By Thabo Peyi
Feb 4th, 2025
6 min read
Unmasking the Catfish: Key Signs to Watch Out For
Whether online or in real life, we all long for a sense of connection, whether with an individual or a community. However, unlike real-life interactions, forming a relationship with someone online is more complicated due to the risk of catfishing. A catfish is someone who creates a fake social media profile using another person’s identity to gain trust and form relationships, either platonically, romantically, or with malicious intent.Â
With the advancement of technology, identifying a catfish account has become increasingly difficult. Catfishers have become more sophisticated in their techniques, making it essential to stay informed on the matter to protect yourself and others.Â
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Ways to spot a catfish
They refuse to connect whether online or in person
When talking to someone you’ve never met online, it’s natural to want to move beyond texting to phone calls and video calls. However, if they often refuse to engage in phone or video calls and there always seems to be an issue when it comes to speaking with them, there’s a good chance they might be a catfish. Typical excuses might include saying their camera is broken or that there’s a problem with their speaker. In such cases, it’s best to assume they might not be who they claim to be.Â
Another red flag is when catfishers refuse to meet in person. Understandably, if they live in another city or region, meeting up might be difficult. However, if they live in the same area as you and consistently make excuses to avoid meeting, it’s best to assume they could be a catfish as well.
Suspicious account activity
If all the pictures on their profile seem too professionally done or look like stock images, chances are they are a catfish and are just using images they found online. Â
Another spot to check is their profile activity. If you look at the dates when they posted their images, this can be a tell-tale sign. If all their pictures were uploaded on the same day or close to each other, chances are they have a fake account. Catfishers often post many images at once to appear more believable.Â
Checking their friends or followers is another way to figure out if they might be a catfish. Catfishers often create a network of fake friends to appear more legitimate. If their friends or followers show a similar pattern of professionally taken images and suspicious posting activity, it’s likely they are also fake accounts. In such cases, it’s best to avoid engaging with them.Â
They try to get personal quickly
Oftentimes, people who catfish have malicious intentions and may try to defraud you. Catfishers often use love bombing in the hopes of persuading you to reveal personal details about yourself. Love bombing is the act of overwhelming someone with kind words, affirmations, and affection to make them feel vulnerable and dependent.Â
By employing love bombing, catfish fraudsters aim to obtain sensitive information such as your full name, bank details, address, and more. Their goal might be to swindle you or, in worse cases, physically harm you or your loved ones.Â
Catfishers may create a false sense of commitment or love and manipulate you into giving them money. This is often done under the guise of having a sick or dying family member, promising investment opportunities, or other deceptive scenarios.Â
Recognising these traits and patterns in someone’s communication is crucial to avoid falling victim to such scams.Â
They get sexual quick
If you are chatting with someone and they send unsolicited nude pictures early in your talking stage, or they ask you to send them and progressively become more forceful with their requests or pressure you into sending nude pictures, chances are they are a catfish hoping to exploit them for ransom, sextortion, or online bullying.Â
It is important to show early on that you are dealing with an online predator and to block and report their account to prevent others from becoming victims.Â
If you want to better understand the dangers of sextortion, read our blog about the risks associated with this phenomenon and how you can protect yourself from falling prey to such predators.Â
Trust your instincts
If you are talking to someone online and get the feeling, they aren’t who they say they are or something seems off, take things slowly. If you feel their profile—whether on Instagram, dating apps, or other platforms—doesn’t fully match the vibes they give off in their messages, slow things down or simply stop talking to them. If you would like to confirm your suspicions, you could try reverse image searches online to see if their pictures appear on other websites or search their phone number if you have it. Trusting your instincts can help prevent you from ending up in a compromising situation later. Â
Following these online cues will help prevent you from falling victim to catfishing. RSAWEB understands the longing for a sense of community; however, in the current digital age, it is more important than ever to be cautious of anyone you speak to online. Â
Thabo Peyi
Feb 4th, 2025
6 min read
Unmasking the Catfish: Key Signs to Watch Out For
Whether online or in real life, we all long for a sense of connection, whether with an individual or a community. However, unlike real-life interactions, forming a relationship with someone online is more complicated due to the risk of catfishing. A catfish is someone who creates a fake social media profile using another person’s identity to gain trust and form relationships, either platonically, romantically, or with malicious intent.Â
With the advancement of technology, identifying a catfish account has become increasingly difficult. Catfishers have become more sophisticated in their techniques, making it essential to stay informed on the matter to protect yourself and others.Â
Ways to spot a catfish
They refuse to connect whether online or in person
When talking to someone you’ve never met online, it’s natural to want to move beyond texting to phone calls and video calls.
However, if they often refuse to engage in phone or video calls and there always seems to be an issue when it comes to speaking with them, there’s a good chance they might be a catfish. Typical excuses might include saying their camera is broken or that there’s a problem with their speaker. In such cases, it’s best to assume they might not be who they claim to be.Â
Another red flag is when catfishers refuse to meet in person. Understandably, if they live in another city or region, meeting up might be difficult. However, if they live in the same area as you and consistently make excuses to avoid meeting, it’s best to assume they could be a catfish as well.Â
Suspicious account activity
If all the pictures on their profile seem too professionally done or look like stock images, chances are they are a catfish and are just using images they found online. Â
Another spot to check is their profile activity. If you look at the dates when they posted their images, this can be a tell-tale sign. If all their pictures were uploaded on the same day or close to each other, chances are they have a fake account. Catfishers often post many images at once to appear more believable.Â
Checking their friends or followers is another way to figure out if they might be a catfish. Catfishers often create a network of fake friends to appear more legitimate. If their friends or followers show a similar pattern of professionally taken images and suspicious posting activity, it’s likely they are also fake accounts. In such cases, it’s best to avoid engaging with them.Â
They try to get personal quickly
Oftentimes, people who catfish have malicious intentions and may try to defraud you. Catfishers often use love bombing in the hopes of persuading you to reveal personal details about yourself. Love bombing is the act of overwhelming someone with kind words, affirmations, and affection to make them feel vulnerable and dependent.Â
By employing love bombing, catfish fraudsters aim to obtain sensitive information such as your full name, bank details, address, and more. Their goal might be to swindle you or, in worse cases, physically harm you or your loved ones.Â
Catfishers may create a false sense of commitment or love and manipulate you into giving them money. This is often done under the guise of having a sick or dying family member, promising investment opportunities, or other deceptive scenarios.Â
Recognising these traits and patterns in someone’s communication is crucial to avoid falling victim to such scams.Â
They get sexual quick
If you are chatting with someone and they send unsolicited nude pictures early in your talking stage, or they ask you to send them and progressively become more forceful with their requests or pressure you into sending nude pictures, chances are they are a catfish hoping to exploit them for ransom, sextortion, or online bullying.Â
It is important to show early on that you are dealing with an online predator and to block and report their account to prevent others from becoming victims.Â
If you want to better understand the dangers of sextortion, read our blog about the risks associated with this phenomenon and how you can protect yourself from falling prey to such predators.
Trust your instincts
If you are talking to someone online and get the feeling, they aren’t who they say they are or something seems off, take things slowly. If you feel their profile—whether on Instagram, dating apps, or other platforms—doesn’t fully match the vibes they give off in their messages, slow things down or simply stop talking to them. If you would like to confirm your suspicions, you could try reverse image searches online to see if their pictures appear on other websites or search their phone number if you have it. Trusting your instincts can help prevent you from ending up in a compromising situation later. Â
Following these online cues will help prevent you from falling victim to catfishing. RSAWEB understands the longing for a sense of community; however, in the current digital age, it is more important than ever to be cautious of anyone you speak to online. Â
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