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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.

Gggg
June 25, 2019
Does anyone know wayne diagle oil rig contractor
Entertained
June 25, 2019
Has anyone been contacted by "captain Brad Unwin" ?
Sotypical
July 29, 2019

In reply to by Entertained

Yes. Very recently. Not been asked for money though - presume he’s a fraud?
Eyes
June 25, 2019
I too met a guy on IG. He kept sending messages that said hello... you their... hello... am John... It’s almost like he wasn’t giving up. I finally responded. We chatted for a few weeks getting to know each other then he kept insisting we switch to the hangouts app. When I asked why he said it would use less data than IG and would only be him and I and we wouldn’t be bothered on there. I really couldn’t understand what he meant by that but thought it would be better as well. I really had no idea. He once asked me to pick up a gift card like $50 or $100 cause he was almost out of minutes on his Data streaming and he didn’t feel like going out... Wouldn’t do it and accused him of trying to scam and he got all upset and blamed me said I couldn’t afford it. And why couldn’t I just say I couldn’t. Well I could but I wasn’t going to do that with someone I just met. One other thing that bothered me was he said it was his birthday and he had an uncle who wasn’t going to make it and the uncle was going to send him money but he kept calling it a token. He needed an account to receive it in cause he only had his work account and he had a low credit score and couldn’t use another acct... I again really thought that was fishy and just kept avoiding that conversation. He finally stopped talking about it. He wanted to exchange numbers but he would never give me his. He claimed to be a divorced father of 41... with a 3-yr old daughter... said mother left him and baby when she was one. He was such a gentleman and so very sweet and always told me what I wanted to hear. Just yesterday I noticed his IG has been deactivated. And he has not chatted with me on hangouts since then. He has ghosted me for a few days on hangouts and always seemed to have an excuse but still had his Instagram. But now it’s like he’s just disappeared but he claimed to love me and wanted to meet me no matter the cost.. I’ve searched and searched the internet for his name but cannot find anything that matches what he has told me...
Kat racine
June 25, 2019
Does anyone been talking with Eric Wilton Humanitarian Doctor in Afghanistan wanting money to pay the UN for his vacation
MD
July 08, 2019

In reply to by Kat racine

Hi, I didn't talk with Eric Wilton but with Chris Randy Terry, surgeon in Syria, also wanting money to pay the UN for his vacation.
Ichigo3030
June 26, 2019
Don't trust any website that you can receive friends request. I met a girl on meet me and she asked me to video chat her on Skype and we talked then I had to leave to get a shower.she hacked my camera to my phone and recorded me while I was naked to get in the shower and right as I was about to get inshe messaged me saying if you don't do my deal I send this video in every one of your Facebook friend In a private message if you don't send me money and when I told her I didn't have money due to bills she sent the video
SunHappy
July 03, 2019

In reply to by Ichigo3030

May I ask if she sent you proof that you were recorded or are you going by what she's saying?
Meme
June 26, 2019
I have a young naive friend who I believe is being scammed.. and yes she has sent alot of money!!! Says his name is tom floyd hes in Columbia doing construction wallet, passport, everything stolen trying to get home to her ... has broken his leg , lost air line ticket wtc.... anyone else heard this name
April
June 27, 2019
Hi all, Anyone been communicating with someone called Henry Bilson? Thanks in advance, April
confused lady
June 27, 2019
I met this guy 3 weeks ago but ended the relationship with him last week. I had my doubts and suspicions because he doesn't do video. He claims that the camera on his phone is broken. He was a Swedish national, but half British and half Mexican by ancestry. He has blue eyes and is a real looker. Really cute actually. That is of course if it was truly him. He told me that he met his Chinese but American born wife in Facebook. They got married and had two kids and lived in Arizona. His wife according to him died in an accident and he is left with his two kids who actually looked real wonderful and proper. He claimed that he was a Civil Engineer who gets road projects from all over, Haiti, Spain, etc. In the course of our communication and relationship he mentioned to me that he has a big project coming up, and asked me to pray that it will be awarded to him and his partner. He told me too that when his project is done he will come see me and we will get married. (??!!!) He supposedly got the project and was leaving in 2 days to the Ivory Coast, where the road project was to take place. I asked him to send me pictures of him and the kids while at the airport in the US before they fly out. I never got a photo of them. Upon reaching supposedly Cote d'Ivoire or Ivory Coast he sent me photo of the kids. They seemed to be in a tropical setting, with a few palm trees on the background. But no picture taken from the airport. He told me that he brought only $5,000 with him, but he had to pay $2,000 for their hotel stay. He needs more money to pay the lawyer who will authenticate his contract in the Ivory Coast because his credit card doesn't work there. I told him that I don't believe him and that was when I started hurling accusations at him. Good thinking on my part that I never sent a single cent to him. I asked him to show me the page in the passport stamped with his and the kids entry to the Ivory Coast. Unfortunately, he said that he couldn't because his phone is broken. I started getting suspicious when he told me that he was flying to the Ivory Coast in 2 days. As far as I know Americans need to get a visa before being allowed entry into the Ivory Coast. The processing normally takes more than 2 days. I called him a liar, and a con artist. He felt so bad because of my accusations. In the course of our heated exchange he sent me the information page of his passport. It has his picture and other pertinent information about him. Swedish national, etc. I told him I need to see the page with the stamped entry. He couldn't produce it because of his damaged camera. I blocked him and never spoke to him. Today, I started missing him so I unblocked him. He was so angry with me for blocking him. He said that he doesn't want to talk to me ever. He said that he was a God-fearing man and would never do what I accused him of. He only wanted to lend me money and will pay me back . He told me further that I forfeited my chance of having a good life with him. In fact, he said further that he was keeping it a secret but he was going to give me 30% of his earnings in his $800,000 road project. Baloney! Talk is cheap to this scammers. Anyways, I felt hurt in a way because I had some feelings for him. He was very good at manipulating my heartstrings. He said he forgave me for what I did to him but will never get back with me anymore. I wanted him back. But I specifically told him that if we go back together again I don't want any discussion about money. Stupid me! But he won't have me back anymore. He was so hurt he said. So we said our final goodbyes. I am asking myself if I was just too paranoid about his request for money. After all I could always say no before I started accusing him and calling him names. Well, I am hurting a bit but what we had was all just imagination after all. It was all an idea of love. A relationship on screen. Nothing more. I almost got scammed and this is my story. I don't want to reveal his name. Stupid me maybe but I still have some love and respect left for the guy. Just watch out for him girls. You have all the information that you need.
Justwantthetruth
June 30, 2019

In reply to by confused lady

Please revel his name. It might help prevent others from being scammed by the same person.
Ctal
June 27, 2019
Hi anyone chatting with guy Leonard bent . Marine captain now deployment in afghan . Can send or upload pic .
britt
July 29, 2019

In reply to by Ctal

I believe he is going by the name of Anderson Jonnyy on instagram
Family destroyed
June 27, 2019
My mother lost everything from a scammer by the name of David Robert, David Paige. Over the course of 1 year he managed to make her sell her home and wire transfer the money to Turkey. This has destroyed our family and has almost pushed my mom to commit suicide. We need help. We have called the police and are working to fix this.
Cat
June 27, 2019
Just received the below message: Warm greetings,Thank you very much for your reply,i am honoured,Please do not be offended by the way and manner i came to you,I think this is the only way I could get my message across to you,I want you to be assured i have every faith in you,in that i should be grateful and to give you respect and appreciation that you truly deserve.I am Lieut Evelyn Cooper, originally from Queensland Brisbane,Australia,am presently working now as Marine Engineer in Australian Military Defense in Tarin-kot,Uruzgan Province,Afghanistan. Sir I want to solicit a confidential business proposal to your humble self,I earn this money as my share in a Crude Oil business transaction with the citizen of the country while on duty and I couldn't keep the money with me because my work restrict me to invest or transfer or keep money with me at my location/place of work so I decided to deposit it with the company outside my working zone with instruction to them that I will assign a partner to receive it before contract date of duration. My share was $7.5 million dollar,and I have packed, sealed and locked it in a strong electronic digital safe metal Box for onward movement out of Afghanistan by UN Diplomatic Cargo Unit and deposited with Assurance Security/Delivering Company for safe keeping. I am asking you to help me receive this box and keep under your custody for investment till my arrival to you, the law does NOT permit us to own or be in position of such cash while on international engagement, this is the reason I quickly push the cash out of Afghanistan. I am going to offer to you a total sum of 30% while other 70% will be kept till I arrive to you or you invest my share in a profitable business in your country through your professional advice,OK NOTE:- The deal will be treated confidentially,and we MUST respect the rules of CONFIDENTIALITY also we must both play low during the process.I will plead with you to assist me secure this (Box) and you will never regret knowing me. Kindly reply and I will furnish you with the details of the deal in step by step procedure. Best Regards, Lieut.Evelyn Cooper. According to the picture a blond lady and she approached me through LinkedIn first. Have blocked her now.... be careful please
TROOPER
June 27, 2019
Hi what about email from dating site. American military personnel offering to send large amounts of cash which they say they found in one of the troubled zones in the Middle East. Want that you should receive other funds claimed have lodged with security companies. Need full address names copy id/passport . This so called soldier sends her pictures and even pictures of the money discovered. And return you get 30%. Seems like a smooth deal but where’s the catch. All I can think of is they can use your Id or address or what if it’s true. The balance of the funds they would come to you and pick up. Copy of some of a long email- Now i will like you to send your contact information to me so that i can forward to the security company for shippment in your name to enable them proceed to your country for the final delivery of the fund to your country and to your door step. Send your below information to me urgently; Your full names ........................... Your address: ....................... scan copy of your I.D or passport .................. Country: ...................... Telephone number: .Once am through here with my official assignment i will come over to meet you one on one in your country and after that we shall decide on how to carry on with our life, or immediately you receive my box I will apply for retirement, but for now please i will appreciate us to be more focus on this issue of you receiving the fund and safe guard it on my behalf till i come over
FTC Staff
June 27, 2019

In reply to by TROOPER

The story about a soldier finding a large amount of cash or gold is a scam. The person sending the messages is a scammer, and he does not have any cash, gold or treasure.

The scammer might ask for a copy of your passport or driver's license. If you share that information, he can use if to commit identity theft. Or, the scammer might ask you to pay to ship the cash or gold. If you send money, you will lose it, and you will not get any cash or gold.

Cduffy520
June 27, 2019
Same story here wife got hit by a car kea omg a young son in Paris gift cards galore he asks for retirement money he’s supposedly in Dubai working son is 10 now has no picture of him other than a young child it’s all BS
Nvragn-72
June 27, 2019
Hi, say I'm waiting for my comment to be published. It's been six days now, and nothing. I don't understand what was wrong with it. If there is a problem I would appreciate knowing, so I can fix it. Thank you!
FTC Staff
June 27, 2019

In reply to by Nvragn-72

This is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted. We will not post comments that do not comply with our comment policy. We have a link to the Comment Policy close to the box where you leave a comment.

Secure
June 27, 2019
Meant someone a year ago, he said he had a crew and on an oil rig, but now his job is finished and returning back to the states, is sending me money $2000.00 to buy his Bitcoin by Monday morning, so he will have the money he needs, very anxious about this, and if this is not done he will be upset, truth or not, so much more to this story, would be unbelievable. True or not?
Car-deal
June 28, 2019
Me and a buddy got scammed for $2500 by Craigslist and Amazon Car by a “female U.S Army soldier” selling a Jeep in St.Lois because she has new duty in Anchorage, AL. We were told to buy Green cards at Walgreens or Rite Aid and email their serial numbers as deposit. Title transfer completed in Missouri.The car was to be sent from Amazon Warehouse in Missouri to Amazon Car warehouse in Cleveland for final inspection and test drive and transaction completion. We had a confirming phone conversation with “warehouse manager in Missouri”. The pictures of the vehicle and soldier how we were seduced. Our weakness to larceny also motivated us to try to buy a vehicle at 1/2 blue book value. After the funds transferred, all the images disappeared and the phone was disconnected. We reported this scam to local police and FBI and were informed it was probably international terrorist fund raising operation.. Common sense should always be exercised . Do not trust what you see on the Internet; it is an illusion. Never us cards as transfer of funds, the cannot be traced, you have no audit trail the receipt you get from the card purchase ( Rite Aid, Walgreens, Walmart, etc.) does not identify the recipient and it is a blind transfer unlike a personal check,
Ron
June 28, 2019
I find it VERY sad that people(who I feel are probably somewhat intelligent will send money, information, etc. to a person who 1.) they have never met, 2.) lives in a foreign country, 3.) Is asking you to send money for some claimed "Emergency", "person claiming to want to give away millions of dollars", "A sick person, who out of all the people in the world wants to leave their family/state fortune to you", or some otherwise outlandish scam. REMEMBER THIS: People who do not know you will NOT do these things for you; THEIR ONLY GOAL IS TO SEPERATE YOU FROM YOUR MONEY!!! Same withmen/women who profess to love you, and "ONLY" need a few dollars for some unanticipated Emergency that is happening to them. WISE UP PEOPLE!
Leelee
June 28, 2019
My daughter is being scammed by a guy who in the beginning said he was Brad Paisley .. she is 51 & disabled. She has sent him thousands of gift cards & even money through Western Union. Her adult children are devastated & as her Mom, my stress level is off the roof. We all confronted her with evidence that he was a scammer & using her. But she still believes he’s going to marry her & start a new life. Any suggestions .. ?
glenn_rodri9 s…
June 30, 2019

In reply to by Leelee

Brad Paisley is married. Has been since 2003. They have 2 kids. He can afford anything he wants.
Denise
July 01, 2019

In reply to by Leelee

Tell her it's all fake I'm on line right now with someone that is in the army same story same lines same lies at first I didn't believe it and I'm glad I didn't send him money but there is a way to show her it's all a scam there are things they are not allowed to do one is video chat another is send there I.D card if caught they will be severely punished and sometimes evidence doesn't prove it you have to go higher up above all the Government you have to find and prove it in a way she sees I so feel for you all and I'm sorry for what has happened but I'm mot giving up on this I'm gonna fight this and try to prove to her it's all fake
FTC Staff
July 01, 2019

In reply to by Leelee

You or your daughter could call the Western Union fraud hotline at 1- 800-448-1492, or your state Attorney General. Maybe someone could talk with your daughter about imposters who pretend to be celebrities.

Also, many counties have resource centers with services for people with disabilities.  To find a center near your daughter, call 1-800-677-1116  or go to www.eldercare.acl.gov. Look for "Aging and Disability Resource Center" by zip code. 

Lorie
July 14, 2019

In reply to by Leelee

That happened to me to except it was Garth Brooks good thing I can't send him any Money but I'm disabled to people are so heartless anymore I think all the good honest men do not let her go on meet me that's where all of mine came from I'm so very sorry she got scammed and hurt
Johnny C
June 29, 2019
Why do they ask for full names, address, etc claiming they want to send you money, what danger do I put myself in by giving them my details.
FTC Staff
July 01, 2019

In reply to by Johnny C

If you tell someone your personal information, they can use it for identity theft. They can use your name, address, birthday, driver's licence information or other details to make a new identity or to interfere with your identity and credit. If you give your bank or credit card information, they can take your money.

Lorie
July 14, 2019

In reply to by Johnny C

They can use your info to scam other people or stalk you all though don't feel bad I have done that plus a lot worse
Joan
July 15, 2019

In reply to by Johnny C

Identity theft. No one is sending you money, they are phishing. Period
Samantha
June 29, 2019
Has anybody heard from a Richard Morgan? He is asking for money to send his consignment home
Mike
July 09, 2019

In reply to by Samantha

Do you have a picture of him? i think my friend is getting scammed for the 3rd time!!
LucyLuz
June 29, 2019
I followed this from an article. Seems like they are succeeding in scamming many out there. Don't be quick to "Being in love with the idea of being in love." That is how they are getting into your wallets. Reality is that it take times to know someone, especially when they are asking for your money. There are sets of questions, don't except merely answers from these people, who say what you want to hear. A "true love" will bring something to the table, whether it be a job, money, meeting in person (as an online relationship is fake, nothing real about it.) Anyone can be anything out there. Don't be so quick to believe a perfect stranger, and to give your hard earned money. Scammers will say anything you want to hear. For many "the thought of marriage, picture of a ring, I love yous, " seems to be enough. Be careful, don't do it. Sadly, the reality is you cannot trust anyone. You have to take the time to ask the right questions, meet in person, verify that the person even exist, there are many website that exist for free (whitepages.com) and some that verify even crime, court records, for about 50., you can verify a person and get all their records. If not verifiable block, delete, get rid of them. Or best, don't go to these online sites, even buying and selling sites out there are dangerous. The world has changed to an ugly, unloving, narcissist, greedy, immoral, so take heed! OMG
Missy123
June 29, 2019
Hi there. I experienced the same a few weeks ago. But I'm glad I followed my instinct. Same story as you guys, wife died of cancer, parents died of ghastly motor accident, he's a maritime engineer and a US marine corps, but deployed at Norway right now. He asked me to use Hangouts so he can keep in touch with me on his deployment. Please be aware, he's using Linkedin right now, and he's using a photo of a good looking guy named Alex.
Garyde2462
June 29, 2019
Pleade please can anybody tell me this question I'm about to ask. I met this person and we have been talking a good while but, why would he need $350.00 dollars to get here from Philadelphia can anybody help me answer this
Catz
June 29, 2019
Claimed to be a Pilot for Etihad (which I feel sorry for the actual Pilot that they took the photos from) On IG as rolandsmithados Named Roland Smith/ Roland Luca Smith Very good looking and bald Based Tampa, Florida but originally from Switzerland or Sweden ( he was confused at first) First chats already asked for iTunes card Then couple of weeks later asked $3000 said he crashed landing a private plane and needed to buy parts for the plane since he already spent $125,000 on it. Be careful now
Concerned friend
June 30, 2019
Hello, I posted a reply to someone's message but will post here. A friend of mine started talking to a guy from a dating app 4 months ago. He is a British cowboy named Bruce Christopher (i noticed on her a lot of these guys have 2 first names) he has been on a contract in Manchester for most of the time she says and is training horses for Polo to then ship them to someplace else in the world. He told her he is buying a ranch near her once the contract is over. They talk daily and he says he helps with hope for homes for children and gives gifts of iPhones to people who donate or something. He can't do it himself because he "took out a bunch of loans to complete this contract and the bank will take any money he gets to his main account. Someone else wires her money for her to buy 4 iPhones at a time then she ships them on his behalf to someone. They have never video chatted. I believe it is money laundering. They send the money they stole or whatever, get merchandise, get it shipped them sell it for clean money. Has anyone had this situation? Or is this something new?
FTC Staff
July 01, 2019

In reply to by Concerned friend

Your friend could be at risk if people deposit bad checks or stolen funds into her account. Also, if you tell someone your bank account number they can take your money - even if they say they are going to make a deposit.

Scammers may ask people to accept money or cash checks into their acccounts, and then  send money to another person - or buy something with the money and send the goods.

If you withdraw money right away, you can lose money. Under federal law, banks generally must make funds available to you within a certain time. However, just because funds are available doesn’t mean a check is good. It can take weeks for a bank to discover that a check was a forgery. If you withdraw money quickly, and then the bank finds out a check is bad, you must repay the bank all the money you withdrew.

You're responsible for the checks you deposit in your bank account, even if you don't know they are fake.

Ughhhhh
June 30, 2019
Hi, is anyone here being messaged/scammed by a person with the name of Chris Albert Torres (?) from Instagram then Hangouts?
jtt
July 16, 2020

In reply to by Ughhhhh

Someone by the name of Dennis Torres tried to scam me. Told me he is a Canadian soldier on a peace keeping mission. Widowed, with one son. He wanted me to buy a Google Play card and send it to him. I didn't do it and he got angry that I didn't believe him. Be careful!
Betty
June 30, 2019
I have just read through all these comments and I am thinking I am being scammed. My persons name is Antonio Federigo who is 53 (54 on July 12, 2019), originally from Milan, had twin children a boy and girl but the daughter (Laura) died aged 13, the son (Alex) is now 18. He and his wife divorced in 2015 and after that is when his daughter committed suicide. He tells me he is a petroleum engineer and has his own company based in Belgium called A-F Offshore, and he has 18 men working for him. He was supposed to be finishing his contract in Norway by the end of June and any day longer he has to pay a fee for each extra day but he is waiting on more materials to finish. He has also been awarded a contract in Turkey but has not got the funds to pay the money to the issuing departments it is going to cost him US$15000:00, I have sent him US$4000 and he has raised the another $6000 but I know he will be hitting me up for more. He has given me his bank details to check that he has the money in his Swedbank account of which there is plenty in there (of course if it is a legit account) but as he is out at sea he is unable to get the code sent to his phone to actually authorise the transfer of funds. Has anyone else had this person, he has sent lots of photos of him and his son, he is rather handsome and very smiley, photos include ones of him in Paris near different buildings, at airport with his son and 3 other young friends, he has dark curly hair that is starting to turn grey, he only has his father who lives in Milan and his son who is studying medicine and surgery at a uni in USA. How do you do the reverse search on google for images of people??
glenn_rodri9
June 30, 2019
He has asked for a 500.00 Google Play Store gift card for his son. Now he wants an I Phone X but to send him an Amazon gift Card so he can buy one. Says he owns 2 homes in Kentucky and a Mercedes and a 2014 Land Rover. He has been in Germany. Wants me to be the mother of his 3 adopted kids. He has his own company. Says he was in Germany working with oil machines. He wanted me to take a picture of the gift card and send it to him via Instagram. Also wanted me to go to Hangouts. More private he said. But one day as soon as I stopped texting him someone tried to get into my Yahoo account. I have reported him to Google and Instagram and Amazon and Yahoo and to the FTC and filed 2 FBI reports. These scammers need to be stopped. Phony email and probably phony profile. For having so many expensive things he could afford his own phone. But the gift cards are the scam.
GLC
June 30, 2019
Has anyone had contact with CollinzKent (Collins Kent) via Insta and Hangouts who is French but apparently lives in California and is currently working on a rig off Aberdeen? Has a 12 year old son........
Josie
June 30, 2019
Is there a uk site for reporting these scammers? I have been chatting to a charming guy for about 5 weeks following being matched on tinder. Seemed very genuine. However alarm bells now . Gone out to turkey on a work contract just over a week ago, so he said. Couple of days ago he Got attacked and robbed. . No requests for money as yet. Convinced he’s a con now. Even though we have had great conversations online and on phone, I can’t believe I fell for it. The name this time was Scott Harrison, very attractive 53 year old widow. Yes I know. I was had! Said he was from Yorkshire uk (I am uk). Does this ring any bells with anyone else. Can we post photos used?
GogoMalone
July 10, 2019

In reply to by Josie

Hi Josie. In the UK you should report a scammer to the Police and Or Citizens advice who can advise on where to go next. Plz don’t send money.