toncounscolle

'Catfishing:' The phenomenon of Internet scammers who fabricate online identities and entire social circles to trick people into romantic relationships

Not gonna lie, I liked it and we kept talking. Nev connected with Abby, and subsequently her family, over email, phone, and eventually Facebook.

Nev, how do you feel about online dating now? But we text all the time and I tweet at her. I'm not opposed to it personally, and I don't discourage it so long as you know what you're looking for.

'Catfishing:' The phenomenon of Internet scammers who fabricate online identities and entire social circles to trick people into romantic relationships - This deception can be elaborate, and may involve the use of fake photos, fake biographies, and sometimes fictitious supporting networks as well. The Catfish Who Introduced Her to His Parents Met a guy online, we dated for over a year.

You may have noticed the Australian media has recently held a spotlight on the issue of internet fraud, specifically, internet dating fraud. It has become such a hot topic because so many of us are falling victim to scams, we need to. Although the majority of these covert predators are based in Africa, mainly Nigeria and Ghana, they show up on our dating sites as attractive, Western-looking, perfect potential dates. At a glance, they seem like great dates. Anyone can fall victim to an , not just the naive or socially inexperienced. Sometimes, our desire to find our ideal partner outweighs our rational thinking. Here are some tips for spotting a Catfish: 1. Too good to be true — photos Do they look like a model? Do they seem way too perfect to be a normal person? Search their photos using — if you find the same images on lots of different sites linked to different names or if the images turn up on a stock photo site or modelling site, you might want to think twice. If they claim to be a brain surgeon and part time pilot, who enjoys running monthly marathons and volunteering to save the children in Africa, your alarm bells might start ringing. No photos or webcam Be alert to any profiles that offer no photos. Early in your interaction, ask them to send you a photo and if they refuse, you might become suspicious. Having a web chat is a great way to explore the level of chemistry between you. If they claim to have no access to a webcam unusual these days , your intuition might tell you something. Saying exactly what you want to hear Many victims report that the person said all the right things, they tapped into their deepest needs and said only positive things. Too serious, too soon , it is based on trust. If they move too quickly into the realm of love and commitment, try not to be flattered. This may be a sign that they are not legitimate. Asking for money This should be a massive red flag but unfortunately, many people are seduced by this. If they ask you for cash, this is an indicator that their intentions are based on something other than finding love — walk away! Very low Facebook friend count as soon as you can. If their other social media profiles appeared online around the same date as their , this could be an indicator of deception. If their Facebook profile has less than 100 friends or no people are tagged in their photos, this is also an indicator of a fake profile. Traumatic life events Many Catfish create elaborate stories to play on your sympathy, especially in the lead up to asking for money. Excuses, excuses, excuses A key indicator of a Catfish is that they will not want to meet you in person or via webcam. A good guide is to aim to meet in person within one month of connecting online. Trust your gut Most victims of Catfish report that there were many little signs, lots of times when their gut told them NO but their heart told them YES. Your unconscious mind gives you hints when it suspects someone is not the real deal, listen to it! So start to balance your approach to online dating. Do you communicate a level of vulnerability or desperation in your profile? Online predators are known to target people they perceive as vulnerable as they are considered to be easy marks, so make sure you protect yourself from this. To stay safe, maintain your communication on the for as long as possible. Many Catfish attempt to coax you away to instant messaging or private email, thus reducing your level of control over the communication. Check out our tips for dating safety. Are you single, ready to start dating? Follow us on , and for more dating and relationship advice.