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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
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military
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online dating
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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.

Usedme
June 28, 2020

In reply to by Worried22

Just saw this. Andrez had me open checking accounts. Pressured for online banks wanted the pin right away and his name added... He deposited fraudulent checks. Still trying to talk to me as of today 6-27-20 first contact was February of 2018. Only difference in story child was a boy. He now claims to be in Panama City Long Beach Fla. Phone number is a landline bandwidth out of Jacksonville.
Tamb51
March 18, 2018
Have any of you talked to a man in U.S. army stationed in iraq by the name of Goodman graves or John Mata? Says he's from Austin Texas divorced has an adopted son in boarding school.says he's 46yrs old gets to come home in July?says phone broke wants me to send him a new phone.
Steve
March 18, 2018
I met this guy of craigslist an come to find out he was young. We texted to meet up but I backed out an never persuade to meet up. So the next day his so called dad called me saying his son stole his car and wrecked it an wanted me to pay for his tow since he was coming to see me when we never actually agreed to meet. Saying he needed 600$ dollars an if I don't pay it I'm going to jail. So yeah I paid it cuz I was scared now I'm asking him let me see documents that your car is in the shop and police documents that your son was in police custody. An he has yet to get back to me but he wants memail to send him 3200$ for the repair is this a scam?
FTC Staff
March 22, 2018

In reply to by Steve

If someone you never met says you owe them money, it could be a scam. Scammers call and email people and pretend to be IRS workers or debt collectors, and use scare tactics to try and get money from people. If you send them money one time, they will contact you again and try to get more.

Judith A
March 22, 2018

A man wants to leave rig buy needs 5,000. Yo pay for certificate from board of directors. Any truth to this?

Joy 1
March 18, 2018
Mine was a building engineer from France. He wasa widow with 2 young kids. He traveled alot for his job. He was currently in Africa. I later found out bu googling his phone # that he was in Ivory Coast Africa. After messaging eaxh other for 4 days he declared his love for me within a week he was asking for money. I did not give any I explained to him I did not have any we continued to message each other for a week then he asked again i still told him i can't. He had sent me a video of his so called kid playing the guitar for me.
Bettyboop
March 18, 2018
Bridget small I'm trying locate cf he article that is about Dalton Benoit . It's starts I'm not sure but as anyone come across a Dalton Benoit a us military in Nigeria. I need to locate that article and im in need for it for police matters. Thank you
roro
March 20, 2018

In reply to by Bettyboop

Did you google the name? Sometimes it will come up in a simple search...
Missing life
March 18, 2018
I am talking with a guy named Scott Kelly says he is lt commander in the navy. Has anyone heard of him
Michaelly
March 18, 2018
well not every one doing online dating are scammers, some actually might really be in need of financial support, helping your boyfriend or girlfriend out with a little financial help isn't really a bad thing, if you really do love them, then you will.
fun45
March 18, 2018
anybody know a guy name david walter
Amanda2976
March 19, 2018
I had talk to a guy he says his name is David Hills and he needs money to come home ask me to send money gram to Canada and also to get a iTunes card please I maybe lonely but not this lonely I did not fall for it but now he wants my bank account to send me money really please
justine
January 02, 2019

In reply to by Amanda2976

Hey.....did David say where he was? I met a man online by the same name. I find it odd that his email was hilsdavid50, with only one L. And yes, he asked me for money too. Beautiful and heartfelt love messages. Luckily I met someone closer to me.
FSK
March 19, 2018
I met this man name Micheal Harris on facebook. Say his wife pass away and he had a son. When we first began to talk he was in Texas then left to go to Afghanistan. From Ghana. Yes had ask for money for his son has been sick and then for his son school. Now he is saying he is in Afghanistan in hiding.
nattie88
March 19, 2018
My mom friended a guy on FB named Alexander Frank Adams, claims to be a doctor stationed in Afghanistan, widowed. A couple weeks into their chatting, he had his "associate" send her some sort of bs UN form so that she could send $2000 for a "diplomatic package". I warned her that it was a scam-- he had maybe like 80 friends on his fb profile and they were all either middle aged women, or men from Ghana; he tagged one of his "friends" in his photos, but if you went to the "friend's" profile, the photos were all the same as this guy's; the profile url is listed with an African name (not Alexander Frank Adams). So many red flags, yet she's still talking to him. Pretty sure she's sent him money, she basically just lies to me if I ask her about it now. Does this guy sound familiar to anyone?
Joan
March 04, 2021

In reply to by nattie88

I also met someone who is supposed to be in Afghanistan says he is luientent Daniel James does anyone know him
I've Lost Everything
March 19, 2018

Please read again my first post. There are names (fake?) you should be aware of. DO NOT send any money to this woman (in Ontario, Canada): Mme Grieson Rennie Also, make sure you can identify them with their address, not an IP address. In my case, since the authorities have a lot to look after, I understand that they cannot move very fast with my case. So, a month ago, I have hired an independant investigator in the US, even if I am in Canada.

Craigslist Sca…
March 19, 2018
Has anyone been contacted by a “woman” going by the name of Carla Kelly. She said that she is responding to my Craigslist a, which I don’t have. She claims that she is in love with me. Ha ha. I started chatting with for the fun of it to see where was going. Then it happened! She started telling me about her money problems and if could send her money through WU. I said no way. She kept begging me telling me how much she loves me. I searched her “name” and this blonde model shows up on Instagram. Another thing I noticed was how bad her grammar was.
baby girl
March 19, 2018
Any one talks to Austin Francisco from Canada?? He is stationed in Syria supposley??
Rainbow66
March 19, 2018
The person who was texting me said he was in Syria. he told me he was in love with me at first sight. He was very romantic, his words were sweet honey to me. He loved my family, he said he could'd wait until he could meet them. We were going to get married, etc. He told me that he applied for a form of leave and then he was going to retire. But when he form of leave was accepted, he asked me to do something for "US". He said that I needed to send a message to the United Nations asking that he credit card with all the money and bonuses, etc be deliver to me at my address. That once I receive the card I should take money to pay for his ticket since he was camping to the States under his own will so he needed to pay for his flight. I said no and he got very upset. He explain to me that we "don't play games with the NU and we need to follow the instruction. I said ok. Then I receive a really unprofessional email from the UN telling me to be prepare to pay $850 dollars to start with the process for the ATM to be deliver to me. That was the end for me. I told him and he got so upset telling me that he was risking his career to come to me. But I said to him " bye honey, God bless your heart". And we were done. I still has feeling for him but thanks God that was it. They have a way to win your heart. Be carefully please. If somebody want to know his name ask me and I will tell you
roro
March 20, 2018

In reply to by Rainbow66

I don't know how someone can claim love at first sight when i never attached a photo...lol
baby girl
March 21, 2018

In reply to by Rainbow66

Same happened to me from this guy. Austin Francisco his profile is on google amd he is on hang outs he fell in love with me from nower. I bust him he got mad and blocked me. He forgot we were gonna get married..omg!!.
lizzie
May 14, 2018

In reply to by Rainbow66

I have read a lot of post and I believe that we are talking about the same guy This guy sent me a friend request through Facebook and also talk and text through hangout everyday He told me when he came across my picture on Fb he fell in love at first sight talking about my eyes and smile very romantic talking about relocating and he wants to marry me For the first couple months he didn't ask me for anything then one day he ask me for iTunes card so he can stay in touch with I got the first one then he start asking for more and he need 1200 to come home and that he was going to retire he also talked about a box that he wanted it delivered to me and he would cost 3000.00 are more I told him no I will not do that he got very upset with me and started threating and blackmailing me if I wouldn't send the money and the cards I deleted my hangout account and reported him to Fb He claims to be in Syria right now has two daughters and his wife pass away couple years ago of cancer I have a lot of pictures of this guy and videos of him working out in the gym he told me he was a sergeant major and does police patrol I found out he also has a Instagram account and I have some of those pictures he sent me he has a lot of females on this account and he never said anything about Instagram I believe he has stolen someone military pictures and identity he probably on other sites scamming other women and using different names and emails could you tell me his name I have pictures birthday phone number email could you tell me his name and I will tell you the name he gave me because I fell for this guy also live and learn
lizzie
May 18, 2018

In reply to by Rainbow66

Hello Rainbow66 could you please tell me his name I also have a lot of pictures do you have pictures as well I reply to your post a week ago I haven't seen it post yet because your post seems similar to mines could you describe him and does he has a accent he show me a picture of his wife that pass away a couple years ago and I also have pictures of his daughters I know we can't show pictures here on this site
Abc12345
August 14, 2021

In reply to by Rainbow66

Hey could you tell me whats the name? I think we talked to the same guy.
KaathgaathDon'…
March 20, 2018
I am going thru this right now, met a guy named "james eric", said he lived in north carolina, now he has a job in india and is stuck there in hospital. HA! He has done everything in his power to get my money, from one scheme to another. I even told him i had him investigatied, (i really did) didnt stop him though, he still continues to try, lol, just glad im smarter then he is!
stupid_me
March 20, 2018
I was texted by a general of US army, currently in West Africa. His name is Calvin Brian and he wrot me a message on instagram. Quickly we changed to hangouts. His e-mail was calvinbrain 681@ gmail. com He told me he is 50 years old, a widower with an 8 years old daughter attending the boardering school in UK. After short time he told me that "he loves me so much". His love declarations came like shots from a gun. I had the feeling "copy / past" from other chats. It was exaggerated for me but I thought he is just longing for love. After 2 weeks I saw that his instagram account didn't exist anymore. This was strange for me and I remembered that he had only some pics in it. My stomach told me something is wrong but I talked again to that guy. Then he told me that his daughter is ill and he needs some money for the doctor because he has no change to transfer it from his base. Ok, this was time for me to say goodbye. Unfortunately I haven't saved a photo. Cheers to all of you, ladies
roro
March 20, 2018

In reply to by stupid_me

wow these guys must be taking cues from the same play book however have to say I cannot remember the last time I was pretended being listened to... lol same verbiage - I love you so so much... what? did an alarm clock go off - time to give a third or fourth cue to tel someone how much they are appreciated. Sad they are so unimaginative...
Isitforreal
March 20, 2018
Hi I'm chatting to Ashley Moddle(spelt) wrong. I know. Which made me suspicious. He calls me his wife. Claims his died of cancer. Has a daughter studying law. And a successful business. We Skype video call. I'm just not sure because he doesn't chat weekends. And only from his office. We have been chatting for over a year now and he hasn't asked me for money or any thing. I'm just unsure.
Rere18
March 20, 2018
Ive been chatting with a guy from facebook that told me to go to hangouts. Hes military Army captain named Michael Scott Williamson hobs. He claims to be 44 and born in Romania ..mived to usa and has been a solder for 18 years. Hes sent me pix ..talks kind..asked me to marry him and also asked me to set up bank account where i luve and one onlu e called diamond bank. I got 680 thousands dollars transfered im this account. At the end .."the bank" told me to western union money to an African woman to pay for a code to transfer this money to my account. I didnt do it. But this guy has my bank info.. Cries to me in the phone. Talks military code to others while on phone with me. Has sent me a pix of his body ..i heard the camera click .moments later i got a pix. Sounds very real... Wants to marry me. He knows im broke. I am going to change my bank info..and play this game. He said he'll be home in june 2018.. Id like to know if anyone has run across this name before. Thank you
Wildflower30
March 22, 2018

If you are on a website called sugardaddyforme. com This guy I was talking to gave me 3 different numbers. He told me his name was Paul and he live in Tallahassee Florida. He said he was a contractor and builds places and manages people. That Hlhe goes back and froth between Florida and california and he keeps making excuses about he's phone like my phone got broken,stolen or lost also he will tell you to go get him a prepaid one vanilla card. 213-418-7815, 213-275-5133. 213 349-3582, that one of the numbers belongs to a friend of his and when he found out that I wasn't going to give him money he blocked me.

pi
March 20, 2018
good
Witsend
March 20, 2018
I'm in a mess like this right now with my Mother-in-Law. She's sent them several thousand and would have lost nearly half of her life savings if not for a savvy Branch Manager at the bank becoming suspicious and contacting my wife. We are taking measures to try and protect her assets. The problem is, she is "in love" with a person who doesn't exist and is working against us. "They" whoever "they are" is turning her against her own family. I'm just about at my wits end. She has given them private information about us as well. I'm venting now. I'll calm down and read some of this to see if I can get some ideas on what to do. I've heard about it. I can't believe it's happening and its uglier than I imagined.
FTC Staff
March 22, 2018

In reply to by Witsend

The FTC has information about what to do if your information was exposed, and also about signs that your information is being misused for identity theft.

 

Also, know that some scammers use people to help them transfer stolen money. They create a relationship with someone they meet online and ask their new sweetheart to use her existing bank account, or open a new account. The scammer asks the victim to receive and transfer money. If the victim does that, her name is on the bank account and wire transfer documents, and she could lose personal information and get into legal trouble.

Bonnie 50
March 24, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

I had a friend request on Facebook from a nice guy not many friends Spanish with a young daughter within a short time he's interested in a relationship wants to do a blood oath like a binding contract between us not to lie or chat to anyone else all the pictures match we both bought rings . He dose want to m as try marry me we are alike he's not asked me out right for anything he's on a business trip overseeing work on an oil rig yes I've bought itunes cards $100 over 3 wks he's arranging my VISA. All the pictures match he's not on his own he's with work men on the rig He religious I've called him out I've asked him if he's scamming me I've told him that if that's what he's doing I'd end up on the streets with nothing . He's promised he couldn't do that to me . As soon as his contract ends he's getting visa and conning to get me I love him
Cali619
April 04, 2018

In reply to by Bonnie 50

Hi Bobbie 50 Does he have any children? Is he an only child too. Do you also happen to have his name?
WonderingButHopeful
March 21, 2018
I met a nice gentleman on Hinge who says he is currently in the marines in Afghan. He had a terrible story of his Dad dying before he even knew him and then the Mom spiraling out of control and overdosing when he was 8. He says he was raised in an SOS Village in Chicago and currently resides in Seattle when not deployed. He has not asked for money yet but I don’t want to pour my heart out every other day only to eventually find out it’s not real. I’ve googled all images I have of him (about 7 total) and nothing has matched... which may be a good thing? I may be naive but I slightly believe him because it is a horrible scenario where I would assume not much about him is available on the internet, especially with no parents, and he hasn’t asked anything from me YET. He is also gay and coming out a bit later in life but he’s only 37, so he doesn’t have any excuse like his records being distorted / using a fallen marines indentity. It’s been about three weeks. So does anyone have any advice for me? what are some things I can ask him to verify his identity?
GB1030
March 22, 2018
My last post was very brief. This is the description of a scammer by the name of Jake Jimmy Williams. A Caucasian male, military style hair cut, 3 red strips on his right upper arm tatoo possible the strips of the American Flag, a US MARINE Corp tatoo eagle globe and anchor on the right bicept. He also has a tatoo of a spartan helmet on his forearm possibly right forearm. Hey claims to a General in the US Army. Severing on a peace keeping mission in Syria. He also claim to be in law enforcement here in the States. Possible live in Texas or California. Has a uncle named Nicholas fidilas, is widow, with a daughter. Uncle lives in Piza Italy with the daughter. Had anyone encounter this scammer I would like to know. Will attempt follow up later.
Tamb51
March 22, 2018
Does anyone know of a man claiming to be in the U.S.army stationed in iraq..goes by the name Goodman graves.or John Mata.Says he's from Texas is divorced has a son named Calvin who he adopted?
vobaby
March 01, 2019

In reply to by GB1030

Has anyone came across Donald House ,John Robinson,Smith Burk , or Ryan Smith. I have photos all say they in military the first I sent all the money I had now I'm homeless and in a state I never been
baby girl
March 22, 2018
Kevin SCOWLES scammer he is on fb!!
Lulu
March 23, 2018
Has anybody been in contact with it Andrew Thomas plans to be in the army
dlackowski
July 01, 2021

In reply to by Lulu

Yes he claims to be in Syria I know he is a fraud I’ve called him out on it shown him how his pictures are fake and he still insist it’s him absolutely unreal it started from Facebook dating his name was Andy we matched he’s using Allen graham pictures that man is happily married his wife is alive and so are his children he just asked for help with phone this week I said no called him out on it and he still messages me think he’s trying to use me to get to my contacts and steal their identity so be careful there are other ways they scam you so they will keep talking to you until they get all info or somehow trick you into innocently clicking on something that will download unbeknownst to you and you will be hacked
Blount
March 23, 2018
I just recently sent a comment and the person sent me pictures and videos but have yet heard her voice or anything like that
Mimi
March 23, 2018
I just met a guy name Robert Day on Instagram last week. I did a Google image search and nothing came up. I brought him a 25.00 iTunes card and now he's asking for help because his wallet has been stolen. He said he's deployed in Niagara. I really want to believe him but I'm not sure
GB1030
March 23, 2018
I believe this website can help. To maker it better, more information must be collect, the same way law enforcement would collect. Gather pictures from these thug. Any type of physical description, tattoos, scares, hair style color. This information needs to be share with the public, for better awareness.
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