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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.

Blue62
January 29, 2017

In reply to by sunshine

We do know the same person He was supposedly flying back from Malaysia, and told me he was arrested at the airport because he was in possession of a bank draft from Canada fir over 2,000,000 and did not pay the tax.I received an email from a supposed interpol officer named Ainan.. I found out later that interpol would not have emailed me, Supposedly he was under house arrest until he paid 10,000.00 in taxes. Every few days he was telling me me he needed more money, along with iTunes cards. When I finally added up all the lies and inconsistencies, I had lost approximately 15,000.00 I emailed him and told him I knew he was scamming me and I was blocking him..I am an intelligent person, and I don't know why i allowed him to manipulate me like that, but he was a master at it. I have made a report to Scamming Scammers Education, and am thinking of contacting the FBI. From what you're saying he was playing both of us at the same.time.He may also be connected to the name Gerrard Hann Ulrich. You were much luckier than I was. So far, that makes three of us. I wish their was a way the three of us could be in contact. Im sorry that happened to you, but I'm glad you only lost the money for the I tunes card.
Thanks17
November 15, 2017

In reply to by Blue62

Blue62. You are not alone. I am an educated woman with highest degree of education but I cant believe how stupid I am. Ive lost a lot $$$. Iguess there's only one person representing lawyer,banker and this Army General. I dont know if I could get back my hardly earned monies. I am broke dealing with this criminals. This Army General made me believe he really needed fund to get out of Syria because they wanted to kill him due to his expose. So I sent money for his lawyer to process his documents and tickets.I want to scream out loud....I sent a lot and now he is gone!
Blue 62
November 18, 2017

In reply to by Thanks17

Thank you so much. I think most of us are educated, accomplished women.This man also used the name Gerrard Hann Ulrich. all of his many victims have the same pictures and business information.From what I understand from one of the victims,/they are responsible for at least one suicide. It doesn't seem that the police are too invested in apprehending him. There is a distinct possibility that there are at least two other men working together. there is a possibility that he is still scamming people. Please know that you are not alone.
Thanks17
December 20, 2017

In reply to by Blue 62

Blue 62,please let me know if youre able to report your case to authorities so I will also do mine. I got a lot of bank loans that all sent to these criminals. Thank you and may the LORD see us through
Blue 62
November 20, 2017

In reply to by Thanks17

Thanks for your kind words..A lot of us are educated and accomplished women and none of us are stupid. Steven Pieters is also known to use the name Gerrard Hann Uleich. All victims have the same pictures and business info. there is a possibleity that this is a crime ring, At least one of the victims committed suicide. in a way, I and I hope you, were lucky..although I lost a lot of money I didn't loose my home, even though I came close, Its almost the same story, and I just want other women to know that these names are out there .
Thanks17
December 05, 2017

In reply to by Blue 62

Dear Blue 62. I almost lost my home but thanks God He did not allow to happen. when all my savings gone I resort to bank lending institutions, my precious jewelries were auctioned just to send to these criminals. My family hated me much when they've learned Im penny less. I almost commit suicide...drove my car along the mountain side. Now, I am starting a new life and hoping God will restore me. I am a kind-hearted woman, generous and most of all...Highly educated but lost my self-esteem. God bless us all. BTW, I am not in my country anymore just to escape my huge bank loans. Such a life. I believe that there'is a purpose for all our mistakes in life. Money is not all matters anyways. We will survive and let us move on.
Blue 62
February 19, 2018

In reply to by Thanks17

I too almost lost my home. There have been several victims that did loose their home, and at least one suicide. Please don't let these criminals put you down for the count. You will come out on top in the end. Please just remember that these men are criminals, and at least this gang is possibly dangerous. I wish we could be in con tact in person, but please find someone you can trust to talk to.
Someone from t…
June 17, 2018

In reply to by Blue 62

Please help me understanding this slight different case here. My sister met a guy from Scotland Harrison j Brown. He proposed his love for her within a week and told about his family. He is a widower with a child. He said he works Chevron Group of Company under UK government. He is coming to Our country in 3 weeks to meet her and asked for a postal address so that he could send some gifts from his country as he cannot carry those. He left for another Asian country meanwhile for his work. Till this everything seemd normal but when we came to know about the parcel which is due on next monday we were shocked. He had sent a 10g gold chain, A Chanel bag, jewelry and stones (don't know if they are precious), Zara 2 pairs of sandles (without knowing her foot size), A rolex watch, and an envelope with 40 k pounds. Somehow I find this uneasy and see it as scam. I don't know the gifts will ever reach the destination but If he really had sent those how can he hard my sister. Anyone reading this are requested to give their opinion. I'am searching for similar cases here.
FTC Staff
June 18, 2018

In reply to by Someone from t…

A scammer might say he is sending you a valuable package. Then you get an urgent call from the shipping service, or customs, or some other "official" agency saying the package is held up, and you must pay a fee immediately.

That's the scam. There isn't really a package; the person calling you isn't really from an official agency, and you don't have to pay a fee.

Overwatch
June 29, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

I've just had to step in to stop someone trying to borrow money to pay such a fee - this scammer was pretending to be an actor from a well known TV show claiming he could get this person a job writing the scripts, and was going to send a script, lots of dollars and diamonds. Although he now tells me he's removed and blocked the guy, I think part of him's still thinking there might really be a package held up in Thailand. I saw the email demanding the fee and it's such a bad photoshop a child could have done better with a packet of crayons.
Life101
July 08, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

Yes, the scammer Alex Fleming, he called himself told me he had won a bid to do engineering in Cape Town South Africa. I sent him a laptop. He told me he was called to customs because the equipment he had sent down for the job was not properly documented. This woman called me telling me I had to pay xxxx amount of dollars for the error. He was retained for a week until it was paid up.
Don't trust no one
November 28, 2018

In reply to by Someone from t…

Reading your story the same thing happen to me . he was supposed to be a ship captain say he wanted to send me a gift it was around Christmas time .same story and basically same items and elope we're just about the same amount of money in it .next thing I know suppose to be on its way to me and got to where they scan the box it was in and come to find out that's when they discovered that it had money in it so now that texted me telling me that they need me to cover some kind of fee to cover the money of the Fed were going to be knocking in my door if I did pay . I told them no way I paying to have apkg with that kind of money in that sent to my house. All a scam and like you said they don't care they would take your house they're leaving the street they don't care. And where you basically find them is on Tagg
Hope
June 25, 2020

In reply to by Someone from t…

Ws it a scam? My best friend just paid that for a package similar and a widower with s child too
Sd64
August 07, 2018

In reply to by godlove

I am wondering, can a person be filed on for sending money to a person in another country and to find out later they are a criminal?
netta328
December 27, 2015
The man that i believe that maybe trying to scam me is James Bongani,he allegedly is the owner of a Contsuction Co..immediatedly after meeting him from the EH website he wanted to communicated through a Viber app..Plz..ladies..be careful..he very handsome.He is very convincing and charismatic..he was trying to get 20,000 from me and once i refused he became angry and very persistent at times..
P74
December 31, 2015

In reply to by netta328

The guy I was talking to used the Viber app too. Is that harder to trace?
blue62
September 27, 2016

In reply to by P74

The person we've discussed used the yahoo messenger and text..calls when I'm not answering him the text..but says his phone fades out.
Nilk288
June 27, 2018

In reply to by netta328

I have one incident now he said he is from new jersey he send me loads of photos and videos and so romantic im not really sure uf his a sxammer or not..unti he went in nigeria for business trip and lost his wallet he cant encash his cheque and something more
Chelle
June 28, 2018

In reply to by Nilk288

Hi, I met this man last year named Barr Martin. He lives in Camden New Jersey. He is Nigeria as we speak. Was robbed and all his money was taken. Is this the same person. We have video chat so, I know he is a real person.
Parker
November 05, 2018

In reply to by Nilk288

Hi by any chance is this guy muscled with tattoos and mixed race very pretty face and called Fred?
Afrikenbwoy
March 26, 2019

In reply to by Nilk288

Definitely a scammer and ladies ! Don't be fooled by the pictures being sent to you , they take alot pictures of a random handsome guy on the net to perpetuate these scams
this scammer w…
January 04, 2016

I was talking to someone on okcupid. He said he was deployed. Talked to him in whatsapp and then started laughing as soon as he said he can't access his bank account. This was shortly after he said he's on a secret mission. Sure you are. I had a good laugh and blocked him after telling him good luck and bye Felipe. I reported his profile on okc as well. Here's a link to his profile. His name is "Danny" and his "wife" died 4 years ago, 11 year old son.

Kk
February 05, 2018

In reply to by this scammer w…

I have the same story mine wants 25000 wired to Dubai he can’t access his account how can I see the picture he gave you to see if he’s the same guy mine gave me a email of ustroops. syria@ usa. com he works for United Nations peace keeping mission
Bulb
February 20, 2018

In reply to by Kk

Oops!!!I have a very similar thing going on here... Syria, UN peackeeping... The guy says he is from LA... He just asked me if I could help him buy a dog for his daughter...
Mary200
July 14, 2018

In reply to by Bulb

I am talking to this guy on Hangouts. Started on Instagram. So far, he thinks I’m beautiful and wants to marry me. He will be coming here soon to do just that. I’m blocking him. I think he is a foreigner posing as a US Soldier!!!! Awful!!!!
Sarah
July 30, 2018

In reply to by Mary200

What is this guy name? Did he gave you his picture? Because I am currently chatting a guy on Hangouts claim his in Army based in Syria. He said his name is David Burkett. And I have his picture wearing army uniform.
Steph0matic
August 17, 2018

In reply to by Sarah

People please this is happening all over plain old Facebook . I am an army vet and so I enlarged the pic so I could see the name on the uniform it was not the same name as he had given. When I asked why? He said oh that’s my middle name and when I said I hadn’t heard of any duty stations where he claimed to be he offered up some more bs, there use of or lack there of of the use of the English language is sometimes very obvious sometimes not so much. THEY DO NOT EVER PUT A MIDDLE NAME ON UNIFORMS/ EVER!!! Ask questions while appearing to do so innocently and you will notice their answers are not consistent or right.
Sherryash29
August 18, 2018

In reply to by Steph0matic

I have had so many contact me with the lies of being in Syria on a Peacekeeping Mission. They all seem to have small child and their wife died from either cancer or drunk driver hit her. Same story over and over. At first I would talk just because I was bored but they never say anything but “yes babe” or some other one liner! Then I delete them but in the beginning they would always ask for money for something that came up like a sick kid and they can’t ge home to pay or some other lame excuses and I guess some women are lonely enough to believe them. Dr Phil has had at least 3 shows I saw about both men and women had spent thousands and thousands of dollars to help their online loves....and it’s so sad they they can’t believe they are not real.
April
September 18, 2018

In reply to by Sarah

I once came across a Daniel David Rodriguez posing as an army General...can they be one & the same?
Malibu2931
September 13, 2018

In reply to by Mary200

I have one vontacting me now on hangouts. Super cute lots of marine tats big german shepherd. First asked for money to buy leave then found out im former military. Called him on it. Then he said he's actually special forces. Now he wants my cc access...passwords security questions evetything so he can transfer me $800 to help me financially until he can get to TN to marry me. Name is David Sorensen Kent. Hes def a real person. He sends me videos of him & his dog playing. Its really cute BUT....WHY MY CC INFO? All my cc are maxed out & my credut is awful after my divorce. Of course he can't access his money to pay whatever leave pay but he can to pay my cc???? And how does that help HIM??? Im broke.
FTC Staff
September 14, 2018

In reply to by Malibu2931

Some scammers tell people they'll pay off their credit cards, if the victim will get a cash advance after the card is "paid off."  If the victim agrees, the scammer sends payment, and the victim thinks her card is paid off. She takes a cash advance on the card and sends money to the scammer.

But then, the scammer reverses the payment he made, or the credit card company finds out he paid with a fake check. So really, the credit card isn't paid off, and the victim has increased her credit card debt by taking a cash advance. The scammer gets away with the money.

Sadandpissedoff
September 16, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

That's sound like me. I have same situation and my checking account also
NOT STUPID ANYMORE
November 21, 2018

In reply to by Sadandpissedoff

That happened to me but my credit card company will not let it go through until it clears his bank and when it does he can not stop the payment then I with draw all the money ...if he wants to screw me over I will screw him over first....
Michele
September 18, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

Bridget I have same exact problem you explain about the credit card. He did the same with my checking. He took everything from me help.
Hahametoo
September 19, 2018

In reply to by Malibu2931

Yep! He hit me up too! My ex is retired Army so I know a thing or two. He should me his iD and it was a fake! He wore his Dress Blues in the pic! Then I noticed the Marine tats! He said he was Army. His accuse, he wanted to be in The Marines and his dad made him go Army...lol no hunny. Then he asked me for Itunes card ..something w the phone...how funny. There should be a page we can post pictures!
DoBs4s18n't us…
October 12, 2018

In reply to by Malibu2931

Is there a way I could ssend you a picture and see if this is possibly tthe same person.
Jenni T
September 21, 2018

In reply to by Mary200

I had a guy hi t.f me hi p on IG an then we immediately started chatting on Google Hangouts, saying I was beautiful as well he wanted to marry me when he came off deployment saying he need toietries underwear an iPhone cause his camera was broken he also needed iTunes cards etc.
Happy girl
September 21, 2018

In reply to by Mary200

I have had the same experience. He was saying he loves me keeps asking me for money these Friday’s. His name is mark portal.
Amanda Williams
April 01, 2019

In reply to by jjpace

Lol you just made use of my surname lmao well from my findings those scammers only uses two names mainly on Facebook It could be any name,Valentine?,Andrew?,Michael..etc
Paddle 04
January 04, 2019

In reply to by Mary200

Same with me i have chat mate here in dubai he wants to meet me and mary me i dont know if its true..he is giving me his salary too...is yhis true or scam
Smh
October 16, 2021

In reply to by Paddle 04

Me too...us army in dubai...gave me financial info said he is from Sweden but coming back to the states wants to marry me
Wondering
April 06, 2018

In reply to by this scammer w…

Can u describe what he looks like. Like did he post a pic of himself with muscular thighs?
Dlittle
December 27, 2015
Why can't we post photos of them or who they say they are
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