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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.

Dm
May 21, 2019

In reply to by Debbie Lynn Skubik

Can you send me a pic. Talking to someone now , same situàtion
Misschristin7
April 22, 2019

In reply to by Sondra

Is he telling you the shipment is gold stuck in shipment? Coming to you? Is he 6’4 very good looking.
I am out
June 02, 2019

In reply to by mercedez

Yes he says he is an architect with own business. Calls me his Queen, his love and that I am the world to him. Met him over a month ago..will share more, once I have had the last test of trust on him. Tall handsome Italian heritage born in Africa, lives USA, widowed, 12 yr old son left with Nanny, while he abroad with business in Turkey, mum sick, couldn't access account from Turkey and asked me to send money for mum medical checkups !! IF THIS IS LEGIT SITE, THEN HELP US IDENTIFY THESE SCAMMERS PLEASE. Make a way to share their photos. Please reply here. Help eachother. Stop scammers!
SunHappy
July 02, 2019

In reply to by I am out

The guy I talked to said he was an architect, widowed, young son, nanny, and sick mother. He pretended to leave out of the US to do business in another country. He sent me pics of a very handsome man (dark facial hair/beard) in "his" office.
perrin
July 16, 2019

In reply to by SunHappy

Hi I think we have the same guy. Could you send me a photo if i give my email address?
get out
November 14, 2019

In reply to by I am out

Share pics photos and videos doesn't help its all fake and its all pics of other people they have scammed. I was talking to someone who I knew was a scammer but wanted to research it for a novel he told me eventually after a lot of prodding he was a scammer and all pics and videos are fake. he said there are thousands of them. They sell or give the photos videos and story's to friends so they can scam too the oil rig scam is the one he was using and hes from Nigeria.
Connie
July 06, 2019

In reply to by mercedez

Sounds like a guy I have been talking to Architect but now project manager ... originally from Norway Lives in Tampa but now in Cyprus to complete project Had me transfer $ from his account from bank in Bermuda to Cyprus customs.. bank appeared valid with picture. Went through . Just doesn’t make sense . Picture doesn’t show on reverse look up
annieh
October 17, 2019

In reply to by mercedez

I’m talking to an architect from Norway. Says he’s in Cyprus under a Contract. Needs Computers and has a Translator...he goes by Ollie
mercedez
December 02, 2019

In reply to by annieh

Yes, his skype is Ollie. And his Email. Has he sent you flowers?
mercedez
May 22, 2019

In reply to by Sondra

Sondra, I would love to know this guy's name and where he is. I am pretty sure we are talking to the same guy!!! Would love see a picture of him. He is very handsome, claims to be successful and has a lot of money. I'm very curious.
I am out
June 02, 2019

In reply to by mercedez

MERCEDES AND SONDRA please lets exchange details about this guy. I am hesitant to give hi name here, anyway I guess he gives different names..When replying please type my name in capitals. Thank you!!
mercedez
July 01, 2019

In reply to by I am out

I AM OUT....was he born in Sweden? Has he sent flowers? Does he have a translator?
Sofi
May 07, 2020

In reply to by mercedez

Mercedez, I think we are talking about the same person. Do you have photos that we can exchange
Worriers
July 01, 2019

In reply to by I am out

Watch out for the name AUBREY GRAHAM, says he is oil rig engineer on the rig in Scottland, had VO officer by the name of George Scott. From Maryland, divorced, one daughter 18. Will ask for $$ for chopper ride of rig to come see you, then $$ for replacement officer, then iTunes cards, next iphone sx 10m Get's very mad when you don't do these things. Says your his queen, going to marry you, send romantic songs and pictures. Don't be fooled. I did not do any of the above, when I showed him he was on the SCAMMERS list. He broke all ties.
perrin
July 16, 2019

In reply to by mercedez

Hi I think I am dealing with a scammer. Architect, 49 years old, travels a lot, currently working in Africa. Was supposed to visit me but claims that he was robbed in Africa because he left his laptop in his luggage. Very handsome, dark hair and facial hair with greying. Please can I compare pictures with someone on here.
jemma
September 27, 2019

In reply to by perrin

I think I am dealing with the same person. He’s still in Africa. Since July. Keeps talking about coming back to Canada soon. But no set dates....just very busy with his work. He’s very sweet respectful and charming. And gorgeous. Are you still communicating with him??
Seekinganswers
October 13, 2019

In reply to by jemma

Have you ever spoke to him on the phone? The guy I'm talking to has a French accent and even Skyped me in the very beginning to see if I was real. Claimed he isn't able to Skype now because he had to go check on his contract. Claims to be a civil engineer and took a contract from the French government for work up in Canada.
April
June 26, 2019

In reply to by Sondra

Hi Sondra, what is this guy's name? Sounds abit like a guy I have been chatting to for a while now.
Simone
December 07, 2018

In reply to by Just want the truth

This guy it's been talking to me send me a video from the gym as yours send me a video of a night ride with a very loud music, tattoos , American flag an eagle , he is bold , very nice looking and said he is from Virginia and it is stationed in Bermudas .
Heather
January 11, 2019

In reply to by Simone

What name did he give you? Because it sounds very similar to a guy I've been talking to since last May or so. In the Navy, girlfriend was killed in a car accident a few years ago. He's rich and yet can't come up with enough money to pay to get his leave request paperwork expedited, supposedly from Virginia and yet has a Welsh accent. He's tall, dark blonde, both arms have full sleeve tattoos, extremely good looking, built like Jason Momoa. He's been asking me for months to open a new bank account so he can transfer money into it for me to send back to Command so they can process his paperwork and he can go home. I haven't done it and have no plans to.
Kamoga Bashir
February 21, 2019

In reply to by Heather

Send me the Pic coz I think my sister has been victimized. Coz he sent him a video of his so called daughter
Lil mama queen…
May 31, 2019

In reply to by Kamoga Bashir

Ms k may u please send me a picture of his daughter and himself? It's very urgent I believe it's my ex husband
Sonya
March 18, 2019

In reply to by Heather

You cannot get your leave expedited in the military by paying money. Otherwise every soldier would be broke and on leave. Also, to everyone else ... These frauds often use scripts. That's why they all sound alike. Former Military Brat / Wife
Donna1231
March 18, 2019

In reply to by Heather

Hey, if you don't mind what name did he give you cuz I got the same video that you're talking about. Is there any way you can show me the pics that you have.
Maria
March 26, 2019

In reply to by Heather

This person sounds familiar. Did he tell you he in in Afghanistan and his dad was a contractor in Thailand and waiting on 2million and attorney came to Thailand and he does not understand why not next of kin.
Marina
September 21, 2019

In reply to by Maria

Same thing with me this guy with the name Gordon Borbon contacted me months ago. We have chatted off and on... I knew it was scam so I figured I would waste his time. Soon after I had surgery he went Thailand and sad he had to go get 600 million dollars from his father remains. Then all of a sodden he need 8k from me bc he didn’t have it with him. But yet he told me has 400 million... but he just can’t touch it till his contracts/ projects are done. When I tell him I can’t do that and I was waiting for funds it went another month or two... he then asked me 86K which I told him I don’t have then it went 30k then he told me his mom and him were not eating and they where hungry and if I could send 10k or whatever to support them while they where trapped over there. I then told him I would go get a loan to waste more of his time. I told him the loan didn’t go through. Then I removed him and blocked him from Viber. He called me.. he definitely was not Norwegian like he said. He sounded more African then anything. When I told him the gig was up he told me he loved he wanted to marry me how could I do this to him... blah blah blah... I decided I will push this on bc this way he can’t hurt no one. I told him I would go to the bank and send money he have me an account that went to security bank of MO and it belonged to a guy named Troy. I told him no I couldn’t do it bc I don’t know Troy and I don’t trust him. He then got super mean and evil. Told me I was going to die from my cancer and hoped it was painful and so much more. Pure evil... however it was fun messing with him. Be careful he’s nothing more then a con!
mrsjewel
April 18, 2019

In reply to by Heather

the guy i been talking seems the same but he doesnt have blonde hair but his wife also died in a car accident. he also have tatoos not sure if its a sleeve thou. he claims to b a contractor in dubai has lots of money however he now claiming to been attacked and wants me to call his bank. i told him i didnt feel comfortable.
theresanicks19…
January 20, 2020

In reply to by mrsjewel

Hello I'm talking to a guy who lives in Dubai as well he has One arm that is tattooed completely. His name is James Alison and he's a pilot he's 43 yrs old. I was wanting if u have pics of him if so my I see one and I will send u mine.
Suzie
July 19, 2020

In reply to by theresanicks19…

Pilots in the U.K. are not allowed to have tattoos. This is a requirement on application. Unsure about the US.
Jibby
July 18, 2019

In reply to by Heather

Heather please tell me more I think I may be talking to same person
Don't use yYou…
February 10, 2019

In reply to by Simone

Omg I think hes the one I'm speaking with right now hes waiting for money as of now the same tattoo and all very muscular please kets exchange pictures please
@dontScamme!
May 16, 2019

In reply to by Don't use yYou…

sounds familiar, but where is your guy from? And do u have a picture to exchange? And how long has he been injured and stuck in hospital. And do you know where he's from.
Donna1231
March 18, 2019

In reply to by Simone

Same here. Sounds just like him I've seen the video I believe you're talking about I would like to share pics.
Doozie
May 25, 2019

In reply to by Simone

Sounds like the one that's contacting me! A short video of him doing pushups on some weights no shirt has a silver chain around his neck. Maybe we can see if we friend each other in Hangouts?
dopy
December 27, 2018

In reply to by Just want the truth

I have been conned by cannon j Powells Works on oil rid has daughter brass
Mr Grey
January 26, 2019

In reply to by dopy

Can you please help me to find a site where I can upload a photo. I think I'm also being scammed. Haven't paid anything yet, but he has already asked for it.
Blue Rose
May 15, 2019

In reply to by Mr Grey

If the guy sent you a photo, do a reverse image search. You can go to google, download "reverse image search" then upload his photo and you'll find to who the photo really belongs to. I did it, and bingo I found out this David Woods who contacted me and sent me several pictures of him stole the pictures of a Danish Maersk Captain. Be very careful, don't ever send any money or itunes card or whatever this guy would ask.
Bets
June 01, 2019

In reply to by Blue Rose

I used the reverse image search and no image matched the one I put in. What does that mean? They haven’t replied
Grandma gettin…
February 19, 2019

In reply to by dopy

Thomas mats is also working on oil rig and has a 15 year old daughter that is making my grandma believe he wants to move with her to alabama. anyone know how I can stop this from happening, she lives alone in a different state.
shelby
May 27, 2019

In reply to by Just want the truth

Does he have tattoos on his hands that say live free?
Nenette
June 18, 2019

In reply to by Just want the truth

I was talking to a hot Special Force deployed to Iran. Beard, tattoo, sent me pictures of her 5 yr old daughter with nanny. Owned big house with swimming pool. He bought a caravan truck for "us" but cant access the bank since he's on a mission. Didnt send money and I wont. I smell fishy and now Im just playing around tk get him caught. How can I share picture???
mrsjewel
April 18, 2019

In reply to by MarkD

i been talking to a guy for a month now he claims to be a contractor and is in dubai sadi arabi. i been texting him on two different phone numbers a week ago he got me to get a twitter account. he also sent me a short video of him working out a couple of days after he tells me he been mugged by some hoodlums and all his stuff stolen. i ask did he call have them reported he said he made a police report. and today he texted me asking if he gives me all his info would i call the bank and make sure its been cancelled. he claims he dont want to tell his mom cause she has high blood pressure. i told him i dont feel comfortable and he should inform his mom. i dont know if its the same guy but im waiting to c if he ask me for money. also he informed me he cant text me like that cause its expensive to text out of the country but he been texting more than usual since this ordeal suppose to happen. i also tried google it and nothing was mention about it. i thought it was strange how not to long after he was suppose to come back he gets hurt and now wants to ask me to call a bank. i prayed about and instantly got to researching.
golden girl
April 26, 2019

In reply to by Prettyflowers

I would love to put a pic up here This has been happening to me since December 2018 But now I’m just hoping I get paid back some of the money I have sent Always promising to pay back but there’s always a problem
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