What is Catfishing?

Definition (Identity Deception)

Catfishing is a term popularized by a 2010 documentary that describes a complex form of digital deception.

It is defined as the act of creating a false identity (a sock puppet or "puppet" profile) on social networks, dating apps or online forums, using photos and personal data of another person (often stolen from a third party's profile), with the aim of establishing a relationship (usually romantic or emotional) with someone under deception.

The catfisher (the person performing the deception) hides behind a completely invented identity.

Unlike impersonation (where one pretends to be a specific person known to the victim), in catfishing a fictitious, often idealized, persona is created to lure the victim.

Motivations for catfishing

The motivations behind catfishing are varied and complex. They are not always directly malicious in a criminal sense (although they can be), but they are always manipulative.

Insecurity or Loneliness: Some people create fake profiles because they are insecure with their own appearance or life.

Catfishing allows them to experience what it would be like to be someone else, live out a fantasy, and receive the attention or affection they believe they would not get with their real identity.

Experimentation or Boredom: Some do it as a "social experiment," out of sheer boredom or to test their ability to deceive, without thinking about the devastating emotional damage they cause.

Revenge or Harassment: Here catfishing gets darker.

Someone may create a fake profile to "romance" their friend's ex-partner as a form of revenge, or to harass a specific victim, gaining their trust and then humiliating them.

Economic Benefit or Grooming: This is the most dangerous motivation.

The catfisher establishes a deep emotional bond to then ask for money (romance scams) or, in the case of minors, to groom and obtain intimate images.

The Impact on the Victim (Betrayal and Mistrust)

For the victim of catfishing, the discovery of the deception is a devastating psychological blow.

The victim has not only been deceived, but has invested time, emotions and trust in a relationship that never existed, with a person who is a lie.

The main impact is the sense of betrayal and public humiliation (when the deception is revealed).

In the long term, catfishing destroys the victim's ability to trust others.

It generates deep distrust in