Aberdare woman has identity stolen to catfish men

Whenever somebody stares at Sasha-Jay Davies in a supermarket, she panics, thinking they recognise her face and are about to confront her. For almost four years she has been accused of leading men on, arranging to meet and not showing up, and harassed by complete strangers. This is because Sasha-Jay's photographs were stolen from her social media accounts and used by someone to build relationships with men and friendships with other women. South Wales Police is investigating, while online safety lawyer Yair Cohen said people who catfish in this way did so because they are frequently motivated by "low self-esteem" and enjoy the power it gives them. "I've had boys approach me in person, harassing me and accusing me of texting them, leading them on, or making plans to meet up alongside conversations I never had," Sasha-Jay, 19, said. "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's really difficult and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy." So far the men who have approached her have been nice once she explained the situation, but she worries about what could happen, adding: "It is terrifying to be confronted over som