What started as innocent online flirting turned into a national scandal — one that’s shaking Filipino social media to its core. Meet the man behind the biggest dating deception in the country’s history.

Meet “Krisha Mae” – The Woman Who Never Existed

For the past four years, thousands of men across the Philippines thought they were chatting with a beautiful, soft-spoken woman named Krisha Mae Dela Cruz — a 24-year-old nursing graduate from Quezon City. Her profile featured flawless selfies, gentle captions, and romantic quotes that lured men into her DMs like moths to a flame.

Behind the perfectly curated identity was Roberto “Bobby” Salazar, a 60-year-old man from San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, who allegedly posed as a young woman to seduce and emotionally manipulate 1,691 men. And that’s not the most shocking part — he also secretly recorded intimate video calls with dozens of them.

The Shocking Discovery

The scandal came to light after one man — a 27-year-old call center agent from Makati — grew suspicious when “Krisha Mae” repeatedly avoided meeting in person. After doing a reverse image search on Google, he found that the photos were lifted from a TikTok influencer in Indonesia.

He filed a complaint, and cybercrime authorities launched a full-scale investigation. When they raided Salazar’s modest home, they were stunned by what they uncovered:

Over 300 gigabytes of recorded video calls.

Dozens of scripts and messages used to manipulate men emotionally.

A room converted into a fake “girl’s bedroom”, filled with pink pillows, wigs, and soft lighting for video chats.

“He Was a Master Manipulator”

According to investigators, Salazar would create emotional connections, often telling his victims that “Krisha” was lonely, heartbroken, and needed a man to love her.

“He knew exactly what to say,” said one victim. “He made me feel like I had found my soulmate. I sent her gifts… I even cried for her.”

In reality, many of those private conversations were being recorded and archived, potentially for blackmail or exploitation.

Why Did He Do It?

In his police confession, Salazar admitted to creating the fake identity during the pandemic out of loneliness. But over time, it became “an addiction.”

“I felt loved. Admired. Even if it was fake — they loved me,” he allegedly said during questioning.

Authorities are now investigating whether Salazar profited from the scheme, as some men reported sending money and expensive gadgets to “Krisha Mae.”

Legal Consequences Await

Salazar is currently facing multiple charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, including:

Online identity fraud

Voyeurism and illegal video recording

Emotional and financial exploitation

He could face up to 20 years in prison if found guilty.

A Wake-Up Call for Online Daters

The case of “Krisha Mae” is now going viral across the Philippines, with thousands of men wondering if they were among the 1,691 victims. The story serves as a chilling reminder: not everyone online is who they claim to be.

Cybercrime officers urge the public to be cautious, especially when online partners avoid video calls or refuse to meet in person. They also warn against sharing intimate photos or videos with strangers.

From “Sweetheart” to Predator

What made this case so terrifying was the emotional depth of the manipulation. Salazar didn’t just flirt — he created relationships, offered comfort, and listened like a true partner. Dozens of victims say they were planning to propose marriage.

One victim summed it up in a heartbreaking statement:

“I wasn’t just catfished. I was emotionally destroyed.”