Not 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.
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In reply to Hi I’m going through the same by Pam
I'm being scammed I think by the same man.. Works on a rig has a 14 yr. old son in Houston being taken care of by caregivers.. Loves me wants to come soon and be in my hands. He is very handsome.. I have lots of pictures, I have a couple with him in a speedo.. I have been sending him Itunes and Amazon cards Goes by Anthony Scott or Adams.. I will send you some if you will send me some. My Email is
Would like to help...
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In reply to I've "met" 2 different guys by RhoAberFisher
I have two guys that triyed getting money from me this year one oliver Jean from Malaysia he sent me photos of him and his daughter on WhatsApp then L.G Ron Deweese (chris)from Afghanistan Hangouts he also sent me photo of him and his daughter and him in his army uniform on Afghanistan soyol (ya ok) can you please send me your photos to see if it matches with mine thankyou i didnt give eather one of them my hard earned money please ladys dont you my daddy always said a great man will never ask his lady for money!!!!
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In reply to I've "met" 2 different guys by RhoAberFisher
It isn't so important what they supposedly look like. They steal photos off FB etc. Nor is the supposed name they use. Unless of course if you are reporting them to the police. Which is what I did. If you know a detective, (I do) ask him/her to look into the situation, when they have some time. They have connections to help them make a case. Save all the evidence that has been sent to you by your scammers. Conversations (texts), receipts, names of people on the receiving end of the transactions, pictures of receipts they sent to you, phone numbers of everyone involved,etc. Yes, every single one of them is working to control and scam every one they communicate with!!! That IS their REAL JOB. They are all LIARS. THIEVES. UNSCRUPULOUS. I saved all such evidence while I kept "James Barton" on my hook for more than a month. I told a dear friend about him after the first money transfer and she sent this site to me. She told me need to open a about the iTunes card scam and how they ask for money and your bank account numbers and/or how you need to open an account so I can cash the donations sent by check and then send. the cash to whoever he tells to send it to. The next receipt he forwarded to me was a German bank. I was not the intended receiver so it didn't work. It was over a thousand dollars and he blew it off like it was no problem. That's when I realized that the money transfers were likely stolen or hijacked somehow. He was so angry about not getting even a fifty dollars iTunes card. Oh the guilt trips he tried. Nope. In the meantime, I was copying and texting the detective. The English was atrocious. Phone number search shows he is using a number registered in the UK. similar sob stories. Similar love stories. All B*** S***. Every one should tell their friends. They will look out for you. Not the jerk trying to rob you blind. The warning on the handle of the Money Gram machine in a local drug store has a large warning sticker saying "Never send money to anyone that you don't REALLY know). If it feels off, it is. Protect yourself first. Always.
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Yes, many people have told us about the stories the scammers tell. Here are some claims that come up again and again:
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Pagination