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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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Pacody 2010
February 07, 2016

In reply to by worried woman

I met a guy name Delroy Jack in 2014 whow started off asking me for money. For his son for a school trip. He claims he was a widow and work for Exxon Mobile I said no then he started out asking for small amounts. He always claim it would.be the last time and he was coming to marry me. I was ready to give up everything and live this fabulous life with him. It never happened I quit my job and got my retirement out and gave him 8000 dollars and after that he ask for even more for this that and the other. I finally decided after giving him 16,000 total that he was scamming me. After he didn't show up this year. He ask me for money last December. That was the final straw with him. All the talk of a business deal,marriage, I love you and I coming to the US, was just a pipe dream he.sold me. He ask me to ask my family members for.money I would never do that. I did borow from a loan company once for.him $5000 and again he ask me for.more.money. when I first met him people tried to tell me that is.all he wanted which turned out to be true. We talked for.2 years. I would call him. He changed numbers frequently. He was supposed to have retired and living in London until he return to Albany NY. He.claimed his son.was sick one time. They will they you anything to get money except the truth.
Junebug
February 24, 2016

In reply to by Pacody 2010

I meet a man very similar story but he was a ships engineer who was from Dubai. Widower with a son. I feel your pain. Almost lost my home over the whole situation trying to help him. Needless to say lessons learned. Never send money to you have never meet face to face. He and I did video chat and call each other so I know he was a real person. Now I see him on google with the same name looking for new women to scam. He has blocked me cause I posted that he was a scammer and I Contacted a few of the people on his contact list
Renee
November 02, 2016

In reply to by Junebug

I met man online through Match he had a local phone # however was working "out of the country" in Malaysia, an engineer. Spoke with him daily, he texted...proclaiming love etc. I was a recent widow.Guess I do not have to tell you the rest. Name used is Joseph Rupert. Stolen photographs, fake passport, DL and social security number. Not only did I learn to care about him, he managed to take almost 200,000. from me. You think it cannot happen to you. I did all of my due diligence. He is currently on OurTime it is impossible to keep these vile people off the internet. I hired a private detective and filed a complaint with the FBI. Not one call or email from the FBI. Be VERY careful.They are always widowers with children. I worked in fiancé, I knew the signs of what to look for. These people are highly skilled at their trade.
Luli
February 08, 2016

In reply to by worried woman

Don't send him anything. I just ended a "relationship" with a Freddy who was madly in love with me before ever meeting, said he was in a military mission, asked for money. I denied, and he tried to manipulate me. I looked up his IP address and his pictures, and found out he is a scammer. Thank God I never sent anything to him. He broke my heart ...
smokey
April 19, 2018

In reply to by lpr8349

I don't know but I think it has something to do with their email address. Maybe you could go into a website that does email searches and that should show the IP address I think.
hammy
February 10, 2016

In reply to by worried woman

I'm getting similar from someone called Stephen who asked for 700 dollars as his daughter was burgled in college in Canada - he is New York - gold broker currently in Qatar - you any pics
Don't use your…
February 25, 2016

In reply to by worried woman

Please tell me is he name David harris cropt from Liverpool and he is from instanbul turkey he has his own company he is strangle in Ghana with his son
masses
February 28, 2016

In reply to by Don't use your…

I met the same guy, the same story... He broke with me when I didn't send him money to can fly back in England from Ghana. That was 2 years ago..
dumb blond
March 07, 2016

In reply to by worried woman

I was contacted through FB on Jan 27, 2016 by a David and he has been messaging me since. He claims to be an Stuff Sergeant stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan, widowed and has 6 year old son in Indiana staying with maid from Canada and he has no family. Claims account has been frozen by US due to terrorist and I believed him. Now he has been needing money for son. I have been stupid and wired money through Western Union to Ghana and to Indiana and now he is requesting more which I will not send, I keep making excuses. I have requested a military eemail address and he says he will get in trouble if he gives it out and I have read up and this is a lie. I ask him to call so I could hear voice and have asked Jim to take selfie in his camp to send me and every time an excuse as to why he cannot. I asked why would money go to Ghana and he bad other reasons for this such as diplomats take care of this. We may be dealing with same guy. Funny how you were contacted same day by a David. I am not sending anymore money but still playing all g with his game. He has even ask me to marry him when he comes home in May when he is retired. I am not holding my breath. I K ow he has to be a scanner.
Brow hair
March 09, 2016

In reply to by dumb blond

I met guy online dating site 3month ago before xmas2015. I totally crush him so much loving but several time ask him APO yes he told me deployment since last on summer(he said Augast) and he been to there almost 5,6 month when I stared chat time. He said he in Iraq but and sent me pic too .

He had divorced and has one daughter whom take care caregiver in long beach CA. Last month he asked me suddenly" my mom jewelry designer have shop but she went in Germany. But she want to take jewelry stone but something trouble Germany charge her before left Germany. But I'm in base outside USA I can't use money here help me send her money which she gonna use buy fright ticket back to state" when I hard first I after became suspicious then asked him mil email and his hometown his mom name. All he answered but but something I felt whatever I was stupid so I wired transfer then sent $1400 but when currency higher than £they recived might be less than it.

after he told me when he was night patrol got shot then winded few days ago he wasn't come to talked me he said he was coma.during time his Capt talked me what's happened there. I felt so nice and kind to act for me even I felt something .when he woke up he told me what's happened his mom denuded couldn't on board so if she can't comeback state she can't sign on his name and contact mil then he want leave there that he said.

After asked me against need money when his mom at airport she fought with his stepdad he said mom pay to him take carring him his stepdad can't do anything even their. That's so strange stories for me.after fought their mom damaged something German autolitize charge her pay this all damage before she leave. That's cost about$10000. That's he asked me help again. This is too big money for me. I'm single mom have one son and not full time job so nobody can't rent me money like state women.

Only dark dangerous money shop will help me if I tell him he said agree. Each despise send me he said like $3000, $4000. $3000. I couldn't belived he speaks big money number then ok to rent money kind dangerous loan shop? Then I realized this is something behind .last night I asked him tell me APO or BPO. Usually we chatting by skype he never tell me mil address. But he told me BPO. Then soon delete cause told me if use skype then leave any ID another ISIS trace this.... He works ISAF in Iraq somewhere. Wesley that his name. Well I can't make kind big money so I just thinking how he show me up next attitude.

Stephen
April 16, 2016

In reply to by dumb blond

My mother has been scammed over a 2 year period.I have recently seen how much he has scammed out of her(Tens of Thousands of Pounds). I had to make her see sense (The Lie sounds far better than the truth which has broken her heart).It was a supposed USA soldier named David.She is devastated when confronted with the truth & I wish I had sorted this ages ago ..She was brainwashed & in denial.It hurt's so much to see someone take advantage of her on a "Nuclear Level).Now I have proven to her it's all a scam it hurts to see her so unhappy.She feels Ashamed,Gullible, Stupid Etc but I suppose you can't help who you fall in love with..The authorities who deal with fraud have explained there zero chance of getting any cash back,as all done thru Western Union. I have her corresponding with Action Fraud UK at the moment.So Hopefully they can help her see sense
Same David
March 23, 2016

In reply to by worried woman

Hi,I believe that we have encountered the same David. He's working as an architect out in the sea in Texas but he lives in Florida and his son lives in North Carolina & his needs $2000 to get his car fixed. And like you he does take no for an answer & he keeps insisting that I try to get the money. So, instead of going in circles I blocked him from all means of conversing with me.
Pinky
April 10, 2016

In reply to by worried woman

Sounds like the same David that calls me! His daughter always needs something.
Not Mrs Blue Skies
June 11, 2018

In reply to by Lynn

Geez,now I don't feel like such an idiot. My scammer goes but the name of Bryan Raygoza. He is from Jackson Mississippi and has a jewelry business. His father bought stocks through Coca-Cola while on a peace keeping mission in Africa. Parents are dead,only child, wife died,has an 8 year old son named Jason. Supposedly, he left Jason with neighbors over 8 months ago to go to Lagos Nigeria to receive his inheritance from Coca-Cola as he was named the beneficiary. Pledges his love daily. Ask for iTunes for Jason twice. Needs money for internet so we can communicate. Needs plane ticket to come home to spend the rest of his life with the woman of his dreams, yeah right! I have told this man from day one that I don't have any money. He asked me to send moneygram and western union each time to different people. I did this and saved all copies until I felt like I was doing something wrong. He then sent a personal check for $800 from a "client" that owed him money. I cashed the check and sent the money. Naturally, it was no good, so I had to take out a personal loan to cover that check and am currently paying monthly payments. Next, I received two cashiers checks in the amount of $2500.00. I was suspicious because they were identical. I called the bank they were issued on and was advised that the check was worthless and if I had cashed it I would have been liable. When I told "Bryan" this he said that wasn't possible and got defensive. Started putting the blame on me. Of course, we are no longer on POF but chatting on the hangouts app because "it's more personal" and through emails. Hey would come and go, especially after he figured out that I was done with his money games. When I started giving him Hell about everything and basically treating him as if I knew he was a fraud, he caught a nasty attitude and things started going downhill. Today, he blocked me from the hangouts app and after reading this blog, I suppose I should be thankful that I am only out about $1200, and that he is history. I must confess that he's very good at what he does, very convincing and I even told him that multiple times. He is also very good about making you feel like the only woman in the world. Full of unfulfilled promises. It hurts and at the same time,it's a valuable lesson and I hope that my story can help open eyes to others. I'm a widow. My children are grown and sure I get lonesome and this guy tells you exactly what you want to hear and in return he feeds off your emotions and reactions. I'm sick to my stomach when I think about it, however, after reading all this, I realize it could have been much worse. Deep down in my heart I knew if it sounds to good to be true, it's Is! I hope he gets caught and added to the list. Bryan Patrick Raygoza aka Romeo
cherry
February 15, 2016

In reply to by Clay

I also got scammed from a Man in Dabai I met him on a dating site 12 months later and a lot of lies I have found out to late. I sent money gram to him money he said he had caught malaria over there and was really sick. He needed money to get back to the states for medical treatment
Ann Hutton 32
January 19, 2016

In reply to by Georgia

I just told this guy (James ) I had no money and would not send him any so don't ask. He said he was from USA and was In Nigeria watching over his crew mine jewels then he could not cash this check yesterday I said well it's a holiday being American he should have known this. Then the day goes on he said he just got out of customs and he needed money now. I told him no I'd never send out money so he replies bye I replied liar and erased all communication with him if he was even a man.
Wsl321
February 10, 2016

In reply to by Ann Hutton 32

Ann, I met the same man with the same story. That was 3 years ago. I just thought about wondering if he was still there or did he get home. He's a scammer. He lives in Texas. He has 2 boys and a daughter. He must have a computer that will alarm when any of his women he preys on. He sent me a picture of supposedly his family. You never really know who you are talking to online. Hope this helps you to know someone else was scammed to.

Dana W
August 23, 2018

In reply to by Wsl321

I'd bet you anything he didn't live in Texas. Never trust caller ID. They use a phone app called Spoofcard. They can make it look like they are calling from anywhere. His Texas pictures are all probably lifted off someone's Facebook.
julieberg
May 02, 2016

In reply to by Ann Hutton 32

Wondering if this the same idiot I'm talking to now. Every time I tell him I'm not sending money he says "okay bye"
lexie
June 27, 2017

In reply to by Ann Hutton 32

hi ann, i think he is stuck in Nigeria. He is still using the name James Brian. He said he went to Nigeria for a mining contract; he said his wallet was stolen and could not encash the check that he have.
smart
February 10, 2016

In reply to by Georgia

this is the website Rodney White uses and he wants money from me to get his passport to come see me. I am not dumb he is on facebook. No friends works supposedly on exxon oil rig
Cmh
February 26, 2016

In reply to by Georgia

Ok, now I'm awake.. I am at the end of a lengthy divorce and been chatting with a girl in Ghana, South Africa, and she wants to move here to be with me. Great, she is gorgeous but there have been some money things come up in terms of buying her an iPhone and medical expenses for her mother etc... Many photos have followed but haven't sent a dime. Probably is a fake but would like to think differently. Probably cause I'm coming out of a really bad divorce. She texts me even after I say I have no money to give. Every day it's just seeing how I am. Told her I wouldn't send anything and she appears to be ok with it. Any advice is appreciated..
WMJ
March 29, 2016

In reply to by Cmh

I met a woman kind of same story. She has money due her and will deposit it in my account. I will send her money for a plane ticket. I don't think this is fake we text and have been on skype for over 6 months.
FTC Staff
March 30, 2016

In reply to by WMJ

If someone you have never met in person wants to use your bank account, or wants you to open a new bank account for them to use, it could well be a scam.

Some scammers create dating profiles, and after they spend time forming a “relationship,” they come up a reason to ask for your help. A scammer can transfer stolen money into an account that has your name, and then ask you to send them some of the money. It may seem like you're helping out, but you could be helping with a crime. When the bank investigates, it will find the account is in your name.

SCAMMED AGAIN…
April 13, 2016

In reply to by FTC Staff

AWESOME! I appreciate you saying that...I HAVENT read ANYWHERE someone saying they ask to deposit money into your account....AND IT is STOLEN.....HOW come all these dishonest people, seem to find the honest ones... is there a hidden mark on my face? haha
Angels
April 09, 2016

In reply to by Cmh

I think that girl could be a man - or the wife of a scammer. They will keep on working you - the phone request is a giveaway. They want the best phone and they I bet want an iPhone 7 or a Samsung (probably edge) - Ghana, West Africa - they work you and work you and until the end when they will start telling you all the catastrophes they are having, they get sick with malaria, typhoid, and everything else in the book and then they will tell you what about me I need medicine to survive and then probably their house burns down (that's what they say) and in the end you will end up giving them (or her) thousands of dollars - you will kick yourself for it at the end because you won't even know how all of this happened - how could you give in, but they are really good at it. They play you like a guitar, they play your compassionate feelings, will send you pictures of little boys that have been burnt in a fire telling you that is their / her brother and you will give in. And then comes the regrets. They also will start asking you to lend them the money, is not like they are asking they say to give to them, is just a loan. You never see your money again.
Outrageous
August 18, 2016

In reply to by Cmh

Those gorgeous pics of her probably belong to someone else. She is just priming you and stringing you along for awhile until she can get closer to you and then drop the guilt/ money thing on you. DO NOT SEND HER MONEY OR SHIP HER GOODS!
Roberta
April 23, 2017

In reply to by Outrageous

I just recently was scammed. Now a gorgeous man is on my Facebook. Lost his wife and kids 3 months ago. Is he real?
Tapot'17
February 20, 2017

In reply to by Georgia

Georgia, is it possible that I can recover my loses if I will write to ic3.gov? OMG! I lost all my savings and loaned much, pawed my jewelries just to send to that man whom I trusted a real banker. I wanted to end mylife because of the loans and embarrashments and guilts. Please reply. thnak you and God bless us all VICTIMS
Red Alert
December 31, 2015

In reply to by melanie

Never send money until you see them on cam...no excuses...also some scammers use video loops of other people too so be careful.
Mike whos learned
January 06, 2016

In reply to by Red Alert

I would not trust the cam thing either. I lot of these scammers now are "independent contractors. Not always a big boiler room operation anymore. It only takes one or two Americans to make them rich in the countries like the Philippines, or Brazil... where the monthly income is less than $200 for an average worked. They know how to do the scams just like the "professionals" Except they have cams, cell phones, and are real people. They will carry on a long distance love affair, it becomes their job to chat you up a few times a week. I would suggest you NEVER send money until you have actually met the person (and be careful about that too) and you "feel" the love and sincerity like you would any relationship.
Ms marie
January 12, 2016

In reply to by Mike whos learned

I also had this guy wanting me to send him money because he said his daughter needed a phone he said she is 19 years old and in college this army guy is out. Of California fake pictures of him his house suppose to own a boat plane wants to spend the rest of his life with me and he will be home for Christmas of this year nope not gonna happen Calls his self capt
Marcy0705
January 16, 2016

In reply to by Ms marie

This guy is the same one who is asking me for money but in this case he is using diferenthe name cuthber b stillinger.he already with his lías got money from me until I find out that . He was a scammed .
Lucia maria
January 18, 2016

In reply to by Mike whos learned

Hi.. Im from the philippines this was long ago but just sharing that even people from Philippines are bictims of scammers too.. Met a CEO from eh.. Not much attraction and falling in love with him is not yet much.. He later ask me to assist him buy an expensive gadget amounting to 600 to 800 dollars for her daughters birthday. Poor english is there i noticed he doesn't show of on camera and all those stuffs.. Yes you are right minimum salary in our country is 200 to 300 usd.. But even us whose earning big wants to find love too.. And even people like us experienced being scammed as well.. Its all over global
Scared
January 27, 2016

In reply to by Red Alert

Hampton hasn't asked for money he wanted me to send a letter to the army to get to talk to him. Hampton said for me to buy a calling card that cost $191.00.
Retired USAF
February 11, 2016

In reply to by Scared

Look, the bottom line is the US military takes care of their own. A real soldier or airman will NEVER, and I repeat, NEVER ask you for money for housing, food, clothes, or transportation. We get our troops to their duty assignments and unless they are MIA or POW, we get the back the exact same way. We don't need to use other peoples bank accounts!! Prior to shipping out or being deployed, we must prove our banking situation is squared away. Do not ever believe any one who says they are military and stuck and need money. We have our chain of command and in emergencies, we have the Red Cross. Hopes this helps!! God bless our troops!
Tera 22
March 24, 2016

In reply to by Retired USAF

i have one just broke up with me today. because i didn't send him money for his dying Mother i,am not giving him money that he keep asking me to send his Mother in Istambul Turkey.his Name is SGT James Rogers US Army from Maimi Florida.i meet him in face book last Feb 2 2016.i never meet him yet but? i do not agree that man well ask help from the woman if he had shame him self.if you guy's know's how to make them realize that not all woman can be stupid.Please... don't let then full you.do.not give then money.if they are a real military they have chain of command and they can also ask help with their command post for help.especially family problems.i have a picture of him that i keep in case.

gloriar
April 18, 2017

In reply to by Tera 22

I be been talking to a guy on Feb claiming that his rig needs fixing some type of engine for $ 3,500 is the price he needs to get it fix I don't have $100.00 to give out I need money my self but I really think he's a scammer
Skye 30
January 25, 2019

In reply to by Tera 22

I need help I don’t know what to do anymore this guy keeps saying he is real and everything I been in a relationship with him for 10 months now and he has made me send him iTunes card for food and wifi and send him money for him to come home to me and he says that he loves me and wants to be with me and he has tried to get my bank information but I gave him a fake one and he got mad at me and when I got rid of him finally he told his friend to call me and he gave my number to whoever this guy Frank was and now I’m not sure if I should believe him of anything he says cause he is saying now he got arrested and that the police who arrested him for finding hard drugs on him says order for him to be released is to have bail money and they’re asking 1,500.00. And I told him I can’t send you money your people will have to get you out and then he gets mad again and says fine I will go to jail then don’t worry again about sending me money or anything to help me and he’s already lied about where he lives and his sons birthday I’m just wondering what to do.
Broken Heart
May 13, 2016

In reply to by Retired USAF

Emergency leave , the army will still pay for this up to 3 month leave ? Also , will there always be an army plane , or commercial flight ? I have so many questions to ask.
samiam
March 26, 2017

In reply to by Retired USAF

This is something I have said all along too! The military are taken care of by the government and given what they need. However, it may not be exactly what they want or accustomed to but their basic needs are met. While I'm making a post, has any of you ever heard of a Russian Orthopeadic Surgeon who is with the UN in Syria? He goes by the name of Miller Potter. His mother was from the US.
Duped?
March 30, 2017

In reply to by Retired USAF

I was actually going to a recruiter's office tomorrow to see if someone there could give me advice. Maybe you can. I Met a US Army soldier on Mingle2. We have never met in person. He said he was on base in the US then shipped out on a covert mission within a week. Now it's a few days later and he's trying to find a way to get his money and if I can money gram him $1450 tonight for a satellite phone so he can talk to me and his children. Says his wife died a few years ago so he's a single father. My question is How is communication done when on deployment? I asked a few times how to send the money then when I said I would in the morning he sent the money gram info with a different name "Thomas James" in Nigeria. Sound like a scam to you?
Storm
April 02, 2017

In reply to by Retired USAF

Hi had a few questions and concerns I am talking to a sergeant US soldier who is serving the US Army currently on deployment to Iraq I only spoke to him once by phone he said he says he is unable to call me when he is able to call me he'll call me. He said they don't want deploy him somewhere else, but he doesn't want to go and he applied for a leave and they only gave him two weeks. He applied for his retirement benefits online, but he says he can only transferred his retirement benefits to my account. I don't understand why can it go to his bank account in the state that he resides and when he's not on active duty can anyone please help me and give me some answers please
tina2086622
April 16, 2016

In reply to by Scared

I was also scammed by someone with the name of Mike Bobby an engineer from Bristol UK .He claimed to have sent me a parcel from UK .He even WhatsApp me the stuff he sent me even the copy of his Courier Service which was Global Access Courier Service. I sent the first money because apparently my parcel was in South Africa and I'm from Namibia .So he claimed that apparently he put 10000 pounds in the parcel which was unlawful so I have to pay $4000 to have it cleared. That's when I knew immediately it was a scam and I refuse to pay so he disappeared from my Facebook account and even on my WhatsApp.
Not conned
February 11, 2016

In reply to by Red Alert

The cam scam is that you see someone quickly but then the connection is lost or they don't have sound. They will claim their computer is malfunctioning etc. Oh I think by this point I have encountered just about every scam type they pull but I have not lost a penny as there is one cardinal rule --- I will NEVER send money to anyone online. Now the new policy is if we don't meet in person for coffee and you are pumping me for everything you can to qualify me (to see how much you can con me out of ) then I rapidly am aware of their game. I turn them and their fake profiles in. At this point it's almost become an olympic sport - just how many nigerians can be uncovered in a day.
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