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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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Shopping and Donating
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iblori
March 16, 2017

In reply to by 49,000.00

I agree! I sent a report to IC3 after being scammed out of $18,000 by a William Goodwin. Even provided the checking account and routing number for the gal who picks up the money from Western Union and haven't heard a word. Read that if it's not over $100,000.00, the authorities don't care. They'd care if it was their mother, sister, or daughter who got scammed. How can they not do something with that kind of information? Checking account number and routing number and they do nothing! I'm sure Western Union would provide the identification information to them if they would contact them. Not their problem.........it's sad. All the victims out there.....of which I am one. The humiliation and shame you feel is all-consuming, but to know the authorities don't care makes it even worse.
magaret
August 13, 2015
I also got picture of this man email address and a contact number plz assist asap so that no other women can be hurt by this man
magaret
August 13, 2015

FullName: James Lopez    Rank Code: (SSG) Staff Sergeant (MOS) HOMELAND SECURITY T.Num.1461m0409965       reginment address Ain Assad Armforeces Base mail. po.Box 6653 Albaghdadi                                                                     Help me find this person please not sure if hes a scamer james lopaz hes im google

jerica35
August 24, 2015
i need a serious help regarding this man i met online. I met a guy from a dating site last early of january this year 2015 by the name of JASON RYKE UCHE. He said he is from Alabama U.S.A a marine presently deploy in Abuja Nigeria for special mission. We talk most times and chats in KIK before and now in WhatsApp. I ask him several times to talk to him in Skype but all he was telling me anything visual is not allowed since his on mission, instead he was sending me pictures of a marine that somekind of a good looking and decent man. To make the long story short we have this special relationship online. He was asking me some cash for his leave payment since he is still in missions since we wanted to see each other so he need to take a leave. the leave payment will cost him like 3000$ thats for another marine to replace him. His supposed to pay for it but he said he lost his card last december when they went to a mall in nigeria to buy some personal groceries. He was asking for a replacemnt of his card but the bank in the states is not going to send him since there are 2 person claiming for it so he needs to go home and have it transact personally in the states after i send him the 3000$ he was gone like 2 days thinking his flying already. i told him to send me his itinerary but he wasnt able to send it. When he appears back he just told me the car going to the airport was being hijack and his the only american there good thing theres this farmer who rescue them and etc.... so we need to pay for leave again. all in all i was able to send him almost 10000$. His name he gave me is JASON RYKE UCHE. to my desperate i met a marine online lately i dont know if his really helping me and told me the picture i send him is MR JONATHAN MATHEUW RYKE presently deploy in Kabul Afghanistan, happily maried for 7yrs now and lives in North Carolina. I dont know whom to trust anymore. I wanted to send the picture i thought is JASON RYKE but i dont know how to attach it here. I really wanted the man behind this to be arrested since his using this marines picture who is brave enough to fight for your country. Looking for a positive outcome on this matter. Thank you and God bless us all
FTC Staff
August 24, 2015

In reply to by jerica35

Scammers use photos of other people, even stolen photos of real servicemembers, to create fake online profiles.

Scammers often say they're from the U.S., and they're working overseas or serving in the military. They claim they want to visit you, but some terrible event happens, or they lose money in a business deal and can't get here unless you send more money.

If someone you meet online starts asking for money, it's probably a scam.

Don’t send money to help someone who has a sudden problem. Don't buy things for them online, or accept packages at your house and send them to another country. Scammers will keep asking you for favors and money. In the end, your money will be gone, and so will that person you thought you knew.

Lookingforreallove
December 05, 2015

In reply to by FTC Staff

HI I also met a man on dating website who claimed to be u.s marine based in Nigeria after talking for couple of minutes I knew something wasn't right so I googled and learned as much as I could about scammers and sure enough he asked me to close my dating profile to concentrate on us then he bombarded me with stuff that was straight out of a love poems book I knew he wasn't real but I let him think I believed him as I thought if he's wasting his time trying his luck with me it might just save one woman from losing money then it would b worth it and sure enough yesterday he said I would like to give you 20,000dollars for my Xmas and his finance officer would email me with the details sure enough I got one saying I would have to pay 450 dollars dispatch money 50 vat to be paid by Western union I would like to warn others that he's going by the name jimmy or James grey I'm only 36 and widowed I only wanted to find love instead I find a scammer it's disheartening I'm new to Internet dating and don't know which sites are the best
mojo
October 21, 2015

In reply to by jerica35

I am having same thing says the apo closed and needs money I sent him some food and clothes .I am from the UK now his asking fr bank details to send money so I can send it to him. I have sent him cash but m no way giving bank details he claims to be US marine Richard Wilson said his on mission and can't get access to anything .......thing is I fell for it ....not the romantic patter . And just wanted to help a serviceman who is helping us all in the UK and USA.........makes it bad others . He claims he as no family to help him ....but then said he had 14year old and his wife killed in car crash. The real Richard Wilson should know about this can anyone there let him know his from Miami he says and that birthday 3fr October he said he was 48 that was before his birthday no assume he is 49 can someone help with this he sent pics in military gear now I'm not sure on this one if he is genuine hen sorry Richard says he is in Iraq but money sent to Ghana
Trina
December 04, 2015

In reply to by mojo

Dont send him anything i heard that story he sent me pics with a lady and a kid saying its his family. Hes claims to be american but his english is really poor. Hes teing he have alot of money and he want you to email this person or company who can release the money. When you check the website it will come up as uk based but contact number is on ghana. I have never been tricked i just laugh at there lies. Single ladies out there yes you maybe lonely and need someone to spend time with.. go to spa or go to the mall have fun among yourselves.. and be careful with all these scammers. I delete all of them daily recently they have been posting alot of marines pictures. In usa we dont call people dear adimaril xxxx. So be wise and be careful
Kiki
April 12, 2016

In reply to by jerica35

woow I am a Nigerian lady and this is exactly my story. Been scammed by the same dude. His online photos show a very tall, light skinned and very good looking gentleman The man (name he is used with me is OLUSEYI OBAFEMI) says he is from Fresno California.

Met him on a Nigeriandating site, claims to be a Christian, is widowed (WIFE DIED IN A CAR CRASH) has a son (about 14) and is a ships/ marine engineer currently trying to get a docket space in Nigeria. He talks a lot of Christian talk and says he loves TD jakes etc. Anyway he duped me of almost $1000. Told me he came to Nigeria with $8000 and had run out of money and needed the money to travel to Abuja to get his license signed. Said he is awaiting his credit card which he said is being sent by courier from America to Nigeria. Told me to send the money to a JUSTICE EMMANUEL who would help him collect the money and bring it over to him. JUSTICE EMMANUEL he claimed is a nice chap who used to help him get his supplies while he was out at sea at Oron in Calabar Nigeria while taking his exams to be able to practice in Nigeria.

Truth be told I knew it all wasn’t making sense but I still fell for it and I blame myself. It hurts because I needed that money to go do some tests at the hospital. And now I can’t get my tests done. Thing is he has a strong American accent i.e. he definitely grew up there and he is scamming well-meaning Nigerians too. So these days scamming is not restricted to any one race or country. ; I forgot to add that he said he was in the US marines for so many years. Claims his has no family left etc. I got duped just a few days ago by this man ie 5th and 6th of April 2016 and still have my bank receipts of the monies I sent him. It was only when he stopped picking my calls that I decided to research him and came across this site. Only wish I had done this earlier

Hopeful
March 13, 2017

In reply to by Kiki

I have a man that sounds just like what you went through . Told his wife die 2 years ago and he has a son 12 years old he a chief engineer on a ship in Egypt talks big about God , he trying to send money to this place in Africa cause he has this lockbox in some security company, i didnt send no money, thanks for your story help me out..
Lizz
March 27, 2017

In reply to by jerica35

I wanted to let you know my aunt met a guy with the same exact name and story A few months ago it is a scam
takla
August 25, 2015
USA grant govt department took my money $1,180 I need it back. Please help me
Ali62
August 26, 2015
My husband is talking to a young woman on Skype, a chat app and she is calling him on mobile. I have the photos she emailed him. How do l check photos.
sostupidifellforhim
August 27, 2015
I'm dealing with a scammer who's supposed to be in Australia but readnotify.com says his ip addresses are from Ghana. I want to post his pictures on the scammer websites to warn others. I've done countless hours of searches and the pictures don't pull up or match any known scammers. I'm afraid if I post them he will know it was me and there will be repercussions. I never sent him money even though he's asked for it twice. He sent me flowers to my house recently. What should I do?
Ajk1111
September 12, 2015

In reply to by sostupidifellforhim

is he using an australian mobile number and what is his numbet n name
LMC 1111
November 18, 2015

In reply to by Ajk1111

I have a person calling and texting me saying he is in Australia on an oil rig, needed money to buy helicopter ride back to rig after he went to Adelaide to cash his check but they wouldn't cash it so he needed money to get back to the rig, until he could get his money wire transferred into his account. His name is Phillipe Mars. supposed to be from San Jose California.
Coastal412
December 07, 2015

In reply to by LMC 1111

I was talking to a man who says he was Australian. Needed an app,e laptop and iPhone as he was. Geologist and working in Turkey. Said he as from San Jose . Name: Alfred Keller Milton .very good at romancing.
Tina
February 26, 2017

In reply to by Coastal412

This same guy tried to scam me. He said he was a geologist working on a rig off a foreign coast. Said he lived in San Jose. Said he was Scottish, and had a daughter going to school in U.K. After several months of professing his love to me. He told me He needed 1,000. For his daughter in hospital in U.K. He said he had a problem with his accounts. His username was Scottish blood. Then the same guy tried to scam me again off a CL add. He sent the same pic under different name. Said he was lonely. I asked him how his Daughter in U.K. Was. Never heard back
GIO
March 15, 2017

In reply to by Tina

Received a friend request from a Scottish engineer living in San Jose doing a independent contract job. Very very romantic writing roberts richard Ferguson I DID NOT acept request but wrote emails on my Gmail and aol account. He was a a fantastic romantic writer and almost had me BUT he made a new email address arichferguson   and ended alex cares RED FLAGS as his other emails all where richieferg82          . if it is to good to be true it is.

Susan
March 09, 2017

In reply to by Coastal412

chatting with a charming , romantic, intelligent Australian geologist from NYC. First he was in Texas, then In Turkey. Claimed his 2 laptops were stolen in Turkey. Name of David Smith.
JAK
April 02, 2017

In reply to by Coastal412

I also am talking to a man who says hes a geologist working in Turkey. His name is Harry Grey. I started it in January, now its April. He wanted a laptop, and apple cards.
Floragirl
September 02, 2015
Met this man on Facebook,told me he was a Soldier stationed in Damascus,Syria.We exchanged e-mails and were on Messenger many times, almost a year. Then he told me, he put in for a leave and will send some of his personal items ahead through a Fast Delivery courier out of London,UK. Long story made short, the luggage supposedly had something in it, Customs in Kuala Lampur, Customs in Seattle-Tacoma all wanted money. He told me he can not get to his bank account until he is back in the States and I should please lay out all the money asked for. Stupid me, little did I know. I trusted him,since he told me over and over how much he loves me and wants to be with me. The luggage never arrived and I lost $ 25,000. Have not heard from him in over 3 month. Have pictures of him, email addresses, checked on numerous sites, but can not find a thing about him. His name given was Christain W.Miller, Captain, US Army, Damascus,Syria. Any one else know about him?
FTC Staff
September 02, 2015

In reply to by Floragirl

Please report this to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations. If you used a wire transfer company, contact its customer service or fraud department and give details about the transactions.

tiogalady
December 31, 2015

In reply to by Floragirl

First of all we have no American troops in Syria who need money, anytime in service the government takes csre of them, I fell for a Captain (not) in syria, but i lost over 59,000 to this fake piece of s___
Cdubb
February 23, 2017

In reply to by Floragirl

I met this woman on facebook we talked through messenger she quickly professed her love for me and ask could I send 2500 to her friend in LA through moneygram however she lied about everything I found she a Nigerian number after saying she was in LA so now she bugs me about when the money coming using different tactics and tricks saying that she wants to be with me but I really think it's a scam
sunlvr15111
September 04, 2015
Want to report Craig's last fraud. Even have the guy currently still contacting me for pmt.
FTC Staff
September 08, 2015

In reply to by sunlvr15111

If you were charged for something you didn't receive, or that wasn't as promised, contact your bank or credit card company. You can contact the customer service or complaints staff at the online listing company too. Go to ftc.gov/complaint to file a complaint with the FTC.

justawoman
November 10, 2015

In reply to by sunlvr15111

I placed ad on Craig List in 2015 around the same date as u can't recall exact I was contacted by a Man who I'm still talking to on phone & text he has never yet ask me for money it's been 3 mos now he has told me he is in love with me we have never met & ever time we are to he always has to work or has took ill and can not meet me ,He said now he want's me to Move into a place with him soon I wondering if this is for real he always turns his phone off on week ends I did a phone search he tells the truth of his home town but he now has moved I don't understand & never ask why he has not changed his number to Local phone # he said he divorced ,looking for true love ,well he has sent me picture it's on my phone he looks his age I don't know if he . He knows I have No money I already made that very clear and if I did I would not send because I was taught well by my Mom to be very careful of this I understand his full time job he is pt army reserve he says I just don't know and I am very scared because he knows all about my life but not my pvt accounts he knows I am retired he is 7yrs younger than me which age makes no difference to me when it comes to love I am a Christian woman ,I pray this man is not a scam person so I try to verify his State of SC I can't get anything to come up on google I have not done image serach just seen it here. Craig's List is full of fake men I seen especially Army one's I seen name Wilson on here he is now on Craig List Claiming to be Widower and looking for love he is a fake I knew when I saw his picture . good luck with you're search but be careful
anonimous
September 06, 2015
i met someone on a dating site name David Zheng, he asked for financial. He even send me fake contracts and iterinary ticket and pretended to be a safety and health engineer. I think he had stolen an identity profile.
SASHEA
September 13, 2015
I was contacted by a woman on a dating site that said she was contacting me for her boss who had been widowed for over 10 years and was ready to get back into the dating scene, and when she was showing him the dating site he liked my profile. She gave me his email address, so I emailed him.. within two emails he was telling me how much he loved me..I knew something was phoney but I let him go on to see what he was going to ask for ..it took another 5 or 6 emails before he asked for me to buy a computer, iphone6 and a cannon camera he was supposed to have lost on a flight to Cape Town on business and send it to him..and I wrote him back and told him I had been waiting for that email since the third email I had gotten from him...and not to contact me again...which he hasn't.. now I wish I had told him that I had gotten them so I could have gotten his address so I could have turned him in to someone....he sent me a pictue of him and his son..(which I am sure wasn't really him)..but unfortunely I deleted all emails and no longer have either his pictures or email address. He used the name Scott Peeters sooo women watch out for him...
super stupid
September 22, 2015
lady out there please be extra careful: Derek Walters: derekwalters1965, derekwalters444, Ronaldmcgregor65, he is a real scammer, he stole pic of real service man, he's on FB Scott Lewis Good, Carlos Goodwarck.
missy
September 22, 2015
I met a guy online we had 1 mutual friend. we talked for 2-3 weeks and he was deployed today he told me he was getting deployed anyway. he said he wanted to send me money so could i open an acct with this federal credit union so he could send me money for myself and also send his mom money.Not to sure about that. Anyone else?
OliviaS
October 01, 2015
The same thing is happened to me.the guy that met my friend on that type of dating site but the thing is that he is fraud a and a who played my feelings and use my love for his personal gain because his main target and main motive is to get money and stolen my money from any trick so in last I'm only saying that be-careful and avoid these types of site who spoils your future.
jemmar31
October 12, 2015
anyone have contact from someone who says his name is williams clark cornelius? His username on yahoo messenger is armycornelius2089 and on facebook his name is wclark cornelius. all pictures are of the same person at different points in life and stuff. he hasn't asked for money yet, but it seems like soon he will.
Mary
December 16, 2015

In reply to by jemmar31

I am in contact with williams clark cornelius since a week. I would be interested in getting to know more. I know he is a scammer, the informations he is giving about himself are not matching at all.He told me, that he is stationed currently in Aleppo, Syria, working for the special forces to fight Isis and Boko Haram. Tomorrow his troup is going to a new destination in Africa to fight a terrorist group. Absolute bullshit. I won't fall in love with him, but my evenings aren't so lonely anymore. He is the 2nd scammer I am talking to.
Concerned k
October 18, 2018

In reply to by jemmar31

Im currently taking to William and I am curious what the outcome of this was?!
figthergirl
December 16, 2018

In reply to by Concerned k

Hi Concerned k I'm also talking to a man whos name is suppose to be williams, i think it's the same guy , he is like 40 years old ? He hasent asked about money yet but still
Hydes
March 25, 2019

In reply to by figthergirl

Scammer???
Cobraviper987
October 22, 2015
On a dating site a free one. Theres tons of latin girl profiles really pretty girls and if you send a message they return and say hi my name is maria an example i offer full service escort services everything . But then they want you to wire the cash for the hour to western union to the dominican republic because there boss is there ect. And the girls claim they are here in the states . And the girls also want to chat fast off the dating site and they say the girls that is will travel all over the US . Is this a scam? Fraude ? Please thoughts anyone thanks
laguna52
October 22, 2015
I meet this guy on match.com who claimed he was from the Turks and Caicos Islands, yet lived in Buena Park, CA., He is suppose to be an engineer in Dubai. He asked for 100k for a shipment items he needs inorder to complete his oil refinery job. His name is John Houssain.
jane odle
October 24, 2015
These articles have been very help full, but to late for me.I was scammed out of several $$ dollars.Met him on facebook, said he was from Tampa, Fl.Goes by the name of Larry Leroy Wolfe.He has admitted on messenger that I was scammed and that this is not his real name or picture on facebook.I do have several phone numbers,2 from Florida and 2 from Lagos Nigeria.Money was sent to Nigeria thur Wedtern Union to a Mr.Ojo ali
FTC Staff
October 26, 2015

In reply to by jane odle

You can report this to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. The information you give goes into a database that law enforcement uses for investigations.

Also, you can report the international phone numbers and other information to  econsumer.gov. Law enforcement agencies use information in econsumer.gov to identify and investigate fraud that crosses international borders. Your complaints help agencies in the US and abroad work together to crack down on international schemes.

You can also tell the wire transfer company about the scammer and the names and addresses he used.

Dannielle
October 24, 2015
I have met a guy on a dating sit and he says he is a Dr. in Ghana, and that he went to medical school in Ukrine.My first question to him was why would a Dr have to go online to meet someone. His response was he is just looking for something different. He says his name is Frank Expeh. He has never asked me for money or to set up a bank account or anything. He has stated saying he loves me all of a sudden and want us to meet. At first he asked me to come to Ghana then he said we could meet somewhere outside of Africia. I did a giggle search of his name and only found his Twitter page. I really don't know if I should be worried at all about any of this....someone please help!!
FTC Staff
October 26, 2015

In reply to by Dannielle

It's good that you're asking questions about the story this person is telling. If this doesn't sound right to you, you can stop chatting.

When the person says he loves you right after you meet, it's a sign of a scam.

Don't ever send money to someone you meet online, or let them use your bank account. Scammers often tell people to wire money, especially overseas, because it’s nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace the money after you send it.

Watch out for someone who immediately wants to talk or chat outside the dating sight. Watch out for someone who reports a sudden personal crisis and pressures you to provide financial assistance.

Angels
January 03, 2016

In reply to by Dannielle

Is he black? And do you have a picture of the man? Is he around 32 years old?
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