Director Vincent Gallo sues Facebook over fake Gallo account holder

Director Vincent Gallo, known for works such as Buffalo ’66 and The Brown Bunny, is suing Facebook over an anonymous John Doe who repeatedly impersonated him with malicious intent. According to the complaint filed, a user created a Facebook profile using his name, then befriended many of his real-life acquaintances to solidify the fake account.

The impersonator then made contact with his ex-girlfriend to the point where he convinced her to send nude photos.

“The two had Facebook messenger conversations for a period of two months, where Doe 1 flirted, sent nude pictures from the waist down, and convinced her not only to send nude pictures back, but to travel from Europe to the United States to visit him,” the formal complaint reads.

“Once she solidified her plans to visit him, Doe 1 (the Fake Account proprietor) backed down and gave an excuse that he would be out of town during her planned visit. At this time, she sensed something was wrong and discovered, to her horror and embarrassment, that Doe 1 was in fact, not Mr. Gallo,” the complaint continues.

Moreover, the catfishing did not stop there, according to the real Gallo. The imitator reached numerous women, “and under the auspice of being Mr. Gallo has flirted with them, and then lured them to meet Doe 1 in person in Los Angeles. Mr. Gallo further alleges, upon information and belief, that Doe 1 repeatedly engages females to have conversations that are sexual in nature, while pretending to be Mr. Gallo.”

The director says he has tried contacting Facebook in an attempt to take down the fake account, but ironically received an automated message requiring identity proof. When Gallo scanned a copy of his driver’s license, a Facebook representative then told him to also send in a new photo ID. To date, however, the fake account remains active.

Now Gallo feels no other alternative but to sue for “false designation of origin under the Lanham Act, intentional affliction of emotional distress, unfair competition and unfair business practices.” In addition, the mysterious John Doe is included in the lawsuit.