Do You Believe You’re a Victim of A Dating Scam or Catfishing?
We got another online dating scam call this morning from a client all though she didn’t know she was being catfished. She was frustrated and wanted us to run some information on a person that she that she had lent money to a cursory background check. In her first email to us I was certain she was a victim and didn't realize it yet. She emailed me the person’s driver's license number, a current photo and their Instagram. I quickly responded with, “I think we have a problem you need to tell me more about what is going on. I believe you’re being catfished.” The client became very upset and wanted to know why I believed she was being catfish. I was able to blow up the pictures and point out how the person's face was Photoshopped and manipulated. This image didn’t match up with the photos in the instagram images; I blew up the image and I could see that the hairline did not align with the other person's hair and in the reflection of the persons sunglasses you could see that there was a different reflection with the person sitting next to him.
Here is the actual copy of the fake drivers license provided by catfish or con artist.
If you take a copy of your driver's license you'll see the biggest thing that stood out was the small image on the right. In your copy you will see it doesn't have a background. I also spotted the California poppy was semi blocked with the “photo” and in my copy it is actually seen nicely over the right corner of the image. From personal experience, the forehead and eyes gave it away. It's hard to explain but they are all oddly similar. I blocked out the address as it's a real address in the Pacific Palisades, near Malibu. This address is used so that if you google it, you'll think he is wealthy.
Catfishing Scams Thriving in 2025
In 2025 it appears that nothing has changed in the evolution of the catfish scams. Sadly, their targets are people that are lonely or dating and or desperate for real connection.. The dating scam is much easier to pull off as the platform itself gives you an opportunity to connect with the person. They typically have very nice pictures and they’ll have animals in the photos relay that they’re an And the backstory will be that they’re financially successful. The scam is the same. It’s just how they contact you is the difference.
How Catfishing or the Dating Scams Work
Step One: Build Out Multiple Profiles
Again the catfish and dating scam in 2025 is still the same and here’s where they get you. They know you’re dating and trying to meet somebody serious and they create these profiles that are well crafted almost tailored to you with beautiful images, they tell extravagant stories of their travels, displaying their wealth. All of this is designed to give you the feeling of security. They are wealthy and don’t need my money. I’ve seen these dating scams so elaborate that they have dated people for months getting to know the person's birthday, their kids birthday and send them flowers and to dinners on those birthdays.
Step Two: Get Entrenched Into Their Lives
This is where the hook is! They have embedded themselves into your life so much so that you truly believe you’re dating; flowers, gifts, dinner etc.
Step Three: The Call For Help (AKA The First Test For Money)
Typically, at this point, the con artist is now testing your ability to wanting to help or pay. The con artist will have been traveling and got caught with gems and they needed to pay tax or they were in a small auto accident and they don’t have cash on them or they need you to pay the other person. Typically this is the first hit for three to five six thousand dollars.
Does This Catfish Scam Sound Familiar To You?
Sadly a lot of people get caught up in this because these con artists are very good at what they do. This is their full time job; what they do full-time for a living. They create beautiful profiles online on dating apps Instagram, and even come up with fake identifications. The only difference in 2025 is now they have the ability to take the image that they used for Photoshop and they call you on FaceTime using this image. Now you truly believe if you’re talking to a real person. The one thing I've noticed with these calls is that they do it in a way that you can't truly see anything in the background; its close to their face and they won't show you around.
