During the preparation of this article, a question circulated on social media: has anyone experienced their identity and photos being stolen from social networks to create fake profiles that promote sexual content on apps like OnlyFans? The post inviting testimonies drew a surprising wave of responses. Within a single day, dozens reported having suffered this exact situation or knowing someone who did.
In one case, Maria (a pseudonym to protect the person’s privacy) recounted the incident that occurred a few months ago. She began receiving notices from friends and followers asking, “Is this really you?” The messages were accompanied by a link to an Instagram profile. When Maria clicked, the destination page caused a chill: it used her name and photographs to form a new online persona. The fake account displayed content that resembled her image, yet the context was clearly misused and harmful.
There were reports of two pixelated people engaging in sexual activity in the stories, followed by a typical call to action like “click here.” The victim described feeling extreme embarrassment. The profile appeared to be crafted with a sense of familiarity, making the deception feel personal and invasive. After informing Levante-EMV, the publication alerted the National Police and the Instagram platform that the account did not originate with the real user. Within two days, the profile was removed as a response to the reported violation.
“It’s very unpleasant to have your photo stolen and turned into something sexualized”
When someone gains access to your content and reposts it under another profile with a different intent, the result is rarely pleasant. The act of taking a photo and placing it in a sexualized context, and doing so under another person’s name, feels like a personal assault. The misused image is presented out of context, which alters its meaning and purpose, often leaving the original owner unsettled and exposed.
Maria’s initial reaction was fear. She worried not only about the page itself but about how much of her account had been accessed and what the attackers might do next. The fear extended to the possibility that her own account could be shut down or restricted. Her immediate step was to inform friends and colleagues to report the fake account, and she proceeded to file a police report. After the complaint was filed, she continued scanning the platform and learned there was a way to interact with the company directly: by presenting a photo of herself alongside her real government-issued identification to prove her identity against the fake profile. The next day, the platform disabled the impersonating page. Still, she felt the process could have been clearer and more visible for victims trying to prove ownership and stop the impostor quickly.
The profile in question had used her likeness to promote sexual content on other apps, disguising itself as a legitimate page. Police officials explained that scammers sometimes steal photos of young women and build fictitious accounts hoping to lure users, who are then prompted to pay for content that does not exist. These cases invite painful questions about personal safety and the need for vigilance—what if this had gone unnoticed longer, what if friends did not recognize the fake profile, or what if the attacker’s reach had expanded even further?
In Maria’s words, the experience was a stark reminder that a single stolen image can travel far beyond its original context. There is a real worry that the impostor could continue to impersonate, exploit connections, and cause lasting reputational harm. The incident also underscores the importance of reporting promptly, seeking official guidance, and maintaining awareness of how social networks handle identity claims when a likely fraud is detected.
The broader message is clear: safeguarding personal images and confirming authenticity on social platforms is essential. Victims are urged to monitor accounts carefully, report suspicious activity immediately, and use available verification tools to establish ownership. Protective steps now can help limit damage and speed up the process of disabling impersonation profiles as soon as they appear. The ordeal serves as a reminder that digital identities require proactive protection, and users should stay informed about platform policies and reporting channels to respond effectively when misuses arise.