It’s no secret that many people set up fake social media profiles in an effort to dupe users into entering their online fantasy world. But what might surprise you is that the Drug Enforcement Agency is engaging in the practice – also known as “catfishing” - as a way to potentially reel in drug offenders.
It recently came to light that a DEA agent used the cell phone of a woman arrested for allegedly being part of a drug ring to obtain personal data that was used in a fake Facebook profile.
Sondra Arquiett – who voluntarily gave up her cell phone as part of the case against her – was informed by a friend of the bogus profile, which included some risqué photos of her wearing skimpy outfits.
Arquiett had not set up a Facebook profile on her own and was never informed about the fake page, which was launched before she had been found guilty of anything in court.
The woman is now suing the DEA for privacy violations. She says she suffered “fear and great emotional distress” as a result of authorities posting photographs of the plaintiff in “bra and panties.” She also alleges violation of her First, Fifth and Eighth Amendment rights and is seeking $250,000 in damages.
The defendants in the case have said the DEA had the right to use Arquiett’s data. “Plaintiff implicitly consented by granting access to the information stored in her cell phone and by consenting to the use of that information to aid in an ongoing criminal investigations,” a court filing stated.
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