This is Alex and Sam. They're good friends, trust each other, and have each others phone numbers.
It's Alex of course!I haven't seen you in ages! Want to meet up?Unknown
Hey! How are you doing?Unknown
Who is this sorry?Sam
Now here's a text Sam got from Alex right after they caught up. But theres a few things that are fishy here. Notice here how we can't see Alex's name. It simply says unknown. As well as this, the last message they sent does not match up with recent events This means it is likely not Alex, and instead likely to be someone posing to be them. At this point, Sam should ask Alex something only they would know, or find some other way to verify it's actually them.
The catfisher is also being very unspecific about who else is coming. The second red flag is the fact its at the park at nine, a place where it's unlikely any adults will be
And here is where Sam made her mistake. Instead of double checking, Sam took Alex's word for it and continued the conversation
Ok. I am having a party tomorrow at nine with lots of people. Would you like to come?Unknown
Just... People from school. It's at the park.Unknown
What was yesterday afternoon then lol. I'm happy to catchup again though! You don't need an excuse!Sam
I'd love to! See you then! Btw, who else will be there?Sam
Your not Alex! And where is everyone else?
You fool! The party was all a ruse! I'm not Alex! I'm...
Gasp!
A Cat-fisher!!!
Now Sam is in serious danger of being attacked, sexually assulted, mugged, stolen from, or worse! But Sam could have easily avoided all this by simply asking questions, and making sure it was a safe enviroment to meet up. If not, the best course of action would be to call the authorities. Don't try to deal with it yourself. Go to the police. They can deal with it from there