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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.

Amelia 54
August 29, 2020

In reply to by Knew better

I think this is someone called John bates has daughter Lisa bates wife divine died of cancer he was in Italy because of lockdown but know has contract in Georgia Armenia he has a a four million usd ring he bought in auction four years ago and 800000 in a suitcase with a firm called frontexlogistics but for me to retrieve I had to pay 5200 which I refused calls me my dear daughter calls me mum obviously I did not do it. So now he said I should contact his agent in Spain as package has gone back I’m to bring 8000 euros for the customs
Ireland333
October 17, 2020

In reply to by Knew better

sounds exactly what my mom and who my mom is talking to...works on a oil rig, has a 15 year old daughter, and nanny is raising her, and he left his wife cause supposedly she cheated on him....shes been talking to him for almost a year, sends pics of someone else, and I have confirmed it...wont video chat with my mom, but recently sent 2 pics of his feet and hands on the oil rig, but when pressed about hey turn the camera around and lets see you face,,,,he came up with all sorts of excuses, and even said, "why can't you just trust me", he claims he is coming to see her, and he was suppose to be here the second week in October...well surprise no show, came up with another excuse about some bill he had to pay and didn't have the money to pay for it...And I have been told that he has money....I do not believe him hes a scammer and my own mother will not believe me , even after I have shown her the proof.
Asking for a friend
October 25, 2020

In reply to by Knew better

My friend had been talking to a man named Marcus Hurbert & he was supposedly on an oil rig in the gulf of Mexico & has a 15 year old granddaughter in boarding school being her mother(Marcus's daughter) died during childbirth & her father was in jail, he gave my friend the granddaughters email & said he had told his granddaughter all about my friend & the granddaughter wanted to email her but my friend didn't email her, my friend confronted Marcus and instead of defending himself he deleted my friend
Mahlako2020
May 09, 2020

In reply to by Virginian't us…

I have been talking to a guy Marc Dickson, has 9 year old daughter wife died two years ago giving birth. Calls me all the time. He is German but lives in Las Vegas Nevada. Loves me more than the world. Today he asked me for money. Wants me to visit him. I fell for him and in shock. I need to respond to him. Help
Virginian'tl use
November 28, 2020

In reply to by Virginian't us…

May I see a picture of this guy
sharona60
March 24, 2021

In reply to by Virginian't us…

I think I'm talking to the same guy only his name is Daniel walters, dtr Rose on a oilrig in gulf of Mexico
sharona60
March 25, 2021

In reply to by Virginian't us…

Please send me a picture of this guy please
Sucker for scammers
May 17, 2021

In reply to by Virginian't us…

I met someone called Gary on a dating site, a contractor on a rig. Wife died, has a daughter and a sister who was in a car accident. Professed his love, blah blah blah!!! Then starts asking for money for machinery. I said no and blocked him on hangouts. Went back to the dating site and got suckered in again (my fault) by him. He apologised, desperate for money and managed to lend it from a friend. We continued talking and then last week asked for an Amazon card. Got nasty when l said no, the second time, that l had trust issues, no one would ever love me, blah blah blah. If felt like l had been slapped, but he has been blocked. DONT do it! These people are master manipulators. Imagine someone you loved told you your story, what would you say to them. RUN and don’t look back
almost fell
December 08, 2019

In reply to by Foolfor3months

Omg sounds like the man I am online with. Goes by Jack S Michael. Wife and son died in car accident, has a 12 year old daughter Sarah, asked for $8000 for drill equipment so he could finish a job. Ha, no money from me!
Code red
December 11, 2019

In reply to by almost fell

I met a guy saying the same thing. He’s parents died in a car accident. He leaves alone since he was 12yrs old. He was asking me for itunes card which I gave in. After that he asked me for money to wire it to his cousin who’s having missionary works in Nigeria and then I gave in. His photos looked different from his voice. I noticed it from the beginning but I ignored it due to the flowery words he’s saying. Whenever I cannot send him money he will say bad things. He said he needs money to reactivate his USAA. I searched for that bank and its a bank for militaries. He did not even mentioned that he is or was related to military. I just broke up with him. What I’m scared of is he might use some details and photos to scam others. Would that be possible? He said he would visit me this month but upto now he did not book any plane ticket yet.
hachi2016
May 02, 2020

In reply to by Code red

I met a guy on Christian mingle professes true love 3 weeks in he want an Amazon gift card. I put 500 on card he claims card was deactivated didn't get money He wants me to get 2 cards 250 each . I don't I am out 500 already But we didn't get that money He claims He is in Russia on rig Ask any more money I am out of relationship Hes very charming Petroleum engineer Professes true love
cookie663
September 15, 2020

In reply to by hachi2016

I started taking to a guy who says he is from Brussels but lives in Texas. Lost wife in car accident about 7-10 yrs ago, no kids. Works on a rig, sent me a picture of himself on the rig. Uses sweetie a lot. says he needs a $4900 machine. Even gave me a wells fargo account number and Secratary acct details. What do you think?
Tapdanzer
October 17, 2020

In reply to by hachi2016

Similar story... none of the gift cards worked, so I need more. Then wanted a plane ticket to come see me, asked for Bitcoin, and transfer money to odd named banks and odd persons names and unusual addresses. Trying to fight PayPal with my Cc co fighting PayPal telling them how I was scammed.....
Anna
December 15, 2020

In reply to by almost fell

Sounds like mark blue eyes crocked nose soft voice calls me babe and honey wife and daughter killed in car accident 4 years ago engineer on Exxon oil rig
Scammers and c…
April 26, 2019

In reply to by Foolfor3months

The first guy name is Cyrus he asked for a Sephora gift card for his housekeeper. The second guy said his wife died in a car accident and he had a little girl in his pictures, his name was Jason daughter named Shirley. From Michigan but mother was Ukrainian. He asked me to send him a 500 dollar Apple gift card, and when I said I couldn't he got angry lol oh well. I kinda think they were the same person because of the mannerisms...and they both could never video chat.
Fooled4three months
July 01, 2019

In reply to by Curious

Just look up Paul hollywood British bakery same picture were all getting Paul has alot of pictures this guy uses and he cuts copies and paste Paul's pictures to his body! So stupid!
Mazi
May 06, 2020

In reply to by Curious

The same here. His name is Alex Xavier, daughter 12 yo, wife dead in car accident. Nigerian accent over the phone. I almost instanty written , i do not have money and he dissapeared
Hsusan8
December 20, 2020

In reply to by Mazi

Met man asked go to hangouts jeffery Hernando born Madrid Spain lives in new Haven conn. Oil rig scotland needs 1500 for shipment of supplies finish job so he can come see me 12 year old son Barry in bearden school wife died child birth dad died in some war mother shortly after lived with teacher after still talking he had loving him I'm so embarrassed what should I do
Wontbescammed
May 24, 2020

In reply to by Curious

I am currently conversing thru hangouts. Might not be the same guy because they all seem to have 13/4 year old daughter and she wants a mom. And she's in boarding school. He loves me from day 3 and we're getting married and we're going to Denmark. Lol. He sends me a poem every morning that has no grammatical errors but when he writes, there are a lot. And did ask me for card so his daughter could do her school work. I said I would not send money to someone I don't know. He apologized and said it would not happen again but it did and I just ignored him. Supposed to meet this Saturday but of course his contract got extended. Lol. I'm going to keep talking and catch him and then block him. He got very upset when I said I told my friend about him and she advised doing a background check. Feel so bad for these women that got scammed for thousands. It seems they should be able to catch these creeps.
Frustrated
September 20, 2020

In reply to by Wontbescammed

Sounds familiar- I’m talking to a Mark Ethan alias Mark O, met in wwf2 professed his love rather quickly. Parents died in a car crash his fiancé died giving birth to twin daughters and he was raised by an uncle (Deceased) in Australia. He claims he has a speech impairment as he sounds like a Nigerian - did a brief video chat his pictures match the video chat but voice does not. He works for carnival cruise lines and is offshore in Mediterranean Sea. His daughters are in a boarding school in turkey. The girls email me calling me “ma” he had asked for money numerous times. Claims banking Problems in Florida asked me to receive a box for $2.2 million dollars then asked for $3800 so he could get a helicopter ride to claim his consignment box himself. Tells me his daughters need school supplies and just this morning he mentioned that they need $300. I’ve started experiencing hacks - my online dating app was hacked - my daughters PayPal was hacked, Instagram amazon accounts ....
Scammed
December 07, 2020

In reply to by Curious

Sounds like someone I was talking to and I have pictures.
Lori
March 30, 2019

In reply to by April 48

Omg! This is exactly what happened to me. I would love to exchange info and see if this is the same person I’ve dealt with. It started on WWF then moved to hangouts. Please reply I’d love to compare info.
Cara Ann Hahn
April 04, 2019

In reply to by Lori

Watch out for Davis morrison - from Nigeria and is 14 years old!
Charlie
April 05, 2019

In reply to by Lori

Same thing happened to me I met this guy from Syria Damascus his name was Smith Anderson but on messenger supposedly he used his father’s name Chris Osahon and was a surgeon doctor he said he lost his wife and parents in a car accident and his 14 year old daughter who’s name is Julia Anderson was in boarding school he had been single for four years. We talked for a little while on messenger than he wanted to talk on hang outs. We had only talked for about 5 days when he started to say he was falling in love with me. He later began to ask me if I would be his wife I mean come on no one falls in love that fast especially if you haven’t known that person long enough. He gets me to meet his daughter and she begins to call me mom I mean I dnt even know this girl. She than begins to ask me for $500.00 pounds for a trip their taking. The money was for hotel, vaccines, and spending money. I didn’t answer back, so I contacted her dad telling him I’m not sending no money than he begs please help our daughter I’m like she is not my daughter I’m not even your wife. He tells me I’m mean and he didn’t understand why I couldn’t help him than I tell him why can’t you tell him why can’t you give her the money your the dr driving the Mercedes. He tells me he can’t because his credit card did not work over there. Well I told him he was a scam artist and that I gave heard other stories of wife and parents in car accident and 14 year old daughter in boarding school. I deleted him from hangouts.
Carole
June 06, 2019

In reply to by Charlie

Had same incident. Met me through FB & wanted me to go to messenger, then Hangouts. JohnmWilliam / johnmwilliam has a 15 yr old son Billy in Larissa Greece going to school. John is Major General stationed in Syria Damascus. His wife had been ill for 8 yrs. Immediately calling me Hon wants to marry me & be a mother to his son. He said he is retiring in Aug. & we would be together as a family. This went on about 2 mos. Then all of a sudden his son gets into an accident on his 15th birthday, May 20th, 2019. The Dr. Gery Steven said they needed $2500 in order to treat Billy. They were keeping him comfortable on oxygen. I tried doing search on him, did find one but not sure it was that Dr. He sent me his e-mail stevengrey144 @ . When I tried sending e-mail it reverted back to Billy's email. Never heard of a hospital that wouldn't treat someone in serious condition. I don't find any record of Adagbrassa Medical Center. The Dr sent back message Well, Carole that is the law of our hospital here, Carole I'm really busy with a lot of patient right now, my advice to you, you do need to at fast because the accident is very serious, but we are helping him with the oxygen. You do need to at fast or you may lost your son, but we will do our best to make sure nothing bad happened to him....Steven. John could not furnish the funds because he can't access his money in Syria & he is such a big shot General Major & there is no one to replace him. I asked what hospital Billy was in, the name they gave me I did a search & couldn't find it. Suppose to be a small hospital in Athens. Dr. text me again stating needed to hurry up with the money because of Billy's condition was getting worse.. Being on low income I didn't have that kind of money. They wanted it in Bitcoins. They said I was Billy's mother, I informed I wasn't and they were to contact his Dad. John is begging and pleading with me to get the money some how. Kept telling him I couldn't get it. In the interim I had been sending John Google Play Cards so he could use them to make phone calls. Spent $1000 on them. / Also has a similar scenario #2 Same song different verse. Before John.. Gregg Irving or Gregg Griving. Has a son in Military academy school, wanted to go on excursion costing $3900. When I refused to pay for it he told me I wasn't any use to him. Hadn't heard from him till couple weeks ago. I deleted him immediately. I won't be communicating people I don't know.
Madmum
August 11, 2019

In reply to by Carole

I’m having same was talking to some bloke for few days then his 15yr son was in a accident and he wanted me to contact the embassy ASAP I soon blocked him on hangouts . Now I have a bloke called James William says he in army in seriya and asking me to send him a 200 I tunes card so he can top up his data me think it time to bloke him also
Kimmer2
June 04, 2019

In reply to by Charlie

I talked to a similar guy. Even better is after I called him out on his scam he got kind of angry and mean. One thing he did is sent love letters by email but watch the spelling and grammar. He is still on my hangouts. He tells me to get off and does not know how to block. I said how do you like I am in control now. So when I see him active. I call him a scam and get off this site. Drive him off the site
Samestory
June 06, 2019

In reply to by Kimmer2

Do you have a name of this guy. Same thing happening to me
Buckaroo
June 13, 2019

In reply to by Kimmer2

If it is your hangout group, just block him. You can do that.
mikita
June 07, 2019

In reply to by Charlie

Same thing happened to me, wife killed in accident and had a 14 year old boy. On a cargo ship working and said I love you so fast. Then promised to see me and then something went wrong with the job and then asked for $10,000 money! Can we compare photos? Please? Thank you.
Icantbelievethis...
August 06, 2019

In reply to by mikita

What is your guys name. I am curious because I have a similar situation and met this guy on Instagram and I never except friend request from people I don't know. But I did this time.
Confused In DC
October 28, 2019

In reply to by Icantbelievethis...

Similar situation. His name is William Stanley. He's on Instagram. I met him there. Has an son named Daniel in boarding school. Sent me photos and everything. I sent him photos of me too. Asked me today after talking to him for 3 weeks to send him a Amazon gift card for $100.00!! OMG!! Swept me off my feel with nice photos and everything!! I might be DUMB and I'm not crazy. I was almost ready to send $$ until I google Amazon Gift Card Scams!! Now, my feeling are hurt!! But at least I know the truth!!
Almost burned twice
November 13, 2019

In reply to by Confused In DC

I've had a similar experience with a guy in Nashville, so he says. First asked for the $100 Amazon card then just asked for $10,000. Boy, they really make you think they care for you until they start asking for money! This guy just kept coming up with embellished excuses to as for money. He did say I would double my money. Haha.
Raeme
December 01, 2019

In reply to by Almost burned twice

Is his name Micheal Connor Scott...similar...from Nashville 14 year old son...although he waited 6 months to actually ask for iTunes card. Now has a broken phone. Stuck in Albania, supposed to be home at Christmas. Has multiple profiles on international websites. Sends pics, some in USA. Some even with wedding band on. I went off today. Blocked him on Hangouts, he could never call. His gmail is still active. But I’ll handle that tomorrow. Glad I don’t share my money anymore...best thing my EX did for me...made me independent of men. Now Micheal says his 14 year old son’s name is Logan and he is staying in Nashville with his Aunty. Kinda strange how elaborate their stories are.
Toosmarttoplay
February 12, 2020

In reply to by Almost burned twice

I have a guy from Nashville. His nam is Derrick Sanders. Has a 7 year old and a grandmother named Anna. A nanny takes care of them and he is behind ...I didn’t send a penny?!!
Daisylou
December 07, 2019

In reply to by Confused In DC

Omg!! Same thing just happened to me! Flight attendant Jerry Leonardo. 5 year old daughter living with a nanny in Maine while he lives in NYC. Ex left him for another guy and left their daughter. Says he moved his daughter out of state so her mom couldn’t access her. Asking me for money when I told him I literally have more debt than money! Says someone hacked into his WellsFargo account and took half of his life savings! Says his account is not accessible right now due to the fraud. Sends a screen shot of an account with just under $88K in it, but needs money I don’t have to help his daughter! Trying to guilt me all the way! I told him no, and of course I get that it shows the type of person I am! Sent pics even Skyped me! Wants to move together and get married and adopt his daughter! Met him on POF and moved to WhatsApp right away! Getting on WhatsApp was as far as I went. I didn’t even feel good about that. I admit, I was starting to fall hard for him, but I don’t let myself anymore as I’ve been screwed by my exes.
NQanah
March 18, 2020

In reply to by Confused In DC

Where can we post photos of these scammers ??? I take screen shots of photos, am going through the same but we need to be able to share a photo sometimes descriptions are not enough
Bella
August 18, 2020

In reply to by NQanah

We Need yo Share photo os these scammer we must open a page with all the photo to awere other womens we can help other people.....
Katie
September 24, 2020

In reply to by Bella

A man introduced herself on my Instagram page we are now talking on Hangouts
Amaz
September 28, 2020

In reply to by NQanah

I'm chatting to guy now that somewhat fits the profile. Hasn't asked for money but has son and daughter not widowed but divorced. Has sent me quite a few pics including his passport...with all info.. Maybe he's legit but I'm quite cautious as I was approached online by Smith Anderson and I was quick to cut him down. Is there anyway of exchanging pics I really need to know as I'm already shattered.
AuntieA7
August 09, 2021

In reply to by NQanah

Hello I think it's same man that's doing same thing to a family member and a friend of mine. Been trying to help them and convenience them he's same person and scamming them however I can't find any info on him. Is there a place that has pictures? Please someone help me help them before they lose everything!
Lovejenesis
January 01, 2020

In reply to by Icantbelievethis...

I think I am going through the same thing. And omg one of them has my work address! Now I’m terrified. What do I do?
Feel Slated
January 28, 2020

In reply to by Icantbelievethis...

I also accepted a follow request on IG from a man, (Giovanni F)that I didn't know or any of my friends and I thought, why not. We started to have friendly chats since 11/19/19 . He said he was at the SouthPole working in an Air Strip there. I was enthralled by the fact that he was on the bottom of the world and we were talking. . Long story short, he has asked me for money on more than one occasion $3,000 and he even asked me to get him a $50 Itunes card (which I did), but now (today) he has asked me to take out a payroll loan to help him with food and supplies that he needs down there. I AM SO CONFUSED AS I THOUGHT (FROM ALL OF HIS TEXT AND CALLS) VIA GOOGLE, THAT HE REALLY CARES. Now from reading all of these post, I feel like I have been slated and my heart is utterly broken :-(
ltran
September 12, 2019

In reply to by mikita

I have the same story except it was a 14 yo girl. I sent $20k, im so stupid.
Anna
December 15, 2020

In reply to by mikita

Same thing his name is mark williams to me wife and daughter killed in car accident and needs $10000 for new drill bit to finish job to come see me. Blue eyes brown hair crooked nose very sweet I have photos do you?
Lucy
September 06, 2019

In reply to by Charlie

I'm from Perú and i have a similar story: he told he is german, but in USA, divorced and he has two daughters in boarding school. I didn't send the iTunes card that ask, cause I search info before. Thanks for your comment. It helped me.
Anonima
February 12, 2020

In reply to by Lucy

What was his name because he sound like the same scammer I chat with and german but working in oil rig in germany his daugthers in boarding school asks for money and cards.
Queenie
June 05, 2021

In reply to by Anonima

Was his name Jason Said wife died 3 years ago from cancer Needs money to get back home to NY
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