How to Catch a Catfisher Online: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve ever connected with someone online who seems perfect, almost like they’re made just for you, but you’ve never actually seen them, you might know what it feels like to worry about being tricked by a catfish. This term means someone has made a fake profile to fool people. They take someone else’s pictures and details to pretend they’re someone else. These catfish might be after money or trust, or they might just do it because they think it’s fun.

I’ve been catfished. I know what it’s like to think you’re falling in love with someone, only to find out that they’re not who they say they are. It’s heartbreaking, humiliating, and it can be hard to trust anyone online again.

It’s a pretty common problem. Some people make up a whole fake identity on the internet. They grab pictures that aren’t theirs and trick folks into believing they’re real. These catfish have all sorts of reasons, like trying to get your money or just playing a mean trick on you.

It’s tough when you’ve felt something real for someone, only to find out they’re a fake. It feels awful and can make you think twice before trusting someone you meet online.

What is Catfishing?

Catfishing is when someone pretends to be somebody else online to trick people into a fake friendship or love story. They pick someone else’s photos and makeup names and stories about themselves that sound good to the person they’re trying to trick. They can be tricky and might use sad stories or pretend feelings to keep the other person interested and caring about them.

When someone finds out they’ve been catfished, it can hurt them in their heart and their wallet. They might feel fooled and ashamed, and sometimes they lose money too. Catfishing can get serious and scary, leading to someone bothering or following them around, and it could even get dangerous.

signs that you may be talking to a catfish

1. They rush things in the relationship, wanting to be your only one super fast, and they’re pushing you to get together or share bank details.
2. They always have a reason for not being able to see you face-to-face or on a video call. Maybe they say their camera’s not working, they’re traveling, or they’re in the army.
3. They might ask for some cash or help with money stuff.
4. They don’t seem to have many friends on social media or much happening there.
5. The details on their profile don’t line up or seem off.
6. Their pictures are too slick or look like they’ve been messed with.
7. They dodge when you ask them straight-up questions about who they are or where they come from.
8. They try to make you feel bad or push you to do things that don’t feel right to you.
9. Something inside you just feels unsure about them.

How to Catch a Catfisher Online

Method 1: Reverse Image Search Their Photos

When you make friends or start a relationship online, sometimes you might worry if the person you’re talking to is really who they say they are. Photos can be tricky. Some people don’t use their real photos; they use someone else’s instead. This is where a smart trick called reverse image search comes in handy. It’s like a detective tool on the internet that can help you see if a photo is used in other places.

Imagine you upload the photo to a website that can check pictures, like Google Images. This website takes the photo and looks it up everywhere on the internet. If you find the exact photo with different names on different profiles, this is a signal that the person might be lying about who they are. It’s like finding the same face with different names on many passports — something isn’t right.

Now, it’s not just about finding the photo in other places. You should also look at the details. For example, if the person says they live in New York but their photo pops up on a website from another country, that’s a warning sign. Or if the photo looks very professional, like from a magazine or a model’s portfolio, that’s another hint that it could be stolen. Many catfish take photos of models or public figures because they know these pictures will attract attention.

You don’t need to be a computer whiz to do this. Just go to a search engine, upload the photo, and see what comes up. It’s a good step to take if you want to be sure the person you’re chatting with is using their real photo.

Method 2: Do a Google Search of Their Name, Username, and Profile Information

The internet remembers almost everything. If you know how to look, you can find out a lot about a person. That’s why searching for someone’s name, their online nickname, or details they’ve given you can tell you more about them. It’s like being a detective without leaving your house.

You start by typing their name or nickname into Google. What comes up? Maybe you’ll see their social media profiles, or maybe you’ll find nothing. Both can be signs. If there’s nothing about them at all, it’s strange. Most people have some sort of online record — like a social media page or a mention somewhere. But if you can’t find anything, it could mean they’re hiding or they’ve made up their identity.

Also, you might find that the information doesn’t match what they’ve told you. Maybe they said they work at a certain place, but you find nothing about them there. Or they said they went to a certain school, but there’s no record of them. This doesn’t always mean they’re catfish, but it’s a reason to be careful.

This step is not just about searching once and calling it a day. Sometimes, you need to look a bit deeper. If they’ve shared a lot with you, check those details too. It takes some time, but it’s worth it if you’re serious about knowing who’s on the other end of the conversation.

Method 3: Ask Them to Video Chat

Seeing a person’s face can tell you a lot. It’s easy to pretend to be someone else through messages, but a live video chat can show you if the person matches the photos they’ve been sending. That’s why asking to video chat is a powerful way to check if someone is telling the truth.

Here’s how it can go: you ask the person to video chat. If they are who they say they are, they’ll probably say yes. If they make excuses every time — their camera is broken, they’re always too busy, or they just don’t want to — then you have a reason to pause and think. Real people who want to build trust are usually happy to show their face and have a real conversation.

During the video chat, notice if they look like their pictures. Sometimes, the video quality might be bad, or the lighting might be off, but you can usually tell if it’s the same person. If they keep turning off the video or something always seems to ‘go wrong’ when it’s time to chat, that’s not a good sign.

Method 4: Be Skeptical of Anyone Who Asks You for Money

When you meet someone online, and they start asking for money, alarm bells should ring. It’s a common sign that you might not be dealing with a genuine person. Catfish often come up with stories that pull on your heartstrings. They might say they have a health crisis, their car broke down, or they need a ticket to come see you. These stories often have one thing in common — they need money, and they need it fast.

Here’s what you should do: never send money to someone you’ve only met online, no matter how close you feel to them. If they ask for cash, that’s a big no-no. It’s hard, especially if you think you have a connection with this person, but it’s a boundary that you should not cross. Real connections don’t start with a request for money.

And if you’ve been asked for money, take steps to protect yourself immediately. Block the person from all contact, and let the platform where you met them know what happened. This could help someone else from falling into the same trap. Also, change your passwords. If they’ve asked for money, who knows what other information they might try to get from you?

Protecting your heart and your wallet in these situations is key. Think about it this way: if you met someone on the street who asked for money right away, you’d be suspicious. Apply the same thinking online.

Method 5: Trust Your Gut

Sometimes, you just feel something is off. You can’t put your finger on it, but something inside tells you to be cautious. This gut feeling is an important signal. When it comes to online relationships, if something feels too good to be true, it often is. If you’re feeling rushed, like things are moving too quickly, or you’re being pushed to make decisions that make you uncomfortable, these are signs to listen to.

Trusting your gut means taking a step back. Look at the relationship objectively. Are there things that just don’t add up? Does the person avoid certain topics, or are they too perfect? These could be clues that they are not being completely honest with you.

If you’re feeling uneasy, it’s okay to say no. It’s okay to block someone or to end the conversation. And it’s okay to talk to friends or family about your doubts. They can give you a fresh perspective.

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Getting tricked by a fake online friend is tough, but many others have been through it, too. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

If it seems like you’ve been fooled, the key thing is to keep safe. Cut off all contact with them, let the people running the site or app know, and make all your online account passwords new and strong.

It’s also key to give yourself time to feel better after this. Share what happened with someone close to you, and remember that you should always be treated well.