Star’s identity stolen online
Mokhethi, 25, who plays Samuel Khumalo in the SABC1 soapie, has never joined Facebook. But someone else has done so in his name and is using the same publicity shot of him as the one on this page.
The impersonator is setting up deals in Mokhethi’s name and sending sexually lewd messages to his Facebook “friends”.
Mokhethi’s impersonator even struck a deal with a Port Elizabeth businessman, who was going to pay the TV star R90000 to be part of a three-day staff team-building exercise. All correspondence was through Facebook.
The businessman had not yet paid the star but had booked his flights, using what was later found to be a false identity number. He was furious when Mokhethi didn’t pitch.
Another potential client pulled out of a sponsorship deal, after his daughter interacted with the fictitious Mokhethi on Facebook and was offended by the sexual nature of his conversations.
Mokhethi was clueless about all of this until three weeks ago when a friend, who attends Faithways Bible Church with him in Orlando, Soweto, questioned him about the vulgarity on his Facebook page.
He says: “She asked me what was wrong with me . that it didn’t sound like me, that it was out of character, sexual and disgusting.
“She said she didn’t know me like that as I am a child of God.”
Mokhethi says he e-mailed [email protected] but has received no response.
“There is a pattern in the way he chats to people online. He starts off nicely and talks about God, success and freedom and once people are engaged he talks about what he will do between their legs.
“This guy is taking bread out of my mouth and destroying my good name. I’m new in this business and I know there are big responsibilities that come with my position.”
Mokhethi, who is also an Aids ambassador for the Durban municipality, says he preaches about abstinence to the youth.
He says: “There’s a reason I’m not tabloid fodder. I walk the talk. Now how many people look at me and think about my conduct?”
A spokesman for Bite Communications in London, which represents the website, told Metro: “Facebook removes any content that is in violation of our Terms of Use, including fake profiles. We encourage users to report any violations of our terms to [email protected].”
Arthur Goldstuck, managing director of technology market research company World Wide Worx, says: “It’s becoming common to have people steal identities, but what’s less common is people falling for it.”
Goldstuck cautions people against conducting deals on Facebook with strangers. “You can initiate business discussions, but you will need to take it outside to the greater world,” he says.
Mokhethi is not the only prominent South African whose identity has been compromised on Facebook. Others include President Thabo Mbeki, ANC president Jacob Zuma and Olympic medallist Ryk Neethling.
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