Reverse image searches are great for a number of things. The most useful is checking to see if someone you met online is a real person. If there are matches, does the information match what you are told, or is the photo stolen?
If they said their name is Rob and you find a LinkedIn profile for Robert with the same photo it is probably not a scam. If she said her name is Jamie but the matches are for a porn star named Sarah, it is probably a scam. (example here http://www.karmasiren.com/jamie-karalynn-5136389359/)
Below are the reverse image websites with the biggest archives.
Google Image Search (https://images.google.com/)
Google has the most comprehensive photo collection and can even match similar photos
Step 1: To use Google image search click on the link above
Step 2: Once on the search page click on the camera icon
Step 3: Choose where to enter the link to the photo (if on a website) or upload the photo (like a jpg file you received in a text
Step 4: Submit the photo and see if Google has any matches.
Tineye Image Search (https://tineye.com/)
Tineye doesn’t have as large a database as Google but it can find images even if they have been cropped or edited. For example someone may edit a photo to cut off their body and only show their face. If the original unedited photo is online, Tineye can find the match
Step 1: To use Tineye click on the link above
Step 2: Once on the search page click on the upward pointing arrow to upload a picture or enter the web address of the photo in the search box
Step 3: Submit the photo and see if Tineye has any matches.
Yandex Image Search (https://yandex.com/images/)
Yandex is a Russian based website. There are many Russian based scammers so it often finds matches the others miss.
Step 1: To use Yandex image search click on the link above
Step 2: Click on “Select a File” to upload a picture or enter the web address of the photo in the search box
Step 3: Submit the photo and see if Google has any matches. If there are matches, does the information match what you are told, or is the photo stolen?
Fotoforensics (https://fotoforensics.com/)
A new scammer trick is to past their face onto a different body. This website will help you detect that. The process is more complicated and to hard to explain in a few easy steps. Make sure to read the tutorial if you need help figuring it out.
Has this helped you catch a scammer? Do you have any tips for seeing if a photo is fake?
Leave your comment below!