Do you really know who you’re talking to on the internet?
The term catfishing describes the activity of those who create fake identities or impersonate others online and use these false identities to maintain virtual relationships with people who believe them to be real. This phenomenon occurs very often on social networks.
Since 2012, the term catfish has gained popularity thanks to the MTV TV show “Catfish: False Identities.” This demonstrates the widespread and problematic nature of the phenomenon.
The motives that drive people to engage in this behavior may vary, however, the underlying theme is always the intent to gain the victims’ trust through deception. Indeed, it is precisely by virtue of the bond of trust established with the victim that catfishers are able to obtain what they want, which in most cases is money or intimate photos/videos. The catfishing phenomenon, in fact, often serves as a basis for other malicious activities such as sextortion, romance scams, and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate material.
Please remember that catfishing and all the other activities listed above are crimes and that you can always file a complaint against these practices.