‘Dead son’s pictures on fake dating profile’
ADEVASTATED family claim “sick” trolls have set up fake online dating profiles using pictures of their dead son.
Sam Standerwick, from Llanddulas, Conwy, died in December 2016, from heart failure, after a night out with his friends in Liverpool.
Since his death the 25-yearold’s loved ones, including his dad, Adrian, have worked tirelessly to raise money for and awareness of heart screening.
However, his family have been left distraught after his 23-yearold sister found three dating profiles had been set up using her brother’s images on Plenty of Fish, Tinder and Bumble dating sites.
She also found a fake Instagram account has been set up using photographs downloaded from both Sam’s Facebook page and Instagram account.
The Instagram account has been active since October, has 339 followers and 42 posts.
It is understood the profiles and accounts have been set up by the same person or people who did it last year.
Amy told the Daily Post: “The same thing happened around a year ago, and they used the same name of Ben Jones, this person has also said they worked in CCTV, which is what my brother did, so they’ve even stolen his profession.
“Last year I got all the sites to take his profiles down, but I can’t believe it has happened again and the same name has appeared again.”
Amy continued: “The photographs have been taken from his Instagram account and Facebook page, and this ‘Ben Jones’ has even posted images of my daughter and Sam’s girlfriend.
“Whoever has done this is sick, and it’s sickening what they have done, and we are all very worried as a family about what this person’s intentions are.
“We are concerned girls will be tricked into sending illicit photographs of themselves to this person, or will agree to meet him.”
The dating sites have taken the fake profiles down, but Instagram after being contacted by the family has asked for proof that Sam has passed away, and even asked them what “images” they would like taken own.
Amy said: “I contacted Instagram myself and wasn’t very impressed with their response, I had to send them newspaper stories when Sam died, to prove his death, and then they asked what images I’d like them to delete, when obviously I just want the account deleted.”
Adrian Standerwick, Sam’s father, said: “This whole thing is deeply upsetting for the family, and in a few days’ time it will be 26 months since we last saw Sam.
“Whoever has done this seems to have sinister intentions.
“Who knows, he could be tricking young women to be doing all sorts of things and what’s not to say he could be violent?”