Close the net on catfishing crooks

Laws urged to expose scammers and sex predators hiding under cloak of anonymity

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NEW laws outlawing fake dating app profiles are needed to stop sophisticated online predators, a leading cyber-crime expert has warned.

Rory Innes, founder of The Cyber Helpline charity, has highlighted an explosion in “catfishing” cases, which leave victims emotionally and financially devastated every year.

He believes targeted Scottish legislation to combat exploitation is a must to keep people safe in an increasingly virtual world.

The Sunday Mail has highlighted the case of serial fraudster Ryan McVeigh who used a string of aliases as well as stolen photographs to carry out the sexual, financial and emotional abuse of 17 women — including raping two.

Rory wants social media platforms to be forced into greater accountability, and powers for police extended to tackle the growing crisis.

He said: “Pretending to be someone else online, even building a fake relationship, isn’t in itself a crime. It only becomes criminal when it crosses into things like fraud, harassment, stalking, malicious communications or sexual offences.

“The rise of dating apps, social media and AI tools have made impersonation incredibly easy.

“You can create multiple profiles, generate convincing images or even videos, and operate anonymously at virtually no cost. That lends itself to harm.

“Ultimately, we need legislative reform, platform accountability and properly resourced policing. Otherwise, this problem will continue to escalate.

“The impact is massive and not just financially. It’s mental health, fear, loss of confidence, reputational damage.

“Imagine discovering that someone you thought you were in a relationship with never existed. That's devastating.

“This is a crisis that's growing. If we don't adapt our laws and systems, more people' lives will be devastated”