Catfishing has become a severe problem in online interactions, where a person deceives someone else through chat, email, or video software, where the perpetrator uses the likeness of someone else. Such actions have become more rampant in recent years, thanks to the rise of social media and more websites that accommodate chatting and sharing information. 

 

When a person uses the identity or convinces the target to engage in certain activities, the criminal offense of fraud is possible and likely. While the impersonation of another person online is not illegal by itself, the actions of the instigator of catfishing usually engage in some form of illegal activity at some point. 

 

The person with a fake profile could engage in criminal activity through defamation, infringement of intellectual property, or impersonation for the use of another’s likeness. These violations can be used to engage in sexual relations with minors or engaging in illegal activities with minors. 

 

Almost anything the person does could have legal ramifications when he or she engages in catfishing another person. Unfortunately, if the perpetrator lives in another country, he or she may not suffer legal consequences for such actions within that location. 

 

Intellectual property infringement may occur through copyright violations where the person uses copyright material at some point. Claiming ownership, using other IP to gain something from the target, or using the IP to access something else can also start an instance of fraud. 

 

Pursuing a claim against the perpetrator of such actions is often hard if you’re not sure who it is or can’t discover the individual. However, with the assistance of a lawyer or a professional, it is possible to find the culprit and take legal action, such as informing the local law enforcement to seek justice or to file a civil lawsuit. 

 

The catfisher usually engages in fraud when he or she impersonates another person and participates in illegal activity to obtain something of significance. Such things can include property, money, additional information about another person (usually to commit further acts of fraud.) 

 

The benefits are usually taken from another person through bank account details, money, or other assets in some form to harm the target. If the person is only impersonating another person for contact and does no such action to take an item or an award from the target, then it’s possible that a crime wasn’t committed. 

 

However, when a perpetrator engages in catfishing to acquire money or goods from a person, they are committing fraud. Such cases may occur between citizens from other countries asking for money to pay for food, gas, or medical expenses. When there is an emotional connection with the target, he or she may give cash or property to help out. 

 

Catfishing is a real problem in today’s society, and anyone can become victim to an innocent conversation that turns into fraud. Protect yourself from catfishing by making use of Identity Protection services. Identity Protection services can give you peace of mind for the whole family, regardless of who is using the computer at home.