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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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Shopping and Donating
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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.

Catch the scammers
April 28, 2021
Theodore Harry contacted me on Scrabble Go. Said he was widow, wife died of drug abuse 5 years ago and has a 7 year old daughter. Aged 57. Engineer working for Shell. Lived in Australia but spent many years in US. Usual sweet talk. Had video chat which didn't last very long. The chat was with him and daughter. I detected an accent like South African. Then had a job on oil rig in India. After 5 days asked for money as he wouldn't be able to continue communicating without it. I didn't give him any money. Did some digging and reverse photo and discovered he is a prolific scammer using many alias names and fake Facebook accounts. He also uses the names Daniel Bulton Tony Gilbert, Martin Lemanna, Chris Morgan, Bernard Smith, Mark Williams, Russell Thomas James Cameron, Allen Byron, Bjornar Jerry, Moore Victor and Thomas Rawson. He has grey hair, blue eyes and good looking. Please don't get involved. He has been doing this since 2014.
I was A fool
April 29, 2021
I meet a guy 5 mos ago . Went by David Moritz . Was going find when he said he was awarded a contract but because of COVID couldn’t get equipment He was a structural Enugu wee from Germany but working in UK . Because of banking laws couldn’t get equipment would I Buy it and he was coming in a week and give me check. I believed I wired 45.000 to bank in USA . He told Me was sorry but lost money n he was gone.
Brummie Girl
May 04, 2021
Been contacted by a guy named Peter Kufus, living in Chicago but suddenly on a rig in the Gulf of Mexico because I asked to video chat. Sent pictures but not convinced it's him. Spoke on the phone and has an accent which he says is Czech as his mum is from there but his dad was American... started asking for gift cards to pay for phone bill and Internet.. not sent any. Anyone else had similar contact with him?
Beautiful
May 04, 2021
Alex Peterson claims his daughter died at the age of 4 with leukemia and he split from his partner as she was sleeping with his best mate. On a rig in the North Sea. Claims his bank account frozen and needs to have his life savings delivered to me but needs me to transfer £250 for the delivery!!!
John benson
May 05, 2021
Meet a girl on a dating site being text her for a week on hangouts the other day she did ask me for money but has no charge her mind and said she will sort it her should but still won't to be with me can someone please tell me what i shall do
christinestuli…
May 12, 2021
Has anyone been scammed by a person impersonating Jim Acosta of CNN? There was a post last year by LG asking as well. This scammer is world class and provides expert documents claiming to be J A.
Protectivesister
May 13, 2021
Has anyone talked to a man online who says he’s from Minnesota but is living in Africa right now working for shell oil? I have a sister who’s talking to this man and this is what he told her. He wants her to get a passport so they can meet in Columbia. I’m sure it’s a scam but I don’t have proof. Thought maybe someone else has had dealings with this man. I don’t know his name because we just found out today and she is being very private with information
Sucker
May 15, 2021
Same has happened.... guy named Robert Archie met on tinder .... very charming , Italian , professing love , extremely handsome guy , widower , 9 year old daughter named Mitchell, left with caregiver whilst he is in Turkey to fulfill a contract, machinery broke down once ... he paid for that ; machinery broke down a second time asked me for 15,000 pounds or whatever I could give to help fix , I told him no , he is still professing his love but now I don’t trust him at all how can if I find out if he’s a fake ?
Don't use your…
May 19, 2021
Can you claim the scammed money you sent to someone Promising you gold for cash if it turns out it’s a scam and you’ve lost your shirt?
Sucker69
May 19, 2021
Is it true that my Army Ranger has to pay $200 for a pass to come back to the USA for 30 days?
Tigertooth
May 19, 2021
I have been talking to oil rig engineer for almost 3 months. He hasn't asked for anything. Sends pics whenever I ask..phones. wants to do video chat. but I say not yet. I have fallen hard but would never send $ or accept anything. He is on a rig in Poland and has a 20 yr old daughter. Expresses love daily. Sends songs n poems in the morning. is it possible he is legit? Because he hasn't asked for anything I am confused
Chelle
May 22, 2021
Some guy calling himself Kennedy Heart claiming to be an architect. Met on dating FB and he immediately removed profile when I asked him to share his with me saying he only set it up to potentially meet someone like me and immediately removed it since he found me, his true love. Talking for over a month. We were supposed to meet and he suddenly has to fly to California because his son has been diagnosed with cancer. He has son in private hospital to get best care. Has to pay in cash but only has sixty thousand, can I send him additional ten. Then he flies to Cyprus/Turkey and damages his laptop, again needing money. In the meanwhile I discover a couple things. He is back on FB and LinkedIn and again on dating profiles continuing to fish. Not only that but the image of his hospitalized son is one he photoshopped from sick kid a couple years ago. Run ladies.
Delmys
May 23, 2021
Can any one tell me if they been scamed by a richard stewart
Nves1
May 24, 2021
What is the person you are speaking to is station in Syria currently and is retiring early after 16 years.. having documents sent over to process his return but needs documents signed by fiancé and sent back in order to finish process and receive funds but asks you as his fiancé to sign and write a hand written note stating you are wanting him released after serving? Not necessarily asking me for money in this case but is asking to have his retiring documents signed by significant other to prove indeed you would like them released for whatever reason.. please help!
Juanita SA
May 25, 2021
Peter Larsen so call engineer at Atlantis Deep drilling company in the Mexico gulf want to con me out of 10000 US dollars for his so called contract with Kcadeutag drilling company. He is a liar and I cheat
Mary Lynn
May 25, 2021
Hi. Does anyone know Ben Pratt? Met on Tinder then on to Hangouts. Designs oil rigs, divorced with a 3 year old daughter. Brooklyn, NY. On a project in China but no access to personal finances due to a freeze on accounts because of being hacked. Supposedly from Australia originally, 35 years old.
Silly lady
May 25, 2021
Guy says he works for a Binary Trade Co. Says he’s German and always lived in the states, and is located in Michigan. Came on real strong about how wonderful I was and tried to convince me of what kind of man he was. Said his parents passed when he was very young and he was taken in by a priest who was a friend of the family. Said he was a widower. Finally asked me to send a Google Play Card. I did not do it. His name supposedly is Christian Fred. Did a reverse lookup on his image sent and it came back with nothing.
Kitten
May 26, 2021
I met this man on Instagram he wooed me and made all these plans then asked me to buy him a cell phone and vitamins and supplements I said no he got upset. His name he goes by is James Goodman says he’s in Syria in a peacekeeping mission with the US military. Ughh
Broken Hearted
May 27, 2021
I have commented earlier and have an update. Supposedly, the person I had spoken with for 6 months was finally coming home and I was to pick him up at a nearby hotel by LAX. The morning of the pick up, I receive a text from him saying his visa had been seized because it was expired for only a week. I get instructions from him to contact an embassy agent at an icloud address. After several emails with this supposed agent, I am told to have this person I had been communicating with, released I needed to supply identification to verify who I am. I c ontacted the embassy in Mexico City, and was told there was no agent by that name and under no circumstances send personal information over an email and was told this is a scam. I was devastated. Well luckily my identity was not stolen and I was safe. These people will go to any lengths. BE CAREFUL and follow all warning signs!!
Paul wong scam
May 27, 2021
Appeared to be high class guy top notch job independent oil contractor with two houses in Canada and UK, private jet and all that savvy stuff. Said to be coming to Norway (Oslo) for a new contract on 3rd June in private jet with his pilot, and suddenly on 23 May his materials could not be stored after shipping to Norway from China, because he didn't pay big enough warehouse. And asked me to transfer a small amount (oh yeah.. Small) 6000 usd to a Norwegian bank account in Oslo. I did some background check, a Facebook of the same name showed someone in Oslo but friendlist only contain people from Nigeria and so. Very fishy. I just cut him off. Claimed to be born in Canada and grew up in UK by uncle, parents dead in auto accident when he was 4. In email mentioned he got a late sister, too. But in wechat didn't mention anything about her when I asked about his late people. If you meet someone online for love interest and never met them in person, never send money regardless reason and must cut them off right away. My time with Paul lasted only one week and I'm happy I didn't waste energy and time much in this nonsense online. He was really skilled and consistent in written English and had western mindset which could make you think he is real deal. Be aware!
Teresade use y…
May 28, 2021
He says he is Jeffery Obrien and is widowed with three young daughters and his mother watches them while he works as a contract engineer. Contacted me through linked in and then started a romance. Had emergency and needed $75000. Also has fake Facebook profile stating he lives in London.
Tamz
May 31, 2021
I had guy not long ago tell me his wife die of cancer 6 years ago haven't right person got 10 year old daughter who in boarding school and he works un peacekeeper mission and sent me photos of him and his daughter and ask if l had hangout app l said no so download it then couple weeks into talking to him he said just got phone call saying his daughter in hospital and she need blood infusion because she has lekumine disease she very sick and need 1000 dollars and he can't get to his money at money because he on mission Syria if l could give it too him because u got pay l said no dont have that kind of money and said any money would do and said no and told want hospital his daughter in getting treatment and then said can l get iTunes card for his phone l said no then said go get credit card let me know when u get it l said no and yes we talk on phone and gave me pictures and stuff it just didn't seem right l it was scam didn't fall for it .. telling me coming to be with me and his daughter and be family and his names is frank Robert he on intergram then tell u go on hangout he said not scammer and that his daughter really sick and he looking for love not them at but do everything like scammer come on wasn't born yesterday l know lies when l see it so women please be careful not fall there lies and there scam l lucky he didn't no money out of me but maybe next women he mine please beware of these men who scamming us women need to stop soon as possible..
Cj
May 31, 2021
I have plenty of plenty of pictures of my friends. Good looking. Says he is from Ruston, Louisiana. He calls and text 2 or 3 times a day. Sends pictures and calls on hang out. Wants two hundred to get him out of Syria. Refused started at 3,000 now down to two hundred. I won’t budge and give him anything. If I knew how to upload a picture I would. Even though I have refused he still calls and text every day. Says he is a doctor and his daughter is sick.
Willow
June 01, 2021
Gorgeous man Goes by the name of George Miller, civil engineer German accent, says he’s working on a Hospital Covid annex in Turkey. Scammed me out of 2000€ I gave thru Visa to his Binance Bitcoin account. Then asked for more... professing love, marriage, a life together. Saw his bank account (probably fake with 2.5 million dollars in it. Need to go to the police. Help me catch him!!!!
Pandabear25
June 02, 2021
I strongly believe that Phillip Wright, Jimmy Poker, Delfino Lamberto, and Melissa Lorenzo is one and the same person. They are all active on hangouts at the same time or they are all off the same amount of time, despite three living in California and one in Florida, although I believe the person lives in Florida. Please stay away from him, all he wants is bitcoin or Steam gift cards.
lm13th
August 22, 2021

In reply to by Pandabear25

I am currently being scammed and threatened by the name Delfino Lamberto and also James Klaus. Thanks for putting your comment up, reassuring.
Annie
June 03, 2021
Has anyone been in contact with man named Sam John. Says he is on oil rig in gulf.
worriedaboutgranny
June 03, 2021
the name of this person contacting my grandma is Deiter Rogger Miroslav. He says he is in Dubai and is an engineer. He has not asked for money yet. Claims he is flying in next week. Says that he is building a hotel in Dubai. Anyone get this scam or heard of the name>?
Gramma to9
June 06, 2021
Would they ask for eBay card to update phone
Gramma to9
June 06, 2021
Talking with David Kors… says he lives in Michigan but in North Carolina for Military. Has asked for google play and eBay cards, says he has to update phone.
Peoplercrazy572
June 07, 2021
What about a supposedly man and son? Dad is on oil rig and needs money to get home and son is is London and was in car accident and needs money. Asks for pictures of gift cards. Son promises dad will pay back money when comes home. Sure sounds sketchy to me.
mary32
June 07, 2021
i was talking to this guy we talk on google hangout he would say how pretty and beautiful i am i send him pic but no nude pic we told about everything and i was falling for him he was so perfect talk about marriage and babies but there was one thing he kept pressure to join boincoin and take 200 of my money to get boincoin like everyday he kept pressure me and he told me he pay for my cell phone and put money on my credit card for me he said go to a boincoin atm and in a week my money would double i lie and told him i did when i didn't then i finally admit to my lie then he broke up with so did i made a mistake in not doing what he said
Carolyn005
June 08, 2021
Had someone using unclekracker name matthew shafer and asked me for 100k and to try to get a loan for him what a scammer
Bobby
June 13, 2021
My mom has been talking to this us soldier name Scott Conner . He been in Africa for two years every time he to come home something happens and he needs money . He made her believe they are married he is worth 7 millions . He from Florida . They have never talked on the phone or video chatted . She has sent him money and ITunes cards , taken out loans everything . He claims to be around 65 years old has a teenage son . She thinks he needed money for food , medical bills , customs because he wasn’t paid in US funds , now his gun been stolen and he has to pay a fine . She thinks he has no access to his accounts . Won’t believe anything people tell her because they don’t understand she does .
Broken in the west
June 27, 2021
Has anyone been contacted by the lead singer of a rock band and asks for a donation to his orphanage and then says he and his management want to buy you a house. You just have to pay the fee agreement and gets offensive when questioned about if he is really who he says he is?
Carolyn
June 27, 2021
I never knew something like this could happen to me. I believe every word he said. I sent money to him. It was all a lie. I did..omg it was all a lie. You find yourself living for him and realizing he used you and taking your money. Then you wake up. Omg I fell in love with him and after reading everyone message and about crime. It was all a lie..now I have to find a way to heal all over again
miss taken
October 24, 2021

In reply to by Carolyn

This happening to me right now. I am trying really hard not to be broken up. Silly me. I allowed myself to be led into fantasy land.
Candygirl16
June 27, 2021
Has anyone been contacted by William Jordan! He's from Germany or he might be from Mexico.
Candygirl16
June 27, 2021
William Jordan claims that he needs 7,500 customs fee to retrieve a package containing money and jewelry that he sent from Mexico and it's being held in Canada in customs until the fees are paid. He keeps saying that it's all the money he has in the world and that he desperately needs the 7,5000 from me to pay the fees to get his package.
I got scammed too
June 28, 2021
I was contact my a guy on Instagram professing his undying for me. Goes by the name Dan Gonzalo or gonzalodan. Says he’s widowed. He’s 40 years old lives in Brentwood UK claims he works for Albion Drilling.
JayCee
June 29, 2021
I have recently been talking to a woman I recently met through match .com apparently she was staying with her friend in Leeds when she joined the dating site then went back to America to look after her sick mum and carry on with her nurse training to get a masters degree in nursing, she says her training is almost over and would be interested in pursuing a relationship with me but I'd need to send the airfare to get her to England and when she's here and started work then she would send funds back to America for her mums wellbeing. I've spoken to her honestly about being widowed last year and am only looking for companionship at the moment before committing to a full blown relationship and she says she fully understands.
…yet another story…
July 01, 2021
44 years old. Widow. Wife and mom both died in the same car accident. His father does a few years later. Has a son who just turned 19 and is in Brazil with his grandmother. Same story….professed love quickly, sent YouTube songs, even sent screen shots showing a bank account with 3.2 million US dollars, but then quickly needed me to wire him $3,500 because his account was frozen when he was traveling.
Frustrated
July 07, 2021
I met a guy named William Alfred Paker during a bitcoin sting operation that was handled online. He helped me from Pennsylvania online & said he worked for the FBI. I checked with the FBI, he doesn't. He has a daughter named Fiona and his wife died several years ago in an auto accident. He bombard me with love on Zoom and through email. He has saved enough money for them to finally fly out here to meet me. I live in Washington State. He is lacking $200. He has asked for Steam cards or ITunes cards to finish the amount for their flights. Do I do it or not? It's driving me bonkers.
Dicas
July 08, 2021
I was a victim of a romance scam from a man by the name of Hubert Crawford, a supposed independent contractor who works on oil rigs, originally from Norway. Watch out for this one he is charming and comes up with some really believable stories. Turns on the charm and has some great pics and pretends he loves to BBQ. Will even send you pics of his great cooking.
Heather
July 13, 2021
Does anyone know a guy by the name of Seth Tompkins. He has contacted me. An engineer out on a platform in the North Sea or so he says. Needs me to sent him bitcoins for upgrading his network. I have not sent anything. He has multiple accounts on dating sites using his pictures but multiple names from Randy, Louis andres, Michael baker.
gullible
July 19, 2021
I have found out that ALL of the guys on words with friends will ask for money. And they use 2 first names....Paul Edward, Daniel Eddie, Mr Eddie is slick....but not slick enough. Send pics of him.and his "daughter" and pics of him on a plane....a ring designer....and all the sudden needs to go to South Africa for work....the pics are GQ gorgeous....and has has all the hallmark card lines....then he needs 3200.00 to save his daughter who is dying from asthma....who also schools in London and he forgot her tuition payment before he jumped on a plane for an emergency meeting for the director of his company. Has no family, only one friend, and stayed home on the fourth of July to chat with me....even sent pics of his dog...watch out ladies ....he is very very good at this....but didn't get a dime out of me
Pamela
July 20, 2021
Has anyone been scammed by a guy on Smule pretending to be Todd Carey singer and asking for money for "membership"?
Tammy
July 20, 2021
Does anyone know David Edward? Dr in Uk. 14 year old son in boarding school. From Sweden. Lives in Texas.
Tammy
July 20, 2021
I am dating dr from UK. 14 year old son in boarding school. From Sweden but lives in Texas
MeliB
July 21, 2021
I'm reading all your comments and they sound so familiar. But I ask alot of questions so I feel that's why our conversations ended within a couple weeks. Met someone on Scrabble Go calling themselves Mark Bryant, works on an oil rig, divorce, a daughter called Alicia, has a maid in Oklahoma and professed his love quite early on. It felt too good to be true...and maybe I got lucky. He did ask for a $100 iTune subscription but maybe that's because I said upfront that I'm not well off. He said he was a Tool Pusher larsen & toubro limited. He disappeared a few weeks ago so I started my search and found this page. Glad I did, cause now I know for sure that he was trying to scam me. Thanks for sharing your experiences. It's helped me for sure!
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