Learning how to recognise the signs of catfishing can protect both your heart and personal information. Read on for 7 red flags that could mean you’re dealing with a catfish. 

1.  They avoid video calls 

One of the most telltale signs you’re being catfished is if the person you’ve met online consistently avoids video calls. They might claim their camera is broken, they have poor internet connection or offer other excuses.  

While there could be legitimate reasons for this, frequent avoidance should raise suspicion. Real individuals interested in genuine relationships will want to see you face-to-face, even if it’s through a screen.  

If someone persistently dodges video interactions, it might be because they cannot physically match the identity they’ve presented online. 

2. Their profile seems too good to be true 

When encountering an online profile, be wary if it appears unnaturally perfect. Catfish often create their profiles to resemble an ideal, using professional or highly edited images – so the photos look like model shoots.  

Also, their life stories might seem implausible, sounding a bit too dramatic or idyllic rather than an actual genuine experience. True profiles typically showcase a range of photos, including casual snapshots and are likely to share realistic personal anecdotes. If someone’s online presence feels too put-together, it could be a deliberate attempt to deceive you. 

3.  They ask for money 

A significant warning sign is when an online acquaintance requests money, particularly if you’ve never met. This request often comes under the guise of an urgent scenario, like a medical emergency or a financial crisis.  

And more often than not, is accompanied by emotional stories designed so you’ll feel sorry for them and make you ignore all rational judgment. Be cautious and remind yourself that real connections typically do not start with financial appeals. This tactic is a common strategy used by catfish to exploit trust and get your money. 

4.  Their stories don’t add up 

Be on the look-out for inconsistencies in an online acquaintance’s life stories. If they frequently change facts about their past, work or daily activities, it could mean they are lying.  

Real people have life stories that are coherent and consistent over time. If you spot inconsistencies, especially if they’re significant or about fundamental aspects of their identity, this could suggest they might be making most of it up.  

Always listen carefully and note any discrepancies – they could reveal that the person is not who they claim to be. 

5. They have very few friends or followers 

A social media profile with very few friends or followers, particularly if it has been active for some time, can be a sign of a fake account.  

Often, catfish create new profiles to carry out their deception and may not have a large network of interactions. A genuine account typically has connections and a history of interactions that reflect real-life relationships and activities.  

Lack of these could mean their profile has been created to make sure you are misled.   

6. They are too forward or flirty 

When someone is excessively flirty or moves the relationship along too quickly, it could be a strategy used by catfish. They often use intense flattery and create a false sense of intimacy to manipulate your emotions.  

This rapid pace can distract their victim from noticing inconsistencies in their story or other warning signs. So, be cautious if someone seems to be rushing emotional depth without a real-life meeting or a genuine friendship. 

7. They avoid personal questions 

If someone consistently avoids answering personal questions or changing the subject when you ask about their life, this could be a warning sign.  

Catfish might be vague about their background, occupation or living situation to avoid slipping up and revealing inconsistencies. Genuine individuals are usually more open and willing to share details about themselves. 

Secure your online relationships with M19 Solutions 

Ensure your online safety by being observant and following your gut feelings to steer clear of catfishing. When interactions seem dubious, err on the side of caution. If something feels off, it probably is. 

For support in validating your online relationships, our team of private investigators in Manchester can help with professional catfish investigations. We offer specialised assistance to help you uncover and understand the reality behind your online connections. 

The post 7 Signs You’re Getting Catfished Online  appeared first on M19 Solutions.

However, one of the most important terms to understand is ‘catfishing’, because of the potential consequences for those who don’t. In this post, we’ll discuss what catfishing means in online dating.

What does catfishing mean online?

Catfishing is the process of tricking someone into a relationship by posing as someone else (real or completely fake). The term ‘catfish’ in its current sense originated in the 2010 documentary, Catfish, where producer Nev Schulman was a victim of this very scenario.

In the documentary, he makes friends with an 8-year-old and her family, after the child paints one of his photos. He begins an online relationship with the half-sister Megan, though it later transpires that the Mum (Angela) was posing as all the various Facebook profiles.

Angela’s husband then introduces a metaphor about how catfish were shipped with live cod to keep them active. He believes his wife to be such a ‘catfish’, who is there to keep other people alert.

What is catfishing on the internet?

Since 2010, catfishing as a phrase has become commonplace. Unfortunately, so too has the act. On the internet, it’s much easier for people to pose as someone else or create a fictional profile using a mishmash of real and fake information.

Catfishing takes place on a range of platforms, from social media sites like Facebook and Instagram to dating apps like Tindr and Bumble – not to mention dating websites too. All it takes is someone else’s pictures and a convincing backstory.

Why? Some people do it for enjoyment – either the thrill of tricking someone or simply that they like being someone else. Posing as someone half their age might give them the opportunity to speak to younger people, for example.

However, in many cases, there are more serious motives at play. Catfishing can be used to seek revenge with the goal of obtaining personal information or even photos of a victim to humiliate them or damage their reputation. 

Alternatively, it can be used for financial gain. After luring a victim into a relationship, some catfish will fabricate a believable scenario where they need money. Common examples are medical bills and travel costs to meet the victim in person.

Related Reading: Is Catfishing Illegal in the UK?

Am I being catfished?

Catfishing is more common that you might think in the world of online dating. If you suspect that you’re being catfished, it’s not something you should ignore. At M19 Solutions, we offer fast, discreet catfish investigation services to check whether your perfect match is the person they’re claiming to be.

If anything is awry, our professional investigators will let you know so you can cut all ties or take legal action with the evidence we provide. If they are who they say, you can continue your relationship. In either case, nobody has to know we were ever involved!

To get started, call us on 0161 706 0057 or email info@m19solutions.co.uk.

The post What is Catfishing? Navigating the Sea of Online Dating appeared first on M19 Solutions.

So, what’s the downside? Well, despite their popularity, most dating apps have one serious safety issue they have not addressed – catfishing. But what exactly is catfishing, what are the key signs and is catfishing illegal in the UK? Let’s find out.

What is catfishing?

A catfish is a person who creates a fake online identity to deceive someone. The term gained massive popularity with the MTV show of the same name, which aimed to uncover real-life catfishing cases. But catfishing is no laughing matter.

Research carried out by BetMinded found that nearly 40% of 25-34 year olds in the UK have been drawn in by a fake online profile, with dating apps and Facebook being some of the most common platforms for catfishing scams. So, what’s involved?

Catfishing usually involves using someone else’s photos, name and personal details (or creating fictitious ones) to trick dating app or social media users into believing they are someone else. It can occur for many reasons – some more serious than others.

Related Resources: What is Catfishing? Navigating the Sea of Online Dating

Why do people catfish others?

Many catfishes are just lonely people hiding behind an embellished or false persona to build a relationship with someone out of their reach. Victims of this form of identity deception are often left feeling embarrassed and disappointed, and they may develop trust issues. However, this type of catfishing isn’t generally deemed dangerous.

With that said, some catfishes create fake profiles for sexual reasons, financial gain, revenge or to undertake cyberbullying, which are all very damaging. As such, it’s only normal for catfishing victims in these cases to want to start legal action against the person who deceived them. But is catfishing illegal in the UK? Read on to learn more.

Is it illegal to catfish someone?

The short and sweet answer is no – catfishing is not a criminal offence in the UK. This is because the Malicious Communications Act 1988 and the Communications Act 2003 are severely outdated and do not contain laws on online impersonation. The only exception to this rule is if the catfish impersonates a police officer or a solicitor.

But just because catfishing isn’t illegal per se, doesn’t mean that you can’t take your catfish to court. Below, we explore some instances where acts associated with the personation of someone online would be considered unlawful.

When is catfishing illegal in the UK?

Sharing images of a sexual nature without consent

Often, catfishing practices are employed to gain sexual content from a person who believes they are communicating with a romantic partner they can trust. As they get closer to their victims and dupe them into a relationship, catfishes will try to engage in intimate conversation with them and encourage them to share explicit images.

Their main target is to obtain intimate pictures or videos that they can then share – or even sell – without the victim’s consent. In some cases, the catfish will even blackmail their victim and threaten to share the images with others. After the new Domestic Abuse bill was enacted on 29^th June 2021, this is now a legal offence in the UK. As is “revenge porn” where the perpetrator shares private sexual photos or videos without consent to cause distress or damage a person’s reputation.

Gaining money fraudulently

Catfishing is also used for fraudulent reasons, such as obtaining money from a victim through deception. For instance, they may build up trust then ask to borrow money to help a friend or to finance a face-to-face meetup. According to a survey by Which?, this is an increasingly common scam, with 2 in 5 dating site users reportedly being asked for money by people they’ve never met.

If you do fall victim to this type of online scam, you can take your catfish to court as they have exploited your relationship for money. These kinds of cases fall under the Fraud Act 2006, meaning it is illegal to catfish someone in this way. This Act includes several provisions that apply to criminals who assume a false identity to commit fraud.

Harassment or misuse of private information

But what if you haven’t been blackmailed, nor swindled into giving money to your catfish? Is catfishing illegal in any other scenario? Don’t despair. You can still take your catfish to court under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997. You can also bring a civil case against them for misuse of your private information and breach of privacy if you unwittingly gave private information to someone posing as another.

Thanks to the new data protection regulations, you can also sue them for infringement of your personal data rights. By bringing all these civil wrongdoings to court at the same time, you’ll be more likely to receive an award of damages as the injured party.

Signs you may be being catfished

Concerned you may be being catfished? Here are some red flags to watch out for and some things to avoid unless you’re 100% sure the person is who they say they are:

• Someone you don’t know starts sending you flirty messages out of the blue
• Their profile looks too good to be true or has very few images, friends or posts
• They refuse to send you more photos of themselves or to video chat with you
• They tell you they love you early in the relationship and ask for explicit images
• They try to convince you to send money – often backed by an elaborate story
• When you search their name in Google, someone else’s photos come up

If in doubt, try a Google reverse image search to find any online profiles connected to the images they’ve listed. You should also never send money or content of a sexual nature to someone you don’t know. And finally, trust your judgement. If things don’t feel quite right, they probably aren’t. Cease contact and block them immediately.

Helping you reveal the truth

Is catfishing illegal in the UK? Not yet, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. If you have reason to suspect that you’re a catfishing victim, contact us immediately. At M19, our experienced catfish investigators will help you to compile evidence so you can take your catfish to court. To discuss your situation, get in touch today on 0161 706 0057 or message us at info@m19solutions.co.uk

The post Is Catfishing Illegal in the UK? appeared first on M19 Solutions.

Romance scams have skyrocketed in recent years, with the average loss per victim being £7,850. This kind of scam takes place when a dating app user tricks their victim into sending them money or blackmails them after obtaining intimate images or videos. More often than not, this scammer is also a catfish – that is, someone who adopts a fake identity online.

So, stop swiping and think for a second – is your perfect match the person they claim to be? To help you decide, we’ve compiled the best advice to find out if someone is a catfish.

How to find out if someone is a catfish?

There are many reasons why someone might create a fake dating profile – and it’s not always about the money. Some people just feel lonely and haven’t got the confidence to expose their true selves on a dating app, which leads them to steal someone else’s pictures. In other cases, the catfish takes pleasure in deceiving a person and gaining emotional control over their victim.

In any case, being catfished can lead to trust issues and PTSD. To avoid that, let’s see how to find out if someone is catfishing you…

Don’t trust professional-looking photos

Catfishers often use professional-looking shots of amateur models stolen from social media. Don’t trust a dating profile that doesn’t include any candid or casual pictures. And if you’ve already started talking to them, use an online reverse image search to find out if they’ve taken their pictures from the web.

Ask for their complete name

If your match isn’t willing to share their complete name with you, there’s something fishy going on. If they do share it but you suspect they’ve given you a fake name, you can always Google them or search for their name on social media apps. If you can’t find them anywhere, take a step back.

Request a video chat

The wonders of modern technology have made catching catfishers a lot easier. If you have reason to suspect that your match is catfishing you, ask them to do a video chat with you on Facetime, WhatsApp or Skype. If they don’t agree to it, it’s very likely that they are a catfish.

Unmask your catfish today

Have you fallen for someone who will not agree to meet you in person? Are you being blackmailed or emotionally abused by an online partner? If so, get in touch with us as soon as possible.

At M19 Solutions, our catfish investigators know how to find out if someone is a catfish. Apart from unveiling the truth, they will help you to compile court evidence against your catfish. To arrange a private and discrete consultation, contact us on 0161 706 0057 or e-mail us at info@m19solutions.co.uk.

The post How to Find Out If Someone is a Catfish appeared first on M19 Solutions.