A man living in Budapest allegedly used Hollywood star Johnny Depp’s bank card details for years while the actor reportedly remained completely unaware of the missing money. According to investigators, hundreds of transactions were carried out, with the total damage exceeding 220 million forints (600.000 EUR).
Luxury spending and online bookings exposed the scheme
The alleged fraud linked to Johnny Depp began after an American financial institution flagged suspicious transactions on the account of one of its high-profile clients. The investigation eventually led authorities to Hungary, where detectives identified a 27-year-old Jordanian man as the suspected perpetrator.
According to investigators, between January 2024 and December 2025, the man repeatedly used the stolen bank card details for online purchases and accommodation bookings. Authorities are currently examining 308 separate transactions worth more than 721,000 US dollars.
The case attracted international attention because Depp allegedly failed to notice the missing funds for a long period of time. As the actor’s fortune is estimated to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars, the suspect was reportedly able to make smaller transactions continuously without immediately raising suspicion, according to reports by Blikk.
Operations may have been run from a flat in Angyalföld
Hungarian investigators eventually traced IP addresses, email accounts and phone numbers to a rented apartment in Budapest’s 13th district. During a raid at the property on Gömb Street, officers seized electronic devices as well as substances suspected to be narcotics.
The suspect in the Johnny Depp bank fraud case was arrested in early May with the assistance of Hungary’s rapid response police unit. Reports suggest the man denies committing the offences, despite a court ordering his pre-trial detention.
Police are now trying to determine exactly how Johnny Depp’s credit card information ended up in the suspect’s possession. At this stage, investigators have not ruled out data theft, a leak, or a previous online transaction as the source.
Johnny Depp’s name once again linked to Budapest
The case has drawn even more attention because Depp has visited Budapest several times in recent years. The actor previously spent extended periods in the Hungarian capital while filming productions, attracting crowds of fans around the city centre and Buda Castle.
The Hollywood star worked in Budapest on the film Modi, with scenes shot at several iconic locations across the city. Entire streets were transformed into early 20th-century Paris for the production, creating a striking spectacle for locals and tourists alike. We previously wrote about which Hollywood films were shot in Hungary, here.
This was not the first unfortunate incident connected to Depp’s time in Hungary. Previously, a burglary took place at the Budapest home of a French actress associated with the production while the actor was also staying in the city.
Suspect could face years behind bars
The investigation is being conducted on suspicion of fraud committed through the misuse of an information system, an offence that can carry a severe prison sentence. Because officers also discovered substances suspected to be drugs in the flat, the man is additionally being investigated for drug possession.
Experts say this type of online financial fraud is becoming increasingly common worldwide, particularly when wealthy and high-profile individuals are targeted. The Johnny Depp bank fraud case has once again highlighted that even global celebrities are not fully protected against cybercrime.
Further details may emerge in the coming months regarding the exact amount of money allegedly obtained and whether other individuals were involved in the operation.
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