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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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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.

Julie
December 19, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

I talking to a Chris Thomas too, what does he say to you. That he needs money for a broken crane. And he has to fix that to finish his contract?
Julie
December 19, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

I can share pictures with you and compare if this is the same guy. If it is I got much to tell
Julie
April 09, 2020

In reply to by Twinkle12002

How does he look, and how does he talk to you
noah
June 05, 2020

In reply to by Julie

Please same happened to me,with a guy who presume he is a ship navigator his so called name is alex phillip 2343 on instagram Then told me to chat on instant message He quickly confess that he loves me etc,i was a fool to believe each his words,we chatted he did everything for i to trust him,this week he told his ship will land in Poland and hes planning to send me some gifts for my birthday,i said i dont need gifts but he insisted and ask to give my address he sounded to be honest,The next day he told me he already sent the gifts which contains expensive things he even showed me picture s of the package,i told him we never met why sending expensive gifts,he said he wants to show how he care etc,he told me i just need to pay custom clearance $750 to be able to get the package The very next day a man who stated he works at custom services he whatapp me by telling me there is a parcel from Mr alex philip from Poland and it has been transit to airport rajiv gandhi and i need to do the payment of $750 then between 24hours i will get the delivery I was being fooled i did have doubt but was afraid also,i told the man its lockdown here i cant give via western union he then said to transfer via bank,he send details of bank account and name ,it was a personal name from kuala lumpur He keeps on pestering me :madam did you do the payment?,finally i transferred the money to this account,i asked the liar alex philip why is it not a company name,he said it might be a secretary account ,he even said he put $30,000 in the parcel,i said i didnot ask neither gifts nor money then why put money he said its a sign to show his love and he will be on vacation by the end of may he will come visit me etc,the money he will use when he come ,he was in a hurry thats why he did not have other way than to put the money in the package Then i truly feel its just totally a story which i have been fooled I told the so called man to re send the parcel to the sender Alex,i dont want any parcel Its ok i have lost $750 which is huge amount but wont be fooled again I then bloked both number But today the so called man from fake custom text from other number and telling me he couldnt get the sender and the parcel is being scanned thus i know that he will ask for money again I re block this new number I am stressed how could i believe all that I lost money but thank i read all your story at the right moment which is similar to me I then know it was all fake just to take money from us Please beware
being scammedb…
December 27, 2019

In reply to by Julie

Hi I have been talking with a Chris Thomas and he knew stuff about me so thought I was talking to my childhood sweetheart but he was a fraud. Said his wife died during childbirth blah blah. Thought I was helping a honest friend but he actually was cheating me the whole time
Julie
December 31, 2019

In reply to by being scammedb…

Do you have any pictures of Chris Thomas to compare. Because I got the same story
beingscammedbigtime
January 18, 2020

In reply to by Julie

Hi Julie, yes I have pictures he told me he was a doctor and even till today he is playing me saying he is now sick in hospital and needs money so he can leave and has bills. The pics he sent me are fake and videos are fake and he stole my childhood friends identity.
Julie
January 22, 2020

In reply to by beingscammedbigtime

Hi, beingscammedbigtime, got some pictures too, he tells me he is on a oil rig, wonder if he is the same? Is there some way we can share pictures? Or do you have any mailadress he use?
skyeward0912
March 21, 2020

In reply to by Julie

I talking to Chris Thomas working on an oil rig and have a broken drill bit A daughter in boarding school in the USA And a matron how talks care of her when he is away working his wife died 6 years ago of rector cancer
Sky
May 02, 2020

In reply to by skyeward0912

Your probably talking to Chris thomas too. You can see his pic if you google chris Thomas scammer it comes up under their as well. So you type. Chris thomas scammer*. And it shows you a lot. He also is under john Christian Neville as well. Also under Helmsley. Check it out this maybe your man.
Jill
April 26, 2020

In reply to by Julie

this Jeff Miller, gray hair, nice looking.....wasn't looking for romance but is trying to offer money to retirees now if they pay him $2000 they will get a large sum check? have you heard this one?
Chris56
July 26, 2021

In reply to by Jill

Hi, do you have a picture from Jeff Miller? Does he has a tougher in US study medicine?
Chris Thomas
February 22, 2020

In reply to by Julie

Chris Thomas is a scammer from Cleve hts Ohio. Widow with a daughter in boarding and their is a nanny too. An engineer on a contract needing money always for cards bitcoin and triplex mud drill. Be ware
julie
February 26, 2020

In reply to by Julie

Yes I have many pics. He’s Italian 61 years old 6’5. Mustache and beard groomed. Partially bald with short haircut working on contract in Gulf of Mexico for islands operations. We can’t exchange photos on here. His daughter is a light brown haired girl in boarding school too in ohio
Scammedbigtime
January 28, 2020

In reply to by Worried

I had the same thing Chris Thomas told Me he was a doctor and sent me photos of items He sent me and then the money payments happened. Does anyone have a picture of him or his Facebook Profile ID Info
Julie
January 27, 2020

In reply to by Scammedbigtime

Bigscammed can we try too compare the photos in some way
beingscammedbigtime
February 02, 2020

In reply to by Julie

I sent a comment with a email i set up but looks like we cannot share that info online as that message has not been listed here. I am not sure how to get you a contact info point so that we can compare images. How is he talking to you. Email, mobile phone, whatsapp or messenger
Julie
February 03, 2020

In reply to by beingscammedbigtime

Beingscammedbigtime, to bad we cant share in this page. He use hangouts and gmail, talked to him in the phone many time. Avoids every question and get hurt when I tell him that I know he use a scamprofile. 52 years born 5 february. Wife dead in a carcrash. Have a son. Seen all the real pictures from the pictures he use from the real mans photos and his family. And he know that but dont admit anything. Lives in NJ, now in the gulf of mexico, need to fix the crane to complete his work
beingscammedbigtime
February 13, 2020

In reply to by Julie

Hi julie, yeah mine was wife died in childbirth and has daughter all images are off the fake profile he used. Told me he stuck in india fixing our package and money issue but now he has medical bills and immigration issues wont admit to me either that he is a scammer. Still acts so nice when he calls me
Chris thomas
February 26, 2020

In reply to by Worried

He uses marinechristhomas@ also and has an area code of 347 from New York too
Waitress60
April 24, 2020

In reply to by Worried

I was talking to a donaldchristhomas. After 5 days asked me all kind if weird questions .When I wouldn't send money he asked for my username and password.. How do you get pictures to one another to see if its same person?
ttwomdale
September 30, 2019

In reply to by kklvzya

i’m looking into someone who may be a cat fish - Larry Dean. structural engineer. ??? reply asap pls
Claire
February 09, 2020

In reply to by kklvzya

Could he also use the name Ryan Taylor, he is widowed. Has a daughter named Michelle. He is in Cologne, Germany. Build a hotel. Suddenly, became ill. He says he lives in Houston, Texas. Went to NYU. Has no family. Very good speller, punctuated well. Very, very articulate.
Cjw108
July 11, 2019

In reply to by Chori

I’ve been talking to a man sounding just like your man he said he’s a marine from Italy has a daughter in boarding school Sonia
Blondie
August 01, 2019

In reply to by Cjw108

Im speaking with scammer im sure, says hes a diamond trader, daughter caller Sonia, says he's Italian calling me babe Queen,,, wants to be with me forever, he says he's going to Poland to do his deal but hasn't asked for money yet...waiting, going by name of Diego also has cat called Sassy!!!
Stupid girl
December 12, 2019

In reply to by Blondie

I've been talking to this guy named mark says he lives in texas but just went to poland for a 2 month contract hes a marine engineer he has a son named Kelly in Africa in school his wife died 4yrs ago to cancer he calls me queen wife his love says he will marry me when he gets back in the states he asked me for $ yesterday to replace the mud thing for oil I told him I dont have $ he knew that I'm about to loose my truck he said hes gonna get fired I told him I cant help now he thinks I'm not being honest with him and calls me more than he used to I have a lot of pics a very handsome guy and a birthday I cant find him anywhere on google I'd like to find this person I'm still talking to mark I want him to tell me the truth even though he won't have any remorse
Sorry
February 03, 2020

In reply to by Stupid girl

Hi. I was talking to a man named Mark...similar story as yours. I gave him money said he loved me. Cut off contact and now have people watching my house. Can we exchange pictures of this man?
Leo
July 13, 2019

In reply to by Chori

Hi Chori Can you please tell me what is his name? I think i am bean scam with the same person. Thank you very much.
Mary j
December 23, 2019

In reply to by Leo

I think I'm been scammed by him he's name is mark James he have 1 daughter name linda she in the hospital needed surgery waiting on him to get back to the state and yes he's wife dead of cancer 4 years he got good game and a God fearing man.
Mary T
May 11, 2021

In reply to by Mary j

Hello. It seems he’s still doing it in 2021. Same story with wife that passed 4 years ago to. But this time he has 2 sons. I have a photo do you?
javkie h
February 12, 2020

In reply to by Leo

This sounds just like a guy I’m taking too
Susan
September 24, 2019

In reply to by Chori

Guy found me on dating app. Said he was Israeli from Brooklyn NY sister in Miami. 7 year old daughter and nanny. Went on business trip to Dubai. Then all of a sudden telling me odd stories of weird things. I already picked up on it being strange. Called him out on it few times and he played it off. I still knew he was lying. Then he said he was investing into a gold company. He never asked me for a dime but he was suggesting he needed help. I actually told him early in our communication that I will never ever give money to anyone from online so u would think he would’ve moved on then. He tried a few times. He uses the name Matthew Mihail Jones. Says his mother lives in Israel and father passed away. Says his wife died in a fatal car crash in New York. Well he must have realized I’ve figured it all out as lies and he’s probably sadly moved on to others who believe him. I’m not sure who’s pictures he’s using. I’m only upset that he has done if mine I sent to him. Truth is anytime we put our photos on dating apps they have access anyway so it is what it is. Hopefully this will help anyone not fall for this at all. Good luck out there. I think I’m done with dating apps now.
Geeg
October 22, 2019

In reply to by Chori

Hi, i think i have the same scammer. He says he is stuck in Malaysia, needs money for his work permit so he can get is paye check cleared. Call me babe, honey, sweetheart, sweetie, wife. Tell me he loves me more. His daughter just turned 18, in a modeling or fashion School. His late wife died in a fatal car crash. He says he's from Norway, still have a sister with 2 kids over there. Currently in Malaysia for oïl rig work but as a house in NYC. He uses the name Alberto Alfred Weberg. Asking for a lot of money. Unfortunetly i did send some but not anymore
kiki
January 04, 2020

In reply to by Geeg

Omg ! Meet the guy on tinder ! His story is the same I am currently chatting with him on hangouts Alfred Weberg from Norway Live in NYC Has a daughter in school in fashion His mom and dad has died long time ago He is in Kuala Lumpur. For a oil rig contract in maintenance. He is retired and working on oil rig will be his last time. He is supposed to come and meet me in my home town. He send me his flight number. So happy I found this blog. Now I have to block him.
sallyrubrico@
March 24, 2020

In reply to by kiki

i think we got the same guy, his name is Ainsworth Hatch Reeds, now in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I doubt he is a scammer, he cant provide me his ID cards, don't want video call, etc.
vak
November 16, 2020

In reply to by kiki

I wonder if we are talking to same man. We chat so much, don't know how he would have time to talk to anyone else. Is there a way we can share pictures? I would really like to know the truth. He hasn't asked me for money, but his story has holes. Jodie
Not my real name
January 04, 2020

In reply to by Geeg

I am in communication with him He is right now in Kulua Lumpur on a oil rig Have you meet him in person ?
Rhody
January 05, 2020

In reply to by Geeg

Mine also said babe, honey called me wife etc. And also. I love you more. Same person. Different background story name and pic, also from pof
Rhody
June 07, 2020

In reply to by Geeg

The babe, honey, sweetie. I love you more has been said to me over and over and over again. The background story and name is always different. This one hits home for me
AKB
December 02, 2019

In reply to by Chori

I have a guy that would call me the same names, met him on plenty of fish, uses the name Scott James
What the....
February 07, 2020

In reply to by AKB

I think i might be dealing with this guy. Younger facial hair, hair a bit longer on top. Says his name is Adam