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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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Shopping and Donating
Scams
Romance Scams
Angel
December 10, 2020

In reply to by same story

Was his name Lucas Smith? Lucas Johnathan? Same person I believe who contacted me.
saddaughter
January 04, 2021

In reply to by Angel

can u pls send me the picture of this smith pls? my mother is talking to same joseph smith the same story with the comments here..pls help me..my mother is a firat time uaer of facebook and she is hooked with this guy.pls help me.
Betrayed
March 02, 2021

In reply to by Angel

Johnathan Lucas from Houston? Your story sounds familiar. Other names: Cross Lombardi, Anthony Burford, Joseph Gregg or Marcus William?
allie5050
March 15, 2021

In reply to by Betrayed

I have been talking to Marcus William for 2 years do you have picture?
Betrayed
April 01, 2021

In reply to by allie5050

I don't see a way to share them. I have several pics and a video
allie5050
April 06, 2021

In reply to by Betrayed

Does he have salt and pepper clean cut beard and shaved head, very muscular, works out . big smile
Ping
February 01, 2021

In reply to by same story

Now this sounds like my guy real handsome military wife cheated don't want there son the son is in Jamaica with a nanny n he's in Africa with no money he even video call in a moving car but the vid was fake use names David Smith Broussard Anderson Smith Melville smith Maxwell Smith
Fleur13
February 09, 2021

In reply to by same story

It's the same guy. He betrayed me for money, I was stupid to send. How does he look like:dark hair, green eyes, has a dog. Parents died in car accident, has an American cell number
Foolish1
March 13, 2021

In reply to by Fleur13

Do he wear caps and his dog looks like lassie Either calls him Cooper or molly or Lydia.
Disappointed i…
March 23, 2021

In reply to by Fleur13

This guy I have just blocked after reading this page he said he was James Timms Rene Loren in the military currently in the UK but from Brazil. Both parents died in car crash. Sent me photos of himself with his dog & whats app voice called today three times and a video call the other day but didn’t speak just smiled showed his face & dog on him then hung up. Today he told me his bank account was frozen n I immediately knew something was wrong I’ve confronted him n now blocked him as well as reporting to what’s app. Feel like an utter fool x
Life
August 09, 2021

In reply to by Fleur13

Pls yous have to understand that these people aren’t who they say they are that’s one and secondly it’s better you stop talking to random strange people over this internet
Fleur13
February 09, 2021

In reply to by same story

Do you have his pics? Can you share them? It's the same guy who scammed me
PA
March 13, 2021

In reply to by same story

I think I am having this same similar thing happening now. Contacted via LinkedIn. Extremely good looking guy mid 40s. US # wife cheated on him with best friend so divorced with 9 year old son and very close to his mom. Has accent from moving from New Zealand. He is in Turkey on business and his bank account is blocked and he can't get his products out of customs to give to his clients on his multi million $ deal and needs help with the funds. I would love to believe him but after reading these stories...I doubt what he says is true
Asiangirl
April 04, 2021

In reply to by PA

Mine is using Robert Erickson. He connected with Linkedin too. But he said he have 3 kids, divorced and with a nanny. He already asked for money so I googled about this kind of scam. They are using your vunerability, saying sweet things and make you fall in love.
Noels
September 20, 2021

In reply to by PA

Sounds the same as the guy I’m talking to. Calls himself Clinton Lonal. Can you please send pic
BEYOND WORDS
October 09, 2020

In reply to by Pastor Nancy

I would love to talk with you. I'm sure we are dealing with the same man. I have plenty of pictures. I don't know how to post pictures on here. Or how to contact you without my info being public. Does he have beautiful blue eyes, bold, a stunning smile clean cut mustache and beard very sweet hairy chest?
candee
December 31, 2020

In reply to by Pastor Nancy

I'm talking to David Paige. from France. His accent is different I don't think he is french. Deep voice,, has a studder. Using God, music very polite, a naval architect from little Rock , Arkansas. HS a daughter in KC, Mo. Wife died 5 years ago from ovarian cancer. He flew to CA the company sent him directly Qatar to finish a ship. He sends pictures of ships. Pictures of him, gray hair, 54, brown eyes, uses love you to the moon and back, queen. He needs 5k to pay taxes and wants me to buy bitcoin. Loves me I am everything to him is going to marry me when he returns and make me so happy. I am so glad I saw these comments because I thought I was in love, well I am, but he won't get any money out of me.
David Paige is…
January 26, 2021

In reply to by candee

Candee does he have a big chin? Is it a red ship?
PAM
February 13, 2021

In reply to by candee

Hi Candee, I'm taking to David Paige too. I've been talking to him since April of 2020. Can we exchange info?
Betrayed
April 01, 2021

In reply to by candee

I'm talking to the same guy. He is saying exact same things to me.
Spruden
November 12, 2020

In reply to by Angryog

Do you have pics this sounds like my guy he told me he was in South Africa to bury his mother but he lives in California
Jaywatch
January 01, 2021

In reply to by Curious

Hi curious... I think my mum may be talking to the same guy, handsome bald guy but he claims his a private investigator currently in NZ working on the mosque massacre.... Says his dad died recently has a daughter and ex wife that he is constantly trying to get my mum to send thousands and thousands of dollars to. He goes by the name David powell
Skooter3
January 19, 2020

In reply to by LH

The guy I met off ok cupid goes by the name Jack Adamczyk. 58 yr old baldish very handsome guy. He says he owns a house in California long beach his wife died and he has a son in UNH. He is currently on a job in Turkey.
Landy
June 14, 2020

In reply to by Skooter3

Sounds familiar to me. My guy says he in india. Same description..
Btech
August 23, 2020

In reply to by Skooter3

I am currently talking to someone who sounds very similar to your guy. He is also no working h in turkey.
Don'tSend$$$
September 01, 2020

In reply to by Btech

They always start off in USA or Europe then suddenly get a contract on a rig or construction in Turkey. They will all be widowers with a child or two who are in boarding school or with a nanny. Next it’s need money for equipment, or to finish a contract or some medical disaster for them, their workers or their relatives. It’s a SCAM! Don’t send money. Block them!
ladybug
October 29, 2020

In reply to by Don'tSend$$$

Good day. I have read many pages of posts here. All are very similar in the start up of THE conversation; and then the details are slightly different. This person is requesting that I go on another app to chat, etc. first warning sign. I have not done so. He had/has been chatting with a friend of mine [as I even asked about him] so I had no idea this could be a scam. I have been trying to vet him one way or the other which is looking like a waste of time. I am not getting anywhere with his pics. I can't even surmise if the pic is his or he has taken another's pics and uses. It has been about 2 weeks or so; and not texting everyday as I have done some pushback. Part of me would like to see if he asks for $$ then block him[?]. I am taking this as a learning experience to protect myself and recognize the various red flags . Thank you so very much for your information and insight.
Hurt but caught on
December 12, 2020

In reply to by Don'tSend$$$

Agree, as I had a similar situation based on stories I have read, similarities: they all have great jobs, then have a contract (mostly in Turkey) , the equipment broke and they need alot of money for repair, they love you so much and just want to come home and meet you, love you, spoil you, their documents are lost, they hate to lower themselves to ask you for money but they need help so they ask you if you're committed in the relationship you would help. If you challenge them, they'll tell you they're embrassed to ask family/friends. MO: they love you "so" much they'll send you songs, poems, ask you if you've eaten, how was your morning/ evening, text or call you certain times (note the pattern) I did . I didnt want to believe it was a scam but it was, I didn't give money requested, he ended relationship. So ask yourself if they have this big contract worth millions why do they need money? If they love you so so much, talk to you for months, why end the relationship? If their documents are lost can they not contact agencies explain their situation get new ones? Why are they solely responsible for the equipment broken is there not contingencies in the contract? Do they really ask questions to get to know you, why in a short period you are all of a sudden the love of their life they want to marry without seeing knowing you? Trust me they are scammers, excellent at what they do. The names, locations and a bit of their stories will change but they are scripted, read articles on online scammers scripts. You will be surprised how your story/texts will be so similar . I was very hurt emotionally but I'm healing reading up on the truth and thankful I didn't give money ladies plz dont be fooled. We all want the love we deserve and these ppl know the "exact" words to feed us. The faster you read up on the tactics the easier it will be to heal. Trust me I saw more than 5 profiles of my scammer, different names and different locations I know he scamming more woman as he was talking to others pretending loving me RIGHT !!! Pay attn to the so called lies you challenge, they get mad and give you excuses you "want " to believe they dont think of you, your just a number like I was . Hopefully they get what the deserve.
Eugenie
March 03, 2021

In reply to by Hurt but caught on

Omg this is my experiences, so hopeful, thank you
dream man
July 23, 2021

In reply to by Hurt but caught on

talked online dating and he seemed like my dream man. after two weeks he started asking for money. He had to go straight to his contract in south africa after going to Georgia. He said his daughter needed money bad. I got two gift cards for him. He was suppose to meet me before he left and give me my money back. When he got to south africa he asked for 10,000 in all. I didn't give him more. Another guy had a way with words. He sent pictures of a real attractive guy. After 6 months i found out the pictures are of a guy from another country. He wasn't the only person using that guy's pictures. His name was Paul Steward. His phone is a north carolina phone. He never asked me for money.
Don'tSend$$$
September 01, 2020

In reply to by Btech

It’s a scam! Architect or engineer suddenly gets a big contract in Turkey and has to depart. Usually says from Norway , Switzerland or Sweden. Has a daughter. Lives in Texas or Houston. Wife cheated on him with best friend, or took all his money, died of cancer or had a car accident. Next will need iTunes or steam cards or new portable electronics to continue talking to you. Then it will be money for tools, equipment or supplies to finish contract. Or money for child’s school or nanny. Can’t video call from rig. When they do it’s 5 secs and no sound and blame poor reception. Blah blah blah. Scam. Block & delete it’s all lies
mamabear
September 02, 2020

In reply to by Don'tSend$$$

Hi. Same guy I fell for. Said he was an architect from Houston and had a big contract in Atlanta. He has a 15 yr old son and he was divorced because he caught his wife with his best friend. He had an accent and said he was from Austria originally. Needed me to send him money because one of the machines used in the job broke down, he used all his funds and he was starving. I did send him money, but got wise after the fact and told him I couldn't send more. He called and texted me all the time and video chatted once. He kept saying he wanted to meet me but couldn't because of money problems on his job. He was quite the charmer. I finally blocked him, but my heart was broken. I cried. I am sorry I fell for this I feel so stupid.
FJ
September 21, 2020

In reply to by mamabear

My man i been talking to for 2months and broke up with last night says he was from Austria too, but that he is divorced for 3yrs now with 2girls ages 13 and 9. I'm broken too and felt bad since i have invested much feelings on this guy.
Thinker
September 30, 2020

In reply to by mamabear

I think they are using the same tactics, this guy from Australia and also mention he was awarded a big contract and need people help him to transfer fund to his supplier for building material in Thailand because of network problem. He also keep mention wanted to meet but last minute always changes. He will chat up frequent and sending sweet notes. He mention he was divorced and with one daughter because his wife had an affair with his best friends. He was quite a charmer too but I always told myself where on earth can had such a person. I finally blocked him and move on.
foolish/Octobe…
October 02, 2020

In reply to by mamabear

This happened to me. Talked for two about two months. This man used the same story about working on a rig off CA and needed money for logistics to deliver the equipment . He text, called and played songs in a daily basis. Had a very strong accent. Did sent him $$$ , 4 times to be exact until i finally wised up "a little too late". I learned my lesson.
Rachael
November 09, 2020

In reply to by mamabear

I have a similar story, met a person thru Facebook, Long story short, He is working on Offshore oil Rig, from Chapel hill N.C. NO family just 1 daughter in Boarding school. Showered me with lots of love comments. Asked me to Invest in Bitcoin, which I did, Nieve me!! DO NOT INVEST IN CRYPTOEXPERTMINERS, THEY ARE SCAMS. They show you Earned over $100,000.00 on website screen, Is FAKE. Don't fall for it. Lost my money. They want more money to cash it out. Liers!! Then wanted me to open a Bank account, I read where they deposit Stolen money into it, you get blamed for money laundering and theft, because it is in your name.
Special K
June 23, 2021

In reply to by Rachael

Do you have pictures of this guy? I was talking to a guy I met on Facebook using the name Kevin Liam who works for Torrential Investment. He convinced to invest 5K in Bitcoin. Do you have pictures
Bigdog
November 19, 2020

In reply to by mamabear

Sounds like a guy I text. They will give you an e-mail to you telling it is their daughter or son. Really it is them that you are writing to. This guy go by many different names.
Alita
March 11, 2021

In reply to by Don'tSend$$$

Sounds like my guy! What is his name? He sent me a rose and necklace to my PO Box for Valentine's day. Very educated and sweet. He tries very hard to get my attention and loves the challenges I have been giving him. I'm straight forward with him and tell him his stories are just like the romance scams out there that I've been coached well. I talk to him, never give him personal identifiable info. I've been trying to chase him off, but he won't go. I think he's intrigued bc I act like I'm not interested, don't play, and told him straight out... Dude..don't even try. He's still around to this day and our cat and mouse game continues. He hasn't realized I'm not that easy to convince or win.
Shan
August 24, 2021

In reply to by Btech

I am so glad that I read a lot of the stories on here and was able to end conversation with the individual I encountered no sooner it began. I received a message from a alex_lucus_dr on Instagram out of the blue practically right after he friend requested me. I am a very personable individual so if you tell me hi, I will say hi right back. He started off conversation very basic in my DM's but very quickly starting asking questions about whether I'm single and why I have not been snatched up yet in a relationship so we chatted for a little on a single day. Same story, he's a doctor/surgeon "based out of Washington" but serving oversees in Yemen because of all the terrorist attacks/situations taking place there. He never got around to asking me for money. We literally only chatted over a 2 day period but he very quickly made it known that he was interested indirectly when he asked if I was open to "date" online which I was never really a fan of. He then asked if I could download an app called Whatsapp to continue texting there but I made up excuses cuz something didn't feel right so I started to do my digging and could not find anything that traced back to this man being a real person (did google image search as this website advised and everything but nothing popped up). I then noticed all these reviews. Funny thing is, once I read even a couple of the stories on here, I just felt that it was the same thing so I immediately blocked him. To no surprise whatsoever, he friend requested me under a completely new name on IG (@drluiseo) using another profile picture but same individual. Like, are you kidding me?? I'm thinking they do this on such a big scale that they can't even keep up with common sensically remembering that they already told you another name. It's the same person because when I got the message, he picked up right where the last username left off with asking if I downloaded the app yet. So I blocked immediately again without even opening up the message as I could see a couple of the words in my inbox. Thankful I found this page and saw all the similar stories.
Beatingscammers
February 10, 2021

In reply to by Skooter3

Just got a FB message. Handsome guy. Said he was a widowed dr. With one son from Virginia Beach currently working in Syria. Texted him back once then he sent a pic with a sign I love you so much! Same story slight variations.
Tryintohelp
March 13, 2021

In reply to by Beatingscammers

Was this guy a Dr. Billy Brown Valdez by any chance
Mombeingdooped…
March 15, 2021

In reply to by Beatingscammers

Ok so this fella claims to be a military doctor and orthopedic surgeon and said his name.was Harvey Cushing and is in Syria working and has a son.hes a widow and he has sucked a few grand out of my mother whose a real widow she wants to believe he's coming here he keep saying he is and ten had a last min excuse in his photos he's over 6 feet good looking and blue eyes he had her send a transfer to a tom lucas or lucas tom in petersburg so I need to prove 5hat he's a scanner thus sounds just like him
Countrygirl546x
May 06, 2021

In reply to by Mombeingdooped…

Is there any way to get a pic of this man cuz I talking to a a man same everything but different name
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