“Catfishing” Poses Threat to Online Daters

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RICHLAND COUNTY (WOLO)– Following two cases of online dating gone wrong, the Richland County Sheriff’s Department is now warning about the dangers of social media dating sites. RCSD is warning social media dating site users that when you swipe right, you never know who you could be getting involved with. “It’s just this app where you get to meet people dating-wise,” says one USC Student. According to another student,”Meet new people and maybe end up going to five points or wherever hanging out with them.” Still another says,”Something that you do when you’re bored or you’re just wanting to talk to someone.” But officials say that what you see is not always what you get when it comes to dating apps like Tinder and Plenty of Fish. Authorities are reporting increased instances of people using fake identities on the sites or “catfishing”. “This is nationwide. This is something that’s been going on for quite awhile. You have these dating websites and it should be like an innocent thing but it’s not always going to turn out that way,” says Lt. Curtis Wilson with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. Here in Richland County the sheriff’s department has confirmed two cases of “catfishing” with unfortunate outcomes. According to Wilson,”This individual, this suspect shows up but the suspecting victim does not know that this is the individual because they’re portraying themselves as someone else. Then he proceeds to rob them in one instance he also attempted a sexual assault on them.” Students tell ABC Columbia they’re wary of meeting up people from the sites and that they always take precautions. According to one student,”There has to be some sort of mutual friend or mutual place or you have to go somewhere that’s not private” “Tell someone that you’re going to go meet up with them, maybe say to your roommate or a friend I’m going to this location at this time,” says another student. “Get more than one picture like get actual proof that it’s them,” another student adds. In addition to doing the necessary research, authorities recommend looking for red flags like detailed questions about personal information, money requests and invitations to meet in private. Lt. Wilson says,”We have to continue to try and stay a step ahead of these guys and put information out to try to warn citizens so that they don’t become victims.” The sheriff’s department is asking that catfishing victims or anyone with information contact crimestoppers.