Skip to main content

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

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

Cookie
June 06, 2021

In reply to by Rdc

Have been talking to a Dave c wellingham since end Feb And he says widow 2 daughters and petroleum engineers say 67 and on look at job but alia he was scam and no money out on oil rig in Texas, says from wisconsin, he has dark ha I r and eyes and foreign sounding voice says born Germany but been here since 5, smooth talker pictures and calls not met yet does he sound familiar, help him out in steam and Google cards yes a push over , Help do you have picture but last 3 guys I was on line was scammers too , no money for them but similarly story,
Diva58
November 08, 2018

In reply to by Helen

I just got scam or catfished for $100 . The story was different he was mechanical engineer got a contract for 1.9m in Ukraine. Because he was middle of ocean need a card to contact his son who was studying in Europe. There were several red flags. Tried to google him try to look him up on been verified no such person. Be glad you only sent the $50. I reported him. He even has a Facebook page with pictures of some other person with financial stability. He finally called me had a heavy African accent but the man in the picture was a Caucasian man. I talked with a FBI person and said its not a Federal crime to impersonate a person but is when they extort money from a person...
Rup
November 14, 2018

In reply to by Diva58

On a Jeevan Saathi portal, I found a man a doctor. Must not be American though. He told me that he belongs to USA and is posted in Iraq. He told me he sent some medical equipment and books and asked me to pay transit charges of rupees 2.77 lakhs. I told him I am poor and not able to do it. He discontinued talking.
viola
November 22, 2018

In reply to by Diva58

I met that guy too on IG. Couple of message and we switched to whatsapp. He told me he was norwegian settled in Scotland , mechanical engineer. When he sent the first message on whataspp I saw he used an US phone No. I blocked him on IG and whtasapp . After one week he texted me on whatsapp with Ukrainien phone NO. He claimed he has a contract there. On iIG he uses ID : Michael Blake381
Winterlove
December 29, 2018

In reply to by viola

Hi! Do u have a pic of him? Pls send it to me. We have some kind of story. Thank u for the help.
Sadsal
January 04, 2019

In reply to by viola

That's the guy I'm talking to. But goes by sambottje. A norweigan who went to school in Scotland but working in Cyprus.
Sallysup
January 04, 2019

In reply to by viola

This is the man Ive been talking to. He says he is from Norway, but educated in Scotland. He has a contract in Cyprus...even gave me a Cyprus phone number. I first got a message from him on POF. He goes by bottjesam. He even provided several different pics of himself and has been contacting me for three months. He needs money from me to buy electronics so he can finish his contract there and shower me with gifts.
Yo 12
February 10, 2019

In reply to by Sallysup

Omg this is the Same guy he is waiting for money now for a shipment 5000 he is handsome he has alot of tattoos tall I have pictures and ID as I ask for please let's exchange pictures please
Terri
February 19, 2019

In reply to by Sallysup

Is his name Antonio I been speaking to one also in Norway said he's there for a contract 10 months tall Italian raspy voice always in suits
Peaches66762
March 01, 2019

In reply to by Terri

I've been getting messages from a man who says he's stationed in Norway but will be coming home to Kansas City in April. He's handsome and says he's an engineer but I never let it get any further than that. He asked if we could communicated by email instead of POF which made no sense to me. He still sends me messages from time to time but I just ignore them. I get messages like this about once a week.....
Cheri
March 17, 2019

In reply to by Terri

I’m talking to Antonio. Tall dark and handsome. His company is based in Scotland and he speaks with a deep husky Colombian accent. Not asked for anything yet!
Mana
March 30, 2019

In reply to by Terri

Omg yes I think I was talking to the same guy. Antonio frank or Felix
Micki
April 19, 2019

In reply to by Terri

Can we exchange pics? It sounds like someone I am talking to
Doris Days are over
January 25, 2019

In reply to by viola

This gent started talking to me as a surgeon who was from Maryland. He went to school in Belgium but originally told me he was from Aberdeen Scotland where his dad was an engineer. He said he had been working with Doctors Without Borders for thirty years. He had pictures of a doctor, family. He had three kids in picture but mentioned he lost a son at age 25. He had a daughter in grade 9, he never mentioned extra teen. His name is Dr Lawson Matt and said he graduated from Harvard. Well I did several searches at Harvard alumni)medical and Doctors Without Borders. No name. Plus his language was not grammatically correct for one of such intelligence. He was snappy with sending YouTube music, however . I never left instragram. Yes his pictures were quite handsome and I could tell he lied about his age. Oh there is a Dr Matt Larson in Florida, So watch out for a wonderful grin with the IQ like his picture with a stuffed panda Oh he is in Syria for two more years....as a surgeon
Peaches66762
March 01, 2019

In reply to by Helen

Why would anyone trust a stranger with 2 mill and a lot of bar gold. Why would he trust you to keep it safe for him? You guys have never met right?? I was scammed like this years ago when I was 17. I knew then it wasn't right but was "in love" Never again!! You need to drop this guy like a hot potato and don't look back. That or just play with him for a little bit. But by all means don't send him any money!!!!
Upset
August 20, 2018

In reply to by Rose2018

This sounds exactly like my Dr. Ben Blake, US Army currently in Syria, bad break up with ex-wife, mother and father died when he was very young. Only living relative in the US took him in and raised him but he died too. No living relatives. Am the only on he has in this world, very smooth. I would get an email and songs everyday. He's in love with me after 4 weeks. Because the action in Syria is so bad, he wants to send me some of his valuable papers, medals, awards and whatnot. But the UN Mail Man (Jason) a personal close friend is stop at customs in Ghana and needs $9,480 to get this box cleared or it will be confiscated. Others Names to look out for ladies: Ivano Roko (eharmony) and Brad Babyface Thomas Plenty of Fish
ReportAllScammers
September 02, 2018

In reply to by Upset

I think I came across a scammer on Instagram. Goes by the name Walker Evans. Pretends to be Christian. Sends quotes and uplifting messages everyday. Says he works for the UN in Syria as an electrical engineer. Is a widowm. Wife died of cancer. English is his second language and Spanish his first. Has two children a girl and boy. Sent me a few pics of him and them. Said he doesn't want me to share with anyone because he is a private person. Quotes scripture easily. Says he was orphaned at the age of 11 and then changed it to 18. Was raised by the Catholic church. Yeah don't be fooled. I wasn't. I was waiting for him to ask for money. REPORT A SCAMMERS!!!!
Linda
September 11, 2018

In reply to by ReportAllScammers

please I need a picture I think I'm talking to this guy now
maria
January 27, 2019

In reply to by Andrew luck

Can we check if the following name of this person was a scammers and using innocent people names and photo. Thier name was Steven Robert working on Exxon Mobil oil rig . And the other one is Paul Walter said he is captain of cargo ship let me know where to send thier photo to verified thanks in advance
confused
April 08, 2019

In reply to by maria

I met a guy by the name of Bernard Weber on Instagram. He says he is in Mexico oil rig. He needs money to get off the rig. I have sent 1800 in google play cards. Now I think he is scamming me. Does anyone out there know this guy. He is handsome muscles write beautiful emails sends greatbtext messages. Says he loves for for real. I have finally ask for proof. He says to trust him. I guess I’ve lost my money.
Vmh
April 14, 2019

In reply to by confused

Hi! I also have a guy that says he's a Chief Engineer on a BP oil rig platform " Atlantis" 180 miles in the gulf of New Orleans. He's a smooth talker and he drew me in. Since I was talking to him for 4 months I believed him. He said he was a widow and so am I so I thought we had a lot in common. Then he started asking for Amazon gift cards, then he came up with a story of...how he was contracted to BP that if any kind of equipment breakdown...that he was personally responsible for and he would be sued for 1.1 million $$. He ask if I could rent a chopper to get him off the platform to be able to go to his bank to access funds so he could pay for repairs. It would cost like $12,000 for the chopper. He said as soon as he gets to his bank he will transfer the money right back to my account. Im sure he's trying to scam me! How do I do a Google search with his picture?
Kepi
April 22, 2019

In reply to by Vmh

I'm also a widow I just got scammed by a guy that said he was on a oil rig in the gulf off. New Orleans he said he was a contrator that worked for Noble Drilling and our stories sound the same. He used the name of Philip Cormack I got shamed FOR $9,000 by this creep I got wise after he wanted me to accept two safe boxes with $2 million USD and they sent them to Atlanta and this diplomat was to contact me and he did and they wanted $50,500 for custom tax and I tlad them I would not pay that to send it back and then he tryed to get me to transfer money from his account to mine and I told him to leave me alone and I contacted the police and the said that this has been going on for almost 4 years with the same pictures. I would send you a picture of him but don't know how
MG
April 29, 2019

In reply to by Vmh

Hi, I´m having the same situation, his name is Jeremy ,we have been chatting for 3 weeks, he wanted to move to hangouts I said no, so we still talking on IG, he said he is in an oil ring in the Gulf of New Orlands. Same thing, he loves me, he will get off the ring next month and wants to come to visist me asap, he has not ask for anything so far, only for my personal phone number, which I gave it to him... he is single, no kids, never been married, no parents, no relatives.... has anyone been contacted by a similar guy??
Lotus
May 03, 2019

In reply to by MG

Yes, my situation is similar and he asked for money. Can you describe his physical appearance and age? How can we share his photos to see if it is the same person. Thanks,
Samestory
June 07, 2019

In reply to by MG

Possibly taking to him for months. What is full name, I have photos too. If you reply I'll share
aniromer
September 27, 2019

In reply to by MG

Yes. I have been contacted by some with similar story. Goes by Carlos. Says he is Dutch and is 37
Lotus
May 03, 2019

In reply to by Vmh

HI Vmh: Could you please describe this guy in details, did you send you pictures and video clips? I met a guy who gave me the similar story. Thanks
Nk
August 12, 2020

In reply to by confused

I met the one who name was Carlos Luis Anderson who need money to fly back to London from the rig. He asked to borrow money. I have a his video and pictures
Jan
May 18, 2019

In reply to by Andrew luck

Hi Has anyone talked to a Jeff Todd? I've been talking to him from POF. I've told him I won't send him any money and he still sticks around, but I just feel he's a scammer.
Kim
June 17, 2019

In reply to by Jan

Has anyone dealt with a Captain Jamie Toddy? Says he is in Yemen with UN on a peace keeping mission? Has 2 sons named Richard and James! Is in Yemen until October. Only uses goggle hangouts. Is in communications.
Rose
October 01, 2019

In reply to by Jan

Does he say he was born in Germany, now living in Canada; an electrical engineer; wife and 2 kids killed in car accident in 2010?
Texast67
December 16, 2018

In reply to by Sara

Hi! Could this Scott Wilson be Scot Davey as well? I’m afraid my friends mother is being scammed. I have a photo if anyone interested. He says he is 59 in real estate in New York
Lacey
September 14, 2020

In reply to by Sara

Hi Sara, I know this was a few years ago, But I am currently dealing with a Scott Wilson, on the dating site, he was Craig. later told me Craig is his middle name. 5'11, salt and pepper hair, has a dimple, extremely good looking, might say he has a daughter and his wife died in child birth. He is a total con artist. Tried to get gift cards from me, said no, they he upped the anty and tried for $1500. Says he is a Structural Engineer.
Craciunce
September 20, 2018

In reply to by Linda

Hi Linda I think i fo Too Do u hav abut pic of This person so we can compare and get to the bottom of this big lie? Thanks,
fuentesbaylonh…
January 07, 2019

In reply to by Linda

Maam maybe you can help me..I meet and chat to this guy online..He said He is a US military soldier assigned in Nigeria..as our conversation goes..Because I wanted to see him he told me that they dont have access to their account and wants me to pay for his leave form amounting $300..I need an advice on this..Is he telling the truth or a scammer?please help me
ARick18
February 07, 2019

In reply to by fuentesbaylonh…

I think you and I are talking to the same guy! He sent me pics, he’s gorgeous, said wife died in a car accident and has a daughter, parents are both dead and he claims to be a Sgt in the Marines.
Coffeelatte55
March 27, 2019

In reply to by Fool me once

Hi is it possible to share pictures? I have a friend who is chatting to someone who has given her the exact same story and yet she refuses to believe that it’s a scam
Guadalupe0415
June 29, 2019

In reply to by ARick18

I think we are dealing with the same guy. He said his wife died car accident and both family members died and he has 9 year old daughter. He is an Engineer.
broken arrow
February 28, 2019

In reply to by fuentesbaylonh…

I had the same thing happen to me except he was in Africa.. He was very persistent I tried to block him but he showed up somewhere else, On Facebook or Gooogle + .When I refused to give him communication money he went another route and asked for I-cards The communication bill was 385.00
Sammson
March 04, 2019

In reply to by broken arrow

I also may be speaking with this person. We’re you guys ever able to exchange photos?
renae0924196
May 07, 2019

In reply to by Dee

His name he told me is EDGAR SMITH JOHNSON, IN THE ARMY A SERGEANT STATIONED IN Afganistan or NIGERIA
Heartbroken
May 19, 2019

In reply to by renae0924196

If anyone comes across SSGT Mason Wilkinson is a scammer and Stevie Benjamin David scammer.
DMV
May 27, 2019

In reply to by Heartbroken

I came across a Mason Smith, talks a good game. Wonder if it is the same person.,,
Rlha
April 22, 2019

In reply to by broken arrow

Hey I had the same thing happen To me claimed to be from Africa ..but was stationed in Alabama then he got deployed...to Africa ..I had him face time me once ..it was same guy..but not sure what his true name is ..I talked to him for a few weeks ..then he asked me for money via gift card..that didn't work out ..we didn't talk for like 2-3 weeks then he hit me up again . This time he told me he was deployed..then I offered to send him a care package and he comes back with this long list of things ...some of them electronics
mugsy j
March 14, 2019

In reply to by fuentesbaylonh…

Please don’t send any man money...EVER! A real man would never ask his woman for money. NO NO NO..
Return to top