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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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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.

TigerT
July 14, 2020

In reply to by Isherealor not

This sounds exactly what I have heard From Evan... he is on a oil rig his machine broke down and needs 300,000 to fix to finish his contract.
Stance
August 22, 2020

In reply to by Isherealor not

My intro to online dating was a scam that cost me $86,240. A civil engineer needing equipment released, then iTunes cards, then $500,00 because a child died from playing near his equipment and that money was for a settlement to the parents. I said I couldn’t afford that, he said they’d settle for $250,000. I was looking into mortgaging my home. I reported my loss to the local police AND FBI. Nothing they could do because I willingly gave the $86,240. I met him on POF and his name is Gary James. I’ve seen him on POF 3 more times up until yesterday and reported him to POF for the 4th time. I’ve only met scammers on various dating sites but now I’m very savvy and as soon as they ask for anything, I drop them. All of them since Gary have been reported on these sites. The latest scam was yesterday! All the other scammers names: David Alastor, Matt Ralph. There have been 4 others but can’t keep track of their names. Some engineers of some sort and two investment managers
ishi85
September 14, 2020

In reply to by Isherealor not

can I know what he usually tells you when calls you? Does he say he will really love you till the end of his hearts's desire?
RT
September 23, 2021

In reply to by Isherealor not

I had similar, met online dating, then he whatsapp me. 58 year old from Hamburg living in America widower, 11 year old son in boarding school in California, oil drilling on an oil rig off Spain, declared love and an to be a life long partner, I would never have to work, within 3 weeks of contact??? Had one Skype call which was cut short through bad reception on the "oil rig". He was desperate to be with me, get off the oil rig as they were using poor equipment, he could not access his bank account as he froze it due to pirate activity??? He needed £2,000 to get to the UK safely, I messaged the company he was supposedly was contractor for, they supported it was Scam. Phew, why...
TigerT
July 20, 2020

In reply to by Frizout

Yes I have pictures of him and daughter he has video called several times. It’s him don’t know what his real name is
cf. Angry
August 24, 2020

In reply to by TigerT

Sage Gregory. Scotland, graduate of Edinburgh University. Wife died. Daughter, Mitchell in boarding school. Geological Explorer with contract for Exxon Mobile in Campos Basin, Brazil oil rig. Contract almost up. Machinery broke can't fulfill contract. Needs money now. Nice looking man in pictures. He's not Scottish. He is Spanish speaking.
Poor Mom
September 02, 2020

In reply to by cf. Angry

Very similar to my story. Civil Engineer 14 year old daughter Shared pics with me Speaks good English with Accent Please share his pic
MeMara2
December 08, 2020

In reply to by Poor Mom

Please I need to see photos of the guy you are talking about, I have a man that I have fallen for since August have been texting off facebook, says hes an engineer with a 14 year old daugher, very handsome. Over five or so months my heart is involved, he says he is in Alaska working on a project and cant get into his account because of a security issue. He had me send him 2 itunes cards first for $100 then $200. Then he wants me to send money to help pay for shipping of a piece of equipment coming out of Turkey, I told him no. We are suppose to meet this Friday, now he is asking me to send money to help pay for a funeral of a friend. How can I see photos of who you are talking about?
Kabrel
September 09, 2020

In reply to by TigerT

Does he have beautiful gray hair? Daughter has like auburn/red hair?
Stupid
November 05, 2020

In reply to by TigerT

Hi sounds like the same guy I'm talking to any picture would help
Notme
August 03, 2020

In reply to by Frizout

The guy I’m texting now is a contractor on an oil rig???? Good looking with name Terry Bristol. Norwegian, so he says! Dark hair graying on the sides. He says he’s 65 and divorced for four years. Very athletic! Not ask me for money yet! I’m very cautious but love the dialogue!!!
Scammed
August 16, 2020

In reply to by Notme

Be very careful , suddenly he will have an accident , he is so sweet and will ask for money , I talked to him for about a month then he asked for money So good looking I went to catfish and the pictures were from a Italian actor
Another victim
January 28, 2021

In reply to by Scammed

This clown sent me a pic too of an Italian dude with a brown shirt on sitting on a couch
TigerT
July 20, 2020

In reply to by effiejune

Same story I’m getting but not Germany he is on the Gulf his machine broke needs 300,000.00 to get it fixed to finish his contract. I had to laugh it was so crazy!!!!
Michael's story
September 16, 2020

In reply to by effiejune

I believe michael paulson (michael m. On LinkedIn) might be the same guy...from norway, lives in ca. With daughter living with his mom. Wife died years ago in car accident. He went to alaska on contract for $850 K but then there was an explosion with people getting hurt and needed money to replace a machine that burned in accident and cant leave alaska unless he can pay $45k for damages. Once he pays he will get paid for the contract....So he wants money to come home to you, the love of his life.
Don't use dott…
September 29, 2020

In reply to by effiejune

Yes yes I’ve experienced this note I have been sent a personal check and have to go to the bank to check if it’s real because I don’t think it’s real it’s probably part of another scam
September
October 01, 2020

In reply to by effiejune

Hi ladies,I think thus is happening to me.thus man is in Scotland on an oil rig and has been chatting now for a while I think he has taken someone profile..thus man is very nice looking age 50 a son 3yrs has been separated for three yrs and now needs money to fix machine his contract will end in December and will repay me then or any one I can borrow it from..talks to me morning noon and night...but I have not sent money..and will not told him I don't have it...say he can't access his accounts...anyone else been contacted by Dutton Lucky.. can't find him on fb...please let me know if you have as I feel it's a scam to.. so dissapionted to.. in myself for falling for this.
September
October 01, 2020

In reply to by effiejune

Hi ladies,I think this happening to me,this man is in Scotland on an oil rig and has been chatting now for a while I think he has taken someone profile..this man is very nice looking age 50 a son 3yrs has been separated for three yrs and now needs money to fix machine his contract will end in December and will repay me then or any one I can borrow it from..talks to me morning noon and night...but I have not sent money..and will not told him I don't have it...say he can't access his accounts...anyone else been contacted by Dutton Lucky.. can't find him on fb...please let me know if you have as I feel it's a scam to.. so dissapionted to.. in myself for falling for this.
Don't use y Ma…
October 29, 2020

In reply to by September

I think I'm getting scammed there's a girl in West Virginia says that she's in college I sent her $100 already in a card and iTune card now she wants me to send her $400 I asked you to send me a picture of her ID and now she won't show me a picture of her ID I showed her mine maybe I shouldn't have but I did I really don't know what to do other than to not talk to her no more I don't think it's right that she asks me for money and I have never met her
Aussies
October 09, 2020

In reply to by effiejune

I believe he is going by Richard Pedersen, from Denmark, working off the coast of Turkey...also on an oil rig. Single father with a 7 year old son, both play guitar. Today his machine broke, supposedly needs to fly in a specialist by tomorrow. That was when I knew something was wrong. Loves to use the word baby after every other word, African accent, supposedly Jewish mom and Danish dad. Knows zero about religion. Scammer.
susanna
October 27, 2020

In reply to by effiejune

yes think this is the same parasite that scamned me out of money... but yses alot of alias's !!! .seen his face on several web pages as a fraudster . met on a dating web site.. Evil .
Confused
December 06, 2020

In reply to by susanna

What happens if he asks this: Why you don't want to receive my cheque and settle some bills down the state? I believe that this is also a scam. He’s not asking me for money, if anything it’s just the opposite.
sarahseagle
August 22, 2021

In reply to by Confused

The checks they send will clear your bank but when you turn and send them cash you’re out that amount because the check is returned as no good.. they steal peoples real identity and the checks looks cashable however they will bounce I promise you.. I’ve got one right now trying to get me to send my Id front ANS bac
Another victim
January 28, 2021

In reply to by susanna

What does this guy look like? I have one telling me he's in Egypt in a hospital and he needs money to pay for his hospital stay, x-rays. Mind you, he's been in this fictitious militsry hospital over a month now for a broken leg.
guest
December 30, 2020

In reply to by effiejune

Same story. The guy go with the name Allen Lai and claimed he lived in Miami and working in a rig platform in Spain. Claimed his wife was cheating on him with his best friends and died from DUI when picking up his son. Then he asked money to fix the machine he was using on the rig so he can finish his contract. I mean, they really cursed their parents and families and kids , all passed away in his mouth.
Jaw
May 06, 2020

In reply to by Not me

This guy has told me he's on an oil rig and needs money for repairs on hoses. Goes by the name of Joe Cross
purtellcm
December 13, 2019

In reply to by Itzmecb

He has also used the name Richard Langham. He also has 6 other alias. Do not send money. He is a full blown narcissistic individual who will do anything
blabla99
February 10, 2020

In reply to by purtellcm

Do by any chance have the other names, LOL this is similar to one i was speaking with on a fitness app - but did my investigation and am pretty certain i just busted him... no comment for a few hours so we shall see. He went by the name Jason Lambert
No money sent
July 06, 2020

In reply to by blabla99

I was talking to a man from Zoosk who said he was from Finland and was importing gym equipment. He got off zoosk right away , so I don’t remember his profile name . Asked me for a loan. I didn’t send it (Zoosk couldn’t really do anything without his profile name. Went by the name Jack Petersen. Tried to do some reverse look up and couldn’t find him. Just to let you know, you can opt out of the people search type of sites, so that someone can’t get your info. Also, many times those sites are wrong. Try looking up your wind name. Wonder if it was the same man.
Not stupid
July 30, 2020

In reply to by No money sent

Can you remember anything in his story on zoosk? He sounds like one I met on zoosk .. casually sweet ...but seems Pro scammer
pest controller
December 23, 2020

In reply to by No money sent

I met the guy from Finland on Zoosk. He is 61 and got contract in Cape Town.
your e-mail ad…
July 22, 2020

In reply to by purtellcm

Do you know his other alias names he's using? I have been corresponding with a Richard James since early June. Says he's a marine biologist working off the coast of Scotland. Claims to have a 15 year old daughter and live in Sacramento, Ca. The daughter is really weird sends emails calling me ma. He's totally believable. Very smooth operator. Unfortunately I have been stupid enough to give him $2000 so far. Claims he bought me a car and now his agent needs $3000 for customs fee. Did a reverse Google search on one if his pics he sent. It's on a Twitter account by the name of Joe Cross.
SSArlington
August 14, 2020

In reply to by your e-mail ad…

Widow put me in touch with daughter who called me "ma" and "mother" -- exactly! Along with big contract to transport oil from Saudi Arabia to Turkey. Sent me pictures of him in DC pitching for the contract, then an appointment letter for $12 million contract for his company "Noah Collignon Ltd." -- he is supposedly French. Sent me video of the oil rig in Turkey. And a couple of weeks later a phoney Turkish customs certificate for $500K -- he hadn't budgeted that much. Had his daughter beg me for help -- she sent me image of wire transfer she made to Turkish bank of $170K, could I do a 'tiny favor' and send $140K? Didn't get duped into the big bucks but did send $275 in Google Play cards for international calling while he was in Turkey. Feel pretty stupid about that. Was recovering from surgery and quarantining so was not up for meeting before he left for Turkey. Professed love right away.
Blucher12
September 05, 2020

In reply to by SSArlington

I’m talking to a man I met on LinkedIn. He says he’s on an oil rig in the Gulf, daughter in boarding school in Canada, wife died 3 years ago. He’s asked me for iTune cards, and when I refused he went on and on about how I didn’t like him, etc.. I gave in, and now he’s asking for two more iTunes cards. He says his name is Vin Logan. He really seems legit though. Sent me photos of himself with his daughter, and several just of him. He has gorgeous blue eyes. Can someone send me a photo that they’ve received so I can see if it’s the same person? Thank you! I’m so upset.
Rebeca
May 17, 2021

In reply to by Blucher12

I also met somebody on linkedin working as reservoir engineer in Oklahoma, US. His profile is still on linkedin. I talked to him for few months on whatsap and he said he goes for a contract in Ankara, Turkey in Jan. Midle of jan he said he has some problems accessing his account to pay for his machines. He asked me to acces his account from my end and do a transfer to an account in turkey. Second time when he ask me to do another transaction the account was blocked and from there he start like asking if I can help him with some money to complete his purchases for the machines that he will pay me back once his account will be fixed. I really believed because he sent me some certificate for the contract and a letter from the border custom which apprar to be geniune. That was in feb when I helped with miney and we continued to talk over the phone and txt till mid may when he stopped txt and answering my calls. I can see him on fb as well and linkedin and I'm not blocked on whatsap but no aswers. I believe all thise profiles are fake. He also sent me wuite a few photos over the months. I never thought that somebody met on linkedin can be scammer.
Bigdog
September 13, 2020

In reply to by SSArlington

Sound like a few I was texting. Gave me his daughters e-mail and she also called me mom. He pretended to be several guys and on a rig. I have caught lots of them using the same picture under a different name. I have one right now begging me to help him get out of his contract that ends next month supposedly. I was scammed once, so these guys can beg all they want Not getting a thing.
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