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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.

Scammed in TX
November 24, 2020

In reply to by Lost and out $

Did he say his name was Francis Albert. Son named Roy from NY?
Manager79
November 26, 2020

In reply to by Lost and out $

What was the mans name he used. I think I’m being scammed by the same man. Using Lucas Edward. Is an engineer on a ship and the ship is having problems wants to ship me a package of all of his money but I have to pay $400 for shipping. Says he has no kids but is widowed and from Germany
Davina13
December 02, 2020

In reply to by Manager79

I think he could be my scammer, have you any pictures?
fredrik johnson
November 23, 2021

In reply to by Manager79

he said he is a ship engeer and want send me a package with all his money from australia
LisaJ
February 13, 2020

In reply to by Susan

Susan, I have spoken to this same man and the story is exactly the same.
Ola
March 27, 2020

In reply to by LisaJ

It look the same. Is it any way to have privet contact with you? I want to see picture of the guy.
Rheashelly
March 05, 2020

In reply to by Susan

This sounds like a guy that goes by Greg Josh Clinton. He has been an engineer in Turkey, but now he is an engineer I am oil rig in the California ocean. Says he is 62. He had a son graduating and a mom in Bulgaria that is very sick needing brain surgery on a tumor.
Sophie
April 23, 2020

In reply to by Rheashelly

Hi this sounds the same as me, do you have a picture? We can share
Tanya
May 13, 2020

In reply to by Rheashelly

I actually.going through something like this. I have meet someone online on dating site. His name is engr. Seong.Jin Lee he said he had a xgf and cheated on him. Dont want to tell me what happened and juat told he sued her and he doesnt have any apps like fb,instagram and whatsoever because her x blackmailed him. He said he is a Christian and prayed for me. Saying sweet things and everything. And ask me to pray forhim coz he will close a bigdeal theb he was able to be chosen and then he was given and want me to rcve the money for praying for him. He said he will swnd me but i didnt agree and still force me now he put 50,000&$ in a package with some goods and ask his friend frm a company to do it. He said that ill write to the company abt rcving the parcel and ended up asking me to pay 1250$ for a package. Ask him abt whats insde only few things and he got angry force me to pay. But it was bad,fake the grammar of the account and courier are not the same. So ended up asking me to pay. And debating with him. USA accnt but turkey bank and the courier didnt match with the gmails. And force me to ask to pay half and they agreed right away. Same time he message me onky 30mins difference. He cant even show me his face and now blackmailing me to post my naked pic all over the internet. Through facebook and other things. Now dont know what to do.
Apple
June 22, 2020

In reply to by Tanya

Tanya I have the same Told me courier reach me within 1 day - during this Covid-19 period - they will contact me on delivery time but before the parcel comes to me - asking me to pay us$5000 for a package of two boxes. I recall Ask him abt whats inside he say only few personal item - clothes. After it went to half deposit and now left $1k So disappointed Korean - He work & stays in California too but born in swiss.
Actual Abraham
February 22, 2021

In reply to by Apple

Can you send me his pictures , I know we have related stories
Jane
September 03, 2021

In reply to by Actual Abraham

I have similar situation. A person names mark Wong texted me over messenger. He is working for an oil company in the middle of the see as a engineer. I would like to know if it is fake .
Ghe
August 27, 2021

In reply to by Apple

Similar story of mine. I think the person you saying is the person exactly im chatting now. Can you send me his picture ? Please help me to find whether it is scam or not
Broken
September 03, 2021

In reply to by Ghe

I think I’m talking to the same person. Picture please ? Says he is in Miami ?
Easy
September 17, 2021

In reply to by Broken

Can i ask if we can show the pic here? I want to send his pic also..and also in miami too a widow and have a daughter named stephanie
Caroline
October 11, 2020

In reply to by Tanya

I think the same thing happened to me. Korean but moved to US since young. Was left by ex. Talked to me about a month and now asked me to pay thousand dollars for the package he will send to me. Always ask me to send him nude pictures but I never did. Do you have the picture of him? May be we can exchange what happened to us.
Alexa P
November 16, 2020

In reply to by Caroline

Hi Caroline , did by any chance said his name is Ken Wong or Ken Yang Han or maybe Kyoung Mark?? Korean moved to NYC since very young, cheated by gf , works as a gemmologist? Cus i've just been scammed by this individual , chats and calls , no video , for a month since 11th October and then wanted to send a package to London as very important for a client and found at being asked to pay custom clearance and taxes in Belgium for 15000gbp I have pictures that i've received from him.
Gemologist guy
November 22, 2020

In reply to by Alexa P

Pretty sure it's the same guy here. Red flags all over! Pictures, he has talked to me even dropped my city (as I know how small and poor my city is), he now claims that he has a client in my city which I know is a lie because there's no one in my city that can afford a gemologist. Korean moved to cali at 5. Both parents died. Ect. But his accent is suspicious for someone who live in the us for so long. Met on a language app. Even gave me bank info to send money to someone (not myself). Now trying to send me gemstones, to avoid VAT charges. Will not give information.
Amonyes82
April 21, 2021

In reply to by Gemologist guy

Can you give me more info on this one I think he’s in my inbox off laungage app. Seems super amazing but somethings just not right
Mel83
July 02, 2021

In reply to by Gemologist guy

I think we have the same guy!! He likes to gaslight if you don’t do as he says, says I must not care about him and I’m hurting his feelings
Gemologist guy×2
December 02, 2021

In reply to by Gemologist guy

I tink i have the same guy the gemologist one he didn't ask for any money yet... But he is suspicious and mysterious.. he is on the "ship" now ... He said he will come and visit ... What is this real? Can someone help?
Concerned granny
February 17, 2021

In reply to by Alexa P

How can I get a picture to look at I believe he is scamming a person I know right now
Denise
July 15, 2021

In reply to by Alexa P

Can i have a photo of him? Someone is messaging me by the name of Philip Wong, Korean.
Kate M
November 18, 2021

In reply to by Alexa P

Hi guys! I'm very worried that my friend is in a similar situation. Might be the same person. Claims to be from Alabama originally, but has a heavy accent. Says he is a contract engineer working with Exxon Mobil on an oil rig. Currently working in the UK until his contract is done. Goes by Henry Wang I believe? Also has a daughter living with someone in Alabama. Can't remember who though. I have 2 pictures. He also has asked for money, first because some part on the rig broke. Then he changed the story to say his rig blew up and killed 3 people and he needed his friends to donate money to help the families. I don't want her to get hurt by him and he seems like a scammer!
Elaine
December 11, 2021

In reply to by Kate M

Hi I just came by here bcoz I am almost get scammed just today. And I saw your message, similar to this korean guy story that the machine in oil rig has broke and he want me to send money for help to buy a new one. I blocked him immediately. And I googled the photos of korean scammers and I found one of his photo he had sent me.
Pumpkin
March 19, 2021

In reply to by Caroline

Caroline, hi can you show me a photo of the guy you are talking too?
etobi1
June 04, 2021

In reply to by Pumpkin

Hi there, I am wondering about this scam.. do you have the photo of the guy you guys are talking about. A friend of mine is in this same situation right now.
Mary
February 16, 2021

In reply to by Zeezo

Same guy!Korean American, orphan, very good looking, cheated and abandoned for everyone, gemologist, that lives in LA, with two small dogs... met him in a language app, we exchange very private messenger app, so no phone numbers or anything involved... we talked for a month, every day, master calls, his accent always sound a little weird... he sent me many pics, when I checked for some of them, were fake profiles... every time I tried to check his facts there was nothing around.. When I faced him with that, made a scandal about trust or whatever... kept talking, made a story about a trip and asked me for my personal contact information. Didn't give to him, made a scandal...last he asked me was to make money transfers for him because he's in a ship in the middle of Europe...Said no, he blocked me and dissapeared...never wanted to do a video call, deleted his account in the language app a week after we started talking. Compulsory obsessed with the things he said and the loves he professes (since the 1st week to someone he doesn't know...) Ladies, be smart! I had a lot of fun because never trusted any of his stuff, but I think he realized I wouldn't fall in his trap, so moved on a different victim...
Beary
August 01, 2021

In reply to by Mary

Hi, I guess mine stories are similar to you, can you show me his pictures?
Broken
September 02, 2021

In reply to by Mary

Do you have any pics ?? I think He’s talking to me right now . :(
lay
September 08, 2021

In reply to by Broken

Might be the same guy trying to befriend me. Can someone show a photo?
Robin
May 07, 2020

In reply to by Susan

I believe we may have the same person. His name is Southerland Cardbell, age 60, oil engineer from France, lost his biological parents young, and was adopted by another couple who was friends with his biological parents. Attened school in Cairo Egypt. A widower 4 years now. She was a nurse who died from cancer. Has two daughters in boarding school. He is currently on an oil rig off the coast of Vancouver, British Columbia. I was skeptical at first. All the sweet words, met him on Instagram, and then wanted to get off this site and email me. Eventually ended up on Google Hangout. We have been corresponding since September. I have never met him. Sent me many pictures and some I felt were taken off the internet of a Hotel he stayed at in Washington DC to negotiate the contract. I didn't hear from him. Soon I received pictures of the his room, the lobby, the meeting room, but no pictures of him with his other engineers. Not long on the rig, he sent me an urgent message that he had a parcel in China that was worth millions of dollars and he wanted help getting it sent to me by a representative. Yes, all the excuses about him unable to get the money out of his account. Blah, Blah. How can a revered prestigious oil engineer not have access to his bank account or his business lawyer. I gave in. But that was the last time.
jBWeld
May 16, 2020

In reply to by Robin

Same thing cept I got sceptical feeling RIGHT AWAY cos a few points didn’t add up. And the advice here confirms their tactics. Very interesting. Can’t just assume everyone is honest because you are. Many red flags right away.
Margaret
June 10, 2020

In reply to by Robin

My oil rig engineer 's name is Mark Johnson. He says he 54. He was in Houston at first then went to the oil rig because a machine broke down. He has come up with all kinds of excuses why he cant access his bank himself. He has a 12 yr old daughter and is divorced.
Popple77
June 27, 2020

In reply to by Margaret

I think I am possibly talking to the same guy who started talking to me on Scrabble!! I don't know his 2and name yet but he's called mark, is widowed and has a 12 year old daughter. He says he lives in Chicago but I googled his number and it's based I Florida. Ive told him I'm skint and not to bother me.
kt1
October 25, 2020

In reply to by Ruby

Where arebtge pics of these people whats the purpose posting hows that going to help with no pics smh
Plg
September 18, 2020

In reply to by Popple77

I think he's using a new name now. Left Tampa to go to Norway for aker bp. I will neither let my heart be broken nor send money. He hasn't asked yet but I know that's coming.
LadyL
November 20, 2021

In reply to by Popple77

There's a possibility this is the guy I'm talking to. I met him on the dating site happn, told me he's Hungarian but lives in Miami and will be relocating to NYC which I said great because I'm from NY. Tells me his wife died over a year ago and has a 4 year daughter. We started talking on WhatsApp the following day we met on happen and told me he's flying back to Miami to his daughter but will be permanently in NY in 3 weeks. He's definitely a charmer, always asking if I eat, calls me queen, he's better than Shakespeare. Messages me love letter every morning, until he decided to teach me about trading and asked me to download forex and coinbase, and to purchase coin to trade. Little did he know I already had knowledge on trading. He's very adamant about getting me to download different wallets to trade and constantly pushing me to do so, I always tell him no and I said to him we can do it together when you get to NY. Somethings are just not adding up. Do you have pics of Mark?
Emma
July 06, 2020

In reply to by Margaret

I have the same scammer. Mark Johnson. 12 year old daughter. He was supposedly in Houston then had to go to an oil rig North of Canada. Petroleum engineer. I fell for it. He's conned me out of 17500. Thank you for sharing. Now I am positive he is a scammer. Watch out for Mark ladies. He is charming and good looking, very convincing.
Michellegoins6…
July 12, 2020

In reply to by Emma

I Think this is the same guy know as Johnson Williams and 57. His daughter is now 17 in a boarding school and his wife died 6 years ago. All fake. I wish I could share his pic. He just said his phone is broke now no food left and he's going to starve. Big time flags. Oh can't access his bank account cause in the past people were abusing them with the black market. He just tried to call again. He also just uses whatsapp
Horsemom
December 10, 2020

In reply to by Michellegoins6…

Yes, I am talking to a guy that is on the bullwinkle oil rig and his daughter just turned 17 in September and is at a boarding school in California and his wife died of cancer six years ago. He is using the name Steve Johnson and his cell is a roaming cell out of Florida he just turned 56 in October. Does he talk with an accent that is not from Houston, Texas. Yes he cannot access his account because people were selling oil on the black market so the locked all their accounts
Ressa
July 24, 2020

In reply to by Emma

This Petroleum Engineer does he have beautiful gray hair? wears glasses in some pics??
Bope84
July 29, 2020

In reply to by Ressa

This story sounds very close to what my neighbor is experiencing. She met a man named “Adam” who only communicates through Hangout. He says he has sold his environmental company and is coming back to the US to buy her a home on the ocean and to get his daughter (named Mitchell) out of boarding school. He claims to be worth millions and she is expecting a diplomatic courier to arrive this week with his financial documents. I know she has sent some money but I am most concerned that she has given access to her accounts. She gets angry if anybody questions this man’s intentions but she has been waiting to meet him for 10 months as he is overseas. I am very worried but she doesn’t want to hear it.