Director Vincent Gallo Sues Facebook After Ex Sends Nudes to Fake Account

Director and actor Vincent Gallo is suing Facebook, claiming a fake account made in his image was created and used to lure women into online sexual encounters and tricked an ex-girlfriend into sending nude photos of him, the Guardian reports.

Gallo, 55, is headed to court against the social media giant and the unidentified owner of a fake profile. The "Buffalo '66" star and director says the person of the account contacted a number of his friends pretending to be Gallo and exchanged pictures with an ex-girlfriend, who was unaware she was communicating with an imposter.

"The two had Facebook messenger conversations for a period of two months, where Doe 1 [the fake account proprietor] 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 complaint reads, according to the Hollywood Reporter. "Once she solidified her plans to visit him, Doe 1 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 creator of the alleged fake Gallo Facebook profile is also accused of luring fans to meet him 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 complaint reportedly reads.

The "Brown Bunny" director said he tried to follow Facebook's automated procedures for removing a fake profile, but after sending a "professionally color scanned copy" of his driver's license, the company allegedly refused to verify his identity, leaving the fake account active.

The Guardian notes Facebook has suspended a Vincent Gallo account.

Gallo is suing Facebook for intentional infliction of emotional distress, false designation of origin, unfair competition and unfair business practices. He's suing the unnamed owner of the Facebook page in question for violating his right of publicity and internet impersonation (a.k.a. catfishing). He wants special, consequential and general damages, the Guardian reports.