A man who used a fake Tinder profile to stalk his ex-partner has been jailed for 18 months. The 32-year-old, from Birmingham, created a fictitious account on the dating app to monitor her movements and send abusive messages, police said.
Details of the stalking campaign
West Midlands Police said the man, who cannot be named to protect the victim, set up the fake profile in 2024 after the relationship ended. He used a photo of a stranger and matched with his ex, then sent her threatening messages. He also used the app's location features to track her whereabouts.
The victim, in her 30s, reported the harassment to police in January 2025. Officers traced the IP address to the man's home, where they found evidence linking him to the fake profile.
Sentencing and impact
At Birmingham Crown Court on Monday, the man pleaded guilty to stalking and harassment. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and given a restraining order for 10 years. Detective Constable Sarah Jones said: 'This was a calculated and persistent campaign of abuse that caused the victim significant distress. We hope this sentence sends a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated.'
The victim said in a statement: 'I lived in fear for months, constantly looking over my shoulder. I am relieved this is over.'
Police advice on digital stalking
Police urged victims of stalking to report incidents promptly and to secure their online accounts. They also advised using privacy settings on dating apps and being cautious about sharing location data.
