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theguardian.com

Westminster Catfishing Scandal: William Wragg's Testimony

Former Tory MP William Wragg details the emotional distress caused by a sophisticated catfishing scam on Grindr, leading to the release of personal information and the resignation of his parliamentary posts.

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PoliticsUkSocial MediaCrimeMental Health

Conservative PartyParliamentBbcThe TimesLabour Party

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What happened regarding the arrest of a suspect?: A suspect, a member of the Labour party, was arrested in June 2023 on suspicion of harassment and offenses under the Online Safety Act in connection with the Westminster honeytrap scandal. The investigation is ongoing.
Who was the victim of the catfishing scam on Grindr?: William Wragg, a former Tory MP, was catfished on Grindr into sending explicit photos and sharing colleagues' contact information. He felt immense guilt and remorse after discovering the scam and the impact it had.
What was the nature of the scam targeting Westminster figures?: The catfish, using fake profiles "Charlie" and "Abi," targeted at least 12 men with links to Westminster, tricking them into sending intimate images and personal data. This was a sophisticated operation designed to exploit their positions.
What was William Wragg's reaction to the discovery of the scam?: Wragg, after realizing he'd been scammed, approached the catfish account himself. Fearing the release of his intimate images, he provided personal phone numbers of colleagues, which he deeply regrets.
What were the consequences for William Wragg after the scandal?: Wragg experienced severe emotional distress, including panic attacks, suicidal thoughts, and intense media scrutiny after the scandal broke. This led to him resigning from his parliamentary posts and the Conservative whip.

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