A catfish is someone who does not disclose their true identity online. It can happen for a variety of reasons. Some people catfish to extort money from their victims, while others do it as revenge.
If you’re talking to someone who constantly makes excuses not to meet in person or for a video call, this is a red flag that they may be catfishing.
What Is Catfishing?
Catfishing is a form of identity theft that happens mainly in online spaces like dating apps, social media, and messaging apps. The person behind the catfish creates a fake identity on their online profile to defraud others for various reasons, from sex and relationships to money.
Catfishers research their victims to learn as much as possible about them and their lifestyles, interests, schools, and jobs to make their stories authentic. They may even use photos stolen from other people. They rarely communicate face to face, preferring Skype, WhatsApp, Telegram, or LINE to share intimate details of their life. If they are forced to do a video chat, they will often say something that makes it hard to see them on camera, like their computer is broken or they are soldiers and cannot show themselves on duty.
They can become very romantic and empathetic to their victim, making them feel in love with someone they have never met. They can also be very generous with gifts and treats. They often send nude or sexual photos to the victim early in the relationship’.
People with higher attachment anxiety appear more prone to catfishing and more likely to be victims, although why is unclear. The insecurity that drives this deception could result from concerns about rejection and low self-esteem.
How Does Catfishing Happen?
Whether through social media or dating sites, people use fake identities to lure others into false relationships. It’s a cruel trick that can result in financial loss, emotional devastation, and psychological disorders.
Many people engage in catfishing meaning they are lonely and desire the thrill and excitement of a relationship without having to confront its potential realities. They can also be attempting to extort or con someone out of money. Other catfishers seek retribution, frequently using made-up sob tales or filthy photographs.
Spotting a catfisher by looking at their online profile and how they interact with you is possible. For example, if a person has a low friend count on their social media accounts and only appears to use Snapchat (which consists solely of spur-of-the-moment photos and videos), it should be a red flag that they aren’t really who they say they are.
Another red flag is if a person has a strong accent, especially if they claim to be from an English-speaking country. Finally, this is a significant warning sign if someone always has a reason not to Skype or meet face-to-face with you. These excuses are usually full of drama, including childhood trauma, a severe illness, or even a car accident.
What Are the Signs of Catfishing?
There are many reasons why people catfish. Some are purely malicious, like a pedophile posing as a teenager to form relationships with underage victims. Others are innocent, such as a person dabbling in fetishes or other sexual preferences. However, the majority of catfishers are motivated by financial gain. They may attempt to trick the victim into sending money or use their personal information for fraudulent activities. Regardless of the reason, victims are severely emotionally distressed and financially devastated by their experiences.
Typically, a catfisher will communicate only through an online messaging app and won’t answer phone calls. They also won’t have friends or followers on the same platform and may have a vague profile picture that can’t be linked to them. In addition, they’ll frequently make flimsy excuses not to Skype or won’t agree to meet in person.
Image search is an excellent way to check whether a photo you’ve received online is of a real-life person. It’s a good idea to do this with photos you receive from someone new, and it can help identify potential catfishers. If you’re suspicious, don’t hesitate to report them to the social media platform or service. Ultimately, it’s best to only send money to people you have met in person. It is significant for children, who are often the victims of catfishing.
How Can You Prevent Catfishing?
A catfisher’s motivation can range from insecurity to revenge. In the best case, it’s a prank or harmless social media escapade. However, in other cases, it can lead to fraud or predatory sexual behavior toward adults or minors.
Children can be especially vulnerable to being catfished because of their trusting nature and tech-savvy. Be sure to talk to them about the dangers of chatting with people they don’t know online or in person. Set privacy controls so they cannot “friend” strangers in real life, and remind them to always use caution with people who ask for their private information or money.
If someone asks for your details or money, this is a huge red flag and is likely a catfisher. Catfishers often research your digital footprint to determine your favorite places and bands. They will often act as though they share these interests to build a connection with you.
It is another red flag if they’ve been dragging it out for months and won’t agree to a video chat or in-person meeting. They may be trying to hide their identity for a reason, and you should be cautious if they insist on keeping in touch only via messaging apps or phones. Never wire money to people you’ve only communicated with online.
