Macomb County teen’s world upended by total stranger who hijacked his life, spread rumors online

Daniel “DJ” Phillips, 19, of Macomb County, wanted a normal high school experience. But someone decided to use his photos and videos and create social media accounts pretending to be him. That person created fake accounts posing as the teen, using them to spread false information, talk to girls, and more, creating a web of deception that garnered thousands of views on TikTok and led to real-life confrontations. He eventually learned that the person behind the accounts was a 15-year-old girl from Novi, whom he didn’t even know. Now, he’s sharing the story of his harrowing experience with cyberbullying and catfishing, highlighting the devastating impact of online impersonation and the challenges that victims face in seeking justice.