Official publications from organizations such as Interpol, Europol, or major research institutions

Armagh Man Jailed for Life Over Manslaughter in UK's Largest Catfishing Case

Oct 25, 2024, 02:31 PM

Alexander McCartney, a 26-year-old man from Armagh, Northern Ireland, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years at Belfast Crown Court after admitting 185 charges involving 70 children in the UK's largest 'catfishing' case. McCartney faced charges including the manslaughter of a 12-year-old girl in the United States, whose suicide was a result of his online abuse; her father also took his own life. He manipulated victims by posing as a teenage girl on social media platforms like Snapchat, extorting them into sending indecent images and videos. Authorities believe he may have had up to 3,500 victims worldwide. Detectives described his crimes as 'sadistic and depraved.'