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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
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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.

getting scammed
May 26, 2019

In reply to by Not so cute now

Ugh! I'm talking with a man going by this name currently. He's talk, dark hair, tattoos. Two tattoos on his chest have birds. Claims to have a son, wife took off a couple of years ago. Sends photos of him and his son, and ones of him working. I have reverse Google searched every one of them, nothing comes up. I will never send money, and very early on I clued in that I'm probably getting scammed. At this point, it's just entertaining.
Definitely not…
June 08, 2019

In reply to by Not so cute now

Yep he is a scammer, now goes by daddyray330, though likely to be something else soon. I had all the cheesy lines too and he was begging me to marry him. He says he is a widow, with a nanny who looks after his daughter Meghan. His father was from California, his mother from Romania. He didn't get to the point of harassing me for money, but assume if I had agreed to marry him, money requests would follow shortly thereafter. He is definitely a charmer, says all the right things, beware of him for sure. He follows someone by WJWilliam - believe its one and the same person.
Emmagolightly
March 13, 2019

In reply to by lilly6990

I know I have been scammed, sure of it. He friend requested me on fb as Luke Felix Howe 24.3.64 from Los Angeles, bio - medical engineer. Shaven head, extremely attractive, portugese accent. His profile showed created in Jan 2019 and this was late Jan. After 2 weeks he had 'issues' with messenger and asked to go to Hangouts. and he used Felix Luke Howe. He had won a contract working in Istandbul setting up theatre in a hospital. Ive had numerous photos, poems, pics of the equip being put together but never gives details. Then asked for money, in total he has had £1900 which goes via a friends' email. Who is Kevin Sexton has a Barclays bank account and british. After every transaction I forward an email of the confirmation from my acc to Felix's email. I have interrogated diff sites re scammers and nothing on either of them. I have got a mate to check fb and nothing. I dont know how to do a pic search. He has sent photos of his mum, him with his mum and his dogs etc but gut says something wrong. I do not give my job or status on fb. His lawyer, Simon Field is now out there and wants more money, as Felix has been detained for none payment to a woman caterer for the exhibition Felix set up. Lawyer comes on hangouts, same conversation with felix so how has he got felixs phone if felix is detained? Wont give me details such as a photo and ID of himself, wont provide the station detained. Previous to this, when Felix / Luke asked for money I asked for his ID, Passport and Business Card. He couldnt provide as lawyer has them! Now they want to more money so lawyer can collect, felix's documents and then delix will be paid, $350,000 !! Eerrr yeh, anyway have asked me to provide my acc for this to go into but ive told them have set up an account for this to go into independant, havent but this is the latest.
Chonkish chompoli
January 13, 2019

In reply to by Cupcake 123

Sounds like the same guy that scamed me. Name Marvin Davis (or Donald ) Chan from Brooklyn, NY. Army, Brigider General in Demascus,Syria. With One 14 yo daughter in boarding school has picture of the two together, wife killed in car accident when daughter was 7, his parents both died when he was young and taken in by fathers best friend who raised him . Started out on Fb, saw my profile and chose me to talk to because same faith. Wanted to switch to hangouts. Started talking sweetheart then wanted itunes card. I sent him one feeling sorry for him for being military and far away and in danger zone, i ask and he told me his MOS 35 Tango Damascus, Syria under the UN orders, I checked it out online sure enough word for word that was the job discription, he then wanted to send me a parcel with some private personal possesions to keep safe not knowing if he would loose his life at any moment, there would be instructions with it. Was to be shipped to me from SHAHAT SHIPPING and hand delivered to my door by special couriour. I agreed, they wanted my picture ID and address, i sent it, next thing was i needed to pay for 2 documents at customs $5950! I refused to pay that. He apologized said he had already paid all his available money to ship it but didnt know they had extra fees. So that was that. He kept talking to me and the danger got worse and he told me he had a back injury that he would have to have surgery but didn't want to have it done there wanted it done in the US but UN wouldn't realease him so he wanted out of the army and out of Damascus now. AWOL was the only hope because of the pain. He arranged a flight ticket, from Syria to Cypress to Dubai UAE to Houston Texas. He wanted $1000 to pay for the ticket, i scraped it togetfer and sent it after he sent a picture of the ticket. Then he needed $800 more because the ticket was $300 more plus he needed $500 traveling money or something, so i sent it wanting to get hin back to the states for immeditate back surgery.He texed me when he left Syria to Cypress and from Cypress to Dubai to let me know he made it that far. Next i was expecting him to text me from Houston Texas but he text me the next day, 18 October 2018 from Dubai UAE saying he has been arrested for gold smuggling. I also recieved a text from Airport Authority al Maktoum International Airport Mr Mohammed Abul Sulayam saying he needed to pay $5450 for 2 documents for the gold or be charged for gold smuggling and serve 2 years in prison. One docoment was for power of attorney the other was for ownership of 5 kilos of gold. While being held in detention at the airport he gets aquainted with Reem Maryam Abadi, guard who befriends him and lets him use her phone to text me. She was going to help him out with part of the money for the 2 documents but wanted $1000 from me...i didn't have it so then $500, i didnt have it. Then he sent me pictures of her and him in hearts an said Reem would probably help him if he didnxt have a " wife" thats what he called me because he ask me to marry him(made all kinds of promises to love and take care of me, grow old with me, make me the richest happiest woman, ect). Then signed off final on hangouts an told me i could try getting in touch with him through Reem if i wish, but didn know if she would give him the message. Thats after i said looks like he wants Reem and her daughter more than me since she has money and i didn't. He was real romantic sent me video love songs, poems, pictures and such. Swore before God to love me with his dieing breath, sent prayers, scriptures said he could live without me. Called me 2 times once to ask for the $500 and once for me to pray for his back...sound like he was crying, desperate for the help...sounded so sincere but tried to make me feel guilty for not getting him the money through a loan. Im leaving out some details but there are some more. I dont know how or cant do a picture check to find out more. All this took place basically between August 2018 and 24 December.
Andrea
August 27, 2018

In reply to by Cupcake 123

Ray-Ban glasses, picture of him with a tooth bruch in his mouth? +1724....number?
Bev C
August 30, 2018

In reply to by Cupcake 123

I think I`m being scammed from a guy who says he is on a ship in Austrils and he is a marine engineer and wants all my info and social security number so he can fix this engine and the only family he has is a grandson in boarding school he needs me to open a bank account to use it to fix his motor and how much he loves me and is a real sweet talker
Lakelandcop
January 01, 2019

In reply to by Bev C

My sister is being scammed by someone named Daniel Roland that works on ships. He was coming for Christmas but a fire on the ship prevented the visit. He was burned so I expect he will hit her up for cash soon. She was taken before and nothing we say changes her mind Crazy stuff, I tried several ways to find out about this guy but surprise, nothing out there.
Cheryl Loretta
July 13, 2019

In reply to by Lakelandcop

Daniel roland is one big scammer he never got any money from me because he is good on lying big time scammer he is wow 8 years and he still scamming women Haha stay away
Nema
March 29, 2019

In reply to by Bev C

Me too i met this guy on Instagram and he says that he is Marine Engineer and his father die like 10 years ago. He said is 35.
Louise
November 03, 2019

In reply to by Cruisiegranny

I think I've been scammed by james wesley. Been on hangouts for about 8 months and when he realised I wasn't sending anymore money refuses to talk anymore. I have pictures but I think they're stolen from real person.....an innocent victim also
Keano
September 28, 2018

In reply to by Cupcake 123

My friend is being scammed by a Ethan Micheal baker says he is in zUSA army and is in Syria. He wife died and / children are looked after by a nanny now I found out today he had been asking for money and she went to bank and transferred £ 2000 into account in boulgaria any one who can help with reporting this I have the details that she sent it to and I have 2 photo of him.
Mother
December 17, 2018

In reply to by Keano

This sounds like the person I am speaking with I am gutted . I have photos
Flower
June 24, 2019

In reply to by Cupcake 123

Cupcake, I met this guy on instagram. I was new on it. He was Rob but user name was Daymion Robert. He said he was working in Perth, Australia as a contractor but had problems to leave the country due to lack of money. He asked for iTunes cards and then money. He looks like a 50 or 55 y.o beard well trimmed, big face. He said he is from Vegas. No parents, sister died fromcancer recently. He said he German American but not German accent at all. I think he tried to open another acc on IG under the name of Sanderswayne Scott. Rings a bell, anyone?
ALIX
August 13, 2020

In reply to by Cupcake 123

yes this is my question too? i have no idea how to do that...
P
September 01, 2018

In reply to by M

This sounds like same guy just scammed me $770 works on rig son in army boarding school, wife died, needed help to pay his legal fee to process retirement fund. Charmed the pants off me, songs, poems, confessions of love list goes on.
SaraJWill
September 08, 2018

In reply to by P

Sounds like guy I talked to for a bit..worked on oil rig. Had son..wife died. Was contractor on rig needed money for repair engines. Asked for 26,000. I did not comply. Them asked for iTunes cards. After not getting this he lost interest but now someone else is texting me saying they are friend.,NOT. They are ruthless.
Vonski
September 17, 2018

In reply to by SaraJWill

I wonder if this is the same guy I talked to for over a year. The name he used was Kelly Ernest McGill. He is 57. He said he was a mechanical engineer on an oil rig off the coast of Texas and needed money for parts for the engines. He was working on a potential million dollar contract. He said he had a daughter and was divorced. He charmed me, made all kinds of promises. I thought he was real and sent him money I should not have. I had no idea of this horrific world of scammers.
Fullofdoubt
September 20, 2018

In reply to by Vonski

I think I have been talking to the same guy, met him on pof. He sent me proof that two other woman have sent him funds to help pay for his broken equipment but he needs more. Promises he will pay me back, won't stop calling. I blocked him but continues to call. He sent me multitude of pictures with his kids and his parents.
Diva58
November 08, 2018

In reply to by SaraJWill

Yes same here. He was mechanical engineer on a contract in the Ukraine drilling for crude oil. Said his wife died 5 years and he was looking for someone to as a friend companion. Finally ask me for ITune card for $100 so he could talk with his son while in the middle of the ocean. I have blocked him!!!!
Don't use Suze…
January 21, 2019

In reply to by SaraJWill

What was the guys name Sara? I was scammed by a guy out of $8700!
Pppray1954
March 16, 2019

In reply to by SaraJWill

Oh my God, sounds like the guy I am talking to. Engineer on oil rig. Now in Spain. Son in boarding school. Friended on Facebook then asked me to go to hangouts. Deleted his profile on Facebook said he was hacked. His name Thomas Greenwood from San Francisco. Asked for iTunes cards to get data. Nope not sending, then said had a suitcase that he wanted to send me, but the company said 850 USD to change name to mine. Again no and now 4800.00 or he loses the case. He sends poems, songs, swears to God we are soulmates and I was sent to him. Says his contract is up soon and he will be coming here to spend his life with me. He does not give up even when I say I don't have money. I want him to go away but at the same time, I love the way he talks to me. Wish I could post his pic, older man, bald, beard, rayb.an glasses in front of a jeep
Wis
April 28, 2019

In reply to by Pppray1954

Omg. Man talking to me now. Oil rig engineer UK. Wants me to accept his suitcase full of cash. Change the name to mine. Wants money to deliver. Lives in Dallas he says. Omg.
amplicqu
June 15, 2019

In reply to by Pppray1954

It doesn't matter what NAMES these people use. They are made up from lists of names. The stories sound similar. Dead wife, divorced wife, child in boarding school, sick child. Burned in an accident. Can't use a phone because of the Taliban or some such idiotic excuse. Can't use skype. If these are repeated, they are ridiculous excuses. No man in the military, or on an oil rig needs thousands of dollars to be airlifted out in an emergency: their employer takes care of this through insurance. No one has their paycheck "held up" in the military. It's simply not done. No American in any industry abroad needs hundreds or thousands of dollars from a stranger to do ANYTHING. Only scammers do this. Never send ANYone money unless they are your children or close relatives and you have proof who they are through phone calls and skype. Never reveal any personal information: SS#, bank account#. Never believe anyone has fallen in love with you in a few days, weeks or months when your only contact is through email or hangouts. Even if you meet someone in PERSON. Never give them money. Anyone asking for money is trying to bleed you. Don't allow them. It's not about ROMANCE, it's about FINANCE.
cventres
May 04, 2020

In reply to by amplicqu

Amen. I'm being followed and DM all the time by these men. I started playing along with false info to waste their time eventually blocking them. All i can say some are really good at the scam but if you really read the wording you can tell. I found somethings are common. Of course, in a foreign country, military, oil rig, medical doctor hewlping out etc bu they always ask What have you TAKEN for dinner? The word 'taken' is the key. I don't know why but they are always asking about food. They are very interested in your job and how much money you make. They love you more than life itself in no time. They have trouble with our slang and try to catch them with something they told you early in the game. Like bring up in conversation about the place they grew up or college they attended. A lot of times they forget what they said. On instagram for sure they are scammers especially when they want you to go to Hangouts.
Caligurl
April 12, 2019

In reply to by SaraJWill

Was his name Akex? I met a guy on POF works on oil rig big accident happened, needs to fix engines, blah,blah,blah.......good thing I'm a Cheap-o! Just remember gurls, Love should Not Cost $$. No Matter What!! And Don't use POF Full of Scammers, so far came across 4. But, if u meet someone who lives in ur city or around, I have found luck with that. Wheater u want to date them or not, we'll that's a different story, but at least u can See them for yourself. Be Strong, Don't send Nothing!!! Good Luck All!
lotus
May 02, 2019

In reply to by Caligurl

Can you describe the person named Akex who works on oil rig big accident happened, needs to fix engines ...please? Thanks,
Naivwoman
May 05, 2019

In reply to by lotus

Hi lotus, i have been texting with i guy that contacted me in IG, on whatsapp. He is on a oil rig in Alaska. Accident Happens. He promised me marrige and he har lots of money. Would come as soon as the materials for the rig has arrived but he needed money for the shipping. My bank would not allow me to send the money because they have heard the story many times before. His wife died of cancer and he has now only an sick aunt left
Susan Emment
November 03, 2018

In reply to by P

Ethsn Micheals scammed me as well. Said he was on oil rig and was from Australia with twins. Charmed the pants off me too. It's the photos they use I blame. They are always Lovely family men and that's how we see them.
I think he got…
November 12, 2018

In reply to by Susan Emment

Anyone know of a guy white man with glasses and a beard. Wonderful accent says he is a widower and wants me to meet his son who's in boarding school. Says hes a Christian and he works as a surgeon in Africa. Something is off. He asked me for an iTunes card today. I feel so stupid!! Talks about God and says he loves me. Says his assignment will be over soon and he will be coming to see me.
Metoo
November 20, 2018

In reply to by I think he got…

Hey this is too familiar. Everything sounds perfect except he’s an gas and oil engineer! I fell for him so hard but never sent any iTunes cards got rude even demanding 2 iTunes cards for $100 each. Has 15 year old son. I went along for 3 months then he finally asked for money. My heart he was very good. Today is first day he hasn’t written since I said no to iTunes cards!!! He’s 59 and description above is perfect. Talks about God a lot. He called me said he’s Norweigan hard to understand says he’s in Florida oil rigs. I’m still in love w him but no money honey!
Jellybean9
February 10, 2019

In reply to by Metoo

I am talking to an Icelandic guy on oil rig in turkey. We have talked 3 weeks fell madly in Love sends songs poems everyday a 2 page love letter professing his love for me. Today first day he mentioned money About the contract and refining oil very detailed amounts I have been involved with scams before but never one like this I almost turned around and said how much do you need and where can I send it ( j never would) to see if he would take the bait. but I just said good luck Am waiting for reply but sounds all to familiar from Brooklyn New York widowed 14 year old son who he hardly mentions and goes by name Michael sigurdsson boys name John currently working in turkey Antalya city oil rig I never knew this scam existed but am a smart girl when it is too good to be true on the net it is usually not!!
Sassygirl88
October 31, 2019

In reply to by Jellybean9

I am currently talking to the same guy. He messed up and sent me a pic of a guy that won survivor. Everything sounds the same but he said he lived in florida. I wish I could see a pic he sent you.
Katbyrd2011
February 15, 2019

In reply to by Metoo

If it’s the same guy he’s s scumbag. I heard the same story only he was in Turkey an engineer working on a big job but couldn’t send pictures. Always saying God will put us together sending songs .
LinkedIn
April 03, 2019

In reply to by Katbyrd2011

I was contacted on LinkedIn. Engineer from Turkey working in Nigeria. Bank card expired. Widow. 1 son and a niece living with his sister. Asked for iTunes cards. I sent. Now asking for $$. Has friends that are helping also. Camera is broke so he's using tablet.
Sunny D
May 11, 2019

In reply to by LinkedIn

My sister is involved with someone who says he’s from Portland Maine who works for Marathon Oil & says he’s working on an oil rig in Beijing China. Has 2 kids in boarding school in Connecticut. I know this isn’t real it’s a scam. She’s angry with us for thinking she’s involved in a scam & not believing her. Says his name is Mark Smith.
Mountains are cool
June 06, 2019

In reply to by LinkedIn

I have several names, Derrick Wilson, William Edwards, Edward Williams, Edison Johnson, Nicholas Summers! And more! I’m talking well over $20,000, foolish me
Sparklesscammers123
May 01, 2019

In reply to by Katbyrd2011

Is his name Trenton Smith? Sounds like same guy... sweet, loving, beautiful emails every morning. He talks about God and we are soulmates. He was in Turkey now in Germany working as engineer. Crazy
Koro
May 08, 2019

In reply to by Sparklesscammers123

Are you still talking to him. He is talking to me too.
KOscam44
May 13, 2019

In reply to by Sparklesscammers123

Will you give me some more details please, I have been talking to the same person
staceywashington
December 05, 2018

In reply to by I think he got…

I do he told me his name is Thomas Michael Cory. He told me he was a dental surgeon. Does he have a unibrow. And a freckle on his forehead?
Janice1
March 12, 2019

In reply to by I think he got…

What's his name . The guy I'm was talking to was French something his wife died 5 years ago loves God and is looking for companionship and has 3 boys. Asked for I tunes I said hell no said his name is Andy Turner 52 glasses beard balding very charismatic
Scammed
December 29, 2018

In reply to by P

Sounds just like the guy ive been soeaking to says his name is Dean Rice. What was this guys name?
stupidlady
September 09, 2018

In reply to by M

I just finished with a scammer, same stories, only changed a little. I refused his friend request on FB, but he "liked" one of my posts and asked if I would chat. Has a gray beard, Cuban, two kids, one in boarding school in Atlanta. He is an engineer working for Exxon Mobil on a ship at sea in Turkey. But his ex wife left them all so he's a single dad. Checked his profile on FB for info, checked his friends and they were all black from the Middle East. Immediately when we were on Messenger, he deleted all his FB information. When I asked him why, he said he had found the love of his life and didn't need it anymore. Also immediately got me on Google Hangout. I wasn't even familiar with this and didn't know why, but agreed. Everything I questioned him about, he had a perfect explanation. Oh, right after I got on Hangout, I hit the location icon and Nigeria popped up! That was explained away too. I knew all about scammers, but all the love poems, videos, songs, sweet talk from a Latin Lover took over. All my common sense left this lonely widow of six years. He didn't ask for $100 ITunes card for over a month, but then it became frequent. He needed it for an app for his job. I refused, but he was so desperate. He wouldn't be able to complete his job and leave on time, etc., etc. I sent the numbers. Soon after, there was another problem and I balked. That I lived on Social Security meant nothing to him. More sweet talk, how he couldn't wait to get home to me and his boys...I relented with another $100. But now I started researching things he told me, like his address where he owned his home in a tiny town in Alabama. I went Google, county record, then Zillow. He didn't own this $700.000 farm, nor did he live there. But I kept quite for awhile. Then came more demands for money to repair his equipment he used on the job. If I didn't send him a money gram for $500 he couldn't complete his job and get home. After many nights of arguing and begging, I told him I knew about the house and farm he didn't own. He asked how I found out and I told hîm don't trust a retired senior with an IPad. He started with it was all my fault, I was an evil, ungodly woman, and worse. I told him He had conned me out of two hundred dollars, but no more, that he would have to go back to FB and find another unsuspecting woman. His last words to me were "just hope I don't meet a stingy woman like you in my next search". I guess I'm lucky I only lost $200.
Mother-in-law love
February 13, 2019

In reply to by stupidlady

OMG, I think my mother in law is being scammed. She too found love ok FB and it doesn't make sense to me. Would you share any pics of this guy? Very similar story.
coffee1966
October 03, 2018

In reply to by M

hi I also have been talking to a guy named harris mason , he found me on instagram, his name is harris mason, wife died three years ago , son goes a boarding school, he has a nanny. he works on an oil rig, claims to be very wealthy
Notstupid2018
October 26, 2018

In reply to by coffee1966

Hi...I have been talking to a guy named Daren Turner. He found me on instagram... he says he has a daughter named Vanessa..she goes to boarding school and lives in Houston Texas. He has never asked me for money until today but claims to be very wealthy. Says he is a site engineer...works for Transocean oil drilling. He asked me to be his beneficiary in his contract. I received an email from a strange son called company asking me to open a bank account thru investors bank so they could deposit $1.2m in my account. I questioned that y would a company email me thru a "gmail" account with no name...phone..address or anything...then today he asked me to help him come home for his 3 week leave and I have refused. He got serious with me but up until now he has been the sweetest guy and hes pretty handsome but I dont fall for stuff without investigating first.
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