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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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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.

Jonagirl2020Do…
April 27, 2020

In reply to by concerned gran…

Yep was doing this in Europe trying to retrieve n wanted money. Same name sent passport and this was a year ago! Same name from las vegas and is a total scammer!!!!
Jack Isback
April 11, 2020
Is there any rules about a pilot you want to date, chatting to you on the app WhatsApp?
ScamCanafa
April 12, 2020
I met a guy in Tinder by the name of David, he pretended he was part of the army, i was not showing much interest at him, it seems like he didn't mind that after 4 days him telling me how beautiful i was and how much he wished to come down to Canada, i noticed something fishy about him, Sunday after all he dropped the bomb that he was really sad bz his mother was diagnosed with cancer and asking me for 2500 dolars, rushing me to wire the money through different apps, he used the name David Protor. Pls be careful, he is using pictures too
Mitchell Miller
April 12, 2020
I have been talking to someone for over a 1 year now and her name is Taylor lily Williams and from all the research I've been look at this it's the biggest scam I have heard of. Because I have been stupid and have sent card's and my banking information and have had to change my bank accounts multiple times I am truly a victim of this scam. They will tell you a truly sobbing story about a family member that has passed away and they are all by their selves now and this world abd need your help. They may have kids and no other spouse in there lifes unfortunate accident. But a sick grandma or grandpa to take care of there kid or kids well they are away. And they will tell you that they will pay you back in double or make your dream's come true. You can do what ever you want just as soon as they get home and you pay a tag leave fee that can be up to $5000. US Payment to just to get home from where wherever it is that they claim they are. If they will even tell you. I have spent over 10000dollars Canadian because this person keeps on saying that the plane has been delayed. And that the plane will be coming in a couple of days don't worry. I'm coming home soon. Just so you fork more money out.
Humblesoul#27
April 13, 2020
hi.i got scammed.i dnt normally fall for such things.i was in a very dark place in my life.i was in instagram one evening deleting all the follow request.till this day I dnt know how I managed to press accept.the man goes by the name DAVID WALLACE.he told me he was a special operation soldier and is currently deployed in Syria.this ordeal went on for 16months.he told me his girlfriend had died of cancer.that his sister looks after his boy Derrick.as the months went on.he told me he son was really poor and needs medical attention.i started to send money.he knew I cudnt have children.he knew I had just lost my father he knew my gad list my nephew at such a young age.yet this evil man.pulked at my heart strings.making me believe that soon as he is home.wer gonna be a family the 3 of us.he he would send me quotes.he would put pics of me him and his son on his own instagram page.he epidurals beg for money to be sent via bitcoin mache.like a fool I did.i picked up loans from banks.as he said he had dropped his rifle and it has to be replaced.any as time went on.the day he was flying back to the states.he told me he got shot in the arm.few days had passed I never herd from him.someone rang my fone and claim to be abdul in turkey airport that David has been arrested as he was carrying MORPHINE.something started to tell me.thus is not right.i got in touch with the embassy who told me.no soldier or civilian has been arrested.that I have been scammed.my heart sunk.the scammer try to rectify it all.he had sent me voice notes. one evening the scammer called me.to my horror he was an African or Nigerian.after a lot of pleading with him.he gave me the real soldiers real name.the scammer told me that he knew the soldier personally and knew evesbout him ,as I dnt do any other social networking.i had to register on FB .i found him.i message the real soldier to reach out to me.not that I wanted any money off him or expected him to pay.i just wanted to warn him.but the soldier reported me and blocked me.so now I wonder if the soldier knew of what was going on .i do anything to get hold of the real soldier.
Humblesoul#27
April 13, 2020
sorry I forgot to ment he said his sister lived in New Hampshire us that he was from Indiana us .im just sicken by all this if some can help please.the real soldier is a national gaurd
harryo
April 13, 2020
Has anyone come across sarah yattran she says she's part of a peace keeping force in Afghanistan. Says she wants to get out, asking for I phone cards, wants you to pay for her to go back to the states because the army won't let her go and that's how it works.
Mitch
April 14, 2020
Hi, is there a way to know who really owns the picture that was sent to me? i tried google image and other online image search but i can’t find that person.
Cheyenne22
April 18, 2020

In reply to by Mitch

Did you see if they would send another? I snipped a few different ones, did reverse searches on GOOGLE, and got quite a few hits on the fake pictures from like Instagram and lots of other sites.
Carol y
April 14, 2020
He says in they army an he need to get his suitcase home and he needs my help to get it home to Altanta
Alex Log234
April 15, 2020
I ran into a guy who name is william roger he wanted me to buy bitcoin to bring him home he send me a email address to buy it
hedgelaw
April 17, 2020
To all ladies and men on this site: You already at the least suspect your online love interest is a scammer since you are on this site. I was taken in by sweet words and professions of forever love. I was lucky as I never gave money or gift cards. Texted for many months before he asked me to send him a gift card to pay his phone bill so we could continue talking. These scammers are very good and well rehearsed. A couple times I got red flags but they were not enough to make me block him. We want so badly that we talk ourselves out of believing they are not scammers. When I questioned him about being a scammer he called me with a video of him having a conversation and he was the same man in the photos he sent. I was going to try to send a gift card when I decided to research him some more. Found his photo on a website that had photos of scammers and he was using a different name. I am lucky as I lost no money. I called and reported this to my bank and FBI. This all occurred today and he doesn't know that I know. Ladies please trust your best judgement and when it might seem like something isn't right know that is not right. And forgive yourselves for falling for them. You are not stupid and these scammers are good at what they do. Never send an online friend money or gift cards.
dgh9696
April 17, 2020
Has anyone came in contact with a man named Mark Ethan? He claimed to be a single father of 2 girls.. and works on a ship carnival cruse.. that he is currently working on now.. his girls are in a boarding school in Turkey.. says his parents are deceased. And was raised in Australia..he is a great talker calls me Queen, goddess, says he so in love with me.. but today asked for money.. that he needed it for his girls that ran out of resources?? And can’t get money too theM from the ship... I feel in my heart this is a scam..
Kzimme1
April 17, 2020
has anyone heard of Steven lowerly. Bad British accent, has a son in boarding school in England and is a widower
Nessa
April 18, 2020
Does anyone know the guy who goes by the name Sandro Romagnoli born in Italy, who works in British Petroleum UK as an engineer. He said he have a daughter named Sonia who stay with his mom in Australia. His wife died in a car accident 4 years ago.. He also sent me his pictures he's a handsome guy who doesnt grow hair and beards... He never asked for money.... Help
Angtravels
April 18, 2020
Similar story. A man contacted me on Facebook this morning who called himself Alexander Clements, said he is an orthopaedic surgeon in France, widower with a son. I asked why he reached out Since i did not know him. Said he saw my profile on FB and wanted to learn more about me. I tried to be courteous but told him that i would remove him from my friends list out of caution since i did not know him and wished him well. We exchanged a handful of messages (mostly me asking questions to figure out why he was trying to connect with me. It felt off. After I ended the conversation, he persisted in asking if we could still be friends, and I blocked him all together. Took me five minutes to find this thread after trying to hunt down if this was a fisching scam. Life has taught me that if it doesn't add up and your gut is telling you something is off, trust those instincts. I'm happily married but love learning about other countries and nationalities. That is the only reason he made it past my first question. Be careful all!
dgh9696
April 18, 2020
Has anyone been scammed by a man named Mark Ethan? I’m pretty sure he is playing me.. met on WWF.. convinced me to talk to him on hangouts. Said he was a electrical engineer that has worked for carnival cruise for the past 20 years. He is currently offshore on contract and has 2 twin girls age 11 in a boarding school in Turkey. He is incredibly charming.. calling me his queen, goddess...and so on. Has even had his daughters email me.. and had sent me multiple pictures.. he’s very good looking.. He asked me to send money due his daughters running out of resources at school and can’t send money.. for some stupid reason.. I have not and never would send money..I’m so disappointed he seemed so amazing.. has anyone ran into a similar situation.. I wanna be wrong.. but my gut is telling me to run fast.
Cheyenne22
April 18, 2020
BEWARE of STAHL BURNETTE on Plenty Of Fish, total scammer. I reverse searched his photos he finally sent, along with phony passport, and found these pictures being used all over. Also, I found no information on him when doing Identity searches. Claims born in YUKON, OK, supposedly living in Melbourne, FL. I found nothing on this either. Supposedly, family got killed in a car crash in Canada, and only child, and father recently passed in Florida. Owns OIL PALM Plantation in Malaysia, etc. on and on fake garbage, wanted $65,000 to bail them out or would lose all money stuck into his harvest, due to COVID-19 virus and not being able to get loans anywhere. Please be careful everyone. If they don't want to call you, have multiple reasons why they can't provide info like pictures, address, business, probably are scammers and once they rope you in with all the nice compliments and poems, every morning, will come up with some tragedy or emergency and request for money. They'll eventually hound you daily. Just block them, it's not worth the heartache. Make sure you meet folks in person and at a safe place.
Lovely Artemis
April 18, 2020
I had the same experience a month ago. He sent me DM on IG, well since I was trying to break the routine from work I engaged myself in a conversation with him, he asked lots of question mostly personal, though I answered them all but I did not gave him full disclosure of the things he wanted to know. It’s all a one word answer to his queries , 3 days after he asked to converse with hang outs, there he senta pictures before he goes to work and after work he sent me messages. For a woman, I find it interesting. On the 4th day of our exchanged conversation he start processing his love. I have trust issues so I did not believe him, on the 5th day he told me that he has an inheritance that he can’t get without a partner so his looking for someone to partner with in able for him to have his inheritance, he said he wanted to put up a football academy or a foundation in my country (Philippines), and I told him if he wanted to do that he should come to my country in able to materialized his plan and have a meeting with me, that’s when he started feeling agitated and somewhat irked him and later on blocked me. He goes by the name of Markyryan26 on IG, a three stripes pilot In American Airline. He lives in Philadelphia. I can send you his photo if you need it.
Savi
April 19, 2020
Hi, im from Asia, i think im scamming by a man from US, fist time he chat me on IG, and now we chat by Google hangout. He said he's work in oil rig, his wife died when birth the son. And his son was live with her aunty, her mom was already passed away and i dont what happend with his dad. First time i know that he go to Germany, and than he got a news that his son was in hospital, he asked me money to him for the hospital, because his bank account was closed and i dont know why, but i dont send it. He angry and than he back to me again. And than theres a project, but something bad happend to his company so he got jailed, and after a few month he back to chat me. And one day he asked me to assist him to buy steam card bout 100US for opening his bank account. Well... than i give him.. After a long time.. he promises me bout future,married, and many.. i feel like ok.. his fine..but the last.. he tell me bout how to make visa and he will help me make that visa but i have to send my money bout 1420US. I didnt do that . And he angry with me. For many ways he asked me to do that. But im still say no. Maybe he give up with that. Than he back to me with all romance story.. and the last.. he asked me again to give him steam card again. I think its enough for me to not trust him anymore. Do you think i do the right? And than he said hes in US .. well hallow i though he was in Thai, and now he said that he was in new york now. I check his IG account its blocked and try looking for his name in google i cant find it. I really want to stay away from him now.
Panda
April 19, 2020
This is my story... I met this guy on Tinder in February this year. Physically speaking he was my type. We matched and start to write emails. He said he was from NY and oil engineer. Lost his dad, mom and wife. No child. He fell in love with me and I fell in love with him too. He said he wants to meet me soon in my country and marry me. Few weeks later, I got this mail from him saying he had to leave the States for 3 months for a contract in Australia and he will be visiting me in my country after he’s done with this contract. He said he bought me things which will be delivered to me. Then he left to Australia and had arranged shipment of the package before he left. The shipping company asked me to pay for some transit charges (ca 2000 usd). I told him I couldn’t pay for it. He gave me is online banking ID and I made the payment through his account. Few days later, another mail from the shipping company asking for custom clearance fees. The package was on hold in Turkey... and the customs scanned it and saw cash inside. Unfortunately transfer from his account was rejected. His account was locked by his bank. He asked me to send an email to his bank on his behalf and as his wife asking for information. The bank replied that the account has been locked by the IMF because he didn’t renew his account ownership certificate. They sent attached a letter from the IMF asking to pay 3500 usd to renew the certificate and immediate unlock of the account. I was so trustful that I made a loan to my bank and paid for it. But they were asking for 7000 usd afterwards as a remaining balance to unlock the account and to provide the 2 last documents to the IMF. I asked another loan to my bank and paid. I fell hard with this man and didn’t see this coming at all. I was so stupid until today. I made reversed image research previously on Google and didn’t find anything until today. One of the picture he sent me was photoshopped. He put his face on it. All the pictures he sent me has been stolen and I have found the real person they are belonging to and this person has never been in touch with me. I am so sad and devastated because I fall in love for a man who doesn’t exist. I have reported him this morning.
Lynn
April 26, 2020

In reply to by Panda

Panda do you have a name of this man you mentioned in your story?
meremaid
April 19, 2020
Watch out for Benjamin Vittello
Khan
April 19, 2020
I am curious about one thing i had a chat on wechat with a girl claimed that she is in US army and through secret mission she has got 63 million dollar and she has no place to keep it and she wanted to send it through courrier but i dont ubderstand this thing first that how can anyone send money through courrier? And secondly the main thing is that how can this thing can lead to scam? Because she has not demanded anything and wanted to send the money through a locked box
Feeling stupid
April 19, 2020
Any one been scammed by steve Harris us army stationed in Afghanistan, just wondering
Florida
April 19, 2020
so my grandmother meet this guy on a dating site he says his name is doctor kevin williams and he is from syria. My grandmother and him are kinda in a relationship thing and he video calls her and texts her all the time . He has been asking her and hounding her about getting this 20 to 100 card from the store. I knew from there that my grandmother was being scammed . Also when he video chatted with her after i called him out for being a dcammer he turned his camera off so i wouldnt see him, but i seen him and have pictures of him. I tried to look him up and couldnt find any information about him or him being a doctor. Everyone needs to look out for peoplike this , this is so heartbreaking and messed up .
Hate scammers
April 20, 2020
My scammer is born in Norway, moved to South Africa, wife and 1st child killed in car accident, has 2 kids and a sick mother being taken care of by nanny. Moved to America and works on an oil rig part time as an engineer contractor. Name used is Raymond...over 2 months sweet talking and I tried to get him to go on catfish but of course he was insulted. I’ve known since week one...but with Covid 19 I was bored...I even got the bank account info from him...I don’t have a job right now and he STILL asked for money. Turning the tables and seeing how long I can waste his time so he’s leaving someone else alone! I know he’s talking to an Annie since he accidentally told her he loved her to me...but of course that’s his daughters nickname...sure! It’s pretty entertaining catching them in lies...spends hours talking and texting but can’t FaceTime or Skype due to poor signal! Bahaha! Dang it I’m bored!
Myrae
May 17, 2020

In reply to by Hate scammers

Sounds like Parker Lahm from Norway whose son and sick mother are back in Norway with a caretaker. He lived in Texas and owns a home there that he is currently selling and he recently moved to Ohio. No search engine pulls him up, he's not on beenverified.com and there is no real estate in Austin, TX under his name. He uses a VOIP number and can talk on the phone but ignores requests to video chat. When confronted, he used a looped video of this guy walking through a cemetery for our Skype call.
Mala
April 20, 2020
I talked with someone who told me that he is a military officer deployed in Egypt and he use Bruce as his nickname on his tinder profile. I met him on tinder, he asked my WhatsApp number. and then we talked for 2 days. He told me that his real name is Frank Michael James. Such a weird name. He said he don't have any family and tired of being lonely. so he wanted for a serious relathionship. and only want to marry a serious girl. I asked him why I can't saw him online status on WhatsApp and he said it's because he is using a military WhatsApp . Is that true? but I noticed that he is using custome WhatsApp application.
flowergirl
April 20, 2020
I was talking to Brian Jeti from California who said he is in Zurich Switzerland working now. Met him on POF. He used this phone number 425-434-9365. He is totally a scammer. Ladies be careful!
flowergirl
April 20, 2020
I was talking with the guy from POF. His name is Brian Jeti from California. The number he uses is +1 (425) 434-9365. Scam for sure.
Lmg
April 20, 2020
Does any one kno of a dr donald elder
Better than them
April 20, 2020
I met Fernando lukas on wwf2, at first he was very sweet. Says he's a CEO of an oil company living in Beverly Hills. Has a 12 yrs old son, divorced, but has to stay home because of c-19. He also kept asking if I got my gov't check. I gave him an email address to start, since I have been scammed before. When I wouldn't give him my ph# or WhatsApp he got mad, threatening and aggresive. By the time he called me nasty names I reported him and deleted from my game. I found out guys troll the gaming sites as well as dating sites. Now I trust no one.
BabyJas
April 21, 2020
Hi i met girl on facebook she told me her name and where she from well ok everything going smooth for while we started talking by texting each other everynight but then she started acting weird by saying her dad has passed awayn her mom moved Florida ok mom left daughter at house with no job so girl started asking me for money saying she couldnt pay rent so she ask me if i could loan her 500 dollar or landlord was going throw her out on street so she needed ebay cards give to landlord
Jazzy
April 21, 2020
I has been talking to a freddie greg lewis aka..greg sandilla. He calls me his queen and has proposed marriage lives in norway and his wife died leaving 2 children.he recently has asked for money in steam cards.anyone know anything about him?
Fireopal
June 15, 2020

In reply to by Jazzy

Also have been chatting with a greg sandilla. Says he's from Sweden wife dies in 2015 has two kids. Calls me his queen and is looking for a long term relationship. Hasn't asked for money but says really into video games. Says he lives outside of Chicago. Has sent numerous selfies with his 3 dogs. Was on Scrabble go.
Fireopal
June 15, 2020

In reply to by Jazzy

Where were you talking to him and did he send pictures?
Don'usejazzy y…
August 01, 2020

In reply to by Fireopal

Yes I have got photos of him.. His dogs and also his corvet. He is working in turkey and we plan to be married. He is coming to the US to marry me... Grey hair maybe 57..is this the same man.. When was the lSt time you spoke with him please... Thank you
mary28
September 03, 2020

In reply to by Don'usejazzy y…

He has promised me the same thing. I also have pictures of him with his dogs. He said he is going to move to Fla.
Regina
September 20, 2020

In reply to by mary28

I've been talking to Greg Sandilla too..he has asked me to marry him also..he and I are having a baby. I found out 3 weeks ago that I'm pregnant we are so happy..He' ecently bought me an engagement ring
Regina
September 20, 2020

In reply to by mary28

I've been talking to Greg Sandilla too..he has asked me to marry him also..he and I are having a baby. I found out 3 weeks ago that I'm pregnant we are so happy..He' ecently bought me an engagement ring
Jazzy
August 25, 2020

In reply to by Fireopal

For almost ayearnowheiscomming to California in september
mary28
August 29, 2020

In reply to by Fireopal

I also have been talking to Greg Sandilla. He has ask for the steam cards and $1000. He has also asked me for $500. He told me me he is going to move to Fla where I live and we will move to his kids after we are married. He is supposed to be in Turkey on an oil rig. I have pictures of who he is say I g he is. I also have talk to him on the phone and he sounds like he is from Nigeria. I would love to meet the others that have been talking to him.
Mia
September 19, 2020

In reply to by mary28

I too have been talking to Greg send Dylan he lives in Norway .. kids away right now working on a drilling rig it's jerky and his promise to marry me he asked me to marry him a couple months ago and he has his children are coming to live with me in Santa Cruz California.. she sends me money all the time and calls me his Queen even sent me pictures of his children well to be my stepchildren sorry ladies you've been scammed .I have a ring on my finger. And he's here now with me
Mia
September 19, 2020

In reply to by mary28

I too have been talking to Greg sandilla he lives in Norway .. he is away right now working on a drilling rig in turkey and he has promise to marry me he asked has asked me to marry him a couple months ago and he and his children are coming to live with me in Santa Cruz California.. she sends me money all the time and calls me his Queen even sent me pictures of his children well to be my stepchildren sorry ladies you've been scammed .I have a ring on my finger. Where is yours..
Mia
September 19, 2020

In reply to by mary28

I too have been talking to Greg Sandilla ...just two months ago he ask me to marry him... Set me a beautiful engagement ring and he is bringing his children out here to Santa Cruz California to live with me he calls me his Queen is princess his angel. I wonder how many other women he's been talking to and it looks like the money that he's been asking you girls for he's been giving to me he sends me money every month she covers my all my bills and swear she loves me the promises that he will be here with me I'm sorry ladies he looks like you guys been been scammed. Not sure how many girls he's lying to but he did send me a ring did he send you one too