James Blake, known throughout the UK and Ireland for his savvy digital marketing skills and influential social media persona, has now ventured into the world of television.
His debut documentary, ‘Hunting The Catfish Crime Gang’ on BBC Three, marks a significant shift from his norm of digital to traditional media.
This hard-hitting documentary follows James on a global quest, from Belfast to Southeast Asia, as he explores the underbelly of internet fraud. The documentary was born from a personal vendetta: James set out to track down the cybercriminals who misused his online identity, leading unsuspecting women to part with hundreds of thousands of pounds. What began as a hunt for identity thieves soon spiralled into an expose of organised crime rings deep within human trafficking and romantic fraud intertwined.
James’s investigation takes the viewer through a chilling journey of deception and criminality. “The depth of this criminal network was beyond anything I anticipated. I intended to unveil the imposters behind my fake profiles, but I stumbled upon a global organised crime enterprise,” James reflects on his unexpected journey into the world of cybercrime. His documentary has not only garnered high viewership on BBC iPlayer but also sparked significant conversation around online scams.
The transition from social media personality to documentary lead demonstrates James’s dynamic capability in adapting to different media forms and his commitment to meaningful storytelling. ‘Hunting The Catfish Crime Gang’ has set a new precedent for influencers using their platform for impactful social change.
Catch this eye-opening documentary on BBC iPlayer and follow James’s journey on Instagram: @MrJamesBlake
