Not 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.
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In reply to I have ran into this a couple by KP
In reply to So update on dr Micheal by hopeless romantic
In reply to Very similar story to mine.. by never trust
In reply to Could I go to you in contact? by Marianna
In reply to Very similar story to mine.. by never trust
In reply to Toni Modrica sent me a USA by Megan Coopanthony
In reply to Everyone out there !!! The by beenscamed
In reply to So I met this guy he told me by Scared One
In reply to I chatting a man right now. by Amanda
This sounds like a scam to get your money. This happens after you chat with someone online, and he says he is sending a present, or sending treasure he found in his country. He asks you to pay for shipping or customs fees. Really, he is cooperating with the "customs department" to get your money. The "customs department" will ask you to pay fees, and if you say you can't, they reduce the fee.
There is no box. This is all a trick to get your money. If you can't pay the high fee, they will reduce the fee. They want your money, and will take as much as you will give. If you send money, you will not get it back, and you will not get a box or a gift.
In reply to This sounds like a scam to by FTC Staff
In reply to Richard Robert Gonzales, by Nino
In reply to Jethro Travis Reborn, says by Gypsy
In reply to I have been in contact with by tgeorge6060
In reply to Has anyone heard of a widower by Marivella
Pagination