Love is a powerful force and in our pursuit of it we are easily blinded’

Examining negative consequences experienced by catfishing fraud victims

Bibliographic Data

ID11657995
AuthorsKatelyn A Golladay (0000-0002-5553-0936, University of Wyoming, corresponding author), Jamie A Snyder (0000-0002-5619-9923, University of Wyoming)
Year2025
Publication date2025-12-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Review of Victimology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0269-7580 • E-ISSN: 2047-9433
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/02697580251392596
OpenAlexW4416981861
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited35

Victimization in the digital space is becoming increasingly common. Hiding your true identity behind a computer screen has become a way to manipulate and target vulnerable people searching for friends or companionship on the Internet. The current study sought to understand the negative consequences experienced by victims of catfishing (i.e., the creation of a partially fake or completely fake profile using a social media platform or dating site to deceive another person), building on the narrow literature focusing on those who have been victimized by someone misrepresenting themselves online. Self-report survey data are used to identify and analyze the consequences experienced by catfish victims. Findings suggest those who have been victims of catfishing experience similar negative consequences experienced by victims of other forms of crime, both online and offline. Implications for policy and future research are discussed

Identity (music · Interpersonal communication · Interpersonal relationship · Poison control · Self-disclosure · Social media · Suicide prevention · Cybercrime and Law Enforcement Studies · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Sex work and related issues · Stalking, Cyberstalking, and Harassment

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