There are many reasons why people from developing countries may consider working overseas; lack of good job opportunities in their home country, being the sole bread-winner of the family, and/or motivation to provide loved ones with a better future are just some of the most common. 

Such a decision is, of course, not without its challenges; being away from family, adapting to a new culture, feeling overwhelmed with work or debt, and the loneliness of living in a new country are all factors to take into consideration.

It is truly human to seek connections; a desire for companionship and searching for that special someone, to maybe build a future with, is within our nature. But a combination of homesickness, culture-shock, loneliness, stress, and other factors can also make those living abroad more susceptible to unscrupulous scammers and catfishing.

What is catfishing?

The act of catfishing is when a person creates a fictitious online identity or persona, usually on social media, using deceptive techniques to lure unsuspecting victims into what they believe to be a romantic relationship. The true goal of these scammers, however, is something very different – by gaining their trust, these criminals find ways to steal money from their victims or involve them – often unknowingly – in more serious financial crimes, such as money laundering. 

The term catfish came from an American 2010 documentary, Catfish, where a young man was duped by a married, middle-aged woman into believing he was having a relationship with a younger single woman. The woman’s husband recounts a story about live cod being exported from Alaska alongside catfish, fooling the cod into being more alert (due to the perceived threat of the catfish), thus increasing their chances of survival on the journey.  He compared this to people – like his wife – who keep others on their toes.

As AI (artificial intelligence) becomes more prevalent, catfishing has become increasingly sophisticated, such as scammers generating fake images or even videos to deceive victims into thinking they are speaking to a real person. In fact, it is not only individuals who have fallen for these tricks – even major corporations have fallen victim to such scams, sometimes resulting in millions of dollars in losses.

“Nasa mga 62 years old na siya, pero may hitsura pa rin naman siya base sa mga litrato na pinadala niya sa akin,” [He was already 62 years old, and he looked good based on the photos he sent me] says Rutchelle, a 45-year old migrant domestic worker (MDW) who has worked in Hong Kong for 5 years. She met a businessman named ‘Seth Thomas’ through social media last year. 

“May natanggap na ako noon na mga message na alam kong scammer, kasi minsan hindi kapanipaniwala ang kanilang kwento, bago lang ang kanilang Facebook page, o sobrang gwapo nila sa picture,” [I have received messages before that I know are scammers, their stories are unbelievable, their Facebook page has been made only recently, or because they are too handsome in the photos] Rutchelle says with a laugh.

Migrant workers are particularly susceptible to love scams due to their stress at work, being far away from family, and limited social support networks. As a result, many migrant workers turn to online dating platforms and social media to seek companionship and emotional support. These platforms provide a sense of connection and belonging for migrant workers who may feel isolated and lonely in a foreign country. However, this search for love can also make them vulnerable to exploitation by scammers.

“Kay Seth, akala ko talaga ay nakahanap na ako ng pag-ibig. Bukod sa araw-araw na mga messages, tumatawag din siya sa akin. Kinuwento niya sa akin kung paano siya naghirap ipagtaguyod ang kanyang hardware store sa Canada, kung bakit siya iniwan ng misis niya, at lagi niya din akong kinukumusta, kung kumain na baa ko, kung nasa mabuting kalagayan magulang ko sa Pinas. Napakabait niya, at pagkatapos lamang ng apat na buwan, nararamdaman kong nahuhulog na ang loob ko sa kanya,” [With Seth, I really thought I had found love. Aside from our daily messaging, he also called me on the phone. He told me stories about himself, how he went through hardships building and growing his hardware store in Canada, about why his wife divorced him. And he always asked me how I was doing, whether I had eaten, or how my parents were doing in the Philippines. He was so nice, so after just 4 months of chatting, I was falling in love with him] shares Rutchelle.

These criminals build trust and intimacy with their victims over time. Once the victim is emotionally invested, the scammer fabricates a crisis or emergency situation that requires financial assistance. In some cases, scammers may also request personal information or engage in identity theft.

“Isang araw, tumawag si Seth mangiyak ngiyak pa boses niya, nagkaroon daw ng sunog sa shop niya, nagpadala pa siya ng litrato ng nasunugan na gusali. Sabi niya na okay naman daw siya at i-cover daw ng insurance niya yung mga na sira at nawala na paninda niya sa sunog. Kaya lang habang hinihintay niya ang payout galing sa insurance, kailangan daw niya magbayad ng fee para sa isang private investigator ng halagang CN$2,000, o humigit ng mga HK$10,000 at kung pwede kong ipahiram sa kanya. Dito na ako medyo nag-alinlagan,” [One day, Seth called, there was a sense of urgency in his voice, he said his store burned down and sent me a photo of a burnt building. He told me he was physically okay and that his insurance will cover all the damages and lost inventory. But while waiting for the insurance payout, he needed me to lend him CN$2,000, a little over HK$10,000 to cover a private investigator fee. This is where I became suspicious] she says.

The impact of love scams on migrant workers in Hong Kong can be devastating. Not only do victims experience financial losses, but they may also suffer from emotional trauma, social isolation, and a sense of betrayal. Many victims of love scams feel ashamed and embarrassed about being deceived, which can further prevent them from seeking help or support.

“Sinabi ko sa kanya na hindi ko pwedeng gamitin ang savings ko at kung meron siyang ibang kaibigan na pwede munang paghiraman. Talagang pinipilit niya na ako lang daw makakatulong at ibabalik niya kaagad plus may konting dagdag pa, pero iginiit ko na yung savings ko lang ang pera ko at hindi ko siya matutulungan. Nagalit siya, ang daming niyang sinabi pa kesyo sinasayang ko daw oras niya, kaya nabuo ang loob ko na scam nga ito. Kaya kahit masakit sa puso at isipan ko nang panahon na iyon, binabaan ko siya ng telepono. Message siya ng message, pero hindi ko na sinagot,” [I told him I can’t use my savings and asked if he had other friends he can lend money from. He was very insistent that I was the only one who could help him, and was reassuring me that he would pay me back with interest as soon as possible. I pointedly told him that that was my only money in my savings and that I couldn’t help him. He got angry and said so many things, telling me that I was wasting his time. This is what convinced me that he was a scammer. So, even though it hurt my heart and mind at the time, I hung up. He kept messaging for a few days, but I ignored him] shares Rutchelle.

Love scams pose a significant threat to the financial and emotional well-being of not only MDWs but everyone in Hong Kong. Education and awareness campaigns by the Anti-Deception and Coordination Centre (ADCC) and their partners are helping raise awareness about the risks of love scams and empowering individuals to protect themselves from exploitation. Understanding more about the various ways these scammers operate, along with being cautious about your actions and behaviour online, can prevent you from becoming the next victim. 

Remember, think with your head, not just your heart.