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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.

gullible
July 22, 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
Delroy't use y…
July 24, 2021
I met a girl on a dating site she quickly asks for help and she wanted me to buy her itunes card i ask for her address and she gave me an adress not knowing its 2 blocks from my house i ask to meet her she says buy me the card first i later realized she is a scammer
Called him out
July 25, 2021
Joseph Bates US Army stationed in Belgium, needs money for equipment to be released for install then he can come home to me. Gorgeous blue eyes, blond hair, nice body, works out. Sweet talker, professes love quickly, I’m his dream come true…blah blah blah. I sent him a screenshot of online scammers from this home page and now he’s mad and can’t believe I would think this of him. I have myself and my son to protect.
It’s a pretty day
July 25, 2021
Has anyone been asked to send a gift card that can be exchanged for cash to a Bill Culp?
mlm94104
July 28, 2021
Wow, This is enlightening. Anyone been scammed by Ciara Mirabel or a Sandra John Mary. They may be the same person
AH
July 29, 2021
I had been fall and lost money by scammer from FB and sent money 2 years ago.I reported to local police in Jakarta Indonesia until now still not yet got the man. He sent message by FB messager and nice in every words and give offering job.Then after 3 weeks chat, ask my documents that needed, He looks profesional told has job a bussiness oil company in UK and need nurse to take care her daughter.I am interest due to my contract also finished at that time.Then He told me will discuss to his lawyer and will sent invitation for the job and I have to pay the tax.In few hours another call come from woman said could not sent it to me due to have to pay the tax.So I sent the money to arabian account bank Al Faresh.So be carefull. Make sure your phone number could not access from FB too. I missed to make it hide before. FTC article is true. I hope the scammer live in the jail for all the time next.
K0816
August 01, 2021
Has anybody chat with vyaan or yang bin? He claimed to be chinese and he came from a big family In china. He is claiming to be a data analysis on his uncle business in New York. 35 years old. He ask me to invest in etherium digital currency for $50k , when I said I cant, he even lowered it to $10k. But we chatted for 3 months before he ask me for a big amount.
Kerma
August 05, 2021
My 71 year old mother is currently in a "relationship" with an Alex Peterson from Nigeria. She's given him somewhere between $10-20k (she's denies this). She's had her house up for sale (and then removed it), she's attempted to take loans out on her house. Her financial assets are frozen. She's actively dodging the social worker from Adult Protective Services. She claims that she's going to sell everything and move to Nigeria. This online relationship has turned her into someone I don't know. And she's going to end up losing everything. I just don't even know what else to do.
Lyssy_9
August 05, 2021
Hey there! Has anyone been or feel like they are being scammed by a guy named Jacob Klaus?? Originally from Germany but apparently lives in Los Angeles but currently working in the UK??
#thinksimstupid
August 11, 2021
I met a guy on POF his name is Daniel Mark claims to be Brazilian living in Manchester UK. He said he has 1 son and a dog and is totally alone. Claimed he loved me in 1 week of talking. Works on an oil rig so can never speak on phone. Asked to talk on hangouts which I did. He said tomorrow he can go on mainland and call me on his mobile but I have to buy an apple i tune card or Google card?? To put £300 on so he can put a call through.....I think he's trying to scam me
#thinksimstupid
August 12, 2021
I met a guy on POF his name is Daniel Mark claims to be Brazilian living in Manchester UK. He said he has 1 son and a dog and is totally alone. Claimed he loved me in 1 week of talking. Works on an oil rig so can never speak on phone. Asked to talk on hangouts which I did. He said tomorrow he can go on mainland and call me on his mobile but I have to buy an apple i tune card or Google card?? To put £300 on so he can put a call through.....I think he's trying to scam me
Happy-go-lucky
August 14, 2021
Hi has anyone been contacted by a John mccarthy lives in texas widowed with 19yr old son with adhd, works on roads but no work due to covid? Says he's 65 i think he's scamming my mum has had about £3,000 so far but she's about to sell her house. I've tried talking to her but apparently he loves her. He doesn't ask for money but makes her feel guilty so she sends it but not to him as he owes the bank so she sends it to an Alisa wilkinson, he has a friend called Elliot who apparently he's now living with as he can't afford Internet so wouldn't be able to talk to my mum. He facetimes her so she thinks he's genuine. I'm worried he is going to take everything she has. I have photos of him he has a tattoo with the words msu on his arm
Rachelle
August 21, 2021
Hi!need your help.I’m talking with an oil rig engineer. He sent parcel with million of dollars in it. The courier he used ask me pay for inspection fee for 5,000USD. Now, the status is I need to pay for insurance fee of 20,000 USD. Otherwise it will not be delivered and the parcel will be embargo and may cause money laundering against me. The parcel is in Japan. Do you think this scam? I met the oil rig engineer in IG , talking with for only one month. With 14 yr old who is in boarding school. Wife already died.
Nanny
January 19, 2022

In reply to by Rachelle

If he has sent a parcel, and the courier asks for money refuse to pay. The money laundering cannot be yours as you have neither sent or received, if you give your details out, you loose everything.
ImKarin
August 24, 2021
Anyone been contacted by a Frenchman named James Gustave. Engineer working on an aircraft carrier
Dizzydevil 1966
August 25, 2021
We need to make a site where we can put pictures up, from what I'm seeing on my end is they aren't afraid to flash their pretty smiles. We have got to make this better known somehow , because saddly not too many of us were aware before we got, got...
Almost scammed
November 14, 2021

In reply to by Dizzydevil 1966

I think that is a very good suggestion. I'm sure most of these scammers are the same person.
confusedinusa
August 26, 2021
Has anyone had any interactions with any Iranian men online from Iran? Specifically from a town called, Omideyeh? I want to share my story, but I keep hoping mine is different because I'm finally meeting this man in Turkey after 1-year of online dating, including very frequent video calls and planning a wedding in Turkey. Yet now I'm nervous because all of these posts I read! Could my situation actually be a real relationship?
burtondaniel67…
August 26, 2021
I was caught up by a scam which involved talking morning and night first asked for 100 hospital bill then kept asking for 50 then 100 up to marriage and coming here with her grandmother and air fair . We argued like normal relationship but she said she would be happy with me and to send air fair. I was sad to lose her but I had to realise she was. Scamming me
Godly women
September 03, 2021
Met guy o Zoosk.com said he lived about 2 hrs.from me.Had to go to cal. Then to Australia for his job then his mom died in New Zealand then a good deal from Dubai back to UK to retire and come home to be with me,first asked for 36000 he needed then he found from friends 13000 so only needed 25,000, I said no.Didnt hear from him for 2 weeks then he didn't need any money,but needed me to deposit all the money in my account I was going to but I read on here that it would clear bank but when I sent it to him check no good. His(name) probably not. ROWDY KEMP I think he lives in London has a very strong accent
Tiny
September 07, 2021
I met a guy who claims he’s on an oil rig in Mexico, owed by Exxon private ship, he needed money to fix his machine, helped him with that, now he finished his job and needs 8,000 to get on a helicopter, could this be true? Help me please. Tiny
Gemp2010
September 23, 2021
sounds like my situation, I met a guy at an online dating site, widowed, had his own business , graduate degree from Austrailia, attended the University of Manchester in England. He talked and texted my almost every day, he had said his apple computer logic board was damaged and asked me for money to purchase a new computer ,which I had believed him and sent to Dubai United Arab where he was on a contract assignment for environmental construction consulting. Then he asked me for 49,000 to help him pay a fine for opperating machinary that he did not have a license for. I then caught on that this guy was not real and a fake scam artist. He then got angry with me calling me stupid with verbal abuse and a controlling attitude. I hope all you women out there read this and please be cautious and on guard make sure you used video chat on any dating site before meeting someone.
almost scammed
September 28, 2021
I had a man contact me. we talked for 2 weeks. Then 3rd week asked me to buy him a gift card. the pain in my gut just wouldn't stop. Telling Me,Scam,Scam,Scam. So I blocked him from my site.
Bill
October 05, 2021
Has anyone been involved with a Mia Taylor claiming to live in New York? I have photos and everything if anyone want to compare notes.
Plzcatchthisguy
October 12, 2021
I'm posting for a relative, she met a man online, said he lived in north dakota, and has money,,told her he was retiring, ,but had a job in turkey needed to finish before he retires, now he's in turkey, she has sent him money, says he's gonna come back and marry her, and pay her back,, but that was 4 months ago, then he couldn't make it again cuz was in hospital with heart problems, now can't make it says has covid, he is using name NORBERT MATEO SANTIAGO, and the phone he uses has a prefix from San Antonio texas, pic he is using, he has gray hair, glasses and says is 70 yrs old, pic looks like hes on hisi 50s, plus stop this man from scamming.....
Yankeegirl
October 19, 2021
Anyone heard of Jimmy Peterson. Lives in Cuba New York. Keeps changing email addresses. Looks like the Author Grant Cardone.
LisaA
November 09, 2021
FB Dating Gary Sullivan Scharf from Germany lives in Waunakee WI wife is deceased only one daughter attending university in Calf. he’s an engineer working on a oil rig for Exxon Mobil says he needs money and his credit card is not working for getting another required engineer there to fix machine and get him back home for me to meet him at the airport. He’s yet to give me his address or any meaningful information to know who he is if he’s telling me the truth. He is requesting $2,000 I know that I’ll never see another penny if I send it.
Rachel
November 15, 2021
I have had the same experience..a guy name Matthew Twitchell had contacted me through a online card game app..was a real smooth talker ..said he was a doctor for the polish military and had a son in Texas in a boarding school. He lost his parent 7 years ago and his wife to. Was only 5 days of chatting with this guy he asked me for money to get his son a new hearing aid because the polish government froze all there accounts . Once I had said I wasnt giving him any money he got angry and then asked for 100 dollar google play card..I just stop answering his messages.
Catdog
November 18, 2021
I recently experienced an online scam from someone claiming to be a pornstar. She wanted to meet but never did meet her. Caught her in so many lies. Could never get a straight answer about her age or birth date. Kept asking for cards and open an acct to deposit money into. Sent cards once but regretted it. Chatted on different platforms from hangouts, whatsapp to telegram. I've since broken off any contact. The stage name I was given was August Taylor but the name this person used was Mary Dillon.
Trucker88
November 22, 2021
Bill Frazier I have two women want money from me and I have been texting them also what can I do to find out more about how to get out of this stuff now.
Don't use your…
January 06, 2022
My guy says he in Yemen helping out with the Hospital said his name is David Chavis has two sons and wife died wants me to send him a ITUNES card where we can talk and text has anyone got him to help you out
Don't use your…
January 06, 2022
My guy says he in Yemen helping out with the Hospital said his name is David Chavis has two sons and wife died wants me to send him a ITUNES card where we can talk and text has anyone got him to help you out
confusedinPDX
January 08, 2022
Anyone been in communication with a man named Joel Williams? Very handsome, great smile, salt and pepper hair says he is Turkish. Claims to be from Chicago and needs money for his attorney for some legal issues he's going through? Says he is divorced and has a son in New York.
Henpecker
January 09, 2022
Been chatting with someone saying their name is Amber Bradley formerly Tessa Fowler and we've been chattin for 4 years or more always asking for Amazon or Ebay cards for gas, rent, food, ect
Sgkinowski
January 14, 2022
I have had this several times it's true after a day they love you can't wait to meet then an unexpected trip overseas with pic. Calls there is one now who thinks I believe him yes he asked for a 200. Gift card no I didn't it's sad how they play with your heart then mind. Think if they are engineers they have money if they go out on the barg they don't need gift cards. The co.p they work for a rovided. Wake up don't let them scam you.had onecevn send flowers
BB47396
January 17, 2022
I was the attempted victim of a romance scammer. He used the name George Charles. He supposedly was from a town not far from me and had sold his home and vehicles prior to going to Newfoundland as an engineer on an oil rig. He sent beautiful songs to me and said the most romantic things. He was professing love within two weeks. The same night he professed his love, he asked for money. No go, honey. Blocked. I saw the episode of Dr. Phil about this and am so glad I did.
MsPostion
January 18, 2022
Hello I been having a hard time with someone that I been talking to for alittle over a month he has losed his job and waiting on unemployment which they are still review his case. Well he has bills that needs to be paid he asked me for money and am not okay with giving any men money that i truly haven't saw. We had plans for him to come over but from what he told me that his baby mommy had to go to the hospital and they admitted her. He told me that his phone will be off but when i called it ring. Now i have notice we dont really text are talk on the phone . I reached out to him letting him know that i see things different between us. My worst fear is been used by any man. Am a single mother of 4 and i do everything for myself and kids. Please give me some good feed back on this situation.
Nanny
January 19, 2022
Chatting online to a David Jannink, claims lies in LA but currently in Beijing China, after couple weeks he had fell in love, became possessive when mentioned a friend, eventually he said he was ready to sail back to turkey but he had overspent, snd could I send him money, told him had none, after few days, we set him up ( myself & friend ) he was saying how he was unable to eat n sleep, plus the 11 workers with him, I told him my friend had just come into money, 24 hours later his data was running out could I get him iTunes card, refused him as they do nothing, he asked if my friend would help, told him to email her as she would if could, he asked for £3000, she told him nedded passport for his identity which took him 3 days to reply with a fake passport he emailed.. it all escalated the next day when she told him that bank had froze Her account due to his passport being fake.loads of cross words crossed between us, staying he did not like third party people etc etc I should not have involved a friend ax it was wrong even though he emailed here things were said but we knew now he was a scammer which is what we intended, I carried on talking to him to reel him in and get details, I have reported to whistle blowers twice but no comeback, I have all 3 of his wassap accounts plus hangouts , he obviously though I was a easy target , any one now where I can report him to get action also have phone numbers for him ,
spotascammer
January 19, 2022
I am an older woman, and get "friend" requests all the time from "handsome men", in the military or on an oil rig, anywhere outside USA. Here is a quick tip. Go read the profile, look at the pictures and list of friends. They will usually post pictures of themselves with a pet or child, 1 picture to give you an idea they are wealthy, and 1 picture to see them in work uniform. Next go to interests and check-in. That is where they mess up. If they were from US, they would post a sports team and type of sports(NFL-football but not soccer or NBA basketball), usually where they live or have lived, they will mention movies, music and current events common in the US. Not sure? Ask for the weather where they are from(say from Midwest in winter). These guys are usually from countries with only warm weather so might not be able to discuss the weather patterns in US states where they "lived before".
love lossed
January 20, 2022
I have had several experiences. The one that hurts the most was the using of a child. I eventually realized that it was the man pretending to be the child but it really showed how insane these people are. Or how they will call you and think you don't realize they do not sound like the celebrity they claim to be.
Sdavids1
January 22, 2022
Anyone been scammed by Richard Dylan from Denmark he works for Maersk lives in LA but from Denmark a daughter named Jessica who is 8. Neck tattoo is dead giveaway for him.Ex wife US citizen not in picture drug addict. Currently on a job in the North Sea. Started out asking for a Steam Card which I sent. I have pictures. I did talk to him on video same guy in pictures. I even have a picture of him and his daughter Jessica.
Taken
January 24, 2022
Hi I was talking to a man called Richard Parker in Syria I blocked him he eventually ask me to send a top up card for 800 pounds .I’m now talking to someone who was on Facebook his name is Adam colloney he says he works in Mexico that was ok but now he’s asking for 100 pound to top up his phone I a widow but thankfully I’m not a push over has anyone heard of these men .
JNorton04
January 28, 2022
Anyone know Larry Lambert? Claims he has a house in NY, but works in Turkey off the oil rig. Have pictures of what we sent me. Claims he can’t do FT, always talked on the phone. His wife died in a car accident. His daughter is in NY with the nanny. I’ve fell in love, but I don’t know if this is real.
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