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Looking to start a new relationship? For some, that may mean meeting a new love interest online. Word to the wise: sometimes it’s best to lead with your head and not your heart.

Millions of Americans use dating sites, social networking sites, and chat rooms to meet people. And many forge successful relationships. But scammers also use these sites to meet potential victims. They create fake profiles to build online relationships, and eventually convince people to send money in the name of love.

The Federal Trade Commission receives thousands of reports each year about romance scammers who create fake online relationships only to steal their victims’ money.

Unfortunately, an online love interest who asks for money is almost certainly a scam artist.

The FTC’s new infographic, developed with the American Bankers Association Foundation, lists common signs of online dating scams and what to do if someone you meet online asks you for money.

Below are some tips to identify a real romance versus a scammer cruising for a target.

Online Dating Scams. Has an online love interest asked you for money? That's a scam. Scammers know millions of people use online dating sites. They are there, too, hiding behind fake profiles. Signs of a scam: Professes love quickly. Claims to be from the U.S., but is overseas for business or military service. Asks for money, and lures you off the dating site. Claims to need money — for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel. Plans to visit, but can’t because of an emergency. $220 million lost in 2016. $56 million lost in 2012. Reports to the FBI tripled over 5 years (4,476 reports in 2012; 14,546 reports in 2016) What to do: Slow down — and talk to someone you trust. Don’t let a scammer rush you. Never wire money, put money on a gift or cash reload card, or send cash to an online love interest. You won’t get it back. Contact your bank right away if you think you’ve sent money to a scammer. Report your experience to: • The online dating site • Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov/complaint • Federal Bureau of Investigation: ic3.gov. Learn more at ftc.gov/imposters and aba.com/engagement

Please share this information with others. Victims may be embarrassed to talk about their experiences, but you can help. A simple phone call, email or text, saying “Look what I just found” and sharing this information may make a difference in someone else’s life.

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

mimaming
June 04, 2020

In reply to by Pettersenlinda…

I just to talked to someone like that please compare pictures with me
Mariwhite
October 17, 2020

In reply to by Pettersenlinda…

Can you share photo with me? Very similar to someone I have been talking too.
Don't use your…
November 17, 2020

In reply to by Pettersenlinda…

I’m talking to aman his name is Tamas he has a Hungarian accent same story he just asked for money and I did it give it to him and he said he was testing me to see if I really care RIGHT.....so he claims he lives in Philadelphia and his mom is in Arizona . The picture I have of him is him on a boat and he caught a big fish...
Cookie @1856
December 24, 2020

In reply to by Pettersenlinda…

Hi talking to engineer 68 now 69 has 12 and 15 year old l has in bording school he is in Ireland on rig Widow 5 years.lots romance panic need money to get kids birthday and Christmas the kids call me mom. Sound familiar
Opt2mus
August 10, 2021

In reply to by Pettersenlinda…

Do you have pictures still? I might be chatting with the same person.
Scam Seeker
April 16, 2021

In reply to by WLH

I am interested to see a photo too. I have been approached by two different oil rig engineers recently and would love to expose their scam.
Pettersenlinda…
March 06, 2020

In reply to by Vonnie

Can I get your pics sent to me, as I think this Paul is scamming me right now I met him on zoosk dating site and
Don't use your…
November 17, 2020

In reply to by Pettersenlinda…

I can’t seem to send you a picture
miss Piffy
May 07, 2020

In reply to by Vonnie

I'm talking to a guy who lives in Manhattan NY and is working on an oil rig off the coast of Germany. His name is John Wilson Benally. He did ask for an iTunes card
Lonely and app…
June 26, 2020

In reply to by Vonnie

I have been talking to a Paul who is asking for money to obtain contracts to finish a job on an oil rig in the gulf. Wander if it's the same person
Tia
March 13, 2021

In reply to by Vonnie

German orthopedic surgeon. In Somalia needs money for package. Then more money to come home. Pictures are of a model. His name is Tom Gilbert lost wife to cat accident. Has 13 year old daughter in boarding school.
Nana
June 27, 2021

In reply to by Tia

I recently had 2 similar incidents. First one was scott willson, had a 2yr old son and he insisted on sending me items which supposedly contained my promise ring. Then he photod the items and i saw hom with money, bundles of it, when i asked what its for he assured me its a gift from his heart, og God! That man fooled me he claimed to had sent the package by delta courier service and that they do home delivery, tje next morning someone called me from my country here asked if i was expecting a delivery from London and that it arrived so i had to wire a 100$ to a number he called to me and unless i transferred tje money tjey wpnt bring my package. Well long story short$ i investigated and found out there aint any delta courier service office on tema Ghana as they said so i just block bptj pf them their numbers. Beware ladies.
Binad
November 03, 2020

In reply to by Yvelyse

Works on oil rig.Romantic messages religious. Please phone this company for me re a package. Phoned for him and he wanted it delivering to my address which they wanted and my phone number. Wife died.daughter in school .s.america. need Itune card $300.. Did not.send now threatening naughty pics going on internet.
Heather
September 02, 2019

In reply to by Maggie777Don't…

Spelling errors / grammatical errors are their biggest giveaway
Christa
December 16, 2020

In reply to by FTC Staff

how can you exchange pictures here of a scammer ? some one please let me know.
Nassau2018
April 18, 2018

In reply to by cherrykoko

I was scammed by a guy calling himself Peter Kaua Sullivan, my fiance. I met him on Match.com and he scammed me all my savings over 2 years period from Western Union, Moneygram, Walmart to Walmart, ITunes cards. Just as you all said he was stuck abroad, his son had cancer and he owed taxes to Istanbul, Turkish government for job done there. He also had the money forwarded from Kenya or so he said. I was at the airport waiting for him to arrive several times and he never showed. he had an excuse each time of an emergency.
kwally50
April 23, 2018

In reply to by Nassau2018

I had almost the same exact thing. His name was Mathew McCleary that was from Australia but talked with a Spanish accent. He was coming to see me but his crude oil shipment wouldn't ship because he had to pay insurance. Supposedly he all ready paid 37K. He was telling me he was in Istanbul Turkey. He needed 4710K.I told him repeatedly I had no money. He tried to make me feel guilty because I couldnt send the money.
Islandgemini50
May 14, 2018

In reply to by kwally50

I was talking to someone on Plenty of Fish. He had a European accent and told me he was from Sofia, Bulgaria. We spoke for a long time and he told me he was on a ship heading to Australia for business in shipping. That’s fine and he never did ask me for money, just an iTunes card. Eventually he did ask if I would accept a check that a client owed him. I said no due to scams. I did think about it and said I would accept the check but I would not deposit it in my account. He didn’t like that but too bad.

I went to the bank and asked them to check if it was legit. First of all, why would someone ask a stranger to accept a $4000 check? I can steal it! The check was deposited to a new account just for that purpose. The following day the bank told me the check was fake. I also requested copies of the check. I was able to contact the supposed sender that lives I Maryland. He was an elderly man who told me that he and his wife had identity issues and he never heard of the third party bank the check was cut from. The bank was legit, just not his bank.

I called the sender of the check and told him it cleared but I was keeping the money. Then after much fighting, I took pictures of the check that the bank had stamped and told him it was fake and that I spoke to his client that never had an account at that bank. Anyway he denied all and had accused me of stealing his money! What nerve!

christy
October 05, 2019

In reply to by Islandgemini50

similar here, do you think they will really do something on you like spreading out the message between you and him coz i think they know your network through social media and show up at your address?
Jk
October 23, 2019

In reply to by Islandgemini50

I would love to high five you for your intellect! Also, for putting that jerk in place. Thanks for the tips...I believe that I am in a catfishing situation. It's so hard to get out of the web they weave. They are truly master manipulators!
TKE 1030
November 01, 2019

In reply to by Jk

I wish I had been smart. I wish I had seen this before July!!! Andrew Perry took me for $32000!!! I should have been more careful!! I hate myself for what I let him do. Now going through bankruptcy. It has changed me and my life. I can’t afford anything anymore. All my credit cards have been closed and paycheck garnished for the next 5 yrs. I’ve told no one but the lawyer.
jane
November 14, 2019

In reply to by TKE 1030

Hi ladies watch the name of Eren K David’s he is very handsome, on his Facebook profile .
Whataboutmefee…
December 13, 2019

In reply to by TKE 1030

OMG, master manipulator, you hit the nail right on the head. And so hard to tell a heart to stop the nonsense. You are smarter than this!!! How do I get myself to start thinking with head and not my heart. I feel like such a fool.
robblen777
January 14, 2020

In reply to by TKE 1030

I met a guy on match. Com and he said that his son needed $5000 to pay for his field trip. I almost fell for it. I ask him if I can call the School and I will charge it. He said, I needed to wire him money and my gut feeling said” don’t do it” I told him I cannot do it and he completely disappeared. Thank God I didn’t get scammed for $5000. I got a text from hangout 2 days ago telling me that I am the one that he is supposed to be with. I never answered back.
Mary
February 14, 2020

In reply to by TKE 1030

I think I,m in too ,his name is Andrew perkins ,he told me he used to live in Buffalo US ,his mom American,His father German ,he is working in rig ,he has 2 daughters and 2 grandsons,his wife died of cancer 7 years ago.we met eachother on dating app ,then I gave him my phone number, he said to me he lives in Toronto and he has his company. He signed a contract with British petroleum and send me the contract papers ,he went 2 times to London England and the day we had to meet for the first time ,he told me he should go to west aquarius rig for 4 months contract .He said he can't talk on video because his phone is not supporting video on WhatsApp and he will order a new phone and then when after a few days he said his phone camera is broken and he couldn't get a new pictures, he gave me even his bank account in Berlin passwords and everything seems real .He asked me to give him my account information for wiring me money,I told him I cannot do it and asking for his agent phone or email,he ignored me. Then asked me to go to the rig to be with him and sent forms from Seadrill company through my email ,the company asked me to get my helicopter flight scaping license and I should send them money as bitcoin but I didn't accept ,then he asked me wired money to his aunt ,it didn't go through and I didn't accept to go there and ignored him,then said his machin for doing his job is broken and it was $52000 to pay for renting that tanks from a rental company in Texas .long story short I sent 2 times money ,I got his cell phone as Christmas gift and I paid for custom and then he asked me send it for a cook works with them who for vacation was in Nigeria and I was disagree he forced to send it and then the cook couldn't pay for the custom there I got back the phone.Now he said my job is finished and I should pay for helicopter and fly to Toronto ,because he is paid on his account in Berlin that he does not have the second password and I can check his account there is money in his checking account under his name,I don't know still he is real or scammer ? If you hear from him please help me .
Anne
February 01, 2021

In reply to by Mary

I uave the same story but different place. He is from UK. His name is Aleksi Edwin Churchill. He invited me where he was working. He have the same stpry like the man you dealt with. He gave me bank account number PIN and everything.
Caterina
January 14, 2022

In reply to by Anne

Are u still talking to thus guy.im talking to him as well but end it 9n January 2021. He is an engineer and asking a lot of money from me for his contract with Petronas in the Philippines. He cries a lot when he asked for money. Daughter name is Emily, wife died of heart attacked. Balogna
Dumbo
April 02, 2020

In reply to by TKE 1030

I was an idiot. I was mesmerized by his words. He would always tell me he loved to pray, and got my trust by always talking about worshipping God. I sent $ to an Australian contact and to a company in Florida. I'm so ashamed for trusting him, I can't tell anyone. Is there an agency I can report these addresses to?
tired lady
May 07, 2020

In reply to by Dumbo

I believe we are talking as with the same guy I have a copy of that contract on my PDf the address in miami does not extist since I just to live in miami before, we can share some information to see if is the same person
Heart broken
May 07, 2020

In reply to by Dumbo

Do you still have the name of the Australian contact. Thinking it might be the same one I have.
ChristmasDon't…
October 08, 2020

In reply to by Heart broken

I have been speaking with someone who is Australian. His name is John Sanders. He claims to be in Nashville. Sound familiar?
Emory
February 09, 2021

In reply to by TKE 1030

I'm sitting here reading so many accounts of getting involved on line with these creeps. Sadly, I did the same; I am forever changed for my stupidity. I can't explain it to anyone except other women who have lived the same experience. To make a long story short; I'm in debt almost $40,000.
Saw the light
February 23, 2021

In reply to by Emory

Don’t beat yourself up. I suffered too...twice. Never thought possible that I would ne had a gain....suffered between the two “romances”over $50,000. Never thought possible! Just never trust someone asking for money!
Blame it on qu…
March 05, 2021

In reply to by Saw the light

It’s been 6 months and I am still so tortured because I was so gullible. Mine was a Romanian private pilot. Lived on the beach in Los Angeles. Divorced from his drug addicted ex wife. One child. Early on in pandemic had to fly a client into Germany. As luck would have it , the client would not come back as originally planned, He left his son with woman who usually care for him. He couldn’t contact his bank, no access to his millions. So was really missing him (the least he could do is send him a Google play card, he so sad) so could I purchase a $200 card he paid me back soon as he reached his bank. I said it sounded like a scam. But did it anyway. I did go to Hangout.His client was hospitalized so he was stranded for turns out over 2 months. Even asked me to loan him money to buy him a ticket home. Of course I refused. But I did send a total of $600 (although I felt it was a scam , I thought what if it is true). Hey blame it on Covid. To make a long story short he eventually admitted that it was a scam. He was in Nigeria. But continued telling a sob story. He was poor , raising his brother and sisters, mother died. Uncle threw his young daughter out so he had to care for also. Of course she was walking to get food and was stuck by a car and was hospitalized. So he asked could I send them some money. Not! Felt so dumb for not listening to my gut. This was on Scrabblego and he had several profiles.
Annie 11
February 25, 2021

In reply to by Emory

I feel I'm being used by someone on a oil platform who only wants google gift cards for his phone, am I being scamme
Kimberly
March 05, 2021

In reply to by Annie 11

you are being scammed. Do not fall for it. I too am a victim of a scammer except he wants my address, bank numbers and others so he can send me money. When I pushed for pictures and videos of him he sent them and I really think they are of him and his son but now his son is sick and he needs to pay for his bills but can since he is stuck on the rig in a 3 month contract that he is not sure when he will get out. Never mind he will never give me a date when he started. But here's the thing as soon as he asked me for money I knew he was a scammer and I have been playing with him ever since and will not give up my info. I keep seeing how far he will keep taking it. I also have a degree in Homeland security and told him this and he still thinks because he loves me I will give up the info. Please beware ladies they DO NOT LOVE YOU AND CAN NOT IF THEY HAVE NEVER MEET YOU IN PERSON. I am sorry to say that but its true. do not send these fake men money or even your bank info. they will also get private info from you just by asking questions about your kids and how many times you have dated or if none of that your family to steal your identity. wow sorry for the rant also
Rli
March 18, 2021

In reply to by Annie 11

I am just experiencing the same, lost a BIG number of amount. I feel so sad and hopeless, so stupid. How come I believed the scammer! I wish I could see this website before the nightmare happened. But now, I do hope more people can see that news about the scammer, stop losing money! He told me that he is relocating his own oil rig drilling company from the US to Korea, and after few weeks of contacts, he said he needs to fly back to the US for his biggest contract application, then he got the contract and will take 3 weeks in Turkey. After the contract, he will come to me, but no doubts never ever happen. He has many excuses for unexpected accidents on the oil rig platform, asking money to complete the contract; payment of the workers, and even to save his life. He made everything as natural and made me feel guilty if I refuse to offer help. Finally, I trapped in his love messages and believed him, and lost my money!
Nelle64
May 12, 2021

In reply to by Annie 11

Do you have a picture I've been talking to a man on an oil rig since February and that's what he wants is Google play cards or steam cards
Bbc969802 use …
March 29, 2021

In reply to by Emory

I’m out $45,000 before I started reading all these posts. I’m sick that I even fell for this but he was so trusting it sounded Chris is his name
yong booth
May 24, 2021

In reply to by Bbc969802 use …

this man named general Henry I said I been wanting to meet us general he said he was us army three star general and at first he asked me google play cards and asked me more money like none stop
yong booth
May 24, 2021

In reply to by TKE 1030

I wish I been more careful with this man I met on Twitter he send me massage first then I lost the money $ 15000.00 dollars he said he was in Afghanistan and come to see me and he never showed up
Daiwat
May 22, 2018

In reply to by kwally50

I had the exact same thing. Girl first asked for small amount to get her i tunes subscription but i didnt gave after sometime she stopped talking to me
Hec
September 19, 2018

In reply to by Daiwat

Me also was talking to a girl i met in meetme she said she was an e6 sergeant in syria her name was Catherine hannisick after 3 days of talking she ask for itunes card and I brought it after she started to ask for more so i blocked her on hangouts we never spoke on phone only email and hangouts this went on for almost 5 months i send her about 1.500 dollars when I started to ask for proof she just told me she was going to give me space i feel so stupid i also set her up made up an email and Netflix account gave it to her and when she sign in it was in Nigeria she claimed her friend stole it and gave it to someone
Ashamed
September 27, 2018

In reply to by Hec

I got in touch with Catherine hannisick again through meet me app is where she always be she claiming that she love me and wants to marry me she said her commander said he will pay for half her plane ticket and she needed to come up with the other half of 1200 dollars then she said if i could pay the whole amount so she wont have to pay him back she also said that the commander will call me can anyone help me i dont think a person on a mission in the army have that much time to be texting and on dating app i send this person 1500 already i ask her for proof because she will say she have nothing to eat because the camp was attack she would send me an image of pasta from the internet i felt so stupid omg can anyone please help me what should i do
hec
December 03, 2018

In reply to by TNHL

Thanks i already did block her but i had to find out who it was so I contacted her again and we talk for a bit finally got her to video call she was black she didn’t think that it will show her i got a picture of her which i can just file a police report for impersonating another person and fraud she still says she is in the army which I highly doubt after all this she have the nerve to ask for a 10 amazon card unbelievable what a lowlife scum reya4catherine and still using Catherinehannisick she have the nerve to ask me to remove my review so she can use that person identity again because she thought i was weak and willing to do what she ask these people have no heart whatsoever they just want to use people looking for romance to get rich by the way this person was so horrible looking and dirty to think all this suffering for that lowlife scumbag