Netflix’s The Tinder Swindler is the latest series to cover a catfishing con. In the series, three women tell how they were ensnared in a relationship with an attractive jet-setting mogul who adored them. In reality, he was Shimon Hayut, an Israeli-born swindler who combined catfishing with a type of romance Ponzi scheme, with old romantic partners funding the lifestyles for him and recruits.
Many see catfishing scams in the media and would think that they can never fall for such an “obvious” scam. However, shows such as The Tinder Swindler and The Circle shows us how easy it is for people to get scammed by catfish, all while knowing there is the possibility of being scammed.
In The Circle, players participate in a competition where they can play as themselves or as catfish to win the hefty cash prize. Both catfish in The Circle and online are trying to acquire your trust. However, unlike The Circle, scammers aren’t vying for a higher rating – they are out for your money. Yet, they both use similar strategies to manipulate your emotions and build a relationship.
The psychology of catfishing is complex, and catfishers can exploit different vulnerabilities for different people. However, the number one strategy that catfish use is beauty. It’s common to use a conventionally attractive profile picture to make a positive impression. The catfisher capitalizes on our brain’s tendency to want to side with a more conventionally attractive…
