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Image of cupid and heartNot everyone using online dating sites is looking for love. Scammers create fake online profiles using photos of other people — even stolen pictures of real military personnel. They profess their love quickly. And they tug at your heartstrings with made-up stories about how they need money — for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel. Why all of the tricks? They’re looking to steal your money.

As if all that isn’t bad enough, romance scammers are now involving their victims in online bank fraud. Here’s how it works: The scammers set up dating profiles to meet potential victims. After they form a “relationship,” they come up with reasons to ask their love interest to set up a new bank account. The scammers transfer stolen money into the new account, and then tell their victims to wire the money out of the country. Victims think they’re just helping out their soulmate, never realizing they’re aiding and abetting a crime.  

Here are some warning signs that an online love interest might be a fake. They ask you to:

  • chat off of the dating site immediately, using personal email, text, or phone
  • wire money using Western Union or Money Gram
  • set up a new bank account

Did you know you can do an image search of your love interest’s photo in your favorite search engine? If you do an image search and the person’s photo appears under several different names, you’re probably dealing with a scammer. And if the person’s online profile disappears a few days after they meet you, that’s another tip-off.

Here’s the real deal: Don’t send money to someone you met online — for any reason. If your online sweetheart asks for money, you can expect it’s a scam.

Unfortunately, online dating scams are all too common. There may be tens of thousands of victims, and only a small fraction report it to the FTC. If this happens to you, please report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A woman looking at a dating site on her computer.

Search Terms
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military
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Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Romance Scams

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Stupidgirl
July 09, 2021

In reply to by DeptyDog

DeptyDog....I would like to show you some pics of a Swedish born business man.
Rosy
June 11, 2021
Hi, I think my brother is getting scammed by a lady in the Ukraine. He's sent her a lot of money. The last 3 lots of money she sent him she said she didn't get. What to do? It's very hard to talk to him about it. Thanks, Rosy
il
June 11, 2021
Ok. I was talking to a guy that called himself Leonard Wong. something was suspicious. He said he was an American pilot and after three weeks he said he will send me a gift. Then another person called claiming to be the courier and saying that he needed to deposit 1000 USD for expenses. They got the wrong lady since I work in geography. I blocked them but I really want to make sure they don't scam other people. What can I do to report them?I am in Belgium but I am just an exchange student.
TH
June 23, 2021

In reply to by il

Sounds familiar .. same story.. except his name is Andrew Wong, American Pilot.
Don't hanithau…
June 12, 2021
Dr James Adams is a scammer. He tried to Get $12000. Dollars for his son's kidney operation be careful he's smooth I didn't give it to him. His cell phone is from Norwood california
Lisa
June 12, 2021
I met someone on Facebook dating website. He said his name is Wolfgang Jonas. He said he is a private contractor but now has to go to Turkey on business. He hasn't asked me for anything yet, buf I am treafing cautiously. He told me he wants to take me on vacation when he comes back.
Nessa1223
June 13, 2021
I have been talking to this guy for quit some some time now. About 5 months. He says hes in the army and is of the 3rd infantry or something like that. He's asked for money before but that was only once. He said he didn't and doesn't need my money it was just a test because he knows what he can offer me. Of course I have been doing my investigations and haven't found anything with his pictures. Although i did find this address when I looked up his phone number and the number is not registered in his name. His name is Jeffrey rose. Also says he's a sergeant and we talk but just not all the time because he says that he can't be on the phone while he's at his desk. He is 55 and says that hes coming home in November somewhere around Thanksgiving. Tho I am not keeping my hopes to high about it I do hope he is real.
Victim
June 13, 2021
I met a guy in dating app, but we mainly contact in what’s app. He said he lives in Uk, he said he sent me a package for my birthday gift. I later received an email from shipping courier that I have to make payment to a personal bank account for import duty tax clearance. I did. Then, another email from courier that after scanning, they found $55,000 in the package. Courier asked me to contact a what’s app number who said he is FBI bureau and I must make another payment to the same bank account previous to get government stamp. If not, it will be money laundering and I will get arrested imprisonments soon by sending me pictures of my house from GG. I blocked them all and reported to local non-emergency FBI, ic3. Later, another what’s app number who said he is another FBI want to warn me that I only have 48 hours to follow their instructions to avoid money laundering. The guy I met also tried to contact me with different number.
danone
June 13, 2021
who knows one ella rose walker
Robin 1967
June 14, 2021
Has anyone heard of Cindy Bill's? My husband has given her over $20,000 so far and is continuing to give her money. I'm trying to get him to understand that she doesn't love him and he is being scammed. Would love feed back from others who have come across her.
TotalScammerBaiter
June 14, 2021
It seems I got one on Instagram whose photos aren't showing up on a Reverse Image Search. I'm thinking they are using customized photos (supposedly this person is with special forces in Afghanistan with the army) probably hired some ladies to be used in these photos as the scammers, the smart ones anyways, know we all know about reverse image search. Be careful out there guys!!!!
DIane
June 14, 2021
I was talking to a gentleman named greg sandilla.. He told me he lived in Norway..when we spoke on the phone he sounded Nigerian.. I had a two year long distance relationship with him.. During this time he called day and night..he soon asked for steam cards and eventually money..he ended up steelimg $10, 000.00 and i never heard from him agian.. I did research and he is nigerian..and married..
Kbrown9688
June 15, 2021
Good morning, So this isn't me but my mom has supposedly been talking to a middle aged man from the US but is some sort of construction worker currently in Nigeria. She has spoken to this person on the phone but it seems like there is always an excuse why he is not here or can't get back. His name is Alex Thomas and supposedly has a younger daughter. I just found out that she has sent him money but I just have a feeling this is a scam and am just not sure how to go about finding the truth and explaining it to her.
CJHUNTER
June 15, 2021
So ive been chatting with a Nigerian guy for a year he started off not asking for anything but recently he decided he wants to marry me but he needed help with his visa his passport and his school aide so ive sent over about $400 now hes asking for funds to purchase data for his phone ....i know it sounds crazy but i wanna help again but deep down something says dont send anything else....i need help and advice cause ive fallen for him but i don't think he feels the same though he says so
Lara
July 22, 2021

In reply to by CJHUNTER

Hi. What's his name, email or facebook profile? Maybe Morgan Jasper? He's been asking me for the same things, and recently when I said I'd never pay again he cheated that he broke his leg on his bike and needed $10,000 for surgery. I ended that contact. No more scammers.
Horse mom
June 22, 2021
Has anyone had dealings with a Matt Anderson will be 62 in July has a 15 year old daughter named Sarah in a Florida boarding school they live in Miami he is widowed and his son was killed in a car accident. He was working on a rig in Louisiana for Noble Gas and now on one of there other platforms in the North Sea in China. He now needs money to take a helicopter back to the states and when he gets back will fix his bank account because it is locked and can only fix it in person per the bank. He constantly asks for money and calls me his wife. He also cries a lot.
Dollsfeet 68Do…
June 23, 2021
Hi I think my friend is being scammed his name is Eddie work on a cargo ship has a son uses bitcoin buys and sells cars. Think he has got my friend hook line in sinker. In his photos he wears a black bean hat grey beard, anothef of him and his son standing up. I know these are stole photos provably from some innocent man's profile. Any way I can convince her as we will end up having no friendship cause she is gullible. Any advice will be great cheers.
Dai the pie
June 23, 2021
So how do I check if the name matches the face? I have a young lady asking me for my personal number so that we can chat in private. I am now suspicious after reading these comments. I haven't given my number yet.
Angelkisses
June 23, 2021
I am just starting to chat with a guy from Instagram on "hangouts" he is work at a oil rig on the Mediterranean sea by Israel. He goes by the name Donald Anthony does anyone else talk to him? He's got a daughter that is living with her teacher in Toronto Canada right now. I was just wondering if he is also a scammer?
Out of pocket
June 23, 2021
Hi everyone. Does anyone know a Mark Gibson, claimed to be Oil Rig Engineer. Had one son. Lost daughter and wife in car accident. He's from Austin, Texas. He and his friend Perry Maxwell cheated me out of £30,000 in total.
Special K
June 23, 2021
Has anyone dealt with a Kevin Liam on Facebook. Divorced, 2 kids and lives in Tampa, Florida and he’s a Financial Analyst
Kizzi
June 24, 2021
Has anyone had dealings with Andrew Newson?
Concerned
June 24, 2021
For five years, my relative has been sending money to a "girl" in Romania. She always has a reason for the money so he sends it. We warn him she is scamming him but he won't hear to it. He thinks she is going to marry him next May (2022.) I heard he has put her name on his checking account. Since he is doing this willingly is there any way to put an end to it?
Melmelrun
June 24, 2021
I have a friend I'm sure is being groomed by a man she met on Instagram. He says his name is Tommy Lucas , a computer programmer from California working in England. Tommy says his family is from Germany and they immigrated to the US. He also has a twin and his father died within the last 6 months. He is handsome and around 39 years old. He has set up a Bitcoin account and checking account with her name own it. She tried too deposit one of the new checks into her account and it was returned for fraud. She will not listen to me and is about to ruin her marriage for someone she has never met. Does this guy seem familiar to anyone?
Munchkin99
June 25, 2021
I was approached in a yatzee game chatroom. Anyone heard of JAMES GATES...civil engineer in Germany....or PATRICK DARRAGH....oil rig gulf of mexico
Anybody
June 25, 2021
Hi. I'm glad I found all these comments. Jurgen Mike wrote to me. An engineer working for an oil exploration company. He flew out on a contract to Turkey. After a month, he asked for a loan of 2,500 Euro to repair a broken cylinder. Of course, he didn't get anything from me. He tried to play on my feelings, but I saw it quickly.
PinkPant
June 25, 2021
I got contacted by "Christopher Malachovski" He said it was accidentally, but he started making conversation. after a few texts on Whats App, he told me he was not allowed to text in Syria US army base where he supposedly works as Soldier, so the only safe way to text was G mail-Hangouts. he said he is Sweden an lives in Orlando Fl. since he was 20 y/o. I got him immediately after he said he doesn't have any social media account because i had already looked for him everywhere !!! besides I got very suspicious because his phone number is from Nigeria.
AB
June 25, 2021
There is a person that is saying that they mailed me a package and in it is a wedding ring his passport and some things he brought for me he said that he did a federal express from some company called SeaShore express this person is useing the name Terry Petrova and says he is Italian but I can't tell because I heard him speak the language. Now Sea Shore is asking for $840.00 dollars to retrieve the package when I told them I did not have it than they said they would take $500.00 and the rest could be paid later to deliver the package. They are saying they can take Bitcoin, Paypal, Moneygram and bank transfer after seeing how they want to be paid is this a scam.
Frozen
June 25, 2021
Hi there, Anyone scammed by a Martin Bridge as a Merchant Seaman?…. My sister in law who has a intellectual disability is been scammed but doesn’t believe she is been scammed… She is been sending money to this person for over 2 yrs now and have so many excuses not to come and see her…
Celestine
June 26, 2021
I was almost scammed by this guy who claimed that he was realtor/architect/engineer. How come if one has a out of the country project they will use their other bank account outside US? Is it because it will be questionable when it has millions? I didn't know that even though we talk on camera using google hangout, one can still present as a fake person. Even a fake driver's license for that matter. Can i trace who this person is using his SSN?
Misspiggy77
June 26, 2021
Hello ladies, I’ve been contacted by a beautiful guy via WhatsApp… he presented himself by Ray Steve. In the beginning he said being from Michigan and after he started mentioning Boston area. He has a 6 yo daughter, Lucy, but he never agreed to send me a picture of her and him together. His wife passed away during Corona pandemic. He proclaimed his love way to soon for what I’m used and in this times of confinement is always good to have something to make you feel nice. First thing was that he was reminded to pay the rent and he had forgot to budget it and didn’t have enough money. He fought because I told him I wouldn’t give money to someone I didn’t know that well and was not showing me prices of who he is. After some time he started mentioning that he was afraid that he might lose his job, which end up happening. Then his bank locked his account because his card was cloned and is more than 3 weeks and he doesn’t have access to his money. He got a job offer that he had to pay, first was 3000, now he got to a agreement with the company is “only” 1500$, to get the job. I said I never heard such thing. I kinda agreed to help him out but because I’m in Europe everything is different and takes longe, so he mentioned that I could send him money through gift card or ITunes. I tried to investigate him, checked the pictures no result and tried to do a reverse phone number (+1 (505) 226-4847 but doesn’t allow me cause I don’t live in the US). Can someone help me out over here, please?
Ai
September 28, 2021

In reply to by Misspiggy77

Can anyone help us to do background check from US citizen.. Because we are from different country.. We are not allowed to check it.. Pls help us..
nanasmalls
June 27, 2021
Just wondering how far these people go. If they say they want to marry you, would they actually do it? Then what happens? Also if they want money would they keep talking to you if they knew you didn't have money and had no way of getting money? Like maybe you were a retired person.
ScrabbleGirl
June 27, 2021
I have had the exact experience of being messaged by a guy with one of two stories. Either they are some sort of engineer on an oil rig or they claim to be an orthopaedic surgeon in the military stationed in Syria or elsewhere in the East, sometimes on a peace-keeping mission. He always has a story to tell about his wife who died recently - usually in a car accident. He either has one son or one daughter who is tween-aged. He will ask right away if you’re married and if you have kids. Next question is your occupation. Then they ask for your phone number for WhatsApp. They won’t actually play scrabble. They add a letter or two every so often to get you back and to re-message you. I have met at least 20 guys in the past month or so, on a Scrabble app called WordWars. They are all blocked! Ladies, don’t put your details on here … the scammers can read this page any time they like! Do NOT send money EVER. Stay safe ❤️
Babybella01
June 27, 2021
Do yourself a favour, anyone chatting on any site even a singing app, they will prey. Talked to a fellow stated was from Johannesburg. Even the video looked real, but, eventually after image search with pics, turned out they belonged to a deceased celebrity. I looked the other way and reported him to authorities. Folks as soon as they ask for anything block and run. They are big time scammers who think that we are dum. Be careful cause people fall prey to their kind words. But they live a life of crime.
Mrscmsj
June 27, 2021
Army special forces, 39, in Afganistan. Wife and mother died in plane crash around 2018. Father died last year from Covid. Has 6 year old daughter living with nanny as there are no other relatives. Name is Smith Andrew. Ring any bells?
Old Doug
June 28, 2021
Anyone know about scams originating from 501 or 720 area codes? I've got one who says she lives nearby but those are ARK and COL area codes and I'm in MI
Rockerchick
June 29, 2021
Someone I know set up a checking account online in their name for someone he's been talking to. He met them online. There's supposedly something going on with her social security card ...... I don't know what info he put in the checking account because he didnt need a id and his is expired.
Joyce
June 30, 2021
I know a guy name david williams in UK is asking for money is he fake or real
Joey 12!
June 30, 2021
Has anyone heard of or corresponded with “Wayne Carson”, who supposedly worked on an oil rig from last August to this spring”.
Omgwow
June 30, 2021
Sounds almost like the man I've been talking to 2 years sent him a total of $15,000 goes by the name Michael Watchman says he is 54 with3 sons i fell deeply in love with him and he shattered me
Gator
July 01, 2021
I wanted to warn everyone of a man named Eric Bohr originally from Sweden supposedly. He’s an engineer from Missouri who gets jobs in different locations that last anywhere from 3-6 months. Right now he’s in Japan and tried to get my bank account info wanting to deposit money for a charity using Bitcoin and having me send it. He had the nerve to ask for my SS number, birthday, address, credit card info you name it. Very good looking and a sweet talker. If something seems to be too good to be true it most likely is.
Jane
July 03, 2021
Robert Miller devear Kelvin from Minnesota are romance scammer
Don't use mari…
July 03, 2021
Anthony Abrue is a scam artist says he’s in the army it is a commander somehow I never gave him any of my information believe it or not he got all my information because scammers are good at what they do and scammed me over $44,000 and I’ve been going to court pleading innocent as a victim
B
July 04, 2021
I was given to money to scammer, His name is Derek Dun from Netherland, Amsterdam on facebook. He said that he gave me present to my country. He asked me to send money of tax clearance of package. After i send the money, package should deliver to me. But i sent my money of 1075$, they didn't give my money, and didn't delivered package for me. They said, if you don't pay pay 3000$, i will go to jail. i Feel lost. And i never beleive those handsome pictures and scamming for me. I lost my 1075$. i was foolish. From Mongolia
Dontripmeoff
July 05, 2021
Does anyone no a Stefan victor … in army in America originally from Germany and has a son names jeff
Skeptical
July 05, 2021
I just started chatting with a guy. He told me off the bat that he may have to travel for work. I was thinking like just short business trips. Then 4 days in to chatting, he said he won the contract and had to go to Italy for 2 months. He asked me if I would be willing to wait basically. I asked him too met he said he would try but was very busy because he was leaving very soon. I asked him to call and he did. Very thick accent had told me he was from Oslo Norway so I expected an accent. The call was very short. It was hard too hear him and understand him. He has sent several pictures all seem to be legit. But I do feel like he avoids answering some of my questions. He hasn't professed his love or anything like that, he only says he wants to continue too get too know me. He has given me his name and even his birthday. He says he lives in the same town and he has even given me the name of the company he will be completing the project for..........but I am still VERY Skeptical....Nothing comes up when I search the pictures and nothing comes up when I put his name in been verified. Even my name comes up on been verified. Looking for honest insight. Or suggestions.
Not Stupid
July 05, 2021
Is anyone talking to a James Walters, dr working for the UN in Syria
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