(Last Updated On: June 1, 2021)

Catch A Scammer By Their Photos

A SCARS Anti-Scam Tip

You Know Scammers Steal Photos Right?

But Did You Know That There Is Hidden Data In Most Photos?

In almost all photos taken with digital cameras, assuming that it is not a screen-grab but the original photo, there is something called “EXIF” data or MetaData embedded in the photo data file.

NOTE: there are a couple of important exceptions to this:

  1. Where the scammer does a screen capture or grab of a photo from the screen
  2. Photos processed and published by Facebook and other social media that change/replace the files
  3. These images may have no embedded data that you can use – but it is worth looking, just in case

You Can Use This Data To Tell Something About The Photo

There are several FREE online tools that can display this data, simply by uploading a photo into a tool.  If it is an original photo directly from the camera that data will be there.

Free Exif Data Display Websites:

You can also search on Google for “EXIF Viewer” to find more.

In these cases, you upload the photo/image file and it will tell you what is found.

There Are Also Extensions For Your Web Browser:

An Example Of Exif/MetaData:

EXIF Generated Data

EXIF Generated Data

EXIF Data Generated Map

EXIF Data Generated Map – this comes from the GPS Information Stored In The Photo.

EXIF Metadata

With Metadata, you can see what camera took the photo, where it was taken, and when it was taken.

If you receive a photo and if it is not an original photo – meaning that it was edited or resized, ask why they would do that?  This can help you quickly spot a scammer or a fake.

TIP: always ask a potential romantic partner to send you a photo from their phone’s camera – which WILL be full of EXIF data – including where the photo was taken!

The EXIF data will even tell you which editor it was done in.  If there is no data, that too is a clue, meaning it was probably copied from the screen.

Every bit of information helps you make an informed decision about the person you are connected with.

Always Report All Scams – Anywhere In The World To:

Go to reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn how

U.S. FTC at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?orgcode=SCARS and SCARS at www.Anyscams.com
Visit reporting.AgainstScams.org to learn more!

TAGS: SCARS, Information About Scams, Anti-Scam, Scams, Scammers, Fraudsters, Cybercrime, Crybercriminals, Romance Scams, Scam Victims, Online Fraud, Online Crime Is Real Crime, Scam Avoidance, Married Scam Victims, Internet Infidelity, Scam Victim Divorce

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SCARS the Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Incorporated

By the SCARS™ Editorial Team
Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

A Worldwide Crime Victims Assistance & Crime Prevention Nonprofit Organization Headquartered In Miami Florida USA & Monterrey NL Mexico, with Partners In More Than 60 Countries
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Contact Us: Contact@AgainstScams.org

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