Skip to main content

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.

Search Terms
bank account
fraud
military
money transfer
online dating
scam
Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Romance Scams

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.

JesseDon't use…
June 22, 2019

In reply to by Girlinterrupted19

I had the same thing only it was a woman it is a good scam she got me good she was very patient
Fooled me onc…
July 11, 2019

In reply to by Girlinterrupted19

Sadly, the same thing happened to me and I was foolish to send money to help one claiming to be a Commander in the US Military stationed Iraq. He wanted me to help him receivet his property until he has a leave in August. He claimed his unit received compensation from their Commander for successful mission and money was stored with a security company in Syria, that was closing down due to imposed tax increases, and all account holders had to claim their property or it will be turned over to the Government. I STUPIDLY agreed to help and in order to get his property the papers had to be transferred to my name which cost $$$. However, it didn't stop there, but more money was being requested for certain certificates for the diplomat delivering the box to get clearance at JFK Airport, otherwise I would be in trouble should the authorities scan the box and my name is listed as owner. Well, I got fooled once, but not again. They even have a fake Anti Fraud Agency with a gmail email contacting me for this money. They can keep the alleged box. I am NOT touching it or paying for nothing else! I have filed a complaint with the FTC and provided all details and contact info.
Why me
July 17, 2019

In reply to by Fooled me onc…

I’m in dealing with something similar. Anyone got pics the can share?
Doubts2
August 13, 2019

In reply to by Why me

I have someone I talk claims to be deployed we are connected at times it feels real ...other times I feel its a scam. He's sent me gifts, he's also sent me items to mail to.him. Who has pictures...lets weed these guys out.
Stuckonstupid
December 01, 2019

In reply to by Doubts2

If somebody knows how to show me or tell me how to upload pictures of this guy I would definitely most definitely do it but for some reason his web page does not allow pictures to get uploaded.
Military smart
September 29, 2019

In reply to by Fooled me onc…

The military never gives compensation for a successful mission. If it’s something big they’d get a ribbon or a medal. No bonus’s in US military. My brother is a ret Commander my son is a chief. Petty officer
janny
October 20, 2019

In reply to by Fooled me onc…

The same happened to me in September this year. General Clement Williams. He was orphaned at early age. Lost his wife in childbirth. 2 children in boarding school. Had to get a parcel out of Syria. We have never spoken as he told me they were not allowed to have phones etc. we texted. Promised the world. Wanted more and more money. I refused. Received plenty of photos, obviously they were stolen. I feel for the family of the person whose photos were illegally obtained.
irene
December 12, 2019

In reply to by janny

Where could we share photos of those scammers? This to me was Parker Willams and had 2 fb accounts. I think those scammers make 10-15 fb accounts and uses 1,2, or many of them when needed, He is widowed with one child (named Henry or Kelvin), orphaned from 10, no family ("he only got me") > he asked money on Amazon and Itunes cards, first small amounts, then went to do "bussiness" in Sudan and gets a bag with 1.000.000 that he wants to send me by red cross, I refuse, then his bag is stolen and he is starving from hunger, and wants money for food by bitcoin. He appears very religious, everytime thanks God for what he has. But never talks about his activities, or what he s really doing. He uses skype, hangouts, whatsapp. He has photos with a child. Attention, he is on sites about travelling and pets/animals, cooking recipees.
Poppy 45
September 13, 2019

In reply to by Girlinterrupted19

Iv been scammed the same saying.i must spend money over so his treasure box has all his things I'm it his name was jon Bowen bew8he bad news said he was a general ha ha which put for him
mytp.24
October 18, 2019

In reply to by Girlinterrupted19

do you have his picture? He say the same, gold briefcase with personal documents. Chinese, 54 years old, Doctor deployed to Yemen.
Lilly
November 20, 2019

In reply to by Girlinterrupted19

Do you have a picture by any chance? I had a similar story only he was stationed in Yemen!
Rhody
June 07, 2020

In reply to by Girlinterrupted19

It's a ruse, it sounds tempting and like you couldn't go wrong with it, but u have to pay for it, so I have learned. And he gets the money
Another victim
October 20, 2019

In reply to by Aleo71

I have the same story, I feel foolish. a man, was on a dating site, he made me be out of the site, wishing a private conversation through text. he said that he is a sargeant major of the army stationed in Afghanistan on a mission. he was telling me beautiful words, he is trying to make me fall in love with him. he was trying to take my heart, he writes me poems, very sweet, apparently, he speaks good English, he sent me a pic of him as a handsome man surfing, is not with the US army uniform but now i realized that is a scam, he says his name is Thomas Humphrey. i have not given any money. i have not been stolen. Good that I read these comments from you so I am going to block him right now.
Don't use your…
January 05, 2020

In reply to by MM19

Did you find out how to find location from gmail account ?
GiggyDon't use…
May 23, 2019

In reply to by kidney gurl

Omg me too an oil rig! I the gulf. I know it’s a scam. Named Allen??
PictureThis
June 10, 2019

In reply to by GiggyDon't use…

I’m going through oil rig scammer too Said someone impersonating him using his pictures yes I lost money. His name Henry Brown As daughter 12. Nanny wife died 2016 just got taken off Instagram by the real person whose if he took! But he swears he loves me! Lives California
Lea
June 14, 2019

In reply to by PictureThis

OMG that is the story I just got from a guy, Fred William, exact to a T.
becca51
June 17, 2019

In reply to by Lea

so the fred thats been talkin to me says he is from uk, but has lived in California for 28 yrs. wife died last year. he has a contract on a oil rig in the indian ocean. other money he says he has is invested in his company. he seems so nice and his words so genuine. i suspect a scam ...but sent 2 20 steam cards ..but iam not sending anymore. would like to know if he is the same person. i got a picture..he says williams is his last name.
Been there
July 01, 2019

In reply to by becca51

I think we might have been scammed by same person. Can you send me his pic to compare?
Olivetupas
November 21, 2019

In reply to by Been there

Im talking last name williams so far he did not ask anything on me..someone talk last name williams can you sent the pictires if the same guy im talking now.bcoz he also in rig oil nd contractor.thnz
Smile
July 12, 2019

In reply to by becca51

Hi becca51, i was also scammed on the early weeks of june this year, his family name was also williams, i met him on skout, he said he was working on an oil company, and he said he sent me a gift pack with a lot of item gifts, and if ever the custom would be asking me clearance fee, he said i should pay just to avoid the delay. So was thing that it wad so different coz i never asked him any gifts, so i confronted him that he is a scammer, he got mad at me, then i blocked him and reported to the app
Linda
June 15, 2020

In reply to by Smile

I got one sending me expensive items after he got a new job for celebration. His profile is now deleted after he got the job. Only met him on FB Less then 2 weeks. Always said I should be treated like a queen. The company claim to call me but contact me via WhatsApp and ask for $2500 for fees. I Check the delivery website. It seems fake. They only want to communicate via WhatsApp.
Debrah
July 13, 2019

In reply to by becca51

I think we were talking to the same person he called himself Jack Williamson was a contractor working out Alaska, told me how much money he was going to get once the job was done. Caught him a lie and toasted him I have his licence with photo if you want to compare
Rhody
June 07, 2020

In reply to by Debrah

He probably hacked that license. You think u got him cornered and they change their name and picture for the next victim. Same thread, I need money.
Loarli1
July 22, 2019

In reply to by becca51

Would his name be David Walter William's. Sounds like the same guy whose asking me to send play store cards, itune cards. Now he wants 15,000. To dock a boat so he can retire from his project.
Chelo
November 04, 2019

In reply to by becca51

Omg we need to get those guys oil ring widow nine yrs ago 16 yrs old daughter from Italy but lives in Houston Texas. I didn’t send no money He said his wallet get into the ocean and he had a little accident send me pictures and everything about his Mom, daughter, accident, him cooking barbecue,etc. When I refused to send money he got “upset” bc I didn’t trust him lol. His name ya Jerry Fredrick duende sounds Italian at all. I can show his pictures
FAYE
November 11, 2019

In reply to by Chelo

Same guy now going by the name of Dr Robert Wilson from Texas originally from Italy working in sudan as a orthopaedic surgeon has a 15 year old daughter, wife did 5 years ago
Patterson#4
July 03, 2019

In reply to by PictureThis

I am being scammed by oilrigger. His name is Frank Coherl. IAM 73 year widow. I have sent him money. I want to believe him. I enjoy his sweet words. I have accused him of being a scammer, tried to break it off several times. I need to see a picture, I ask God to give me strength todo so. Please send picture
Rhody
June 07, 2020

In reply to by Patterson#4

The oil rigger didn't get me, the marine did.they all describe a pitiful situation, then prevail upon ur kindness and mercy and ask for money. They change their name and the pictures with every victim
ronnieBurgess6…
July 06, 2019

In reply to by PictureThis

My mum has been talking to a guy called Richard but I think he is a scammer he is now saying he has been stopped by Indian customs and has to pay 10.000 dollars to get his so called drill through and needs my mum to help him he says he has a daughter and works for himself etc omg I'm.so angry with these filthy people can anyone help she has got photos of this con man
Linda
August 29, 2019

In reply to by ronnieBurgess6…

Yes I would like to see photos. Is the lady name Alen??? My guy is from Belguim
DontBeFooled
January 14, 2021

In reply to by Linda

Linda, I was also contacted by a man who said he was born in Belgium, living in Texas with daughter (wife died 12/8/16 car accident) and has gov’t contract in Cairo. Anyone else?
Vanillachicken
November 14, 2019

In reply to by ronnieBurgess6…

Did this Richard person have a last name? I've encountered a man by the name of Richard Tuan Hieu. Says he's a contract drone pilot for the military. Has a 6yr daughter named Jen/Jenny, nanny named Susan who cares for her while he's overseas. Any of that sound familiar?
Tubbs1234
January 05, 2020

In reply to by ronnieBurgess6…

Says his name is Richard Batten 56. He says his birthday in January 31 and he will be 57. Says he is a civil engineer who won a million dollar contract in Singapore. Has an accent. Talked for a few weeks. He loves me and wants to spend The rest of his life with me. Doesn't think there is a women left in world like me. He calls me baby and honey. His needs money for tools for his project Working on in Singapore. He says the company took them away because he didn't pay for them yet. It is a bridge and 55 story building. I new was a scam all along. Set him up to ask for money. He needs 27,000 dollars then can get his tools back and come home to me. I played the game smarter than him. Made him think I was going to deposit 27,000 to a company in China. He gave me an account named Triangle Tire Company LTD. Three times I made myself so believable about depositing money. Finally called him out and he says he will always love me Then he can't stand me because i has sent him messages about number 8 and 9 commandments being my favorite. Which are about not lying and stealing. I also told him I was 395 pounds after the 3rd time I said I was going to send him money. I wish he was caught and put in jail for fraud. It was hilarious. What losers these people are. They are using exact same kind of stories. After all was over I sent him back a picture of one he sent me of a dark haired man sitting on a sign In Kenya on equator. I asked him if he new who that guy was cause I would pay 30,000 for him. Made him so mad I told him so sorry he worked so hard on me and didn't get money. He admitted he was a scammer.
WWW
August 07, 2019

In reply to by GiggyDon't use…

Alan? Lost his wife 6 years ago! Yes he is a scam. From Columbia & lives in Jersey City NJ
Rhody
June 07, 2020

In reply to by GiggyDon't use…

Allen was on POF. Kept calling me baby. I saw this on another woman's story. Naturally he needs money. Some preditors are recognizable their MOs are similar
Linda
July 06, 2021

In reply to by Rhody

This man his name is Richard Alen from Belgium was married wife died of cancer has a daughter that’s going to a British school in Belgium worked for Chevron oil company as a contractor On a oil rig needed money always needed money he really had me fooled for a while. Told me that the phone he was using belonged to a friend that It didn’t have a camera and they weren’t allowed to have camera phones on the oil rig for security and each time I called the phone the message was for Louis and then I come to fine he’s using the name of Louis Alexander as well
mikey59
June 03, 2019

In reply to by kidney gurl

Do you know the name of the Lt General you talked to in Afghanistan?
Not Trusting
September 04, 2019

In reply to by mikey59

The person I spoke to was Lauren Ediger wanting to ship a consignment box.
Marl
June 21, 2019

In reply to by kidney gurl

Has anybody come across a guy called Micheal Scott? Saying in the UN based out of Syria?
mamaree9244
July 04, 2019

In reply to by Marl

I have been corresponding for 14 months with a UN person supposedly a USArmy Brigadier general named Dave Rogers originally from NC with a 16 year son in boarding school inParis. Until a few days ago he had asked for small amounts on ITUne cards to be se not to his son. Then he hit me with a whammy!! He had come into a huge amount of money which he was sending to me from Syria via Dubai but I have to pay the shipping company almost a thousand dollars to retrieve it. I said NO, find another patsy.
Justice465
July 20, 2019

In reply to by mamaree9244

Two guys !!! Yes real pros . One Gulab Ansare Brigadier General in Afganistan with 16 year old son ... constant demand for money to help Alvin. Other a man with a 20 year old daughter ... in financial disposition ... needing cash until his paid out for a contract his doing. Both claim love and yet they're abusing y emotionally, mentally . be warned ladies we are amongst woves in sheep's clothing.
Twosweet70
July 18, 2019

In reply to by Marl

My mother-in-law is talking to a Michael Scott for the last 2 weeks he is out on an oil rig he says he has adopted a daughter lives in Texas I believe he is a scammer but I'm trying to prove it to her
Audro99
January 25, 2021

In reply to by Twosweet70

I am talking to a man supposedly to be on the oil rig I would love to see a picture of the one you talk to
Raeme
December 02, 2019

In reply to by Marl

Yep, he’s been attempting me to give him iTunes, Bitcoin for a new phone, telling me I don’t care about him. Well I keep twisting it back. Sadly this guy took the identity of someone I attempted to reach out to (supposedly the husband) won’t call, told me he’s in Albania at a closed base. Makes 7K, has a son Logan staying in TN with his Aunty. It’s been fun messing with him for many months now.
Return to top