Tag

Catfishing

All articles tagged with #catfishing

crime1 month ago•3 min saved

Virginia double-murder case ends with life term for mastermind of catfishing scheme

Brendan Banfield, a former IRS agent, received a life sentence without parole after being convicted of orchestrating a deadly catfishing plot that killed his wife Christine Banfield and Joseph Ryan in their Virginia home; the scheme also involved au pair Juliana Peres Magalhaes, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and got 10 years after cooperating with prosecutors. Banfield was found guilty in February on two counts of aggravated murder, a firearms charge, and child endangerment. A judge described the crimes as cruel and calculated. Magalhaes testified for the prosecution; Banfield pled innocence, claiming the system failed him, and he has 30 days to appeal.

via NBC News|

#affair #catfishing #crime

politics1 month ago•23 min saved

Catfish, Cameras and Campaigns: Florida Woman Targets Politicians for Viral Videos

Florida woman Alysia Gamble posed as a Florida transplant nurse named Leah Andrews to court several men in U.S. politics, notably Rob Field, a New Jersey governor’s aide; she secretly recorded dates and calls, with videos later posted by conservative influencers Steven Crowder and James O’Keefe’s networks. Field has filed a federal lawsuit against Gamble, Crowder, and Louder With Crowder for fraud, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress, alleging a five-month undercover operation designed to generate viral content ahead of a gubernatorial primary. The piece ties Gamble to broader conservative-media tactics, raises questions about the ethics and legality of undercover journalism, and notes Field’s career and mental-health damages, with at least $75,000 in damages sought.

via Politico|

#catfishing #crowder #politics

crime5 months ago•2 min saved

Virginia husband convicted in murder plot tied to affair and catfishing with au pair

A Virginia jury found Brendan Banfield guilty of murdering his wife, Christine Banfield, and Joseph Ryan, who prosecutors say was lured to the home as part of an affair-driven scheme with Brazilian au pair Juliana Magalhães, who testified after pleading guilty to manslaughter; prosecutors argued the couple impersonated Christine to lure Ryan in a catfishing plot, while Banfield faces life in prison at sentencing and Magalhães could be freed after time served.

via The Guardian|

#affair #au-pair #catfishing

crime5 months ago•4 min saved

Virginia jurors weigh competing narratives in au pair murder case

Jurors resumed deliberations in the Virginia double-murder trial of Brendan Banfield, who prosecutors say orchestrated the killings after an affair with the family’s au pair, using a catfishing scheme to lure a man to the home; the defense counters the evidence is insufficient to convict on all counts, with life in prison on aggravated murder charges possible.

via WTOP|

#au-pair #catfishing #crime

crime5 months ago•4 min saved

Closing arguments underway in Fairfax au pair affair murder trial

Closing arguments have begun in Fairfax County for the murder trial of Brendan Banfield, accused with Juliana Magalhães of luring Joseph Ryan to the couple’s home via a catfishing scheme on an adult site; prosecutors point to blood evidence and testimony, while the defense questions DNA testing and digital records; Magalhães has pleaded guilty to a reduced manslaughter charge and will be sentenced after Banfield’s trial.

via WTOP|

#au-pair #catfishing #crime

crime5 months ago•3 min saved

Virginia husband testifies he shot the man, not his wife, in au pair affair case

In a Fairfax County murder trial, Brendan Banfield testified that he shot Joseph Ryan during the killings of his wife Christine Banfield, saying he did not want to shoot Ryan; prosecutors contend Banfield stabbed Christine and staged the scene, while the au pair Juliana Magalhães testified about a secret affair and social-media catfishing. The defense questioned investigators and highlighted inconsistencies as the case against Banfield continues.

via wtop.com|

#au-pair-affair #brendan-banfield #catfishing

crime5 months ago•9 min saved

Banfield testifies he found wife attacked, denies plotting with au pair

In a Virginia murder trial, Brendan Banfield testified he found his wife being attacked, shot the man stabbing her, and denied prosecutors’ claims that he plotted with his au pair to kill his wife and frame Joseph Ryan; prosecutors allege a catfishing scheme and staged crime scene, while the defense points to questions about evidence, with closing arguments forthcoming.

via CNN|

#au-pair #brendan-banfield #catfishing

crime5 months ago•6 min saved

Banfield testifies there was no plan in Virginia double-murder case

Banfield testified there was no plan with the au pair to kill his wife and Joseph Ryan, countering prosecutors’ theory that he conspired with his mistress to stage the crime and frame Ryan; the Fairfax County trial features competing accounts, including the au pair’s testimony and defense claims of manipulated evidence.

via CNN|

#au-pair #banfield #catfishing

crime2 years ago•4 min saved

Alaska Woman Receives 99-Year Sentence for Catfish Murder Plot

Denali Brehmer, 23, has been sentenced to 99 years in prison for orchestrating the murder of her best friend, 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman, after being promised $9 million by a man she met online, who turned out to be 25-year-old Darin Schilmiller of Indiana. Brehmer enlisted four friends to help carry out the murder, and despite not pulling the trigger herself, she was held responsible for the crime. The victim, a developmentally disabled woman, was shot and dumped in a river. Brehmer's co-conspirators have also been sentenced, with Schilmiller receiving 99 years in prison and others awaiting sentencing or trial.

via Daily Mail|

#alaska #catfishing #conspiracy

crime2 years ago•2 min saved

"Catfish Scheme Leads to 99-Year Sentences for Murderous Women"

An Alaska woman, Denali Brehmer, was sentenced to 99 years in prison for her role in a murder plot orchestrated by her catfisher lover, who convinced her to carry out the killing of 19-year-old Cynthia Hoffman. Brehmer, who believed her online romance was a millionaire named "Tyler," convinced four teenagers to carry out the killing, resulting in Hoffman being bound, shot, and dumped in a river. The catfisher, Darin Schilmiller, was also sentenced to 99 years in prison. Two other adolescents involved in the case were prosecuted in the juvenile justice system, and the case of the alleged trigger-puller, Kayden McIntosh, is pending.

via The Daily Beast|

#alaska #catfishing #crime

entertainment2 years ago•3 min saved

Sister Wives' Kody Brown Faces Rejection and Tension in Latest News Roundup

Meri Brown, star of the reality show Sister Wives, expresses her frustration and disappointment with her estranged husband Kody Brown, stating that he is not worth it. The couple divorced in 2014 but remained spiritually married, and their relationship has become increasingly strained. Meri reflects on her catfishing scandal and claims that much of the controversy surrounding it was made up. She is uncertain about the future of their relationship and contemplates whether to continue in a platonic role.

via TooFab|

#catfishing #entertainment #estrangement

technology2 years ago•3 min saved

Psychologist's Tips to Avoid Online 'Cockfishing'

Cockfishing, a form of online deception involving the use of fake genital photos or manipulated images, is a growing concern in online dating. To protect oneself, it is important to scrutinize online profiles for inconsistencies, signs of photo manipulation, and overly flattering language. Verifying information and photos through reverse image searches, video chats, or in-person meetings can help uncover deception. Trusting instincts and setting clear boundaries are also crucial in avoiding falling prey to cockfishers.

via Forbes|

#catfishing #cockfishing #online-dating

technology2 years ago•12 min saved

"Unveiling the Dark Side: 14 Shocking Catfishing Tales"

BuzzFeed Community shares shocking stories of catfishing experiences, including instances of family members pretending to be someone else, stolen profile pictures, financial scams, and emotional manipulation. These stories serve as a reminder to be cautious and aware of red flags when engaging in online relationships.

via BuzzFeed|

#catfishing #online-relationships #online-scams

scamcatfishing2 years ago•2 min saved

'Stranger Things' Fan Divorces Husband After Falling for Fake Dacre Montgomery Catfish

A woman from Kentucky claims she was catfished by a scammer pretending to be Stranger Things star Dacre Montgomery, leading her to divorce her husband and send the impostor around $10,000. The scammer convinced her of their identity by referencing specific details about the show and sending poems similar to Montgomery's writing style. The woman believes that her fear of abandonment and people-pleasing tendencies made her vulnerable to the scam. Representatives for Montgomery have not yet commented on the situation.

via Entertainment Weekly News|

#catfishing #dacre-montgomery #online-fraud

scam2 years ago•1 min saved

"Fake 'Stranger Things' Star Dacre Montgomery Catfish Scams Woman out of $10k"

A woman from Kentucky claims she was catfished and scammed out of $10k by someone pretending to be Dacre Montgomery, known for his role in "Stranger Things." The woman divorced her husband after the fake actor told her to choose between him and her spouse. Despite the real Dacre Montgomery being in a relationship since 2017, the woman believed the imposter's story and sent money through gift cards, crypto, and payment apps. This incident highlights the dangers of romance scams, where scammers exploit emotional vulnerability to gain trust and manipulate victims into sending money.

via TMZ|

#catfishing #dacre-montgomery #online-fraud