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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.

Same Here
July 08, 2016

In reply to by Luli

I Think I met the same guy. What name did he give you? Did he tell you he went on a business trip? He told me his girl turned 14 in April of this year. Thanks
Same Here
July 08, 2016

In reply to by Same Here

His Name is Shawn Cazier and his daughter is Rachel. Did anyone else get this name? Thanks.
Dixie
May 19, 2016

In reply to by Josie19766

What was his last name? I met a Michael and his daughter was Jenna hmm
Chantel
January 01, 2017

In reply to by Dixie

I'm talking to a guy named Michael Roy, widower, daughter Jeannie turned 12 on Christmas, said his birthday was 12/27 and had to leave for the Gulf of Mexico on 12/28 because he got a job offer from Shell to clean up the oil spill. He claims to be a Petroleum Engineer. He claims he lives in Seattle, has an accent, said he grew up in Italy and met his late wife in Paris. Kept asking for my e-mail address and wanted me to talk to him on Viber App. He got upset with me when I mentioned that he sounds like a typical scammer due to all the red flags I've noticed. His FB page only has one picture, the same one that's on OKC. Does this sound like the same man?
abbandando
January 02, 2017

In reply to by Josie19766

Oh, Josie. I am so sorry. Don't ever hurt yourself over this. Thank GOD, I had an appointment with my Doctor today. I already depressed person. He loved me and make me the happiest woman in the world. I fell head over heals for this guy. Said he in the Army on a peacekeeping mission. First I gave him $300 to share the cost of a phone card. This turned out to be legit. Then I sent $1000. $700 for card with more minutes and $300 for him. I told him last night that I loved and trusted him, but don't ask for large sums of $$. I told hi I would share the price of phone call. He acted so angry. He hasn't responded to my last text this morning. I him to be real.
map249
February 05, 2017

In reply to by Josie19766

my heart go out to you honey out of all the stories I have read you touch my heart more so sad I to dealt with one of these men they are pure dee devils they have no hearts they live like this and this is there way of life I believe there are women working with these men their wives and ladies you will be ok I never sent money I held on to this man for over a year he never got any money isent some I tunes they will asked you for anything they are dogs I don't believe they work they hang together likes rats looking for more food bless you love don't do this againe
ordained1996
March 11, 2017

In reply to by Josie19766

I know I am being scammed,by a seemingly nice Lady, whom I have sent far too much money, when I sent it to her I started with sending her in Euros. Then when I switched to Canadian Dollars, she or him stopped writing to me an answer that the scammer would not answer my mails, I tried 23 times to get an answer, but nothing came forth, so I believe she or him is a scammer, I am lucky that I am fairly rich, as I am a war Veteran and get a reasonably good pension in excess of 8,000.00/month
boca8119raton
March 28, 2017

In reply to by ordained1996

omg that is Horrible! I too am talking to someone who I believe may be a scammer.
Washington gal
January 15, 2016

In reply to by melanie

I too have been talking to a scammer. Of he dusapeats on the weekend he is enjoying his friends. Mine has actually said he was a scammer when I would not send money. He says he fell in love. Dusapeats all the time. Know he has another life. He says he wants to come be 27th me. Could it be true? I hope but know it is not for real. Get out now you will only get more attached and just worse.
Angels
March 25, 2016

In reply to by Washington gal

I don't know what dusapeats means - is it disappears? I met with a real scammer after he convinced me - I went half around the world to Ghana and I think those people are very relax about what they do. Of course he never admitted but I think there is a woman involved with that in the U.S. because she gave me the best references about him but he is nothing but a scammer. He scammed me for a lot of money. So be careful the fact that that man showed his face doesn't mean he is not a scammer - I think that some of those scammers are becoming more aggressive because of the laws in their countries.
Angels
April 11, 2017

In reply to by Foxychick4ever2003

It starts with an E a tribal name starts with A and a K and last name starts with A
jimmy67855
January 18, 2016

In reply to by melanie

i had the same problem with this girl and she asked for money she was stranded in egypt wanted to get home to chicago said i can meet her soon.sucked bad.just hang on better person will come along.take care melanie
Eric
January 20, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Hi Melanie...What are the red flags you have noticed and what is going on with your relationship with him right now.
toni
February 07, 2016

In reply to by melanie

I do understand what you are going through but the thing is "does he love you as you do to him " if not Melanie then find another heartthrob.
Neena n't use …
February 10, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Please do not contact this man again. Be careful. He is going to get your money.
Sue Ann
February 29, 2016

In reply to by melanie

They tell more than one woman that they love them and need money for their kid in board ing school or for equipment for an oil rt IG - they live in Nigeria and can't get here until you send them money - they are cheaters and scammer - don't believe them - quit texting and all communication - got scammed and I was in love with my scammer - found his photo on reverse image lookup -
Guy
March 06, 2016

In reply to by melanie

My guess that it's his job, you [ and no doubt many others] are his 9 to 5 ,monday to friday money maker. He takes the weekends off , just like everybody else...I'm sorry.
stupid widow
March 22, 2016

In reply to by melanie

I just got scammed out of a bunch of money Melanie and part of me is still heart broken because I literally LOVE this guy. But he's not that guy. You have to realize as I do that the feelings we have are only there because of lies.
jessep
March 28, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Melanie I have been talking wih someone whom knew exactly the right words to steal my heart and I was so hurt. I still feel it and it stinks...it takes everything away from you and hard to trust the next person. Sister you are not alone

Onesmartlady
April 01, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Does anyone encounter a John Joseph ? That guy in reality a Nigerian guy
Can't catche
April 23, 2016

In reply to by Onesmartlady

Did u send him money ? I encountered a John Joseph also.
Captain
April 25, 2016

In reply to by melanie

yes he is a scammer you need to stop communicating with him if you keep talking all he is going to do is say the things you want to hear i ran in to a few scammers i imaged searched there pics and found out the were stolen pics so i stopped talking to them i advise you if you want to meet your soul mate then check in your area were you live that way you can go on dates in public places and find out what kind of person hes is that is the best way stay away from online dating its full of scammers a lot of people have had there heart broken and money stolen from them so please stay away
katiegirl52
May 01, 2016

In reply to by melanie

I too, have been scammer and it was heartbreaking. The man in the pictures is also a victim. The scammer used the name Josh Cohn, Architect from California. I chatted with form for 8 months until he scammed me out of $1500.00. They laugh at our tears, they a vile, evil creatures.
Msdenise401
February 19, 2017

In reply to by katiegirl52

I am also being scammed i believe he i fell so in love with him weve been talking for 6 months now and all he wants is money now he needs money 2900.00 to be exact os he dont go to jail if u ever encounter a robert cole beware i really believe he is a a scammer he will tell u he is coming home and never show up for 6 months i am wising up not sending him no.more money i was really in love with him
Israel
May 11, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Hello, Scammer use pics and videos to lye people, I almost was steal money. be strong and protect your hearth.
krissy
May 16, 2016

In reply to by melanie

I'm in the same situation now. My asked to s me money for a laptop and I said no and he was ok. We continued talking for a week and the issue came up I said I'd send him my laptop to borrow for the month until he came home.

I hear form him every day 3 sometimes 3 times a day. Including weekends. Yes the English is a little off I attributed that to him being from Canada prior to the US. I was worri d last night when I didn't hear form him and searched online for over seas incidents and on a military Facebook site I saw a post to bewatre of dating scams.

I checked them out and now I feel foolish. Some of the signs were there but not all of them. When confringed he semester visibly upset and send he'd send the package back to me. And prove he was for real when he returned next month.

I don't want to believe it's a scam cause I care for him, but at the same time Im have no way to prove its a scam. I don't want to potentially ruin a good thing if I'm wrong. I can't intcrept the package either as I've already tried that. Even after talking about my concerns he still says he loves me and wants to come home to me. Someone please help.

FTC Staff
May 16, 2016

In reply to by krissy

If you meet someone online and they ask you to send money or gifts, that's a sign they might be trying to scam you. The US military warns people about scammers who pretend to be soldiers.

Scammers tell many different stories to try and sound legitimate. They might say they're in the military, or travelling for business, or have kids who need financial help. They ask for money, or gifts, and promise they'll see you soon. If you send money or gifts to someone you never met in person, you probably can't get them back.

Angels
May 19, 2016

In reply to by krissy

Let him give you whatever you sent him back. If he is real he will understand why you are concerned. Don't offend him with words, just don't trust. I had someone scammed me for a lot of money - money he promised to pay but I have received nothing back and he wanted more money - since I was sick and had to go for surgery, I did not send him any more money, so he finally doesn't call me anymore because he knows he is not going to get anymore. After one year I finally opened my eyes. I even went and met him. They work in groups, and you could never imagine the things they do to convince you. Don't work against yourself. He asked me for a phone, a laptop, but when I went to meet him I only gave him a tablet. He had already gotten an iPhone 6 plus (over one thousand dollars), and thousands of dollars out of me. Don't do anything without thinking that over, and make sure that if you send him something when reality hits you you will not feel bad about it. If you feel that you can give what you give him to any other person that might be trying to fool you (but if you know about it) then go for it, because when regrets come, then you will say - it's okay because I would do it all over again without expecting anything back. If what you expect is love, then actions (from him) speak louder than words.
Angels
July 05, 2016

In reply to by krissy

Did he return? Did you meet him? Or did he never come home and you are still waiting?
Scammed and know it
May 21, 2019

In reply to by krissy

Hey girl, I been there and $122,000.00 later, my retirement is gone all because I thought he was coming to me and he always had some reason that he needed money. Dont trust them. I have several right now telling me the same thing. It a game now with these guys, I tell them all I love them so as not to get to confused, this way if the right one is real then I don't have to lie as I tell them all the same story. They are tricky and like to play with your heart so don't send him anything else. If he is real then he needs to prove it to you by sending you stuff, not the other way around. When I started I didn't have a clue and I only kept in touch with him. Now I have 6 men that I am talking to and my friends take bets on how long it takes for them to ask for something. They all do when there fake and scamming. So tell him to take a hike or just string him along and get you a few more. It hurts, I know, I am still in love with my original scammer and its been going on for a year but I stopped sending money. That all they want and they will promise you the moon. Its a lie. Try talking to others and you will see that there are many of them out there and only a few real ones.
Nhellmann
June 29, 2016

In reply to by melanie

He probably is have sent money to him and does he always come up with excuse won't take a selfie or call u I think dealing with one to she is from Nigeria saying she need Money for blood test and yellow card
beth
July 08, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Don't talk to him , please , I was scammed , they will take u for everything u got , stop please
Steve
August 25, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Anytime you hear the word NIGERIA or GHANA. Block them and never speak to them. Rule number one, A man is not a man if he has to ask for money. If he does he is a scam artist. Don't be fooled by their smiles and I love you's. If they can get anhything then they will go for everything
jackoff65
August 29, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Same thing am getting from this girl in Turkish,its all B.S. I Told her F.B.I came around asking questions and she took off right away to turkey,and when I tell her buy phone and then excuses start,and she wants money to help her grandma. But no more she's B.S.ME AND I did cash couple checks,but I told her am not falling for her S##t again?

Nomorescammers2016
September 25, 2016

In reply to by melanie

I know this is old but I just wanted to say something myself. I'm a guy who also fell in love with a scammer. I was involved 2 years and even financially supported her. I've learned over time that there are so many scammers out there preying. If anyone ask for money, never do it unless they prove to you with real evidence in a way that cannot be faked. My lady actually took a picture with part of her face hiding and the display of her passport but it could not be read at all. Just could see it was a passport and thats it. I fell for it but I am hoping others don't and maybe by me saying something might help someone else. I hope you had healing since the scammer caused you so much pain in the heart. I know, been there done that and never again will I fall victim. God Bless!
IndianaChris
October 13, 2016

In reply to by melanie

I understand how you feel. A woman did the same thing to me. I am thinking of starting a support group:

Gracie
November 02, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Mel, I am involved in a similar situation...only not have I fallen in love with this man, but have sent him a lot of money, I have seriously been thinking about filing a report to catch him....this is so bad...bottom line I am in love with most likely a scammer.
ripdad96
November 21, 2016

In reply to by melanie

Sweetheart my name is Cynthia you can contact me at I know from experience hes a scammer ive been in love with a soldier for a year before i found out the same as you if you have more questions you can email me or
FTC Staff
November 21, 2016

In reply to by ripdad96

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