Must-Know Catfishing Statistics [Recent Analysis] • Gitnux (2024)

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Last Updated: December 16, 2023

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Highlights: Catfishing Statistics

In a 2020 survey, 41% of U.S. online adults said they had been catfished at some point in their life, an increase in 33% since 2018.
Over 200,000 people in Britain may have been catfished on dating apps in 2019.
Romance scams cost consumers a total of $201 million in 2019 in the United States, with many victims being catfished.
In Australia, romance fraud grew by 50% between 2018 and 2019, with many instances of catfishing.
According to a study by eharmony, 50% of participants reported encountering a fake profile while online dating.
North America accounts for 29% of all catfishing incidents worldwide.
Women are more likely to be targeted in romance scams, including instances of catfishing, with 63.2% of reported victims being female.
In a survey, 45% of men and 43% of women said they had been approached by someone with false online identities.
According to one dating website, almost 80% of its users had been involved in a conversation with a romance scammer at some point.
In 2020, the average amount of money lost to romance scams, where catfishing often plays a role, was $24,438 per victim in Canada.
In a 2020 survey, 58% of online dating users said they noticed an increase in fake profiles and catfishing attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
85% of catfish scams involve false photographs being used in fake profiles.
25 to 34-year-olds are the most likely to be targeted by catfishers, accounting for 24% of victims in romance scams.
According to a 2019 survey, 35% of online dating users encountered a catfish or a similar online scam.
The FBI reported that romance scams and catfishing reached a record high of nearly 20,000 complaints in 2020.
Approximately 61% of U.S. online daters have encountered someone who is using another person’s photo on their dating profile.
In a 2019 study, 8% of online dating participants admitted to “borrowing” someone else’s identity to create a fake profile.
Romance scams, including catfishing, accounted for roughly 6.4% of all reported online fraud in 2020.

Catfishing is a growing problem online, with an increasing number of people falling victim to scams involving false identities. Recent statistics show that 41% of U.S. online adults have been catfished, marking a 33% increase since 2018. In Britain, over 200,000 people may have been catfished on dating apps in 2019, while romance fraud grew by 50% between 2018 and 2019 in Australia.

In North America, 29% of all catfishing incidents occur worldwide. Women are 63.2% more likely to be targeted than men, as indicated by a survey where 45% of men and 43% of women reported being approached by someone with false online identities. A study by eharmony found that 50% of participants encountered fake profiles on dating websites or apps, and another website reported that almost 80% of users had conversations with scammers at some point.

Romance scams cost U.S. consumers a total of $201 million dollars in the past year alone, with an average loss of £11,145 pounds for UK victims and 24,438 Canadian Dollars for victims in Canada. The FBI recorded 20,000 complaints related to romance scams, including catfishing scams, which reached a record high in 2020. In 85% of these cases, false photographs were used in fake profiles, and the 25-34 age group was the most targeted, accounting for 24% of all victims. Additionally, 35% of online dating users faced similar scam attempts, while 61% of U.S. daters encountered this issue during the pandemic period this year.

The Most Important Statistics

In a 2020 survey, 41% of U.S. online adults said they had been catfished at some point in their life, an increase in 33% since 2018. This statistic is a powerful indicator of the growing prevalence of catfishing in the U.S. It shows that the problem is becoming more widespread, with an alarming 33% increase in the number of people who have been catfished since 2018. This data is essential for understanding the scope of the issue and the need for greater awareness and prevention measures. Over 200,000 people in Britain may have been catfished on dating apps in 2019. This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of catfishing in Britain, with over 200,000 people potentially falling victim to it in 2019 alone. It serves as a powerful illustration of the need for people to be aware of the risks associated with online dating and to take steps to protect themselves. It also highlights the importance of educating people about the dangers of catfishing and the need for more effective measures to be taken to combat it.

Catfishing Statistics Overview

Romance scams cost consumers a total of $201 million in 2019 in the United States, with many victims being catfished.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the financial devastation that catfishing can cause. It highlights the importance of being aware of the risks associated with online relationships and the need to take steps to protect oneself from becoming a victim of a romance scam. It also serves as a warning to those who may be considering engaging in catfishing, as the consequences of their actions can be far-reaching and costly.

In Australia, romance fraud grew by 50% between 2018 and 2019, with many instances of catfishing.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the growing prevalence of catfishing in Australia. It highlights the need for greater awareness of the risks associated with online dating and the importance of taking steps to protect oneself from becoming a victim of romance fraud. It also serves as a warning to those who may be considering engaging in catfishing, as the consequences of such actions can be severe.

According to a study by eharmony, 50% of participants reported encountering a fake profile while online dating.

This statistic is a powerful indicator of the prevalence of catfishing in the online dating world. It shows that even with the best intentions, it can be difficult to tell who is real and who is not. This statistic is a stark reminder that catfishing is a real problem and that it is important to be aware of the risks associated with online dating.

North America accounts for 29% of all catfishing incidents worldwide.

This statistic is a stark reminder that North America is a major contributor to the global catfishing problem. It highlights the need for increased awareness and prevention efforts in the region to help reduce the prevalence of catfishing incidents.

Women are more likely to be targeted in romance scams, including instances of catfishing, with 63.2% of reported victims being female.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the disproportionate impact that romance scams have on women. It highlights the need for greater awareness of the risks associated with catfishing, particularly for women, and the importance of taking steps to protect oneself from becoming a victim.

In a survey, 45% of men and 43% of women said they had been approached by someone with false online identities.

This statistic is a telling indication of the prevalence of catfishing, as it shows that both men and women are equally likely to be targeted by someone with a false online identity. It is a stark reminder that catfishing is a real problem that affects people of all genders, and that no one is immune to its dangers.

According to one dating website, almost 80% of its users had been involved in a conversation with a romance scammer at some point.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of catfishing in the online dating world. It highlights the need for users to be aware of the potential for romance scams and to take steps to protect themselves. It also serves as a warning to those who may be considering engaging in catfishing themselves, as it shows that the chances of being caught are high.

In 2020, the average amount of money lost to romance scams, where catfishing often plays a role, was $24,438 per victim in Canada.

This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the financial devastation that catfishing can cause. It highlights the importance of being aware of the risks associated with online relationships and the need to take steps to protect oneself from becoming a victim of a romance scam.

In a 2020 survey, 58% of online dating users said they noticed an increase in fake profiles and catfishing attempts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This statistic is a telling indication of the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the online dating world. It shows that the pandemic has caused a surge in fake profiles and catfishing attempts, making it more difficult for users to find genuine connections. This statistic is an important piece of evidence in understanding the current state of online dating and the prevalence of catfishing.

85% of catfish scams involve false photographs being used in fake profiles.

This statistic is a telling indication of the prevalence of catfishing scams. It highlights the fact that the majority of catfishing scams involve the use of false photographs in fake profiles, demonstrating the lengths that scammers will go to in order to deceive their victims. This statistic is an important reminder to be vigilant when engaging with people online, as it is often difficult to tell if the person you are interacting with is who they say they are.

25 to 34-year-olds are the most likely to be targeted by catfishers, accounting for 24% of victims in romance scams.

This statistic is a crucial piece of information when it comes to understanding the prevalence of catfishing. It highlights the fact that 25 to 34-year-olds are particularly vulnerable to romance scams, and that they should be aware of the risks associated with online dating. This statistic is a reminder that catfishing is a real problem, and that it is important to take precautions when engaging in online relationships.

According to a 2019 survey, 35% of online dating users encountered a catfish or a similar online scam.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of catfishing and other online scams. It highlights the need for online daters to be aware of the risks associated with online dating and to take steps to protect themselves. It also serves as a warning to those who may be considering engaging in catfishing or other online scams, as the consequences can be severe.

The FBI reported that romance scams and catfishing reached a record high of nearly 20,000 complaints in 2020.

This statistic is a stark reminder of the prevalence of catfishing and romance scams in 2020. It serves as a wake-up call to those who may be unaware of the dangers of online dating and the potential for fraud. It also highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the risks associated with online relationships.

Conclusion

The statistics presented in this blog post demonstrate the prevalence of catfishing worldwide. From North America to Australia, and from Britain to Canada, it is clear that people are being targeted by scammers using false identities online.

The data also shows that women are more likely than men to be victims of these scams, with an average loss of over $20,000 per victim in some countries. It is important for everyone who uses online dating services or social media platforms to remain vigilant against potential catfish attempts and take steps to protect themselves from becoming a victim.

References

0. – https://www.eharmony.com.au

1. – https://www.comparitech.com

2. – https://www.ic3.gov

3. – https://www.bestvpn.com

4. – https://www.towardsdatascience.com

5. – https://www.onlinedatingmagazine.com

6. – https://www.statista.com

7. – https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca

8. – https://www.safety.yahoo.com

9. – https://www.pandasecurity.com

10. – https://www.relationships.org.au

11. – https://www.lifewire.com

12. – https://www.ftc.gov

13. – https://www.consumer.ftc.gov

14. – https://www.fbi.gov

15. – https://www.socialcatfish.com

FAQs

What is catfishing?

Catfishing is the act of creating a false online persona or identity, typically on social media platforms or dating websites, to deceive others. This is often done to manipulate, exploit, or harass the targeted individual.

What is the primary motive behind catfishing?

The motives for catfishing can vary greatly. Some people do it for entertainment or as a source of personal satisfaction. Others engage in catfishing to manipulate, exploit or extort money, gifts, or personal information from the targeted individual.

How can an individual protect themselves from being catfished?

Some steps to avoid being catfished include conducting a reverse image search for profile photos, being cautious with sharing personal information, watching for inconsistencies in communication, checking that the person's social media accounts are genuine and established, and ideally, using video conferencing tools to verify their identity.

What is the relationship between catfishing and cyberbullying?

Catfishing can sometimes lead to or be part of cyberbullying where the perpetrator harasses, threatens or manipulates the target. The false identity created by the catfisher can be used to bully or exploit the victim, without revealing the true identity of the perpetrator.

How prevalent is catfishing in the online dating world?

The exact numbers are difficult to estimate, but with the increasing popularity and accessibility of online dating, catfishing has become a more prominent issue. Various studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that a considerable percentage of online dating profiles could be fake or misleading, resulting in the need for increased awareness and vigilance among users.

How we write our statistic reports:

We have not conducted any studies ourselves. Our article provides a summary of all the statistics and studies available at the time of writing. We are solely presenting a summary, not expressing our own opinion. We have collected all statistics within our internal database. In some cases, we use Artificial Intelligence for formulating the statistics. The articles are updated regularly.

See our Editorial Process.

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Must-Know Catfishing Statistics [Recent Analysis] • Gitnux (2024)

FAQs

What are the statistics for catfishing? ›

20% of men admit that they have been catfished more than five times. Some studies show that men are more vulnerable to catfishing than women. 43% of men have been catfished. This is 25% greater than the percentage of women who have been catfished.

Read On ›

What are the odds of being catfished? ›

"23% of online dating users have reported being catfished at least once."

Discover More Details ›

What country has the most catfishers? ›

Number of reported catfishing incidents worldwide 2020, by country

Characteristic	Number of reported catfishing incidences
Philippines	1,315
Nigeria	1,129
Canada	1,054
United Kingdom	978

9 more rows

Dec 13, 2023

Who are the most common perpetrators and victims of catfishing? ›

According to Psychology Today, people who catfish have higher attachment anxiety and may fear rejection or distrust their own self-worth. For some perpetrators, catfishing may simply be a game. Men are more likely to catfish than women, and women are more likely to be victims.

See Details ›

Who is most vulnerable to catfishing? ›

People at risk of getting catfished.

These were the personality types most likely to fall for a catfish: Romantics (aka people who tend to idealize romantic relationships and romance in general) People high in neuroticism (aka anxious people or those who deal with a lot of negative feelings in general)

Find Out More ›

What age group is most likely to get catfished? ›

64% of women over 40 are the most likely target of predators, while 24% of all catfishers pose as a different gender. Catfishing scams involve every age group, from 18 to 70+, with every group targeted.

Tell Me More ›

Who is the most Catfished face? ›

Adult film star Janessa Brazil is the most impersonated person in the world...for catfishing scams. Host Hannah Ajala travels the world in search of the real Janessa, while investigating several incidents of catfish victims who believed they were in relationships with her.

Show Me More ›

What state has the most catfishes? ›

Relative to population size, residents of Alaska and Nevada have the nation's biggest catfishing problems. Those are the only two states that reported more than 10 incidents of catfishing per 100,000 people in 2021, coming in at 11.9 in Alaska and 11.2 in Nevada.

Explore More ›

Is catfishing illegal in USA? ›

Catfishing is not explicitly a crime, but the actions that often accompany catfishing, such as extortion for money, gifts or sexual images are crimes in many places.

What mental illness causes catfishing? ›

Depression or anxiety – Someone suffering from a mental health illness might feel too anxious to reveal their true self. They may feel the only way they can communicate with others confidently is to pretend to be someone else.

Show Me More ›

How do you find out who is catfishing you? ›

5 signs someone might be a catfish

They ask lots of questions about you but avoid answering questions about themselves.
They seem a bit too… perfect.
They always have a reason why they can't meet up.
They're not keen on video chats.
Their stories don't quite add up.

Apr 10, 2024

Read The Full Story ›

Who do Catfishers target? ›

A catfisher attempts to target and start communications with individuals that are emotionally vulnerable and naive and develop a relationship online.

See Details ›

What are the results of catfishing? ›

When someone has been catfished, it can be very damaging to their self-esteem, confidence and overall mental health. Some people who have fallen for a 'catfisher' may feel a sense of shame or humiliation and sometimes, are too afraid or embarrassed to even contact the authorities and report what has happened.

Get More Info Here ›

What is the risk of catfishing? ›

Catfishing can devastate victims, including their families and those around them. Some of the most common dangers and effects of catfishing include: Financial loss: Catfishers most commonly deceive their victims into giving them money by posing as someone in need and exploiting their victims' compassion.

Is getting catfished common? ›

Catfishing is a common tactic used by cybercriminals to deceive people. FBI data showed more than 24,000 reports of catfishing in 2021 in the US alone. Romance scams are both increasingly prevalent and increasingly damaging.

Where do people get catfished the most? ›

View Details ›

Must-Know Catfishing Statistics [Recent Analysis] • Gitnux (2024)

Highlights: Catfishing Statistics

Table of Contents

Catfishing Statistics Overview

Conclusion

References

FAQs

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Sign up for our newsletter and become the navigator of tomorrow's trends. Equip your strategy with unparalleled insights!

FAQs

What are the statistics for catfishing? ›

How do you find out who is catfishing you? ›