A well-known TV investigator turned fugitive hunter was trolled by a social media profile claiming to belong to one of Britain's most wanted men.
Peter Bleksley says he was contacted by someone masquerading online as Kevin Parle - a man who police want to speak with in connection with two horrific murders in Liverpool over a decade ago.
Bleksley, who has appeared on Channel 4 show The Hunted, has launched a campaign to help catch the missing Parle.
But he now says he was contacted by on social networking site by an account under his target's name, the Liverpool Echo reported .
The 'Kevin Parle' account claimed Bleksley accepted his request for the two profiles to connect - giving it access to Parle's contacts.
Mum is hauled into court after outing paedophile neighbour who had moved into her street
The account said it was attempting to highlight issues around online safety.
The message said: "Without knowing anything about me, the ego that is Peter Bleksley, accepted my invitation to connect.
"I now have access to his network and have subsequently gained access to other social media platforms giving me staggering personal information on his children and family.
"This man has no concept whatsoever of the security risks involved in data handling.
"Please do not make the same mistake. Be sure who you are connecting with and sharing data with on social media platforms."
The Parle account claimed to be a "charlatan hunter" at "Fugitives R Us".
It added: "Despite my warnings, and having the name of a wanted killer, Peter Bleksley's contacts are accepting my invitations.
Speedboat killer Jack Shepherd 'hopes to overturn conviction for evading justice'
"Peter still hasn't twigged. He continues to send me the constant drivel, telling me what a brilliant detective he is... People! Stop accepting my invitations.
"You don't know me! Remember those lessons on internet safety!"
The account ridiculed Mr Bleksley as a "caped crusader" and responded to messages about the hunt for the real Parle by writing he would email those searching for him.
The profile is no longer available on the site.
Mr Bleksley is a former undercover police officer who led search teams looking for contestants as they went on the run on popular TV show The Hunted.
Last month he announced his plan to hunt down Parle, who tops Merseyside Police's most wanted list.
Parle, who is 6ft 6in, is wanted in connection with the murders of Walton mum Lucy Hargreaves and Toxteth teenager Liam Kelly.
Ms Hargreaves, 22, was under a duvet on the sofa in her front room in Lambourne Road when three men burst in in August 2005, fired a shotgun at her and then torched the house.
She is not thought to have been the intended target of the attack.
Manhunt launched for tattooed murderer on the run after escaping from prison
Fourteen months earlier Liam Kelly, just 16, was gunned down in Grafton Street.
Parle, who has a one-inch scar on the left side of his head, was questioned and released on police bail. He failed to answer bail and a warrant was later issued for his arrest.
While a man was jailed for Mr Kelly's murder, police still wish to speak with Parle in connection with the shooting.
Now in his late 30s, he was once believed to be in hiding in the tourist-hotspot region of Alicante.
There were rumours he had fled to America, before further claims surfaced in 2016 that he was hiding out in Perth, Australia.
Commenting on the launch of his own hunt, Mr Bleksley said: “I have long believed that police appeals tend to be a bit one dimensional.
"All too often all we see is a photograph and a brief description of the crime that the fugitive is wanted for.
"My approach is different. I will be comprehensive, and I will be relentless. Believe me, Parle's days on the run are numbered."
- Anyone with information about Parle is asked to contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or Merseyside Police on 101.
