Podcasters Johnny B and Johnny Smacks have been contacted by gardaí, TDs and further victims of the ‘GAA Catfish’ following the viral podcast’s third episode release.
On Monday, The 2 Johnnies Podcast shared the third instalment of The GAA Catfish series, a story that captivated the nation in 2022.
The first two episodes exposed an intricate web of fake social media profiles deceiving inter-county football players, as well as Johnny B himself.
Almost three years on from when Johnny B was hoodwinked by ‘Cora O’Donovan’, aka Nicki, it seems “nothing has changed for this serial catfisher”.
“The scale of Nicki’s deception was staggering, with fake accounts portraying siblings, co-workers and friends all to enhance authenticity,” Johnny B said.
“These accounts catfish not only young men in sports and entertainment but some well-known figures, for years.”
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Four days on from its release, the episode has already garnered over two million streams in Ireland and across the globe.
The pair said they have been flooded with emails from people who claim to have been cat-fished by the ‘GAA Catfish’, some going back 15 years.
They have also heard from a number of women whose pictures were used as part of the elaborate fake world.
Some of those women are considering next steps, they said in an update.
“The team have also been contacted by gardaí, politicians and legal professionals all offering help for the victims,” they added.
“We want to take a moment to thank all of you who have tuned into the third instalment of the GAA Catfish.
“We are overwhelmed by the response and the stories that have poured in from listeners of the podcast who have been affected by this issue, and we’re grateful that we’ve been able to help shed light on something that affects men and women all across the country.
“We have been contacted by a wide range of people including TDs from across the Dáil chamber and members of an Garda Síochána which further highlights the seriousness of the issue and the need for awareness and action.
“Our aim from the outset was to raise awareness of the damaging impact that catfishing can have, and it’s clear from the response that this conversation is long overdue,” the Tipperary friends and colleagues said.
Johnny B was a victim of the ‘GAA Catfish’ given the alias Nicky.
He met Nicky in her home – he was texting Nicky’s friend ‘Cora O’Donovan’ and had visited the house to meet her. He had breakfast with Nicky and took a lift to Tipperary, not realising he was sitting in the car with the person who was allegedly cat-fishing him.
“So many people, men and women, have come forward with their own stories of how they were catfished or scammed,” he said. .
“Fake accounts are being reported and the social media platforms seem to do nothing, they could have saved a lot of people a lot of hurt,” he said.
“They don’t give a shite. Thanks for sharing your stories, we hope ye all come out stronger, keep the head.”
Listeners are reminded that help is available at the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre: National 24-Hour Helpline at 1800 77 8888 and the Garda Confidential Helpline for domestic abuse: 1800 666 111.
The GAA Catfish: Part Three is available now exclusively on Spotify.