catfishers
Fake identity creators
Catfishers are people who create fake online identities to deceive others, typically in romantic or social contexts.
The term comes from the 2010 documentary *Catfish* and its MTV spinoff.
A catfisher might use stolen photos and invented backstories to lure victims into emotional relationships: She discovered her online boyfriend was actually a catfisher using someone else's pictures.
Those falsely claiming identity
- scammersPeople who defraud others
- con artistsPeople who cheat others
- romance scamsFraud using feigned affection
- identity theftStealing personal data criminally
fake profiles · hoaxers · swindlers · pretenders · fakers · tricksters · fraudsters · masqueraders
Crushing emotional pain
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- financial lossNegative monetary outcome
- emotional traumaLasting psychological injury
- embarrassmentSelf-conscious unease
trust issues · shame · recovery · support groups · reporting · vulnerability · loneliness · widows
Manipulated or invented imagery
- love bombingManipulative excessive affection
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
- isolationComplete separation from others
emotional manipulation · false promises · guilt trips · sob stories · gift cards · wire transfers · burner phones · VPNs
Sense of unease about motives
- doubtLack of firm belief
- warinessCautious distrust
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- distrustAbsence of confidence
cynicism · paranoia · vigilance · exposure · confrontation · reveal · confession · motives
- FacebookDominant social media platform
- InstagramPhoto-sharing social platform
- LinkedInProfessional networking platform
- WhatsAppMobile messaging platform
Snapchat · Discord · online dating · social media · chat rooms · gaming platforms · profile · avatar
impostors
Those falsely claiming identity
- scammersPeople who defraud others
- con artistsPeople who cheat others
- romance scamsFraud using feigned affection
fake profiles · identity theft · hoaxers · swindlers · pretenders · fakers · tricksters · fraudsters · masqueraders · fabricators
heartbreak
Crushing emotional pain
- betrayalBreaking of trust
- financial lossNegative monetary outcome
- emotional traumaLasting psychological injury
embarrassment · trust issues · shame · recovery · support groups · reporting · vulnerability · loneliness · widows · widowers
fake photos
Manipulated or invented imagery
- love bombingManipulative excessive affection
- groomingSelf-care for appearance
- gaslightingManipulation causing self-doubt
isolation · emotional manipulation · false promises · guilt trips · sob stories · gift cards · wire transfers · burner phones · VPNs
suspicion
Sense of unease about motives
- doubtLack of firm belief
- warinessCautious distrust
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
distrust · cynicism · paranoia · vigilance · exposure · confrontation · reveal · confession · motives · insecurity
dating apps
- FacebookDominant social media platform
- InstagramPhoto-sharing social platform
- LinkedInProfessional networking platform
WhatsApp · Snapchat · Discord · online dating · social media · chat rooms · gaming platforms · profile · avatar · followers
- deceiversliar, liars, deceiver, fraud, fake
- internet usersusers, browsers, surfers, daily users, power users
- cybercriminalshacker, hackers, scammer, scammers, phishers
- internet culturememes, meme, trolling, influencers, content creators
catfishersverified users
Accounts with confirmed identity
real people · verified accounts · truth-tellers · genuine article · straight shooters