Spotting Scams, Catfishing, and Fake Profiles

Red flags

• Moves off the site fast. They push you to WhatsApp, Telegram, or email straight away. We show you an alert when we detect this.
• Too good to be true. Model-quality photos, instant intense interest, or talk of "love" within days.
• Always an excuse. They can never video call, or their camera is "broken."
• A sob story, then a request. Medical bills, a stuck visa, a travel emergency, an investment tip.
• Wants money in unusual forms. Gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, or "verification fees."
• Links to other sites. Paid cam sites, "verification" pages, or payment forms.
• Inconsistent details. Their story, location, age, or job keeps changing.
• Pressure. Urgency, guilt, or anger when you hesitate.

Common scam types

Romance and money scams

Trust is built over days or weeks, then a crisis appears that only your money can fix. Never send money to someone you haven't met in person.

Catfishing

A person uses someone else's photos and a made-up identity. A reverse image search (Google Lens, TinEye) often exposes it. On Casual Encounters, look for the blue ID Verified tick.

Sextortion

Someone gets you to share intimate images or appear on camera, then threatens to send them to your contacts unless you pay. Do not pay. Payment rarely stops the threats. Stop contact, keep the evidence, report it, and use the help listed below.

Bots and promotional accounts

Generic messages, copy-pasted openers, and links to outside sites or paid services. Our AI behavior monitoring looks for these patterns, and you can report any you see.

Fake "verification" requests

Genuine verification happens inside Casual Encounters, either by ID check (the blue tick) or a live video check with a moderator. We will never ask you to pay a third party to prove you're real. Never enter card details on an outside site to "prove" who you are.

How to protect yourself

1. Ask for a video call before meeting.
2. Reverse image search profile photos.
3. Never share bank, card, or ID details, or one-time codes.
4. Think carefully before sharing intimate images. Anything you send can be saved.
5. Report and block the moment something feels wrong.

If you think you're being scammed

1. Stop replying. Don't confront them.
2. Take screenshots of messages, profiles, and payment details.
3. Report and block the profile. See Reporting & Moderation.
4. If you sent money, contact your bank or card provider immediately. Then report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI's IC3 at ic3.gov.
5. If someone is blackmailing you with images, use StopNCII.org to help stop them spreading (or Take It Down if the images were taken before you turned 18), and report it to IC3 or your local police.

Last reviewed: October 2026