Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Catfishing is when a person uses false information and images to create a fake identity online with the intention to trick, harass, or scam another person. It often happens on social media or ...
Catfishing is often employed on dating websites, social media, and email [16] by perpetrators to disassociate from their real-life identities and shield themselves from moral obligations or responsibilities. Motivations for catfishing are typically malevolent and may include sexual, financial, or social gain. [17]
Catfish scam artists usually use pictures in their social media profile that they say are of them but are not. Often, they represent themselves as conventionally attractive, young people.
Catfishing – the act of taking on another identity online – has already long been an issue for people making connections via social media or dating apps.
Scammers post profiles on dating websites, non-dating social media accounts, classified sites and even online forums to search for new victims. [ 10 ] [ 5 ] The scammer usually attempts to obtain a more private method of communication, such as an email or phone number, to build trust with the victim.
James Blake first discovered that his identity had been stolen and used in a catfishing scam after being contacted by victims. [2] Images of his life, car, family, and pets were used to create profiles on social media and dating sites. [3] Victims were persuaded to invest in cryptocurrency, and one Chinese victim was defrauded out of £50,000.
For premium support please call: 800-290-4726 more ways to reach us
Sock puppets include online identities created to praise, defend, or support a person or organization, [2] to manipulate public opinion, [3] or to circumvent restrictions such as viewing a social media account that a user is blocked from. Sock puppets are unwelcome in many online communities and forums.