Posted September 30, 2026

You've been talking for weeks, maybe months. They're attentive, kind, and always seem to say the right thing. But something feels off. Video calls keep falling through. Their story has small gaps. Maybe they've just asked for money for the first time.

You're not alone, and you're not foolish. Catfishers are good at what they do. The good news is that fake profiles leave a trail, and a trained investigator knows how to follow it.

Here's a behind-the-scenes look at how we do it.

Step 1: Start with the photos

A catfisher's photos are almost never their own. They're usually taken from someone else's social media account, a model's portfolio, or a stock photo site.

One of the first things we check is whether those images appear anywhere else online, and under what name. It's common to find that "David, the engineer working overseas" is really a fitness instructor in another country who has no idea his face is being used.

What this tells us: If the photos belong to someone else, the profile is fake. That alone answers the most important question for many clients.

Step 2: Look for cracks in the story

Scammers often juggle many victims at once, so their stories tend to be borrowed, recycled, and inconsistent. We review the conversation history and look for things like:

• Details that change over time, such as a hometown, a job, or a child's age
• Phrases or "life stories" that show up word for word in known scam scripts
• Time zones that don't match where they claim to live
• Grammar and wording that don't fit the background they describe

What this tells us: Patterns in the story often point to a scam operation rather than a real person with a real life.

Step 3: Follow the digital footprint

Real people leave a footprint built up over years: old accounts, tagged photos, friends and family, school or work connections. Fake profiles usually look thin, new, or oddly perfect.

We look at the age and history of the accounts, the phone numbers and email addresses they used, and any usernames that repeat across platforms. One reused username or phone number can sometimes link a fake identity to other profiles, other victims, or the real person behind it.

Step 4: Check public records

If the person claims to be a real individual with a real name, we can verify it. Do they exist? Do they live where they say they do? Is their claimed job, marriage status, or military service real? Public records, licensing databases, and court records can confirm or disprove much of what someone says about themselves.

Step 5: Put the pieces together

No single clue tells the whole story. The value of a professional investigation is connecting the dots and documenting everything in a clear report. That report can give you peace of mind, and it can also be valuable if you need to:

• Report the fraud to law enforcement or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)
• Work with your bank to dispute or recover funds
• Give your attorney evidence for a civil case
• Help a loved one see the truth when they don't want to believe it

What investigators can't (and won't) do

A licensed private investigator works within the law. We don't hack accounts, access private messages without permission, or obtain protected records illegally. Evidence gathered the right way holds up when it matters, whether that's with a bank, the police, or a court.

It's also worth being honest about this: many romance scams are run from overseas, and sometimes the trail leads to a group rather than one individual. Even then, confirming that the profile is fake, and documenting it, is often the most important step toward protecting yourself and stopping the losses.

A note for attorneys

If you represent a client who has lost money to an online relationship, early investigation matters. Digital evidence such as profiles, messages, and accounts can disappear quickly. A private investigator can help preserve and document that evidence, identify the parties involved, and support asset tracing or recovery efforts.

If you suspect you're being catfished

1. Don't send money, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, no matter how urgent the request.
2. Don't confront them yet. Scammers often delete their accounts once they're questioned.
3. Save everything: screenshots, usernames, phone numbers, emails, and payment records.
4. Get a second opinion from someone who doesn't have an emotional stake in the relationship.

We can help you find out the truth

At Top Priority Investigations, we help people find out whether the person they're talking to is real, confidentially and without judgment. If something doesn't feel right, trust that instinct.

Contact us for a confidential consultation at (971) 570-8676 or [email protected].

Top Priority Investigations · Licensed Private Investigator · DPSST #82848