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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.

Search Terms
bank account
fraud
military
money transfer
online dating
scam
Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Romance Scams

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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.

Concerned Gran…
December 11, 2015
Watch out for an Alex Newel.... Stuck in Nigeria because they took his passport away.. Anyone else talk to him?
steve
December 16, 2015

In reply to by Concerned Gran…

Oh my gosh someone help i been texinng this girl she said she had a job for wasnt thinking clearly she sent me application my dum ass filled it out with my ss number birthday and everything now she wants me to open a debit card account and give her all the info like passwords security questions this really got my attention. I worried now that she has this info she says as soon as i give her the info i have a job doin work at home off computer what stops her grom opening up a card in my name in first place someone plz respond with me soon her name katr ina mcclelland

FTC Staff
December 22, 2015

In reply to by steve

The FTC has information for people who think a scammer has their personal information.

Go to identitytheft.gov and click on the bar at the top, right side  of the page. It says "Did you get a data breach notice? Start here." Follow the link. It goes to a page with tips about what to do if you lost  - or gave away - your information.

Some scammers ask people to 'share' their bank accounts, or to open a new account. Then the scammers deposit fake checks in the account and withdraw it quickly, before the bank finds out the checks are bad. If you help a scammer do that, you're getting involved in criminal activity.

helpless
December 03, 2016

In reply to by FTC Staff

Do they have you do this so they now have your personal info & bank acct plus social security number?
FTC Staff
December 04, 2016

In reply to by helpless

They could use your personal information and bank account information for identity theft, or just use your bank account as a way to transfer stolen money from one place to another.

I am such an idiot
December 11, 2015
Watch out for Jerry Dennis. Also goes by Lane Jerry. Dennis. Supposedly from the Netherlands but I am almost sure he is from India or Indonesia.
Don'
May 20, 2020

In reply to by I am such an idiot

Cindy loo Gerry Dennis tried it on me too. After 4 days he was in love with me after 7 asked for a steam card
Alice1218
May 20, 2020

In reply to by I am such an idiot

Told me he was born in Panama brought up in Switzerland. Wife died giving birth. Has a 17 year old daughter and lives in Miami. He's supposedly in Singapore. Called me once could barely understand him.. Text messages professing his.love after 4 days. Asked for a steamer card. Did not send one. He is on multiple dating sites using different names. Met on Words with Friends.
kimberly53
December 12, 2015
i met a guy on facebook called arron seferino bryant who kept telling me he loved me and how beaut8ful i am he told me he lost is wife five ears ago and has a daughter who is elevwn ahd that he wanted to be with ne he said he didbt wabt to break his daughters heart abd wabted ne to sebd her my htold hin no he got mad abd then he wnted me to open a checking acct said his boss was gonna put money in it and for me to send it to hin so he can pay the workers and then he saidwe should get a house togethr since im his wife lol yea hes still trying ive tried to find out information on him with no luck says he works at woodwork and very handsome picks in not fallibg for any of it lol
Danny
December 13, 2015
Ismeal/Ishmael,Ismail Nuhu originally from Ghana. Scammed a woman in Australia. He got his spouse visa with fraud papers/birth certificates. He stayed with her until his permanent visa came and then left. He resides in Australia with all the comforts of an Australian.
Checking
July 05, 2019

In reply to by Danny

Hey, i know this was a long time ago but can you give me more details?
Jenny
September 20, 2019

In reply to by Danny

Do you have a picture of this man? I believe to be in contact with him and something doesn't add up. I wish not to waste my time.
Danny
September 25, 2019

In reply to by Jenny

Unfortunately can't provide a pic, but description: over 180cm in height. I believe he has a tattoo on upper left arm of a symbol quite large. Pierced ears.
SamFighter
December 14, 2015
ScamFighter: Identified as Richard MacAnthler, German living in NY State. Romance scam, kept watching for $$ request of some kind. Was this: After flying back to Berlin after fire in refinery, needed me to receive $100,000 from ?? for him as he had problem with old bank and couldn't get back to receive for several more weeks. Said was legal $$ and if I received it into my account he would collect it when he came back. I refused to give my account number and he wouldn't let me set up account for him. Never, if act gave me any real personal info. Couldn't contact him except on Messenger. Well, as you would suppose, haven't heard a word since he was convinced I would love to know it he was avoiding US taxes or just what the scam was. He promised it was "real money."
SamFighter
December 14, 2015
The name SamFighter should be ScamFighter
Helenjane
December 15, 2015
I was friends requested on Facebook by a guy called Jack Fields McCullen who claims to be in the U.S. army stationed in Syria. After chatting on messenger for a few weeks he is saying he wants to come to the UK to see me but to be able to do this he needs me to take delivery of his trunk box which contains some of his papers and money and that I can use money from the box to pay for his flight. However, he then tells me that it will cost between £1200-£1500 to get the box shipped over and I'll have to pay that charge! He assures me that he will give me the code to access his box so I can take out the money I've had to pay out. He's starting to get quite angry with me because I won't agreed to do it so next time I hear from him I'm going to say I believe it's all a scam!
liltiger007
December 17, 2015
can you check the name Sgt. John Bennett 47 Army See if in your list.
LadySheepdog
April 07, 2016

In reply to by liltiger007

JOHN BENNETT IS A TOTAL SCAMMER....I almost sent him money to get his dead mother's stuff that was in storage in Idaho, put into another location (because the storage place he was in leaked). I told him no...then he told me he had been on a raid in Kuwait and found 9 million dollars in gold bars....he aid he and the soldiers in his unit kept the gold and split it....that the warlords gave it to them in appreciation for rescuing their people. He wanted me to pick it up from a NATO worker and put it in my bank account....big surprise he needed my bank info before he could send it. I contacted the US Army Criminal Division, gave them his info...they researched him and told there has NEVER been anyone in the military under his name, rank, DOB, unit, etc. THEY SAID THEY ARE BOMBARDED BY PEOPLE CLAIMING TO BE MILITARY MEMBERS!!!! THEY SAID DO NOT SEND ANYONE CLAIMING TO BE DEPLOYED ANY MONEY OR PERSONAL INFO!!!!!!!
AEL
December 17, 2015
Hello ladies. I have also been a victim of these types of scams. The first time a few years ago from a guy I met on POF. He claimed he was widowed, lived in the UK and worked as an engineer on oil rigs. We talked on the phone but he also quickly wanted me to get on yahoo messenger which I thought was odd at the time. Long story short he told me (via yahoo messenger) that he loved me and then later that he wanted to marry me. Eventually came the request for money for some crazy story about chemicals he needed for his job. He went by William McFadden. Recently I made the mistake of going back online and came across a 'military' guy who wanted to text me and two days later asked me for 1,000. I said no, and of course never heard back. He went by Daniel Schultz. I hope this helps. It's tough being single these days with these types of predators out there!
magic jade
January 04, 2016

In reply to by AEL

AEL Sounds so much like my scammer. Good luck out there and don't have an online dating relationship. My scammer was through okc. I knew it was too good to be true to whole time. Just always start with 'do you live here?' And let's meet for coffee and if they put you off more than once then move on!!
Nnabuikeenwelu…
December 18, 2015
Prisca dickson is her name asking me to help her ... That she want me to be his foreign partner.. So she can transfer her 5.7md to my account
magadanjose
December 21, 2015
Women stealing everything from me
Joanne Nextdoor
December 19, 2015
I have always been rather skeptical and wary through My life. I'm pretty useless with computers and I don't really know how they work Am also old school and a bit old fashioned in that I believe You need to see someone face to face and see their emotions.I know this is how the world works these days but....This just goes to show on a small scale what is happening to people. In the worst case scenarios Murder.!!! My husband passed away 3 years ago and I went and joined Skype and FB to get in touch with My Family and friends across the otherside of the world. I was told a little of certain people. But as I have said I don't suffer fool"s gladly. I will always look and find out a few things first. So I had these so called Men getting in touch.There are certain give aways One example was I had a TOP and I mean a top general in the USA army suddenly SKYPE Me??!!!! Firstly his writing was appalling for someone in such a prestigious rank. So I googled to find out more? This is where I found out just how high ranking he was, then discovered he had 2 adult children and a wife. So I explained I only spoke with Family and friends but I might contact him on a email address? he then gave Me another name and that was of another lower ranking soldier? I looked him up on Google and FB. If You are a detective first things add up.!!!!He then said" Sorry" that was a mistake! You bet and gave Me another. So I looked into it al As he was supposed to be in Afkanistan It turned out it was a scammer from Korea.!!!!I am now getting Drs wanting to call Me. By the names of Dr, David William. in Queens, NY. or a Dr David Miller Mark. He is supposedly in Irving Texas. They popped up within seconds of each other.I know it feels good to be wanted, but try and go out and join a group where You do like minded things and get to know the people first.? It really will help save a lot of heartache and financial ruin and safety issues. Good luck to You all.
Rose
December 20, 2015
I met this guy and we began dating online. Everything was going okay for a while and it was so believable that he actually wanted to be my boyfriend. Then he started talking about how he wants me to bring him to the US and how he had no money and was poor. I told him when I finished school that I will. He then began calling me his wife and so on. Then he asked me for money in several ways on several different occasions and I would say no because I don't have money. The last time I said no to giving him money which was a few months back he began ignoring my text for days and then reply with how is your day and how are you doing? and that went on. I grew curious has to why he did that. Then I started paying attention to the details when I saw a story about a romance scam. He would tell me he is broke and on his Facebook page pose with different types of expensive phones and other things. I realized that he didn't really love me and was trying to use me to get into the US. My mom told me about one of her friend who married a Nigerian man and got him into the US and then has soon has he got in he divorced her and she never saw him again. For three years he lied to me and toyed with my heart and I wish I could get him back for what he did to me. While he was trying to scam me he was scamming other women along with me. His name is OLUWASEUN ADEBAYO on Facebook if you look at his profile it'll say he studied at O.A.U I wish someone could hurt him like he hurt me. He doesn't deserve to be happy While the women he hurt are sad and in pain.
He got me too
February 15, 2016

In reply to by Rose

I think this is the guy who got me too. That's his name. Goes by David Albert..works for BP oil.. has teen daughter. Wife died of cancer. Lives in Cincinnati, OH. Was tricked by someone online and showed his real pics!! ALEX is his short name. He's a Malaysian student from Nigeria!!! Is working from the States though..I'm going to Police.
Don't use your…
December 21, 2015
Chirs Andrew is a scammer from poway California.
restlessred382
December 21, 2015
I have been communicating with a man from an online dating website for a couple of months. I have google searched his picture and it only comes back to the site where we met. He asked for a small amount of money through Western Union, but also repaid it within a week. He has sent flowers on several occasions and we talk daily. I can't find his name anywhere, he says that he can't Skype because of his current deployment but can talk via text or kik. How do i check with the Army to see if he is the real deal?
FTC Staff
December 22, 2015

In reply to by restlessred382

The US Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID) has issued warnings about scammers who pretend to be soldiers. Read the full warning for more tips.

Here are two tips from the US Army CID warning:

Military members have an email address that end in ".mil." If the person you're talking to won't send at least one message from an email that ends in ".mil," he is probably not in the military. Look at the email closely. The ".mil" has to be very LAST part of the address, with nothing after that.

Be very suspicious if the person won't talk to you on the phone, or says he can't get letters in the mail. Servicemen and women serving overseas will often have an APO or FPO mailing address.

AEL
December 21, 2015
David Moretti is another scammer I just came across. Supposedly from Kirkland, WA. Very handsome photos (as a pilot) with a cute dog. In a week he was 'in love' then asked for a loan which I said no to. Also had a fake linked in profile that I reported.
Npl
February 20, 2018

In reply to by AEL

I have come across a scammer David Moretti as well..just acroas the border here in Vancouver BC. Positioned himself as a man coming from old money (flashy with cash at first then never seemed to have any) did not allow his photo to be taken at any time (i have snuck some but un sure if I can post on here for reference ti unknowing women) he does not have any social media profiles .. his last known locations seemed to be utah-california-florida-vancouver
Dlittle
December 21, 2015
Any one no about a Dr in Ghana Adams Maurice but lives in Florida
concereddaughter
December 22, 2015
my mother is talking to someone via facebook and text. she has sent multiply moneygrames. and he keeps promising to meet her but never does. he is stuck on a project in Nigeria. his name is Marcus Bullard. can anyone help me
FTC Staff
December 23, 2015

In reply to by concereddaughter

You could show her the stories that romance scam victims tell the FTC. This blog post has dozens of stories from other people.

The stories follows a pattern: someone contacts them online, says he's overseas on business, uses romantic language, makes big promises, and then asks her to send money or help him transfer money.

You could contact the wire transfer company and explain what's happening. The company might have information about known scammers.

You could show your mother some advice from dating websites. Dating websites don't want people to get scammed, and they post advice like this:

“DON’T ever send money to someone you meet online, especially by wire transfer. Scammers often insist that people wire money, especially overseas, because it’s nearly impossible to reverse the transaction or trace the money.” -Match.com

“If someone asks you for money, for whatever reason, do not do so and please, report the situation to us via the “Report a Concern” button. If somebody is asking you, they may be asking others, and your report can help protect other members.” -JDate/Spark Networks

“Watch out for someone who immediately requests to talk or chat on an outside email or messaging service. Watch out for someone who reports a sudden personal crisis and pressures you to provide financial assistance.” -eHarmony

worried daught…
March 01, 2016

In reply to by concereddaughter

Help me please my 70 year old mother has been doing this for at least 6 months. Sbe met someone on facebook and this scum bag has just about taken al she has. Mom wont listen to me.....please help me.
FTC Staff
March 01, 2016

In reply to by worried daught…

Take a look at my reply to concereddaughter on December 23. It has ideas about how to help a parent.

Also, sometimes an officer from a local police department or sheriff's office will make a home visit to talk to a person about a possible scam. You might be able to use the federal government's Eldercare Locator and type in your zip code to find help in your area.  You could ask the Area Agency on Aging in your mother's area if they have staff who talk to potential victims.

LOVEFIRST
June 21, 2018

In reply to by worried daught…

Tell your mom to say no to him and see how he reacts. If he gets mad and upset than it’s all about the money to him. If he’s understanding than he’s not scamming her. He should have his own money at that age.
scammed twice …
December 22, 2015

Beware of Thomas Sommer on Facebook he was a lt. in the navy lol, wife died in auto accident, had a daughter, pictures and voice did not seem to be as pictured, wanted $1,000, I said no, week later he wanted to know the max amt. on my credit card. Another scammer hit me up on Facebook same name different pictures wife died of cancer, young daughter, working in Nigeria this was just yesterday wanted $12,000, to complete his job there, it was amazing how fast honey, babe, baby, love,went right out the window when I said NO. And gave him an earful. Another scammer name on Facebook Bobby Davies wanted $4,400. Beware and don't give these losers a penny.

Dallas#1
December 23, 2015
I am having the same issue with a Nigerian man
P74
December 23, 2015
Watch out for a guy using the name Steven Pieters from Patchogue, NY. He has used basically ALL of the tricks. I fell for them at first. Loves me, wants to marry me and spoil me even sent me gifts which I think he used someone elses credit card for. Then it changed: Asked me for $5000 to open an account so he could transfer a million + into. Then he had to travel to Malaysia and I had to send it to his assistant. (I gave him $500) Once in Malaysia things got worse for him. His assistant quit and wanted the rest of her pay, $500. He wanted access to my bank account to put money in and pay bills. Online access to my account. For me to wire money to pay his assistant. Access to my Western Union account to send money to people. I didn't give it to him but then Western Union was calling me to verify my transfer??? I never called them back and it was declined / never process. His guy in Malaysia bought the wrong pallets and he wanted me to get a loan for $10,000 to pay for the taxes on the oil he bought for work. (NOPE, I'm not doing that) ITunes gift cards for "work". Over the Thanksgiving weekend I didn't hear from him then days later he tells me he fell and broke his arm (or leg, it changes every few days). He is out of money. The Malaysian government has taken his passport so he needs $2900 to get it back. Then it changed to $3500 so he could have some spending money. I did offer to fly out there and pay for his passport and bring him back - he flipped out with the No, No, No. I need to save my money. (Yeah, save my money and send it to him) He even had someone send me a check for $2800 to help pay for his return. The check didn't look real and I questioned it. So I never took it to the bank. He now can sell some of his work items so all he needs is $1000. He wants me to send it thru a third party using a money order that I take to a Car Auction place. The company that I am to make it out to is located in Logas, Nigeria. He has sent me several pictures, clearly from someone else's trip, says he is 45 and from South Africa. Parents have passed away and he has no family. Speaks broken English. I wish I could post pics to see if anyone else has heard from this guy.
blue 62
March 16, 2016

In reply to by P74

I think we may know the same person although I'm hoping against hope that it isn't him. Would you be willing to contact me at my email address?
FTC Staff
March 16, 2016

In reply to by blue 62

Under the FTC's commenting policy, we don't publish personal information, including email addresses.

Blue62
March 18, 2016

In reply to by P74

We have been in contact with the same person Would you be willing to talk to me about him? almost all of the details are the same.
Blue62
September 09, 2016

In reply to by P74

I am almost certain this is the same person. Please share the details on here. I wish we could share pictures. I've been trying to tell myself this isn't true, but I know it is.,
P74
September 10, 2016

In reply to by Blue62

Did he call you and always ask for a ITunes gift card? What did he ask you for? Did he mention anyone that he had to pay?
blue62
September 25, 2016

In reply to by P74

many iTunes cards. He said he used them for business. He told me that he had been in a three year relationship that ended when he caught her cheating. he told me that both his parents were deceased. He had to go to Malaysia to complete a "business project" on an oil rig. He told me that one of the men working for him had an accident and died, and that he had to compensate the family ..Hee was out of money and needed help. I did give him some money but told him that I'm not wealthy and couldn't do any more.. then he needed surgery, and needed pay in advance. He also told me he wanted me to open an account in his foreign bank with 5,000.00 so he could transfer his funds(millions) . well, i wouldn't do that. then he told me that his friend wanted me to get a transfer from another person and send it on to him...no, I wouldn't do that..When I sent him money,it was to an account in a car auction business..Now he is telling me he wants to come home because he is being targeted by terrorists. I think you were smarter and luckier than me. On some level really don't this to be him, but my instinct is telling me that it is. Did he mention having an office in Patchogue?
Blue62
December 17, 2016

In reply to by P74

I hope you can contact me on here again. i am trying to find out how to report him to either the FTC or some other organization In know you can't share email addresses or pictures on here, but just by accident I put one of his pictures into a search engine and it came back on a fraud website. I'm an extremely intelligent person, and I don't see how I could have ever been so stupid, but I guess I just let my loneliness get the best of me..Anyway, We are evidently not the only ones he has done this to, and I wish there was a way we could talk
sunshine
January 25, 2017

In reply to by P74

I met Steven Pieters from Patchouge, NY in 2015. HE said he was from South Africa, both parents dead, moved to US for work,then formed his own company. He said his last girlfriend cheated on him and was heart broken. He went to Malaysia to work on a rig,asked me for 2 itunes cards, then day before flying back to US,something went wrong, his passport was taken by police, was given one week to secure $18K to pay penalty or will be imprisoned. I did not send any money. I emailed him 2 weeks later and he replied (obviously he was not jailed then). He asked me not to contact him again. I only lost $75 in itunes cards. Glad I did not believe him.
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