Deception in romance has taken on new forms in the internet age. “Catfishing” – luring someone into an online relationship using a fictional persona – has become increasingly common, enabled by the anonymity of online interactions. A recent high-profile case in Kentucky has drawn national attention, where a woman divorced her husband after falling for someone she thought was actor Dacre Montgomery. After speaking with the catfishing investigation service Social Catfish, it was revealed she lost over $10,000 supporting this fictional romance. While this instance gained much scrutiny, it represents a broader trend that is devastating people across America. The