Robin Bailey hires private investigator amid catfishing fears

Robin Bailey has hired a private investigator after she receieved unsolicited messages from a mysterious man dubbed “the Italian Stallion”, who she called live on air. LISTEN TO THE CALL

Brisbane radio host Robin Bailey has hired a private investigator in the midst of a potential catfishing scandal after receiving unsolicited messages from a man she dubbed “the Italian Stallion”.

The man’s true identity remains shrouded in mystery, despite his claims of being a 46-year-old Italian.

The situation came to light on August 22 when Bailey narrated her interaction on-air with the ‘Italian Stallion’ who mysteriously had access to her private phone number.

“Why have you got my number?” Bailey demanded over SMS to the man.

Attempting to connect with the unknown sender, Bailey, accompanied by her co-host Kip Wightman, made a live call.

Surprisingly, the number appeared to be registered under a different name, deepening the intrigue.

Radio host Robin Bailey opens up about catfishing experience. Photo: Instagram @kiis972bne

“We tried calling the man, she is calling the ‘Italian Stallion’,” Wightman said.

“The name that he gave (on his voicemail) is not the same name he gave Robin.

“It’s very strange that that voice doesn’t sound anything like he described and it’s a different name, so it’s no good, it’s something bogus.”

The encounter took an even darker turn on August 24 when Bailey’s neighbour and friend, Bella, revealed a strikingly similar experience.

Bella received near-identical messages and pictures, albeit under a different pseudonym.

“As soon as I heard her story, I thought of the crazy catfisher who approached me,” Bella said to Robin on air.

Robin Bailey has hired a private eye.

Bella added that the situation “got very intense very quickly”, stating that the mystery man had sent her the same “abs and undies” photos he had sent to Bailey.

Bella also speculated that the man might have initially obtained her number from her Instagram.

Bailey has engaged the expertise of private investigator ‘PI Dave’, from Austrace Investigations, to shed light on the case.

While reverse imaging the photos remains an option, ‘PI’ Dave cautioned that the so-called ‘Italian Stallion’ could be using a local burner phone to conceal his identity.

“They could certainly use a burner phone or a burner card to get a number … that’s quite common really from scammers,” he said.

KIIS 97.3FM Robin Bailey, Terry Hansen and Kip Wightman

PI Dave remains optimistic about identifying the source of the images, adding that he will investigate the phone numbers and aliases used and will provide an update in the coming weeks.

Of concern to Bailey is how the man got access to her private phone number,

She also raised doubts about his age.

“He says he’s 46, and he doesn’t look 46, he looks about 26,” Bailey said.

While motivations behind these odd advances remain speculative, Bailey half-joking, pondered a bizarre “youth crime” scheme to trick women out of their homes to rob them. Regardless of intent, Bailey remains determined to find out the truth.

“We will uncover whoever this mystery person is,” she said.