Catfishing is a deceptive activity in which a person creates a fictional persona or fake identity on a social networking service, usually targeting a specific victim. The person catfishing uses another persons photos and life facts to make them appear as a real person, often for relationships. The term "catfish" comes from a 2010 documentary film in which a man named Nev Schulman presented his own experience of being tricked online. The practice of catfishing online has been around for many years, simply because it is so easy to falsify your identity on the internet.

Here are some signs of catfishing to look out for:

• The person avoids showing their face or meeting up in person.
• Their online accounts dont have many friends or interactions.
• Their story seems too good to be true.
• They ask for personal information, like your full name, address, date of birth, or bank details.
• There are inconsistencies in their stories, and if something doesnt make sense, ask about it.

If you suspect youre dealing with a catfish, you can do your own research by using an online reverse image search to find out if the persons photos are on anyone elses online profiles. You can also search their messages online and take any particularly unique or romantic lines. Its important to recognize that catfishing can lead to serious long-term problems such as anxiety disorders and depression, especially if the victim has sent any explicit images or sexted with the catfisher.