Morrissey reveals: "I was the victim of the worst case of online identity theft. My reputation was damaged"

Morrissey is speaking out again about the affair that has surrounded his online identity for over a year, one that, according to the official Morrissey Central website, represents “one of the most serious cases of digital impersonation” ever handled by the team in charge of the investigation.
The story first came to light in April 2025, when the former Smiths singer revealed he had been contacted by the digital protection firm The Web Sheriff. The company claimed to have uncovered a vast campaign of fraud, disinformation and defamation built around the artist's name, describing it at the time as one of the most extensive and damaging operations its investigators had ever observed. The same firm had previously worked for artists such as Beyoncé, Prince, Bob Dylan, Adele and Radiohead.

According to the update published in recent days, The Web Sheriff reportedly contacted Morrissey's former manager, Merck Mercuriadis, eighteen months ago, informing him that it had uncovered “the worst case of online identity theft” it had ever come across. At the centre of the investigation are said to be nine individuals accused of impersonating Morrissey on social media and acting on behalf of various political groups.
The site claims these profiles actively encouraged fans to join political movements and factions, attributing to the artist positions he does not hold. Among the accusations is one against an individual said to have posted around 1,800 messages online while posing as Morrissey, while another is allegedly responsible for comments that seriously damaged the musician's reputation and that, according to the site, had ties to a former member of the Smiths. The statement also reiterates that Morrissey has never owned a smartphone, has never used social media, and has never joined any political party.
Any legal action against the nine alleged culprits would require the involvement of two law firms and a considerable financial commitment. For this reason, Morrissey Central explains, the costs of the operation would exceed what the artist can personally afford, and the next steps are still being weighed.

On the musical front, Morrissey has meanwhile confirmed his return to the UK for a series of arena shows scheduled for December, with dates in Brighton, Cardiff, Liverpool, Leeds and Glasgow. Before that, he will be busy with a wider European tour taking in cities such as Berlin, Warsaw, Budapest, Ljubljana and Porto. The Manchester artist's latest album, "Make-Up Is A Lie", was released last March.

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