A Co Derry GAA star is believed to be the victim of a prolific ‘catfish’ conwoman who is originally from Co Armagh.
The PSNI last night said it received a report of harassment last Monday and that enquiries are ongoing.
Details of the elaborate online ruse have been revealed in a podcast by a comedy broadcasting duo, The 2 Johnnies.
It is understood a well-known Derry county player was targeted by the woman who is believed to be originally from Portadown.
The woman is thought to have used multiple fake accounts to net an unknown number of unsuspecting victims over recent years in a practice known as ‘Catfishing’.
This refers to the creation of a false online identity designed to draw the target into a romantic relationship or to commit fraud.
The culprits usually use fake photographs, often taken from others online, and lie about their personal details to the potential victim.
Often this is designed to humiliate and embarrass those they have targeted.
In 2022 The 2 Johnnies, revealed that one of the pair, Johnny ‘B’ O’Brien, had been targeted by a fictitious account.
Earlier this month, in the latest podcast in their ‘GAA Catfish’ series, the double act revealed the devious fraudster is continuing to snare victims, including prominent GAA sportsmen.
Using the fictitious name Aoife Kennedy, the Catfisher has used other multiple fake accounts to convince targets she is a real person.
On the podcast a voiceover actor is used to represent the high-profile GAA victim.
He reveals that the trickster falsely claimed she had been raped by another GAA player and forced to have an abortion.
The Derry County board, Ulster Council and Croke Park, who have all been involved in welfare controversies in the recent past, were asked if they are offering support to the Derry player at the centre of the latest Catfishing controversy but none of them provided a response.
The Gaelic Players’ Association has warned its members to be aware of the dangers of Catfishing.
A spokeswoman for the PSNI said: “Police received a report of harassment on Monday, January 13. Enquiries are ongoing.”
A spokesman for the Gardai said: “We don’t comment on third party materials.”
