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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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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.
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  • 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.

Geoff
October 27, 2016

In reply to by Geoff

Yes this girl is only a scammer, her name michelle Besalda 1985, she falls in love with you and is really good to slowly tick you. She lives in makati in next to Walter mart in paso tamo area. She's ahy at first then is really nice and then she starts to con you I to giving her money, it lasts a long time, so stay clear of her please.
marie
May 06, 2016
I've noticed something new. Instead of using a name like Tommy Barr, they used Barr Tommy. Another one calls himself Worthington Fred. This name reversal is a new thing. One thing I notice is that they want a picture of you right away even though they already know you're beautiful. In the past, I would just tag a long these POS, to waste their time. Also, ask them how they found you.
Theresa
May 10, 2016
does anyone recognize this email address as a scammer cotmic@
nancy
May 10, 2016

so this is my third scammer. this is his very first email to me and apparently he loves me...lol

Hell Nancy, I am Roland Kenneth Mark By name ,We met in Milwaukee, Wisconsin united state of america,i am single father of a daughter and a contractor by profession ,i pick so much interested on you ,

ever since i met you i have not been at rest ,if your heart was a prison,i would have sentenced for life imprisonment because i am chained by your love.

I found a flower blooming inside my heart – do you know the name of the flower? I found a spark in my eyes – do you know the name of the spark? I found the answer at last – it’s the LOVE I have on you,

Yes I love you so much and you mean everything for me my darling i am looking forward to hear from you. Best Regard Roland Kenneth Mark.

Really ?? how stupid do they think we are ? Hell, instead of Hello. who says I am "Roland Kenneth Mark" by name. and obviously when someone from the US tells you where they live, after the city and state, you don't say United State of America !

My second scammer, Tony Dixon, disappeared in March after me not replying back to him. and coincidently on the same day I got an email from the above third scammer I get this from my second: Hey Nancy. Hows your day going?, please lemme know how to meet with you, am done with my contract, i like you to email me your picture, house address and name, including your closest airport, i like to see you in person.. i hope to read back from you soon Tony I feel like giving him an address of a Federal Prison and closest airport - Siberia, Russia ! Not sure if its the same scammer, just different names and pictures or if it's three different ones.

jan
May 10, 2016
I have been talking romantically to a guy on a peace ship .He is a.US Marine .now hes aske me to send money for his sons upkeep The son is supposed to be 15 and in a boarding school.The guys excuse is he cannot get access to his pay on ship .wants me to send money gram .I am 66 and cannot afford it .Keeps nagging .I really fell for this guy .His name is Hammans Jacqueline Loniel .Got stroppy when I said I cannot afford .Says he is only thinking of his son .Son needs £670 upkeep .but will be happy if I send it in parts .The money has to go by money gram to sons guardion a woman .Wierd .the guy is a widower .advice please
FTC Staff
May 10, 2016

In reply to by jan

Don't send money to someone you have never met, no matter what story they tell you.

If you send money by wire transfer, it's like giving cash. Most likely, you will never get it back.

The US Army has warned people about scammers who pretend to be US soldiers. The Army says:

  • Military members have an email address that end in ".mil." If the person you are talking to can't send at least one email from a ".mil" address, it's likely he is not in the military. The ".mil" must be the very last part of the email address.
  • If a soldier says the military won't let him use his bank account or credit card, it is a lie.
  • Be suspicious if you never speak with the person on the phone, or he says he can't send or receive letters in the mail.
  • Scammers often say they are widowers and are raising a young child on their own. They try to pull on the heartstrings of their victims.




 

Broken Heart
May 13, 2016
How do I check for answer to my previous question? I'm new to all this & very scared .
nervousnelly
May 13, 2016
My mom is being targeted by someone who claims to be working in the Canary Islands. Supposed to be a civil engineer who sold his place in Honolulu before he and his 12 year old daughter went to the Canary Islands for a contract that is now completed. They are supposed to fly to the states tonight and stay at her place in Columbus, Ohio for a short while until he gets his next contract. I am frightened for her, but it doesn't sound like any of these scammers actually comes to the US to meet their victims. From what I have read, something will unforseen circumstance/tissue will prevent him from coming and the scammer will then ask her for money. He fits the profile (accent, photo that was used under other identities). He has the address to her home. Do I have to worry about someone showing up at her doorstep?
LadyLuck
May 31, 2016

In reply to by nervousnelly

Don't worry about him showing up at her house. Do worry about him stealing her money... Peace & love!
Unsure
March 03, 2020

In reply to by LadyLuck

I have been communicating with a Thomas Foster. He says he is in Afghanistan and will be coming home in a few weeks and then retiring. He says all the sweet and romantic things but hasn’t asked for any money at all. He just told me that he has a surprise he’d like to send me and wants my address. I didn’t give it to him. I want to believe that he’s real. Do they ever turn out to be real???
Scout1
May 15, 2016
Believe scammer one scammer is identified! Please everyone report all details to IC3, FBI and your State Attorney General. Please do not be embarrassed. This scamming is happening to people in all walks of life. Doesn't matter who you are. They are after anyone to scam. I didn't put something together until 2 weeks ago. I realize I had been followed on FB for almost 6 months before they laid their scam on me. They knew exactly when to strike! They had the fake details all planned out and fake photos, etc. If you wired money through a wire transfer agency versus going through money Graham or Western Union, then call the wire transfer agency and get the account shut down. I got 2 shut down! Yes they will create new ones via the Mule that is helping them with the scam money. One mules know what they are doing and others do not understand the full impact of what they are doing. Be safe and get the word out to your friends. I have learned a lot here and from scamming scammers on FB.
sjgrothie
May 16, 2016

Haik m is a Nigerian scammer works along side few other or so he says from America asking for money to get out to go back home

now I guess was coming to England got very mad nasty words as didn't send him any money he has either friend or same person Haik m guess lots of them are someone else's photos he's on Facebook and other sites be careful cos he doesn't mean all the loving things he says

DAISYML
May 18, 2016
PLEASE PEOPLE DO NOT SEND THESE PEOPLE MONEY FOR ANY REASON! IF SOMEONE IS REAL AND GENUINE THEY WOULD NOT ASK YOU FOR MONEY. YOU WILL NEVER MEET THESE PEOPLE IN REAL LIFE AND YOU WILL LOSE YOUR MONEY AND NEVER GET IT BACK!
CC123
May 19, 2016
I TALKED TO A ARMY MAN NAME ERNEST SHEPPARD... WE MEET ON A DATING SITE AND WAS TALKING FOR ALITTLE OVER A YEAR. IT WAS NICE CONVERSATION AT FIRST THEN IT GREW INTO SOMETHING MORE.. HE NEEDED TO GET HOME FROM PARIS AND I SENT HIM 500.00 AND NEVER HEARD FROM HIM AGAIN...LOST OUT AND I AM OVER IT NOW HOPE I NEVER HEAR FROM HIM AGAIN AND I AM BLESSED THAT I AM NOT OUT MORE
glittertams
May 19, 2016
Well, I have had several fake scammers from online dating sites as well. I have had quite a few guys that say they are in the military. I just avoid any military men now. I have also had other guys who are fake. My latest one is Alex Cernea. He is from Romania and lives in Wv now. I met him on OKCupid dating site. We have been chatting for two weeks on Kik messenger. He has not asked me for money yet. He is overly nice, sweet, etc. That is a red flag for me. I even asked him about it. He has sent several pics of him, his family, etc. He also sent me his passport. He is a civil engineer. He is in Mexico right now for his job. I think his pics maybe of him, but he is wanting something. He keeps saying I am his soulmate, etc.
lcooper
December 28, 2017

In reply to by glittertams

My parents were scammed out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by Alex.
infohelper123
May 20, 2016
I am from the scammers region and I am just here to help you know about scammers, they are everyone, don't believe in anything you see online or read in a text, don't even rely on phone calls again and with the bad grammar, cos of gov't embargo on employment, now lots of graduates are getting involved, be warned
andrijana
May 20, 2016

i met GEORGE KEENER BRAYDEN on facebook.He sent me friend request and we started chatting.He told me he was divorced, and almost never sees the kids..Soon after that, he started with fairy tales.He would come for me here, marry me, take me to LA California.After that he went to London for business, and he saw that his property has been locked cause he has not payed the taxes.After i said sorry, i cant help, he stopped with the fairy tales and "love", like.."you didnt help me when i needed you most,you will not help me when you will be with me"

Anthonyray
May 21, 2016
My mom has been talking to this guy Sumon david reza for a while but through facebook and he has sent my mom money before like 500 dollars but he wants to send more but cant because of some lawyer papers and is asking my mom to pay 2500 so all the papers and stuff can go through she told me he is trying to send a big amount of money too and she wants to send the 2500 but me and my brothers and being a bit skeptical.
FTC Staff
May 22, 2016

In reply to by Anthonyray

Scammers may set up profiles to meet people, then ask those people to help them move money around. People can make up all kinds of stories online. If someone you don't know, and that includes someone you only "met" online, wants you to do financial transactions for them, say no.

If you deposit checks into your bank account, and the checks turn out to be no good, you can make problems for yourself with the bank.

If you send money to someone who promises to send money back, you're probably going to lose your money.

sexyleggs
May 21, 2016
I think I am talking to a scammer. His name is Hazel Powell from new York. We have been talking since July. He also goes by Gallant P. He says he is in Heret. A master sergeant in the USArmy. I need help to find out if he is a scammer. Someone text me today and used the name Hazel Tosin.
lawrence_d
May 24, 2016

There's even far smarter scammers these day's and im a victim of a marriage scam. This group of family are all working together to drain my resources. Now im down and out and finally my wife was taken away without my knowledge and wife is creating friction out of the bloom for no rhyme of reason and wants divorce with me.

Noting was ever paid by her parents or her for our wedding and everything came from me. while the so called parents are not working.I'm freshly married just a few months. I made a mistake by not letting her sign an agreement. Now im trying to figure out how to legally get back at their scams if anyone knows how please advise to how i can go about the hit and run brides.

dumbat47
May 25, 2016
good, great, fantastic,
memysha
May 25, 2016
I just met someone on FB last week. He is from Nigeria and is very sweet. We communicate daily both via phone and video chat. There is an 8 hour time difference and he sits up to late hours in the day and night to speak with me and video chat with me. We even talked and video chatted ALL day last weekend. My concern is how can I tell he is a scammer. His FB pages has tons of photos and it is of the same person that I speak to everyday. He has sent me pictures of his mom and sister. I have spoken to his niece and cousin over the phone. He even sent me a copy of his ID. My concern in all of this is that he has already told me that he loves me. It's only been a week and we have never personally met only over video chat, text, and phone calls. We share the same views and like alot of the same things. Is it possible he is not scamming me but an actual man that truly is looking for love and feels he has found it? Please advise.
FTC Staff
May 25, 2016

In reply to by memysha

A person who wants to gain your trust may spend a lot of time communicating with you. He may claim to love you soon after you meet. He may say sweet things, and agree with your views.

When you talk with a person by video, phone or email, you can't know who he truly is. Often a scammer will invest time in building a personal connection with you before he asks for money or favors.

If someone you don't know - and that includes someone you met online - asks you to send money or gifts, or asks you to deposit checks or transfer money, say no. Those are signs of a scam.

cgalvez
May 26, 2016
Anyone know of a Brian Carlos saying he lives in Louisiana works for dyncorp and suddenly had to go to turkey. Claims divorced. No children age 47. Dad is Spanish mom American.
Imawababy
May 28, 2016
I was almost scammed. I met this guy on a dating web site Plenty of Fish. Profile said he lived in Malta NY not far from where I live. Sounded really great. We had alot in common and talked for about 1 1/2 yrs. Then he said he got hurt working as a consultant in South Africa and had to go to the UK for treatment. I asked him why if he's a US citizen why he needed to there and not come back to the US. He said he was waiting for money to come in from his job. I looked up his phone number and it came from a company called Global Crossing Local Services. Thank god I did not give him any info. Then all of a sudden he unfriended me from facebook and I no longer hear from him. Very disheartening. All I wanted to do was meet a nice guy and I get this crap... Makes me realize Im better off alone,.
slickster
May 31, 2016

This post is absolutely right. Online daters need to beware of the people they meet online because the stories you are told are likely not true. I've experienced this myself and paid a very expensive price. I've shared my story on social media to try to help others be warned but it really isn't enough. We need to band together as a society to make people who are rooted with deceit known. Thanks for this post!

These People a…
June 01, 2016

Hello, I met this nice guy online, hi is in the part of the military that deals with flying and all of that. I don't know my military stuff. LOL. Any ways, his facebook, page all checks out, there is even a pic of him jumping out of a plan.

He was telling me how lonely he was to be over sea's and has 14 months there, we where having some great conversations and then he said that the meals are terrible over there, and I questioned him about some things, and if anything could be done to make it better. I told him I could send him 20 dollars as talking to him, made my week. 20 I could do, and would only do it safely.

Well then he wanted to know if I could do 100, I said no, 20 is the limit. I don't have money to spend and I don't know him. Well know he is getting all crazy about sending a money gram. He wanted to know my bank name and all that. I said no. I am not giving out my Bank information. He isn't getting the 20 dollars now anyways. He wanted me to get money from him because he doesn't have anyone to get it to send it to him. Which makes no sense. Is there a way to report this and to catch this person? What are we to do with this kind of parasite.

Mo30 South Africa
June 01, 2016

Iv been talking to a guy for 4weeks now, im from South Africa..hes from Ireland working in SA, a week after we start talking he told me hes going to US for work...while hes in the US he call me then he ask me to pay for people who're working in his house because he forgot to pay them whe he leave,

Then he send me some lady's account number. ..I send her R1000, then after that he told me that his father is sick in Ireland i need to make a plan help him to pay his medication, I had to send him R1000...yet he used another lady's account number..

'Unfortunately ' his father died, then he had to fly to Ireland from US, Then another story....Apparently his father had gambling obsession so he couldn't pay his debts he had to go to the bank borrowed money against his house, now he have to pay the bank, South african bank transferred all his money to his ireland bank now hes stucked in ireland, hes asking me to get him money for ticket...help he goes by Ethan

tcg71
June 04, 2016
I just also got scammed from someone in Ghana. I found out on my own they were scamming me because they too asked for money, me to give account #, open an account, and I did send them money thru money gram. I also sent pics of myself naked cause they too sent pics of themselves naked too. They found me on facebook and know my cell# and car and where I work. They just sent me an email saying that they could make my life hell unless I send them $2000 or else. They have my address too. They said they could do something to do with my neighbors and work. Is this true can they do something to me bad??
FTC Staff
June 07, 2016

In reply to by tcg71

If you tell someone your bank account number, they can take your money. If you tell personal information like your address, phone number and work place, they can use your information for identity theft, or to threaten you.

If someone is threatening to harm you, you can call the police in your area. If someone is making threats to you on social media, you can report them to the social media site.

You can limit the information that people know about you. You could limit access to your social network pages. You could take down information you posted about your address or workplace or contact numbers. Never post your Social Security number or account numbers online.

MS1980
June 09, 2016

I would advise that anyone that goes to the site . I was talking to a woman for a few days and within a day she wanted to talk to me using google hangouts. Strike 1. You know for someone that is supposed to be from California she had the worst grammar in the world. I mean I do not have the best grammar but man this took the cake. Kind of like if you ever seen scammers before, and you know how the bad the grammar is with them? Strike 2. When I asked of a picture of her she sent them too me but said that she was in Ghana Africa and lost her phone so ran it through google image search and noticed that the details of the image that I saved shows next to program: google so yeah it was lifted off of the internet. Strike 3. Fortunately never asked for money but I blocked this person. Stay away from that site at all costs.

Periwinkle20
June 09, 2016
They will tell..I will send parcel thru this legit company, "good to be true" packages. Then upon arrival an email will be sent to you and you have to pay first $400 before delivery. They will give account number and textes will be coming to follow up your actions. Be Aware. These are all hoax
Broken-Still S…
June 10, 2016
I've read through most of the comments posted. 7 years ago I came off a bad relationship and like many here I got on dating websites. Like everyone I met a man saying he was from the UK. He was a contractor who got commissioned to go to Ghana to help build a highway there. Everything sounded legit. He started with the poetry and words that touched my heart. He sent me a dozen red roses. He had also said his wife was deceased but he had 2 grown kids and a sister who lived in Ireland. He did all and said all the things these people say and I fell hard. I wanted to believe him and of course I did EVERYTHING wrong. I started sending him money and then more and more. Amount isn't important but it was substantial. I even sent him my bank info because he claimed he was going to pay me back with interest and he would transfer the money. After a while I started to get suspicious and managed to get on a website regarding scammers. He sent me photos and a copy of his passport which I forwarded to those people only to find out everything was fake. The supposed bank wanted anti-terrorism certificates and more fees from the bank. The supposed IRS from Ghana even email me wanting me to pay taxes. I went to my bank only to find that his bank was fake. I immediately closed that account and transferred my funds into another account. Fortunately I had printed emails, kept pictures and receipts from writing money. I immediately reported all the info to the authorities and sent hard copies of the information I had. I didn't hear from him. Needless to say, on 6/5/2016 I happened to open my email and he had started to email me again. He said he wanted to pick up the relationship where it left off and he was ready to make amends and wanted to come here so we could start our lives together like he told me from the very beginning. Of course I knew he was a fake but I wanted to see where this was going. He told me the story that he got arrested at the bank and that he was detained in Ghana for 2 years while he was being investigated and then he was prosecuted and sent to prison for 4 years. He told me that he didn't contact me because he was protecting me from getting in trouble and he told the authorities that it was all him. He also said he was investigated by the FBI and Interpol. He said he was working with an attorney to get all his possessions back and access to his funds but he wanted my "support" and for me to stand by him to get this done. He called me (he still had my number after 7 years) but it was a number out of New Jersey. When I investigated his IP address it was out of Sunnyvale, CA. I also gave him my cell number and immediately he started texting me. He wanted me to call him but I told him I wasn't going to spend any more money to get an international calling plan. I told him how angry, hurt and financially devastated he left me but it seemed he didn't care. I decided to play along to see how long it took him to ask for money. He kept saying that if we couldn't be together he would rather die. After several days of this I decided I'd had enough. I emailed him back informing him that I was not going to subject myself to his drama anymore nor let myself go down that road again that I was down before and not to call me or email me that there were no more heart strings for him to pull. I also told him I refused to believe or rust in someone I couldn't see or touch and to not throw God into my face like he did in the past. He didn't listen. I immediately blocked him from my cell and yesterday I decided to take his phone call just to see what he wanted. That's when he told me he needed $5,000 for the attorney fees and I told him I couldn't do it because I didn't have the money to send. He then told me that if I didn't hear from he it meant he was dead because he committed suicide. I repeated that I didn't have the money to send. I told him that was his choice that it wasn't going to be on my shoulders for him to do that and I hung up. I will tell all of you that if something doesn't seem right it isn't. If it sounds too good to be true then it's a fake. There are too many good men or women amongst us to try to rely on someone you haven't met face-to-face. Also, tell a friend or your priest what has happened and what you're going through - at least tell someone. Report your scammer to everyone you can think of. Yes, it will hurt and it will hurt for a long time and don't feel stupid. It took me 7 years but because of my friends I'm getting over it. Get angry, be strong and let these scammers know that you refuse to be taken advantage of. Don't be afraid to stand up for you and not them.
4941haines
June 10, 2016
A man supposedly from California said he loved me and wanted to help me out with my child. Within two weeks of talking he said he was expecting money from a client but his ex-wife had messed up his bank account so he asked me to accept the money from the client saying I could keep part of it. I gave him a fake credit number. He said his client checked it said it was fake and then he asked me to go get a debit card with a bank account with it so his could make the transfer. I didn't do it. Then he asked for my SSN saying I could trust him. He said he needed the debit card and the SSN to get the money into my account. He had a specific card he wanted to use for the sake of the company I won't name it. I started getting suspicious when he would cut off our conversation or get off line abruptly and come back on. I think there are several working together for they all has had some type of wife or kid problem. The reason I say there are several for their language is limited and they use the same words.
andrew
June 10, 2016
I met this girl on app dating at first were fine but her English is poor and she at Ghana but born in USA had been there only two year and your English so poor then I got the picture and I ask more she send me topless and of cause I want more she ask me for iTunes gift card for her school nurse ebook ok I give her then food then iPhone she need to buy so we can cam together but her friend forgot the password on iCloud now I had at least 12 nude of her and passport of her and today she at the hospital because of mosquitos bite at her campus asking her you open window to sleep , she say no then I ask her a lot of tree there or water she say not really but she need money to discharge and I just know her not even a week she even take pic of her in the hospital should I trust her and talking to her uncle is like her friend talking because the English is poor too
Jarret
June 12, 2016
What happens if you receive money from a scammer but don't wire it back to them? Can you be in legal trouble for recieving money from them?
FTC Staff
June 13, 2016

In reply to by Jarret

A scammer might try to involve you in online bank fraud. They ask you to set up a new bank account, then transfer stolen money into the new account. If you do this, you could be helping a criminal.

It's never a good idea to accept a check from someone you don't know, and then deposit the check and wire some of the money. The check may be fake, but the bank must give you some of the money in a few days. If you withdraw money and send it, and then the bank finds out the check is fake, you must repay the bank all the money you took.

Bumble
June 16, 2016

I saw someone on facebook and added him not thinking it wud accepted...but the request was and we started to chat. It started out as just friends mainly asking me loads of questions about my personal life. He's widowed with one daughter...father n brother both dead but mother looks after his daughter.Hes from atlanta in Georgia but lives in new York...his name is George james padgett...he joined the army at age of 17 and now is field artillery senior sergeant.

His friendship developed very quickly towards me by saying he had feelings for me from wooing me with poems n paragraphs of love msgs....I started to have doubts so I asked him for selfie...he said he don't like doing selfies...but sent me a pic out of uniform in tracks pants...he sent another pic that again was away from Facebook but in uniform and said it was taken before he had to fly to his new base in Georgia...which he went to colombia...here he told me he can't call me as phones was restricted as he is new to base. He under went heavy training n said he might get deported to probably syria.

At this point he now tells me he loves me n wants to meet me...next thing I know...he's gone to a meeting as yes he's being deployed to Syria and wants me to $1000 to help fly him to the uk as the cost is $1260 ..I said no...he got upset wen I told him I won't pay...but he said he will gain my trust..10hrs it took to travel to syria and it's here he said he's on a secret mission after telling me where he is....he also announces he's a sniper....I've told him I won't pay a penny so he said he will put in leave so he can come meet me. Is he trying to scam me even tho he's not left after I've said I won't pay ?

FTC Staff
June 16, 2016

In reply to by Bumble

If you contact someone online, you don't really know who they are. They might tell you stories to get your attention, or send pictures that they stole from online. Many scammers pretend to be U.S. soldiers who are stationed overseas.

Some scammers will talk to you for weeks, or even months. If you don't really know who you are talking or texting with, don't send money. If you send money by wire transfer, or send money to his "family" in the states, or let him use your bank account to move money, you can lose money and personal information. If he puts fake checks or stolen money in your bank account, the bank will come to you when it discovers the fraud.

Don't use TOO …
June 01, 2018

In reply to by Bumble

I have just been contacted by George Padgett, widowed, one dau w2ho looks mideastern to me. Aerospace designer. Sent link to his business, but when I tried to find it on Google could not be found. This man sounds and professes to be German. On OURTIME and I will report
janewssd
June 17, 2016
Clever- A friend of a friend was a victim here that I would like to share. Here's what happened, this guy introduced himself as Lt Gen Benjamin Mixon who was deployed to Afghanistan to this lovely divorced lady with one child. Telling sweet words making this lady fall in love with him. She told everything about herself, even her financial status, then one day he was asking for a $200.00 iTune card! What in the world he was asking for a $200.00 iTune card if he's a general. It really shocked her. This lady was devastated because she was really falling in love with this fake general. Making the story short she cut the relationship off and this general disappeared from Facebook. Watch out with this general folks!!!!!
Sad_Daughter
June 21, 2016
Hi al, My mom is 80 and vulnerable and is pining for love and attention and has been speaking to this man stating he lives in Scotland for the past 6 months, it started on a dating site SAM and then he asked her to download KIK (a messenger used by scammers as there is no tracking or telephone numbers used) and she is besotted by him. He tells her everything she wants to hear from how much he loves her to he is going to spend the rest of there lives together etc... straight away for me it rang huge alarm bells but she told me to back off and i don't want to see her happy etc... so i backed off but it bothered me watching how deep she was involved. He sent loads of pictures which i have run through google and tineye and no trace, she has sent pictures of us to this guy and he said he was 50... my mom is 80!!! Alarm bells again. i then sat for 6 hours straight on the pc after seeing her at the bank and knew what she was doing but with no solid proof i could not stop her but knew that was her pension and life she was about to throw away! I found abit of info online and she had a email from him which i ran his IP ADDRESS and he actually lives in Califonia and everything he has told her is a complete lie! He said he was 50 he is 38, he said his wife died at child birth LIE! He said he was a contractor and buying machinery in Canada and needed funds but as soon as he got back to Scotland there life would start. My mom send her life savings and pension to this SCAMMER £10 000!!! When this all unfolded my mother broke and this could literally kill her!! His username is princelove98 more info i could not get but have handed it to the UK fraud department. Advise to any one and families concerned. FOLLOW YOUR GUT AND INSTINCT. Meet first and plan DO NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH A STRANGER easily said than done especially when they telling you everything you want to know. This effects everyone near and dear. There is not enough systems in place to prevent and protect vulnerable people and prevent scammers online ... PLEASE ALL BECAREFUL x
Inocent.
June 23, 2016
Have questión, I know a man who said hi is in Nigeria. He dont ask me for money or bank account, he show me photos of him and also we had been talking by Facebook call. We just chat at night because he said he is in a Mission at the day. Im scared because i was Reading about scammer, and when i said him, hi send me more picture that he had in his SD card. * Can soldier use a cellphone or lapto if they are in a camp? * Can they use his money to send to another location? * Any page where I can see pictures of Soldier of US army? Please, i really need his answers, and thank you so much.
FTC Staff
June 23, 2016

In reply to by Inocent.

The US Army warns people about scammers who pretend to be soldiers. They tell all kinds of stories about themselves to get people to send money. Sometimes they say they have children who need money. The US Army has many warnings about scammers who pretend to be soldiers.

If you never talk to the man on the phone or see him in person, you can't know his true identity. You take a risk when you send money to someone you don't know, or tell him  about yourself. If you tell him your bank account number or credit card number, he could take money from you.

A person in the US military must have email address that ends in ".mil." If the man you talk to won't send you email from an address that ends in ".mil," he probably is not in the military. The ".mil" will be the last part of the address with nothing after it.

If he says the military won't let him use his bank accounts or credit cards, it's a lie.

 

Inocent.
June 23, 2016

In reply to by FTC Staff

Thanks you so much. I´ll ask about a email address. Can they used cellphone or lapto there?.

Noniemarie
July 25, 2016

In reply to by FTC Staff

I am married and being scammed, i want to report this guy to the FTC AND FBI, but cant let my husband know or he will leave me. Can I do this without involving my husband in any way? Thanks for your reply