What is catfishing and how does it work?

Generally speaking, catfishing takes place when an online fraudster builds a relationship with their victim over time in an online setting while pretending to be someone else. This can be done either by using another persons photograph and personal information, or by simply fabricating a fake persona.

What happens to people who get catfished?

As well as the emotional devastation that someone who has been catfished can potentially go through, they can also face embarrassment and regret for believing and falling for a completely non-existent person. Financial loss and mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression can all come about because of catfishing.