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Johnny Depp Impersonators Are Swindling Elderly People Online | Gizmodo obtained complaints about Johnny Depp impersonation scams through a FOIA request to the FTC.

Gizmodo obtained complaints about Johnny Depp impersonation scams through a FOIA request to the FTC.

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. 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. 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.

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