Catfish Scams: What To Do & What Not To Do

While there is a good deal of online dating success stories with matchmaking apps just a few clicks away, catfish scams aren’t uncommon either.

Ever heard of news where a person was tricked, harassed, or scammed by another using false information and images to create a fake online identity? That’s exactly what catfishing is. The term catfish is believed to have originated from the 2010 documentary entitled “Catfish”, where a man named Nev Schulman had an online relationship with a girl named “Megan” who claimed to be a teenager but was actually an older woman.

Based on the key findings by All About Cookies to find out how prevalent catfishing is in the US, it showed that there was an increase in cost by 11.2% from catfishing scams in 2022. Today, the reports are approximately 4 times as many as they were in early 2019.

Catfish dating scam is also among the most common types of dating scams in the Philippines. It targets anyone no matter the age and impacts victims differently. According to Statista, a global report that was carried out throughout 2020 showed 1,315 reports of catfishing scams in the Philippines which puts the country at a considerably high place compared to other countries and earning its 6th place among the leading countries of Facebook users as of April 2024.

With more than half of the population worldwide using social media, Facebook took advantage of that and launched Facebook dating. With this ease of access, catfish scams on Facebook are now at 85% as reported by LegalJobs. This finding is disheartening as Facebook is known for its popularity and affluence yet it can’t fully protect anyone against catfishers. Even Nev Schulman’s catfishing story also occurred on Facebook.

How Can I Pinpoint a Catfisher?

When connecting with someone online, especially on dating apps, it’s paramount to apply caution. Watch out for the following warning signs to keep you away from internet fraud:

1. They either Have Too Many Followers or Very Few Ones

A catfisher gains their followers by reaching out to them, persuading them by looking stunningly good with their fake profiles, liking people’s content, and following potential target victims. This invites some people to give in to the friendliness being shown easily.

In contrast, some prefer to have few followers because they don’t want to get easily caught. They’d like to avoid being questioned about their identity, their career, or where they live, among other details. Their knowledge of the algorithm allows them to lessen the chances of them being tracked down.

2. You Have Everything in Common With Them

Maintain a healthy dose of doubt whenever you come across someone online, especially if they seem too good to be true. Relating to someone isn’t wrong but with catfishers swarming around the internet, you can’t always be so sure that this isn’t one of their tactics to lure you in.

Try to observe if someone is excessively trying to make you open up about your interests or personal life experiences. A catfisher would want to establish an instant connection with their intended victim because it would then be easier for them to control or manipulate the person.

3. The Relationship Is Moving Too Fast

Are they pressuring and making plans with you? Are they already picturing how life would be with you once you live together? Consider these as red flags especially when you’ve just spoken for a month or two.

Sooner or later, they may ask you for more personal information, convincing you to invest in stocks or cryptocurrencies, or tricking you into sending them nudes. Then, before you know it, you won’t be able to search for their account. Or you find yourself blocked or they blackmail you, such as demanding a huge amount just so they won’t leak your sensitive files.

4. They Avoid Calls

Obviously, due to having a fake identity, they have endless reasons why they can’t Facetime you. While being shy over how your voice sounds like or video chats isn’t a screaming red flag, catfishers are very calculating over how they converse.

At times, it may seem that they’re always too busy for a call, with excuses such as being in the middle of work or traveling or they claim to be ashamed of their faces. Remember: it’s a purposeful strategy to hide their true identity.

5. Their Stories Aren’t Adding Up

Keep an eye on their stories. Some are very well-executed lies but careless catfishers are more likely to slip up. For instance, they might tell you that they live in a certain country, but when you find evidence that they are physically in a different place, they have no viable explanation.

They could also lie about being in a certain profession but know so little about what goes on with the job. This is a reminder for you to press on with your questions so that you can either feel reassured that the person you’re speaking to is genuine, or you can catch catfishers slipping up.

6. They Are Asking for Money

This is the most obvious sign. Even with the establishment of a connection, it’s best to refuse a financial request from someone you barely even know and can’t even have a call or video chat with. Also, most catfishers’ goal is to get something out of your pockets. Despite how urgent or how sad their stories seem, don’t give in so easily.

How Can I Protect Myself From Catfish Scams?

Safeguarding yourself from dating scams may seem complicated, but you can take note of the following steps. These are designed to assist you in protecting yourself from the perils of catfishing:

1. Conduct a Reverse Image Search

You can have a reverse image search by going to Google Images to check all the possible websites on which the profile picture appears. By going to Google Images, click the camera icon to search by image. You can upload a file by dragging it into the box. If the results have unrelated profiles carrying different names, that concludes that one is a catfish.

2. Verify Their Identity

Have a critical eye on people’s photos, contact numbers, and social media posts. Try to see if their names match with their email address. If you’re still not satisfied with the information being presented, be firm on asking for a video chat and ask for their documents like a driver’s license, passport, or anything else that you consider substantial proof of identity. Verifying one’s identity anyway is a bare minimum before you take further steps into a relationship.

3. Be Careful With the Pictures You Send

Avoid sending sensitive photos even if they have already confirmed their identity. These may be used to blackmail you or demean you as some people can be secretive with their true intentions or they’re the type to kiss and tell after a breakup.

4. Maintain Your Privacy

This helps from further stealing your information or hacking your accounts. Withhold yourself from telling your complete address, the places that you recently visited, names of family and friends, financial information, and even your date of birth. Try to initially focus on your common interests and life aspirations.

5. Suggest to Meet in Person

A catfisher’s greatest weakness is face-to-face meet-ups. Calling this to the person you’ve been talking to is a great way to find out if they’re truly who they claim to be on social media, or if they have just been wasting your precious time.

Catfish scams aren’t the only thing you should be wary of, whether you’ve been spending time with a Filipina or not. Money scams, tourist scams, and marriage scams are also among the many frauds to look out for, but marking down these reminders can make online dating safer and much more enjoyable.

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