In today’s digital era, where a lot of connections are formed and nurtured across screens, new kinds of deception are emerging. One of the most popular and that has been increasingly growing is ‘catfish’.No, it has nothing to do with the aquatic fish; rather, it’s a term that refers to a deceptive practice involving online identity and relationships.
What is Catfishing?
Catfishing occurs when someone creates a fake persona on social media platforms or online dating sites to lure unsuspecting individuals into a fabricated relationship. This can involve using someone else’s photos, inventing a new identity, or even pretending to be a different gender or age.
The term «catfish» was popularized by the documentary and subsequent TV series of the same name, which shed light on the issue.
One of the most notable cases is the recent ‘The Tinder Swindler,’ in which a man posed as a magnate living a life of luxury and seduced women online to steal millions of dollars from them.
Recently, a case of catfishing resurfaced, shaking a single mom’s world as a scammer assumed the identity of an actor from the Netflix series, ‘Stranger Things‘.
«Trust Me, I’m Dacre Montgomery from ‘Stranger Things'»
Months ago, there was a story about a woman who got scammedby a man pretending to be Brad Pitt. He somehow tricked her into giving him 170,000 euros by making her believe they were in an online relationship with the famous Hollywood actor. Back then, some of us thought it was just a mean prank, but now a new scammer has shown up.
The victim this time, of course, is different, but she’s also a woman. Although this incident took place in the United States (the other one in Spain). And the bait is yet another actor from the industry, although not as well-known but nearly as desired: Dacre Montgomery. The scammer pretended to be the actor who portrays Billy Hargrove in the original Netflix series, ‘Stranger Things’.
It was the victim herself, McKala, who shared her story through the YouTube channel, ‘Catfished’. As she revealed, she began exchanging messages with who she believed to be the actor on an online forum. The victim and scammer conversed for an entire year without her realizing the truth.
However, throughout that period, they never met face-to-face, nor did they even have a phone call –it was all platonic and distant. Nevertheless, this aspect seemed unimportant to McKala. Her fascination with this distinctive connection was so intense that she went as far as divorcing her husband to pursue the relationship with the actor!
Even though it wasn’t a choice she made willingly, as she mentioned herself, the scammer forced her into picking between him and her spouse. During their conversations, McKayla recounted that ‘Dacre’ shared with her that he was having problems in his relationship with his girlfriend, the model Liv Pollock. According to McKayla, she found herself in a similar predicament with her ex-husband.
After trapping her and earning her complete trust, the scammer requested money from her, leading her to send him $10,000 dollars! McKala, who admits that she initially had her doubts about the actor’s real identity, reveals that she was stuck in an «unhappy» and «toxic» marriage, which is why she fell for the deception.
If you’re someone like me, you’re scared of being left alone and tend to be excessively agreeable and dependent on others” –she shared.
But this isn’t the only case of Hollywood scammers; there’s an extensive list of women (primarily but not exclusively) who are deceived into believing they’re in a genuine relationship with actual actors.
The Motives Behind a Fake Love Behind the Screen
People engage in catfishing for various reasons, often driven by personal insecurities, the desire for attention, or even malicious intent. Some individuals use catfishing as a means to escape their own realities, living through the persona they’ve created. Others might exploit this technique to deceive and manipulate their victims emotionally or financially.
Be Aware, Spot the Red Flags
While the online world offers fantastic opportunities to connect with new people, it’s essential to be vigilant against potential catfishers. Here are some warning signs to watch out for:
Unrealistically Attractive Photos: If someone’s photos seem too good to be true, they just might be. Reverse image searches can help uncover stolen pictures.
Hesitation to Video Chat: A catfish might avoid video calls, using excuses like technical issues or shyness.
Inconsistent Stories: Keep an eye out for inconsistencies in their stories or frequent changes in details.
Refusal to Meet in Person: A genuine person interested in a relationship would eventually want to meet in real life. If they always find reasons to avoid meeting, it could be a red flag.
Requests for Money or Personal Information: Catfishers often have ulterior motives, including financial gain. Be wary of anyone asking for money or sharing sensitive information early on.
Protect Yourself
To guard against falling victim to a catfisher, maintain a healthy level of skepticism when forming online connections. Trust should be earned over time, and if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Make video calls, do research on the person’s online presence, and never share personal or financial information without being absolutely sure of the other person’s intentions.
Catfishing serves as a reminder of the complexities of the digital world and the importance of being cautious while navigating its immense landscapes. With awareness and a bit of skepticism, one can enjoy the benefits of online connections without falling into the trap of a deceptive virtual identity.
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