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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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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.
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  • 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.

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Shelly
November 30, 2018

In reply to by nicetry

I have a friend that is being scammed by a “Dr” John Anderson. He’s an orthopedic surgeon from Beverly Hills but he’s operating on the troops in Afghanistan. He’s expecting a large sum of money from Russia but he’s being detained at the border because he had a piece of gold without the proper papers. Evidently someone paid him in gold for saving their child’s life. She has sent over $15,000.00 in “fees” to try to get the package for him. It’s not even a good believable story yet for some reason she’s still sending money. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever been around.
maryhillwow
October 22, 2018
I am being threatened by some guy who of course was nice. He saved all our conversations and my not so nice photos. Given Me 6 hours to come up with 1200 in iTunes cards. Police say ignore. But his threats are getting worse by the minute. If my husband who has terminal cancer finds out I might as well die. Can he post from hangouts
singlemomshirley
November 02, 2018

In reply to by maryhillwow

I think i have similiar case mary can we compare picture
Mcarroll
October 26, 2018
I think I'm currently talking to a scammer. It's a female, or atleast I think so. She added me on facebook under the name Belinda Thomas. Then asked to switch over to google hangouts after a brief chat. The hangouts name that it shows is Patriciahelen 504@ gmail. com She claims to be in her 30's single and a christian looking for love. Has asked me for two pictures, asked me several random questions... And here's the weird part. I've asked her to send pictures, she only sent two pictures of the same one. While her facebook picture looks different.
GB1030
October 31, 2018

In reply to by Mcarroll

Hello, you are probably chatting with a male possing as a female and they are trying to scam you. Dont send any pictures of any kind of your self. They will use against you later.
Dimen
October 23, 2018
Has anyone heard of Mark Welsh Benson? He uses his middle name like a last name too. I met him on Words with friends as Mark Benson and he and I after getting somewhat acquainted asked me to meet with him on Hangouts which I did. He has romanced me and is asking for a lot of money. $42,000. Of course I’m not sending him money. We’ve been chatting for almost 3 months. Oh yeah widowed and daughter in boarding school and contractor on an oil rig in Cyprus.
jonesDon't use…
October 23, 2018
i think Harrison Whany is fake has any one heard of him??
Katmomma
October 24, 2018
My mother in law long story short.. Is now divorcing her husband of 20 yes because she has 3 scammers that she believes are real guys who are going to cone take care of her. Tried telling her they are scammers but she won't listen. Literally ending her marriage! Shes 71yo. She thinks she is talking to a Chris Akamba Jacob Lang and Bob Alex. All obviously works overseas as they say... All stories the same as many here.
Dee
October 26, 2018

In reply to by Katmomma

I reported my scammer 2times to Instagram to take the guys Instagram down .they did nothing Edward lawson 603. Katmomma report them. Get these scammers out of your moms life
Crushed
October 24, 2018
I have something similar with a girl from Florida named Jessica Elliott she found me on Instagram and has been talking to me about shes a nurse and takes care of her grandma iv asked for a video chat or a call and nothing we communicate over text or Instagram. I'm worried I'm being scammed if I could get some help here or any suggestions please thank u
Mary
October 24, 2018
I'm talking to a supposedly "Peacekeeping Mission" Doctor in Sana'a, Yemen. Has a daughter in boarding school 14 years old. He says his name is James Scott, he is from Spain, he speaks Spanish. Of course he can't talk on the phone, nor have video chats for security reasons. We talk in Hangouts. I have several pictures, he is about 56 years old, has white hair. Does any body have a similar experience? I'm afraid he is another scammer because he said that the only way for us to be together, I would have to request him getting a "Replacement Certificate" and pay for it! I don't think so.
bettsy
November 08, 2018

In reply to by Mary

Mary I’m talking to a guy that 56yrs old, he said his name is Darrick Meyer and he has a 14 yr old daughter in boarding school he wife died 4 yrs ago and he is supposed to be from Canada but I’m Syria on a peacekeeping mission he is supposed to be a general commander of the Canadian army force. He can’t video chat or ring because he is in the war zone does it sound like the same guy
Ehywa1234
October 24, 2018
Facebook love scammer be careful
Lynn60
October 25, 2018
Reading all these scams they are so similar, widowed, children in boarding school, work on oil rig, lots of money. This one took a long time to ask for money but he did. To get out of contract has to have flight money, etc. sad, seems so nice. 2 &3:military, lots of money, found, mNeeds help getting out of country, Chris Hogan, other was forgotten his name. Watch out! Charming people until you get suspicious.
angelwings2018
October 25, 2018
I tried to look to Hadiza Inyene claims a private guardian from Athens, Greece. If you know this person or woman please message me i had her photo I sent $300 from Western Union from last week. She was connected with Michael West.
angelwings2018
October 25, 2018
Anyone knows the person i was chatting i bought $1,590 itunes card to sent it to him he is a ship engineer and supervisor in London Maritime and Netherland Maritime last two weeks he said the Bulk Cargo was stranded he was asking me to buy him an itunes so that he can contact his ship manager in Netherlands to send another ship to them. After a week of waiting this Michael West informed me the other ship came ro rescue them. After 4 days they almost reach London land he said again the engine pins fill out on the ship he needs $600 to pay for the supplier immediately but i don't have any more money told him why he cannot call the company he didn't owned the ship but he needs to fix it. He wrote me a very nasty letter saying i didnt see him yet but i saw his money. He promised to marry me as soon as he reach to the land and start a new life. It is soo good to be true what he promised me since i didn't see him cam to cam as.i request many times to sign up but he always had excuses saying they lost the connection. I am done with him this person is always taking advantage to me and i know he is one of the scammer here in WhatsApp, Instagram, Hangouts. If you would like to see his pictures please message me here.
Grannyg
October 26, 2018
I recently met a man named, Dominic Green, SAID is from San Francisco, works on a ship in the Gulf of Mexico, so very handsome, , I got him to send me his email, tel #, and promises me the world, sure very romantic, and it feels good especially when you are lonelt, but I have played my game well and still communicating with him even when he calls, to listen to his voice for my research, he sounds nigerian but says is from Berlin germany, on his profile, I found people sending him birthday greetings this week, but he does not respond, he did send me a Amazon ring and gifts, but also has asked for money in small amt. But in a Amazon card.I really want to believe him but do not want to get scammed.So I'm still playing his game until I get more info on him. I told him I would go see him in S.F. In a couple of months when I'm there visiting, and is always in agreement. He knows I'm no fool, because of my questions and is maybe playing me along. I just wanted to throw his name out there to all of you to watch out for this person.He does want me to get on what app or Hangout, it's not going to happen.I really like this guy i hope he is not a scammer.I did block him when he first asked for money, but begged me to please unblock him, that he was not playing games with me, I did and started my research. Good Luck to us all, oh there he is again..
Friend
October 26, 2018
My friend has been talking to this guy and he is already professing love. Goes by name of Michael Collins hes a widow with 2 kids Annabelle and Nelson. He works on an oil rig in gulf of Mexico and planning to come see her within couple weeks. She is very naive and claims him as her boyfriend, but I don't believe him. He messages her on Instagram and cannot receive phone calls since he is in middle of the gulf. Hope she catches on before it's too late.
canada
October 26, 2018
Has any men been scammed by mia mallory tony or faith ola?
diane
October 27, 2018
ive been scammed although no money was paid except this man wants to send gold for me to hold until he gets back to the us his name is david rosen has anyone else had this petson contact them .ive done animage reverse lookup with no luck help
GB1030
November 01, 2018

In reply to by diane

DIANE, this is a PACKAGE SCAM. Someone will contact you and ask you to pay fees, taxes, or duties. The PACKAGE does not exist.
Nickelino2002
October 27, 2018
I'm looking for an us soldier named Anderson Lopez:. He said he is an E8 Sergeant, platoon sergeant in absence of the 1 SG First Sergeant MAJOR Leader of a Squad. I couldn't find something about him at the net.
usedtoo6
October 27, 2018
reading these stories has made my blood run cold. I too have been scammed has any one talked to a James T Rossi ? claims to be Italian living in LA
Skeptical
February 14, 2019

In reply to by usedtoo6

I’ve been talking to a Jeffry Rossi. Has a Nevada phone number but has been in Nigeria building a hotel for the past year . Was suppose to come back to Las Vegas on 2/15/19. He’s Italian, with accent. Speaks 5 language and has 2 boys. He was suppose to give me flight information and copies of his tickets. Now he’s not responding or talking to me any longer
lbc
October 27, 2018
I was also scammed with the name ANTONIO ALBERT DIEGO!! believing he’s an expert ifx forex trader! Promising a 150% profit but before getting your profits they will keep asking money!! Stop investing with this man! Check out his ip’s..he came from nigeria!! I have a lot of evidence transactions with him..watch out his fb coz he’s doing live but he will never pick up calls to make a face to face conversation! Don’t bite his promises! It’s a warning..
Bobalicious
October 27, 2018
Anyone know Derek Myles just scammed me, was sending box I was threatened with 10.500 pounds he said don't worry, nothing came of it, then he needed money for flight army sent him to Syria then to turkey, I paid flight and luggage, turned up at airport, guess what, he wasn't there he's supposed to be 45, widower from Philadelphia, be aware
bsa123
October 28, 2018
I have been talking to a guy and I totally sure he is a scammer reading all of your stories some sound so familiar to some of the things that's been said to me all he wants is iTune cards now it's on to Google Play cards but he hasn't asked me for money he has opened up a credit card in my name and wants me to buy Cards and then he'll pay for them I've been putting him off because I am skeptical and when I put him off he gets very angry and mean and calls me names and then I don't speak to him only through text is the only time I talk to him I never got a phone call video chat anything then in a few days he contacts me and apologizes and I play along with the game for a little bit I've reported it to my credit bureau and my credit card he says he wants to help me with my business because I am in need of money I have no money to send him he has asked me to send him money for his son that's being washed by his Nanny while he has off shore oil rigging but also is starting his own independent Business but anytime I ask him questions about it he avoids it and he avoids a lot of questions that I ask nor am I allowed to ask he sends me pictures of him and his son they do look similar I can tell they're not selfies but I will be glad to post a picture and reveal his name which I know is not true because I've looked it up or did some research oh and then he sends me cute little poems which I find if you search them on Google they're fake and he says he comes up with them out of his head he writes poems what does Ally and I confronted him about that too.
FTC Staff
October 30, 2018

In reply to by bsa123

If someone uses your name and personal information to get a credit card, that is identity theft. They can create debts in your name. The debts will go onto your credit report. You might get calls from debt collectors.

Report identity theft at www.IdentityTheft.gov. Report what happened. Get letters to send to credit reporting agencies and credit card companies where the fraud happened. Make a list of steps to protect yourself.

clasha1
October 28, 2018
A guy started talking to me playing words with friends name Mark Larry who is America and working as a doctor in Syria for injured military. His daughter Emily who is 9 is in boarding school. I am very septical now. He says he can’t video chat
Happa
October 29, 2018
I have a question. Has anyone encountered where the person give you a bank site and they give you their information to enter and check their account? Then find out later on that they are a scammer. What are my risks now?
FTC Staff
October 30, 2018

In reply to by Happa

A scammer might tell you he has a lot of money in the bank, and say you can check his bank account balance. He says he's rich because he's trying to persuade you to do him a favor.

But even if you see a page online that looks like a bank account statement, that doesn't prove there is really a bank account with a high balance. It doesn't prove that the person you're talking to has a lot of money.

scha
June 14, 2020

In reply to by Happa

yes..there is this person using web offshorefirstservice.com. they website is a fraud. he's giving me his login detail and asked me to help him transfer money from his account to someone else. then after 2 transaction the account were inactive or were hold..and then when he asked me to use my money to help transfer. and i refused.
Scanned Too
November 12, 2020

In reply to by scha

Is he Swedish , charming - in Cyprus , from NYC - is he Mark Forsberg????
Scanned Too
December 12, 2020

In reply to by Scanned Too

He got me also for 3 months - March - June 2020 ! Gave him no money . Same story and more !
AmIscammed
October 30, 2018
I have had now for three weeks a Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, telling me he is an American Doctor posted in Aleppo Syria, seeet talking me on Pinterest and now on Skype. Find it very odd that after telling him I am 74 years old and married he is still talking amourously. He has not asked for any money, he says he he just wants to talk to me. Love my smile. Something smells fishy.
Deborah68
October 30, 2018
I have dealt with two scammers this year. Now I have a different scenario going on. This guy is in one of my groups on Facebook and one day he messaged me. He lives in Ghana and is 40 years old and I am 69. We talk every day on messenger. He had shown me around his house and a couple of his neighbors. He takes uses video has he talks to me so I can see everything. He claims he is so in love with and can't wait to be with me. I remind him of the age difference but he says it is just a number. He wants me to visit him in Africa next spring. He eventually wants to come and be with me in America. He has not asked me for money. He had even told me how the scammers work to get money out of people. Recently he asked me to take a blood oath so that we will be together forever. I researched this and refused to do this. It is s serious thing and scary. Any way I feel that he is just using me to get to America. The age difference really puts me off too. Is this a scam? He is very nice but I am skeptical.
Sl
January 24, 2019

In reply to by Deborah68

My guy asked me to a blood oath too because he wanted us to trust each other and this was the only way. I hedged and he said "Now I only trust you 60%" I knew it was a scam. Like seriously, that's not gonna make me change my mind....
Fooledtoo
June 18, 2019

In reply to by Sl

Did you ever find out anything about the blood oath thing? I have had a couple men ask me this recently and wonder if it is a scam
Ruth
June 06, 2021

In reply to by Deborah68

Can you please post pictures... I have been talking to a 40year old who is very sweet and says he loves me. He talks to me most of the day off and on via "hangout". He told me his birthday is this next week and I told him I wanted to send a care package. I asked for his mailing address (he is on an Army base) but he never gave it to me. He knows a great deal about the bible and talks to me about my walk with God. He has asked for pics(which I have given) and he sends pics... we spend most of our conversations talking about witnessing to other non believers but today he asked me about a blood oath. He wants us to complete a blood oath that "binds us" in commitment.... I don't want to think people would get this deep to scam but after reading your testimonies, I am freaking out. Thanks Deborah 68! Btw, he goes by the name of Jack..
Foolishscorpio
October 30, 2018
I chatted with a gentleman that was suppose to be a Brigadier General and Orthopedic Surgeon in the Maribes stationed in Yemen. Somehow he got in touch with me on Facebook. He asked me to chat with him on Hangouts which I had never heard of. We chatted for for months. He should have an academy award, he was a lonely woman’s answer to a perfect lover. I’m ashame and embarrassed to admit he scammed me out of my common sense and $14,000. Of course I can’t afford that kind of loss. I have no one to blame but my foolish self. He also used a supposed so in military school in UK. The name he used was Tony Smith. I hope this information helps someone else
ConfusedP
October 30, 2018
Was Contacted By a Rachel Linda she has been asking for gift Cards to sell to a Vendor so she can pay bills and money for School she only sends old pictures because her phone is broken, When I confronted her about me not feeling safe about sending money her friend Rose Bella started to contact me to tell me that Rachel really likes me and she just wants to finish school to go back to work but I haven't found any information on spokeo or background check sites and the Address she has given me belongs to an Earnest Berrier. If this sounds familiar to anyone I would like to know. She also claims to Live in Houston with grandmother
Jean83
October 30, 2018
Same story with me... name is Randy D Peter. Says he's on contract in Afghanistan, but from CA. Also widowed with 3 boys. Wants me to buy itune card for his kids. Says he loves me and wants to marry me...
Don'crimestopper
October 30, 2018
I think I’ve been scammed beware general Jackson 500 is about sent me loveing message and emoji wanted to marry me after 2 weeks is in yeomen on peace he didn’t sound like American when I phoned him so red flags he talked about coming over but I wasn’t aloud to tell anyone about him he then asking me to send £100 to iTunes card so I have blocked him can he still get my details
Kitkat2017
October 30, 2018
I have been scammed by Robert Green. Aged 50. Says he is wealthy from.California but born in Puerto Rico. Has a 19 year old daughter Alondra. Claims he is stuck in Australia. Has a scammer assistant Tom Daniels. Robert is always ill needing hospital treatment, injections etc. Have spent a lot of money on him as I thought I was saving his life. Softly spoken but has an accent. Has Nigerian receivers who pick up the money from Moneygram etc. They never use their names on any documents. They never have any money supposedly. Always a crises. Never again will I fall for these evil people. As an intelligent lady I am appalled I fell for this scam. I won't give up trying to get my money back or exposing him.
Kitkat2017
November 14, 2018

In reply to by singlemomshirley

Yes lots. Has he been talking to you. Don't send any money.
Taurus56
October 30, 2018
Has anyone heard of someone named Harvey Rome born and raised in Italy, parents passed, no siblings, a widow with an 11 year old son named Mark. Very nice looking an engineer on an oil rig on the ocean for past 3 months. Constantly asking for money for iTunes for his son and for his portfolio to be shipped to me with millions of dollars in it from Dubia due to the United Nations Security Service is about to be attacked by terrorists. He is a smooth talker and has a very romantic accent. Please let me know if this sounds familiar.
GB1030
October 31, 2018

In reply to by Taurus56

It sounds like a Package Scam. Please research Package Scam
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