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Know the Signs of Catfishing When Looking for Love Online

Scammers steal or create photos of attractive people to draw romantic interest

4-minute read

Part of Series: Romance Scams

Ken Budd,

Updated June 23, 2026

AARP

Reviewed by

Kathy Stokes, AARP Fraud Watch Network

En español

Updated June 23, 2026

Jon Krause

Key takeaways

Catfishers use fake identities and stolen or AI-generated images to build trust online.
Catfishing is used by romance scammers, who eventually will request money or propose an investment in cryptocurrency.
Red flags include rapid emotional bonding, refusals to meet in person and mismatched profiles or images.

When “Donald” began messaging Liza Likins, a widow in her mid-70s, on Facebook a few years ago, she was charmed. Likins, a former backup singer for acts such as Fleetwood Mac and Linda Ronstadt, had met Donald on Facebook Dating, and soon he was messaging her constantly, she told CBS News.

She said she spoke to him from her Las Vegas home for hours each day during a 19-month online romance. But she'd later learn that Donald, who claimed to be a mine operator in Australia, was actually a Nigerian-based criminal who’d sent Likins photos of a sort of ruggedly handsome German life coach named Raho Bornhorst and pretended they were his. Bornhorst said in the CBS segment that scammers have used his images to create more than 100 fake profiles to catfish women like Likins.

How catfishing works

Catfishing is when people use fraudulent information and images to create false identities and then attempt to attract others through dating, messaging, and social media apps. A catfisher may steal someone’s photographs and create a new identity, as Donald did; pretend to be the person depicted in a real photo (such as a celebrity); create all-new photos of attractive people using generative AI; or copy and alter photos from sources such as social media and Google Images.

Catfishing is the key tool of romance scammers, who, after carefully cultivating the relationship to build trust, will ask for money or suggest bogus cryptocurrency investments.

A request for cash often arises when catfishers pretend to be celebrities, such as musician Vince Gill, 67, or Brad Pitt, 61, who want to connect with their fans. (They might say their money is tied up in investments and they just need a loan.)

Romance scammers target people when they are emotionally vulnerable, such as those who’ve just lost a spouse (sometimes they’ll look for grieving widows or widowers in support groups or on social media).

How to stay safe online

Don’t overshare. Likins regrets revealing that she was a widow on Facebook. “Scam bait,” she would later call it. Catfishers want information on your life, your likes, your dislikes — anything to help manipulate you. If you posted that you recently had a heart attack or traveled to Tahiti, a catfisher might share similar experiences to bond with you.

Watch for fast movers. If things move fast, consider it a warning sign. Are they claiming to be madly in love with you after a week of texting? Being showered with excessive affection and attention is known as love bombing, and it’s another manipulative weapon used by catfishers.

Avoid people who won’t meet in person. Catfishers will provide many excuses for not meeting face-to-face. They might claim to work overseas, as Donald did, or to be coping with tragedy.

Review profiles and images. If you become suspicious, conduct a reverse image search to spot fake photos. When reviewing profiles and bios, “scrutinize elements like age, occupation, education, and photographs,” suggests Social Catfish, a company that helps clients verify identities and expose catfishers. “Discrepancies in these areas, such as a claimed profession not matching an online footprint, can indicate a catfishing attempt.”

Study social media accounts. A small social media presence and digital footprint are potential signs of a faker, although scammers know that, too. “Some people who catfish go to extreme lengths to create fake identities, having multiple social media accounts with the purpose of building up and validating their catfishing profiles,” notes The Cybersmile Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to digital well-being.

Report your experience. If you’ve been the victim of a catfisher or if someone is using your identity, report it to the appropriate dating app or social media platform. Facebook and X, for example, have pages for reporting fraudulent accounts. File a report with law enforcement locally or report it to the FBI at IC3. You can also contact AARP’s free Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) for information about scams and victim support.

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The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.

About the author

Ken Budd has written for National Geographic Traveler, The Atlantic, The Washington Post Magazine and many more. He is the author of a memoir, The Voluntourist.

About the reviewer

Kathy Stokes is the senior director of fraud prevention programs at the AARP Fraud Network.