While there is potential for an Internet-born relationship to be genuine, there is an increasing risk that a relationship is developed under false pretenses and based on lies. Why would someone misrepresent themselves? "There are almost as many reasons why people lie as there are people," said Donald Hantula, professor of psychology at Temple. "Someone may make a fake profile to play a prank on a friend or rival, while others are just trying to figure out the optimal profile for online dating."