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Catfish or Catfishing Investigation


Catfishing is a term used to describe deceptive behavior by an individual who utilizes social media outlets, online gaming, internet dating sites, and/or various types of chat rooms for nefarious purposes.


Catfish or Catfishing Investigation

The practice of catfishing is typically tied with romantic swindles, but may also involve attempts to financially defraud unsuspecting individuals.  Some even involve experimenting with alternative sexuality.  A vast majority of cases involve the utilization of photographs which are either altered, out of date, or utilized without the permission of the actual person. More often than not, the personal information given by the catfisher is either false or partially true. Suspecting individuals may often find holes in the other person's story, and when pushed for clarification, the catfisher will always have an explanation. In recent years many Catfish scam cases have gained mass media attention which ultimately sparked an increase in the activity. 


How To Tell If You Need a Catfish Investigation:

  •     Individual is someone you met online
  •     S/he never commits to meeting in person
  •     They are unwilling to send pictures or videos of themselves
  •     Pictures can appear to be out of date
  •     Individual asks for money or other items
  •     Things they tell you just don't add up

Types of Catfish Investigations:

  •     False Gender
  •     Real Gender, False Picture
  •     Real Picture, False Bio
  •     Financial Defraudment
  •     Two individuals unknowingly catfishing each other
  •     Catfish by a friend
  •     Catfish by a minor

If you engage in online socializing and have concerns regarding the individual you are communicating with, please contact ICS immediately via our 24 hour Toll Free line to learn how a Private Investigator can help you avoid being the victim of such a scam. 

Please be prepared, a Free Consultation for this investigation type may request the following information:

  • Have you ever met "in-person" with the suspected catfish subject?
  • What signs of catfishing have you recognized?
  • What type of Catfishing investigation are you confronting:
  • Please list any websites, social networking sites, enthusiast group, online games (MMOs) or forum sites the subject is known to have used or currently uses: (ie. Facebook, Google+, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Tumblr, Instagram or any online gaming platforms such as World of Warcraft, WhatsApp, Handcent or other chat applications.)
  • What username (alias, nickname, handle, etc.) does the subject commonly use?
  • Describe the circumstances and requirements of your case to us. Please include any and all information that may be important. Even the most minor detail can be considered helpful. (The Story)
  • Please understand that the funding for your case may vary depending on the complexity. So that we may help you, what range of funding would you estimate to be affordable for this matter?
  • By what date do the services need to be complete?

See the following case studies for examples of this case type:


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