Catfishing

Catfishing is creating a fake online identity — often using stolen or AI-generated photos and a fabricated backstory — to deceive someone into an online relationship, usually for emotional manipulation or financial gain.

Why it matters

Catfishing can lead to real emotional and financial harm. Romance scams, a common outcome of catfishing, cost victims significant sums every year, and the emotional damage from a long-term deception can be just as serious. Recognizing the pattern early is the best protection.

Common warning signs

• They refuse video calls or always have an excuse not to meet in person
• Their photos look overly professional, inconsistent, or reverse-image-search to another name
• Their story has small inconsistencies that shift over time
• The relationship escalates emotionally very quickly (see love bombing)
• They eventually ask for money, gift cards, or financial/personal information
• They claim to be traveling, deployed overseas, or otherwise unable to meet

Why people catfish

Motives vary — financial scams are the most damaging and common in a dating context, but some people catfish out of insecurity about their own appearance, loneliness, or a desire to explore a different identity without the scam element. The warning signs above apply regardless of motive, since the deception itself is the core issue.

What to do if you suspect catfishing

• Ask for a live video call — a real person can do this easily; a catfish usually can't or won't
• Reverse image search their profile photos
• Never send money, gift cards, or financial details to someone you haven't met in person
• Report the profile to the platform — most have a dedicated reporting flow for suspected fake accounts
• If you've already sent money, contact your bank and consider filing a report with the FTC or your local authorities

Related reading

See our full dating safety guide and the common online dating scams & warning signs article for more.