Ep 49. My Husband's Face Has Been Used as Catfish Bait

Judy says that for the past several months, her husband's face has been used as catfish bait on dating websites. Catfishing is a deceptive act in which a person creates a fake online persona to trick others into romantic relationships. The couple claims that someone has been stealing her husband's pictures and using them to target vulnerable women on dating sites. They believe that the individual is using her husband's identity to scam women out of thousands of dollars. Judy says that she and her husband have been receiving hundreds of messages from women who believe they are in relationships with her husband. They say that these women have sent explicit photos and videos to the impostor in exchange for money.

Dr. Phil takes the couple through a series of questions to uncover the details of the situation. They reveal that the imposter has been using the name and profile picture of Judy's husband, but does not use his real name or location. Judy states that she has contacted the dating sites and has even filed a police report, but no action has been taken. Dr. Phil advises them to gather all the evidence they have and present it to the authorities as soon as possible.

In the second segment, Dr. Phil speaks with two women who have fallen victim to the scam. Both women say that they believed they were in love with Judy's husband and that they sent him thousands of dollars over the past few months. They say that the impostor used several tactics to gain their trust, including sending them pictures and videos of what they thought was him, as well as promising them a future together. The women say they are devastated and embarrassed by what has happened.

Dr. Phil reminds the women that they are not at fault and that there are people out there who try to manipulate and deceive others for monetary gain. He encourages them to seek help and support from loved ones and professionals to work through the trauma that they have experienced.

In the final segment, Dr. Phil speaks with a cybersecurity expert to learn more about the dangers of catfishing and how to protect oneself from becoming a victim. The expert offers tips on how to spot fake profiles and how to keep personal information safe online. He encourages people to be cautious when meeting people online, and to always verify someone's identity before sending any money or disclosing personal information.

Overall, the episode highlights the devastating impact that catfishing can have on people's lives, and the importance of taking precautions to protect oneself from online scams and deception.