'Dating scammers stole my identity for fake profiles on Grindr, Instagram and Facebook'
26.02.2023 - 22:23
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
My phone lights up. I am on holiday with my mum, enjoying a cocktail in a gay bar in central Barcelona. Imagine my sheer panic when I see an Instagram account has been created, seeming to use my name and my pictures, offering exclusive, paid-for, adult-only content.
A good friend of mine had spotted the account and sent me a screenshot. I instantly felt sickened. This was unbelievable. How could this be happening? In this technological era, how could somebody be able to freely set up a profile posing as me without any form of verification?
Not least because of my job - a reputable journalist working for a regional newspaper. I worried about the potential repercussions of me being seen to be offering x-rated videos and pictures online to anyone who could spare a few quid.
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Of course, I instantly reported the account and encouraged many of my friends to do so too in a frantic bid to get it removed - and fast. I noticed there was a video story posted to the account, which featured a completely blurred video that appeared to be pornographic, inviting viewers to click a link to see the full clip of 'me' for a fee.
"Follow me to see all kinds of exclusive content" the profile advertised. "I promise you will not regret! Adults only." There was a thick lump in my throat I struggled to swallow.
This new variant of 'catfishing' sees fake Instagram profiles being created using real people's pictures in a desperate, but somewhat convincing attempt to seem genuine. In my instance they followed many of my contacts and close friends. Often, as appeared to be the case in my experience, the user then makes accounts on fan only sites with the intention of