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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
bank account
fraud
military
money transfer
online dating
scam
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.

Julie k
July 30, 2019
Please can someone advise me, I have been talking to a Nigerian man who says his sister needs her appendix out & has asked for my help, he originally was trying to scam using a fake profile but I forced him to tell me the truth, he said he had no choice as his sister is ill & will do whatever to help her, he gave me his mobile number in Nigeria & we have video called also, he gave me address of doctor & phone number of doctor, I have spoken to this doctor but unsure still & I can’t finf the hospital, I have a heart but don’t know if it’s a con or truth, he seems so desperate & I’m torn
Peter K
August 04, 2019

In reply to by Julie k

Be careful.. he is a typical scammer. NEVER EVER send money to a stranger you met online. You will regret it if you send anything to him. Donate the money to a cherrity org instead
summer69
July 30, 2019
Scammed 5 hundred dollars for ring money want bank England want more money
Very sad
July 30, 2019
Does anyone know Charles Luke? Any information is greatly appreciated. I live on the east coast and he says he’s from California.
Redhead79
July 30, 2019
Ah yes, the good old "if you love me then you would help me out" bs. Met a guy from Russia on a site a few months ago. He was handsome, muscular, polite, and seemingly caring. He said he lived with his grandmother. He even supported me emotionally when my mother had to have surgery. I thought that this was the man that I should be with. Boy was I wrong. His grandmother had passed and that's when I got the real picture. He claims that in Russia, since his grandmother didn't have a will, that he had only 2 weeks to "privatize" his grandmother's property so he can keep the house (I know that Russia has some bizzare laws, but I even thought that was rather ridiculous, even if it may be true?) so he said that he went to an attorney and that it was going to cost him over $1000. I emotionally supported him like he did me when my mother had surgery. Well he claimed that he asked friends there in Russia to help him financially. Then he didn't mention it for awhile and then out of the blue, he asks me for $800? I told him do he realize what I have just been through trying to get my mother back to good health? I explained to him that health care here is not free for everyone like it is there. I should have been talking to a tree when I said that. He still asked me the next day and it went from 2 weeks to 3 weeks to obtain $800. Just got an email from him today now saying that he has 2 days to get the money and that I was his only hope. I sent him a link to the go fund me page and told him good luck because I don't have that kind of money to give to someone that I've only known for 3 months just online. Then I blocked him because I already know that answer is not satisfactory to him. I can say that his pictures were real since we did chat on WhatsApp and seen each other on camera. I just want to say, these scammers are getting more hip to things and please folks, be very careful.
scammed
July 30, 2019
Listen up, I got scammed! Not sure what to expect now and I reported it to the FBI As soon as I realized in the same day. What ever you do don't help transfer Mon ey, send money, wire money. These guys are pros and they know how to get to you. If you have the slightest intuition block them. They are evil and need to be stopped. I'm not sure what ramifications I'm going to face but I'm here to warn you don't help these creeps. What ever you do don't help them!!!!!!!! You will be the one in trouble if you do. I am praying daily I don't go to jail. Please don't help these scammers.
Sabrina cruz
August 08, 2019

In reply to by scammed

Go to interpol with all the documents of transaction.all emails n pics n BLOCK THEM
Loriep
July 31, 2019
Has anyone heard of Mark Roland. Hes in Military. has a 17 year old son in boarding school in London. Wife died 4 years ago. Has been in Syria
sue Kear
July 31, 2019
Anyone out there no Scott David if you do need to turn around and run ,
Jazz(not real name )
July 31, 2019
In 2018..Michael Ferguson claimed to be in Syria as Field Marshal for army claimed to be Scottish, has son looks just like him, oh the reddish hair and beard, receding hairline, not very tall.. Got angry I wouldn't send more money, after I sent $500. Sound familiar?
Jazz(not real name )
July 31, 2019
OK.. Some one please tell me is this scenario a scam? John Marino (Major General ) claim to have asked for his retirement package through the UN of course, the UN sent me an email saying they need $1250.00 to send me the retirement package, And to deposit this amount into an account at The Bank of America, oh and the name for this account is Christy Castle, I already tried to search that name to no avail. Help!!
Jpark
August 01, 2019
Anyone contacted by a Jeffery William? No scam yet, just alot of sweet talk.
Mirabelle
September 17, 2019

In reply to by Jpark

Yes, a girlfriend of mine who lives in Spain fell in love (without ever having seen him) with Jeffrey William, an American soldier stationed in Syria, who supposedly recovered several million US dollars abandoned by terrorists in Syria. Currently, he is asking her to recover documents blocked at the Italian customs. The delivery man in charge of the transaction is called Joseph. For the moment, neither of them has asked for money. One asked her to open an account in her own name (which I advised her not to do if she didn't want to end up in jail for money laundering.) As they are not asking for money, there must be another dirty trick and I am suspicious.
BeenHad
August 01, 2019
Anyone familiar with someone named Michael John Rodriguez? Supposedly from Puerto Rico; lives in Dallas area?
Wisegal
August 01, 2019
Has anyone encountered a James Terry? Meet on WWF, chatted for a few days then went to "hangouts" and chatted for over 2 weeks. Then, was told he had major medical issue with a teen daughter at home, asking me to send a card or bitcoin? Because he's an independent contractor on an oil rig and needs to settle account with his backers out of China??
Rose08
August 02, 2019
Scammers are everywhere, i don't know what's happening in our world. You can't find a real man who's not after the money. I've met some scammers on facebook, IG and recently in a dating sites. I don't know if he's really real but same with you guys. It's like deja vu. My sister told me about this and i should've read the comments here... i just said OMG... same as mine what happened, he asked me to turn off the dating site coz he said i found him already. I've been talking to him for 1 month now. He's from knoxville Tennessee and now he's in Nigeria because he's opening a business like gold mining. Everything went well, then recently he told me 2 days finally we'll gonna meet, he will fly from nigeria to UAE. Then one day he told me the worst had happened, his wallet was stollen from the bus. All the atms, ids, debit cards, credit card and 7k usd was there. Then he said he reported to the police. After a while he said he have 27,000 usd chequed, he will go to the bank to exchanged it. Then after 1 hr he said the bank refused because he blocked it and it's bank policy. Then i told him you need to go home first and fixed. Then he told me he can exchanged the chequed once he's in UAE or outside of Nigeria. Does anyone knows about it? As far as i know you have to go to your main bank so they can replaced all the cards that was stolen. It's funny coz the guy told me that his passport was confiscated by the director of the mining. He said he need to pay the workers there so he can go home and get his passport.. it's crazy! In 1 month i've already fell in love with him.. scammers go to hell!!! Sometimes it's really hard to find true love in dating site or everywhere i guess..
Krisa
August 02, 2019
there is a man in colorado that claims he is a pilot, widower. Says his daughter was adopted by a family after his wife passed away. He talks about his brother and mother. I don’t believe they are alive or they are made up. He gets offended when you call him out on his lies. He hangs up. Never has shown his face. He says anthony fasano an italian pilot is using his pictures. Then says his phone isn’t working to video chat. He lies from the beginning and continues. Beware of this man. I don’t believe he lives in the US. He has a textmail subscriber number. Suspicious. He did this so he won’t be tracked.
Dianne
August 02, 2019
I've been talking to a guy called Mica, from Texas, US, said he loved me within weeks, worked for oil company, suddenly goes to Turkey for contract, one week later, his 9 year old son is rushed to hospital seriously ill. He says he can't access his money and asks me to help with £4000 for medical bill deposit. I told him I couldn't help. Now he's just asked me to get him a £200 Amazon card, I feel so hurt , I fell for him and so glad I haven't sent any money. Has anyone else spoken to him, he's a very good looking guy, but alarm bells are ringing.
MICA
August 02, 2019
there a lot of scammers . To prove the identity please make a video call to him or her and please do not send money to them. because i believe that if that person really love you he or she will ask money or any. that's it. I met this guy on IG his name is KIM SMITH AND JAMES they pretended to be an army.
Just a girl
August 03, 2019
Corey Steiner or Stainer he often gets confused about his name. Is in Syria at war, son is in UK at school. Wife died, parents died. I am an Angel and we are best friends after chatting on hangouts for a couple of hours. He is suppose to be back in San Fran in 2 months. Smh.....after reading all these I think I am in the same boat. Dishant Vetale was his Facebook name he originally asked me to friend him before joining hangouts.
lina
August 03, 2019
i met one man online claiming he's a doctor from UN base inSomalia;he's asking me to pay charges for his vacation leave but i dont want.is this scam?
Peter K
August 04, 2019
A lady named Nancy ssying she is French Lebanese who lives in Tolouse but right now is in Ivory Coast because her father died and her wicked uncle took the fortune left by her father. She is talking to a lawyer to help get the BIG fortune left by her father. She called me and sent sexy pics on Whats app but I blocked her anyways. She is fake..
Star99
August 10, 2019

In reply to by Peter K

I am chatting to a guy called a David Giraud from Toulouse, says he’s an art dealer but now in Morocco trying to get his inheritance from his Uncle . Says his credit cards have been blocked and wants £500 via Western Union . Had said he loves me and wants to marry me! He did send his location. I’m not sure what to believe !
Peter K
August 04, 2019
A gay guy named Evgeny from Russia who sent pics of him as child with his mother and that his father died in the Chechen war. Then he asked for ticket money, then for more because he could not travel because mother fell in bathroom floor and needs brain surgery. He was a scammer and I was stupid. He oreferred money not to be sent by Western Union apparently because he is because is registered there as scammer. He received the money through a friend name
Needtoknow
August 04, 2019
Has anyone come across someone called Ryan Bautista / Batizryan / Ryan Batiz? Says he is from Belgium moved to NZ last November. Working as an Engineer on a ship in the Mediterranean for 3 months. Ship broke down and worried about pirates, wanted to send me his valuables but it was going to cost me $1,500. I said no but when I contacted the shipping company there was a package which he had cancelled shipment of when I refused to pay the money. Now back in touch but has asked to borrow $1000 to be paid through Western Union. Can’t decide if he’s a scam or not. Have reverse searched his photos but no matches...
Was on a ghost…
August 08, 2019

In reply to by Needtoknow

Pls do not send money I know what you meant bc I hv been there .he is a scammer
Dandert
August 04, 2019
Has anyone heard of josee herter or harter or josee nery herter
cheating autis…
August 04, 2019
Oh my god, I need to inform that there are some guys who are going around in Hangout app trying to cheat off ppl who have autism and intellectual disability! This is so scary! I only know about it because someone I know who has autism has fallen prey. From what I understand, time was spent on ‘grooming’ and befriending. Please be careful everyone! Let’s be sure to rid of such bad people from the app to protect vulnerable individuals. We must unite and warn people. It would be good if some government body can step in to regulate this, or else more and more people will be harmed, hurt, and taken advantaged off by sick crooks.
LJAGUAR
August 05, 2019
Does anyone know Serena Castro or Serena Scates or Scates Santiago?? She is Hispanic, she is from Puerto Rico. She is in Army as nurse. I checked background on her, she had too many alis name and different states. She said that she got hacked from Facebook. I asked her many questions, she refused to answer the question, took too long to reply back. She use Hangout. The story on Rebekah Hope Martin's, it sound familiar to me. She said her father lived Turkey and had farm property. She said that she lost her twin sister and her mother, she dont like to talk about her past. She told me different story. She made an excuse to miss flight schedule or didnt buy airline ticket. I know she is liar. I know she use ppls for money, not for love.
Anon
August 05, 2019
A guy has promised me for over 3 years that me and him will get together and all the while he’d either as me to help him get things in an MMO or buy his subscription to it or just say he wanted this thing cause he knew I’d buy it for him cause of my feelings for him. He consistent cuts me off and stops talking to me then comes back and has yet to keep his promise. Am I being scammed?
NiceLady
August 05, 2019
This is the one I almost fell for, until I couldn't find anything at all about him via background checks: I am a Soldier currently serving in Afghanistan for peace keeping mission. i am a widower and i am the only child of my late parents lost them when i was 20 my dad is Italian and my mom is from USA, so i have a little accent. (next message he says: i am partly German american my late mom was from Germany (Bavaria) while my late Dad is from California which is the reason for my little accent.) i am the only child of my late parent and also i lost my wife Angela and two grown up sons john was 10 years and Raymond was 16 years on auto crash last four years my life became so miserable and devastated but i have a daughter left only she is 9 years old (he said she was 6 in chat)she is with her teacher she is the one taking care of her. her name is Christina and she has a partial hearing problem. I have not dated anyone since i lost my wife i just concentrated on my job and you really do sounds special and sweet. Can you be my Queen if time can tell? I wont Hurt you and I will be a Very Good man to you cos I am a God fearing man and i do respect my woman a lot, please i will like you to tell me more about yourself, marital status, do you have kids what about your parents. i really would like to get more closer to you and see if we can work out a good relationship together. Not going to fall for this but think I will chat a bit to see how much his story changes and how long it takes to be asked for 'a favor) going by the name of Troy Gullett, Chicago IL.
Anna_Milan
August 06, 2019
My scammer is called “Jameson Bridge”. Serving 2 years in Afghanistan , wife died in childbirth. Loved me in 2 days... wants to vacation in the uk but has to pay €10,000 to take a vacation - which he’ll pay me back. This is on google hangouts. White guy, muscular, tattoos on one arm and chest. I knew he was a scammer when he added me on Instagram.. I’ve just been playing games with him.
Buttons
August 08, 2019
Has anyone ran across a guy named "James Raphel"? He 1st contacted me on Instagram with the name "AbilitySanuri". He had a profile picture of him and a little boy. He asked if we could move the conversation to Hangouts ok. We proceed in chatting, he said that he was from Tampa Fl, but working in Aberdeen Scotland on a Oil Rig. Proceeds to say, that he needs help retrieving his luggage from a CO. that goes By Safeway Deliveries. He son is supposedly be in boarding school. His parents died when He was young and he had been an Orphan. Child's mother is deceased. But he needs help with his luggage, that's suppose to come to my address, I'm to wait on him. It's coming from some part in Itstanbul Turkey. They guy is a smooth very smooth talker, I feel weak and made a video. Now he's threatening me to be exposed. If I don't wire the money for shipping and handling cost for this luggage, I knew in the beginning it was a scam, but kept going. The CO was asking for $950 in cost. No way I had that type of money. So he said that he would call the company and see if I could pay $550. I go along like I'm really going to do it. So I blocked him in Hangouts, filed a complaint with IC3 and blocked all my accounts. This guy will not let up. I've asked for pics of him. And I started comparing them, and it's not the same guy. His email address is.....jamesraphel83@ And I still haven't sent any money, when he started to get angry and make threats. I've saved all the threats on my email(Don't know if it will help any)
Don't geminiba…
August 06, 2019
I was contacted by a guy from America called himself John Duca said he was widowed with a young daughter msged me for months then he said he had a parcel for me ,and I had to pay a fee which I couldn't afford ,he was horrible when I told him I was unable unable to pay it ,he said the parcel was stuck in Hong Kong airport he called me names I ended up blocking him.
sparky01Don't …
August 06, 2019
BEWARE...Watch out for a man named Nick Mason.He says he is a widower lost his wife and father on the same day.Has one daughter he works for vencore investment company which is a fake company.He then claimed his mom died shortly after we met .He said how much he loved me and just couldn't wait to be with me .My daughter never trusted him .There is so much more to say but I don't know how to write it all.Then he asked for my full legal name to put on some stocks he needed to sell.The red flag went up so I looked deeper and found him on line has a scammer .So please just stay away from Nick Mason .He had an accent and is very charming
phony
August 07, 2019
There are a couple of guys on Hangouts that are scammers. I have come across 2. One being Oscar Gomez another Chris Mark. Both have asked for some kind of money. Do not fall prey to them. Be wise when using Hangouts or Instagram in fact using all social media.
noteasilyfooled
August 07, 2019
Been texting a guy. Got suspicious when I found he had four different Facebook accounts. When I confronted him, he deflected said he was hacked. He supposedly is an engineer on an oil rig in Turkey. Wanted me to get an Ebay card so he can upload documents for his job!!!He has at least eleven Facebook accounts. Friended me as Christopher Henriksen. Says he's from Houston and has eight year old son!
Rio
August 08, 2019
Allen Maurice (Maurice Mendes ) wants to give me some money . Is this not scam?
FIRE ANTS
August 08, 2019
I met a guy online who says that I'm the most GORGEOUS lady he's EVER seen. said that he was an engineer who works on an oil rig out at sea. also said that he has an 8 year old son and that his wife died in a car accident. He ask me for MONEY...but here's my story...i played him...and I DIDN'T send him whatever he ask for. so I'm not and did not get drained out of my financial situation. what I got drained out of was my emotions. He stole my HEART with his MOST loving words. I got so caught up in his lies that it led me to shutting MYSELF out from my family. The one thing that can ruin your love for your family is that one person who comes along and makes you BELIEVE EVERYTHING that you want to HEAR and you end up LOOSING touch with reality and hurting your family for SOMETHING that DON'T EVEN exist!...I got so emotional y HURT that I couldn't EVEN bring MYSELF to face my daily chores. I couldn't eat...i couldn't sleep...i just couldn't focus on ANYTHING!!...it came to a point to where I had to open up to my son on how to over come THIS "ring of fire" I so call it, i was VERY embarrassed by what I've done, but had I not open up with my son about this i probley whould have KILLED myself. I thought that something such as this could NEVER HAPPEN TO ME, but it did!...if these men DON'T rob you of your MONEY...they will rob your emotions and that can lead you to hurting YOURSELF!... I SO STRESS to all you LADIES and MEN in this situation to PLEASE do YOUR research BEFORE FALLING into anyone's LOVING WORDS!...This types of situations are NOT worth LOOSING your FAMILY.
Srod
October 17, 2019

In reply to by FIRE ANTS

This person must be part of the same scammers that scammed my own wife. Same oil rig story...he even got her to send a $50 itunes card and in return he sent her a "nightie". Worst part is even when my wife knew it was a scam, the conversation got even hotter. This has ruined me emotionally. A person getting paid to say loving things is better that a real person saying loving things.
FIRE ANTS
August 08, 2019
has anyone heard of an...Alex Nelson or Alex Mason??? from Huston Texas??
CBsFriend
June 07, 2020

In reply to by Irishweda

Can you describe this person and what story he told. I’m afraid my friend might be being scammed by him. Same name. Contract in Turkey etc.
Kris221B
May 07, 2020

In reply to by FIRE ANTS

Hello, I have been talking with an Alex Nelson recently. He says he is working in New Orleans on an oil rig but is from Pearland, Texas. He says he has a son who is being taken care of by his nanny in Pearland. He has told me that I am very beautiful, etc. etc. Has asked me to talk on Hangouts and Whatsapp. Has not asked for money. I have pictures.
Jdc 101
August 08, 2019
This all sounds simular to the scam my mother in law is getting involved with, she won't listen to myself and her daughter , some guy saying he's in the us navy stationed in Estonia and crazy in love with her is asking for $ 2000 to vist her , we dont know what to do ,
Was Scammed on…
August 09, 2019
Please beware of anyone using the name "Andrew Ishaid". When he asked me for money I reported him to OKCupid who told me he had several active accounts using different locations. They subsequently banned him from the site but of course, he can always create a new account using new email and other new info. He uses pictures of a very handsome tall, dark-haired, kind of middle-eastern looking man with a full beard who looks to be bet. 30-40 yrs. old. He claims to be born in Israel and raised in Capetown, S. Africa but living in Calabasas, CA which is near me. On the phone he has a very, very slight accent. We spoke many times and I have photos, videos, phone number, email address, alleged home address, photo of his passport ID (likely fake), Instagram account (fake) and LinkedIn (likely fake) and more. No matter how genuine or real the connection feels, do not send money under any circumstances. He sent me the link to a working shipping website with a working tracking number that pulled up a page with his full name "Andrew Philip Ishaid", current date, and the amount owed to customs. It all turned out to be fake. He bought a domain name, built a website, programmed a tracking number, and uses it to trick people. It's actually a real website but being used to steal from others. He is very charming and romantic and you'll allow it (especially if you're attractive), he will escalate the romance fast, profess his love, and will spend unlimited amounts of time texting you and talking on the phone.
I’m so stupid
September 02, 2019

In reply to by Was Scammed on…

I met this person on OkCupid too and he has the same story. I confronted him but claims it’s not a scam. I saw his fake Instagram, LinkedIn, and he’s sent numerous pictures, but he never use VideoChat or FaceTime claiming his phone was broken. I did a reverse look up on his pictures but nothing came up. He’s spent a lot of time talking me on the phone and texting me using a VIOP phone (uses several phone numbers and has the excuse that he’s been through so much his phone is broken), and he immediately wanted me off OkCupid dating website to show that he only wanted me and vice versa. He now wanted to use KIK app to communicate with each other and now in Egypt on business he’s claiming to be stuck there, because his materials are on hold. He’s a professional, he immediately told me he loved me several times and got me to say it back wanting me to be submissive to him. He’s been asking me for money through PayPal, but he did send me that fake invoice through Emsexpres.com prior as proof claiming to owe $8000 and is willing to send me his bank account statements to show his account is restricted. He originally asked me for $4000 and now it’s down to $2000 so he can return to Calabasas, CA with his shipment so we can be together and I can prove my love and I’m the type of woman he wants. He claimed he’ll pay me back and my reward is spending time with him. If you’re not willing to do what he wants he will berate you and call you inconsiderate and selfish, and stop talking to you leaving you questioning yourself. Andrew is good at turning on and off the emotional connection, and it’s real easy to connect the voice to the picture because you want it to be true. Who ever reads this I hope it helps and beware of this man.
Mamita
August 09, 2019
Anyone know Brandon Adam? He is widower and his son name is Kelly (14years old) . He said from California but he deployed in Syria as marine engineer.
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