A Scots mum has described how she helped the FBI trace a tattooed TikTok “demonologist” accused of a prolonged campaign of online harassment against a vulnerable woman in the UK. The online sleuth contacted the US crime-fighting agency after becoming increasingly alarmed by Mark Stephen Asea’s behaviour online.
The 36-year-old from Port St Lucie, Florida, was taken into custody earlier this month accused of offences against computer users. Police have accused him of leaking two women’s private data on social media and tracking one alleged victim using her phone’s GPS.
Whistleblower's role in the investigation
A whistleblower, from Renfrewshire, has now claimed to have played a key role in the police probe. The woman, who asked to be identified only as Selina for fear of reprisals, said: “I thought somebody needed to do something.
“This man had 250,000 followers, yet nobody seemed to be doing anything beyond mocking his tattoos, his hair and the fact he was 36 and lived with his parents. But he was relentlessly targeting a woman who has serious mental health issues.
“I thought at first when I saw his videos it was satire. But then I realised he was serious.
“The woman was struggling, and his behaviour made things worse. Meanwhile, his behaviour was becoming increasingly concerning. People weren’t taking him seriously, even though I believed he could be dangerous.
“So when I came into the picture in January, I worked night and day to stop him. The US authorities did nothing until I came along and formed a campaign.”
Case history and alleged victims
Asea was arrested in April but prosecutors dropped the case in May, however it has now been reactivated. His TikTok biography included descriptions such as “narcissistic abuse survivor”, “former satanist” and “demonologist”.
The alleged UK victim is understood to have serious mental health difficulties. She is said to have been targeted online since April last year even using AI-generated videos to portray her as a shoplifter.
The whistleblower joined forces with three other people in the UK to document the alleged harassment. She added: “I sent the woman a message saying, ‘If you ever want to talk, I’ll make sure I protect you.’
“Asea presented himself as a cyber security expert but I believe hacking was a tool he used to control people. He was threatening to release intimate videos. I thought that must be illegal.”
She repeatedly emailed a Detective Wagner in Florida urging him to act while helping the woman pursue a civil injunction in the US.
Police response and next steps
The Port St Lucie Police Department told the Sunday Mail: “Our detectives and officers are committed to following the evidence, utilising the resources and expertise to investigate these cases. Public safety does not stop at our city limits or on our streets. It extends into the digital world.
“PSLPD remains committed to protecting our community, supporting those impacted by crime, and holding individuals accountable when evidence supports criminal charges.”
Asea will appear in court on November 19. A bond to secure his release from St Lucie County Jail in Florida was set at $35,000.
The Sunday Mail contacted TikTok for comment. They did not respond.
