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A 19-year-old woman has been awarded £10,000 in compensation after her photos were used to create fake Tinder, TikTok, and Instagram profiles.
Sasha-Jay Davies from Aberdare in Wales had her identity stolen by Elha Mai Weston, who used the teenager’s photos to catfish men online.
Ms Weston engaged in “a sustained campaign of online impersonation” according to the High Court order. She created fake profiles on Hinge, TikTok, Tinder, Snapchat, Instagram, Facebook, and SoundCloud - amassing more than 100,000 followers between 2022 and 2026.
Ms Davies was aged just 16 when the first profile was created. Despite reporting the account and making her profile private, the problem migrated to other social media platforms.
Ms Weston operated the accounts under the fictitious identity “Sophie” and “Sophie Kadare”, often using AI-generated pictures to lure men into romantic relationships.
The court heard that Ms Davies had been approached on a number of occasions by members of the public who believed they had “a genuine connection” with her.
One man approached Ms Davies believing that she was his girlfriend after months of exchanging messages with one of Weston’s fake accounts.
Ms Davies told the BBC that the situation had made her feel “anxious” to leave her home.
"I used to go out a lot but now I hardly ever go out because I'm scared what man is going to approach me next.
"It is terrifying to be confronted over something you didn't do and to realise someone is using your face to manipulate others," she said.
Ms Davies added that around 20 men and several women had reached out to her on social media believing they knew her.
The court was told that Ms Weston accepted her “conduct was wrongful” and “acknowledges the significant distresses and suffering” that she had caused Ms Davies.
The order read that “Ms Weston deeply regrets her actions and apologises to Ms Davies wholeheartedly and unreservedly for everything she has been put through.”
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Under the Tomlin order, a type of civil justice agreement, Miss Weston will pay Miss Davies £10,000 in compensation and has agreed not to repeat her conduct.
Ms Weston could be found in contempt of court if she breaches the terms of the agreement.