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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
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military
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online dating
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Topics
Shopping and Donating
Scams
Romance Scams

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

virgo825
April 20, 2020

In reply to by AKB

me too,james scott, a a military doctor in syria,,he is asking 3,000$ to process his retirement but i said i don't have that kind of money,so he stopped sending me messages anymire
Suzanne Chaput
May 18, 2020

In reply to by Chori

Sounds like Mark Johnson, very handsome, uses the same names Queen , honey has a daughter boarding in UK school, wife died, parents died, works on a rig on Northern Sea, asks for cards, now wants money for plane tickets to come and see me
Loveisnot$$
July 21, 2019

In reply to by clmoz

Clmoz- This is definitely a scammer. Block him on phone, and wherever else you met him and move on. You did the right thing by refusing to send money or pay the fee. Nobody has 5.5 million in “cash delivered “ anywhere. Don’t let him continue to hurt you.
Blogger19
July 25, 2019

In reply to by clmoz

This sound similar to some I have chatted with recently the amount is the same want Amazon voucher sonhecancall the company he went by the name of Walter Christopher and speaks French I have now found the pictures he sent are fake and the guy he has taken from has had its one loads oftime . When I say have on money he get very angry and says I have not looked everywhere to get it
scammed!
September 26, 2021

In reply to by Blogger19

I have met Christopher Walter (thats what he used for email) and his name on POF was Chris Watson. He is supposedly a financial advisor. He is a gray haired italian man who speaks many languages. Showed me pics of him with orphans in Africa. Calls babe, my love, wants to marry me etc. He is in Dubai and lost his wallet. Did not ask me for my money but wants me to open a bitcoin wallet so he can transfer me crypto and I can cash it out and wire him the money so he can pay his bills. He is a widow with one daughter in the military. He changed his tone when I said I am not comfortable doing financial transactions with someone Ive never met.
Ana
September 14, 2019

In reply to by clmoz

A man named James Mark add me on Facebook I confirm him to be my friend.after tomorrow he told me to register on whatsapps or HangoutsApp.we exchange messages on hangoutApps until he propose me and we become lovers .after a month he want to see.me but he need me to send letter to thier boss he taught me what will I write so I copy the letter that he send to me and I send to thier address.after an hours I receive already reply telling me that I will pay $500 dollars so that my boyfriend can leave to meet me. I did not give but I promise him to pay.Now I am thinking if it is scam or what.He call me voice call almost everyday but not video call.i ask him a favor to see him on video call but he didn't.i did not see his face .Is it a scam?
Dd
October 19, 2019

In reply to by Ana

I’m on hangout app with a James mark it’s almost two weeks chatting together. He hasn’t ask for money yet. He says he’s 57 and a son who is 15 in boarding school. Says he is on a ship in Norway on a job he’ll be home in December. Lives in Maryland. Very attractive man gray beard and mustache, salt and pepper hair says he’s 5’2 hazel colored eyes ...says he was born in Germany and came here when he was 20. I get a lot of romancing from him by way of his texting. Does he sound familiar To anybody... I do have a picture he text me
Flyfilipina
November 01, 2019

In reply to by Dd

This sounds like the one Iam talking to. Handsome , dr from Germany. Asked me to write the un a letter. Has a daughter in boarding school. She emailed me. Called me mom. He has a late wife. Asked me to wire her money.for her bday. I conronted him. He denies it. Now he ignoring me. Can we post pictures on here to compare?
Tink
January 31, 2020

In reply to by Flyfilipina

I think i am talking to the same guy..can you send me a pic of him?
DoHelen Garcia…
April 06, 2020

In reply to by Flyfilipina

some guy is texing me now named Mayson dylan some guy
softenedheart
December 15, 2019

In reply to by Dd

I am talking with a James Mark Leo who says he is in Somalia with the armed forces and his 15 year old son is with a nanny. He said his wife died 5 years ago from breast cancer. He also said he is 59 and was born and raised in New York.
Munchkin
January 22, 2020

In reply to by softenedheart

Have you got a picture sounds like same guy .... only used name Rex McCall with me - same story, very romantic!
I did for him …
November 28, 2020

In reply to by Munchkin

I'm just started to tark to James mark last night seas he is engernear on us ship has a darter jess I think sent a pick ruff greyish hair and beard and rash . got me to give him my mob number
Munchkin
January 23, 2020

In reply to by softenedheart

Have you got a picture sounds like same guy .... only used name Rex McCall with me - same story, very romantic!
munchkin
January 31, 2020

In reply to by softenedheart

Sounds very like Mr Rex McCall's who I have been chatting to for a few months. Wife died 5 years ago, breast cancer. Son 14 in boarding school, couple of dogs in 'vet hospital'. Lives in Ohio - but currently on 'big' contract in the Black Sea, at the moment trying to part me with $38500 - to pay for all his money to be sent to me! Says 5'6" - norwegian, but lives in US since marrying. Met up with him on Words with Friends (rapidly becoming a hunting ground for scammers!). Nice normal looking guy, but real sweet talker - future wife/mother to son/love of life - get the picture? Some very strange photo's sent that I could see had been photoshopped as they were of Norwegian cruise liner.................! Shame really that you know its not for real - why can't normal guys be a bit more like the scammers.......................!!
Shocked
May 19, 2020

In reply to by softenedheart

Tonight I spoke with a James Mark Leo who is in the Army stationed in Somolia. He has a 15 yr old son boarded in London. He immediately asked me to swirltch from Facebook to Hangouts. He said that it wasnt safe for him to use Facebook due to his job with the Army. He also starting to confess his love, etc, wants to meet. Sent tags for song for me to listen to at the same time he was listening. This is all to strange abd familiar to many other postings. I'm blocking all contact.
Gogi
June 30, 2020

In reply to by softenedheart

I am talking with the same name, James Mark Leo. Works in Somalia. Says he’s a General in the Army. Won’t send me a real picture of himself. Sends me pictures of another guy, that I know is not him. He’s already asked me for money, and says he loves me, wants to marry me. Says he’s put in papers for early termination, to come back to the states , and we will be married. I wish there was a way to find out who these people really are. Right now he’s waiting for more money, which I don’t have. He thinks I do.
Kittycat
September 22, 2020

In reply to by Gogi

Have been talking with the same person, since May. Has bilked me out of a lot of money, only to find out he’s not who he says he is. Says his wife died 7; years ago, no mention of a son. He wants to come back to the states and get married. I’m so depressed over this fake person.
Ms. CorvetteDd
December 15, 2019

In reply to by Dd

Dd, I've been talking to someone by the name of James. For 13 months. He is very handsome and asked me to marry him. Is very sweet and says he will be here MD in December. I have pictures.
Beenthere19
December 27, 2019

In reply to by Ms. CorvetteDd

Could you please share your pictures of this James person.
ChiChi
March 10, 2021

In reply to by Beenthere19

James Noah, 53, good looking greyish hair and calls me his Queen, Sweetie and telling me he’s fallen in love with me and he needs a wife and companion as his wife died of brain cancer, works for huge company in South Carolina, with 15 yo daughter who he asked for me to email. The daughter asked me to send Google Card worth $200 for her birthday and I only spoke with her 2 days ago??
Rhody
January 05, 2020

In reply to by Dd

Yes that sounds familiar. Each story has some similarities to mine. Hangouts. We originally met on pof and requested that I move 2 that website so he could chat with me throughout the day as he was a marine in iraq and did patrols in am and pm. His go by name was danny stalker. Not traceable. His pic was of an actual marine with an impressive history and a decent man who was also quite good looking. I hear similar things in other people's stories to mine. 2-3 months constant texting. Ive got alot of memories. I hear this mans line of bull in almost every story. Im about 5 or 6 pages in
Ms. CorvetteDd
January 17, 2020

In reply to by Dd

Dd, I responded to your request several weeks ago, telling you that I have a picture of this guy. .let's exchange .pictures. I have been talking to.him for over a year. I would also love to talk to you and inform you of some things of interest Do not believe anything he tells you as he has broke my heart. And is doing the same to other woman. Thank you. Please reply on here so we can determine how to exchange pictures. Ty
T
February 17, 2020

In reply to by Ms. CorvetteDd

I would love to see some pics. Same stories.
Paigenc16
May 09, 2020

In reply to by Dd

I met a Pilot from Norway grew up in Germany, story is different but there are similarities. Curious
Izzy
November 20, 2019

In reply to by Ana

Most likely. We have been involved in a trap where we are caught in unbelievable lies otherwise The promise of love is costly, I’d say hangouts is a bad app and used to con people. Truth: don’t believe anyone loves you until you meet the person. By sight on photo alone or voice chat it’s just not possible. Wonder if one can revert the game and we ask them for the money we don’t have ! lol
Rhody
January 05, 2020

In reply to by clmoz

All these stories have a similar thread. My con man also did the love bombing, 1 million dollar in contract and couldn't come to me even after I paid 2100 for the airfare bc his workers needed 2 be paid first. Similar line was bags r all packed
Been Scammed
July 20, 2020

In reply to by clmoz

It is a scam. He will go so far as to tell you what time to pick him up at the airport. You will get there and he will never show up. He will make up a fake airplane ticket to make you believe he is really flying to see you. It is all a scam.
Blondie13
October 31, 2020

In reply to by Been Scammed

My scammer did the same to me, claims he was in the military and couldn't access his bank account, he sent me a fake atm receipt, claiming he has all this money, he was going by the name chad manis, which he stole pictures from the real chad manis that lives in Texas and is married with 2 daughters. I actually went to the airport to pick him up, no show and always had a good excuse why he didn't come he sent me a fake flight ticket, then of course he needed more money to come, that's when I ended it, he also has over 50 different Instagram accounts, using stolen pictures, hes a big scammer, his pictures are all over scamhaters ,he been doing this for years
Carly
June 28, 2019

In reply to by Nonni201

I wonder if he is related to my scammer Mason....they could be twins!!!
Concerned friend
July 09, 2019

In reply to by Carly

Carly, I think my friend may have been scammed by a man named Mason Steiner. He represents to be an Australian engineer living in the US. Is this the same guy you’re talking about?
Taylor
July 29, 2019

In reply to by Concerned friend

I wasn't scammed but I did have an experience with a Mason Steiner. Very nice, Australian, living in the U.S. for work as an engineer then has a project in Cyprus. No money involved but was invited to Cyprus not picked up at the airport, and can't get through on his phone number. I'll have a nice week in Cyprus but be careful ladies - not sure why people do this but apparently it happens.
texas chick
October 16, 2019

In reply to by Taylor

I heard from a guy working as an engineer in Cyprus too. Lol did he wear glasses...blue eyes..into mountain climbing?
Ivanna
August 06, 2019

In reply to by Concerned friend

hey I have somebody talking to he name or last name is Mason can be the same one, he said, he is an engineer and he is in the black sea right now, he has houses in Texas and bla bla bla do you have a lic of him almost sure is the same one
Taylor
August 17, 2019

In reply to by Ivanna

RUN - if it's the same guy he's slick...he's a predator and it won't amount to any good. Don't let him get under your skin or in your head...he has no moral compass!!
Kris67
October 01, 2019

In reply to by Taylor

100% Scammer! Mason Steiner - SCAMMER!!! BEWARE!!! Called me his wife, we even video chatted. He claims to have a daughter, that he was an Australian Engineer in renewable energy, claims to live in the states but was willing to move to me in Canada. My friends went to his website and said it was all oil and gas projects stolen from other companies, they warned me and warned me but I thought I was in love. He always had an excuse, and I believed him. He never asked me for money directly, but implied he needed it for a big contract he won overseas. Stupid me sent him money, I am too embarrassed to say how much. masonstein ercorporation. FAKE BUSINESS! FAKE ENGINEER! I was supposed to go see him a few times, but he always had last minute 'business deals' come up. Actually bought tickets to fly out to him, but he suddenly disappeared. Something felt off and I didn't go. A couple weeks later I get a text of him in a fake hospital bed. I wish we could post pictures. He is taller, in his early 60's, thin white hair, blue eyes, Australian accent; please please please, listen to your family and friends. STAY AWAY! Never, ever send money to someone, and please look out for red flags!
heartbroken
January 11, 2020

In reply to by Concerned friend

I’m speaking to a man named Boyce. He has a friend named James Paddle. I think they may be the same person. Says he has a son named Houle in a private military school in California. Very handsome man with muscles like crazy. He gets mad anytime I ask for a video chat. He says he listed me as his beneficiary. Calls me honey, sweetness, my adorable..... anybody else speaking to him
chchmum
July 18, 2019

In reply to by Beth

Hi I had spoken to a guy that claims to be manson has a very strange accent pretends to have be born in nz but working as a submarine engineer on an undercover misson lives in Wellington has a son Kyle , had a daughter die in car accident , wife was a nurse and died three years ago , found his bilogical father in australia just before his death , currently on undercover misson Cape Verde
Flosschch
September 08, 2019

In reply to by chchmum

Hi I had mason same story , son Kyle, wife died on private mission send photos on plane to mission , he’s rung couple time , he’s got a weird accent , a scam wonted money , said lives in Wellington I have photos he sent , wonted money .
Liv
July 13, 2019

In reply to by Carly

Hi Carly, is he by the name Mason jackson on instagram? Has sent picures of him with his 2 sons.
Taylor
July 28, 2019

In reply to by Carly

what was his story? did he follow up for a period of time and then disappear. All the while presenting as honest, believable and kind? did he ask you to visit him?
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