News / News Wire
Fake BCFC Instagram accounts groom youngsters
Young people are being groomed into sharing inappropriate pictures of themselves with bogus Instagram accounts of Bristol City and one of its players.
The accounts – which are not linked to the club or player in question – are being investigated by Avon and Somerset police after the force received complaints.
Officers, who are working with the football club, said they were treating the incidents as potential grooming or malicious communications offences.
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The force added: “We’re advising young people to speak to a trusted adult if they have been contacted by someone online asking for photos or personal details, who claim to be linked to the club.”
Bristol City urged supporters to only follow the club’s official social media profiles. A spokesman added: “The (bogus) account is not linked to the club in any capacity and an investigation is being carried out by police.”
The player whose identity has been used has not been named by police.
Police are encouraging people to report any further incidents to them on 101, with reference number 56195/15.
Picture taken from the official Bristol City Instagram page.
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