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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.

Lawoman
June 07, 2018
I’ve been talking to a Michael Scott. Yes I know. Supposedly lives in Cali. Went to Egypt to get goods for his shop and got in a accident while in a cab. Fast forward 6 months. Supposedly still there because his passport was pulled for not paying hospital bill. I’ve not sent him a thing. Now he wants a client of his to give ne cell phones to ship to him. I told him I was having them inspected. He’s sending me address labels so I don’t have to pay freight. Somethings not right here I just can’t figure out why. God I need to get a life.
FTC Staff
June 08, 2018

In reply to by Lawoman

Some scammers convince people to help them ship stolen goods, or items they bought with stolen credit cards. If you do this for a scammer, you receive packages of stolen goods (or goods bought with a stolen credit card) and you send them out again. If you get involved with one of these schemes, and you could get into legal trouble.

Not Feeling Too Good
June 08, 2018
I met a man on a muslim matrimony website. I feel like I am easy target because he works in a muslim country. He has 1 month to come home. He has to finish his project. He work construction in Qatar. He is an civil engineer and works for his brother. His heavy duty machines went down. He has x amount of dollars on him, his brother is loaning him some money and this morning he needs $5000 from me. he wants to finish the project on time so he can come home by the end of the month because we suppose to meet next month. I kind of felt all long it was too good to be true because he confess his love too early but I was told that I don't know how to see good in people because I been hurt so many times. This is exactly why. Background information His wife died 5 years ago automobile accident, his son lives in Turkey with his Anty, He is 47 and from NY. He even called me like twice but his voice sound weird. I didn't think nothing of it until now. He sent me pics of his "family". He has a Facebook Account now I realize shortly after we stop talking. I think I am going to be sick. I thought we had so much in common because I am engineer.
Teachergal
June 08, 2018
Gary Howard. Oil rig scammer!
sisters protector
June 08, 2018
My sister has been chatting with a guy named Steve Tyler-not a bad looking picture-all the stories above sound familiar. He even talked her into giving him all of her information-SS # ID she even dent pictures of it all to him, not sure what he can do with the information for she has nothing. The only thing that I worry about is she is going to start getting SS Disability, she fell in love with all the sweet talk, they say what you want to hear.All the money he sends goes to Turkey. The last check was for 602.00 that one we kept now waiting for one for 919.00 which we will keep. Not sure what will happen for her keeping the money, but will find out. I just hope she will listen and blow thid looser off.
FTC Staff
June 11, 2018

In reply to by sisters protector

Some scammers use people to help them transfer stolen money. Scammers meet people online, create a relationship, and ask their new sweetheart to help them receive and transfer money. They may ask a victim to use her bank account or to wire money.

 

If you do transfer money for a scammer, your name is on the bank account and on the money transfer forms. If you get involved with one of these schemes, you could lose money and personal information, and you could get into legal trouble.

 

Also, when a scammer has your personal information, like your  Social Security number, he can drain your bank account. He could open new utility accounts, get medical treatment on your  health insurance, or file a tax refund in your name and get your refund.

 

Read about warning signs of identity theft.   If you see identity theft happening, go to IdentityTheft.gov. You can report identity theft, and get pre-filled letters and forms to help you recover from problems.

Frisbee
June 09, 2018
I tried everything to find a guy who contacted me on WWF. We have been playing for 6 months, ask me to talk on hangout.cwe have been talking for a month. I told him I wanted ann ID. He sent me his work ID and it looked legit, even the watermarks. He is working on a rig for five months. He asked for Apple and Amazon cards only once. He also is on Instagram. Seems legit, but my gut says he's a scam. I have done reverse look up, social catfish, white pages, Google searches. His name has not been listed anywhere. Do any of these guys turn out to be legit? Thank you.
smiley
June 09, 2018
I’m being scammed I’m sure his name is rick Simon and has 13yr old daughter lives with nanny his wife died of lung cancer he on oil rig in Alabama and is asking for money I haven’t sent him any and he not getting it but I was really silly sent him pictures of me also my address now I’m so scared I met him on words with friends and we talk on hangout I don’t know what to do
Sstone61
April 26, 2021

In reply to by smiley

A man named Richard Simon just tried to friend me on MeWe. Joined MeWe April 2021 sure sign he is a scammer has whitish grey hair goid looking picture of him flying a plane and one posted pic of some type of fake military camp. Is a scam so I declined invite.
Deborah68
June 09, 2018
I have a situation that is bothering me. I have been chatting with a manager on an oil rig inGulf of Mexico. last Friday he hurt himself and thry flew him to a helicopter to a hospital in Mexico. He has been there all week and told me they won't do surgery until they have $5000. He had told me earlier that an investment he had made to Hemeland Security is shutting down and he vould lose $88,000 dollars. He wanted me to pretend I was his eife and send my address, age, employment status to this man at Homeland Security. I kept telling him no but then when he ended up in the hospital and needed money I broke down and contacted Homeland Security. Now this is what is bothering me. Someone is supposed to deliver a briefcase to me with paperwork and $20,000 in it. I am supposed to send him $5,000 out of that money and keep the rest safe for him. His agent is dupposed to get the rest of the money for him. It has been a week and no one has delivered anything. If it does come I am thinking of takibg it to yhe police. I don't want it in my house. It seems strange that he would trust me with this money. Has anyone have any imput into what I should do if this briefcase does come? I feel it could be stolen or fake money. Thanks for any imput.
FTC Staff
June 11, 2018

In reply to by Deborah68

Some scammers use people to help them transfer stolen money. They meet people online and create a relationship, then ask their new sweetheart to receive and transfer money for them. They might ask her to use her bank account, or wire money for them.

 

If you do this for a scammer, your name is on the bank account and on the money transfer forms. If you get involved with one of these schemes, you could lose money and personal information, and you could get into legal trouble.

 

You told him your address, age and employment status, and you might have told him other personal information when you were chatting online. A scammer could use that information for identity theft. Read about the warning signs of identity theft.

If your information was misused for identity theft, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and get help to repair the problems.

Deborah68
June 11, 2018

In reply to by FTC Staff

I have not received briefcase because I have to send $1020.00 to a person in Oklahoma. Which I will not do. No banking information has been given. Just address, age and retirement status. The person I am talkibg to is worried that he has been scammed too. What should I do? I have no idea who these people are and what they are involved with.
FTC Staff
June 12, 2018

In reply to by Deborah68

You could tell police about the person you have been talking to,  the story about "Homeland Security,"  the money in the briefcase, and the other person. You can tell the police that the scammer knows your name, age and address.

Nikki
June 09, 2018
I have been talking to a Christopher William he has a daughter that lives in China his wife died in a car accident he is well spoken and has not asked for money he lives in Dallas Texas
Edie
June 09, 2018
I am talking to some1 by the name of David Jackson an US soldier serving in Syria, if any1 has heard of him please let me know. I have an incling that he might be a scammer
Boboka
June 09, 2018
Any one has contact with “ Jamie Frederic “ he said he is a Canadian but now he is in Dubai doing some business and he asked me 1750 $ but for sure I will never send him a cent I meet in on line dating
sisters protector
June 10, 2018
OMG after reading all this it sounds like a lot of guys that my sister was involved with. He goes by the name Steve Tyler wants his money sent to Turkey but he never knows who sends the money, He talked her into giving him her SS#, A pic of her ID,opened a few bank accounts in her name plus an address to send checks to made out to her but will never say where the money is coming from. I have changed all passwords.
Deaf5000
June 10, 2018
Who never meet me? Why ask me treatment medical $32,000 from Delhi India big problem back home from NYC and Canada
hersheypark
June 10, 2018
the name he used was Leroy Phil Lorey. He also uses other names. Goes by at least 10 other names. Be careful. He is slick.
hersheypark
June 10, 2018
man contacted me. said wife and daughter killed in auto accident. Has 15 year old son, in school.wanted money so he could come to visit me. He is on scammer list. He goes by at least 10 different names. I deleted him. Beware he is a slick.
heartbroken
June 16, 2019

In reply to by hersheypark

This sounds very similar to me the guy went by Antonio Giovanni Morgan and said he was a ortho doctor. Wife and son was killed in a car accident and had a 8 year old daughter in boarding school in Italy if it is the same person he is very slick and good with words.
Buggin2
June 10, 2018
I too have been interacting with a very handsome Ukranian man. His Facebook name was Harold Owen Roger. He told me his given name was Oleksaunder. I call him Olek. He has a 8 year old daughter Lucy,who is in boarding school in uk. He's an interior designer and is stuck in Turkey. Yes I gave money, knew better, but took a chance. Lost all my savings. Very handsome with little girl,bling blond hair..beware...
smalltownhick
June 10, 2018
anyone deal with a guy named Joe Helix? Engineer on an oil rig, based in Kuwait but from North Carolina. Internet connection is always too poor quality or phone isn't working well enough for video chatting. Been chatting since March, proclaimed his love for me after 3 weeks and says now I am the only one he can trust to help him as he just secured his first solo contract and now needs help setting up a bank account so he can receive the start up funding but his account was locked out and since he isn't in the country he can't fix it....early 40's, really good looking, highly educated and really sweet....just curious
ga713
June 10, 2018
Guy named James from Oslo Norway...architect...daughter in boarding school. Claims to live in NYC. Says he is a widower. Scam alerting coffee meets bagel
claire
June 11, 2018
Does anyone know a Tony Alfred ...!?? I fear my mum is being scammed and she won’t listen to me ..!! Am worried sick ..!! Xx
2quick4scammers
June 12, 2018
Hello Ladies! I just got a new one (scam) sent to me. Seems someone hacked into a ladies Match.com profile and sent me a message saying she has a friend. (see below) I contacted her (like, duh, who wouldn't) to find out she didn't know anything about it. Anyway, just wanted to share. "Hello Friend, I have a friend who is concerned about you and, he is interested in you after he went through your profile, This happened last night while we were having a dinner at my friend house. My friend Jonathan is a very nice guy and I have to be a friend-keeper as well.. You can call me Matchmaker oh well because I really do believe in Love. I do believe in Leap of Faith. So let me tell you more about him. He is a very nice guy, hard working. Been a widow since he lost his late wife in a car accident. Trust me he is very sweet and good looking man, He is within your age bracket of search criteria, He lives in Beaverton OR as well. I don't know if you can give this a trail, he is very gentle and humble person, when we talk about honesty I can guarantee you with that, he believe in a great sense of humor, trustworthy, free minded and such a gentleman. I could go on and on….but I don’t want you to think I’m praising him too much. Nobody knows where the chance to find true love or friendship. He will be able to share more details including his pictures with you. His email contact is ; mjonath59@ yahoo. com No one knows if today might change a life and make it remarkable remembrance for both of you. I will be shutting down my profile soon because I am running out of subscription which I don’t have any plan of renewing this again, I have meet someone so I have to get serious with :). All the best to you and Have a great Evening. Martha" SCAM. SCAM. SCAM
Elaine
June 11, 2018
Was almost scammed by a Anderson K.Douglas. Says he was in army in Syria. Sent $1000.00 via Western union and got it back the next day. He was mad and wanted the money in a bank acct. but I didnt. He pressured me so but did not give in. Finally when he said to send the money to a woman in my state; I said that I'll give her the money in person.. That's when he blew and confessed that he was only scamming me for my money and did not need my love ( a few choice f words) Now im talking to a Jack Chris Thomas who swears that he loves me and will meet me in July when he retires. Has no clue when and gets mad when I pressure him. Hes going to buy me a house with a pool. He did ask me awhile back for the 100.00 I tunes card; but I did not send it. Learned from my mistake. he needed to upload a song that I deicated to him. He knows about the first scanner because im always questioning and checking what he says..Says he works for Turkey Maritime Yachts. Does anyone know him?
no fool here
June 11, 2018
I have a guy on Insta Brian Anderson, he dm me and was calling me baby, love, gm beautiful etc. he asked general questions then asked what I do lied and said own my own business and then he wanted to visit me, stay with me, I knew some thing was off he's 26 I'm 40. hes very attractive I'm not and I called him on it and he said he wasn't attracted to women his age, so this has been for 2 weeks and now today he asked me to buy iPhones on my phone account because there are huge differences between the phones here and Canada. I said no and he said I just need your log in info and then I can order and pay. I said no and he kept changing the story, since I said no and won't do it he has blocked me. there's also a Donald mcclinton on hangouts, he wanted iTunes cards sent to "our" son (his son not ours) but I should send him cards at boarding school and when he got back to the states from his contract he would send me 25,000 for $50 in iTunes cards. I said if you have 25k and boarding school then obviously you can afford iTunes or don't buy the cards and let him use your debit card and again I got blocked. be careful out there ladies.
TLSTEVEN
June 11, 2018
My friend has been talking to a guy frim Nigeria, smith, Abraham anyine else
Divia
June 11, 2018
About a month ago, met online a Enrico Cornel with a screen name of nicoleric. He states he is a structural engineer, wife died in a car accident 7 years ago, and son studying in Milan, Italy. Sent me several pictures of him and son and asked for mine and email address. After a week of emailing, decided to call/text each other. His line was horrible, could not hear him clearly even though we are in the same state. He "fell" in love with me in less than 2 weeks. He wanted to visit me but had to go to Dubai for a month. He even send me a copy of the Emerites airline itinerary. He started to tell me his feelings for me, describing what he had seen in Dubai. He didn't know that I had caught on since the beginning. He had stated 2 different ages, had stated was from NY but lives in Texas but wants to move to FL, copies and pastes "romantic" poetry and adds one's name. Also copies and pastes exactly of men walking exotic tigers. The itinerary had the wrong All Rights Reserved date. I did an image reverse search but nothing came up. Did find a Linkin file for him and found out that the company is consider as a scam from Lagos, Nigeria. Tried to locate him but no info based on location and age. I tried to see if we could video chat but he was not tech savvy. Today, I confronted him after he emailed me a known scam love letter. He texted back that I was hurting him, that I was his, etc. Thank goodness I had given him a WiFi number and a secondary email.
Crazypeople
June 11, 2018
I have recently met a man on POF clsims he is in Yemen..hes a trauma surgeon...but he is asking for money l dont belueve him l didnt send him.anything...now he is,asking someone else for money for phone cards..l told them hes a scammer his is Allan Stewart...Trauma Surgeon l dont talk to him anymore...
Aisyah1987
June 12, 2018
Hi Guys I really need your help. I don't know if I am about to be another victim of a scammer. The guy's name is Brandon Williamson and his Hangouts nick is Watkins Brandon. I don't know if he's real cuz he mentioned that he's from the army. Military personnel and stuff. Please help how I can actually detect him.
Godsp
June 12, 2018
Oh am a nigerian am sorry you guys have to always go through all these all the time i have never used a dating site and i would never tried to play with someones heart its feels wrong i guess am just too scared to try a dating site i dont want my first love to be someone who never cared i mean being Gay and all is not easy here i always try to blend in with others so i wont get into any trouble well all am saying is am sorry for anything anyone has done to make you lose trust in trying again so be safe and be careful GOODLUCK...... i alsi need that and i hope i find someone i love and he also loves me back.. someday
Notmyfirstrodeo
June 12, 2018
Please beware of a few: Benjamin Smith, oil and construction, Leonard Cook MD. in Damascus Syria, Darold Fuller, alleged Major U.S. ARMY in Aleppo Syria.
Alliealex
June 13, 2018
My mom is being scammed by a man said his name is Tim Brown an is in the millitary an doctor.he is always asking for money phone
Escaped.
June 13, 2018
I am an Indian female in my late 40's. I met a guy on Shaadi.com- an Indian matrimonial website. He claimed himself to be a mechanical engineer having his firm in new Orleans. He sent me few pictures and also a copy of his passport. His passport picture matches with his other pictures. I talked to him just once , he has British accent and said he grew up in newzland. He sounded genuine until he asked for iTune gift card. No sensible guy asked for money or gift card. I told him that he is a scammer and I head on my shoulders to identify such scammer. Ladies, guys are into visual. It's kinda impossible to them to fall in love with you without seeing you. Don't be foolish. Try to look for his digital footprints. Question him few times for same thing. Ask few technical questions about his work. I am working in audit and also has law education. know how to read between the lines. I haven't lost a dime- but few hours chatting on WhatsApp- but that's also too much. I could have used those hours in reading a good book. Finally, don't find your worth in such scammer,find your worth within yourself and then find a man who is Worthy of you.
smalltownhick
June 13, 2018
Another new on the scene scammer is Robinson Bill, aka Robinson Scott. From Texas, in army stationed in Pakistan, 6 year old daughter staying with cousin in Kuwait because he didn't want her with his cheating ex in US. Not the brightest bulb in the box and doesn't follow the handbook too closely. Apparently broke his phone so can't video chat but amazingly it still takes photos and he can text well on it (yeah, not falling for that lie). Uses the story he needs to deposit his reserve check into an out of country account so he can go visit his daughter and seriously tries to convince you he isn't a scammer, but he has been scammed many times by women. Poor english
babyann
June 13, 2018
The sad thing about my scammer was the name he was using. He claimed to be a very respectable 4star General in us Army. All lies. The real General should be wary of this guy. I did report him.
Learned My Lesson
June 14, 2018
Ladies, Gentlemen, etc. Be aware of Antonio Giovanni. Smooth, slick, sexy. Within days Of meeting me he was already starting with the honey, babe, I love you, and all that stuff. It took a while for him to ask me for money and then he harps continually until you break down. I was stupid but not as stupid as he thinks. And we are now to the point of my saying goodbye to this Con scammer and his daughter Lisa. If you talk to him he has a very heavy Italian accent. Charming as can be. DO NOT GIVE HIM OR ANYBODY A DIME OF YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY!! BETTER YET DO NOT TALK TO STRANGERS!! Stay safe folks.
heartbroken
June 16, 2019

In reply to by Learned My Lesson

You know I have been talking to that guy for close to 8 months and I agree with every word you say about him he is very charming and makes you feel like you are the only one. I should have listened when I found this site months ago but I didn't and just like you said always need money for something. was supposed to come see me but there was always an excuse why he couldn't.
Bugginaround2
June 14, 2018
Gosh,all these comments are identical to my story. Harold Owen Roger contacted men on facebook. I was very sceptical for weeks, but was finally won over. He said he was Ukranian, and yes he had the accent. His given Name is Oleksaunder. I called him Olek. I finally woke up for good today. After a $10000 loss.When I knew better. I had red flags and still kept giving. It happens to us all. You know the worse part? I still love him deeply.
Don't give money
June 16, 2018

In reply to by Bugginaround2

He may have said he loved you but let his actions speak louder than his words. What he did was not loving or kind. You deserve so much more.
Oblivious27
June 14, 2018
Does anyone know a man by the name of George Jeffrey? UN journalist in Ghana. Daughter in UK boarding school. Thank you.
Aintgottimeforthat
June 15, 2018
I believe that my mom is being scammed by a man going by the name of Joseph Jones. She met him on ourtime.com. She also had a profile set up on Match.com that was hacked into and she got similar emails to the one that "Joseph" sent her. For some reason she is believing that he is real. It sounded fishy to me immediately and I had her watch a movie about catfishing. He claims that his wife died from cancer several years ago. Claims he is a pipeline engineer from Fargo ND but living in our small town in Indiana currently. Right before she was going to meet him this week, he claimed that he had to go out of town on a business trip to Turkey. I had her look him up but of course she couldn't find any information on "Joseph Jones" in North Dakota. There is a suspicious looking website for a jojones engineering company but it looks like it was put together specifically for scamming purposes. This man has no Linkein, no Facebook. It has only been a couple of weeks they have been talking but I am almost sure the asking for money is coming any day now. I am going to try to show her this website tomorrow with all of the similar stories to hopefully deter her from continuing this horrible scam.
tigger
January 03, 2019

In reply to by Aintgottimeforthat

Tell you mom to not talk to this man any more. Joseph Jones is a scammer. He will tell you how special and how he loves you, and you are the love of his life with in 3 weeks without even meeting. He tells you he lives near you. He had to go to Bahrain for two weeks. He came up short for money for his project and I do believe he was getting ready to ask for money from me. He says he is an engineer, lost his wife, From Czech, was hurt from his last relationship. Best thing to do is RUN, RUN away.
mal
June 15, 2018
I am chatting with scammer, trying to write an expose..he wants me to move to Hangouts is there any danger in chatting on this site...
Don't give money
June 16, 2018
Contact by a guy through facebook. Started the flattery right away. Ask me to chat with him on hang out app. He says he is from Denmark, lived in New York, and currently working in China as an Engineer, however his profile said he lives in Nigeria. Relationship status is widowed. His FB acciunt was disabled after the first contact. He created a new one to contact me again. He did not realize that his profession linked him to a group where he had another FB profile with a different name. I came across a told of four FB accounts by this person. Most accounts were list under the name Henry Mark and the other was Ray Donald. I reported the other two accounts I found to FB. Be careful, know the signs of these scammers: a heartbreaking story, lots of flattery and then requests for money.
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