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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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Shopping and Donating
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Donna
July 07, 2018

In reply to by me

Ladies also be careful they now facetime you! Just happen to me! He looked just like his picture but when I refused to give him money he ignored me from then on!!! He also has a fake daughter which he will want you to chat with!!!
Loe2860
October 07, 2018

In reply to by me

I think I'm being scammed...his name is Donald...don't want to give last name. We have been talking for a few weeks...he is an engineer on an oil rig in sanfransisco..lives in Vagas..1 daughter in boarding school..divorced..from Berzil..has an accent...says all the right things..very romantic...has not asked for anything yet...just waiting. Met in Instagram..has started to pull back...he knows I have no money...and No bank account.so he has no reason to continue. He's just to good to be true..
NotScammed
October 08, 2018

In reply to by Learned My Lesson

Marcel Giovanni, David Brown Morgan, Marcel Giovanni Morgan profiles on facebook.
Don't use your…
October 25, 2018

In reply to by Learned My Lesson

I’m talking to an Italian man who is working as a geologist in Canada name Michael roy giovanni
SoSad
August 15, 2018

In reply to by Tangosmom

This sounds like my guy. He said he was a mechanical engineer working offshore for ExxonMobile as a private contractor. Was a widower, parents dead, two young sons in boarding school. After a month asked me to send money to his son’s nanny because one was in the hospital. Her needed $900. I sent it and then he needed iTunes cards, then he had an explosion and fire on rig and his men got burned. Then he needed money for broken drill and wanted $65K to repair it. When I refused, he told me I was wicked, didn’t love or trust him, if I didn’t send it he couldn’t love me snmore or be happy with me. He told me about a dream he had about our first meeting. He was very handsome and went by Thomas Greg. I met him on Words with Friends and then he sent me a friend request on Facebook.
Heaven76Sent
September 01, 2018

In reply to by SoSad

Sounds like a guy who requested me on facebook August 17th. We hit it off in messages. Had me begin to text him from Hangouts instead. Soon after he goes quiet for a day. Next day saying had an emergency call to go to work on a Petroleum rig in Australia he said he is a Private Contractor. Asked if he could see me before he leaves. Wanted to know if I have a Visa I said no and no money I don't work. I don't know if my guy is scamming or not but your story is very much the same. I asked him to send pictures from the plane ride and he did. But my guy also is Widowed of 3 years his wife died of cancer. He has 2 kids a daughter and a son whom he says are in boarding school. Tells me he loves me and wants a relationship that leads to marriage. But now has gotten to where his text are becoming less as if he's pulling away now. Tells me he's busy. Maybe he is or maybe he's like your guy. I pray he's just busy because I've fallen hard for him. His name is David from Florida. I don't want to give last names yet. He's so sweet such a gentleman it will kill me if he's fake.
Scorpio74
October 09, 2018

In reply to by Heaven76Sent

Just was contacted with same story ends up scam from ghana
Dosneezelsnout…
December 28, 2018

In reply to by Dwight

Chances are it's men pretending to be women,sending pictures stolen from attractive women on social media or model's portfolios.
kara
January 29, 2019

In reply to by Heaven76Sent

Is his nam david dylan?? very handsome with black hair brow eyes and syas hes from Belgium?
Jean
September 02, 2018

In reply to by SoSad

The fraud used another's picture. The fraud made up a names, and elaborate story line. They use a script. They mostly operate on laptops, from Acra, Ghana. They look nothing like the stolen identity. Keep remind yourself of these facts, and one year later you will wonder how you didn't see through the lies. Fill out the fraud claim form with FTC, link on this site
Broken
September 10, 2018

In reply to by SoSad

This seem to be mine scammer to. We been talking every day for 9 months. Sosad i think our man is the same.
Disgusted
October 14, 2018

In reply to by SoSad

Sounds like Scott Cruz Williams, age 55, whom I met over Instagram about a month ago, he's also an Private Contractor, very wealthy but not able to access his money...Widow, 1 daughter, thick Irish accent and sounds really old, lives in DC, currently in Gulf of MX on assignment and next gig is in Dubai. His workers also got in an accident (explosion) last week and he needs money to repair machinery, $137k, then as of yesterday he wanted 2 safe boxes to be transported to me via Delta Security Company in the UK, he was in a rush and left Jewels and $3.7M dollars cash there and wanted them delivered to me, but I had to pay for the delivery charge $8,750 lol... I'm glad I caught on before it was too late. He last sent me a good night text, I soon after sent him one telling him I caught on and of course he's not replied. I definitely dodged a bullet!
Lisa
November 05, 2018

In reply to by Disgusted

I read your text is same at mine. The guy work in Dubai private contract... was explosion 3 worker injury 2 in hopital 1 is dead ....ask me to send him alot of money's 15k already.. now he want me his Box. Alot of money's and gold cash. In box but I have to pay fee$ 10800 to get box ... I ask my friend say this is scam... tell me to stop it but I lost$ 17000 already
SameSame
January 31, 2019

In reply to by Disgusted

Same story here with me. I did not send or agreed to do what he asked. Nice educated and totally in love with me so I played him out as well. I knew altogether he was fake. He got an I-Tune from me of a 50 dollars though. He is quiet but I got his partner or maybe himself contact name and bank account because he wants me to wire money. I am reporting his scam right now. Ladies get over the fact that his stories are fake photos are not his and what he says is just to make you send him money or help him/her to commit a crime. Please report!
Richard01
October 17, 2018

In reply to by SoSad

Please be advised this same man with the same story has been doing the SAME thing to me... words with friends, hangouts, audio calls etc. Professes his undying love continuously!! Thomas Greg! What a scam artist!! Beware!
Really sad and sorry
February 24, 2019

In reply to by SoSad

Your guy sounds like mine. My guy was named Mark Forlan. He was supposed to be from the UK. Working in India setting oil pipeline. Had a daughter Eva. His mother was from the Bronx. His dad was English. He told me of course that he loved me. He had me send money from Western Union and money gram. To personal accounts and of course itunes cards. He started by saying he needed 1000 to get his building materials from the port because he didnt have enough money to do it because he had mortaged his house and car to buy all the materials because he was an independant contractor. Then his machines broke down and he needed 2,500 to fix it. And then it went on and on from there any excuse under the sun. I spent alot of money I didnt have. And I am still paying off bills.
DrBsBFF
September 13, 2018

In reply to by Tangosmom

Sounds just like the guy whose trying to scam me.. I’m playing along right now because my bank would love to see him behind bars as much as I would! Would love to see his picture if you have any! I’d sure love for this to be a real love! He’s everything I’d love to have if he were real!
Merrie
May 28, 2018

In reply to by paevere

would love to see photo this guy used over 9 have been scammed by Alex Kendrick. William Keith Cameron and Joseph Pellegrini. All have same photos sent to them of a man in CaliforniA
Bella
June 03, 2018

In reply to by Merrie

I don't think it matters how he looks like in pictures. He sent my aunt one but I don't even think it is him. The picture my aunt got from a Samuel Brown who's supposedly from Houston, Texas had sailboats in the background. From what I read, these scammers use a picture of a random white guy then they use a google number which is based in the US. I happen to work in technology so I have some tricks I am able to use to my advantage. These people get pretty savvy so please don't fall for their strategies. If they won't get on a video call and if they are professing their love without even seeing you or you seeing him, that is a glaring red flag.
tallgirl84
August 10, 2018

In reply to by Bella

My friend has been talking to "Jack Brown" from Dallas. Mid 50's. He send her. Video of him singing a love song, supposedly, dedicated to his dead wife. She says she video chats with him.... anyone else have a singer? He's been talking to her for 6 months and sent her money and never asked her for any
Lana
September 24, 2018

In reply to by Bella

Hello Bella. I am currently dating one guy on a secret mission in Syria. It has been going more than 4 months now. He is a Biochemist who was investigating on the chemical attacks in Syria. Of course we had no phone calls or video chats. He never asked for money, instead, he wants to send me his personal items with noncombat plane to my US address. I am not able to match his pics on the goggle search. He is about 38-40 years old, very handsome guy. Can you help me to decode this guy? Of course I can file with the on-line scam reports, but what if I am wrong and he is the right guy who really falls in love with me?
Linda
October 07, 2018

In reply to by Lana

I have had same story from the guy from Syria.claim he is TOP cardiac doctor who save life and need send his personal stuff to me. Even I told him I am married,not look for any relationship. He has a 11 years old daughter who is in boarding house. His name is Fred, even got message from Linkdoin! He immediately told that he like me or want to be with me or show my pic. Surely I dined. Also mentioned he lost his Wife 5 years ago due to breast cancer. Asked him, if he really need to send his belonging why not send USA storage service? Or ask any doctor who has family to help you? He said can not. Even he were real, I can not dare to risk to receive any unknown person stuff,if it were contain drug or illegal stuff? How? I am the one who go to jail.
MoCa
October 05, 2018

In reply to by Bella

So my aunt has a online relationship with a man. He claims that he is in the military. They have never met in person, and he asks for money from her. me and my cousin think he is a scammer I don't know what to do she doesn't want to listen to me! Check out his facebook and tell me what you think. Morgan tim
Lucky Girl
June 03, 2018

In reply to by Merrie

I have been talking to Alex Kendrick since February.... he told me he loved me and called me babe all the time. Never asked for money though. The photo he used was obviously taken in his younger days as he told me he was about to retire. How did he scam you?
Brokenheart805
June 07, 2018

In reply to by Lucky Girl

Hi Lucky Girl, Can you describe the guy you are talking too as we might also have the same guy. He too calls me babe, sweetie, darling, etc.
sharon 586
February 16, 2019

In reply to by Brokenheart805

I have a guy the same way calls me babe darling in all. He goes by victor albert. Has anyone talked to a victor albert?
Scammer
July 14, 2018

In reply to by Lucky Girl

My scammer used the name David Mosley. Lost his wife ten yrs ago going to retire from military going I special forces needed my information to make me his benificeray before he left fell in love with me less than a week. He has no family they all are dead.
Cautious53
August 01, 2018

In reply to by Scammer

I also had the same experience with David Mosley. Only difference is his mother is alive living in the Philippines. After 3 weeks of conversations on the phone and online he wanted me to set up beneficiary arrangements. I reversed all information and pictures to check him out and was unable to get any results. Then I found your comment.
David Mosley d…
December 23, 2018

In reply to by Cautious53

Had a similar experience with David Mosley. Claimed to be a Captain in the U.S. Army from St. Paul, MN, but attached to the Coast Guard Academy in CT. Secret Officer on a covert mission training soldiers. Could not leave the base, could not have any phone contact until his 2-3 month mission was over. Within 2 to 3 days, his profile was off the dating site, claiming that someone at the base reported him, so he had to take his profile down. He used protonmail.com, a very secure email where no one could find him. Wrote his phone number in words, not digits. Sent pictures of someone with his dogs (rotties) and then a couple more selfies from within a truck. Called me sweetheart, baby, honey. Fell in love with me within a week. Sent me a link to Ed Sheeran's Thinking Out Loud video. Wife died of cancer, daughter died in a car accident, mother returned to Russia. I played along with this jerk for awhile, saying all the things he wanted to hear. He was going to purchase a house at the beach in Virginia, but said he'd bring his dogs here and he would rent a place to see if our relationship could go to another level. I had done a lot of investigation on David Mosley and found a man in London who bore a striking resemblance to the man in the pictures. I emailed this man in London telling him that I thought that his identity had been compromised, but never received a response. I finally had enough of playing with this guy, so I told him I was broke, lived week to week (none of which was true), and never heard from him again. I wasn't going to get taken advantage of, but had a bit of fun playing around with this scammer. Beware of David Mosley.
EZ
November 06, 2020

In reply to by David Mosley d…

David Mosley is alive and well. He claimed to be a drilling engineer. The wife dies of cancer and 16 years old in boarding school. He had been talking to me for 5 months before he hit me up for a loan to fix a drill. I couldn't understand how a company would be on an oil rig without insurance to cover damages for an explosion. Besides, how does he not have an accountant to transfer and manage his money. This low life pretends to be a Christian. Great writer so beware. Fortunately, I did not take out the loan he desired to "help" him. He still texted me a couple of weeks when I said no. So it did leave me baffled why he would persist in calling me and reaching out to me. He even has a website for his company. His profile pictures never showed up on image reverse.
Detective
June 15, 2021

In reply to by EZ

What is David’s co name? Where does he say he’s from?
Detective
July 29, 2021

In reply to by EZ

From Austria- pics and emails also from daughter- flowers ring Proposal! Pics of passport social security card DL $950000 chk Pd to him for me to hold! Then wanted me to go into his bank acct electronically to move money! I can go on and on!
Falguni
January 01, 2019

In reply to by Scammer

I met the same person. What his company name is apex security company?
Rocky
October 31, 2018

In reply to by Merrie

Wow that exactly what I being true that one send me a cheap Pandora ring as a engagement ring promess me a real one when he came back he fake a hospital emergency and ask me to contact someone for a family treasure box and told them that I'm is wife and I want the box send on his name jonathan garrettson this is such a scam
Peggy sue
August 16, 2018

In reply to by kat

Does anybody no a soner hill oh I really want believe he isn’t a scammer wife died baby girl died and back in oct son die of cancer I felt so sorry for him please does any one no him
malcolmmolly12…
November 10, 2018

In reply to by paevere

Wow I think I had the same guy a couple other years ago same name and job he said he was all very sweet he told me the company he worked for so I had him checked out he didn't work there and he was on LinkedIn site looking for his next target he was a smart dressed guy with a moustache I am on Instagram I get hundreds of fake people asking me for allsorts please be careful loads of army guy most all fake please do need send money cards like Amazon or iTunes charities it's all rubbish they also say my wife is died honestly I don't think they've got any women left in America I am In England this scammers took 36 million pounds in England least year alone from women they target 30 to 50 knowing they have money please be safe Rebecca
Letsha
March 20, 2019

In reply to by paevere

Similar. I found a man which is older than me. He said he loves me, claiming to be polish. His son is in Spain and he currently lives in California city. He is an UN cargo Engineer. Everything was good for months til he just asked me for a iTunes card since he is overseas and he forgottake his credit card with him
gayle
March 27, 2019

In reply to by Letsha

I am a widow and have met over 50 guys on internet that say there engineers or work for U.N. ... There wives have all died they love you in days, there kids have Nannys or in Boarding school. My late Husband was an engineer, so they didn't ever seem to answer many or any questions I asked them. I was blessed with knowing right off there scamming people, how many out there is shocking. ... There stories are so much the same it's sad. Please don't send these men anything. They know woman are lonely when single and they play it up. The stories I've been told has really shocked me. be aware there also seems to be alot over seas they say. When they say there working for U.N. you can't always verify it. Don't believe anyone that starts talking love with out meeting you first. I know whatever they do they will get back in the end.
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