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Looking to start a new relationship? For some, that may mean meeting a new love interest online. Word to the wise: sometimes it’s best to lead with your head and not your heart.

Millions of Americans use dating sites, social networking sites, and chat rooms to meet people. And many forge successful relationships. But scammers also use these sites to meet potential victims. They create fake profiles to build online relationships, and eventually convince people to send money in the name of love.

The Federal Trade Commission receives thousands of reports each year about romance scammers who create fake online relationships only to steal their victims’ money.

Unfortunately, an online love interest who asks for money is almost certainly a scam artist.

The FTC’s new infographic, developed with the American Bankers Association Foundation, lists common signs of online dating scams and what to do if someone you meet online asks you for money.

Below are some tips to identify a real romance versus a scammer cruising for a target.

Online Dating Scams. Has an online love interest asked you for money? That's a scam. Scammers know millions of people use online dating sites. They are there, too, hiding behind fake profiles. Signs of a scam: Professes love quickly. Claims to be from the U.S., but is overseas for business or military service. Asks for money, and lures you off the dating site. Claims to need money — for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel. Plans to visit, but can’t because of an emergency. $220 million lost in 2016. $56 million lost in 2012. Reports to the FBI tripled over 5 years (4,476 reports in 2012; 14,546 reports in 2016) What to do: Slow down — and talk to someone you trust. Don’t let a scammer rush you. Never wire money, put money on a gift or cash reload card, or send cash to an online love interest. You won’t get it back. Contact your bank right away if you think you’ve sent money to a scammer. Report your experience to: • The online dating site • Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov/complaint • Federal Bureau of Investigation: ic3.gov. Learn more at ftc.gov/imposters and aba.com/engagement

Please share this information with others. Victims may be embarrassed to talk about their experiences, but you can help. A simple phone call, email or text, saying “Look what I just found” and sharing this information may make a difference in someone else’s life.

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Oilrig
October 20, 2018

In reply to by Sas

Richard Davidson or Collins Peterson or Richard Benson. The Richard ones he gave me, the Collins I found on reverse look up.
Maria M
January 29, 2019

In reply to by Oilrig

I think we have the same guy, He’s widow, wife died of cancer and have one sone. he Works as an engineer oil rig in Malaysia he’s from Scotland and Australia. l never send him money
LuisaL
April 12, 2019

In reply to by Maria M

Hi Maria, I’ve just had a read of what you wrote about being scammed. By any chance, do you still have photos of the person who scammed you. I’m currently being scammed and he sounds familiar but my one has a daughter and not a son and wife died of cancer. If you have any pics to compare that would be great. Thank you
Ram
May 12, 2019

In reply to by LuisaL

I have pictures of someone with same story. Is yours from Ireland?
Tricked
May 15, 2019

In reply to by LuisaL

Hello to both you ladies. This sounds like the same guy. Only his name is Richard and he say he lives in the US, and has one daughter, and hes widowed and his wife was killed in a car accident about 4 yrs ago. Hes supposed to be on a ship and an Engineer and that his job takes him on the high seas for months at a time, and hes on his way to Australia. Don't know if he made it there or not ? We talked about 2 months. I did an imagereverse and did find one of his photos and it was a match, but his name was different. I will try and see how I can get those pictures to you without this site to compare. Good luck.
Diana333
November 23, 2019

In reply to by Tricked

If you have any pictures of this guy,could you send it to me? i think we share same guy:)
Fevernight
May 26, 2021

In reply to by Maria M

Same story except he’s orininally from Atlanta/Georgia. Asked money for broken machines and many other requests. Attends by the name of Richard Denison! Anybody here ever had any contact?
Moomy44
December 12, 2019

In reply to by Oilrig

Hello I have been in contact with a Richard Benson, hesy on an oil rig in the gulf of Mexico, he is a widow, a 15 year old son, he needs money for broken down equipment, and for his son. Is the same person?
Debnurse
February 09, 2020

In reply to by Moomy44

Yes He sends like the same guy I was in contact with from. November to February. His name is Richard Bendon. He claims the same to me broken equipment and needs money for a helicopter to deliver . He claimed to be in the Atlantic as an engineer. On an oil rig. He asked for money and I got suspicious. He proclaimed love quickly and send me poems he told me he had a 25 daughter and invited me to her wedding. Of course when I realized he was a scam. He got an attitude and wanted me to feel guilty for not believing him Lol
Debnurse
February 16, 2020

In reply to by Moomy44

Yes it seems that way. He has been very busy as a scammer. He says his wife died of cancer and has a daughter in Vermont. He needs money for equipment that is broken. His name is Richard Benson. Sad very SAD. Very smooth
sweetone
June 23, 2019

In reply to by Sas

I have a guy now that I meet on FB, email now hangouts. He said he is a civil engineer of an oil rig. His wife died in child birth. He has a son. We have been chatting for a few days. Now he says he loves me and wants to marry me. He feels that God has put us together. He asked me to send him a $100 Steam Card to boost his broadband access so his signal will be better for calling me. What a joke. Steam Cards are for gaming aren't they? No fool here. His name is Cris Jones on FB.
Gullible
April 26, 2020

In reply to by sweetone

My person is named Markus. I guess I should be glad he waited 5 months to ask for money. Met him on words with friends then he wanted to use WhatsApp. Claims he is an architect. Wanted me to buy him a steam card to help with his work. He was running low on credit. I googled steam cards. There is a game with the word architect in it but it sure wouldn't help any reputable architect. I did not buy it. He said he was from California but in Switzerland for a job building an oil rig he designed. Company building rig Shell oil . He obviously would never answer when I asked the name of the architectural firm where he worked. I told him I thought architects made good money. I told him I was shocked he asked me for money and he was equally shocked I wouldn't give him any. No longer together. Wish I was more tech savvy so I could check if his picture matched who he said he was.
Anna
March 19, 2021

In reply to by sweetone

This scammers are the same they ask for steam card that is norm used for games not for data they think everyone is stupid , people who work in oil rings have internet connection and can call families they don’t need any cash there and they can use their internet banking if they need money , no love here they are all scammer with different names and always with a son or a daughter and wife who died of cancer or during birth and parents , fulls who has no idea who they are trying to scam
No way!
March 17, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

Neurosurgeon Benjamin Fischer in Afghanistan, only child, parents tragically killed when he was a child, grandmother finished raising him in Germany. Wife died from cancer 5 years ago, only daughter age 14 in boarding school. After a month, he came up with a story that his family's fortune ($20 million) needed to be transferred from a closing German bank or be lost. Grandma had protected it until she died 10 years ago. Returning to US in 2 months and just needs someone to receive it, put it in a safe for his return. And he will share and we'll live happily ever after. He got verbally abusive when I refused to agree to get $25k in fees to a security company that would deliver the box.
Zee
February 10, 2021

In reply to by No way!

Oh no, this "Benjamin Fischer" guy is currently doing this to my grandma!!! Same guy. Same story. And she is believing it :(
Heartbroken
May 14, 2018

In reply to by Gorgeus Flower1961

Just ended my online supposed “love” scammer Wilson Moore or Moor yesterday! He had me good! Smooth eloquent talker, romantic, handsome, with 8 yr old daughter living in Virginia with nanny as he worked in Iraq as a doctor with MSF org. for US Army. Mom n dad, n ex wife and grandmother all deceased..

He called me his wife pretty quick. He wanted $2700 for lawyer and docs due to him being detained in customs in Istanbul Turkey for supposed transporting money in his luggage??? He was supposedly on his way to see me!! Sooo many red flags in a 2 month period only. But I was blinded, and now feel heartbroken?

But, reading all these testimonials has me feeling like I’m not alone and a lot better. I wish I could compare photos with someone or somewhere? I had that what if he is real mentality! I feel so foolish for falling for this type of scam. Very vulnerable i guess?? What an experience. No money was ever sent, thank goodness. Any input would be greatly appreciated!

LinkedIn
June 18, 2018

In reply to by Heartbroken

Yes I am interested in your post I was akwardly induced to like this girl that was not real... "The scam artist" told me she was looking for love but I let her think twice about what she had said to me because nothing made sense she said she was from the US but lives in Nigeria with her grand mother stupid me sent her 3 pictures of me so now I know a poor girl will see that face of mine but worst part is that I have no clue how she ended up in my Gmail address I told her I no longer needed her attention and that she was basic a scammer and blocked her from my contacts so sad that these people think they can get away with posting other people's pictures and acting as if they are them that poor girl on the picture must of been looking for somebody and found the perfect guy.. but the good thing that I feel inlove with their girl in the picture and not the guy or girl who was telling me all those positive things..
Big Boo
July 10, 2018

In reply to by LinkedIn

I've been talking to female scammers on Twitter. Fast talking how they want to spend the rest of their lives with me and need iTunes because wifi used up. Or need money to fly to be with me. I laugh because I ask for pics and they send profile pic or same ones. I look at what is in back ground of pictures for info. Lot's of time they back east but on my same time zones. When they should be asleep. It's sad what people do a good minded person. Just shows how sick there mind is to think this way. And they call them selves American. To me a terrorist gets more respect. Lest they don't lie. They say they want to hurt us. Lol. Ask questions and don't move fast. Best of luck.
mmason
June 18, 2018

In reply to by Heartbroken

I just had a very similiar experiance but his name is Anthony James. He is asking me for 23,000 to get out of jail for fines not paid after being in an auto accident. Extremely handsome man proclaimed his love and wanated to spend rest of life with me along with marriage. Just said this yesterday. He always knows just the right thing to say to bring me back to thinking that maybe he isn't a scammer. I sent him a 500 walmart card back in April so he could pay some bills here in the states. Come to find out today...he bought clothes , womens shoes and a playstation with it. UGGGGGG
Ijustlookstupid
June 21, 2018

In reply to by mmason

This is the guy who contacted me!! He had asked for money but the bank told me not to. He is right now asking for iTune cards. Even while I came on this site to see why someone would want me to send them 2 $100 ones just for a gift. He said to take a picture of back of the cards etc. I am so glad I came on here!
I'm feeling dumb
August 26, 2018

In reply to by Ijustlookstupid

Is this guys name Noah Miller Shaklee.. Stationed at Camp Lejeune North Carolina
billmill5050
August 03, 2018

In reply to by mmason

how did u find out im going thru the same thing .i feel ing scamed for 30000.she is still trying every thing to get more out of me
wisernow
June 30, 2018

In reply to by Heartbroken

Heartbroken, I too had the same situation with my supposed man. He said he was from NY and ee were talking 2 months when he said he got the contract deal to mine for gold and diamonds in Dubai. A month later, he gave me the good news of recieving his pay for the job and the vehicle that came with the contract. He claims he was sending his pay in a briefcase hidden in the vehicle. Next thing I knew, I was getting emails from Asian Global Services for 1000.00 because I did not tell them there was cash in the car. Briefcase supposedly had 900k in it. Then they send another email stating I was going to jail for money laundering. Supposedly the vehicle and money was being held in Italian customs and another email came stating I had to pay 5k if I wanted the vehicle and money shipped to me. The whole time I am in contact with my man, Christopher Anton Raymond (whose name is not real), and he begs me to pay the money because he now was arrested for money laundering too. I told him to get lost. He is on KIK, keeps contacting me and says when he gets home, I will see he is not fake and I will regret treating him this way. I have pics of him too and gave them and all his info he gave me, to my son (who is a police officer) to research him. There was nothing. Chris gave me all fake info including a fake SS #, birthdate, telephone #, fake parents name and all. Then he has the nerve to call me annoting cause I call him on everything. What a scammer.
Upset 66
January 06, 2019

In reply to by wisernow

Hi I had someone posing as a well known Dr wanting to get money out of Dubai, in a briefcase. Had me send money to Asian courier company. Then it went to Indonesia who then wanted $100,000 to release it. When it was released, said it had to be paid direct Ito a bank account, which costs £150,000 to open. I haven’t paid out much money, but some, plus computer and phone, some to Nigeria and some to US. UK bank intercepted one payment and only gave me a fraction back.
Confused08
November 08, 2019

In reply to by wisernow

Hi, by any chance do you have a picture of him?a loved one is going through something similar but his name is Anton. Claims to be living in Ukraine and sent a package to her turns out it’s money and now he’s telling her the shipping company will turn the package in if she doesn’t pay 5k by Monday and they’re going to sue her. Mind you all this has been said through him.
Countrygal971
July 09, 2018

In reply to by Heartbroken

I too just ended a "love relationship" recently. Also felt heartbroken because I felt that he really was sincere and being honest. Then things just didn't start adding up right, and when I would question it, I rarely got an answer. If I did get an answer, the question was reverted back to me. This was over roughly 13 months. I lost just about everything I owned, family and friends were trying to tell me, but I didn't listen. Wish now I would have, and I wouldn't be looking for a place to live now, or having to look into bankruptcy because I have no money to my name. So, I know exactly how you feel because I to thought everything he told me was real, guess since mine is still so fresh, I still have a little part of me that believes he had been telling me at least some truth.
Dk2063
July 10, 2018

In reply to by Countrygal971

I have a friend i feel is being scammed. He has not asked for money as if yet. Question how soon before he asked for money? And what if anything could have convinced you he was a fake? Im trying to save her heartache and more but nothing works
gullibleweenie
October 22, 2018

In reply to by Dk2063

hi dk2063, sometimes it takes months, sometimes weeks. It depends on the scammer. I have had two guys ask me for money, both claiming to be Christian men, both single fathers. (Daniel and Martin both on Instagram and hangouts/viber)one an engineer stuck in turkey looking for $20,000 the other in Scotland as a geologist looking for $700. Both good looking charming men. One more romantic than the other. I googled both of their pictures everyday until I got a match. One was impersonating a Canadian artist and architect - and I informed him about the use of his pictures. The other was harder to get. Both pledged their undying love for me, both wanted to marry me. I realized they were scammers when my common sense kicked in. No Christian man that I know of is going to ask a single mother with a handicapped child for money. There is no person who can fall in love with you without meeting you in person, and there is no one who has that many emergencies that they cant meet you. The more they pressure you for money, the more you know its a scam. If they love you so much they'd never ask for money. Think about it - how many people - strangers - would you walk up to and say hi I'm in trouble I need your money? if you wouldn't do it in everyday life, then don't do it for someone you haven't met. Unfortunately I know what its like when nothing works. These guys are good, and I mean really good at selecting gullible, genuine, kind, caring women and convincing them of their love. It's really tragic. The best thing to do is have your friend read these blogs, search romance scams, check out youtube for a video of well used faces of innocent men, read the FBI web page, etc. Eventually she will start to question and doubt. When her heart breaks that's when she is going to need you - till then best of luck.
mn
November 07, 2018

In reply to by gullibleweenie

Hi, I've been texting and emailing with a man from the states for over two months, and states he is widowed with child, lives in states, grew up in UK, educated in Poland .... First asked me for iTunes or Amazon card, the cell phone and now thousands dollars to help him out of trouble in Dubai where he is working... So he can come home to me. We have yet to meet. I believe he could be a scammer and struggle with letting of the possibility that this could be real. I don't want to leave anyone in danger and also want to protect myself. Anyone heard of Moises Montoya? Thanks
hes a scammer
November 12, 2018

In reply to by mn

this guy is a scammer he's actually sitting in a hotel in Africa - waiting for you to send him money he lives off nice American women in America that send him money - he's not coming back to anyone not marrying anyone - were just his atm machine
dperk2010
March 05, 2019

In reply to by gullibleweenie

Do you know Daniel's last name, I have been contacted by someone using the name Daniel, says he is an engineer stuck in Istanbul.
Ditto
June 01, 2019

In reply to by dperk2010

I’ve been messaging a guy called Daniel for the past 7 months his story is exactly the same as yours, an engineer stuck in Turkey, a single father and Christian too. If you have any photos and a sir name he’s using and we can share this information together, I would be grateful. He is very handsome well built very charismatic and romantic he’s says he loves me and even asked me if I would like to move to America to live with him and his two daughters. I’ve had my suspicions on and off for sometime, he always seems to convince me that he would never betray me and how could I think that way about him!
Ditto
June 01, 2019

In reply to by dperk2010

If you do get to know his sir name can you let me know too
dp2010
March 06, 2019

In reply to by gullibleweenie

gullibleweenie, do you have a last name on Daniel? Or pictures. This story sounds too familiar.
Rosa
June 11, 2019

In reply to by dp2010

I also would like to know I’ve talk to and still to a Daniel in Turkey currently he asked for money to help cover some inheritance tax’s over a month ago . But have not asked for any from me anymore . Said he’ll be. A k I’m states end of this month . Waiting to see if he ask again .
Polytron77
November 28, 2019

In reply to by gullibleweenie

Hu..now im talking with asian guy said working in rig engineer in italy. He is not yet asking money and im still try to find out if he is scam or not. How did u find both guys pics in google. Please inform bcos i have been trying but still no match.
Grace
April 16, 2020

In reply to by Polytron77

OMG, I believe we are talking g to the same guy, he is Asian guy work as rig engineer in italy. He said he is 50, he said His wife slept with his best friend, then die in an car accident 6 years ago. She has a daughter 14 years old, in boarding school..After we talked about 2 weeks, he said he lives me, want to marry me ,,,then he start to ask $15000 , he said, his gas cylinder got damaged...I did not give him, he is mad, now he still keep on asking, I told him, I dont have, he want me to borrow from my friend and parent. Is their a way, can we share his photos? His name is John
the same guy s…
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Countrygal971

this guy is in Ghana - he's not in any of these places - he's been scamming all of us for money and broken our hearts - not marrying anyone not coming to anyone we all need to report him and stop SENDING HIM MONEY he only cares about one thing MONEY does he tell you to send money to his driver? and he's coming home soon - would like to know he did this to me for 3 years
AmyS
October 23, 2018

In reply to by Countrygal971

Sounds like the guy I've been talking to. So much of his story did not add up. I would not get clear answers either. I did give him some money too. I am so sorry for you had to go through this. I too thought he was telling me the truth at times. He even had me go house shopping so we could start a life together after he got back from Australia. I blocked him 2 weeks ago.
Miss Mary
September 10, 2020

In reply to by Countrygal971

Sounds like someone I Knew!!! He said his name was Lycan Scot Stephen...
Same here
July 24, 2018

In reply to by Heartbroken

I had a Wilson Moore also. Met him on Words With Friends. I don’t remember his story but I do remember his name. He got really mad when I told him he was a scammer. Lol. Glad your good.
Im his karma
August 05, 2018

In reply to by Heartbroken

I know the real identity of this man. HE wasted 2.5yrs of my life and totally underestimated my intelligence and therefore allowed me closer than any other victim to date. The man you are talking about has countless profiles on every online platform you can think of all to scam women globally. The photos u have are not him but stolen. The name he gave is one i know of that he uses. He needs to be jailed. Hes been doing this for 20yrs uncaught.
the same guy s…
October 04, 2018

In reply to by Im his karma

no I have been allowed closer than anyone - I know its the same man - he's actually in Ghana and never been to the USA ever - ive been a fool but no more - I hope someone gets this guy - tired of sending money for him never to come home to me
Richlove
October 20, 2018

In reply to by the same guy s…

Hi, I have been scammed by this man just recently. Pls do u have any pictures of him ?
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