catfishing

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of catfish (“to fish for catfish”)
2. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of catfish (“to create and operate a fake online profile”)

noun

1. (Internet, uncountable, usually)The practice of creating a fake profile on a social media platform in order to deceive people.

   “For the most part, catfishing is not against the law, said Bradley Shear, a Washington-based lawyer who has examined legal issues related to social media.”