Catfish (Online dating scam)

Knight said:
There was a TV series about this.
Catfish: The TV Show
2012 ‧ Reality ‧ 8 seasons

72 episodes about different people that were caught up in this kind of trickery.
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We got a kick out of some of the shows. Don't know if it's still live on TV or maybe in re-run form?
 

DaveA said:
We got a kick out of some of the shows. Don't know if it's still live on TV or maybe in re-run form?
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Strange that several of the catfish turned out to be someone known to the victim. They had a few towards the end who made up stories just to get on tv. The earlier episodes were interesting though. The guy who presented it, Nev, had been catfished himself which gave him the idea for the program but, I didn't think it was the same after Max left. There was a UK version afterwards, I didn't watch it but, it didn't last for long so, I assume it bombed.
 

Trish said:
Strange that several of the catfish turned out to be someone known to the victim. They had a few towards the end who made up stories just to get on tv. The earlier episodes were interesting though. The guy who presented it, Nev, had been catfished himself which gave him the idea for the program but, I didn't think it was the same after Max left. There was a UK version afterwards, I didn't watch it but, it didn't last for long so, I assume it bombed.
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They catfished the Catfish Show? Pretty funny.
 
For all we know, some of the members here could be catfishing. Thankfully it is hard to "prey" on anyone here unlike those dating sites.
 
CallMeKate said:
I was just going to say the same... I've heard of this going on for years now, and it seems to be evenly split... not one gender being taken advantage of more than the other. It's loneliness and wanting to have someone care... not gender specific.
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I agree. I've been watching compilations of, Catfish: The TV Show on Youtube lately and it seems to happen to men and women fairly equally. People need connection.

I feel so sorry for the people being catfished when they find out and their dreams are crushed. It's a cruel thing to do to another person.
 
A woman came into my office and wanted to sue the Oakland, California PD because a Grandmother, who was my client, received a phone call from a man pretending to be a cop with the Oakland PD. He told her they were holding her grandson and he would stay in jail until they received the bail money. She said she had to wire them $1500 immediately. She did as was told. When she found out her grandson was home and ok, she wanted to sue the Oakland PD.

It took me almost 2 hours to explain to her that she was ripped off and conned. I asked her if she didn’t ask the caller the name of her grandson. She said no, when he said they had my grandson, I asked them if it was Jeremy because he was in trouble with the police before. The caller said, “yes, Jeremy.”
 
I find it surprising that people are so easily fooled. The fact that they can't see they are getting scammed makes me wonder how naive they are. I would think the scenario in the OP would scream fraud.
 
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Thank,goodness when I was single from 1973 to 1986 .. I didn’t care about meeting anyone until the children were in their teens.
The Internet was just starting up when I decided to have “me time” no I didn’t meet my hubby of 39 years online
in fact I only started using computers in 1991 when I bought my first embroidery sewing machine ,5 years After meeting hubs.

I was told by well meaning friends about a newspaper that had a “ lonely hearts club“ you could meet a partner through ….but way back then it was rumoured it was full of sleezebag ~ married men ~ looking for a good time …..Nah ….thanks but …no thanks ..…
 
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i have been messaged a couple times by a gorgeous guy, an oil rig worker, who claims to be in a difficult financial situation and in need of money. The isolation of oil rigs provides a convenient excuse for limited communication and access to money, making it easier to request financial assistance. Get lost, ya loser.

My bank will question me if I take out a large sum of money. The store clerk questions me when I buy a gift certificate, asking if someone asked me to buy it for them.
 
TabbyAnn said:
Can't believe women are still falling for words on a computer screen that alter their lives, hearts and pocketbooks.
The typical characteristics of a catfish are:

1. They claim to live in your country but are in a foreign country on business.
2. Their language doesn’t quite fit the good grammar of your native language.
3. They quickly fall in love with you over the Internet.
4. They can’t wait to get home to meet and marry you.
5. They suddenly experience a catastrophe in the foreign country that requires money.
6. Their own access to money has been lost, stolen, or compromised temporarily.
7. They need a quick loan from you to resolve the issue.
8. They will repay the loan as soon as they get back home to you.
9. If you send the money, other complications needing money will follow.
10. Once they’ve bled you dry, you never hear from them again.
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Sounds like Russian Brides LLC. NYC based and probably live in the high tower!
 
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AnneTeak said:
i have been messaged a couple times by a gorgeous guy, an oil rig worker, who claims to be in a difficult financial situation and in need of money. The isolation of oil rigs provides a convenient excuse for limited communication and access to money, making it easier to request financial assistance. Get lost, ya loser.

My bank will question me if I take out a large sum of money. The store clerk questions me when I buy a gift certificate, asking if someone asked me to buy it for them.
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A woman (male nigerian) tried giving me a sob story about being hungry. I told her to sell the computer she (he) was on. Last I heard from her. I went online a lot just to mess with scammers.
 
I also just posted this in Nathan's thread about romance scams.
I started watching "Hey Beautiful" on Disney/Hulu. I only watched the first episode and a few minutes of Ep2. It's about a man who presented himself as handsome and was scamming three women, two of whom were married. One married lady sent him close to $500,000! Another sent about $35,000 if I remember correctly. The least attractive, dowdy one, also married got scammed out of only $1,000. I wondered if he dealt with her less because she wasn't attractive.

I wondered how these women could be so dense! One of them was informed by her friend that a photo he'd sent was fake because the size of the head didn't fit the body. He also managed to facetime these women, seemingly from a hospital bed. after getting money for a much needed "surgery". It was an elaborate scheme. And of course he always had a "legit" reason he couldn't show up in person. The women found out who he is and are closing in on him. More will be revealed on Ep 2. during which the first few minutes reveals he's actually gay.
 
MrPants said:
I'm not up on all the relationship lingo I guess. Never knew what 'gaslighting' was till recently (still not really sure) or 'ghosting'.
😕
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I know what ghosting is, but I still haven't figured out gaslighting, even though I have read the definition. I think it's because the definition doesn't make sense to me. Why call something a clever name if there's a better word for it?
 
The victims seem delusional and that is sad. I don't blame them but I am appalled by human
gullibility and irrational wishful thinking. I read about and studied "wishful thinking" for a long time. Some will believe almost anything that makes them feel good about themselves, regardless of facts or good reasons. Historically true.. They are more sure and passionate about their beliefs when there is less evidence or reason to b elieve it. And you cant tell them because they refuse to believe their errors. Their emotions overpower any logic.
Seems like human nature, universal. Members of my family are or were in denial with wishful thinking...when they are told, they laugh and dismiss it. Some wishful fantasies are harmless, obviously.
The criminals should be prosecuted and punished but how?
 

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