Why a photo search catches scammers
Romance scammers and catfish almost never use their own pictures. They take photos from real people's social media, models and stock photo sites, because a stranger's face can't be traced back to them.
That's also what gives them away. The photos already exist somewhere else online, usually under a different name, and a reverse image search can find them.
1. Collect every photo
Save each photo on their profile and every picture they've sent you in chat. Scammers often use one convincing photo on the profile and others in messages, so checking only one can miss the match.
Screenshots work fine. Crop out the app's buttons and text so the search focuses on the photo itself.
2. Run a reverse image search
These tools are free for one photo at a time:
- Google Lens: upload a photo at google.com or tap the camera icon in the Google app.
- Bing Visual Search: often finds different results to Google, so it's worth trying both.
- TinEye: good at finding older and exact copies of an image.
To check a whole profile in one go, Lenstracer searches every photo you upload and groups the results by photo. The Free plan includes 10 searches, no credit card required.
3. Read the results
- Found under another name: the same photo on a social media account or website with a different name is a strong sign the profile is fake.
- Found on a stock or model site: the photos were bought or copied, not taken by the person you're talking to.
- Found on scam warning sites: other people have already reported this face.
- No matches: this doesn't prove someone is genuine. New photos and photos from private accounts don't show up in any search.
Other warning signs
Look out for these, especially together:
- They won't video call, or the camera is always broken.
- They quickly move the chat off the dating app.
- They say they love you very early on.
- They work abroad, often on an oil rig, in the military or as a doctor with an aid charity.
- They ask for money, gift cards or crypto, usually for an emergency.
If you've found a scammer
Stop replying and don't send money. Report the profile to the dating app or social network so it can be removed before it targets someone else. In the US, you can also report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
If you've already sent money, contact your bank straight away and report it to the police.
If the photos are yours
Finding your own face on a stranger's profile means someone is impersonating you. See what to do when someone steals your photos to get the account taken down, and find where else your photos are used.