If you’re on the lookout for a new partner, chances are you’re trying your luck online. According to a recent study by online dating site eHarmony, half of all UK couples will have met online by 2031. There’s no doubt that dating apps and matchmaking websites have made things easier for introverts looking for the love of their lives. But don’t be fooled by the promises of dating websites – all that glitters isn’t gold.
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.
