Impostor Instagram accounts sending sexually explicit messages to NC children

ROLESVILLE, N.C. (WNCN) — Parents said multiple children at a school in Wake County are being targeted by impostor Instagram accounts. They said these accounts are sending sexually explicit messages.

Haley Boyer doesn’t allow her seventh-grader to use Instagram, but last week learned there was an account under his name.

“They’re using his first and last name, and one of his sports team numbers from last year,” she said. “They have even put on there the initials of his school and what grade he’s in.”

Boyer said multiple children, including her two daughters, have received sexually explicit photos, videos, and inappropriate messages from the account.

Elise Boyer, 17, said she received a sexually explicit video, as well as crude messages including “cuss words, very bad mean rude things that I would never want anyone to say to me.”

Boyer said she immediately reported the account to Instagram, following Instagram’s protocol for reporting an impersonation account. She also sent requested documents and details of what happened.

Despite contacting Instagram multiple times, she said Instagram will not remove the account.

Boyer’s son isn’t the only one dealing with an apparent Instagram impostor. Another mother whose son attends the same school said someone is using an Instagram account with her son’s name, too, and sending similar inappropriate messages.

Melissa Edwards, the administrator at Thales Acadmey in Rolesville, said she’s certain neither student whose name is being used is behind the crude messages.

“They’re great representatives of our school, so even to consider it would actually be them as the ones in charge of these accounts is just preposterous,” she said.

Edwards said she’s received reports from five or 10 parents whose children have received explicit messages from these accounts.

“The main concern they’ve all had is the level of inappropriateness of the images, and also the concern that it is a fake account and we don’t truly know who is doing it.”

Wake Forest police said they are investigating the situation. Meanwhile, Boyer said the explicit photos and videos are still arriving.

“This needs to stop,” she said.

Instagram has not responded to requests for a statement. Boyer said she’s consulted a lawyer and is considering legal action to get the account closed.