CREDIT: WEEDEZIGN / THINKSTOCK
Looking for love online could end up losing your money.

In 2013 San Diego Chargers linebacker Manti Te’o announced that he was a victim of fraud. But the manner of said fraud was unique. Te’o had been catphished.

Catphishing is when someone makes a fake online profile, usually on an online dating site, and tricks someone into a fake relationship, sending them money, unknowingly committing fraud or giving up personal financial information.

Te’o had been chatting online with a woman who told him her name was Lennay Kekua. One day he announced to the press that she had died. After the fraud had been revealed to the press, he told the media that the relationship, which had been exclusively online, was fake.

Even though never met her, Te’o fell in love with her.

This is a well-known example of something that can happen to anyone. Catphishers cultivate an emotional and psychological attachment with their victim. By showering them with affection in the beginning they can easily ask for money. Many victims of romance scams commit suicide because not only have they, in some cases, lost their life savings, but they also have been “emotionally destroyed”.

According to the Canadian Anti- Fraud Centre Canadians lost over $15 million in romance scams. Deborah Brady, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Western Ontario (BBB), said this number is probably much higher, but Canadians are either too embarrassed or ashamed to come forward.

“These victims are not necessarily gullible, they simply want to see the best in people and often these ‘relationships’ involve a good amount of time so they are very convincing,” Brady said in a press release.

BBB has some tips to help spot a fake online profile:

• They are quick to ask for an email or phone number

• The relationship moves fast

• They may not have even viewed your profile or know anything about you and are already saying how much they like you

• Their photo seems suspicious – try using Google reverse search to see if it pops up somewhere else

• Their grammar is poor, but they claim to be from a predominantly English speaking country

• They currently live in another country

• They make plans to meet but they always fall through

• They have a “sob story” or an emergency and they ask you for money

Catphishers are clever because they latch onto and prey on their victim’s fear of being alone. They manipulate others into caring for them and then abuse that relationship.

If you or someone you know is a victim of fraud contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495- 8501.