What does catfishing actually mean?

Catfishing is when someone uses a false online identity to deceive another person into a friendship or relationship. They may impersonate a real person, use photographs belonging to someone else or invent an identity altogether.

The deception concerns who you believe you are speaking to. It can happen through dating sites, social media, messaging apps or online communities, and it does not always involve a request for money.

Australia’s online safety regulator, the eSafety Commissioner, describes catfishing as using a fake identity to make someone believe they are in a genuine online friendship or romance. Its guidance also explains that someone may impersonate a real person, rather than invent an entirely fictional identity.

What is an example of catfishing?

Imagine meeting someone online who introduces themselves as Daniel, an engineer working abroad. They share photographs, describe their family and send affectionate messages over several months.

You later discover that the photographs belong to an unrelated person and that the background described was invented. The account has been used to build a relationship under a false identity.

This is a fictional example. It illustrates why convincing conversations and detailed personal stories do not, by themselves, establish who is behind an account.

Does catfishing always involve stolen photographs?

No. Someone may copy another person’s photographs, use altered or generated images, or rely mainly on an invented name and background.

Photographs are only one part of an identity. The account history, contact details and connections between profiles may also help establish whether the story adds up.

That is why checking someone’s digital footprint involves more than searching for their profile picture.

Is the person in the photographs involved in the deception?

Not necessarily. Their photographs may have been copied without their knowledge. They can also be a victim of the impersonation.

Finding the original person can help explain where the pictures came from. It does not establish who is operating the account that contacted you.

Avoid accusing the person pictured or sharing their details as those of a scammer simply because their image appears on a suspicious profile.

Is lying on a dating profile the same as catfishing?

Not every inaccurate profile is best described as catfishing. An old photograph, an exaggerated job title or a false age can be misleading without amounting to a separate, fabricated identity.

The distinction becomes clearer when someone is impersonating another person or using invented details to make you believe you are forming a relationship with someone who does not exist as described.

The label should not distract from the actual discovery. A serious lie matters whether or not it fits a particular definition.

Is hiding a marriage catfishing?

Concealing a marriage is a significant deception, but it does not automatically mean someone has adopted a false identity. They may be using their own name and photographs while lying about their circumstances.

For someone deciding whether to continue a relationship, the useful question is what has been concealed and how it affects their decision. You do not need to settle the terminology before taking it seriously.

What is the difference between catfishing and romance fraud?

Catfishing describes the use of a false identity to build a connection. Romance fraud involves using a supposed romantic relationship to obtain money through deception.

They can overlap, but they are not interchangeable. A catfish may never ask for money. A romance fraudster may use their own appearance or even meet the person they are deceiving.

Never send money to someone you have only met online and have not met in person. This includes buying gift cards, transferring cryptocurrency or paying someone else on their behalf. Meeting in person does not make a financial request safe either.

Can a catfish keep the same story for months?

Yes. An invented identity can be carefully maintained. Someone may repeat the same details, use several connected accounts and prepare explanations for why calls or meetings cannot happen.

Consistency is useful to examine, but it is stronger when supported by independent evidence. Several profiles repeating the same biography may all have been created or copied by the same person.

Ask whether a source adds separate evidence, rather than simply repeating what you have already been told.

How can I check whether an identity is genuine?

Start with the specific claims you want to establish. Look at photographs, relevant public profiles, account history and professional information.

Compare several details before linking a search result to the person. A matching name may belong to somebody else, and older information may no longer be current.

Separate what you find into three groups: details supported by evidence, details that conflict and details you cannot yet confirm. Missing information should not automatically be treated as evidence of deception.

For practical steps, read How do I know if I’m being catfished?.

What should I do if I discover a false identity?

Keep relevant messages, profile links and screenshots before reporting the account to the platform. Stop sharing money or sensitive information, and do not feel obliged to continue the conversation to obtain an admission.

Report Fraud’s guidance on romance fraud advises contacting your bank as soon as possible if you have made a payment. Do this immediately if you suspect fraud; do not wait for further checks or an investigation report.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, report suspected fraud through Report Fraud. In Scotland, contact Police Scotland on 101.If the evidence is still unclear, focus on the unanswered identity questions. Further research or a professional review may help resolve those questions, but you can pause or end contact without buying a service or proving every detail.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: 5 October 2026.

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