A 19-year-old woman whose images were used to create fake Tinder, TikTok and Instagram profiles is to be paid compensation after a prolonged campaign of online impersonation. These profiles led numerous men to believe she was their girlfriend, causing considerable distress.
Sasha-Jay Davies from Aberdare had her identity stolen by Elha Mai Weston. Weston specifically posed as the teenager to strike up romantic conversations across various social media platforms. Weston amassed more than 100,000 followers, creating a widespread deception. This situation left Davies fearful to leave her home, as she was frequently approached by men who genuinely thought they were in a relationship with her.
“Sustained Campaign of Online Impersonation”
The High Court in London was informed that Weston engaged in a “sustained campaign of online impersonation,” a practice widely recognised as catfishing. This campaign saw Weston utilise Davies’ images to establish and manage a multitude of fake accounts over a four-year period, specifically between 2022 and 2026. The extensive use of fake accounts was not limited to just a few platforms; images were extensively posted on Tinder, Hinge, Snapchat, TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and SoundCloud.
Through these fake profiles, Weston successfully deceived thousands of people across various social media and dating applications. The court heard that Weston created and ran these fake accounts, using names such as “Sophie” and “Sophie Kadare.” In addition to Davies’ actual images, Weston also incorporated AI-generated images that were based on Davies’ likeness. She then used these fake profiles to initiate and maintain real-life romantic relationships with unsuspecting individuals.
The scale of the online impersonation was considerable. Fake accounts impersonating Sasha-Jay alone garnered 81,000 followers on TikTok. On Instagram, these misleading profiles accumulated an additional 22,000 followers. Davies recounted that the initial fake account surfaced on TikTok in 2022, when she was merely 16 years old. Despite reporting the issue, the problem escalated rapidly, spreading to other social media platforms and dating apps. Even after Davies took steps to make her authentic social media accounts private, Weston persisted in posting older photographs and AI-edited images, as documented in court proceedings.
Profound Personal Impact on Davies
The extensive online impersonation campaign caused very significant distress and suffering to Davies. The student expressed that she used to go out frequently, but now hardly ever leaves her home. This change in behaviour stems from her fear of which man might approach her next, believing they have a relationship with her. She told BBC Wales, “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.”
Davies described the experience as “terrifying to be confronted over something you didn’t do and to realise someone is using your face to manipulate others.” She detailed feeling anxious whenever strangers appeared to recognise her in places like the supermarket. She also experienced direct confrontations from boys who approached her in person, harassing her and accusing her of texting them, leading them on, or making plans to meet up, all based on conversations she never had.
The court heard an account of one man who approached Davies, genuinely believing he was in a romantic relationship with her. This belief arose after he had exchanged months of messages with one of Weston’s fake accounts. Overall, approximately 20 men, alongside several women, had contacted Davies on social media, under the mistaken impression that they knew her personally. Davies articulated the immense difficulty of her situation, stating, “It’s really difficult and I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”
Weston’s Apology and Compensation Agreement
Elha Mai Weston has since apologised and admitted her involvement in the four-year campaign of online impersonation. The High Court was informed that Weston accepted her “conduct was wrongful.” She also acknowledged the “very significant distress and suffering” that had been caused to Miss Davies.
Furthermore, the court heard that Weston “deeply regrets her actions.” She extended an apology to Miss Davies, stating she “apologises to Miss Davies wholeheartedly and unreservedly for everything she has been put through.” As part of the legal resolution, Weston agreed to pay Davies, who is a student, a reported £10,000 in compensation. This figure was confirmed according to court documents presented during the proceedings. The court heard that Weston ultimately agreed to pay the compensation.