The social media explosion and online dating have opened up new avenues for con artists. One example of this is the “Catfish Dating Scam“. This scam is a case in point because it involves exaggeration, untruths and being absurd, much like the old fisherman’s tale, “It was that big!”
Although the vulnerable, isolated and lonely are the best targets for these scams, some scams can be so attractive that even more “street-savvy” people fall prey to them. It is important to be aware of these scams so you don’t become emotionally or financially involved.
People who spend a lot of time online are more likely to be targeted. This is due to the fact that they may have fewer social circles offline. Catfish scams are a prime target for online dating sites since people often don’t tell other people.
Remember, if it’s too good to be true……
What Are the Warning Signs?
Unusual Social Profiles
- A low number of friends
- There is no such thing as social media
- Unusual profile photographs/look like you are a model/lacks identifying characteristics for the location/only “holiday” photos
- No family or friends
- Limited content
- Catfish can steal photos from other people, so they are restricted in their access to new images
- A reverse search on google.com will allow you to determine if the images are legitimate.
Build a Relationship Fast
- Catfish want money. Even though they haven’t met you yet, they will spend their time building a relationship that they love.
- They will often be the first ones to declare their love.
- They will make statements and ask questions designed to assess your levels of sympathy/generosity/vulnerability. A favoured method of judging the level of sympathy someone is is to claim they have a deceased spouse.
Inconsistencies
- They might not have much information about their career choices. Search results will provide quotes to answer any questions.
- They may not be familiar with the local area where they live, work, or grew up.
- Ask them questions. If the answers are not clear or are vague or if the questions are deflected, the warning signs are obvious.
- They are online but don’t know how to use social media such as Skype, Twitter, Facebook, or skype.
Grammar and Spelling
- Catfish can often boast of having good jobs and career opportunities. They should therefore have excellent language skills and be educated.
- Look for basic grammar errors
- Poor usage of language
- Spelling mistakes
- Many of these people work abroad and don’t speak their native tongue.
Amazing Lifestyle
- Most people will claim that they travel a lot. This is usually a good excuse for not having a phone signal, etc.
- They will have pleasant holidays.
- Often adventurous or charitable.
- May occasionally refer to “dead partners” as an “accident or such.
- There are many interests. They will work with you to ensure that they share an interest.
Money
- Catfish fraud is designed to extract money.
- If someone tells you they love and care about you, it is usually a disaster.
- They are unable to access their UK accounts due to an accident in remote areas.
- Consider your online banking security. Do they ask questions that could lead to passwords being revealed or other security questions? (Where are you from? Mother’s maiden name? Pet names etc.
- Consider this: If they are such a great person why wouldn’t they have UK friends and family who can send them money?
How can private investigators help you?
There are some things you can do by yourself, such as reverse image searches and searching for them on social networks, but a private investigator is more skilled at identifying common scams and people.
You could hire a private detective to look through birth certificates, addresses, and other databases for information to confirm or deny the claim told by the suspected catfish.
You should be cautious if you use social media or online dating to meet people. Watkins Ward Group Limited is able to help you verify the claims of someone you are building a relationship. There are many services that we offer to help you do this. All our investigative services are confidential, so even if the person is genuine, they will not know that you have doubted them.
