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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.

Search Terms
bank account
fraud
military
money transfer
online dating
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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.

Ronnie
March 16, 2019

In reply to by Terri

Does anyone know a Jeffery Martin's Gill from Keller, Virginia he says he needs money for airfare back 3000 he is stranded in Lagos, Nigeria for 13 years
Hramod
May 19, 2019

In reply to by Terri

I am dealing with the same scenario I've been scammed. He sent me his passport which looks photo shopped can you send me a copy. He claims to be stuck in london needs to pay the country 5000.00 stam duty fee . he goes be dennis jensen. I just want this man caught.
Akky
May 27, 2019

In reply to by Hramod

Sounds very much like something that was going on a few years ago. Guy was mostly using scandinavian names. Try to Google for "Greenland bank scam", you can check also images to see if it's him.
Terry
June 23, 2019

In reply to by Terri

Mine works at Norway oil rig. With 15 yrs old son , wife pass away in auto accident. Can we swap photos of this Guy?
Chervill
December 13, 2020

In reply to by Terry

Mine was David Roy. Smooth talker. From new jersey. On a rig in Sweden. Wife died of cancer and has son and daughter. Wanted me to send ps5 to his son. Said they are with nanny and his bank account was hacked. From almost day one he said he loved me and I need to trust him. When he sent address to me it was shipping company. I called him out and called him a fraud. He didn't like that at all. He became verbally abusive and i blocked him. I don't know how people send money to people they have never met but with men like him I see how he takes advantage of nice people.
Terry
June 23, 2019

In reply to by Terri

Does anyone of you manage to see the actual face of your guy? Or they have excuses not showing their faces and just send you photo which could be a stolen identity.
fooled me once
March 08, 2019

In reply to by Catfished no more

The guy I have been talking too says he is Italian. Can you send me a pic?
juanitamoray
March 26, 2019

In reply to by fooled me once

I'm talking to this guy and he said that he is Italian he is working in Africa. He wants me to let him have a package sent to me from Italy he said that it was his dad's that it has gold bars in it and also 12 million in cash and he wants me to hold it for him until his job ends next month
Smarter Than a…
April 04, 2019

In reply to by fooled me once

I want to send a pic of my guy. From Dublin Ireland Italian handsome 60's. Starting a gold business in the USA
Nannerz
January 22, 2020

In reply to by Smarter Than a…

Sounds very much like a guy I am talking to. Sent me pictures of him with his son and by himself. Can we exchange pictures?
garry1304
May 23, 2019

In reply to by fooled me once

I am chatting to an Italian now met him online said his wife died 5 years ago & has twin girls & is A director of marine engineering, he lives in Texas America & is sending all his possessions to me via a parcel company but I have to pay Tax & local fees. Can you send me a pic pls if you have one so I can see if it is the same guy who scammed you..Thank you
ariana
June 23, 2019

In reply to by garry1304

hello we have a same situation how can i send you the photo..
Freedom55
May 26, 2019

In reply to by fooled me once

I am talking to someone who says he comes from Portugal, lives in the uk but is working in Cairo, till the end of june, then he will marry me , and we can travel the world. He asked me to move our chat from tinder to whatsapp, i have been chatting for 3 days now, he hasnt asked me for money yet but his spelling is not good
Sorry and stupid
July 05, 2019

In reply to by fooled me once

I, too, am dealing with a man claiming to be from Italy. He says he is on an oil rig located deep in the North Sea. Claims he has a son. His wife was also killed about5 or 6 years ago in a car accident in Italy. Says his mother was American and his dad from Italy. Claims to have been raised there. I could sure use some help here. Some pics would be nice. Thank you ladies.
camdeDon't
November 18, 2019

In reply to by Sorry and stupid

I was scammend for man that he says is an engeenier. He said he is from texas. His father was italian and his mother from Huston Texas. He has a son, 14 year old. He asked me money because his son was in Nigeria. His mother has cancer... He says he is working at as rig engeenier. Someone knows this guy?
Crazybutnotdumb
October 28, 2020

In reply to by fooled me once

Was his name Lucas. On a rig off calif coast
Italian
June 16, 2019

In reply to by Catfished no more

I have a man named Gray Cox Italian blue eyes 5’11 nice looking. Emailed , texted, phone me for weeks confessed he loves me and had PS... sent me pictures. Had a contract to sell vehicles in Mexico City stuck in port for demurrage fees. Needs $120k. Said he will pay me as soon as he sells vehicles and can come home to me. He said he sold his home and all his money is going into this contract which will pay $12m and it will be ours.
Aranah
July 02, 2019

In reply to by Terri

I met someone name Lucas Antonio. I want to check his picture but I don't know how to upload it on google.
Lyre
December 11, 2018

In reply to by Shaylah8

I have a similar story, only this guy is in Kuwait. Can we exchange pictures?
Jumpup
January 10, 2019

In reply to by Shaylah8

This sounds like a guy i am talking to now on hangouts, he calls himself Curry Grandi, said his parents died in a car crash in poland, he is an only child, he tried to get me to pay for his daughters nanny as he had to stay on the oil rig longer than expected, the story now is that he needs £4000 to fix a crane, says he lives in Detroit, his wife died, he has a 17 year old daughter who has actually emailed me to say how happy i make her daddy, he had a picture on facebook, grey thinning hair, goatee beard, looked polish, in his late fifties, does this sound like your guy?
Don't use yYou…
February 10, 2019

In reply to by Jumpup

I'm sure this is the same guy I'm speaking with please I'm speaking with him now and wants money he said his name was Mike please let's exchange pictures
Jumpup2
March 08, 2019

In reply to by Don't use yYou…

My guy sounds and looks similar to yours. Mine has a 15 year old boy in boarding school in the UK. He is supposedly getting out the end of March
snookie
March 18, 2019

In reply to by Jumpup2

Have been talking to a guy on an oil rig, lost his wife in 2012, was raised in a orphanage after losing parents at a young age, and has a 15 yr. old son in boarding school in UK. Supposed to be retiring soon, and needs money to have his savings parcel sent to me to the tune of 3,800 pounds. Have only been communicating for 3 wks. Goes by Nathan. 61 yrs. old, beautiful blue eyes. Ring any bells??
tulip clewed
May 10, 2019

In reply to by Loren

I think I am talking to the same guy also. He has blue eyes, white/brown hair, a 16 year old daughter, born in Venezuela, adopted, works on an oil rig and is retiring soon. Says he from Austin Texas, Gorgeous person. But he asked me to marry him already. Interesting coincidence wouldn't you say.
peanut
April 01, 2019

In reply to by snookie

This man sounds very similar to a man I have been speaking to for almost 3 weeks. Ready to retire, 61 one yrs old with beautiful blue eyes. He is now asking for $3,000 so he can leave the oil rig and come to meet me. Is there anyway I can get his picture to see if it is the same guy?? Thanks
tulip clewed
May 13, 2019

In reply to by peanut

This is the same guy for each one of us. I did a image search and he is using pictures of a Canadian Male Model. Same story, came on really strong wants to marry. But let me please beg you ladies: Keep you money in your bank account. This person who is calling you is not the same as in the pictures. The guy in the pictures is innocent and he is not the one who is talking to you. As far as I could figure out, they are a scamming group from Namibia. PLEASE KEEP YOUR MONEY.
Pj
May 24, 2019

In reply to by peanut

Im talking to an engineer on a rig in the ukraine. Can i send you photo to compare?
maxwell
June 30, 2019

In reply to by Pj

I am talking to a fellow on an oil rig he has asked me to contact a fellow to send me his 10 million because the are changing management and it will be delivered by diplomat he made it sound legit
Mackenzie
July 02, 2019

In reply to by Pj

I met the guy from san antonio texas his 35 years old asian american guy ... his very love approach and ask for itunes card, he told his engineer oil & gas current reside at australia for contract and now his in bolivia ... this person seem scammer but pretend to be a real person as victim
Joel
December 09, 2019

In reply to by Mackenzie

Yes,,, i met this man use name as Robert Zhang... same story at Bolivia now, work offshores. Can u describe the man pic? He has a cat pic.. yeah.. he's scammer..
Unluckygirl
November 09, 2019

In reply to by Pj

Hi, I also talking to this guy working on oil pipes in Ukraine, early 50 yo, beared, 5"11, from TX.
Annette I have…
August 21, 2020

In reply to by Pj

I have been talking with this guy online for about five months nowhis contract was up and he still there he says that the he has to wait until they have a replacement I don't believe what I believe that I'm being scammed I wish that I could share a picture with somebody about it he's an engineer on an oil rig in thehe's working in the oil rig in the Netherlands
Golden State
June 20, 2019

In reply to by peanut

He is a SCAMMER , his picture is on scammer sight nationally know and several pics. He told me same, didn't ask for money right away. But needed money to get off rig, then money for a replacement. He will get mad when you don't send money, cards then he will ask for iPhone , gets very mad then he will stop sending you love songs, flowers ovet the net... NO MONEY
Worriers
June 25, 2019

In reply to by Golden State

This is a man that tried to get me to pay for copter to get him off a rig, said no then wanted me to pay for replacement$14,000. NO, THEN ask for iPhone 10 xs, NO he use to srnd love songs, very romantic sayings, kisses, called me queen, dearie and wanted to get married. Sent pic of ring said we said we are married now. I laughed and told him he was a SCAMMER of course he said he wasn't. I told him I turned him and his so called VO, vacation officer to the federal and govetment agent, guess what he stopped contacting me. He goes by the name : Aubrey Graham and his VO: George Scott of which I think is the same person. Brown, gray hair, blue eyes. He is using some one else's picture. He get mad at you real eady and says: you don't love your man? Or is this the way you will treat me in person? Beware!!!! You can pull him uphe is noted as National SCAMMER.
Smarter Than a…
April 04, 2019

In reply to by snookie

Nathan Anlon?? Italian looking handsome 60's . Wish I could post a pic of him
Towandakim
February 14, 2020

In reply to by Smarter Than a…

Ethan Zolani is who my friend is talking to. Mother is Italian and just died, wife died 10yrs ago, daughter going into air force, he's a financial investor, his pictures are of well dressed gentleman in fine clothing on marble stairs etc.
mbzbabe
March 01, 2020

In reply to by Towandakim

As of March 1, I started a conversation with Ethan Zolani from meeting on POF. He even has a LinkedIn account. Same MO.
ArtistJJ
March 04, 2020

In reply to by Towandakim

I am writing to Ethan Zolani for about 2 weeks. he says he is Italian, in New York and is financial advisor, and needs to fly to Italy tomorrow to see sick mother. LinkedIn profile supports what he says about himself. He met met on Plenty of Fish dating site. I got interested in him because he said he liked to hike a lot, and that is my interest. Then said he has no plans to hike. He has a daughter. He has called a couple of times and sounds Italian. He use of English in emails seems a bit rough for someone in international business deals. He also needs to go to Dubai soon. I think I will stop writing to him.
Scammer2023
April 09, 2019

In reply to by snookie

This Nathan has about 10 different names, his names were George, James, Nathan, Michael etc ,met him on words, ask me to open bank account after talking to him for 9 months,itune cards. I told him he is a scammer and didn't send anything, funny how he fell in love in a week. Please be careful
Carl
May 06, 2019

In reply to by Scammer2023

Hello I wanna be sure from this but I met this girl name Jennifer mcmackin through Instagram and she is in the military in Afghanistan and she wants to send me money and needs me to buy her a $50 steam card so she can activate her phone and now also to start a bank online
Twinkles16
June 21, 2019

In reply to by Scammer2023

Sounds like the same guy I’ve been talking with almost 2 yrs, he goes by the name Jason, J, jasonBri, Jason Brian. He an oil rig mechanical engineer. Met on WORDS. looks for middle age ladies, after 8 months started hitting me up for more info, then said I’m falling in love/having feelings for you. He is from the UK. Fell for him; hook, line, sinker.. I was all alone and then asks to add : HANGOUTS so we can have proper chats. Then asking iTunes for books.. next it was I google and the STEAM CARD. Worth more in UK. Story: Loss my wife to brain cancer, my only son died in accident, has his elderly mum w/caretaker while he’s working on oil rig in UK. Mid to late 50’s. He’s playing at least 8-10 women at a time. After asking for bank acct n cred card info I was out of his life so fast
Shorty1966
May 03, 2019

In reply to by snookie

Yes it sound very familiar but his name is Casey Jones and has short blonde hair.
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