Does being a catfish...

The intelligent ones are at least savvy enough to start using AI gens, haha. I honestly haven't cared enough to do image searches unless they start DMing me though. Which is rare enough. One did not long ago. The reverse image search didn't return anything (it feels not as good as it used to be btw) but the person wanted to take messaging off site and that's just too big of a red flag within a day or two of messaging.

My suspicion is that scammers actually got a few wins here recently and that's why we're seeing so many recently. There's a fresh feeding frenzy because some fools paid out money.

If the admins decide to make account verification obligatory, many, including regulars would find that objectionable enough to complain for days..it wasn't even obligatory years ago and they are upset enough about it.

I don't see a proactive solution.

No, it's not against any rules to pretend that you are someone/something you're not - hence why I can often lean into being an actual owl as much as I do.

It's kinda sad how often they fall for it though. It's very "wash, rinse, repeat." They literally all say the same stuff 😭 it's kinda like the same people almost WANT to be tricked at this point or they're just that desperate or depraved. Idk. I wonder if any of them will weigh in on this. Most of them never say a thing unless there's T&A then suddenly they crawl out of the fire and brimstone.

I don't think it's against the ToS to pretend to be someone else, but it's mind-blowing how effective it is.

I think it's only a violation when it comes to trying to defraud or scam others out of money. Then it falls under that don't use the platform for anything illegal rule

im really not sure but it might break tos. but sw wont and can't really do much about it

Everyone needs a little spice in their lives.

😐

It's the net. Not sure what you're expecting from the aquarium selection

Nope. I even know one with verification

Think about the practicality of enforcing it. Will SW want to see a Pic of proof? I think not.

There is no explaining to people who don’t want to know.

guys in grandma's basement :)

Not really, no.

People are weird