The Australian Multiple Birth Association  – which includes the Hunter Valley Multiple Births Association – has revealed the predator assumes the fake name “Afina Petrescu” to target the closed Facebook groups of ­multiple birth clubs.

“This is such disturbing news and it’s also extremely close to home,” AMBA Facebook administrator and Mount View mother of twins Stephanie Vasilev said.

“I have posted images of myself on Facebook with no idea this was going on. 

“It’s very scary and just goes to show you can’t be too careful.”

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While the AMBA has referred to the fetish as “preggophilia”, the most common term is “maiesiophilia” defined as “gaining sexual arousal from pregnant women”.

AMBA communications director Ali Mountfield said the concern has now reached ­international concern.

“We have been informed of a bogus person attempting to join Facebook groups and our administrators are on high alert,” Ms Mountfield said.

“Pregnancy is a sacred time. 

“Photos should be shared with who you choose, in the way that you wish, not stolen for ­gratification.

“We’ve issued warnings on AMBA’s Facebook page but we wanted to raise the alert as this is an international problem and not just related to those expecting twins, triplets or more.”

Ms Vasilev said news of the scammers has shocked the AMBA community is now ­urging women to think before they post.

“When you post a photo of yourself you just don’t think anything like this would happen,” she said. “But it’s clearly out there and it’s so invasive. 

“People really need to think about what they post on social media.”

Ms Mountfield said the Canadian and New Zealand ­multiple birth associations were the first to discover the fake ­profiles but Afina Petrescu has infiltrated Australian social media groups.