Not 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.
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In reply to I think I am talking to the by NewAvenues
In reply to I think I am talking to the by NewAvenues
So I met this guy In December on POF named Jayathon Long aka known as John Long, Jayathon Short, JJ Long and Lord knowswhat else. We chatted on POF for a couple of days and during this time he started telling me that he transferred to Alaska from Corbin, KY with the railroad. Said he had a ranch and 25 acres that his cousin was now living in, he was one of a set of triplets and his other two brothers were State Troopers in KY. Said he also had a step brother that works construction and a step sister that works for Southwest Airlines. We exchanged numbers and he started texting me love songs and quotes, all that a woman wants, he also sent me pics of his brothers, his Harley Davidson, his son and pictures from a surgery on his right leg. Said he was a bone cancer survivor, but just found out that it was back for the third time. Of course now, my heart is hurting for this guy. After about a week he starts video chatting with me, so it all seems real. He then tells me that his da was found dad in the garage, but that he could not leave work just yet to go to KY for the funeral as they were sending him for an autopsy. Within a couple days he then tells me that his mom(who he said was first cousins to Loretta Lynn and Crystal Gayle) had committed suicide and that his 20 year old son was involved in a T-bone accident with a semi. He then says he is flying to KY to be with his son, if he makes it through the night. While he is there I get texting from his so called brother Dale on his phone. He starts sending me songs that he supposedly recorded of Jayathon singing, playing the guitar and piano. A miracle happens after a week and his son is well and goes back to Colorado. LOL He goes to his parents funeral and then says he is going to get a flight back to AK. Only to find out his account is frozen because someone made a purchase at Home Depot of $2500.00 and the bank froze his account and until he returns to AK to show ID they cannot unfreeze it. He then talks me into sending him money to get his autoimmune medicine since he cannot use his bankcard. I also purchase a ticket for him to get back to AK. Upon his arrival he tells me his coworker has his keys to his truck and condo and will not be back into town for a couple of day so I allow him to come to my home. BAD IDEA. This man drugged me and raped me for 12 hours. In order to get him out of my house I had to agree to get him a hotel and pay for it, so I did so. It took me 2 days before I felt like the drugs were out of my system. I have filed a report and am not searching help to get me through this. LADIES, PLEASE STAY OFF OF THE DATING SITES AND DO YOUR RESEARCH. I WISH I HAD LISTENED TO MY INNER FEELING, BUT REALLY THOUGHT HE WAS THE RIGHT ONE.
In reply to So I met this guy In December by Bouncing Back
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RESEARCH.... NIGERIANS ROMANCE SCAMS. watch a few videos that the scammers make of themselves.... laughing at the MUGUs....and the play with the piles and piles of money. Your money My money.please spread the word. Ad for all if you that are currently being romanced by this 'dream come true" please ...get YOUR power back! Stand up...get away from them. Stop Believing that he or she will be paying you back. Stop sending money!
Richard Dee Kong days he us a marine Any one know Richard Dee jong a marine engineer I Alabama
In reply to The guy I'm dealing with by Margheritaelisha67
Some scammers use people to help them transfer stolen money. They develop online relationships and ask their new sweetheart or friend to accept a deposit and transfer funds.
He may ask you to use your bank account, or to open a new account. If you get involved with one of these schemes, you could lose money and personal information, and you could get into legal trouble. Your name and personal information will be on the bank account and wire transfer records.
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In reply to I agree. Im talking to a guy by Naive
Please report it to the FTC at FTC.gov/Complaint. The information you give goes into a secure database that law enforcement uses for investigations. You can also report him to the social media platform where he has a profile.
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Pagination