Sometimes what looks like cheating turns out to be something else: a fake profile using your partner’s photos, or your partner being drawn in by a scammer. Working out which one you’re looking at changes everything about what to do next.
What we will never suggest
Reading your partner’s phone, email or messages without their consent, installing spyware or stalkerware, logging into or hacking their accounts, or tracking their location. Depending on where you live these can be illegal, they can put you and others at risk, and they often make a hard situation worse. Everything in our guides uses only public information or things your partner chooses to share.
Three different situations
- Your partner is using a fake identity to talk to people. That’s a trust issue to raise directly.
- Someone is impersonating your partner with their photos. Your partner is the victim and should report the profile.
- Your partner is being catfished by someone who isn’t who they claim, sometimes a romance scammer.
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Reverse image checks on a suspicious profile
For any public profile you’re worried about, run its photos through Google Lens, Bing Visual Search and TinEye. If the same photos appear under different names, it’s likely a fake account. Step-by-step: how to reverse image search a dating profile.
Signs a profile is fake
Scamwatch lists common signs: photos that look too professional or are blurry, an account that hasn’t been active long, very little personal information, and few connections or interactions (Scamwatch). Stories that change, refusal to video call and pressure to move to a private chat app are other red flags. See is my online match real?
If your partner may be being scammed
Talk to them without blame. People caught in romance scams often feel embarrassed and defensive. Share the romance scam warning signs and, if money has been sent, what to do after sending money to a scammer.
If someone is impersonating your partner
Report the profile through the platform’s own reporting tools, keep screenshots and links, and warn friends who might be contacted. The Personal plan includes help reporting fake profiles.
How ImposterWatch can help
Our US$9/month Personal plan is built for moments like this. It includes a monthly AI-powered romance check on a profile you’re unsure about, help reporting fake profiles that use your photos or your partner’s, and leak alerts if your own email addresses show up in a data breach. Checks use the latest AI technology on public information only. They give you a risk rating and the warning signs found, not a guarantee. See the Personal plan.
If you feel unsafe
If you’re worried about your safety, or a partner is controlling, threatening or monitoring you, contact your local emergency number if you’re in danger, or a relationship or domestic and family violence support service in your country. They’re confidential and can help you plan safely, including around phones and accounts.
Questions
What is catfishing?
Catfishing is pretending to be someone else online, usually with stolen or AI-generated photos and a made-up identity, often to start a relationship or to scam someone.
Could my partner’s secret contact actually be a scammer?
Yes. Romance scammers build emotional connections and then ask for money. If your partner is being asked for money, gifts or crypto by someone they haven’t met, that is a strong scam warning sign.
Get a calm, AI-powered second opinion
ImposterWatch Personal (US$9/month) includes one AI-powered romance check a month (using the latest AI technology to review public photos and profile details you share with us), help reporting fake profiles, and leak alerts for up to three of your own email addresses. Cancel anytime. Results are an AI risk assessment, not proof.
Get Personal: US$9/moSee what’s includedMore guides
- Signs your partner is cheating: digital warning signs
- How to check if your partner has a secret dating profile
- Suspect your partner is cheating? What to do next
- Signs your partner is cheating: all guides
- All guides
General information only, not legal or financial advice. ImposterWatch is operated by Cloud Investments FZE (UAE) and is not a background check or private investigator service.