The nature of catfishing

Catfishing typically involves constructing an entirely fabricated persona using stolen photos, false details, or a mixture of truth and fiction. Motivations vary: some perpetrators seek attention, others emotional validation, and a few engage in deliberate fraud for financial or sexual gain. Williams and Muir (2019) describe catfishing as a performance of “authentic inauthenticity,” where offenders manage an ongoing fiction that feels real to victims because it draws on genuine emotional exchange.

Unlike traditional online scams, catfishing often unfolds over extended periods. The deception is sustained through believable communication, intimate storytelling, and sometimes multiple supporting fake profiles. As Rege (2009) notes, this long-term manipulation increases the victim’s investment in the relationship, making discovery of the fraud more devastating.

Emotional and psychological impacts

For victims, learning that a trusted connection was fabricated can be profoundly destabilising. The emotional fallout often mirrors that of relationship betrayal or loss, combining grief, anger, and shame. Whitty (2017) found that victims of online romance deception experience symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress, including rumination, hypervigilance, and a collapse in self-trust. The emotional intensity of these experiences arises because victims have invested authentic feelings in what they believed was a genuine bond.

Catfishing also undermines a person’s sense of judgement and social confidence. Victims frequently describe questioning their ability to discern honesty in others, leading to isolation or withdrawal from online and offline relationships. Rege (2009) highlights how these psychological wounds can disrupt daily life, affecting mood, sleep, and concentration. In severe cases, they may even trigger depressive symptoms or anxiety disorders, particularly when deception is coupled with financial or sexual exploitation.

Social and relational consequences

The social implications of catfishing extend beyond individual victims. Catfishing can erode trust within broader online communities, especially on dating apps and social platforms that rely on authenticity. Toma, Hancock, and Ellison (2008) observed that users of online dating sites often engage in mild self-enhancement, but catfishing takes misrepresentation to an extreme, creating ripple effects that reduce perceived safety across the digital environment.

Friends and families of victims may also become entangled in the deception, sometimes unknowingly interacting with the fictitious persona. This complicates recovery, as victims can face embarrassment or disbelief when revealing what happened. Social stigma around being “fooled” further discourages reporting and seeking support, reinforcing isolation.

Preventing and responding to catfishing

Addressing catfishing requires both personal vigilance and systemic change. At an individual level, practising critical digital literacy is key. Users can protect themselves by verifying identities through video calls, checking inconsistencies across social media profiles, and being cautious when someone avoids face-to-face interaction or requests money. Educational campaigns that promote awareness of digital impersonation can also reduce vulnerability, particularly among younger users.

Platforms play a crucial role as well. Improved verification systems, artificial intelligence-based detection of duplicate profiles, and transparent reporting tools can help identify deceptive accounts. However, Williams and Muir (2019) caution that technological solutions alone cannot eliminate catfishing; emotional manipulation is inherently human, and prevention must also address social and psychological dimensions of trust online.

Support for victims remains essential. Counselling services that recognise the emotional reality of these experiences can help individuals rebuild self-esteem and relational confidence. Community-based initiatives that normalise conversations about online deception may also reduce shame and encourage recovery.

Moving toward safer connection

Catfishing reminds us that technology amplifies both connection and vulnerability. Behind each fake profile lies a complex interplay of loneliness, control, and unmet emotional needs—both for perpetrators and victims. Understanding these dynamics can foster empathy without excusing harm, guiding healthier digital engagement. By strengthening awareness, authenticity, and trust, individuals and communities can continue to enjoy the benefits of online connection while protecting against deception.

References

Rege, A. (2009). What’s love got to do with it? Exploring online dating scams and identity fraud. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 3(2), 494–512.

Toma, C. L., Hancock, J. T., & Ellison, N. B. (2008). Separating fact from fiction: An examination of deceptive self-presentation in online dating profiles. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 34(8), 1023–1036.

Whitty, M. T. (2017). The online romance scam: A serious cybercrime. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 20(3), 145–148.

Williams, D., & Muir, K. (2019). Catfishing: The authenticity of online identity deception. Computers in Human Behavior, 93, 26–33.

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