Skip to main content

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
KamiWami
August 11, 2017
I met guy on Match.com named Patrick Gerwig. He said he was a widow with no family, wife's family won't talk to him, and said he was an engineer for an oil company. He supposedly went to China to sign a contract and asked me for a $150 iTunes card. I said no and called him a scammer. He apologized and asked to still email and I'm an idiot so I said okay. A few days later he was supposedly flying back but said he missed his flight and needed $350. He wanted me to send it to his nanny, Sandra Picado in New Jersey. He was using a cell phone with a New York prefix, said he just moved to WA state from there. I just blocked his number. Good to know I"m not alone.
Kymara
August 12, 2017
I have many messages and emails proving I've been scammed. Can I have me scammer investigated and arrested. He claims to be overseas on business with no money. He gave me a fake us affress or a fake name. Maybe both. Will the America. Embassy check him out or who can I get to go where he is and investigated
Amysperanza11
August 14, 2017
Beware of this scammer who is on social media. Sometime ago I was supposedly communicating with a Amelia Esperanza from New Jersey and just felt something was wrong so I cut that communication off. Now, again another photographed woman wrote me with the same email also from Union New Jersey. It was bugging me with that last name so I searched my old email and sure enough, there was the same email address with a photo of a different woman. So beware of this email address since it's a scam to get information.
sad211
August 13, 2017
I met this guy, not even on a dating site, it was a language learnig site. he told me he is a civi; engenier from UK working in South Africa, i aked him for pictures and he sent them right the way, i talked to him on the phoen and he does have a Scotish accent, he said he is divorced his wife cheated on him, never had children, and he asked me about me, i have sent hom pictures of me and my grown kids, he said he woul love to be a part in their lives,, and then bam...he asked for an I tune card, i bought it for him, then his bank account was frosen and he neede money to help pay for the hotel, i sent money through instagram but it didnt go through for some reason...it was not to his name but supposedly to one of the worker at the hotel, they told me it was a scam so i blocked her,,,,i told him what happened, he was upset when i told him the thruth ,,,he said is not a scam you have a wild imagination....so i sent money through western union ,,,ye, i am an idiot,,,i am in love with this guy,,,i dont know if he is scamming me or he reallly needs my help,,,now acording to him the tax company is charching him 17000 so he had to stop his project,,,he waas supposed to come at the and of August,,,he knows i cant help,,,but still he keeps talking to me,,,,so i dont really know if he is for real. have never video chated with him, he said his phoen camera broke....Please help.
Twiggy
August 14, 2017

In reply to by sad211

Hi sad, Sorry your emotions were manipulated by a scammer but that is clearly what is going on here. When you say your scammer is still keeping in touch with you in the face of him knowing you can no longer help him monetarily, he might try to use you as a money mule (see the above post with the last name of Sandra Picado ... she is being used as a money mule ... which is illegal to receive the money then send it on to the scammer. He might also be biding his time till he asks you to ask for money from a relative (when he supposedly gets mugged and is in hospital) and you'll be so in love with him and so worried about him you'll be desperate and go to great lengths to send more money. Please read stories about how people have lost their entire savings and homes and cars because they couldn't stop. Please get help for yourself before it's too late. This is not a love relationship on the scammers side ... he only wants money ... his words and actions are all about getting more money.
midnighttulip
August 15, 2017

In reply to by sad211

Hi Sad211 this story sounds interesting and I may be talking to the same guy. I have his voice that I taped to bad I can't attach it to her and all can hear it. Did he give you a name?
WHY ME?
August 16, 2017
I feel like I'm being scammed after reading all of these posts and similar stories. Has anyone ever got a FB message, or scammed, by a man named Ritz Calton, AKA Richard Calton, 43 year old from ATL? Love and romance, but always coming up with some reason to need money wired or a credit card opened up to help get money needed ASAP. This last time, he wanted me to send him money for medications because he was deathly ill. But the money needed to be sent to a "Closette Jocirin" in Florida; who would then ship him his meds ASAP. Please help me.
Rosanna
August 17, 2017
I've met a great guy, very sweet, at Sapio and we started texting. His name is Benton Refunjol and after a while he called me crying saying he had a car accident and he was at a hospital in Turim, Italy. He gave me his doctor's phone and I after getting in contact with the doctor, he said we had to pay the hospital. It would cost 850 euros and after 10.000 euros for a surgery. After that I've called the hospital in Italy and found out it was all fake. It's sad, but it's true. We shall all be careful.
Stacia
August 18, 2017

In reply to by Rosanna

Great job, Rosanna. You should be very proud of yourself.
Clue
August 18, 2017
I don't know how to convince my mom that she is just another victim of a scammer. She met this "Tim Adams Scott" online on E-Harmony, and almost immediately he got off the site and they began talking over the phone and texting. Never video-chat, he says his camera doesn't work, what a coincidence. He says he studied Engineering in Russia, and works with oil rigs. He was supposedly living in Miami, but on the day my Mom flew there, he got into a car accident and never picked her up. She went to "his" house, only to find a family who had no idea who he was. He says he is a widower and has daughter, Clara, who my mom has spoken too as well. He then said he had a job in Alaska and has been working there for a couple of weeks. She bought a flight from Florida to Alaska to go see him on August 16th. Only for him to have had yet another accident on the 15th, and supposedly had died after their boat capsized. And yet today he is miraculously alive, 2 days later. There is also a "friend" of his called Derek, that my mom has spoken to, and who has been almost an intermediary throughout every "accident", who by the way seems to have an Indian accent. She is planning to buy yet another ticket on the 20th to fly there. Oh and another thing was, "Tim's" job as an engineer at the oil rig is top secret, so he wasn't at a regular hospital, but at a clinic the oil company has, and you need a security clearance to even be able to talk to him or see him. He is saying it was all misunderstanding, that he was alright. She claims they have not asked her for money, but I'm not entirely sure. She has said that Tim had problems with the IRS, so they wanted his work check to be made out in her name? I'm not sure. She has seen the comments on this website and refuses to see that this is all a scam. This guy has lied to her consistently, even sent her a fake florida driver's license. He has sent her dozens of pictures, but I've yet to find somebody online who looks like him. Has anybody had similar experiences in terms of going to meet these scammers and their "accidents"?
Twiggy
August 18, 2017

In reply to by Clue

Hi Clue Your mom is in "deep" if she is still believing "Tim" in the face of everything you've described. The love bombing is an emotionally manipulative hook from which it is difficult to extricate oneself. Keep trying to make your mom see the light before she loses all her money. You might tell her that men in general will move mountains to be with someone they love ... that's not what is happening in your mom's situation ... maybe she's forgotten this. Look at other romance scam websites and ask moderators to help you find matching pics of the scammer. I will end with this ... if your mom deposits that work check to her bank and gives the money to "Tim" ... a week or so after the deposit your mom will get a call from the bank stating the check is not good and she'll have to come up with the money she withdrew. That is how that particular scammer angle works. Also...how is it that this guy's company is able to write a work check to your mom without her social security number?? The scammer will try his best to come up with some excuse so try to outsmart. If you can just get your mom away from this guy's love bombing for a few weeks, the spell will be broken and she might actually see the situation for what it is.
Mary123
September 23, 2017

In reply to by Clue

Hi there! The same daughter's name as my grandma's phone pal now. HIS NAME USED IS MARK ANDERSON, WITH DAUGHTER CLARA AND SON STAN.
Analie Bizzotti
August 19, 2017
A guy tried to get money from me and I had to send it to London-United Kingdom to another person (I have its name and address) He first wrote me with the name of Faxx James and facebook refused him,later he wrote again with the name of Mavis Johnson, both with the same story. Also I think he post a false picture of himself. I wish that facebook stops him to do Scams.
Neen
August 21, 2017
Reading all of these stories is so sad! And scary. I never get on dating sites and don't accept stranger requests on Facebook. BUT, I do play Words with Friends and scammers are there too! I chatted with a couple of guys. Roy Ivan and David Williams. Both oil rig engineers - beware of these! Both widowed with children. Both wanted to move to Google Hangouts to talk. Which I did. They never asked me for money - it didn't last that long - but both were falling in love quickly. I'm not quite that desperate. Deleted and blocked them both. But they will just back up and keep trying. Stay safe out there.
Bella S
August 21, 2017
Has anyone been scammed by someone by the name Gonzalez Narvaez? He is residing in Accura, Ghana.. Said he can't leave there because he was detained in airport because they found gold in his luggage, and has been under Surveillance until he can pay all the costs to return to the states with the gold. He said he was working off shore for Shell Oil off the cost of England... I have tried to find this man for over a year, but can't seem to find him anywhere. He is bald, very smooth talker, and a handsome man. Please if anyone has any information, I would like to hear.
Bella S
January 27, 2020

In reply to by Bella S

I have been conversing for 4 yrs with a man who goes by the name of Gonzalez Narvaez. He was residing in Accra Ghana. Couldn't ask for a sweeter kinder man I thought. He left Ghana January 20, 2020 to supposedly be coming home. He said there would be a layover in Dubai, then flying on home from there. Over the weekend I received a text message from someone calling himself Dr. Anderson telling me that Gonzalez had been in a terrible accident and was brought to his hospital. Told me that he was in a coma and needed to have surgery. He said he couldn't do surgery until someone who was close to him gave the go ahead.. I was unable to contact Gonzalez after he left Ghana because he had to shut off his phone. The next message I received was from this so called Dr. Anderson. I'm certain that too was a scam also.. If anyone knows anything about this situation, please send me a message and let me know. Confused...
Lory
August 22, 2017
Anyone else know a guy who's in Turkey right now, from England. Lost his parents and sister 10 years ago. Divorced, good looking, very sweet and poetic. Asked me for an ITunes card after three and a half weeks, kept saying I was the love of his life and bla bla bla. Goes by Daniel Tayo. I couldn't find anything online about him. What a bummer!
singlemomof2
August 22, 2017
Matt Walker says he works for Exxon Oil. Has a daughter in CA. Always says he will come see me. Dutch but accent isnt right. Wont Skype or Facetime. Wants me to look for an apt so we can be together. Now wants me to wire him money for the application so it is in his name as he can afford it. Been going on for a year or more. Never arrives at the airport.
Pens Fan 66
December 22, 2017

In reply to by singlemomof2

Single Mom  I'm sorry that this has been going on for so long, but you have recognized signs that he isn't honest. Do not enter into any financial arrangements with someone you have never met face-to-face. One thing they try to do is to get an honest woman to deposit a fake check into her legitimate bank account and then to send cash back to the guy via MoneyGram or Western Union. By the time your bank realizes the check was fake, the guy and your money are gone and the bank will come after you for the money you withdrew. You can even be charged with a crime. Do not get involved in anything financial with him. Protect yourself and your family.

alicemegan16
August 24, 2017
I met online a guy named andre hernandez. he claims to be a usa military pilot. his wife passed away from breast cancer. he has a son 6-7 years old. I told him about scammers..so far he has not asked me for money but no wife..no parents (both died) so weird. he owns his private helicopter...something is not right here.. he said he lives in florida departing to kabul today
Flipperjane
August 25, 2017
Has anyone ran across Army Sgt Palerma Oxley stationed in Kabul?
Radharani
August 25, 2017
David Deluca on Spiritualsingles.com. He sent me many photos and had a beautiful speaking voice. Claimed to be a commodities broker living in Aurora, CO working on a huge oil deal. Romanced me with beautiful poetry and some Rumi poetry (one of my favorite 12th century spiritual poets). He is amazing at what he does. Romanced me for three weeks, even sent me flight itineraries via tex (but they had no confirmation numbers). They were even actual flights! He finally sai he was at Royal Bank of Scotland and needed money. Please be careful, these scammers are great at their games. NEVER send money. Do not give your heart to someone you have not know for many months and met in person. Watch and wait. If you heart is broken, find a good therapist, books, a good support system. I did not get taken and I am so thankful.
not sure
August 27, 2017
Have been talking to someone on a mental health support chat room for a few months. He never asked me for anything and I was the one who came to him. He never asked me for money. Then someone private messaged me and said "this guy is an alcoholic who visits girls from these chat rooms and stays at their places without paying / uses them for money." I don't know what to think. First of all, I would never allow this man anywhere near my home. I also heard he is about 5 years older than he says. Does this sort of thing happen, too... not 'online' scamming but perhaps starts online and someone just manipulates girls into helping him? I know this person respects me enough never to ask me for money or a place to live. I 'offered' (OK, I'm stupid, lonely) and one day he joked about coming here but ultimately we never really talked about it. We spoke 3 times on the phone and he never calls or texts me.
not sure
August 27, 2017
I still miss him :(
Oregon
December 29, 2017

In reply to by not sure

Not sure, are you getting over the liar yet? Remember, it is NOT the person you were presented with, it is a gang of thieves. And you get heartbroken because they are insidious. I truly hope you stay strong, and cut off and stay away from them. Please listen to your brain, not your misled heart. Finally, pray. Pray for wisdom, pray for guidance, and keep reading these, and all will become clear. Best to you 2018, you won't be lonely any more.
babygirl
August 28, 2017
anyone know of a man harris martin?
Twiggy
August 28, 2017

In reply to by babygirl

Does he say he's from Jacksonville, FL? If so, google his name as he's listed on other scammer sites. Please don't send money or goods to the scammers. Block and delete is your best defense.
princess
December 29, 2019

In reply to by Twiggy

Does anyone know of a Raymond Becton who works on an oil rig in Gulf of Mexico . He supposedly lives in Jacksonville Florida and has a five year old son. He was also stating his ex wife cheated on him with his best friend.
julieshem
August 29, 2017
am currently dealing with a man i met on tagged,he is no longer on tagged.his name is George stockstill he says he is currently working at Libya as an us army.we just sharing pictures says he will come and meet me once they are done in april,,could this be a scam
mhay
December 24, 2021

In reply to by julieshem

hi i just read your comment here.. same situation i met also George Stockstill from tagged and he said he is a US army and have mission in Libya now..
WaryForever
August 29, 2017
Beware of Michael Andrew Wilson aka Michael Dermott. He uses the photos of a real military serviceman and has been spotted on yahoo, tindr, kik. He contacted me through Hinge using the same photos. Be wary, be safe.
Heartbroken
July 07, 2018

In reply to by WaryForever

I have been chatting with Michael Dermott for 3 months. He has a way to make you fall in love. He asked for money for his cell so he could still talk to me. Then he decided to come home to me and retire and we would raise his son Ben together. I sent a total of 2000$. Maxed my cc’s and some savings. The hard part is I’m going through a divorce and he fed right into my head & heart. Now I’m devastated!!!
Notworried
August 29, 2017
Has anyone heard of a Bolton Carter Arroyo, claims he is in the Marines first in Syria and now in Iraq. Always needs money, started out on Instagram, now only on hangouts, according to him. Please any information, he is no where on sites, except for twitter a long time ago. lol
Shirley
August 31, 2017
I have been scammed also by this man called James Freeman, he ripped of my money but all thanks to ICP who helped me with investigation and recovery of my lost funds and with compensation from the scammer he is currently rotting in jail now, you can report to the ICP and if you were scammed too
CouldBeWorse
September 01, 2017

In reply to by Shirley

Hi Shirley, Can you provide the full ICP site address? I was scammed hugely, please help. Thanks.
CouldBeWorse
September 03, 2017

In reply to by Shirley

what is ICP? can't find the website. .... WOuld you please type it out? thanks.
Anna
August 31, 2017
i only been 1 months in 2site dating -Tender & mingle2. I soon rec Hi msg for 3different guy and this are their story 1-offhore guy Sean Lianng - sent parcel that i need to pay 4500. Just text back :I wont pay anything n u can take back the parcel to their owner. 2-marine guy Dave Nichols asking for leave. i checked no such thing as on behalf for military asking for leave n need pay USD200 using Western Union. i didnt pay n he was upset saying didnt love him as he does 3-Charles William from England saying he just arrive at airport but need deposit 2000 for active his card credit. Again i didnt pay n he mad for made him stuck at airport. Well i did ask send me his pic at airport. he cant provided me the pic
d1hm@
September 06, 2017

I'm receiving the romance scam form "women" contacting me through Facebook Messenger. Their message is HI. I then accept them and some time in the first 24 hours they tell you that they are in love. Three to five days later they ask for $50 ITunes cards as gifts. The first woman I met asked for a $50 card but I could only afford to buy a $25 card. I purchased it through Walmart online. I bought the digital card and gifted it to the woman. She received the information only the activation number would only work for her phone. She was furious and demanded that I go to Walmart and buy the card itself then take a photo of the access code number and send the photo to her profile. What she got was me Blocking her access to me and got rid of her. I've had 4 meetings just like the first. Everything is the same situation except for one who begged for a $250 ITunes card. I'm getting rid of the fifth scammer now. I've been dragging "her" along for a month now. I promised her $100 ITunes card when she asked. Scamming the scammer. This last one also asked the name of my bank. I did a search for names of banks located in my area then chose a name at random. Then I sent her an email explain that I chose the name of the bank name by chosing a name from a list because I didn't know her well enough to share that information. That's my story.

Sadie
September 02, 2017
I met a guy on Facebook as well. Sounds similar to a lot of these other stories. He said ihe is the military on special assignment. Talked for while and now he wants me to send him money for his birthday. Claims he has money but he can't make withdrawal while over seas. No I didnt give the money and don't plan too.
Notworried
September 19, 2017

In reply to by Sadie

Sadie ifnyou don't mind sharing where and what branch of military and when was his birthday?
devastatedstephanie
September 02, 2017
I have been dealing with my mom being scammed by a guy who says he is in the Navy, keeps asking her to send money to a supposed bank in Nigeria, also keeps asking her to send money to his supposed son in school in Africa. His supposed son that needs to get home from school in Africa back to the United States and the son will supposedly come to live with my mom. I am so tired of telling her that she is getting scammed by this guy and other people telling that he is scamming her. She believes him over her own family. We do not even have our own place cause of her getting scammed. We live with my grandma and my Uncle in my grandma's house. It is the point to where I can not even afford to pay all my bills and so I charge my mom half of the bills that are her responsibility but cause of this guy I do not get the money from her to help pay the bills. I have to rely on my grandma to let me use her credit card to pay the bills that I can not afford and it is ridiculous. I am at my wits end on what to do. I know that she has sent over 2,000 or more dollars to him and his supposed son. She just sent 350 dollars yesterday to his supposed son. My mom is 64 years-old, disabled and receives SSI for those disabilities. I, myself am a 42 year-old disabled single mother of a beautiful 15 year-old that is effected by this most of all because of my mother doing this I am not able to get the things that my daughter needs or wants and that makes me really upset and angry. Any suggestions on what I can do would be helpful about this situation.
FTC Staff
September 05, 2017

In reply to by devastatedstephanie

You can find resources for older adults and people with disabilities at eldercare.gov or call 1-800-677-1116.  You can find local agencies that help people with housing, elder abuse prevention, financial assistance and other needs.

Jody
October 06, 2017
My friend is seeing someone. Met on POF. I believe it's a scammer it's only been two months and he's had her make two transfers but he's also made arrangements to meet her and he has. Can he still be a scam. Everything else doesn't seam real it's the meeting is what scares me.
Sue
September 07, 2017
My sister met someone online....my sister was widowed 2 years ago and this person she is talking to states he is widowed. He stated he is from New Zealand his Wife unborn child and daughter were all killed in a car accident so he moved to OH. States he is an architect/interior designer and just left for Cyprus. Stated there was a bad accident at work place because he was in a rush to meet my sister and 2 people were killed and a man was injured. States it is a Muslim area and they are detaining him. He supposably able to make a call ....him and "lawyer" called my sister asking for 42k to release him....and then changing to 10k by this friday....she is believing this because his "lawyer" stated that he would be persuctured to the highest measures .... she also believes because this guy Greg Sylvester the "architect" had her sign into his bank account and transfer money over to himself because his computer got damaged. I am sick to my stomach about this does anyone else have this same type of story or names that match. Thank you!!
wondering
October 06, 2017

In reply to by Sue

I hope your sister has since stopped communicating with this vile person. We started communicating via text and phone calls the end of July. I went back on Zoosk after breaking off a new, but uncomfortable relationship with another man who now looks like a Prince in comparison! "Greg" wanted me to text him off the site, so I did. At first I was elusive since I had so much going on in other areas of my life, and he seemed a little odd. Then I thought the difference was due to difference in cultures between US and New Zealand and the differences in our types of work. So I gave it another chance and because he was being so nice, not too pushy to meet, and patient with me, I started becoming more interested. Same story, though. From New Zealand, lost wife and daughter in accident, "escaped" to states. LA first, then Ohio. Same occupation, and same international contract with mall in Cyprus. He allegedly had to leave early because they moved contract up and was so disappointed we hadn't met in person first. Dummy me assured him I wasn't going anywhere and committed to meeting him when he returned in 6 weeks. He had not asked for anything yet, and that would definitely have been my showstopper anyway. I hadn't asked full name yet because we were moving very slowly. When he sent poem, it was nice, but frankly corny. Then soon thereafter he said he wanted to send me something, so asked for my email. I gave him my work email, and it was a long love story on "what he wants our future together forever to look like." It should have been written by a woman, it was so romantic, and resonated with me. Maybe it actually WAS written by a woman. Regardless, last night when he "called" from Cyprus in the middle of the night because he wanted to hear my voice before I went to bed, he asked my full name, I did the same, started to do research, and here I am! If nothing else it shows how stupid and naive he is for using the exact same name a few times and thinking it wouldn't catch up with him! I was going to send a nasty text or email, but he's not worth it. Instead I blocked his phone number: 740-462-5408 and his email address: gregdaniels199@ . I'm sure he got quite a surprise when he tried to reach me today as he normally does...everything would have kicked back as unsuccessful and undeliverable. I hope he does something that truly does put him in jail. I do feel sorry for him though, truly. He must have a great deal of self hatred to have to do this to kindhearted wonderful women looking for a true gentleman. I hope it gives him some solace, because that's all he will ever have in his life.
Lisbeth berg
September 08, 2017
Alexander Freeman hibernia Oil Fjeld is he a scammer
scanned by fak…
September 10, 2017
Received E-mail from "friend" introducing this man stating that she was trying to convince him to go on dating site when he saw my profile and was attracted to my picture. She gave me his E-mail address after telling me what a honest man he was. She stated she was going off the dating sight as her new partner asked her to. Sent E-mail introducing myself to gentleman named Alex Fleming. After a week exchanged phone numbers. He claimed that wife had been killed in car crash 6 weeks ago and he had a daughter in Ireland. Stated he was a structural enguneer and was bidding on contract in Capetown South Africa. After he went to Capetown he asked me to buy I-tunes card and send him the code. When I told him I did not have money to send him, he sent messages that I had hurt him and he could not be with someone who had trust issues. Hsve not heard from him again. After one month I felt feelings of love for him and am very disappointed that he evidently was a scammer.
Return to top