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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.

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Angels
March 25, 2016

In reply to by MEDUSA

Oh mine did you ever see him? Is he a young black guy? I guess he wants to marry everyone he chats with LOL. And of course it all is because he is madly in love with you and needs help. THEY ALWAYS DO. When he said he was sad - and you broke his heart - well he might be the same guy that scammed me - did he ever mention a brother? Where was he going to get married? Did he ever say in Ghana?
Anthony
April 06, 2016

In reply to by MEDUSA

Be careful! Search the internet and check to make sure he didn't post your nude pics anywhere.
Angels
April 08, 2016

In reply to by Anthony

I did not have any nude pics from when I was there - he did though was low enough to give it to someone else there and then claimed he hadn't at the beginning so he has already done that from the beginning. But all I can expect is someone saying: Oh .. is that my friend.... And if they ask me then I will explain to my friends they know me and they can only see the scammer through his actions. And since you are answering to this how would you suggest I would disseminate this information all over the web and other places? Somebody suggested renting a billboard in each city. That would be expensive though.
sab sab
April 12, 2016

In reply to by Angels

i give someone i met from fb he is from turkey ,5000 usd by western union and then he bloc me..what should i do to get my moeny back???
FTC Staff
April 14, 2016

In reply to by sab sab

When you send money by wire transfer like Western Union, it is very difficult to get it back.

When you send money by wire transfer, it is like giving cash. After the money is gone, the company cannot get it back. You can report the person to law enforcment in your area, and report him to the wire transfer company.

AM from germany
November 06, 2016

In reply to by sab sab

i sent someone 12,000Euro to assist him and after much communication he was a scamm but his details where real and he later opened up to me that he has already fallen in love with me i doubt and felt heart broken,when i told him i was heart broken cause he dissappointed me,he scammed someone else cause he had already spent all i gave him and he told me he was coming to me,yes he did come to me,the problm was he had no job when he came we paid the money back to the lady he scammed it from she is happy he his from liverpool we are both togehter though he his 53 and am 63
Angels
March 25, 2016

In reply to by Don't use your…

Are they only U.S. or are they a mix of Ghana and US?
Angels
April 08, 2016

In reply to by Don't use your…

How can we talk? It could be beneficial for both if it is the same people / group. Im on fb also -
I know he's a …
April 16, 2016

In reply to by Don't use your…

What group is it that you've been investigating ? If the phone number I call os a real Nigerian number that person is truly n Nigeria .. yes ?
Angels
May 09, 2016

In reply to by I know he's a …

No - when I was in Ghana I observed that getting a phone in Nigeria somehow it keeps on showing from Nigeria even if you are in Ghana - the thing is that those scammers have not only one phone. I used to communicate through whatsapp and he would put my picture on the "DP" - well that is because they have various numbers and I guess there is a way of opening various kinds of accounts with whatsapp also (or something like that) in order to fit a lot of women's pictures and convince them that their pictures are going everywhere because each of them (us) is the only one they are romancing and they want the entire world to know you (and me) are their true love. So coming from Nigeria it could be any place in Africa I imagine that's possible. They have a lot of contact so they can have people still have their accounts in different parts of Africa. They can even make the phone appear from the U.S. The only thing is that sometimes when you call then you will hear that is a service phone of Google or some other internet provider.
pogi wowo
July 18, 2016

In reply to by Don't use your…

I know. they are from United States because their phone no. are from United states and their bank accounts are from here they Use BOA and Wells fargo Bank. I now becauseI was scammed by the person by thousands of the dollars. The person who says you break my heart and I am sad uses the name Wilhelm Gerhard Krumwiede and now he is using the name Frances Daren. Do not give him money.
ph12
July 25, 2016

In reply to by Don't use your…

I met on date site. Good looking man, with 19yr. old son. Wife died when son was 1yrs. old. He said he's 68 , says has no family. Got off site. Email an texting only. Said in Dubai now working. Will be there for a few months. Supposedly has home in Florida. I'm not sure but I think he's in Ohio, working a scam. How do I find out if he's real? I am elderly lady.
FTC Staff
July 26, 2016

In reply to by ph12

When you communicate with someone online, you can't be sure who he really is. You can look for information about the photo he's using, but you don't know if the photo is really him.

One sign of a scam is when the person wants you to get off the dating site and use email or texts to communicate. Many people have written comments about scammers who say they are:

  • Americans working overseas on construction, oil rigs or other large projects
  • widows or widowers, with children who need money, gifts, computers or cell phones
  • coming back to the U.S. soon and want to see you.

Don't send money to someone you 'met' online, and don't do favors like let him use your bank account to transfer money, or open a bank account for him.

Brineth
November 23, 2016

In reply to by FTC Staff

There is a new twist with this oil rig romance scam - the oil rig worker is a gay 57 year old widow . . .wife died in a car crash 13 years ago, 17 year old son is in French boarding school in Benin (West Africa) . . .needs money for a French trip to decide his final grade . .. father, son and guardian all correspond via email only- haven't sent any money yet - would like to scam the scammers. But gosh, the dad can write lovely emails on those lonely days out in the Irish Sea . ..my police officer brother ran his CA driver license - not legitimate of course. I'll keep leading him on until we tires of not getting money sent to his son.
Jewdee
August 02, 2016

In reply to by ph12

I think I have been communicating with the same guy. Says he's 68 and from match. Wants to communicate by email. Claims he's working in Dubai and will be back to Florida in a few weeks. He writes me love letters about us being a couple when he returns. Claims he lost his wife in a car accident and his son is permanently injured and living in a medical facility in Ca. He goes by the name of Robert Derrickson. Just waiting for him to ask me for money. I researched him and couldn't find anything.
tw75
July 29, 2016

In reply to by js1966

I sure would like to no more about this one they are a big ring of them in the states and Nigeria and Ghana I sure wouldn't mind seeing pictures if available.
Sunshine
February 29, 2016

In reply to by C58

Your story is exact as mine...he's from London and he went to nigeria to work, needed money due to goods at seaport.we been talking since aug.2015 I sent him up to 4000 and recently I was sent a check for 1,780. I cashed it and western union contacted me to get money back that I was check scammed I put money back in bank and all turned out ok thank god. we still talk and tonight he ask for 1000. To help him renew travel papers to come be wth me
LuckyLady
March 09, 2016

In reply to by Sunshine

Sounds EXACTLY like the guy I met online. He was "short on Goods Customs" in Lagos Nigeria. He went by name of Charles?? Just curious. He also asked for various other amounts because his son who was only five years old whose name was Dave supposedly was in the hospital. When I Googled the name and nothing came up anywhere which right there told me scam and he just recently broke up with me February 28,2016 because I wouldn't send him money or give him my bank account information. We met end of Aug 2016.
Lumlum65
March 22, 2016

In reply to by C58

I would love to see the pictures of this man. I believe I may have the same thing going on for a shipment but it seemed so real it's freaking me out. His story really checks out! If it's easier to email the pictures to me oh good lord please don't think this is a scam... My email address is:

I am literally sitting outside of the store about to do a MoneyGram second-guessing myself..

FTC Staff
March 22, 2016

In reply to by Lumlum65

We don't publish personal information like emails.

If someone you don't know contacts you out of the blue, wants to be your friend and then wants your money, there's a good chance he's a scammer. If you send money, you probably won't get it back.

Bambi52
May 30, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

Bridget? Why was pogi wowo allowed to post a phone number? When your primary comment is that we don't post personal information on this site? You, do not know if that phone number belongs to someone else, who has nothing to do with this site. Was that just a glitch??
Don't use your…
March 28, 2016

In reply to by C58

I think you and I have the same Facebook friend. Only a couple pics on Facebook and has sent a few "from Nigeria" to keep me hooked. But voice and the person in the photos just can't be the same person for various reason. But it looks like they keep track of the details they tell you. Three small details mentioned in our first (so far) phone conversation. Seemed on purpose almost. I wish some of the "fake pictures" there out there that we could browse to see .
Anonymous
April 20, 2016

In reply to by Don't use your…

You can look up photos on Google to find where else the image has been used/posted. You need to use a computer and from Google you select Images and in the search bar select the camera icon and upload your image and it will search for that image. I have done this and it works. It has helped to confirm a scammer who is using the same photo setting up other profiles.
Frenchie5600
April 08, 2016

In reply to by C58

Don't do it. I have been scammed a few times. One was supposedly a marine captain in Afghanistan and got $3000 and an expensive iphone.
Victim too
March 03, 2016

In reply to by concerned

I met a guy on Christian dating site and we communicated every day and I then started texting - he even had. "Daughter" email me as she was concerned I was going to hurt her father . His story was he had a job in Dubai with a big payoff but his tools were stolen and he needed 14,500 but he had most of it only needed 2000 from me - I blocked him and put his email to spam . Quoted bible verses wrote poetry for me ., his name was Henry Dailey but it was more likely a fake using mr Dailey picture and name . Sad
Breezy
May 24, 2016

In reply to by Victim too

I feel I may be communicating with the same person. His name is Paul Smith and is working in Nigeria. His daughters name is Mary. Lived in Jacksonville Fl. but originally from Ireland. Sound familiar?
map249
August 06, 2016

In reply to by Victim too

this sounds like adam ledet or ledet adam has a daughter name lisa who will text you about concern over her father suppose to be from irland this man man has a kind smile gray and black beard friendly face I think its adam ledet beware
rishhrx
April 02, 2016

In reply to by Sherry

Right....u fall in love with someone who dont exists ...false photo...fake profile...sharing their problems they r from uk or us and stay in south east africa following tourism programme. ...ha haha. they have no foodstuffs and ask u if u know about western union etc...
speeddialled
February 12, 2016

In reply to by ayala544

Don't send money again,go to your bank and complain if possible change your phone no,email and any ways you think he can still get access to you ,
princess
March 14, 2016

In reply to by ayala544

I had one and reported it to the police now there looking into the scammer I had
Jerry4luv
July 17, 2016

In reply to by ayala544

Hi there can you tell me more about this situation?
Noble
July 21, 2016

In reply to by ayala544

Which information do you know about the person.contact me and lets track him down
camilla
August 05, 2016

In reply to by ayala544

I'm in the same boat he keeps texting he needs money now it's $1,500 . I also need help
Shirl
August 06, 2016

In reply to by ayala544

I feel the same way how do you get out of it
Blueeyes45
October 10, 2016

In reply to by ayala544

Just tell him you know they get paid and you are not sending money. And do not send it. I don't care how much he says he loved are cares for you, a real man don't ask for money, just scammers.
TAPOT
December 14, 2016

In reply to by ayala544

ayala, I'm in the same situation as you are. I was scammed by thousand of $$$ and even pawned un able to redeem my jewelries. I have accepted the reality and maybe it's my destiny. I cant recover my loses anymore. I was dumb but I gave it all to God for HIM to handle.
michelle
January 23, 2017

In reply to by ayala544

I dont know if i am being scammed

He has not asked me for money but Is sending money to me he claims to be a general force command u.s. army. He said His wife died.and now that he met me

he Had sold his home to relocate to be with me he has hired a military lawyer to do all transaction he has been doing alot of traveling for meetings and the money from the sale of the home

he wants me to handle to buy a home where i am located I had confronted him about being a scam he got angry and said he is a noble man He said he dies not want his name stained but tonite i saw a photo of his wife wearing eyeglasses with the year 2017 On them

and the date posted was december 2016 if you go to google his biography is thier i have met him in persone but very much confused what do i do

FTC Staff
January 23, 2017

In reply to by michelle

This sounds like a scam. You noticed that something isn't right about the photo of his wife.

A scammer might not ask you for money right away. He might send you stolen money and ask you to deposit it in your bank account. Or, he might send you a bad check and ask you to deposit it. Scammers don't always ask people to send money, sometimes they use people to transfer money from one place to another. If you get involved in a scam like that, you could lose personal information and money. You could get in legal trouble.

If this doesn't feel right to you, you can stop talking to him or block him.

King Eazi
February 04, 2017

In reply to by ayala544

Sorry for that...just dont think about it,it hurts try to hangout with friends,do good things thhats not you..lets start with that and see how it goes
Inonenow 45
October 25, 2019

In reply to by ayala544

I'm in one now from Nigeria and said that he is a Child of God now how can someone be a Child of God and be a fake . I really need to know. I have posted some things that I wouldn't want anyone to know or see . So how do I get out of this one . # HELPASAP. Inonenow
Nwachukwu
July 15, 2020

In reply to by ayala544

The reasons why most those scammer always get it so easily to defraud their victims, is because we chosen not to believe the sincere person. Take for instance you ask, where are you from? And he or she say I'm from so and so place, the next you block the person, when you already see his or her pic clearly on the dp. For me i have met many claiming to be a military and so on. But the truth is that we just have to be mindful while dealing with people.
Chris
August 18, 2021

In reply to by ayala544

Do you still have his details??...he can be tracked for sure...do you have the details of the account you sent money to??..and how long has it been??
carmen
August 02, 2016

In reply to by jazzyjess1261

Barry Nolly is the name of the person that tried to scam me but I got him told him that he was a lie and that the police was on to him and his friends and that they will be arrested in a matter of days so he never called back again.
ladybug
December 04, 2016

In reply to by jazzyjess1261

How do I tell my story I don't know how to get this to stop my husband is being scammed by the picture Raven Riley he thinks she is real she is on skype and call or messages him all the time I want him back with out this scam ruining our lives someone please help
terrieharding
December 22, 2016

In reply to by jazzyjess1261

Hello my name is Terrie, and I'm writing this with a broken heart. I meet a suppose to be a us army soldier in Afghanistan. His name is Bernard Stephen. Promise me the world, and it all was a lie. Ladies watch your back and don't let your guard down. December 21. 2016. Please be careful.
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