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Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
5 signs you're being catfished like on ITV's Fake
In the age of dating apps, love might be just a swipe away, but so is deception. ITV's latest thriller, Fake, has cast a spotlight on the threat of online romance scams. The eight-part Australian series premiered on ITVX on 27 April and hits TV screens from 3 May. It follows Birdie Bell, a magazine writer who thinks she's met her dream man on a dating app – a charming, successful rancher named Joe. But as their whirlwind romance deepens, so do Birdie's doubts, and the cracks in Joe's story begin to show. Fake is based on writer Stephanie Wood's real-life memoir, detailing her 15-month relationship with a con artist – a cautionary tale now dramatised to reveal just how easy it is to fall for someone who isn't who they say they are. Around 22% of people in the UK have personally experienced catfishing and 40% know someone who's been catfished, according to a 2022-23 Statista survey. Catfishing is the deceptive act of creating a fake online identity, often using fake photos or fabricated details to lure someone into a relationship. However, it isn't always about emotional manipulation – in some cases, it's financial. According to Barclays, the average amount lost to romance scams jumped to £8,000 in 2024, up from just under £5,800 the year before. Whether it's stolen photos, too-good-to-be-true stories, or emotionally manipulative conversations, spotting a catfish early could save you from emotional and financial harm. Yahoo UK spoke to a psychologist and cybersecurity experts, who revealed the five signs you're being catfished. Dr Lori Beth Bisbey, an associate fellow of the British Psychological Society, warns that you're more likely to be sucked into a con artist's scam if a relationship moves quickly. She recommends meeting up with the person you're talking to sooner rather than later. "If somebody you're talking to on an app is resistant to getting off the app, initially, I would be a bit concerned," she says. "The more you talk to somebody, the better you think you know them, and people assume that they know people far better than they do before they've ever met them. "We get a lot of visual cues when we meet people and so never having seen someone, there's a lot of nuance that you miss when you're mostly in writing or on the phone." Dr Jason Nurse, a reader in cyber security at the University of Kent, also says refusing to meet face-to-face or dodging video chats is a common tactic used to maintain the deception. "If you do arrange to meet, always choose a public place; I'd even suggest asking a friend to come along," he recommends. Dr Bisbey suggests cross-referencing any information the person you're dating provides by looking at their social media accounts. If they don't have any, this could be a red flag. "Everybody I know, even up into their seventies, has social media these days, right?," she says. "At least one social media. So if somebody's telling you they don't have social media, that should be a bit of a red flag." If the person you're speaking to claims to be successful, pay attention to how they present themself, Dr Bisbey warns. "They don't have to come dressed to the nines, they don't have to be wearing a bunch of designer stuff. In fact, people who have lots and lots of money are often very understated, but their understated casual look is of high quality," she explains. "You can spot the difference between high-quality clothing and stuff from cheaper shops, so look to see if what they're saying adds up. I think when you're meeting people online, being a bit of a detective is definitely important. When you ask questions, make sure that you listen to what they're saying and see if it adds up." She also stresses the importance of paying attention to people's manners and the way they interact with others. If someone is lying about their background or social standing, she says, they might not have the "social graces" you'd expect. Jemma Davis, a cyber behaviour and culture change consultant and founder of Culture Gem, says you should be cautious if the person contacting you is more attractive than the people you usually date. "This sounds really horrible, but I get people that are way too good looking for me that try and scam me," she says. "So be aware if you are punching. "I don't want to shame anyone by saying they're too good looking for you, but just ask questions. If you think this person is too good, too attractive, too successful, just be cautious." Dr Nurse supports this advice, adding: "Scammers often use attractive or idealised personas to gain trust. If someone seems unusually flawless or says all the right things very quickly, that's a big red flag." If the person you're dating asks for help or financial support soon after starting the relationship, Davis says you should "run a mile." "If they ask, 'Could I come around and borrow something?' [be wary]. It doesn't necessarily have to start with 'Could you send me £100 pounds?' It could be a small amount of help, because they're effectively testing the water to see what they can get away with," she says. "It could be, 'Could I come and use your internet?' I knew somebody who had their bank account drained one pence at a time, because that meant alarms weren't raised. It will generally be an escalation over time." Dr Nurse adds: "A scammer may eventually ask for money or suggest investing in something; these days it's cryptocurrency with promises of big, quick payoffs. These are major red flags, and once money is involved, the risks increase dramatically." Davis only speaks to people who have verified profiles on dating apps, which she suggests you do, too. "I've run my own tests on what happens if I change my photos on an already verified profile, and the apps are very good at removing verification if that person doesn't look like the person they're purporting to be," she says. Dating app Tinder also advises using verification tools, saying catfishing is a violation of its guidelines and anyone discovered catfishing will be removed from the platform. "We encourage all users to use our Verification tools, which use a multi-step verification system to help confirm a user is the person in their profile. If violations are detected and flagged, our team will manually review to verify or proactively remove the account," says a spokesperson. "Additionally, we encourage our users to look for the 'blue tick,' which indicates that the user's profile image is genuine and has been verified by Tinder, through our Photo Verification program." You can request information about a partner or ex-partner from the police under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme, better known as Clare's Law. This enables them to release information about any previous history of violence or abuse a person might have. If you're worried a friend or family member is at risk of abuse, you can also put in a "Right to Ask" Clare's Law request, meaning the police will consider disclosing any information to you. Read more about relationships: 5 relationship red flags you should never ignore, according to an expert (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) 6 potential signs your partner is being unfaithful as Amanda Holden's Cheat: Unfinished Business joins Netflix (Yahoo Life UK, 7-min read) I love being single, it's going to take someone extraordinary for me to give it up (Yahoo Life UK, 6-min read)
Daily Record
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
ITV's Fake cast in full from famous soap stars to Doctor Who actor
Fake is a new ITV show that is set to be a thriller that will leave you on the edge of your seat A brand new eight-part series, Fake, is set to premiere on ITV1, and it's already generating buzz among fans. Despite its somewhat misleading title, the scam thriller is actually based on a true story written by Stephanie Wood, who shared her own haunting real-life experiences. Fake will air tonight, May 3, and is already available to stream on ITVX. The story follows a young woman who becomes increasingly uncertain about her boyfriend. After expressing her concerns, she is convinced she may be too picky regarding men, despite her better judgment. "The series stars Asher Keddie (Nine Perfect Strangers) as Birdie Bell, a magazine features writer who thinks she's found her perfect match when she meets successful rancher Joe (David Wenham, Pieces of Her) on a dating app. But as the relationship intensifies, Birdie is torn between Joe's magnetic pull and the instinct that her boyfriend isn't all he has led her to believe," reads the synopsis, reports Daily Express. Stephanie Wood, author of the real-life memoir, shared: "Fake is a true story about a traumatic relationship I had with a con artist... I met Joe through an online dating app and spent 15 months with him. He told me he was a former architect, farmer, and property developer. He seemed to be compassionate and decent and to share my values. He led me to think we might have a future together." Birdie Bell played by Asher Keddie Birdie Bell Birdie Bell, a journalist eager to spice up her romantic life, is encouraged by her somewhat overbearing mother to find a partner to share her life with. She encounters Joe on a dating app and initially contemplates running for the hills, but is convinced to stay by those she trusts, despite her instincts telling her otherwise. Asher is a renowned Australian actress who rose to prominence in 2004 with her lead role in Love My Way. She also gained recognition for her part in the ABC1-praised series The Cry in 2019 and the six-part series Stateless, where she starred alongside fellow Australian actress Cate Blanchett in 2020. In 2021, she secured the role of Heather Marconi in the Nicole Kidman-led Hulu series Nine Perfect Strangers, sharing the screen with Melissa McCarthy, Samara Weaving, and Bobby Cannavale. "Birdie is a really wonderful, smart, kind-hearted human, Asher said about her character: " Asher said about her character: "Her mother has convinced her that she will meet the prince. She wants to fulfil her mother's dream for her," she added, discussing her character Birdie on the show. Joe Burt, portrayed by David Wenham A divorced architect turned property investor appears to have everything, including a beautiful riverfront home with his two children in a countryside setting. He is relentless in pursuing wealth, making significant investments in property, solar, and wind-farming deals. David Wenham is a highly acclaimed figure in film and television, renowned for portraying Faramir in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. His extensive filmography also includes roles as Friar Carl in both Van Helsing and its spin-off Van Helsing: The London Assignment, Dilios in the action-packed 300, and a memorable stint as Lieutenant John Scarfield in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. In a commentary about his character, Wenham remarks: "Joe Burt, yeah, he's a fascinating character. I don't perceive Joe as being a malevolent person, there's nothing to gain financially by what he does. He's by no doubt a fantasist, fabulist, it's an addiction." Heather Mitchell brings to life the character of Margeaux Bell As Birdie's mother, Margeaux commands a unique perspective on romance, one rooted in strength and perpetually impeccable style. Her personal experience with love starkly contrasts that of her daughter Birdie, who found her husband at a young age and remained married until his passing. While Margeaux advises Birdie to challenge her own views on romance, she cherishes memories of nudging Birdie toward prioritising her career over romantic entanglements. Australian actress Heather Lee Mitchell boasts a storied career, highlighted by her starring role in the hit 1990s television series Spellbinder. She most recently appeared as Anita in the series Love Me and is part of the cast for the upcoming miniseries The Narrow Road to the Deep North. Nicolas Brown is set to play the role of Anton Anton, who once shared a romantic relationship with Birdie and remains one of her closest confidants, is now engaged to Tovey. Birdie and Anton were a couple before Anton discovered his attraction to men. Birdie holds him dear and is the godmother to his eight-year-old daughter, Rory. Nicolas, known for his role in the popular Australian series Home and Away, also featured in Heartbreak High and Drama School. In 2022, he portrayed Rahul in Joe vs. Carole, an American drama series by Etan Frankel based on the saga of Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin. He also starred as Hamish in the Netflix film A Perfect Pairing. Tovey, played by Spencer McLaren Despite Anton ending his relationship with Birdie to be with Tovey, Tovey has become another cherished friend of Birdie's. Rather than harbouring resentment, they quickly developed a bond of trust and friendship. Spencer has had roles in shows such as Home and Away as Kieran Fletcher and the British soap Family Affairs as Brett Owen. His other notable works include voice acting in Doctor Who and Scaredy Cat. 2016 he appeared in the ABC3 hit Tomorrow When The War Began. All episodes of Fake will be available to stream exclusively on ITVX from Sunday 20th April. The series will also air weekly on Saturday nights on ITV1 from Saturday 26th April.
Daily Record
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Fake cast details, how to watch and episode guide as ITV launches new thriller
At the end of April, ITVX released a new series called Fake, which has already become a binge-watching sensation. Based on the book of the same name, Fake revolves around Birdie Bell (Asher Keddie), a magazine and features writer. Birdie's world is turned upside down when she thinks she's found her perfect match on a dating app - a charming rancher named Joe (David Wenham). However, as their relationship deepens, Birdie's doubts begin to surface. Viewers will see Birdie torn between her attraction to Joe and her growing suspicion that he's not what he seems. Originally released in 2021 on Paramount+ in Australia, Fake became an instant hit. Now that it's arrived in the UK, audiences are already praising the gripping thriller. Here's everything you need to know about Fake. When does Fake start and how can you watch it? All episodes of Fake were made available to stream on ITVX from Sunday, 27th April. Alternatively, you can watch the thriller weekly every Saturday night, starting from May 3 at 10:05pm on ITV. A synopsis for the first episode, titled Lanolin, reads: "Writer Birdie is hoping for romance when she is matched with a wealthy farmer on a dating app. "Despite a bad first date, she ignores her instincts and agrees to a second one. Before long, the chemistry escalates, and she finds she is falling in love." How many episodes are in Fake? The Australian series consists of eight episodes, with the first one kicking off this Saturday. The full episodes are as follows: Episode one- Lanolin Episode two - Stitches Episode three - The Blue Loon Episode four - Eldorado Episode five - Love Kitten Episode six - Run Episode seven - Liar Episode eight - My Joe Who's in the cast? Asher Keddie stars as the lead character, Birdie Bell, in the series. Her character is portrayed as empathetic and cautiously trusting, reports the Express. David Wenham plays Joe Burst, a character Birdie meets on an online dating app. He's a recently divorced retired architect turned property investor. Heather Mitchell features as Margeaux Bell in the eight-part thriller. Her character is described as "Dry-witted at best, acerbic and cutting at worst." Nicholas Brown portrays Anton in the show, Birdie's closest friend with whom she had a brief romantic fling at university, which ended when he accepted his sexuality. Spencer McLaren takes on the role of Tovey, Anton's fiancée. His character is described as "an eternal optimist and a hopeless romantic from a loving country family."
