What it is: It’s reported that 1 in 5 relationships begin online. Unfortunately, scammers take this as an opportunity to target people who are looking for love.
Catfishing takes place when a scammer creates a fake identity for the purpose of starting a relationship. They form a connection with you until you ‘fall for them’, then they use this relationship to scam you out of money.
An extreme example of this is Netflix’s recent documentary on The Tinder Swindler, who wooed women online and conned millions of dollars out of them.
How to spot it: If this person is too good to be true (Tall, handsome, filthy rich, heir to a business empire, and flies exclusively in private jets — you get the gist), be on guard.
Pay attention to any inconsistencies in their profile, and observe if they’re rushing to move the relationship along. It’s also a huge red flag if they won’t meet you in person.