To Catch a Predator

To Catch a Predator was an American reality TV series built around hidden-camera sting operations run by Dateline NBC. The show posed as underage individuals online to expose adult men seeking sexual encounters, luring them to meetings with a decoy before confronting them. Host Chris Hansen told NPR that those caught should be called potential sexual predators rather than pedophiles, noting that pedophilia refers specifically to attraction to prepubescent children. Debuting in November 2004, the series mounted 12 investigations nationwide, working alongside the online watchdog group Perverted-Justice. From the third installment onward, police and other authorities participated, resulting in arrests for most of those apprehended. No new episodes have aired since December 2007. Local versions were produced by NBC affiliates WTMJ in Milwaukee, KSHB in Kansas City, and WBRE. Spin-offs following the same format included To Catch a Con Man, To Catch an ID Thief, To Catch a Car Thief, and