MOTHERS have been receiving messages warning them that their partners are having - or have had - children with other women.

The ‘poison pen’ messages have been sent out to a number of parents across Worcestershire in the last few weeks.

A spokesman for local mothers thinks that the malicious Facebook messages are being sent out by fake accounts.

Becky Crake, 21, of St Paul’s Street, in Worcester, received a message from one of the accounts on Tuesday, February 28.

Ms Crake reported the incident to the police after being falsely told that her partner, Warren Wallis, had got a woman pregnant in Birmingham.

“The message said he has been going to see her during the day…saying she was at Birmingham hospital three months’ pregnant by him,” she said.

“I had other relatives of the account contacting me saying I was being cheated on.

“At the time I was annoyed and wanted to rip his hair out. He was at work when I received the messages.

“But when they started slipping up about things I started to not believe it.

“Warren didn’t know the ins-and-outs until he got home from work. He said he felt physically sick that anyone could try and say things like that.”

Ms Crake said she realised within 10 minutes of the account replying that it was fake as certain details did not make sense.

She said the people behind the profiles had too much time on their hands and that she hoped the police would be able to trace the accounts’ IP addresses.

The mother-of-two said her young children had been brought up in some the messages.

The police told her and another mother who received messages that they could not act as they had not been threatened or approached.

Gemma Lewis, aged 33, from Downland Gardens, Worcester, also received a 'poison pen' message.

"I was having messages from an account claiming she was in Birmingham hospital...and wanted my partner to go to her because she was carrying his twins," she said.

"I told her I didn't believe her and they she started saying that's because I'm a control freak and don't let my partner out."

Ms Lewis said she rang the police in response to make sure it was recorded. 

Siani Driver, of Worcestershire Mums Network, said: “This has happened a lot locally in the past few weeks.

“Someone makes a fake account with a stolen name and messages people seemingly at random pretending that they’ve had or are having a child with someone’s partner.

“Last week one of our members had a message with a photo of a child saying ‘There’s something you should know, this is your husband’s daughter’.

“Luckily we were able to reassure her that it wasn't true and that there's a spate of these 'poison pen' messages going around.

“But you can imagine the heartache and worry caused if someone isn't aware it's a fake message.

“Obviously it’s extremely upsetting and worrying for the women receiving the messages, and for their partners."

Ms Driver said the messages appear to be local to Worcester with one member of the group reporting that 16 of her friends had received the same message.

She said that while the first message was received over a year ago, there had not been any other reports until now.

“Basically we want to raise awareness that this is happening, to take the power away from this disturbed individual and try to prevent any more upset,” she said.

“I can't see what on earth is to be gained by doing this.

“I can only assume that the individual or individuals behind it are quite unwell and in need of professional help, and I urge them to seek it.”

Ms Driver said parents have identified three fake profiles so far, with members suspecting that one person is responsible for all of the accounts.

Mothers often find themselves blocked by the accounts after receiving the messages, which means that they cannot ask any questions.

West Mercia Police declined to comment.