A Catfish Tale

As an author and speaker, I often communicate with people I don’t know. We trade texts and emails, often leading us to Zoom meetings. Other times, brief online communications bring us face-to-face at the scheduled event. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d have a catfish tale to share.

What is Catfishing?

Catfishing is when someone takes on a different persona … often representing themselves as someone famous … to deceive a person.

Just so you know …

I’m a stickler for never sharing private information. So I was thrilled–then shocked–when the below conversation recently occurred. Follow along and let me know when you begin smelling a rat.

This is how it started:

Hi Robin,

I recently came across your upcoming event and was immediately intrigued. I���ve subscribed to your channel so I can stay connected and updated with what you���re sharing. I’d love to learn more about the XXXXXXXXX Women���s Luncheon scheduled for XXXXXXXXX at XXXXXXXXX.

The luncheon sounds like a meaningful gathering, and I���d appreciate a bit more insight into what attendees can expect. Could you share more about the event���s focus or any featured speakers or themes? I���d also be interested to know if there���s a program agenda or any networking opportunities planned during or after the luncheon.

I noticed the ticket information references contacting XXXXXXXXX at XXXXXXXXX (phone#) . Is that the best way to reserve a seat, or is there an online option available as well? I���d like to make arrangements soon so I can add it to my calendar and plan accordingly.

Looking forward to hearing from you this week so I can confirm my attendance ahead of time.

Sincerely, XXXXXXXXX

Looks fine, right?

I was thrilled with this email. Clearly, this well-know person had spent time on my website and was genuinely interested. I wrote back, giving a brief description of what I planned to share, and I received a follow-up note.

Email #2

Robin,

I am moved deeply by your message. Thank you for sharing such a powerful glimpse into your testimony and the impact your words have had on others. I can already sense that this luncheon will be more than just a gathering���it will be a sacred space for healing and honesty.

I���m genuinely looking forward to meeting you and your husband. The way you described the responses from attendees was both sobering and inspiring. It���s clear that your story meets people exactly where they are, and I feel honored to witness that firsthand.

I���ll be sure to reach out to XXXXXXXX and mention our connection so we can hopefully be seated together. I���m also bringing my copy of XXXXXXXXXX (his book)���can���t wait to have you sign it.

Excited for what���s ahead and grateful for the opportunity to connect in person.

Sincerely, XXXXXXX

 

I should’ve seen it …

Did you see it … the red flag*? It’s there.

I ��moved on. [I should have stopped immediately. Was it because I was on vacation and already distracted? Maybe. But that shouldn’t have mattered. I was so excited to receive acknowledgement from a person I respected, I figured they just made a slip-up when replying.

Then it hit me

We shared a number of notes back and forth, setting the logistics to get this person to my event. That’s when I received an email that popped the top of my head off:

 

Hi Robin,

Reading the first chapter of “God’s Best During Your Worst” was genuinely uplifting. Your message about leaning into faith during life���s hardest moments struck a deep chord. You���ve captured how adversity, when met with trust in God, can become a gateway to resilience, deeper prayer, and renewed hope.

What stood out to me most was your ability to guide readers toward embracing hardship as a path to spiritual growth. The way you present struggle not as a setback but as a setup for transformation is powerful. I believe your voice is needed in more spaces, and I���d love to explore how we might collaborate soon.

Before I reach out to XXXXX for tickets, I���d like to extend a special invitation. I���m arranging a private jet meeting with XXXXXX [this person’s co-host] and myself ��� a 2-hour focused conversation where we���ll explore a unique idea: inviting readers to share how your (and our) book has impacted them, live with the world. It���s a bold concept, and I believe your presence would make it truly meaningful.

Here���s what you can expect:
– A relaxed, private setting with just the three of us
– A discussion around how to elevate real voices and stories tied to your message
– Exploring ways to co-create something that inspires and uplifts others

If this resonates with you, just let me know a date that works. Once I have that, I���ll send over the official invitation with all the details.

 

I’d made it!��

A private meeting with this author/speaker to see about future collaborations? Pinch me! But when something seems too good to be true …

The wise fear the Lord and shun evil, but a fool is hotheaded and yet feels secure.
Proverbs 14:16

I replied that I was all in, then the bottom fell away:

 

Robin,

I’m glad you’re in, this means a lot to me. The whole thing is being powered by Stellar Lumens Network, in partnership with LOBSTR. Even better, I���ve just signed on as an ambassador for Stellar Lumens!

LOBSTR is the go-to platform for managing assets on the Stellar network. With over 700,000 glowing reviews, it���s clear they���re doing something right. You can check them out here:https://lobstr.co Trust me, it���s worth a look.

Here���s what���s exciting: once you create your LOBSTR account, I���ll send some Stellar Lumens directly into your wallet. No strings���

just a way to get you started and fully onboard before our flight. We���ll also have one of their reps joining us on the jet to give us the inside scoop on how the Stellar ecosystem is evolving and where it���s headed.

Being part of this has been a game-changer for me so far. It���s not just about assets���it���s about building something with real momentum. I���d love for you to be part of it.

Let me know once you���ve got your account set up. Ideally, if you can do it by this week, I���ll make sure your wallet is funded before we take off. It will give you an edge showing them that you’re in and interested in their initiative.

I’ll be looking forward to your response. And am just an email away from you.

A cautionary catfish tale. Don't be distracted by pretty baubles. Nefarious people are lurking, waiting to take us out.
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This is where I stopped

I felt like such a fool. I had been distracted by shiny lights and promises of grandeur. Thank God I had the sense to step away. I contacted the real person via their Twitter. I had to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. After the authentic person responded, telling me we hadn’t communicated at all that day, I wrote my catfisher, telling him that he’d been busted. I kept it short, but wanted to make sure he knew … that I knew. I simply wrote:

It���s a bad thing to impersonate someone else to take advantage of others.��

What did I learn?

No matter how good something seems, always pray before jumping in. I am thankful I had the sense to walk away and stop (and block) communicating.

So beware! Oh, and the *first red flag? It was when my catfisher said he was bringing his book title for my signature. Did that make you pause?

Tell me your thoughts

Have you ever been catfished? I’d love to hear your story. robin@robinluftig.com.

Ladies��� Fans, Watch for Ladies on a Mission

Full lives aren���t necessarily lives fulfilled.

Years have passed and it���s 1984. Sugar Bowersox and her family recently moved to Trotter, Kentucky, where Dungar could take the head coach of the brand new Trotter College. They were both thrilled too come back. Sugar thought once they returned to their childhood hometown, life would be smooth sailing. But those thoughts ended when a star football player is found in the weight room ��� stabbed and holding onto life. Dungar���s a mess. Their daughters are struggling as they try to find their way in their new lives. And Gran is feistier than ever. When Sugar calls Lily-Rose and shares the upheavals to their lives, she ached for her friendship with Lily-Rose and Fiona. ���Lily-Rose, I don���t know where to start. But I need you and Weeds. I sure could use a fire.���

The Ladies��� latest adventure, Ladies on a Mission, takes them to Kentucky and a world unknown to Lily-Rose and Fiona. New and not-so-new faces participate in this newest who-done-it.

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