For sure, the first thought that comes to mind when you think about fake photos is dating sites. Many users of such sites can’t find their love in the offline world, so they come to search for it online. However, you might not want your potential new friends to see your real photos, especially if you are overweight or have any other physical or appearance issues. A fake photo will not only hide your real identity, it can make you appear more attractive.
According to statistics, about 10% of all profiles on dating sites are fake. They are created by scammers who play with people’s feelings for their own benefit. And in matters of trust, the profile picture plays an important role. It can either endear the profile to users who encounter it or repel them. So, if a cybercriminal wants to spam someone for money, they will create an account with the most attractive image they can find, playing on the victim’s aesthetic feelings and willingness to believe in internet fantasies.
However, dating sites are not the only places where the creation of fake accounts is common. For example, the popular professional networking site LinkedIn also contains many fake profiles.
As a virtual resume, LinkedIn allows users to post detailed information about their work history, education, special training, and other information to attract potential employers and connect with peers in the same industry. The site’s open access format – anyone with an account can view most details about other users – invites spammers to post fake jobs, questionable job offers, and fake profile photos. Fraudsters use fake LinkedIn profiles to trick vulnerable job seekers into parting with credit card numbers or other personal information.
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