Definition of Catfishing
Catfishing refers to the practice of creating fake personal profiles on social media platforms to establish relationships with other people online. The term originated from the 2010 documentary Catfish, which followed a man who discovered the woman he fell in love with online used fake photos and profiles. [1]
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines catfishing as “the practice of luring someone into a relationship by means of a fictional online persona.”[2] Common catfishing activities include using someone else’s photos, creating fake names and backgrounds, and cultivating an online romantic relationship under false pretenses. Catfishers may fabricate details about their age, location, occupation, finances, interests, and appearance in order to seem more desirable.
Motivations for Catfishing
There are many reasons why someone may resort to catfishing. According to USA Today, some common motivations include exploring sexuality, sexually exploiting children, poor self-esteem, hiding identity, and depression.
CyberSmile notes catfishing can stem from personal insecurities. Someone with low self-confidence may create a fake identity that they feel is more attractive or interesting. Mental illness can also lead to catfishing as a way to fulfill unmet emotional needs or gain confidence through a fictional persona.
Romance scams are a common form of catfishing. A catfisher creates a fake identity to form a relationship and eventually ask for money. According to the FTC, romance scams cost victims $547 million in 2021.
Catfishing is also used for bullying, trolling or extracting secrets. A catfisher may pretend to be someone else to deceive a victim, spread rumors, obtain private information or photos for blackmail.
Overall, catfishing arises from a variety of psychological motives. But in many cases, it stems from a desire for connection, exploration of identity, or overcoming loneliness – even through fictional means.
Getting Caught
Catfishers are often exposed when their targets become suspicious and conduct reverse image searches on the photos being used by the catfisher. Many times the photos are stolen from social media profiles of random strangers. When the photo comes up attached to a different name, the target learns they have been deceived.
Additionally, catfishers tend to get caught when they are unable to keep their facts straight. Maintaining a fake identity for an extended period is challenging. If details of the fictitious life they’ve described start contradicting or feel inconsistent, the target may realize something is amiss.
Per source, catfishers are also caught if they are particularly sloppy and the other person finds clear evidence of their real identity. For example, some forget to remove geo-tags on photos that reveal their actual location. Others use the same username across platforms, allowing their target to connect the dots. Persistent skepticism and looking critically for cracks in the catfisher’s story can reveal the truth.
Consequences from Dating Sites
Dating sites and apps like Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, and Match.com prohibit catfishing in their terms of service and community guidelines. If caught violating policies, a catfisher’s account may be banned or deactivated by the platform.
According to Match Group’s terms of service, “Misrepresenting your identity, creating an account for anyone other than yourself, or using an account you purchased, rented, leased, or otherwise obtained from someone else constitutes a violation of this Agreement.”1
A first offense often results in a warning or temporary suspension. Repeat or egregious violations can lead to a permanent ban. If banned, the catfisher loses access to their account and matches.
They also forfeit any money spent on premium subscriptions or features like Super Likes on Tinder.2 Depending on the length of suspension, hundreds of dollars may be wasted from being unable to use a dating service.
Legal Consequences
Catfishing can lead to serious legal repercussions depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction. In some cases, catfishing may constitute fraud, identity theft, or impersonation – all of which are crimes that can result in fines or even jail time.
For example, if someone uses another person’s identity or personal information to create a fake profile, they may face identity theft charges. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, identity theft carries penalties of fines up to $250,000 and imprisonment up to 20 years for repeat offenders.[1]
If a catfisher obtains money or other benefits by pretending to be someone else, they could be charged with wire fraud or mail fraud. These federal crimes involve using interstate communications or postal systems to intentionally deceive someone for financial gain or other benefits.
Additionally, many states have laws against criminal impersonation, which involves posing as another person for fraudulent or harmful purposes. Violators may face fines, probation, and even felony charges depending on the circumstances.
While catfishing itself is not a specific crime, the deceptive actions involved can potentially break various criminal laws. Anyone considering creating fake online personas should be aware of the legal risks before engaging in this unethical behavior.
Civil Lawsuits
Targets of romance scams who suffer severe emotional distress may be able to sue the catfisher for intentional infliction of emotional distress (IIED). However, the bar is very high to prove IIED. According to FindLaw, the victim must show:
- Extreme and outrageous conduct by the defendant
- The defendant’s intent or recklessness in causing distress
- Severe emotional distress suffered by the plaintiff
- The defendant’s conduct actually and proximately caused the distress
If the catfishing was just for attention or compliments, without extorting money, it may be difficult to prove emotional distress. However, if intimate photos or details were shared under false pretenses, courts are more sympathetic. Overall, IIED claims for catfishing face an uphill legal battle.
Reputational Damage
Getting exposed as a catfisher can lead to extreme embarrassment and loss of reputation. The catfisher’s friends, family, colleagues, and wider social circles may find out about their duplicitous online behavior, leading to damaged personal relationships and trust (Source). This revelation can negatively impact their career if word spreads to coworkers or employers. According to one survey, over 65% of human resource professionals search a candidate’s social media before extending a job offer, so evidence of catfishing could eliminate job prospects.
Furthermore, being outed as a catfisher means losing control of one’s own narrative. The catfishing victim and others can now expose the catfisher’s lies as they see fit, destroying their reputation. This loss of standing in the community can lead to social ostracization. In the digital age, reputations are easily tarnished and difficult to repair once damage is done. Those caught catfishing often find they face lingering suspicion and mistrust even after apologizing.
Psychological Impact
Being caught catfishing can have severe psychological consequences, both for the catfisher and their targets. Targets often experience feelings of hurt, betrayal, and loss of trust after discovering the catfisher’s lies. This loss of trust can be difficult to regain after such deep deception, leading to long-lasting damage to relationships.
For the catfisher themselves, getting caught often induces immense guilt and shame at being exposed. According to psychologists, catfishing can become an addictive behavior that is difficult to stop, similar to gambling or substance abuse addictions. Even after being caught, some catfishers find themselves unable to stop the lies and false personas, spiraling deeper despite the interpersonal damage caused. Treatments such as counseling are often needed to break this manipulative addiction and its underlying psychological drivers.
Additionally, the potential public exposure that comes with getting caught catfishing can lead to reputational damage and social ostracization. This mixes with the guilt to further fuel mental health issues like anxiety and depression. In some tragic cases, the humiliation of being exposed as a catfisher has even led to suicide. Overall, while the motivations that drive catfishing vary, the resulting psychological impacts when uncovered are often intense and long-lasting for all involved.
Making Amends
If you get caught catfishing, it is important to take responsibility for your actions. The first step is admitting wrongdoing and apologizing to the person you catfished. Be sincere in your apology, acknowledge the pain you caused them, and do not make excuses for your behavior. According to one Reddit user, you should “Give him the options. Let him choose. What you did took all of his control away. You created a lie -one that he had no control over and did not consent to being a part of. Give the control back to your victim.”
It may also help to explain your motivations for catfishing without justifying the behavior. Offer to answer any questions the person may have and provide proof of your real identity (source). Do not expect forgiveness. The goal is taking responsibility and beginning to make amends.
You may also want to seek counseling or therapy to address any underlying issues that led to the catfishing. This demonstrates a commitment to changing harmful behaviors. Treatment for issues like low self-esteem, loneliness, or addiction can prevent future instances of catfishing.
Moving Forward
The most important part of moving on from catfishing is learning from the experience and letting go of deception. While catfishing may seem fun or exciting in the moment, it prevents the development of real human connections.
As one Reddit user advised after getting caught catfishing, “The greatest joy comes from being your authentic self and making genuine connections with others” [1]. Letting go of catfishing allows you to focus on truthful interactions where you can be fully seen and appreciated.
It’s also essential to reflect on what motivated the catfishing, whether that was insecurity, loneliness, or wanting to live out a fantasy. Understanding the root causes can lead to self-improvement and seeking healthy fulfillment of unmet needs [2].
While it may take time to regain lost trust, focusing on authenticity and self-work makes space for genuine human connections moving forward.
