If you haven’t yet heard the term catfishing, never fear! Here’s a dash of 21st century cultural education to get you up to speed. But before we dive into the details: are you, or perhaps a friend or family member considering seeking companionship or a romance online or via a dating app? If so, this tip will be well worth reading (and sharing). 

Catfishing is specifically an online practice. Here’s how it works:

On the internet, you become what your profile photos depict. Dating and romance scammers use this to create fake profiles and gain your trust. They compile photos from various sources – often stolen from genuine social media profiles – and manufacture a persona designed to appeal to you.

Once they have your confidence, they begin to use emotional triggers to persuade you to provide them with what they want. Before you know it, you may end up parting with material or financial resources that you cannot get back.

What are the early warning signs that a person may be a catfish?

If an online acquaintance…

• quickly asks you to leave a dating service or social media site to talk directly through WhatsApp, text or email, 
• promises to meet you, call, or video call, but continually comes up with excuses not to do so, 
• asks you to make payments on their behalf, or to send money via EFT, 
• asks for inappropriate photos or other material, 
• tries to isolate you from your friends and family,
• asks you to engage in inappropriate behaviour, or 
• asks for your financial information,

… chances are that this person does NOT have your best interests at heart.

How do you protect yourself?

Scammers know that you are more likely to accept a friend request from a friend of a friend, so be alert. Only accept friend requests from people you have met in person.

Be aware of what you post online. Everything that you post helps someone to build a picture of you and what might appeal to you or make you take action.

Specifically in the romantic sphere, keep things local and real as much as possible. Take things slowly and ask plenty of questions about the person to whom you are talking. Reverse-check photos that they share (directly with you, or via their digital profiles) using a site such as Tineye.com. Look them up on Google and professional sites such as LinkedIn.com. Ask to talk directly on the phone or videochat sooner rather than later, as this helps confirm that they are who they say they are.

What to do if you think you have been scammed: 

1. First up, don’t feel ashamed. You aren’t the first, you certainly won’t be the last, and feeling ashamed will make you hesitant to tell anyone. 
2. If you have revealed financial or banking details, contact your financial institution immediately and tell them your accounts’ security may be compromised. 
3. Then, report it to the website, app or social media site where you first connected with the person. Taking action cleans up the cyberspaces we all share. 
4. If you suspect that your identity is being used fraudulently, immediately report the identity theft to the South African Police Service, and also to the company, bank or financial institution where the fraud took place. Close your bank accounts, as well as any accounts that the thief has opened.

P.S. You may be curious about the origins of this odd phrase – “catfishing”

Back in the day, traders started importing live codfish from Canada into China. Transported by sea in large vats, the fish would arrive with their flesh mushy and tasteless due to their inactivity during the long voyages.

To fix this, someone came up with the bright idea of adding a catfish or two to the vats, to nip at the fins of the cod and keep them lively and active.

As a result, our “catfishing” term today actually has nothing to do with cats who fish, but everything to do with the need to keep on our toes (and outwit those who might be trying to get close to us online for nefarious purposes).