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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.

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.

geli
December 28, 2015

In reply to by willysjeepgirl

I met him on POF since Thanksgiving and have been talking/emailing to him. We still talk/write but has not asked me for $$ yet. The whole emails/phone trail sounded fishy to me and you just have confirmed it. He has a french accent, says he is 68 but sounds a lot younger. He is now in Malaysia according to him with his son. I will block him immediately.
Dana
January 17, 2016

In reply to by geli

It is a scam. I was contacted by the same person. He asked me for $6000.
geli
January 01, 2016

In reply to by willysjeepgirl

Have been talking to the same guy on POF. He has a French accent but sounds a lot younger than 68 years he claims to be. His on-line name is Dasher0347 and has a Sumner, WA phone number but lives in Vancouver, WA if you can believe anything he says. He loves you fairly quickly and will send songs via email without meeting in person. Has not directly asked me for money but hinted at it.
geli
January 04, 2016

In reply to by geli

He goes by the name David Martinez as willysjeepgirl said in this blog. He now has asked for money from me and I will block him from contact. He is listed on POF as Dasher0347
Shirley
January 11, 2016

In reply to by geli

He goes by the name of William Henry we chatted for 3 months he ask for airtime which I send him and he wanted an IPhone and some money for his daughter to send via Weston Union never heard of this before, Beauty's birthdhay, divorced over 5 years ago, independent contractor, but I never send him the phone or money. He try to contact me but I never answer his emails or messages. He also love me within a few days and called me baby, honey and sweety.
Dor
March 24, 2016

In reply to by Shirley

I've recently had Henry William. The babe, honey, sweety sounds right. American accent. No siblings, no family. This one claims to be in the military, intelligence for past 10 years. Sounded very much like the 'True lies' film. Played along, but alarm bells ring. He went form Afghan, to Syria, then in both places he managed to get his hands on gold, which he needed help with getting out of the country. Asked for money for about a month, to which I kept saying no. Eventually, I got fed of playing. I've left him in Ghana. I now have 2 others, and on reading through these messages, the stories are among them. Malaysia for gems and antique items, William Erikson - from Denmark, his girlfriend got pregnant by his best friend, so had to leave Denmark and came to the UK, I've left him in Kuala Lumpar and the 3rd is an architect, waiting for confirmation of a project he has contracted in Kuala Lumpar. Goodness knows about this one. Tom Martinez I think they've all just realised, they have been talking to the same person. I have photographs of all 3 and email addresses. How do I check them out and do a reverse photo check and email address check?
storf234
December 07, 2015

In reply to by Becca

there was this one man i was talking to through messenger met from the pof site and we talked even did video cam ,. well after two mths of talking he put up the cam so did i and he said i just want you to know he truth about me , that is not me who seen then the real one cam on a Nigerian said he still wanted me lol oh yes he did ask for money . i got smart before i did any thing i told him will no talk to him till he put up his real name and id on the meagerness so he did then i was able to report him and block both of his sites . seem that is all i am getting is scammers
Angels
April 14, 2016

In reply to by storf234

You said this man was from Nigeria - I had the same thing happened and he also said the real name and we skyped but he was from Ghana - was it a young guy? Were you communicating with him during November 24 through December 7? I was in Ghana then and I think he must have been with someone there or probably very busy scamming some others. Name starts with E?
tisha
December 28, 2015

In reply to by Becca

Hi Becca, I'm currently chatting to a guy by the name of Woollsey robert timothy currently deployed in afghanistan. He seems sweet and all. Just today he expressed how much he would love to hear my voice but can't because of them only allowed to use the computer and his on hang out. So I asked him to do a video call he claims they can't they must register me as a family member. He says I can do that by paying 250 usd and its refundable after 3 days. I told him I don't have that amount of cash on hand and he was very persistent. I won't give any man money period!!! I googled him and don't find him he sent me a lot of pics but I'm very doubtful. U said u have connections in the service can u find out if this guy exist pls. I'm not in the States so it will be costly for me to call and fish out...many thanx for sharing your story
Dcb
February 04, 2016

In reply to by tisha

The US government does not charge our service men for making phone calls. He is a scammer. Dump him now
amazon
February 09, 2016

In reply to by Becca

I've been taking to a Mike J. Ayers say he us 42 divorce, 3 children & has sent me pictures. Caucasian blue eyes Sandy blonde hair. Pictures from his younger years & now I fell for the sweet talk & I'm out $500.. Silly me will never do that again.. a friend of mines son is in the army she said they don't get money sent through Western Union..
A Snarky Wisco…
November 27, 2015

In reply to by perezazul12

I can just SEE that on the news on Spam Report, being acted out dramatically. I can just SEE Adam Schrager & co. ripping apart that thing you got. I know this is a pretty serious website, but, hey, if we make fun of the scammers, people might realize how ridiculous they are. And, yes, scammers are ridiculous, so, let's ridicule them! Why not?

chrystina
January 15, 2016

In reply to by perezazul12

Hello I'm In a milatary relationship myself .we did fall deeply in love .n its been going in since Oct 2015 I want to believe that he's a widow .I love this man ..we chat for hours everyday n yes he doesn't say my name either. When he writes me I recently found out something n just want the truth from him now.I'm giving him a chance here to tell me the truth ..yes it will hurt me and if i do find out hes married i will track down his wife n i will involve everyone at the milatary base i will involve the milatary police .n go there my self with my receipts n i will get my money back .if i get to get a lawyer ..
Are you serious?
October 24, 2018

In reply to by chrystina

Hire a private detective and chalk it up to learning a hard lesson.
Karen
December 06, 2015

In reply to by Jeanne

I also met someone on messenger in August . His name is Nela Edmir professes to be French . Tells me he is an oil mandate who lived in Texas , and is now working in Nigeria but ran out of money and because he claims he's an independent contractor the company he claims he is providing services for is BP oil. He hAs forwarded documents that look fake in some small ways and many pictures of himself . One picture of his son that just doesn't seem right. He can be so sweet honey , baby , wife , does occasionally call me by my real name . I have searched and searched but can find no record of anyone by that name . He still contacts me by phone . There is a small part of me that still believes in him . I have had a number of traumatic experiences this year that have made me vulnerable . I have seen hints of a very bad temper getting very angry if I accuse him of anything corrupt . I feel like there needs to be some time of policing of this and support for those trying to escape their grip .
Amy
March 16, 2016

In reply to by Karen

Hi Karen, I'm speaking to a man with a very similar story, but hasn't asked for money yet. He calls himself George Woodworth. He says he's an oil mandate from Texas and is currently in Nigeria on business. Supposedly after winning a contract to pump and transport 4 million barrels of oil back to the US. I've spoken with him on the phone once, very briefly. I so want this to be true, but after several other men trying to scam me from Match, I'm very concerned. I am beginning to have feelings for this man. He sent me flowers a few weeks after I met him, and was 'in love' pretty quickly. I think I know in my gut he is a scammer. That's why I have been doing some research. Since your story is so similar, I'm thinking I uncovered a rat. :-( If you see this let's talk somehow and compare notes. -Amy

Karen
January 07, 2016

In reply to by Amy

Amy , does he send you lots of pictures. I wish I could forward one . Does he call you and when he is ready to hang up he says kiss kiss with an accent . Always asks How are you honey? I f you want I will give you my fb name or you can call me. It hurts
Nisey8284
March 15, 2016

In reply to by Karen

Karen, I think we may have connected with the same person. Did he request you on Facebook and then message you with pics,songs, call you honey, please contact me if you would like talk, I will send you my Facebook page. So you can message me.
HelloItsMe
March 25, 2016

In reply to by Nisey8284

does he tell you to rest your head on his chest before he done chatting?
Amanidiot
September 29, 2016

In reply to by HelloItsMe

I think am chatting to the same guy he has said the exact same thing to me and he has a strong African accent sounds young has asked for money for a daughter goes by the name J h Gillespie please let me no if you can
Karen
March 29, 2016

In reply to by Nisey8284

Yes it sounds the same and is so hurtful to know he is such a sweet liar . Yes I would love to talk , what name does he go by?
LAK69
April 11, 2016

In reply to by Karen

Karen, Amy, Nisey8284, I think I might be dealing with the same guy also, or their may be a group of them from what I am understanding.. It's very sad that these kind of guys play with so many people's emotions and don't even care or bat an eye..! Pm me on Facebook(xxxx). I would love to compare notes and several pics too!!

FTC Staff
April 11, 2016

In reply to by LAK69

We don't post personal information on the blog.

Karen
April 18, 2016

In reply to by LAK69

I cannot understand why I have become so attached to someone I have never met . I know he lies about his son because I caught him at it . His son was actually a Chinese boy who was abuse d and there was a story written about him and his situation online . I would love to talk with you . Email me At

MAP249
July 19, 2016

In reply to by Karen

this maybe ledet or ledat I was also be friended by him on facebook fairly nice looking man black and white beard friendly smile always end calls with a kiss kiss and hello honey or hello babe with an accent im delores white on facebook I am ok he did not get one dime from me he thought he was he would text me all night and tell me how much he loved me I believe some of these men have feelings for some of these women you will not meet them or have a real relationship with them because there goal is to take your money if they get to deep they may fall heard for some of us women who have been scame should try to foam a pack with eachother exchange pictures of these people on facebook or were ever you mate them put these pictures on facebook and other sites to root this evil out in the open im game any body wants this facebook delores white don't expect web sites to do this its not there responibilty its ours to expose these rats common
ReadytoScream
January 11, 2016

In reply to by Amy

The oil story sounds familiar, only Tullow Oil in Kenya. He sent pictures and has a very shallow FB presence, He says his name is Thomas Klose. I googled, reversed Searched no digital way to authenticate.

ReadytoScream#2
March 14, 2017

In reply to by ReadytoScream

I have been contacted by Thomas Klose. He has told me that he works in Kenya. He mentioned an association with Tullow Oil in Nairobi, Kenya. He sent me pictures. He is a black man. He has a very shallow FB presence. He has no FB Friends on either of his FB Profiles. He actually has 2 Facebook Accounts. Beware! He is a scammer. He will ask you to send him money. He will try to send you money. Do not accept any money from him. Again, beware! It is a scam! If you allow him to send money to your account, you are unknowingly participating in a serious crime.
Readytoscream#3
October 26, 2018

In reply to by ReadytoScream#2

Could be return of Thomas Klose who claims to be geophysicist, who works on team to locate oil (East Africa) currently working in Kenya. He claims to have degree from Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg South Africa, where he Said he grew up. His mother black American (deceased) & German father. His pictures show tall (6’3”), very muscular, very handsome, golden brown skin, and dark brown eyes, bald head, and black goatee-style beard. He has safari pictures from Kenya and uses dating site, “Black People Meet” with name ‘BraveTom.’ His wife was killed in a fire that his mother (Alzheimer’s) accidentally started. He claims to live in NJ. Anyone seen/heard this story or similar one?
Kakaroto
December 21, 2015

In reply to by Jeanne

Well there is a woman on twitter that is call Kimberly Worth she said she is christian and believes in God and all that...She is a Scammer...she said that she love me and I'm the only man for her...she said that I am the love of her life she has ask me for money and i did send her some... to be exactly twice...I found out she was talking with other man on twitter and she told me that her account was hack because she didn't text those guys and the cell number she gave me it is a hangouts phone number...what I did was that I use hangouts to get a phone number from there and i text her with the new number i get from there and she replay and in the same moment I was texting her on my regular cell phone and That's where I Find out she was lying...so be carefull with this woman "Kimberly Worth from Anahuac Texas she has and account on twitter
Suckdin
April 06, 2016

In reply to by Kakaroto

Ive been talking to her too. She is very convincing. I sent money for a plane ticket in January and was told she was in the hospital and needed 1300 for treatment. I refused but she kept talking. I gave her another 750 last week and she claimed her neighbor payed to get her treatment and she couldn't leave because the neighbor took her ID. First time she had me moneygram money to Shirley Desmoreaux of Anahuac TX and this time Jacob Mulkey of Melissa TX
FTC Staff
April 07, 2016

In reply to by Suckdin

You can help law enforcement by reporting this. File a complaint with the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.

You can also report it to the wire transfer companies that you used to send money to Texas.

somebody
October 04, 2016

In reply to by FTC Staff

Someone- I was scammed by someone from UK that travelled to Malaysia and sent the money thru Wells Fargo with the money changer account. Can I report this incident to the bank as well?
FTC Staff
October 05, 2016

In reply to by somebody

You can report a scam to the wire transfer company you used to send the money. If someone took money from your bank account, you can report that to your bank.

bobo
December 17, 2015

In reply to by Jeanne

How about a Retired Major General from Nato Named Marco Bertolini. Anyone heard of him?
Chez
January 03, 2016

In reply to by bobo

Yep, he tried to friend me on facebook but I declined. I caution people accepting friendships on facebook from complete strangers & then get caught up in an online romance. They are strangers not friends. Why would a Major send a friend request to a stranger?? It's easy to check them out. I'm reading all the comments on this sight and am feeling the pain of so many Linley people caught up in scams. Please never send a stranger money....
oil Refinery
December 12, 2017

In reply to by bobo

Be careful with a 61-ish old guy named Ricky Patricio. He claims he’s from Colorado Springs but sends email with IP address in California. Claims to be a consultant for an oil company. From Panama City. Calls you honey and later calls that he’s in distress and needs money. If you don’t give him the he money he will block you. Voice sounds like an African guy.
countryboy
June 19, 2019

In reply to by bobo

My sister in law is currently talking to a General John Michells based in Afghanistan,has not asked for money yet,but will bashing my head against a brick wall telling her hes a scammer,dont knoew what to do.
Not s scammer
December 22, 2015

In reply to by Jeanne

Not all people who need financial help are scammers. It isn't fair to judge everyone by the actions of a few.
Angels
April 11, 2016

In reply to by Not s scammer

It is not a few. And if you are really in need there are organizations that help the people in real need. Not the ones that want to accumulate riches taking the money for older and sick women that probably send the money they have for treatments. If you are in real trouble there are organizations that help you. When you request for 3,000 dollars that's no money for food unless you are hosting a party.
kimberlyannest…
December 26, 2015

In reply to by Jeanne

Scammed by a super handsome man called Clark Godfrey on FB. Ladies beware he is very sweet, has a super sexy accent sounds like he could be black or something (which he said was scottish but didn't sound it) it's very mixed and scratchy but sexy none the less, says he is a Marine Drilling Superindentant who works for Marine Drilling Corporation. Perhaps he really is but it's very doubtful and I had tons of red flags coming up after it became very vague, he never wanted to commit to any real information, nothing at all, he wanted me to TRUST him and he said TRUST again and again and wanted me to leave my husband with the element of SURPRISE since hubby and I were having issues. He has two profiles on FB, very new. Wanted to suck me in fast, mentioning he made 56K a month plus bonuses (like who tells people that). Said his wife died and he has two children Jennifer and Mark who live with Nanny in Miami, Florida. The children sounded like a man pretending to be a child which was a huge red flag for me. He said kids took a trip to Africa with Nanny alone for a singing trip for his daughter supposedly, and then supposedly their cell phone broke at the airport. He tried to suck me in for $2000 to send to Africa via western union so they could have money while there. He said he cannot get western union to work and he would pay me back later. Its a very good story. He executed it very well and was fast to get me on Viber to have sexting and to get dirty pictures from me. He mentioned he had a large penis, wanted to have marriage and a big home in Miami. Cell number led to a small house in FL in Tallahassee. Sent me lots of nice pictures of him in nice clothes, driving a nice car, making himself look rich, etc. Said he works off shore in the UK. I saw him in video once or twice but it was dark and I could not confirm it was the same guy. His face was completely dark. He promised we would meet in January 2016. I am pretty sure he is a scammer and he stole these pictures from someone else. Or this is his real pictures but it's doubtful, most likely this is some nice guy who is for real whose pictures he stole. He also had his supposed kids texting me right away. They were calling me mum and mom and they did not sound real. As soon as I told him no he stopped talking to me almost instantly. I did a lot of research and this guy is not for real. He does not exist. BEWARE LADIES this one is soooo smooth. He had me eating out of his hand, even making picture of him and I saying he loved me forever. He had me believing it hook, line and sinker...BEWARE....BEWARE!
Party girl
April 06, 2016

In reply to by kimberlyannest…

Hi , I've been chatted to this guy called Frank Ben but he's sounds exactly the same guy as he's wife's passed in the car accident, he's had 2 kids twin Jenny and Mark they are 12years old lived with nanny in Miami Florida while he's working in uk as petroleum engineering. I must say he's very sweet and passionated I did feels for him but my head telling me he Isn't real and my heart said what if he's real , so I ended and same things he's stopped talking to me instantly, do you have a pic of him , he's fb is Frank Ben , and he's Skype is Frank.ben35 please ladies be aware

QueenB
April 06, 2016

In reply to by kimberlyannest…

Kimberly, what cell number did he use and what was the supposed nanny's phone number? I think this same guy is trying to scam my 82 yr old Mom.
Anonymous, USA
January 13, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Reading these comments is like reading names out of Fb messenger. Don't send money people. Don't let the constant messages etc become a distraction in your life. I get lonely too, there are plenty of people to chat with but please beware of sad stories, the military fake profiles seem to be extremely common along with the recently widowed man with son/daughter. Beware, be on guard always. If you want to help people, help those you know in real life, or go through a legit agency. These *love* scams are happening everwhere, trust nobody. Lately it seems everyone is asking for phone numbers to contact me, since I don't know what they might do with that info I don't share.
Beaugency
January 21, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

What I don't understand is that we can tell who the scammers are but the dating sites pretend that they don't? They take their money and then post their profile. How is it that they can get away with this?
Joyous
June 24, 2016

In reply to by claudia w

I have been contact by a lovely guy, he says he is an Orthopaedic Doctor in the Military but based in Syria, he says his wife died 5 years ago and he has a 9 yr old son.. i am married and yet i have fallen for him he uses the na\me Gary Deric Ferdinand he has not asked for any money but has asked for my address and prood of ID he says to register me as his next of kin? he offers me love and a life that i have always wanted, he gets so upset and hurt if i challenge him, tells me he retires in November and hopes i will the go to Miami to be with him, what do you think is it a scam..please say no ?
FTC Staff
June 24, 2016

In reply to by Joyous

This could be a scam. Ifyou meet someone online, you don't know who he really is. You don't know if the pictures he sends are true. You don't know if the story he tells is true.

Many, many people write comments about hearing stories from men they meet online. The stories are similar to yours: the man is a professional, he lost his wife, he has a child who needs school fees or money, he is outside the US on business and will come to the US soon.

If you give this person your address and show your ID, like your drivers's license or Social Security number, he can use that for fraud. He knows your name and email, and maybe phone number. If you tell your address and ID, he has a lot of personal information about you. He could commit identity theft and use your information to open a new account with your name.

pogi wowo
June 27, 2016

In reply to by Joyous

United states1These is a scam ! Do not believe him please! I am a nurse and he scammed me for 5 figure thousand of dollars. He is very sweet and uses words like sweet sweet my love, sweetheart, darling all the love words you can hear but his name is Wilhelm Krumwiede he uses several names. He told me he is on his way to United states but do not believe him waiting for him since June 11,2016.Please please do not send him money a learned my lesson.Same with you I have fallen in love with him please do not divorce your husband for him!Please do not send him money he will ask you pretty soon.
Starr in FL
March 29, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Ladies and gentlemen, yes men too, these people are professionals. The go to the best dating sites including OurTime, Plenty of Fish,EHarmoney, etc. The prey on widows, singles, divorcees. They will have front men to make the calls, send the pictures, and then the front man will tell you to send the money to their "agent". Military men are photographed, video taped, and then someone else uses their identity to portray them as the soldier fighting oversees. They will go through MoneyGram,Western Union, or anyway so you'll send them money. You'll hear stories of a pending inheritance that they need to get but don't have the money to pay for the documents to be filed. You will hear stories of sympathy, the desire to come home to you, etc. They will tell you they love you so much,and will until the day they die. Ask them to SKYPE,face-to-face, or better yet met in a public place. They won't! They will come up with a million excuses. They will find your weakness. They will ask you your address to send flowers. Please don't fall for these romantic scammers.They prey on the vunerable and all they want is your money. Not love. If he or she is too good to be true, then know it is not true. Instead become a volunteer, go to church, or meet through a trust worthy friend who knows your date. Believe me...it happened to me.
hahaha
March 30, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

I am this person Sorry dude i scammed hem for money in facebook hahaha its me i cant believe it