What are the most common signs that someone is catfishing you?

The most frequent signs include a profile that looks 'too good to be true,' an immediate profession of deep love, a consistent list of excuses to avoid video calls or in-person meetings, and a digital footprint that doesn't match their claims.

How is catfishing different from a typical romance scam?

While romance scams are purely financial, catfishing can be emotional or psychological. A catfisher may steal someone's identity to seek attention, revenge, or validation, though many catfishers eventually transition into financial solicitation.

What should I do if I suspect my match is a catfish?

Perform a reverse image search on their photos, ask for a real-time photo with a specific gesture (like holding a piece of paper with today's date), and insist on a video call. If they continue to refuse, block and report the profile to the platform's safety team.

The Signs Someone Is Catfishing You

March 20, 2026 by Dr. Max Langdon

You are probably worried about the signs someone is catfishing you because your gut is telling you something is wrong.

You match with a 10/10.

They have a perfect job.

They live a perfect life.

But you have never actually seen their face on a screen.

I have seen this happen to high-level guys and girls more times than I can count.

I knew a guy who spent six months "dating" a girl in London.

She was a "fitness influencer."

She had 50k followers.

But she always had an excuse for why she couldn't meet for coffee.

Eventually, he realised he was talking to a middle-aged man in a different country.

He lost time he can never get back.

Here is how you avoid that trap.

1. The Professional Photo Red Flag

If every photo looks like a magazine cover, be careful.

Real people have messy backgrounds.

Real people have bad lighting sometimes.

Look for these visual giveaways:

The "Studio" Vibe: If every shot is professional, they probably stole them from an Instagram model.
No Group Shots: Catfish rarely have photos with friends because it’s harder to steal a whole life.
Low Resolution: If the photos look grainy or "re-saved," they were likely screenshotted from someone else’s profile.
Reverse Image Search: I always tell people to drop the photo into Google or Yandex.
If that face appears on a stock photo site, you are being catfished.

2. Avoiding Real-Time Interaction

In 2026, there is zero excuse for not being able to video call.

Everyone has a smartphone.

Everyone has data.

If they use these excuses, they are hiding something:

"My camera is broken": It’s never broken.
"I have phone anxiety": They don't; they just don't have that face.
"I'm in a high-security job": This is a classic for romance scams.
Always Busy: They are happy to text for six hours but can’t do a 30-second FaceTime.

3. The "Financial Emergency" Pivot

This is the end game.

They build the bond.

They make you feel special.

Then, the "accident" happens.

Common scripts include:

The Stuck Traveller: "I'm at the airport and my card is blocked."
The Family Crisis: "My mum needs surgery and I'm short on the deposit."
The Crypto Tip: "I’m making loads on this new platform, you should join me."
The "Favour": They ask you to receive a package or move some money for them.

The Rule: If you haven't met them in person, do not send a single penny.

FAQs: Signs someone is catfishing you

Can a catfish use a verified profile?

Yes. They hack real accounts. Or they use AI deepfakes to pass basic liveness tests. Verification helps, but it is not 100% proof of identity.

Why do they wait so long to ask for money?

It’s called "grooming." They need you to trust them first. The longer they wait, the more likely you are to pay up when the "emergency" hits.

What if they sent me a voice note?

Voice notes are easy to fake. AI can clone a voice from a 3-second clip. Live video is the only real test.

Should I confront them?

No. Just block and report the profile. If you confront them, they just get better at lying to the next person.

Trusting your intuition is the best way to handle the signs someone is catfishing you before you get hurt.