Jeremy Renner is at the center of a bizarre legal battle after a California woman filed a lawsuit claiming she was scammed out of more than $23,000 by someone she believes was the Marvel star himself. The lawsuit comes from a woman who says what started as a simple interaction on social media spiraled into a months-long online relationship that allegedly left her financially and emotionally devastated. However, Jeremy Renner has firmly denied ever communicating with the woman, with his legal team arguing that she was likely targeted by an online scammer impersonating the actor.
Woman Claims Social Media ‘Like’ Sparked Contact With Jeremy Renner
According to court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Modesto, California resident Marnie Reeves says the situation began in April 2023 after she interacted with Renner’s Instagram account. Reeves claims she “liked” one of the actor’s posts while he was recovering from the serious snowplow accident that nearly cost him his life. She alleges that shortly afterward, she was contacted by an unverified account claiming to be the “Hurt Locker” star, which ultimately led to months of communication.
The 56-year-old, who says she had recently left a 20-year marriage, described the emotional toll of the alleged experience in a lengthy legal complaint. “I have been mentally sick, and could not eat for [a] year, lost my hair my dignity and my self worth,” Reeves wrote in a 549-page complaint filed in December 2024. “I just came out of a 20-year abusive marriage just to get connected to Jeremy Renner,” according to the complaint.
Renner’s Lawyers Say Actor Had ‘No Involvement’
Renner’s legal team has strongly rejected the allegations, arguing that the actor had nothing to do with the situation. In court filings responding to the lawsuit, the “Avengers” star’s attorneys claim the case is built entirely on a mistaken belief that the woman was communicating with the real actor.
“This case is not about anything Defendant Jeremy Renner did,” Renner’s lawyers said in a legal filing. “It is nothing more than frivolous litigation premised entirely on Plaintiff’s self-generated belief that she was in a romantic relationship with Defendant, a belief that has no basis in fact.”
Alleged ‘Fan Card’ Payments And Daily Messages
Reeves claims the online relationship continued for months, with the man she believed was Renner communicating with her frequently. According to her complaint, the two allegedly exchanged messages nearly every day from April through August 2023 using WhatsApp.
She also claims she received messages from someone identifying themselves as part of Renner’s management team who encouraged her to purchase various packages in order to continue communicating with the actor.
Among the options allegedly offered were a “normal” package for $1,100, a “VIP Silver Ticket” for $3,850, a “VIP Gold Ticket” for $5,789, and a “VIP Diamond ticket” for $10,888. Reeves said she initially paid the $1,100 fee because she hoped it would allow her to speak with the actor directly.
She later claimed she had a brief video interaction that she believed involved the real Renner. “He didn’t look me directly in the face because he was driving, but he would tur,n and I did see him. I knew it was him, so that was the only phone call I got from him,” she said.
Renner has denied that any such interaction took place.
Woman Claims Relationship Became Romantic
Despite the limited contact, Reeves alleges that the conversations with the person she believed was Renner became increasingly personal and romantic. Court filings include affectionate messages that were allegedly sent to her. “Marnie, notifications from you is like music to my ears, want to always see you pop up on my screen,” the alleged messages read. “But my love, above all want to really touch and feel you and kiss you. I want to whisper how much love you in your ears while hugging you with my arms around your waist.”
Reeves also alleged in her complaint that the person communicating with her used emotional manipulation to continue requesting money. “I let him back into my life like a stupid woman, where he proceeded to get more money from me,” she wrote. “He really brainwashed me, convinced me that he was coming. I waited all night for him in December because had to pick him up at Sacramento airport, he never came again.”
Reeves says she ultimately lost $23,450 over the course of the alleged romance scam.
Jeremy Renner Warned Fans About Impersonation Scams
Renner’s attorneys have argued that Reeves likely sent money to individuals who were impersonating the actor online. “Plaintiff allegedly sent money to unknown third parties who apparently exploited her expectations by dangling ‘opportunities’ to meet Defendant. Defendant had no involvement in those transactions, did not solicit them, and has never had any relationship with Plaintiff,” the actor’s legal team said.
Romance scams involving people pretending to be the Mayor of Kingstown star have been circulating for years. In fact, a Crime Stoppers group warned about similar scams back in 2019 involving individuals posing as Renner on social media.
The actor himself has also addressed the issue publicly. “Be careful. I’ll never ask for money…” Renner wrote on Facebook. “SCAMMERS want money…. They’ll use my photos , fake IDs, videos, and ai voice notes etc to get your money. Keep it to yourself. Bless you and be safe. Thx.”
The lawsuit is currently scheduled to go to trial in August, though Renner’s legal team says they plan to seek dismissal of the case before it reaches that stage.