Fake profile set up in the birth name of Gloriavale leader reportedly used to proposition woman

Members of the Gloriavale Christian Community. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A fake Facebook profile set up in the birth name of Gloriavale Christian Community leader Hopeful Christian has reportedly been used to proposition a Greymouth woman with sexual innuendo.

The page is in the name of Neville Cooper. The real Neville Cooper legally changed his name in the 1990s to Hopeful Christian - though his former name is still widely known with the sect sometimes referred to as the "Cooperites".

Greymouth woman Cheryl, who declined to have her full name published, saw the name pop up on Facebook and decided to befriend him. While aware of publicity around Hopeful Christian, she wanted to make up her own mind.

She then received a private message last week asking for "naked photos" in return for money.

She initially thought it really was Hopeful Christian.

"I didn't reply," she said yesterday.

However, there are hints the site is fake, even though it uses a photo of Mr Christian.

His relationship status is listed as "complicated" and scrolling further down, he has shared a picture of a skinned turkey holding a beer.

The imposter wrote on another fake Facebook page called Gloriavale, "Nothing wrong with our community, don't listen to the media".

Cheryl said she was happy to show the message to the police or Gloriavale if it would help close it down.

Netsafe, which promotes cyber-safety, said the page appeared to breach Facebook rules by stealing someone's identity.