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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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Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Romance Scams

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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.

GYPSY
June 28, 2018

In reply to by Don't use your…

My "friend's story real similar -"Joshua" engineer, born in Germany, schooled in Minnesota working for company in San Antonio providing large construction equipment, doing very big projects - a base in Syria He loved me from the get go and called me...princess, babe, honey,widowed, Anabel - daughter and Spencer the son. Couldn't help myself - so suave, scheming, persuasive, sneaky, conniving - nice looking but a liar and a steelor. I am very lucky my money gram was not authorized for 1000 pounds for a field trip for his fake? kids.
Big Maw
July 18, 2018

In reply to by GYPSY

Any one knows a Irish speaking man about 58-59 years old works on oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Had a teenage daughter name Sarah in boarding school. Lost his wife from breast cancel about 5 years ago..has Mercedes Q6 and something else. Ask for iTunes and bitcoins too. Wants to marry me I’m his queen etc and etc ..lives in New Jersey area please let me know goes by the name Kevin
Molly By Golly
July 25, 2018

In reply to by Big Maw

Does the name Walker Glover or Dr. Walker Evans1 sound familiar to anyone??? He says he’s an Orthopedic Surgeon in Syria with National Security Council. Says he’s been with the United Nations Security for 25 years as A Chief Executive Director and as an Emergency Physician. Permanent Residence in Jacksonville, Florida. His wife was killed years ago in an automobile accident. He has one Son Jerry in a very exclusive boarding school in the UK. This story sounds very similar to many I have read in this site. Does any of this sound like anyone else’s story????
Annabelle
August 20, 2018

In reply to by Molly By Golly

Watch out! Definitely a scammer! I ran into the same person on internet this month and I almost tricked by him. He found me on a dating app called CMB and then asked me to chat with him on Wechat immediately. His fake name is Harry Chung / Shane Harry, pretending to be a Chinese. He claimed that he's an orphan and working as an Orthopedic Surgeon in Syria as well. We had talked for weeks and he kept sweet-talking me since the first day. A couple days ago he claimed that his camp was attacked by terrorists and some of his colleagues were killed. He then asked me to keep his life savings for him by delivery those things to me and need me to put the money into my bank account. Then I started to google him, I found out that his photos were all fake and I believe that he’s originally from middle east or place like Indonesia. Remember, DON’T fall for strangers online easily!
Claire
December 10, 2018

In reply to by Angel

They are all the same. My scammer alleges that he’s a widower from Los Angeles with a 10 year old daughter. He is a supervisor engineer presently on a rig in the Gulf of Mexico. We have been chatting for about six months. He loves to write poetic verses. His giveaway is his poor grammar and sentence structure. He sent a picture, supposedly of himself and his daughter , (looks photoshopped.) According to the picture he is a white male, 5’5 “ has grey hair, a slight mustache and beard. He goes by the name of R. Anderson. The usual M.O. he’s madly in love with me, wants to marry me and has never met me face to face. He also has an accent which sounds foreign and high pitched. Yesterday he finally said, “I have to ask a favor of you.” I have wasted too much time on this scammer and I am no longer replying. If he sounds familiar , please reply.
Fooled101
January 22, 2019

In reply to by Claire

Jeffery Anderson has a 10 year old son, mum looks after him, light skin grey hair, native American apparently engineer supervisor works In Atlaska from LA California
Jean
March 04, 2019

In reply to by Claire

I am talking to someone right now with the same story . He does have a hi pitched voice the picture he used is one of the top 50 scammers I have lots of pics. His wife died in car crash daughter Susan is 10 in boarding school in calif. the daughter is blond and he is dark I want to say India . We use hangout he asks for iTunes cards now he wants to come here when he gets off the boat he said he ha 3.1 million invested in the oil rig. He sends me stock pics they are all scammers his name is songs williams
Tbrewster
April 16, 2019

In reply to by Claire

I think thats the guy ive been chatting with he goes by thd name Earnest Adalberto widowed 4 years with a 11 year old daughter. I would like to see your picture of him and his daughter
T. L.
June 15, 2019

In reply to by Molly By Golly

He is a scammer. He will ask money for his son to buy foods, then his dying mom. A doctor asking for money? Block him right away. Few days later he will change his name and pictures and reach out again. Never showed his face when on video calls. He will disconnect the calls and tell you bad connection. The last time he asked to sponsor him to US with a form I must fill out. The form that if I leave him when he is in the US, I still be responsible to support him for years. Be very careful. Just run and block.
Scam man2019
November 21, 2019

In reply to by Molly By Golly

Sounds like James Williams Abbott he was a orthopedic doctor in Syria. His son is in boarding school he is 9 , wife died 5 years ago from cancer . He asked me what do you think if I change his boarding school . I said do it if you want to . Then he tells me it will cost 4050 to fly him there with accompanying adult because he is a child . And in Syria you can not send or receive anything out of the country .,he wanted me to pay and he will pay me back when he gets his tour done . He said he was 64 , has house in Italy and. From CA
Vonski
September 17, 2018

In reply to by Big Maw

I had a similar experience with an Irish/Italian speaking man for over a year last year. He was 57. Met him on match.com. Said he was from Atlanta, GA. Divorced 6 yrs. Previously lived in Houston. Was a mechanical engineer on oil rigs for Mobil. Had one daughter named Ella. Went by the name Kelly McGill. He scammed me out of money. Then tried eharmony and met a guy named Wilson Scott, also goes by Eric Johnson, whose wife died of breast cancer 5 years ago. He is 60. Also said from Alpharetta GA. Has one daughter living in Canada. He was supposed to be 1/2 Polish and 1/2 American. He claimed to be a construction contract working who won a big contract in Turkey. needed all kinds of money because he said his computer in his luggage was stolen and he needed money to buy a new one or he couldn't complete his contract. Your situation sounds like a combination of my two.
Honeybabe
December 07, 2018

In reply to by Big Maw

In involved with a kevin peterson111 on ig, he says he is very wealthy, owns his own oil company, has a daughter named Sarah, very handsome man. lives in fla. was working on an oil rig in tx and is now in Japan. Told me he lost his credit card while in tx. Now listen to this, has no money on him, yet he was able to fly to Japan, take taxi ride to his hotel, stays either in the rig or the hotel, eats every day, all this with no money!!!! His daughter Sarah is 8 and stays with a nanny in Citra Fla while he travels, when he was on the plane he sent me a picture of him holding up a drink, cheers im on my way. He paid my credit card debt, had me buy him itune cards with it and then the money bounced in my credit cards. He blamed his banker for the error. Now he pays them again and is waiting for them to clear so I can get him more itune cards. I looked him up on Pineye with his pictures and he has 8 different names, he has no accent at all on a video on Pineye but when he calls me from the rig he has a heavy scotish accent. I now know he is a scammer and all my CC cards are cancelled and different numbers have been sent. He is also on KiK as Kevin Peterson07. His wife left him for his best man and he has full custody of his daughter. And like everyone else story on here he is in love with me, wants me to move to fla with him but he will be home from Japan around Christmas time and is flying directly to me for a long vacation. Wants me to find an apt nicer that whre I am living and he will pay the rent. He is waiting for more itune cards from me today but instead i keep giving him excuses why i cant get to the store. I am going to report him first thing tomorrow morning. He called me this morning from the rig and there was a kid voice in the background. Mind you he is in the middle of the ocean supposedly in a rig. Why do they all say they are either doctors, army or oil people? anyone out there know him
concerned
February 10, 2019

In reply to by Honeybabe

When he paid off your credit cards, were they really paid off or did you eventually owe that balance again?
Robinrbell
August 16, 2018

In reply to by Don't use your…

I think I'm being scammed by a guy that friended me in Facebook and says he's in Syria how do I find out if he is real?
Sad but concerned
October 11, 2018

In reply to by Don't use your…

Sounds like same man..do u have a photo?
So so sweet ...
September 12, 2018

In reply to by Help please 101

Omg I think I'm being scammed by the same guy I talk to monophone every day and sent text messages to me all the time tells me he loves me wants to marry me his daughter Poseable he emails me goes by the name of William Aaron keeps asking for iTunes cards for his daughter supposedly she's in Turkey and electric tomorrow and him are supposed to come to see me asked me to marry him... I make him happy I'm so so sweet says he's from Brazil help if this sounds familiar unfortunately I'm already in love with him
Lost1015
September 29, 2018

In reply to by So so sweet ...

I also feel that is the same person he has been asking me for iTune cards and also says that he's is coming for me in October wands me to meet his daughter. Also that he is from Brazil
TLL2007
May 30, 2018

In reply to by MomD313

MomD313 please I need to get in touch with you. If someone could help us I will appreciate. Thanks
Lorettacordial
June 06, 2018

In reply to by MomD313

Plz post a pic cause my friend basic said the same thing but his name is James Wilson said he’s in Canada working left his is and Visa card at home and all ways wanting money for plain ticket
A damn shame
June 11, 2018

In reply to by Lorettacordial

I do believe I am being scammed. The person claims to be from Tennessee, mentioned that their family is deceased (mom and dad) is an only child and was raised by his uncle. One thing that stood out the most to me was when he mentioned that his "mom was run off by a motorist" no one from the U.S. says anything to that magnitude especially from Tennessee. I'm awaiting an answer from a few friends who attended the same high school this guy claims to be from. Within the first day of chatting he asked for a $50.00 ITunes card so he could download music while out on patrol. Then proceeded to say his birthday is June 24th and asked if I would send him something's. I told him that I couldn't do any of that without me hearing his voice and video chatting with him. Being that we communicate via Google Hangouts. Although he's sent me pictures and videos, I'm just on the fence about the situation. And what makes me feel its a scam is the same first name in which many of you have mentioned "James" but a different surname of Jackson who claims he's A Staff Sergeant stationed in Kabul Afghanistan on a Peace keeping mission. Can someone post a pic of their guy.
fool4love
July 16, 2018

In reply to by A damn shame

The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. Asking for an iTunes gift card. Saying he was on a peacekeeping mission. He has sent videos and pictures of himself. I think sadly I have been scammed. He first messaged me on Instagram and then we began chatting on WhatsApp. I feel so dumb to start believing this guy. I think it’s a scam
CatchingCatfish
May 23, 2019

In reply to by fool4love

I am pretty sure I have the same individual contacting me. Similar story line. His Instagram is jamesf90f. If you could check it out and see if there are any similarities that would be awesome.
That's a scam
July 18, 2018

In reply to by A damn shame

That's definitely a scam bro
Jayne1975
July 23, 2018

In reply to by A damn shame

He is a scammer. James Wilson daughter sandy. Report him
Little angel
September 19, 2018

In reply to by A damn shame

Hello dam shame..I am talking to a guy right now that claims he is in the marines..from California and is stationed in Ukraine on a peace keeping mission...last name Jackson! I have pics as well. Please get back to me
Renacoachman
October 15, 2018

In reply to by Little angel

Can you send me a picture of Jackson, I I have been scam
rnmom83
November 17, 2018

In reply to by Renacoachman

Can you send me a pic as well? I think the same thing is happening to me... same person...
Ebj6123
October 18, 2018

In reply to by Little angel

Can u plz dhow me a pic cuz I've been talking to someone with the same story diff name
helpagalout
October 29, 2018

In reply to by Little angel

Can you describe what he looks like if you cant upload a pic? What is he build etc?
Lucymedinal12
October 16, 2018

In reply to by A damn shame

Lol I have a Story similar to yours he claims his name is Benedict George stations in Kabul Afghanistan peacekeeper I’m going to try to send you a picture of him and see if it’s the same person
Disappointed
June 13, 2019

In reply to by A damn shame

This is similar, I believe I am also been scammed by this guy, goes by the name of Alex Raymond Festus from Miami, FL, 49 yrs old, an only child both parents died in a car accident, raised by an uncle. He says he is in the Army on a peace keeping mission in Iraq. He requested follow on instagram then he said to get an app for kik to chat more privately. A week into chatting, he was professing his love for me & wants to marry me. From the beginning this felt like a scam but continued chatting with him to see how far it went. Well three weeks chatting, (at this point I was not responding to his messages) until he sends me pic of an injury supposedly he sustained while in patrol, injuring his knee, big, wide, open cut on his left leg. I felt quilty for ignoring him. He said Dr wanted to do surgery as soon as possible but they needed $500 to do surgery & that he didn't have the money as he had not received his salary. He wanted me to send him the money as his future wife. I knew this was coming! I told him I didn't have money yet until Friday & if he could wait to have surgery until then. He was so charming and all. I know the picture on his profile is not him, when I started chatting with him there was a picture of a different man. I fell for the guy in the picture, but I knew it was too good to be true. Another thing is how he would text, would not spell correctly but sometimes would tell me lovely things. I will not be sending him money. I even asked him if he was trying to scam money from me, he said no, that he was not like that. Right!! Very disappointed!
Miss Skeptical
July 08, 2018

In reply to by MomD313

Did he have earplugs in at the airport and was wearing a button up shirt with a red tie? Does he have heavily moussed hair on the top? Does he have a pug dog? Sounds like Marcel Zachary, who claimed to be from San Diego, CA.
msscherri73
October 25, 2018

In reply to by Sillygirl

I don't know if I'm being scammed I met him on instagram know we chat on the hangout app he says he is miliarty he has never ask me for money nut I can't find him on internet
Misob50
January 30, 2019

In reply to by msscherri73

I am going through something similar. Was his name Gary Murray?
Don't use your…
May 02, 2020

In reply to by MomD313

Man they are good, He used the name Mark Giavonni. With me an oil well eng in Texas with two daughters Sara and alondra . Wife died and no parents. German so his accent was explained. I met him playing scrabble and. He rushed me off of there and wanted me to use hangout app. Wow. thankfully I thought I would look up his name to see just in case, I am glad because he just brought up his daughters bday and that he is out at sea so he can’t get her anything.
Mumla
November 12, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

Well this is interesting... an Italian person, going by the name of Barry Guccio, started a Scrabble game with me about 4 weeks ago. Chatted via the site then asked for chat on WhatsApp which I agreed to. He’s allegedly divorced, two children at primary school age. They apparently live in the States.. he’s “recently” flown to Iceland as a contractor on the rigs. Quite over the top in his emotions which I’ve not reacted to. So yesterday he asked me if I could assist him with sending monies to a charity $300k if you please!! He’s suggesting he give me his bank account details so I log in and do the transaction!!! Errrr NO.
thoughtIWasIt
May 14, 2018

In reply to by Tangosmom

Tangosmom, I think I have found your scammer he too is extremely handsome. Wife passed 5 years ago during child birth, from Italy moved to Austin, TX 5 years ago with his 12 yrs daughter Benny and 9yr old son David. He to is a Marine Engineer he is going by the name of Michael Guccio and that his machine blew up and needed 3800.00 for repair have not sent any money to him at all, he told me I was the love of his life that he didn't feel this way toward his wife, it really freak me out when he called via facebook and he wasn't Italian at all. that is when I block him and reported it.
Help please 101
May 30, 2018

In reply to by thoughtIWasIt

I think i'm being scammed too. What did yours look like? Mine is light brown to dark brown Fiftish. A construction engineer slim to medium built. French
Learned My Lesson
June 01, 2018

In reply to by Help please 101

He’s Italian not French. Don’t you send him anything!! Block and delete immediately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fooled?
December 12, 2018

In reply to by Learned My Lesson

Can someone send me a pic of the Italian? I’m speaking to one now. Tried to look him up via his phone number and am getting nothing.
penipuan
January 24, 2019

In reply to by Learned My Lesson

I had scam with Italian man name reuben good looking man, his real scammer please carefully with him, he had 2 daughter went to private school in England after I check that not school address. on line dating mostly scam not real they are look for partner but they are make money from on line dating, I had scam from Zooks, Match,Com the man in this side mostly scam.
Beverley
January 16, 2020

In reply to by penipuan

A guy who contacted me through Plenty of Fish tried to scam me. He goes by the name Gabriel Rueben. He's very good looking in the photo. We corresponded through email, never met. He said he was divorced twice, has a son from his first marriage, his second wife died giving birth. He speaks French and has a Caribbean accent. He wanted to send me a check in his name from a civil engineering job he did. I told him don't send me the check. Luckily I avoided being scammed. If I had been willing to receive his check he would have asked me for a loan. I know this because of a nearly identical scam I heard about.
Helpingafriend
August 22, 2018

In reply to by Help please 101

I believe my coworker is too..53 years old light skinned with a suit on
Ladyinred
September 01, 2018

In reply to by Helpingafriend

By any chance is he a ship captain? It will become his last trip since he will tender resignation once he arrive in Spain. Age around 56. He sent me so many photos and I found that its the photos of Captain Sxxxa
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