrassment of falling for a scam.

“I have not only lost my money, I lost my self respect, humiliated, made to look foolish,” the victim wrote in the complaint. “Broken promises, lies, deciet [sic], emotionally and financially drained, mentally I will never be the same again.”

These scammers will often pose not just as Depp himself but as support staff and managers. One common tactic that emerges from the complaints is a character named Jack Wingham, billed as Depp’s manager. But these victims obviously aren’t talking to Depp or anyone else associated with him.

Sometimes the complaints filed with the FTC have been made by the victims themselves. But there are also many complaints filed by family members who clearly don’t know what to do in order to protect their loved ones.

We’ve published a sample of the scams below. Redactions of personal information were made by the FTC before they were released to Gizmodo, making it impossible to verify each individual claim. But patterns emerge that can be helpful for other people who may be experiencing a similar type of scam on the internet. Please don’t send money to random people on the internet, even if they seem like real celebrities. We promise you’re not talking to the real Johnny Depp.

1) “If you could give me my inheritance back I would appreciate it.”

• Total reported loss: $350,000
• Alabama
• Age: 60-64
• September 2024

“I don’t know if the fake Johnny Depp got my inheritance or not or an imposter or a real one I have no idea but that was a fake or an imposter or a real one [redacted] telling me I was supposed to get money from my inheritance and I think they took my inheritance from me with scams in swindles and I want it back. If you could give me my inheritance back I would appreciate it. I haven’t received a nickel of anything back from all of the things I am doing to me, I need my money this is ridiculous and how do I fix this? These imposters ran off with mine here it is and I want it back. I want to press, criminal charges and dispute that having my money.”

2) “About $200,000 so far.”

• Total reported loss: $200,000
• California
• Age: 80 and over
• August 2024

“Consumer is sending money to someone she believes is Johnny Depp. About $200,000 so far. Her daughter is [redacted] the one calling us for any help we can give her.”

3) “She was instructed to keep the communication a secret”

• Total reported loss: $175,000
• Michigan
• Age: 70-79
• June 2024

“There is an impersonator for Johnny Depp who has requested various wire transfers to various individuals and gift cards, and apple cards from my Mom bank accounts. This imposter has taken advantage of my mother and is harassing her and manipulating her through social media, phone and messaging services.

He made false claims and statements about financial circumstances and promises to her. She was instructed to keep the communication a secret and demanded that she pay various payments to multiple people on his behalf.”

4) “The man that pretended to be Johnny Depp claimed he needed help paying the IRS.”

• Total reported loss: $100,000
• Minnesota
• Age: 70-79
• August 2024

“Marge was writing to whom she thought was Johnny Depps manager, [redacted], vter that, she was messaged by a man who pretended to be Johnny Depp, and an online relationship ensued.

Months went by and the man that pretended to be Johnny Depp claimed he needed help paying the IRS. Marge then sent $100,000 to the scammer via wire transfer to a bank in Utah. Communication took place over Facebook Messenger and Telegram. Money movement was via wire transfer.”

5) “Over the past two years she sent approximately $80,000.”

• Total reported loss: $80,000
• California
• Age: 60-64
• August 2024

“Ms. [redacted] begin talking to Johnny Depp approximately 2 years ago on Facebook. [redacted] was in a romantic relationship with him with promises of marriage. [redacted] stated that he promised to pay her back the money but never did. [redacted] stated that over the past two years she sent approximately $80,000. [redacted] deleted the information from her phone and only has the information below.

Johnny Depp – [redacted], Phone numbers for Mr. Depp that communicated with [redacted]

One of the scammers deposited a $5,000 check into her bank account and demanded that she send the money. [redacted] sent money by Apple Giftcards to [redacted]. The check details are below.”

6) “He even gave his bank account number to to transfer the funds.”

• Total reported loss: $45,000
• Ohio
• Age: 65-69
• February 2024

“Consumer heard about new cryptocurrency called ocean coin and he was message by someone posing as Johnny Depp. He signed up for he gave them money to invest with and it looked like he was going to get $350,000 back. He ignored all the red flags that was popping up because it sound too good. He gave them a total of $45,000 to pay supposed taxes. He even gave his bank account number to to transfer the funds. He is calling to see what he can do. Caller is resigned to loss and already had made report to ICE. Caller does not wish to engage an attorney.”

7) “She has lost about $40,000 to some claiming to be Johnny Depp.”

• Total reported loss: $40,000
• Ohio
• Age: 80 and over
• August 2024

“Consumer reports that she has lost about $40,000 to some claiming to be Johnny Depp. The consumer wanted this report. Consumer reports that someone filed a false 2023 tax return also.”

8) “This is disgusting and I need to find help and I don’t know what else to do.”

• Total reported loss: $20,000
• Alabama
• Age: 60-64
• February 2024

“I am filing this report for my mother. She was being scammed by this person in the past. They pretended to be Johnny Depp and she gave them hundreds of dollars. He has since been honest about who he is but is still scamming her out of money. He claims his mother is sick, that he is starving, or his animals are in need of medicine.

My mother is 65 years old and is not in good health. She does not have an official diagnosis but she has had classic intellectual disability symptoms her whole life. She now is beginning to show signs of Alzheimer’s. These scammers (and this one in particular) has scammed her out of literally 20,000 dollars. She can barely pay her rent or her car payment. It is really scary now and the scammer has made a Facebook account for my mother that nobody can get into.

This particular scammer knows what he is doing and knows how her health is. He knows that she is unaware of how much she has sent, how much is in her account, etc. This is disgusting and I need to find help and I don’t know what else to do.”

9) “This person sent her pictures of Johnny Depp in a photoshopped hospital stay.”

• Total reported loss: $20,000
• North Carolina
• Age: 65-69
• February 2024

“My mother was scammed out of $20,000. She was sending whom she thought was Johnny Depps Manager Apple gift cards and bitcoin deposits with the understanding that she was investing in bitcoin and starting a charity for underprivileged children.

This person has her driving for hours purchasing multiple Apple gift cards in the amount of $25, $50, $100, $500.

This person sent her pictures of Johnny Depp in a photoshopped hospital stay. He would tell her he was beaten or in accident and needed money because he was robbed. I have reported this to Apple and this persons Apple account had been disabled.”

10) “Then the impersonator started asking her for money”

• Total reported loss: $20,000
• New Jersey
• Age: Unlisted
• July 2024

“Johnny Depp Impersonation contacted my elderly mother on Facebook. Eventually started messaging her on whats app. Then the impersonator started asking her for money and started having her accept cash apps and trade money into bitcoins.”

11) “You should be ashamed and embarrassed.”

• Total reported loss: Unlisted
• California
• Age: Over 80
• September 2024

“My mother [redacted] received a fake check from a scammer pretending to be Johnny Depp. I called the USAA fraud department the same day and tried to warn them not to cash the check because I knew ultimately, I would be responsible for the amount she withdraws because she immediately sends the stolen funds to the scammer and has no way of repaying it. They said they could not discuss it with me. I pleaded with them to at least put a note on the account and verify the check before letting her withdraw funds. They absolutely refused and she proceeded to transfer $2,500 to her Bank of America account because you made those “funds” immediately available!!! I got a hold of Bank of America and they told me she had spoken to USAA and tried to get the money however they told her to wait and see if the $4,800 would “stay” in the account because they suspected it was fraudulent. However, they let her transfer $2,500 into her BofA account. Then from 09/05-09/09 she withdrew $2,284 from the account thru the BofA ATM. How is this possible when you are sending her messages that there is fraudulent activity on her account? This makes absolutely no sense. Then to make matter worse she files a claim/dispute about the check being fraudulent (when she absolutely knows it’s fraudulent) and you then deposit a provisional (temporary) credit her to account in the amount $2,284 (Dispute ID: [redacted]) so she can pull that same amount out again? WTH!!! So now she has transferred $2,500, withdrawn $2,284, and your provisional credit allows her to withdraw $2,284 again on a bad $4,800 check. That is over $7,000 on a check that was originally $4,800. And to add to that you have credited her $1,000 for the fraudulent check due to it being fraudulent for her not knowing, I guess? How is this possible. She knew from the start the check was bad, you guys notified her it was bad, I told her it was bad, and BofA told her it was bad. She knew exactly what she was doing, and you are just promoting it. Why would she ever stop? And now she has deposited a bad $15,000 check into her Global Credit Union account and is doing the same thing over there. All because you did not do your job initially when she deposited a bad check into her USAA account. You should be ashamed and embarrassed. She is 84 years old, and you are letting her get into so much debt which I will ultimately have to cover.”

12) “Today I decided that this is all fake”

• Total reported loss: $15,000
• Michigan
• Age: 70-79
• August 2024

“I was scammed on Facebook I thought I was talking to the real Johnny Depp for the last 8 weeks I lost a lot of money getting Apple cards then he wanted me to send three phones to Nigeria iPhones well the iPhones are now on their way back to Apple to go back on my credit cards but I am out a total close to 15,000 or more between money that he had me zelle to another person so then I contacted somebody else on Facebook that pretended to be Johnny Depp’s personal management they tried to scam me into sending them the phones to Louisiana saying that that was a secret police and that they would take the phones to Nigeria and catch these people I’m sorry I didn’t believe any of it so I shipped the phones back to Apple I have a flash card with all the messages pictures etc and unfortunately they do have my driver’s license number because I was trying to get a VIP card which I got scammed out of by that Jack Whigman. Today I decided that this is all fake as the reason I sent the phones back to Apple but I want to report the fraud and I need to know who to report this to my name is [redacted] I live at [redacted] my phone number is [redacted] I need to know what to do can you help me where it says how did I pay I use zelle for sending $1,000 I did get a bank statement showing that information and then there was all those apple cards and Google cards PayPal cash app which I have deleted them all I don’t want those sites on my phone anymore can you help me. Some of the questions I can’t really answer because there are several people on WhatsApp where I just took the phones to ship them back to Apple he put all their conversations on a flash drive for me”

13) “She bought a $12,000 first class ticket to see him in Los Angeles.”

• Total reported loss: Unlisted
• Minnesota
• Age: 65-69
• June 2024

“The consumer’s sister is married and met a Johnny Depp impostor on social media and was communicating using a third party app. She bought a $12,000 first class ticket to see him in Los Angeles. The flight leaves a week from Thursday. She was told to keep everything quiet. The consumer wants to know how to protect her sister’s identity. The impostor did ask for money and talked about a celebrity access card. She is not buying an access card.”

14) “He still uses mind head games.”

• Total reported loss: $10,000
• South Carolina
• Age: 60-64
• September 2024

“He has been claiming to be Johnny Depp for two years [redacted] OLU is his handle on whatsapp [redacted] on telegram his number is [redacted] Over the course of two years he has hacked into my crypto currency on cash app and coin base he has scammed me approximately 10,000.00 He used my coinbase to filter bad crypto I reported it on that website. Cash app closed me down because of him. He has hacked into my EM people credit union and tried to hack into my founders account. He has done this by a love emotional under duress account. Using psychological tactics and mental abuse until I fought back. He still uses mind head games.

I am reporting him stealing all these things. I had to buy gift cards to when my crypto shut down. I have my Amazon account full of the receipts and saved the ones I bought in the stores including Walmart games top and target. Please help recover these monies. I don’t use gift cards. I am 60 years old no need for them. He has made me lose my credit my truck was reposted all because I was under mental abuse of him pressuring me for money.

15) “After about week Depp wanted me to apply to Management to schedule a vacation.”

• Total reported loss: $5,000
• California
• Age: 65-69
• February 2024

“Receiving messenger texts from Johnny Depp requested I move to Zangi for private conversation. I don’t have their number, my number is [redacted] on Zangi. After about week Depp wanted me to apply to Management to schedule a vacation. Management wanted my information: employment status, do I own car, house drivers license plus to send $5,000 to vacation with Mr Depp. Have stopped communication as of 2/6/24. Although texting continues to have me redpond. Also calling my Zangi number to ring 1-2 times hang up.”

16) “The communication started on Facebook”

• Total reported loss: $5,000
• Oklahoma
• Age: 60-64
• August 2024

“My mother has been talking to someone who claims to be Johnny Depp for over a year. I just found out and am taking over handling this as best I can.

He first claimed to help her invest in bitcoin through cashapp. It also developed into fake love interest and claimed he would sweep her away to Italy to live her dream.

She gave these people everything.

Name. DOB. Address. Pictures of cards. Log in info to any and everything.

I haven’t been able to sort out the amount of transactions yet but there were many, some small and a few $1000 range.

They got her to take out loans for them and everything. No telling what all they have done with all her personal info they have.

She also sent them pictures not only of her but of our family, and given that they have the address and all the other info they do- and there were children in some of the pictures, we’re all afraid for our safety now.

I listed the main email of the scam in the info section below but there are at least 2 others ive found related to all this. Ill just add them here. [redacted]

Also the transactions were primarily through cashapp but the communication started on Facebook and they got her to download Telegram app and went to there instead. The name on Telegram is [redacted].”

17) “She has already sent $3,000 through a Bitcoin ATM.”

• Total reported loss: $3,000
• Georgia
• Age: 70-79
• November 2024

“The scammer reached out to my elderly mother through messenger and pretended to be the CEO of Johnny Depp’s company.  He gave her contact information for who she believes is Johnny Depp.  The person she is communicating with via Telegram has convinced her she is going to marry Johnny Depp but she needs to donate money to the UN on his behalf. She has already sent $3,000 through a Bitcoin ATM. She does not believe me that it is a scam and continues to communicate with this person. I believe that she is planning to send this person more money and I’m not sure how I can stop it.  Please help.”

18) “He was helping her invest money using Bitcoin.”

• Total reported loss: $3,000
• Oklahoma
• Age: 60-64
• August 2024

“Consumer got her ID stolen.  She gave her SSN and banking information and debit card information.   She was a messaging on telegram someone for over a year.  She thought she was corresponding with Johnny Depp. He was helping her invest money using Bitcoin.”

19) “I have not only lost my money, I lost my self respect, humiliated, made to look foolish.”

• Total reported loss: $1,700
• Minnesota
• Age: 60-64
• September 2024

“It started 2/12 months ago. I made a comment about johnny depp and then became prey for all the scammers under his name I block70 johnny depp fan pages. I reported it so so many times to Facebook, but they did nothing, so I fell victim to the last 2. On monday 9/23/2024 they tried to clean out my account, they got 1,700 before my bank stopped all transaction. I have not only lost my money, I lost my self respect, humiliated, made to look foolish. Broken promises, lies, deciet, emotionally and financially drained, mentally I will never be the same again. This needs to stop, I work hard for my money and to have it taken away and told there’s nothing I can do. I could have lost up to 10,000 if the bank didn’t stop it.”

20) “She is fan of someone posing as Johnny Depp”

• Total reported loss: $1,500
• Wisconsin
• Age: 60-64
• July 2024

“Consumer states his ex wife is going to be scam because she is fan of someone posing as Johnny Depp and she can get tickets to see him but $1,500 in american Express gift cards and Itunes also they wanted her to open a Chime.”

21) “Then he convinced her to use a credit card (has a $1,200 limit) to buy Apple Cards to send to him.”

• Total reported loss: $1,200
• California
• Age: 70-79
• November 2024

“I am [redacted], POA for my niece [redacted] who is developmentally disabled and being scammed.  At first she was doing $20-50 of her SSA/SSI money in a week.  Then he convinced her to use a credit card (has a $1,200 limit) to buy Apple Cards to send to him. 10/30 – $300, 11/3 – $50, 11/5 – $300, 11/7 – $100.  I canceled the card on 11/7.  [redacted] is CONVINCED this is Johnny Depp no matter what we (she has a caregiver) tell her.  We have also taken her phone away from her so she can’t communicate with him.  She gave him her SSN, DOB, address, her phone #s and my phone numbers.  Whatever he asked for she gave him.  Her caregiver took lots of screen shots.  She never spoke to him.  I pulled that phone off one of the screen shots but were using multiple apps to communicate.”

22) “I am now in financial trouble!!”

• Total reported loss: $800
• Nevada
• Age: 69
• June 2024

“I was romanced by a person claiming to be Johnny Depp on the Facebook messenger and told to get the Zangi app for privacy. This person romanced me and promised to come see me, marry me and bring me and my family to the UK. Then he asked me to send up to $500 to [redacted] who was his financial manager for a security card!! Then a person named Jack Whigham told me to delete the Zangi app and use the telegram app to speak to the real Johnny Depp. He Johnny told me to send $300. To [redacted] for the real security card. I believed U was in Love and I trusted him and sent the money. I had to get a title loan to send this money. I am now in financial trouble!! I am on SSI and 69 years old. I’m very ashamed. However I NEED my money back and want these people prosecuted!!”

23) “He first came to me interested in having an intimate relationship”

• Total reported loss: $300
• Arizona
• Age: Unlisted
• July 2024

“These interactions have happened over the durtation of approximaely 4 to 6 months time frame The celebrity is  actor Johnny Depp  He first came to me interested in having an intimate relationship with me  We interacted on  various chat sites. Intially, this writer had a false interaction with an Imposter in which many other fans did as well  I was talkied into buying  a fans membership Johnny told me pay what you can i will cover the rest. Well , he never did THis is where the money was provided in obtaining gift cards . Apple gift cards to be exact. As we continued , I paid 300 dollars in various amonuts on Apple gift cards Johnny informed me that ohter fan members were being refunded  for the amounts they lost an that i would be too. Again this never happened i called him out on this an told him He was just punishing me for not being his girl friend He said hmm I have asked over an over for my refund He refuses to pay me back its his way of getting revenge i guess. Since then, I have spoken to manager Jack Wingham an informed him what Johnny has done He didnt appear to know about any of this He was willing to pay back the 300 dollars but i had to pay another 50 dollars I was too afraid to pay more an i told him I did not think i should have to do this I informed him that Johnny had told me i would be reimbursed as others were Three days ago Johnny asked me for 100 dollars I cant believe these celebrites ask their fans for money  He told me if i gave him 100 dollars he would give me 500 dollars I did not do this as this is what started the problem in the begining  Johnny stated he needed agents was i in for 100 to get 500 I should not have to pay another dime I never got the fans membership card, I’ve never been reimimbursed like other fans have been Johnny an Jack both want more money in order for me to get the 300 dollar reimbursement ,  THIS IS NOT RIGHT ;I wonder how many others had to pay more to get their refunds for giving to imposters PLS HELP  TY”

24) “After a couple of weeks I was asked if I wanted to go on a vacation with him”

• Total reported loss: $250
• Iowa
• Age: 60-64
• July 2024

“It started as a aren’t you lucky to talk to the Real Johnny Depp. After a couple of weeks I was asked if I wanted to go on a vacation with him . This would be great. Then came the cost from $1,000.00 to as much as $8,000.00 for a week. I told him/them I could not on disability afford any price. So one of them said if I paid half they would pay the other half. I told them I could not. The one says just send what I could. PayPal would not allow me to send so they got a different name to use. I sent $1.00 this pissed the person off royally. They sent it back. Then they said send $100.00 This is at 3 am or later. I sent it they sent it back. Then they gave me a man’s name to send it to and send my half $250.00 turn to Euo . I said after I sent and seen how much it was that I couldn’t afford that. They did not send it back . My phone rang and I heard the phone being set down. I also heard them discussing if they could get more from me. Then the phone hung up. I tried to screen shot the conversation but before I could everything disappeared. PayPal has all the transfers in history but because it was sent friends and family they do not help. I just had put it off as lesson learned when I see a PayPal money request. The woman’s name was demanding I send her $100.00 as my dad had scammed her out of it. My dad died in 1976 this was on father’s day  a sad day for me anyway. So I learned how to block them both names.

I just had a guy claiming to be the real Johnny Depp on tictoc take over my Facebook account so I found this app that sent me information to reach here to report this so here is my true event.”

25) “Myself and family have all tried to convince her she is being scammed but insist it’s real.”

• Total reported loss: Unlisted
• Kentucky
• Age: 65-69
• July 2024

“My mother is being scammed by someone claiming to be johnny depp. She has sent money to this person several times. Myself and family  have all tried to convince her she is being scammed but insist it’s real. Please help stop this madness.”

Do you have a story to tell about an online scam? You can email the author of this post at [email protected].