Have you ever met someone online who turned out to be not who they said they were? If so, you’ve fallen victim to a so-called “catfish” (sometimes also called “catfishers”).

Catfishing—pretending to be someone else online—is an increasingly common phenomenon that can have serious consequences.

In this article, you’ll learn exactly what catfishing is, how it works, what the signs are, and how you can protect yourself against it.

Further reading: The best security suites we’ve tested

What is catfishing?

Catfishing is the creation and use of a false identity on the internet to deceive other people. Catfishers often have fraudulent intentions and aim to take financial advantage of their victims.

The phenomenon was made famous by the 2010 documentary film Catfish and it usually takes place on dating apps and social networks.

How does catfishing work?

Catfishers use stolen photos and fabricated information to create credible online profiles, typically on popular social media and dating platforms where they can find many potential victims.

They use flattery, emotional manipulation, and exploitation of vulnerabilities to build trust with their victims. One catfishing scam could run for months before the victim is asked for money or personal information.

Some catfishers also use special apps to disguise their appearance or voice, making the deception even more believable.

Notable examples of catfishing

The case of Manti Te’o

Manti Te’o, a well-known college football player, was the victim of a catfisher in 2012 who not only pretended to be his girlfriend but even faked her death. Behind the false identity was a man named Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, who abused Te’o’s trust.

The events surrounding this case were later explored in the Netflix documentary Untold: The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist.

The ISIS recruiter

Mohamad Jamal Khweis thought he was communicating with a young woman named Umm Isa al-Amrikiya, who was in fact a catfisher. The catfisher was working on behalf of ISIS and recruited Khweis online. Khweis was arrested in 2015 when he tried to join ISIS.

The fake soldier

In 2018, John Edward Taylor was sentenced to 14 years in prison in the USA after defrauding numerous women on dating sites.

Taylor posed as a retired Navy SEAL or CIA agent to impress his victims, gain their trust, and get them to transfer thousands of dollars to him. He was eventually convicted of multiple counts of fraud and identity theft.

Typical warning signs of catfishing

There are several warning signs that may indicate you’re dealing with a catfisher. Watch out for the following to protect yourself from fraud:

• Early demands for money: If someone asks for money conspicuously early in the relationship, this could be a warning sign. Often this is disguised as an emergency where the catfisher pretends to need money for traveling or other urgent expenses.
• Avoiding personal contact: A catfisher will usually find excuses to avoid video chats and face-to-face meetings. This is so they can hide their true identity and keep the ruse going.
• Unrealistically beautiful profile pictures: Profile pictures that appear too perfect or are blurry could be stolen or fake.
• Poor grammar and irregular communication times: Messages with poor grammar or messages sent at odd times may indicate that the catfisher is not from your region.
• Shifting the conversation: A desire to move the conversation from the original platform to another can be a warning sign.
• Short-notice cancellations of meetings or calls: Catfishers tend to cancel scheduled meetings or calls at the last minute.
• Circumstances are too perfect: If the person or situation seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Motives of a catfisher

Catfishers have a variety of motives, ranging from financial gain to emotional gratification. Many catfishers are after money and pose as romantic partners in distress to gain financial support from their victims.

Others seek attention and validation. They resort to catfishing to grab the limelight and get the attention they lack in real life. By pretending to be someone else, they enjoy the recognition they crave.

The internet also offers the opportunity to hide behind a new identity and present yourself differently than you really are. This freedom and anonymity allow catfishers to push boundaries and live lives that seem unattainable in the real world.

Finally, there are also those who use catfishing to take revenge on others and cause them harm.

Dangers and effects of catfishing

Catfishing can have a significant impact on victims. The most common dangers and effects include:

• Financial losses: According to Federal Trade Commission (FTC) data, romance scams are among the most lucrative scams in the US. In 2021, victims of these scams lost a total of $547 million (an increase of 80 percent compared to 2020).
• Reputational damage: If a victim shares private or embarrassing information, the catfisher can use that to blackmail the victim and ruin their reputation. Celebrities, athletes, and other public figures are especially at risk and can suffer considerable reputational damage as a result of catfishing.
• Identity theft: The catfisher can use the victim’s personal data for fraudulent activities.
• Emotional distress: Victims of catfishing can experience severe emotional distress, including anxiety and depression. Older and marginalized populations are particularly affected. If the catfisher feels discovered, they may display an altered personality and respond with accusations or threats to intimidate victims. This adds to the emotional distress and can have a lasting impact on the victim’s confidence in future relationships.

How to protect yourself from catfishing

Catfishing is often difficult to recognize and can be well-disguised. To protect yourself, you should consider the following strategies:

• Research the person: Verify the person’s identity before entering into an online relationship. Look for inconsistencies in their history and check their online presence.
• Meet in person: Try to meet the person in a public place to confirm their identity. If they refuse, this could be a red flag.
• Avoid giving out personal information: Do not disclose sensitive information—such as home address or financial details—until you’re sure the person is trustworthy.
• Trust your instincts: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be careful and listen to your gut.
• Be extra careful on social media: Don’t accept friend requests from strangers and always check your privacy settings. Avoid having private conversations with people you don’t know.

Further reading: How to vet a stranger’s online identity

Be on alert for catfishing

Catfishing is a serious problem that can affect anyone, especially if you let your guard down. The scams are often well-disguised and difficult to see through. It’s important to be careful with personal information and remain vigilant whenever things sound a little too “fairy tale.”

Someone who has nothing to hide will usually be willing to meet in person or video chat to confirm their identity. If not, better to not take any risks and even block the person on all social media channels.

This article was translated from German to English and originally appeared on pcwelt.de.