In 2010, a film highlighted the deceptive practices of individuals in the online dating world, titled “Catfish” followed by a 2012 documentary of the same name that made the world aware of the real face of social networking. The internet defines “Catfishing” as an act of duping that involves creating a fake online profile, often using stolen photos and fabricated information, to build a romantic or emotional connection with someone. The core of catfishing is the creation of a false identity. This can include using fake photos, names, and personal information to deceive others.
Several factors contribute to the rise of catfishing or duping—to seek validation and attention they lack in real life, trick victims into sending money or personal information for fraudulent purposes and to enjoy the power dynamic of manipulating someone’s emotions for their amusement. Worldwide catfishing was dismissed at first, but it is on the rise and can no longer be disregarded, as it carries real burdens, emotional damage, actual physical harm, and sexual exploitation.
One such example of catfishing that has been on the discussion among social media users in Meghalaya was a public statement by a noted and celebrated singer of the State when he confessed to have “been impersonating a woman by stealing her pictures from her social accounts and posting them as my own” through two social media accounts “in an attempt to solicit sexual advances”. According to reports, police had received a complaint about his behaviour but have reportedly decided not to pursue the matter after the online confession. It would have ended there. Not until recently another posted publicly on social media of being a victim of identity theft and online impersonation, not naming the perpetrator for “legal reasons”.
When a person is subjected to a cat-call, it is not bad to expose a catfisher on social media. The victim who has complained of identity theft and online personification dared not name the person who did it, but left enough hints to point to who it could be. It is understandable that one would feel intimidated by someone stealing your identity online, but to be so cowed down as to take no action would be counterproductive and is sure to create even more problems in the future as the criminal would definitely feel safe and emboldened to carry on his nefarious activity with more verve.
In the old days prior to the internet age, catfishing would fall under cheating which consists of deception, deceiving and impersonating someone else which now falls under Section 318 and 319 of the Bharatiya Niyaya Sanhita (BNS). The punishment is at least 5 years imprisonment with fines.
If the law enforcement department or even the State Women’s Commission were more proactive, they could perhaps file suo moto FIRs to protect the helpless victims. But these are extremely resorts. The only sure way is for the victims to speak out courageously, only then can others support them to get justice.
