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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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Scammed
August 16, 2020

In reply to by Crystalclear

Wow, I just discovered I was catfished by this petroleum engineer working in an oil rig whose name was also "Maxwell", 49 yo. Lost his pregnant wife in car accident 10 years Ago. No family at all. My story is different, the dream guy, with lots of money. Got me into the bitcoin thing and along with a company scammed me into investing money. This guy has also an accent. He sent me pictures of a very notable public figure from Brazil. I know better, I should have looked this way sooner, since that is how I discovered it. Shame shame shame "Maxwell".
Bitcoinscammed
January 03, 2021

In reply to by Scammed

Hi scammed, I met a guy in a dating app. Photo was of a 35yrs old, dark haired guy with an accent. He is supposedly and american from Florida but has a thick accent. Currently in Dubai funding real estate and into bitcoin as well. The bitcoin thing is i think the modus operandi. Gives you a link to a bitcoin platform that is supposedly from a reputable UK company but i emailed the company and said they are not dealing bitcoins. You are supposedly to deposit 5,000 euros into the account. Intelligent, seems to have all the right answers when asked. Just thought i’d tell the story in case same or similar pattern of the scammed is use again. He uses the name Mike Juan Adley. Can provide picture.
Hsusan8
February 02, 2021

In reply to by Bitcoinscammed

I have been o a online dating site and have come across 5 men that our scamers ha e not met on guy that wasn't somethi g needs be done. Names come across Raymond Thomas Jeffery Herenado,Scott Richardson PAscal Ukpabix the last one only know king of hearts. Ladies any one hear or dealing with these men let me know they are active now. Been threatened one tried blackmail. I'm talking 5 men in a row this is a big problem any advice
NancyLLLLLLLL
January 23, 2022

In reply to by Scammed

I wish that there were a way of posting this: If anyone says he's on a rig, in the oil and gas business, a Physician with the UN, an oil and gas engineer, it's a scam. I had one. He sent me flowers, chocolate, wine. Fortunately, my cousin put his photo into "google reverse images " and we saw that he had multiple profiles, that the article supposedly written about his company was fake, and that everyone in Linked IN who supposedly worked for him was fake. This is an epidemic aimed at women. It's hard to be alone and these guys know it. Fortunately, it didn't cost me anything but time and emotion, but we need to get the word out. None of these guys are real.
WP/ Nov 13, 20…
November 13, 2020

In reply to by Crystalclear

I'm also talking to a Maxwell in the UK. Different story though. Does he have an accent? If so, what kind? Please help
Aktiniya
October 14, 2021

In reply to by Crystalclear

Hi. Is there a way to see those screen shots? I think he is trying to scam me now
Turkey85
January 29, 2020

In reply to by Donna1022

Some guy going by the name of Scott Maxwell made comments on my IG account. We started a friendly conversation which went on for a few weeks. I asked a lot of questions which I could tell he got annoyed with. He said his mom and dad were killed in a car accident and that he was raised in an orphanage. He also said his ex wife had remarried but died of cancer. His "son" lives with him so he says. He said he's a Project Manager for a company in Dallas, Texas. He said he works for Plumb Engineering, which I googled, and is out of business. And it was located in New York anyways. He said he was working on a contract for a job in Turkey. He was smooth, but I just kept asking questions. I could tell he was getting annoyed with me. I asked him for his phone number and he gave me a number with an area code of 440 which is in Georgia, not in Texas. I called the number to see if he would answer. It went to an automated voicemail. He never asked for money but he quickly professed his love for me. He said his heart was beating for me...lol. Scam! Terrible that people troll social media apps to victimize others.
rlantano
March 24, 2020

In reply to by Turkey85

he says the same name scott, parents both dead. Mom died in Brazil. wife left hom for another man. works in oil rig company.., think we have the same guy. also found my ig account
Ok
July 08, 2020

In reply to by Turkey85

So much like the guy I wad talking to. He found me on Slovenian social media. His wife dead, has teenage boy. Parents died in the car accident. Orphan. Was adapted and grew up in Australia. He using pictures of admiral John Michael Richardson. He pretending that he is in Syria in the war zone. Retired in February but cannot get home couse of corona virus. Needs money to fly home. Army not flying him home cause he didn't arrange the flight home on time. Asks for bitcoins to pay for Internet. He deposits fradulant checks. Be ware of this guy.
Live and learn
July 23, 2020

In reply to by Ok

Have you heard of Julian Graham? Very good looking and is a “Mining engineer”. He lives in Asheville NC. A very smooth talker. His story is a combination of many of these. Ie widower for 6 years. No kids, born in Hamburg Germany.
ragztworichez
May 22, 2020

In reply to by Donna1022

Sounds like the guy I’m talking to now? Cap Phillip Nicolas, cargo ship man, from Malta, been talking to him for a few weeks and now has a broken bit on the ship and needs me to send him money cause he can’t pay the parts place, I’m not doing it, but he gave me his account details but looks dodgy as.. anybody else had a Phillip Nicolas??
KitKat
June 26, 2020

In reply to by ragztworichez

I was talking to him also since 11th of June Captain Phillip Nicolas from Malta and sailing on cargo ship and after 3 weeks of conversations he also said that there was some engine problems and he needs me to write an email to this company and I will have to pay the bill for this part he needs in order to get the ship back sailing. Does anyone know whose pictures is this man using..? So the real man on the photos can be warned ...
Spunky32
July 29, 2020

In reply to by Donna1022

I’ve been talking to someone who took a job in Turkey, equipment problems, doesn’t use credit cards, Turkey, I got a call two nights ago that he and his driver were in a “fatal” car accident and either he was in a coma or at the brink of death. He is Italian whose wife cheated on him with his best friend. Does this sound familiar?
Dontsend$$
August 15, 2020

In reply to by Spunky32

This is a scam. Heard the same story many times. Turkey, equipment problems, car accident, wife cheated all classic lines.
Cyber Unit aga…
September 17, 2020

In reply to by Spunky32

Report any online crime now. A lot of people have been hurt on the internet and kept mute about it, if you don't report the crime, how do we deal with that crime? and put an end to it. Feel free to report today to the email provided below. Accessibility eRulemaking Freedom of Information/Privacy Act Legal Notices Legal Policies and Disclaimers Links Privacy Policy USA.gov White House No FEAR Act FBI.gov is an official site of the U.S. government, U.S. Department of Justice Email:    fbi.cyberservices@cyberservices.com
Lisa
August 21, 2020

In reply to by Donna1022

What was this guy name from Turkey. Sound similar to what is happening right now to my cousin. Guy is stocked in turkey, needs money to pay his workers. Government took his documents until he pays the workers.
Pelland I
June 30, 2019

In reply to by Soiwasalmostscammed

I too have been scammed by a man who calls himself Pedro Johnson. His instsgram name is pathubert44 . He is a good looking man, white, age 42 . He has a very distinct accent. Uses trux me, instead of trust me, glax... Says he is part German from Hamburg , and part Mexican. Moved to USA when was 12. His mother is Mexican. He is a Civil Engineer. Took a contract in Turkey to build s shopping Centre. The request came first for itunes and Amazon Cards. Next was needing $40k because his building materials were being held by customs delaying his work. He love bombs like crazy and is relentless in his claim about marriage, and a future together and loving only me are endless. Next he couldnt pay hotel bill, had no food to eat,! i sent $3k US. Afew week later needs more Amazon cards I sent him those. Next he had a medical emergency where he was admitted into hosp in Turkey, needs more money!! He sends me photos of himself all the time and they seem legit.! He works out, has a very good body that he likes to show off. I have fallen for him, we have been talking on hangouts for months. I have asjed him to video chat...claims to be too shy. Says I am his only woman but I have my doubts. Has anyone else been scammed or contacted by him?! He is widowed , lost wife to Breast Cancer, has a son 13 yesrs old, He claims to be from Columbus, Ohio... But knows very little if nothing about USA. Help please? Anyone know this man?
Shellbell
August 07, 2019

In reply to by Pelland I

Please don't send this guy any money. One of my best friends who passed away was involved with a man that sounds almost identical to your situation and she fell for him. He always made excuses up not to video chat. You already know I think that you are being scammed because you are on here, I know it hurts so bad and you just want to believe that he is real. But he's not all of these messages all sound alike. Find a man in the USA, I promise you that this guy isn't real. Good luck
Collins, tanke…
October 21, 2019

In reply to by Shellbell

Does anyone have a picture of him saying he is a orthopedic surgeon, has five year old son lives with Nanny in Africa. Claims to be in trouble in London and is being held at the embassy I have a picture and his name isn't the same that I just read but I know they change their names his mother and father and siblings were killed in a car accident his wife died giving childbirth to their second child, he has blond hair blue eyes a very handsome I need to know is this man is someone knows him I have pictures but I would like to see pictures that you have to check see if it's the same person please contact me
Embarrassed1
April 02, 2020

In reply to by Collins, tanke…

Hi, This man named Davis Williams contacted me through Words with Friends initially. We then moved over to Hangout. He told me was on a 6 month contract in Aleppo Syria. He's an Orthopedic Surgeon/ER Doctor. Said pretty much what he told you. His mother and father died in a car crash he was the only child. He was raised in an orphanage. His wife Grace died while giving birth to their 3rd child. He has 2 children that is being taken care of by a nanny in California. This dude wanted me to get him $500.00 worth of Ebay gift cards each $100.00. So he could call his children. I questioned him on how can an Ebay card help him call his children? These people are just sickening. I just lost my husband this past December. He should be ashamed of himself. I did not give him the gift cards. Thank God I kept researching him.
Suspicious
April 23, 2020

In reply to by Embarrassed1

The guy who contacted me through Instagram used the name Richard Williams (Account has now been deleted). He claimed to be German and an Orthopedic Surgeon. He also asked me to move to Hangouts. He said he had lost his wife and son 5 years ago in a car accident. His mother died giving birth to him. He said he had a 14 year old daughter named Ella. Many things he told me made me suspicious so I started searching him up and I figured out he was using the photos of a real doctor in Turkey. I automatically blocked him and reported him. He hadn’t asked me yet for money. Beware ladies!
Tiger
May 28, 2020

In reply to by Suspicious

This same guy just got me to friend him on FB, same story - different name. He is going by Ryan Jeremy. I am a great researcher so I did some online background checking and then blocked him immediately. He is using a picture of a white man, and his young daughter - supposedly from Germany.
Mel
February 14, 2021

In reply to by Suspicious

This guy, Richard Williams, I am playing a game in word wars with him. Very handsome, but I am married, so he hasn’t tried any funny business... but just chatty. I could smell his scammer stink a mile away lol. Says he is from Kentucky U.S., but in Kabul Afghanistan.... working as Orthopedic Surgeon. Y’all single ladies becareful.
Skgregory
October 09, 2020

In reply to by Embarrassed1

The man who says he is an orthopedic doctor time me he was from Portland, OR, and been in Kabul, Afghanistan. He has done everything you stated with morning videos, fast to speak of love and marriage. He also has another profile saying he is in the military and lives in Syria for. San Antonio, TX. Asks for money for eBay, Amazon cards to he can use wifi on his phone. Freakin unbelievable
Hellraiser4u2c…
June 01, 2020

In reply to by Collins, tanke…

yes that guy is a scamer very good looking go's by the name Mayson Dylan fake the pictures he sent me belongs to a Albert Nerenberg t
theLittlestgoat
December 25, 2019

In reply to by Pelland I

Hey, I was wondering if you had a picture to compare? This sounds so very extremely close a situation a very dear friend of mine is going through, she and her two sons and sick mother lost their home due to sending him money. Constantly asks for google play cards literally every day, I myself am pregnant and so stressed out because I’m exhausting myself worrying about my friend and two young sons, I have pictures also would be delighted to share with you, I was also wondering do you only speak on hangouts? Or do you have a real phone number for him?
Suzie
July 10, 2020

In reply to by theLittlestgoat

Hi, I am talking to a chief marine engineer (60) on a ship but helping to build a rig in the Baltic Sea. Sent me a picture of him in a helmet and a blonde daughter ( about 9 years) in a helmet. Says from Hamburg and wife gone off with another man. Daughter at his house with a housekeeper who he can’t pay because his account is blocked. Asked me for 1000k to pay his housekeeper would give me it back ( he has so much money he doesn’t know how to spend it when he gets home!) I have given him 3 google cards for ‘Agnes’ his daughter, and £700 ‘supposedly’ to pay this housekeeper. I gave him my bank details as he pressured me and said he needed to put the money back when his account unlocked. Very evasive when I ask when his project finishes and he gets home and wants to settle in the UK. Claims to speak many languages. Wants to marry me ... I feel that I have been such a complete fool - he is do convincing , I am still talking to him but I now suspect he is scamming me. My bank account was completely emptied shortly after I gave him my details and had deposited a significant amount £2033! Taken in three different payments. He said he needed to give my details to the agent on his ship... he was very romantic and went by the name on Instagram of Christopher Hanns. Kept calling me ‘wifey’ and ‘dear’ and ‘ baby’.. does this ring any bells with anyone?
Don’t be foole…
February 05, 2020

In reply to by Pelland I

I was chatting with this person the same time you were! The building materials being held up in customs.... I told him I had an attorney friend who specialized in international matters and could help him. Looking back so many inconsistencies in his stories I never sent him a dime Sorry you were duped. He is proof that looks are everything—- his soul is ugly!
Lisalotfi
June 04, 2020

In reply to by Pelland I

Do u have a photo of him..? I feel this is the same guy who chat wit me I want to share a picture of him... How do I upload his picture here
Angel2020
April 23, 2020

In reply to by Soiwasalmostscammed

I had been talking to a Swedish man named Michael, civil engineer, age 58, who had the same exact story except he said he just finished a job in Turkey and they paid him with a Turkish check and he couldn't cash it. He needed to get out of Turkey because of the virus and didn't have access to the check (same story, can't access his account) and needed $7000 for a first class ticket back to the US. He's stuck in a hotel over in Istanbul and needs to leave but can't because he can't access the funds. Claimed he lived in Patterson, NJ. with his dog, Teddy. Sent me several pictures and even one of him and his late wife (lost his wife and son in childbirth 8 years ago) He was real smooth and wasn't pushy at first. He will take his time and get you sucked in. He said he thought we should be together. I did a reverse image search on some of the photos he sent me and I found his photo on Tender under another name and the same description of himself, etc (engineer, etc) so it was the same guy. But it said he was in S Cal. I'm in N Cal so I was a bit freaked out. The Tender site shows the last time he was on Tender was just 2 weeks earlier. Wow, I hope no one else falls for this guys scam. Short mousy brown hair, med build with mustache and goat tee, sometimes no facial hair. Showed me black and white photo of him and his late wife. Never talked to him on the phone but much to my surprise he called me through video chat on IG when I blocked him on Google hangouts. I didn't answer and blocked him on IG.
Angel2020
May 12, 2020

In reply to by Angel2020

He left IG quickly after I confronted him about trying to scam me and I just discovered he's back on IG with a new account using the same name, Michael Maggie. Stay away from this guy.
Talia
May 23, 2020

In reply to by Angel2020

I situation was slightly different. His alleged name is Jonathan Marsha. I think he has partners because he wooed me all hours of the day and night. And the times when I did not answer his message another guy from the same sight would immediately start texting me. As Mentioned, I met him on on a dating site. Before I knew it we were off the dating site and conversing through texts. He was smart, handsome and charismatic. I mean he was all that and a bag of chips. I was head-over-heels. The next thing I knew he was going on a business trip to Taiwan where his wallet was stolen or lost a day or two later. He wanted me to give him thousands of dollars for his trip home to Texas. (Plane tickets are not that expensive.)He wanted money via coinbit and other avenues of the like. I tried to assist him but for some strange intervention the coinbit did not go through. However, my personal information is now on the dark-web. Did I mention that I was smitten in love with the con man. Finally, I just told him that this does not feel right and that I will not sent him a dime. He would woo me for a few days none stop then ask for money again. Jonathan would get extremely upset and would skip a day of conversing with me. This happened so many times til I can't remember the count. Lastly it was in the Holy Month of Ramadan and he had stated that he had not eating in two days. To make a long story short, I gave him $200 to eat with. Within three days he said he only had $8.00 left and started begging for thousands of dollars to get back home. I have recently reported him to the authorities and that website where we met. Needless to say that he won't be scamming women on the sight again unless he uses different, name, numbers and pics.
Pink daisies
March 24, 2021

In reply to by Talia

Would love to compare notes. I think it’s happening to me.
Ak
June 02, 2020

In reply to by Angel2020

I have been talking to a Danish guy named Michael aged 58, civil engineer and art dealer. Claimed to have moved to UK from LA. Claimed last weekend to be flying back to LA to complete financial settlement for his divorce. Last night called to say he'd been robbed and was in hospital, needing $6000 to pay for surgery. Sent me a photo if him looking at a view earlier this week....supposedly LA but when I reverse Googled it was Montreal! Now he's trying to gas light me....
willnotbescammed
October 22, 2019

In reply to by Donna1022

Hi my Swedish love interest working in Turkey as a Civil engineer. Swedish accent. Moved very quickly. Asked for money within the second week. Did not send it. The things he said just didn’t make sense to me. He goes by the name Jake Mitchell from South Dakota.
Austin
July 02, 2019

In reply to by Lindacquinn0

I from past couple of weeks I hve been talking to a guy from Baytown Houston Texas,he found me in Instagram,he told me his a drilling engineer,his wife died of brain cancer n hve a 14yr son,last week he told me that he needed help ,he told me to send 700 hundred dollars iTunes card which I did but today he wants 5000 dollars for his new contract which his wrking in Venezuela,I ask him to talk to me in video call but he made a story,I asked him abt his home address but he give me wrg address so ths all made me thk abt smethg fishy
Thrive
February 28, 2020

In reply to by Austin

What was his name? Have a guy messaging me on Facebook...exact same story.
Austin
July 02, 2019

In reply to by Lindacquinn0

I from past couple of weeks I hve been talking to a guy from Baytown Houston Texas,he found me in Instagram,he told me his a drilling engineer,his wife died of brain cancer n hve a 14yr son,last week he told me that he needed help ,he told me to send 700 hundred dollars iTunes card which I did but today he wants 5000 dollars for his new contract which his wrking in Venezuela,I ask him to talk to me in video call but he made a story,I asked him abt his home address but he give me wrg address so ths all made me thk abt smethg fishy
Diane
July 26, 2019

In reply to by Lindacquinn0

I had a bit of a run in with heinrich powell woodson. And yes he is not a very nice person at all. He started off being very nice, talking about he's daughter and mother. And saying what he's ex wife did. And tells you how he finds it hard to trust women now.. And he thinks that maybe you could be the right woman for him. He would like to get to know you more and see we're it may go from there. He will give you an email address for he's mother so that you can talk to each other. Which he did. But you don't know if its he's mother or not or he is the one that your really emailing and getting emails back from her / him. And after a few months of talking. He started asking for help cos he was working away and he could not get into he's bank account, cos it had been hack into. So could you maybe get him an iTunes card, just to help him out. And when you say that you can't do that cos you don't really know him, cos you have only talked by emails Instagram, Facebook or hangouts you can't do that, that is when he turns nasty. So in the end I had to stop talking to him block him on all the sites. But a few days ago he was back on Facebook and I just had to block him again. So lady's please if you every come across this man. Please don't get involved with him just block him right away. Thank you and please keep safe...
Jpatalano
January 29, 2019

In reply to by bunny

I am an educated man but fell for the scammer bought itune cards belived the lies because i was looking for a date which never happened tried video call but her phone was working properly feel like a fool girls it can happen to men too this started on Instagram and moved to hangouts what a fool i have been.
Sydblue
April 03, 2019

In reply to by Jpatalano

I just fell for the same thing; not as a love interest, but a good friend trying to support a deployed soldier in Syria. I believed the communication to be all about moral support and then it came; a request for ITunes. When I confronted the person he went from really sweet to angry and hostile. How could I have been so duped. There were signs, I should have know. A very bland facebook page with little to no activity, only a few photos of what appeared to be a soldier in Syria. The story; deceased parents, A little daughter in boarding school, waiting for his retirement papers (there over one year). Graduate of WestPoint but not a lieutenant. Didn't understand the question "enlist date?). Guess I just wanted to believe this person needed a friend. Private email also suspicious. Not sure who's picture is really used on facebook, poor guy is being used as a fake soldier. , Syd
jackieo0307
February 18, 2020

In reply to by Same game

He has sent me a couple pictures of him and it says Navy and ford on the uniform
jackieo0307
February 18, 2020

In reply to by Sydblue

I am going through the exact same thing a person in the Navy that they’re acting like that in Syria saying that they can’t get to their money and has a daughter and is asking for iTunes gift card which I have sent $1000 already and asking for more and now I feel like a fool because I believed this man and I first met him on Instagram and now after my bank called me I told this man about I’ve been calling me and now he deleteHis Instagram and acting a lot different for me but same here says he is a Navy and is deployed in Syria
Jessjay77
July 01, 2020

In reply to by Sydblue

Soldier in Syria has daughter In boarding school sounds so familiar. Calls himself George very good looking tattoos all over one very distinct in Latin writing on chest Love conquers all in Latin. Has no access to funds in Syria and is military special opps
bloke68
May 19, 2019

In reply to by Jpatalano

Hi I’ve met a woman on instagram started off just talking the usually stuff. Then she wanted to move to WhatsApp we’ve been getting on well but she has told me she is widow and struggling and has ask me to send her money and gift cards She says she wants to met and has fallen in love but when ever I ask for her address or other details she avoids the answer I’m hoping this is not a scam as we seem to get on but how can you tell
mary
May 30, 2019

In reply to by bloke68

It’s a scam. Usually they take you off the site to a private chat where they try to gain as much info about yourself to see how much money they can gain from you and possibly use your details to scam others. They usually tell you the most devistating lies so you feel sorry for them and make up fake documents and stuff to support their fake stories. My scammer kept saying he would commit suiside if I didn’t help him. I highly suggest you report it.
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