Catfishing Scam Turns Love Story When Woman Meets Real Man in Fake Profile | #datingscams | #lovescams | #facebookscams

A Florida woman realized there was something fishy going on when an internet love interest started asking her for money. But she never expected the fake profile to lead to real love.

The financial losses that victims suffer in romance scams, or “catfishing,” rank among the highest amounts lost through all internet crimes. In 2020, more than 23,000 victims across the United States sent scammers over $605 million, according to the FBI.

Individuals seeking love and companionship are vulnerable to this kind of fraud, in which criminals often study their targets to mold an appropriately appealing persona and bombard them with expressions of love and intimacy, before spinning a tale of tragic life circumstances that compel them to ask for money.

Nicole Hayden nearly fell into this trap when a seemingly attractive man named “Marcus” sent her a message on Instagram. Quickly after they started chatting, “Marcus” began to declare his undying love.

“It started getting really hot and heavy,” Hayden told WTVJ-TV. “I think he even told me he loved me after a day. He’s like, ‘I love you. I’m going to marry you. You’re the woman of my dreams.'”

Soon after, the purported suitor said that his mother was in the hospital and he needed $6,000 for surgery.

That was when Hayden realized she was being scammed. She refused to send money, but the scam escalated. “Marcus” threatened to access her phone, photoshop nude photos of her and post them online. He even suggested that he could harm her children.

Hayden told WTVJ-TV she was scared but reasoned that she lived in a gated community and her children’s school was secure.

The surprise twist came when she saw a suggested friend request on Facebook. The profile photo had been used by “Marcus,” but the name was Alessandro. On Alessandro’s profile, Hayden saw that he had been warning people about his pictures being stolen.

Hayden sent Alessandro a message and since they both live in South Florida, they decided to meet up. It started as a friendship and a shared mission to educate women about internet scams—but it blossomed into a romance.

The new couple said they would still encourage people to look for love online, as long as they are careful.

To avoid falling victim to a catfishing scam, the FBI advises hopeful singles to research an individual’s photos and profile information and question pictures that look like they could come from a magazine. Additionally, beware of anyone who professes their love quickly, or a person who claims to be working and living far away and always cancels plans to meet. And of course, never send money or financial information to a love interest you have only met online.