They're funny, attractive, and weirdly into all the same things as you. They message every day. But somehow, every time you suggest a video call, their camera is broken.
That's the classic catfish. Sometimes it's just someone pretending to be more interesting than they are. But often a fake profile is the opening move of a romance scam, and those are expensive.
Why this matters
According to the US Federal Trade Commission, people reported losing $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023 alone, with a median loss of $2,000 per person. That's only what got reported. Plenty of people are too embarrassed to say anything.
The good news is that catfish follow remarkably similar patterns. Once you know them, they're surprisingly easy to spot.
10 warning signs
1. They won't video call
This is the big one. A real person can usually manage a quick video call within a reasonable time. A catfish always has an excuse: broken camera, bad Wi-Fi, "I'm shy," working on an oil rig. Endless excuses are the answer.
2. The photos look too professional
Every picture looks like a magazine shoot, and there are no messy, candid, everyday shots. Stolen photos often come from models, influencers or stock photo sites.
3. A reverse image search finds them elsewhere
This takes 30 seconds. Save one of their photos and search it with Google Lens or TinEye. If it shows up under a different name, on someone's Instagram, or on a stock site, you have your answer.
4. Things move incredibly fast
"I've never felt this way before." "I think you're my soulmate." After a week? Intense affection very early, sometimes called love-bombing, is designed to make you emotionally invested before you start asking questions.
5. Their story doesn't add up
They're from London but their spelling is unusual for a Brit, or details about their job or family change between conversations. Catfish juggle a lot of lies, and they slip.
6. They want to move off the platform
"Let's talk on WhatsApp instead" or "add me on Telegram." Moving you to a private app gets you away from the platform's reporting tools and moderation.
7. They always have a reason not to meet
They're deployed overseas, working abroad, or always about to visit. Somehow the plan falls through every time.
8. A sudden emergency
A medical bill, a stuck customs payment, a flight they can't afford, a frozen bank account. The crisis always arrives once you're attached.
9. They ask for money, gift cards or crypto
Any request for money, gift cards, crypto or a wire transfer from someone you haven't met in person is a hard stop. Gift cards and crypto are favorites because they're almost impossible to get back.
10. They offer to make you money
A newer twist: instead of asking for money, they "help" you invest, usually in crypto, through a platform they recommend. Early "profits" look real, and then your money vanishes. Unsolicited investment advice from an online love interest is a scam.
How to check someone out safely
You don't have to be paranoid, just a bit careful. Ask for a quick video call early, before you're invested. Do a reverse image search on a couple of photos. Look for a consistent online footprint that matches what they've told you. And talk it over with a friend. Scammers rely on isolation, and a second opinion breaks the spell quickly.
On random video chat sites like Omingle, you're seeing a live person on camera, which rules out stolen photos. But scams still start there too, especially video call blackmail, where someone records you and demands money. Our video chat safety guide explains how that works. Text-only chats have their own patterns. Our guide to spotting bots covers those.
If you think you're being catfished
Stop sending money or personal information right away, even if they get upset. That reaction is part of the script. Don't confront them with your evidence, because it often just triggers a new, better lie. Save screenshots of your conversations and their profile, then block them and report the profile to the platform.
If you've lost money, contact your bank immediately. Sometimes payments can be stopped or recovered if you move fast.
Where to report scams
United States: report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
United Kingdom: in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. It replaced Action Fraud in December 2025. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.
Everywhere else: contact your local police or national cybercrime unit, and always report the profile to the platform too.
Don't blame yourself
Catfish are good at what they do, and they target kindness, loneliness and trust, not stupidity. Smart, careful people get fooled every day. If it happened to you, report it, talk to someone you trust, and remember the person who should feel ashamed is the one who lied.