What is a Catfishing Scheme?
A catfishing scheme is a way that people are able to manipulate others into getting what they want. Normally, it’s a money scam, but sometimes it can be for attention, jealousy, or simply to “cure” boredom. The most common is a “Romance Scam,” and now people are even using AI bots to do their dirty work. Another Catfishing Scheme is the rise of Deepfakes, using fictional/edited photos to manipulate victims into giving the scammer something, often money, to prevent the circulation of those photos and videos.
Romance Scams
Romance Scams, the most common catfishing scam, use strong manipulation tactics, such as lovebombing and quick dependency, to make their victim more trusting and intimately involved with them. Romance Scammers don’t always do traditional “catfishing,” as in they will use their own name/face in some cases. These scams normally begin with insistent compliments and immense interest. Sometimes, the “best” of the scammers will put their victims in a false sense of security by buying gifts and sending money. This will make the victims feel special and comfortable with the scammer. The scariest part is that sometimes the scammer will even meet up with the victim. Next thing you know, the scammer will suddenly be in financial despair. “My mom is in the hospital,” “My money won’t transfer,” “I got laid off,” etc., etc. Once the victim either gives up the money or the victim pushes back against giving them more money, then the scammer will “ghost.” The scammer will entirely cut off the victim, never giving them a second look. This not only hurts the victim financially, but also mentally. This type of scam highly disregards the well-being of the victim, highlighting how greed manipulates people into being unempathetic.
AI Scams
AI scams and Romance Scams often go hand in hand. If anything, Romance Scammers will use AI as a “tool,” and the same thing goes for people who use Deepfaking technology to scam people. Instead of stealing other real people’s photos, they are now able to use AI to just make up their own fake identities. The sad thing about AI-generated images is that the platforms that create the images will steal other people’s photos and videos in order to create the fake ones. This means your face could be indirectly used to cause another victim pain! Some scammers will use AI “bots” to have the same conversations with people, whether that be on social media or dating apps, so if you find yourself having a roundabout conversation, it is often a bot (or a dumb human), and either way, it’s better to distance yourself from them.
How Do You Protect Yourself From Catfishing Schemes?
Oftentimes, these scammers look for people who are vulnerable, both emotionally and physically. If you feel yourself falling into this type of weakness, it is important to try to be hypervigilant of people online. Of course, it is not healthy to fully distance yourself from any kind of human resources, especially if you have little to no human interaction to begin with. Make sure to look out for the warning signs:
- Quick to say very intimate things, such as “I love you.”
- Stories don’t align; things such as dates and other people in their lives don’t match up.
- They ask for large sums of money; this is a red flag, even if you aren’t being catfished.
Overall, just look out for your own well-being and don’t feel afraid to say “NO!” You have the right to get yourself out of uncomfortable situations without feeling bad for the other person. Always remember, the only person you can 100% trust is yourself.
