Instagram gossip site’s horrific blunder over mum who faked her baby’s brain tumour: ‘Shocking’
EXCLUSIVE
A Sydney influencer has called in lawyers after she was wrongly identified as the mummy blogger accused of drugging her baby to fake the child’s brain tumor.
Instagram gossip site Influencers in the Wild, which has more than five million followers, wrongly named innocent Sophia Begg, 20, in the shocking blunder.
The now-deleted post was live for more than four hours and received hundreds of comments before it was hastily deleted.
But it was claimed that Begg, known online as Sopha Dopha, was the unknown woman who allegedly poisoned her daughter to gain power and donations.
“I was extremely confused as to why my name was involved as I have nothing to do with the situation,” Begg told Daily Mail Australia.
‘It’s shocking such a careless mistake can be made and the consequences it can have on such a large platform.’
The page, owned by George Resch, who goes by the online name Tank Sinatra, also incorrectly named Begg’s partner as Jake Golding.
The US-based account claimed the couple’s baby had fallen victim to the shocking scam, despite Begg and Golding having no children.
Sophia Begg has over a million followers and has no idea why she was named as the mother who poisoned her baby
The false incorrect message was online for four hours on Saturday morning before it was removed
Begg has sought legal advice and fears people will believe the incorrect information
“Australian influencer Sophia Begg and her partner Jake Golding have been accused of faking their baby’s illness to gain money and sympathy from their followers,” the post said.
‘It was claimed that their daughter Isla had a rare genetic condition called MCADD, but followers and medical staff noticed inconsistencies in their story and medical details.
“The couple had received $60,000 through fundraising efforts, including GoFundMe.”
Content creator Begg, who has more than a million followers on TikTok, was already aware of the serious allegations against the Queensland mother of four.
Police took her child into custody as part of their investigation into the allegations and her husband branded her a monster online after the claims came to light last week.
Now Begg fears she will be caught up in the angry public response to the hoax.
“People were making fun of my last name, referring to the situation.” Begg told Daily Mail Australia.
“Because I have such a large Australian following, and that account has a large American following who may not know who I am, it’s disturbing that they think it was me.
The page is owned by well-known meme creator George Resch, who goes by the name Tank Sinatra online
‘I immediately messaged the account manager stating that the name was incorrect and that I should delete the message’
However, she was outraged by their response.
She said it simply said: “Just deleted, I appreciate you reaching out, I had no idea, I’m going to look back at the original news source.”
Begg has now sought legal advice over the blunder.
“They included a news article that didn’t mention my name or the other name,” she said. “My team is currently in contact with my lawyers.
‘This can be very damaging if media outlets arbitrarily and carelessly publish a name without any justification.
“Media outlets need to be more careful and held accountable for the damage they can cause through this type of careless behavior.”
Begg herself made headlines at an Australian-themed costume party last year when she dressed up as the stingray that killed Steve Irwin.
She later apologized, insisting she loved The Crocodile Hunter and had no intention of offending anyone.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Influencers in the Wild and George Resch for comment.