9 Signs You’re Being Catfished Online

Catfishing is not a new term, possibly because many people have fallen victim to it while trying to form relationships on the internet. According to vpnAlert, 47 percent of American adults were aware of this concept as of 2022.

However, if you’re new to this term, it simply refers to a situation where someone creates a fake persona to have a romantic relationship with you. It can be tough, though, especially if you’ve gotten emotionally involved or shared your personal info, but it’s not the end of the world.

Let’s learn some of the signs that will let you know you’re being catfished so you can end that relationship before losing too much to con artists.

Introduction to Catfishing

In catfishing, a con artist creates an online profile using another person’s pictures or details to lure someone into a relationship. They could be doing this to harass, defame, or defraud their victims. Ultimately, their goal is to make the victim trust them enough to share their vital information or money.

Dating sites and social media are usually used to carry out these scams because they provide easier access to potential victims from all over the world and a lower risk of getting caught. In 2025, according to Nikola Roza, 23 percent of users on social media were catfished at least once.

It’s, therefore, important to take all the steps necessary to avoid getting caught in the web of scammers.

9 Ways to Know You’re Being Catfished Online

Predators are diligently scouting for victims to prey on for financial gain. However, some signs can let you know if you’re being catfished. Here are some of the most common ones:

1. They created a social media profile recently

Social media has been around for a very, very long time, and many people have managed their accounts for years. So, if someone with a new account chats you up, you should be on alert because you might be the target of romance fraud.

Be wary of accounts with a handful of pictures, few friends, just a couple of posts, and little or no personal information.

When in doubt, run their social media details across other platforms to see if their other accounts were recently created as well. You can also input the information you’ve gotten, like their phone number or email address, on a people search engine for a reverse lookup, where you’ll find out if your online boo is who they claim to be.

2. The relationship progresses pretty fast

Catfishers are often eager for a payout, so they don’t want to spend months nurturing a friendship and building it into a relationship. They’ll often come on very strong to reel you in as fast as they can. After chatting for a few days, they’re likely to start telling you they’re in love with you.

Beware of anyone trying to rush you into a relationship, as they may be looking for a way to win your affection and manipulate you for selfish reasons.

3. They avoid video calls

If your online crush gives one excuse after another whenever you mention seeing them in a video call, then you’re likely a target. These catfishers prefer to deceive their victims with fake pictures to hide their true selves. However, a video call will show that they aren’t who they say they are.

So, always insist on a video call before engaging in any conversation with a supposed “admirer” or “crush.” In the same vein, be sure to secure your webcam before requesting a video call to avoid being hacked.

4. They don’t want to meet face-to-face

One of the best ways to spot a romance scammer is through their insistence on keeping your relationship online. They usually want to communicate through text, and especially they like social media. Any attempt to meet them physically will be avoided, even when they claim to live in the same country as you.

Sometimes, they agree to meet but find an excuse to cancel because they prefer to remain in the shadows. You’ll do well to avoid such people at all costs.

5. They ask for money

The goal of any scam is financial gain. Catfishers will try to get money from you once they think they’ve gained your trust. They’ll come up with different strategies like a family emergency or a plane ticket so they can visit you. These stories are just to play on your emotions and cash out.

Beware that these fraudsters may not always stop at the first attempt. If you succumb to their request and send them money the first time, they’ll often find excuses to ask for more.

6. They don’t have a very good command of the English language

Scams, including catfishing, are characterized by poor English, even when the scammer claims they live in an English-speaking country. Most individuals who spend so much time trying to defraud people online aren’t very educated, and you can detect this if you pay attention to their grammar.

Spelling or grammatical errors are a red flag; don’t ignore them.

7. They don’t send instant selfies

Instant messaging comes with many features, one of which is taking and sharing selfies. At some point in your relationship, you’d like to send a selfie or two to your boo. If you do so a couple of times and they don’t reciprocate, you should suspect foul play.

You could ask them to send you a photograph of them holding a picture with your name on it or doing something specific. If they aren’t sincere, they won’t be able to do it.

8. They use professional photos

One thing to note about catfishers is that they always use good-looking and professional photos. You won’t find any photo that doesn’t look staged because they’re trying very hard to impress and scam you.

So, watch out for model-quality photos or pictures that don’t seem randomly taken.

9. Their photos are on Google

Drag the images your online boo uses or sends to you into Google for a reverse image search. If they pop up on the internet, then the person you’ve been chatting with all along is a catfish.

Parting Thoughts

The internet is filled with all sorts of con artists looking to defraud people. So, if you’re there in search of love, it’s best to be aware of the dangers lurking online.

To keep you safe on dating sites and social media, we’ve outlined 9 signs of catfishing you should have at your fingertips. Meanwhile, stay vigilant and always trust your instincts.

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