A 17-year-old, Sarah, met someone online who seemed perfect. He’s charming, attentive, and shares all her interests. Over a few months, they develop a close connection, and he eventually tells her he’s facing a financial emergency and needs her help. Wanting to support him, Sarah sends him money, only to find out later that he’s disappeared, and his profile was fake. Although this scenario is hypothetical, the tactic of using a false identity to gain trust and manipulate someone, better known as catfishing, happens all too often, and can even lead to deadly consequences.
The Arrest of An Evil, Prolific Catfisher
Over the years, catfishing cases have captured the media’s attention, often because the deception goes far beyond a simple online lie.
The recent arrest of a man from Northern Ireland has brought attention to just how nefarious catfishing can be. Alexander McCartney, 26, was sentenced on Oct. 25 to life in prison for multiple child sexual offenses, blackmail, and the manslaughter of a 12-year-old West Virginia girl who took her own life in 2018, CNN reported. McCartney is accused of sexually exploiting at least 70 minors across several countries, and targeting approximately 3,500 girls from the UK, the US and New Zealand. McCartney posed as a teenage girl to befriend young females across the world on Snapchat before blackmailing them.
Many catfishing scams target young people who believed they were connecting with romantic interests only to be harassed for personal information or money. These stories may differ in specifics, but they share a disturbing pattern of manipulation and deceit, exposing the vulnerabilities of social media and dating platforms.
How Prevalent is Catfishing?
Catfishing affects thousands of people each year across various demographics. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), online romance scams, many of which involve catfishing, accounted for a loss of over $300 million in 2020. The following year, as more people were confined to their homes because of the pandemic, catfishing romance scams surged 80% to $547 million in losses, with people paying romance scammers more with gift cards than with any other payment method. A survey by Statista revealed that approximately one in five Americans has either personally experienced or knows someone affected by a catfishing scam.
Other catfishing statistics, provided by EarthWeb reveal:
- Dating sites and apps account for 68% of all catfishing incidents.
- 13% of American adults have reported being catfished.
- Approximately 20,000 people are targeted by catfishers annually in the United States.
- Monetary deception is the most common motivator for catfishers.
Despite growing awareness, the anonymity of the internet makes it relatively easy for scammers to create fake identities and manipulate others into believing in false relationships.
Who is Most at Risk?
Although anyone can be a victim of catfishing, certain groups are more susceptible. Young adults, teenagers, and individuals seeking companionship on dating apps or social media platforms are particularly vulnerable. But why do people trust others they’ve only met online? Catfishers often use psychological tactics, such as mirroring the target’s interests, creating a sense of urgency, or fostering a sense of exclusivity. When loneliness, trust, and curiosity come into play, even the most cautious individuals can find themselves pulled into a deceitful relationship.
Is Catfishing Illegal?
The answer may seem like an obvious yes, but surprisingly, no legislation yet exists that outlaws catfishing itself, despite the fraud and malintent associated with it. However, many catfishers engage in an illegal activity while assuming the identity of another person. Laws on the book already address fraud, identity theft, and online harassment, which catfishers typically engage in.
Some states have taken steps toward legislation specifically addressing online impersonation. For example, California has a law against “online impersonation” that can apply to catfishing cases, with penalties including fines or jail time depending on the severity of the harm caused. California Penal Code 528.5 and 529 states, “…any person who knowingly and without consent credibly impersonates another actual person through or on an Internet Web site or by other electronic means for purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person is guilty of a public offense punishable pursuant to subdivision.”
Additionally, cyber harassment laws in states like Texas and New York are sometimes applied in catfishing cases when threats or coercion are involved.
The Lies Of Catfishing Scammers
According to the FTC, romance scammers often tailor their stories to fit each situation, adjusting details to gain their target’s trust.
They often have an excuse for why they can’t meet in person, claiming to be living or traveling abroad, working on an oil rig, serving in the military, or employed by an international organization, for example.
Once they gain your trust, scammers will ask for financial help. They might request funds for medical bills (for themselves or a relative), to purchase a plane ticket to visit you, to cover visa fees, or to pay fines. Some may even suggest you start investing in cryptocurrency with their “guidance.”
To make it difficult for you to recover the money, scammers will direct you on how to send it. They may ask you to wire funds through services like Western Union or MoneyGram, load money onto gift cards (such as Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, or Steam) and provide the PINs, use a money transfer app, or send cryptocurrency.
These tactics are meant to create urgency and pressure you into paying quickly—but it’s all a scam.
The critical takeaway is never send money or gifts to someone you haven’t met in person.
Too Embarrassed To Report Catfishing
Some victims feel too ashamed and embarrassed about falling for a fake profile to report a crime. Catfishers often count on this. Even more troubling is that victims who do come forward face a perpetrator who might reside in a different state or country. This makes it difficult to pursue legal action.
How Can Parents Prevent Their Kids from Being Victims of Catfishing?
Parents play a crucial role in educating their children about online safety. Open conversations about the realities of online impersonation, as well as the risks of sharing personal information, are key. Several apps have been developed to help parents monitor their children’s online interactions, including Bark, Net Nanny, and Qustodio. These apps provide tools that allow parents to track conversations, set limits, and receive alerts for concerning messages, creating a safer online space for children and teens.
Parents and their children are also highly encouraged to read the FTC’s Anatomy of an Imposter Scam blog series, which breaks down how to recognize, avoid, and report business and government imposter scams.
Are Schools Doing Anything to Educate Kids About Catfishing?
With cyber safety becoming an essential part of education, some schools have implemented online safety programs that include information about catfishing and online fraud. These programs often focus on social media awareness, teaching students about red flags and what to avoid in online interactions. However, the reach and depth of these programs vary widely depending on the school district. Advocacy groups are working to encourage more comprehensive digital safety curricula nationwide, recognizing that informed students are less likely to fall victim to online scams.
Awareness Equals Action
Catfishing blends online anonymity with real-world consequences, leaving victims emotionally and sometimes financially devastated, and in some tragic cases, young children have taken their own lives. As awareness grows, so too does the collective responsibility to educate and protect both ourselves and future generations. Online platforms, educational institutions, and legislative bodies continue to adapt to counter catfishing, but personal awareness and caution are the most reliable defenses against deception.
SurvivorsRights.com is committed to providing resources, support, and up-to-date information to empower those affected by catfishing and other forms of online manipulation. Together, we can foster a safer, more informed online community.
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