What is catfishing?

The short answer

Catfishing is when someone pretends to be a different person online, usually with fake photos and a made-up identity, to deceive or manipulate others.

How it works

A catfish creates a fake profile on social media or a dating app using stolen photos and invented personal details. They build a relationship with their target over weeks or months, gaining trust before the deception becomes clear.

Common reasons people catfish include:

  • Romance scams — building a fake relationship to eventually ask for money
  • Emotional manipulation — seeking attention, affection, or control
  • Revenge or harassment — targeting a specific person to cause harm
  • Insecurity — hiding behind a more attractive or successful persona

How to spot a catfish

Watch for these warning signs:

  • They avoid video calls or in-person meetings and always have an excuse
  • Their photos look too polished or only show one angle (they may be stolen from someone else)
  • The relationship moves unusually fast with intense emotions early on
  • Their story has inconsistencies — details change or do not add up
  • They ask for money, gift cards, or personal information

How to verify someone

  • Reverse image search their profile photos using Google Images or TinEye to check if the photos belong to someone else
  • Check their social media presence — real people usually have years of posts, tagged photos, and interactions with friends
  • Suggest a video call — a real person will eventually agree to one

What to do if you are being catfished

  • Stop sending money or personal information immediately
  • Save evidence like screenshots of conversations and their profile
  • Report the account to the platform where you met them
  • Talk to someone you trust — catfishing can be emotionally difficult, and that is normal
  • Report the scam to the FTC (in the US) or your local fraud authority if money was involved

When should you worry?

If someone you have never met in person or on video asks you for money, personal details, or login credentials, treat it as a serious red flag. Legitimate connections are willing to prove they are who they say they are.

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