Blitz the online sex scammers says star’s ex
Novo’s former wife targeted in con
THE ex-wife of former Rangers star Nacho Novo has demanded an urgent crackdown on scammers stealing identities to sell sex after she was twice targeted.
Donna Novo called on social media giants to ramp up restrictions after a second fake profile offering “provocative” content in her name appeared.
The mum of three – who married Nacho in 2015 and shares a son with him – said they don’t act quickly enough to stop scammers.
Last month, the Record told of Donna’s fury after a fake OnlyFans page flogging saucy pics in her name was shared online. They used her holiday snaps to entice viewers.
Last Friday night, an Instagram page offering free “1-on-1 cam sessions” and linking to a bogus website promising “fantasy” content and moments from Donna’s “private life” appeared.
She says more than 100 people reported the page to Instagram, which removed it yesterday after being contacted by the Record.
Instagram said: “We have removed the account impersonating Ms Novo.
“We do not allow inauthentic activity on Instagram and we block millions of fake accounts every day. If someone is being impersonated on our platform, we encourage them to report the account using our in-app tools or online form, so we can take action.”
Donna said: “Who knows how many people they have scammed? It has been mortifying. I’m still married and, because of Nacho’s name, people may be more interested. There should be a way of suspending accounts sooner. We need quicker action.”
Scammers search social media for public profiles they want to copy and use free website services to create a page that poses as a sex work site, promising explicit images in exchange for money and personal information.
Social media pages often advertise “free” interaction to lure customers – but the promised explicit images do not exist.
Annabel Turner, of CyberSafe Scotland, said the law doesn’t protect victims of impersonation enough.
She said: “Reputational damage can be difficult to recover from and the legal options are not straightforward.
“Individuals who have had their images stolen do not have enough support – legally or practically.”