Shelly Chartier


Shelly Chartier is a Canadian indigenous woman of the Chemawawin Cree Nation, known for her background as a former con artist who had tormented 11 victims over 3 years, most notably American aspiring model Paris Dunn and NBA basketball player Chris Andersen.

Chris Andersen catfishing

Chartier set up fake social media accounts for both Dunn and Andersen and "Tom Taylor", a fictional friend of Andersen's. Chartier initiated communication with Dunn and Andersen from her Tom Taylor account. The real Andersen and Dunn started corresponding with each other through Shelly's fake accounts. The online relationship progressed to the point of exchanging nude photos, and then Dunn was contacted by the Tom Taylor account saying that Andersen wanted to meet her in Denver. After the rendezvous, Chartier started to blackmail Dunn using the Tom Taylor account, at which point Dunn told her mother and got the police involved.
Dunn was 17 at the time, and although of legal age of consent in Colorado, the nude photographs were treated as child pornography and Andersen was investigated for possible illegal acts. He was eventually cleared of all charges as he proved he took steps to confirm she was of legal age.
Chartier was arrested on 15 January 2013. Chartier eventually pleaded guilty to various charges of impersonation, extortion and making threats. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Following the arrest, she would come to be known as the “Ghost of Easterville.” This was called “the biggest catfish ... ever solved.”
The case inspired the episode "Intent".

Early and personal life

Chartier had an isolated life, and for years was caring for her invalid mother inside their small home in the tiny town of Easterville, Manitoba. She only has a 6th grade education and had had little to no contact with the outside world except through the internet. She said “I went through a period where I didn’t leave my house for 11 years”.
In 2014, Chartier married Rob Marku from New York on Christmas Day. A documentary of her life and crimes was produced by the CBC in 2017.