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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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Chilipepper
June 30, 2020

In reply to by Find the truth

I’ve been texting with him for over aMonth now. Asked for American Express gift card. For $200 for his Son. I do this for my kids all the time. So out of instinct I said ok. He’s head over heals. Said from Netherlands now lives in California. Does anyone have any pictures? I’m
Thinks im silly
May 29, 2020

In reply to by Almost suckered

Do you want have any photos I think i got him now
Not fooled
June 02, 2020

In reply to by Almost suckered

Sounds like the same guy as I chatted to,but he works in the gulf,wife killed in car accident,but his name is David Bryan.i'm playing along with him, he's just told me I can't write to him or video call him at his work station,as it's got strict rule's lol.and this girl ain't fooled
Thiscatcantbephished
December 05, 2020

In reply to by Not fooled

I believe I have been contacted today via Facebook by the same David Bryan, serving in Iraq, wife and 2 of his 3 kids were killed in a car accident coming home from a birthday party, raised in a boarding school with many other strange inconsistencies. He won't get anything from me. Sounded more like he was looking for a pen pal than romance.
Dazed and Floored
June 12, 2020

In reply to by Almost suckered

Had similar things about loving me no matter what size. He went by Frank Mauro, civil engineer wife died rare cancer, one daughter lived in Milwaukee! Feel in love with in a week, said all the right things. I bough5 a ticket to go there and with in 5 days h3 had to go to a Turkey fo4 a job. Day 5 or so after in Turkey? He asked for help On taxes for the govt. Needed $25k.
Heartbroken
October 07, 2019

In reply to by Feeling betrayed

I’ve been speaking to Michael Williams. Met him on Yahtzee. Professed his love for me. Wanted to send me a million dollars worth of gems. Divorced with a son named Tyler. Also from Houston Texas.
Wasted2months
November 05, 2019

In reply to by Feeling betrayed

I met Michael Williams or Michael Neil in August 2019 on POF. He used pics of Michael Rosenberger from AZ. Michael Williams claimed to be a tennis player from Rome, Ga. Over 2 months he scammed me out of $3500 in steam cards and Money Grams. He sent me a fake Georgia driver's license when i asked for ID. He professed his love for me 2 weeks after we started using Hangouts, and we were to marry by the end of the year. He said he had 2 sons, Ron and Kroy. His wife, Karen, passed 4 years ago in a car accident. Michael and his boys left Rome, Ga., to go to the Ukraine for a world tennis tournament. First, he said his credit card had a limit there, so he needed money to feed his boys for the rest of the week. Then he needed steam cards to keep his Verizon phone working there because he was roaming. He sent me a pic of Michael Rosenberger in a suit and told me he bought his Versace suit for our wedding while in Ukraine. He even sent pics of the engagement ring he bought for me. He wanted to order our wedding invitations while he was there, and then asked me to send a $200 steam card to help pay for them. When he booked his flight back to Atlanta, he said his card was declined for the full airfare amount, and wanted more steam cards so they could eat on their flight. The day he was supposed to fly back to Atlanta (and I was to pick them up at the airport), he was in a car accident on the way to the airport in Ukraine. His youngest, Ron, was riding in the front seat and was critical in ICU. Michael sent me pics of his own head wrapped in bandages and wires, and a pic of his son in the hospital. He said, "I love you baby " a lot and sent me poems that were copy and pasted-- especially when he was asking me for money.
scammed
November 15, 2019

In reply to by Feeling betrayed

I’m talking to Michael Williams now. Uses photos of Ernesto Verdugo.
Alexandra
February 26, 2021

In reply to by Don'Debbiet us…

Do you have a photo so I can see if it's the same man.
BLUEDIAMOND2020
July 30, 2020

In reply to by Feeling betrayed

Feeling Betrayed I have meet this man Michael Williams first at WWF then he suggested that we chat at Hangouts. He’s been asking for cards but I don’t give him.
ELIZABETH
June 01, 2019

In reply to by BTC

My knight in shining armpit is Karl McCottry. Born in Germany, finished schooling in US lived in Orlando FL. HE FOUND ME ON A NEIGHBORHOOD SITE!! Not a dating site. Claimed he fell in love with my pic instantly and can we go off line on email. When we were about to meet he suddenly got called to a job in Cairo which would take 9 dats but we could meet when he got back. He leaves for Cairo on Saturday morning. He anxiously gets me set up on Viber to chat and call. By Sunday he said he left the tools in the taxi that he needs to start the job and cannot work until he gets them bit his bank account cannot release the full amount that he needs so could I send him $1,500. And he will repay me with 50% interest. He too had a wife and child who died in a car accident 10 years ago and he was waiting for me to to come into his life. I’m the inky one who could help him because he’s alone in this world. No friends, no family, no business associates. A 64 y/o professional in business as an electrical engineer has no one to vouch for him or lend him Money. His drivers lic was fake. His passport said he was from Frankfort Germany but his passport type was coded originated in India He had an Indian not a German accent. He denied all but couldn’t deny he didn’t Jen have a home because his dL has an apartment address. . None of his pictures looked to match the voice and the personality over the phone did not match his written correspondence. All that being said I wanted to melieve him because I saw an attractive jovisl man in pictures who professed his love and faithfulness to me. Of course I did send him money. He became indignant snd called me cheap. As the days went by he became more angry and frustrated and blamed me for his losing his contract I WASTED HIS TIME AND HE GOT. NOT a DIMEN HE got not a dime.
WishIhadbeensmarter
November 15, 2018

In reply to by Tickedoff

I obviously was tricked in a similar way. Girl’s name is Kareen Wood. Asks for Steam cards now for the third time. That finally made me question her story. She claims to live locally but comes up with endless excuses for not being able to meet. Works in a coffee shop without name, lives with her female friend, her parents died in a car accident when she was little and she also fell in love with me rather quickly. I hope others will learn from these posts before they are taken advantage of.
Virginiang
November 20, 2018

In reply to by Tickedoff

I got the same story and he want i recieve his money for his business because he in army now . And he was ask me iTunes card . And he sent to me $200 because i said i need that
DrBsBFF
December 02, 2018

In reply to by Tickedoff

Same exact story except born in Greece, lives in San Antonio, working in China Sea and stranded in China.. all other info the same down to the camera on his phone being broken.. I can’t figure out how to look up His pictures though, wish FTC would create a place on here where we can compare them! I currently have about $9000, $4000 from a fake check the rest from borrowed funds from family and a credit card account I opened for him! Hate myself for falling for this guy!
Vulnerable
March 10, 2019

In reply to by DrBsBFF

I can't beleive there are people this cruel. After losing mother husband sister in three years was scammed by some guy on match Antonio Italian also got me off website. My credit ruined working three jobs to pay his bills off. I was so stupid. Been with same man all my life was in very dark place. I'm so ashamed.
Notebook
April 06, 2020

In reply to by Vulnerable

Does anyone know Dr. Bennett Anderson, Wife killed in accident. Lives near London, deployed to Coalition hospital in Syria, with no video/phone/internet capability. Met on IG changed quickly to WhatsApp. Has young son and daughter with Nanny. Unable to contact bank due to no internet. Needed money for food for children(sent), Amazon cards(sent) Medical Equipment (sent). Googled name, unable to find. Was at dark place in my marriage. Asked me to marry him after 2 weeks(even though I told him I was married). Calls me his "Wife". Talks about future as a family. Nanny in hospital in London with Covid-19(more money) Trying to think with my brain not my heart.
Hml
December 05, 2018

In reply to by Tickedoff

Hi Think we’ve met same guy very similar story, his name in Harry josh Wells . But wife cheated but is now dead. Again he wants to marry me etc etc , has an issue as his bank account has been blocked and he has to get home to meet with his bank manager. Asked me for £2000, the amount had altered since. I have refused saying I don’t transfer money into other people’s account. I’ve called him scammer as he wouldn’t send me docs to carry out s due diligence check.
Sam Chapman
January 10, 2019

In reply to by Hml

I never got scammed because I'm too smart for that but a few days ago I was texting a woman named Malissa Moore on Facebook. She wanted me to go to a site called Hangouts and said she wanted to get married soon so she could get access to her late fathers property worth $55.000. Whatever that means. Then she had the nerve to ask me for a $75.00 gift card for some project she had.I told her flat out no way and said I'd report her for being a scam artist. Then she begged me and said she loved me and wanted to get married right away but only if I sent her money. I told her to get lost and blocked her. Why do they let crooks like her try to rip honest people off I'll never know. You think you might find love but end up with more heartache.
Pj Factor
October 14, 2019

In reply to by Hml

Has anyone heard of AnthonyHaskins111 on Instagram or Anthonio withmore on Hangout? I met him on Instagram then went to hangouts. He has a good story why there was different names. Says he has 12 yrs son in Germany with sister. And is asking for steam cards. Wants me to scratch of back and send picture. Says he lives in Virginia and is going for Christmas but now his diagnostic machine has broken and needs a new one for $5000 so he can work. Says anything I can send would be great.
Elainec69
December 13, 2018

In reply to by Tickedoff

That person sound so familiar to me everything the same but the name Christopher David Dorrough is this person name Anybody know of him?
Jode72
December 31, 2020

In reply to by Elainec69

How do we see pictures on here. I have a Michael Alvarado similar story. Overseas on business. Wallet stolen. No money no food. 12 year old son w sick sister in law in California. Nobody can help w Money. Anyone recognize the name
BigDummy
December 12, 2018

In reply to by Tickedoff

They guy I was in contact with could be your guys brother! Mine has his own business, but the website has so many grammatical errors. He told me his parents were dead, only child, had a son that an elderly family member was raising. Sent me a copy of a "contract" for a job overseas that looked like a blind hamster wrote it. Needed large sum of money to get there. No , no, and no!!! It was all about money. Even had other women he was hustling send money to me, then me send it to someone else. Shut that down in a hurry. Every time I asked him a question about something that didn't sound right, he would ignore me. Found out recently, that he had.been in Nigeria all along. Called him on that, and he didn't like it. Haven't heard from him in almost a week.... probably because I told him I was broke, and that I busted him. Prob embarrassed. Going to check these other web sites, and see if he stalking them, too. What a big dummy he is...and I almost was!!
Saint Matthew
December 13, 2018

In reply to by Tickedoff

Yes. I was scanned for a lot of money. Independent contractor in Dubai. Needed money for project. He was building a home for some royalty in Dubai. I made wire transfers and sent many itune cards. Even booked his flight to the US. He never got on that plane. Said they could not check him in. I did find out that the lawyer he claimed to be using, was in VA so I notified him. I notified the FBI but never heard back. Could not get in touch with the bank or the land authorities to confirm anything. He was very good at his love scheme. Sent me flowers twice. Very attentive, sent me many pictures. I found him in Instagram but he has deleted that now. I meet him on Words with Friends. Then talked for months on what's app. He even had me take to his xwife to confirm him. I'm sure she was part of the scheme, as well.
Kathyxoxo427
April 01, 2019

In reply to by JNK

I have a man saying hes a doctor in Syria , Dr. Francis Martinez , hes claiming to be in love with me asking me for funds to get hom home to his daughter , He has his daughter bbegging me to be her mom , ive sent him over 2000 dollars in i tunes cards i finally figured out he was scamming me
he's Nigerian …
April 08, 2019

In reply to by Kathyxoxo427

He's been scamming me for years I was in denial. He's in Ghana there is no daughter he makes a living of scamming of lying to us women for money. Were supporting great life for him in hotel in Ghana. We fall in love with him he just wants money. He's black never coming home to you. Block him. Send no more money. He plays head games
Foolfor3months
April 24, 2019

In reply to by he's Nigerian …

That is true he writes the emails plays the daughter and calls you mom, he lies about house, cars, travel, everything, he just wants money until he cleans u out! He's the biggest scammer and lier!
sparkle
July 13, 2019

In reply to by he's Nigerian …

Is his name David Andre? Tall handsome black guy. Sends me love message every morning and calls me every night. Daughter named Nia?
Curious
August 08, 2019

In reply to by sparkle

Sound like the guy i have been talking to for months? Do u have pics of him or dtr?
Cheryl
February 28, 2020

In reply to by sparkle

I met David Andre on Tinder. He claimed to live in Sumter, SC and currently on job assignment in Germany. He stated that he is from South Africa. Immediately after contact, he asked me to join google. I always google men that I meet online. If you cannot find no information on them than the individual is problem fake. I also use phone reverse look-up. It should Andre number as a google number. I stopped all contact with him. His photo is very handsome , brown complexion nice here, speaks with accent
Lauren
September 16, 2020

In reply to by Cheryl

So similar but name was D’Andre on Tinder and claims to be in Georgia Country. Independent contractor. Something blew up and need money to buy supplies. Supposedly has one son
SmarterthanA5GRADER
March 30, 2020

In reply to by sparkle

I believe I'm talking to this- David Andre. Claims to be 55yr old. Caramel tone and 6'2. Sometimes wears glasses in his photos? He has a daughter also. He is supposed to be in Germany on work assignment. Wife died of cancer and lives in Maryland.
Inquiringminds
May 25, 2020

In reply to by SmarterthanA5GRADER

I think I have the same guy. How does he look like?
All Smiles
September 01, 2019

In reply to by Saint Matthew

I think I am talking to him now old man rich 46 white look a little like drew carey. Does he have a way with world like poetry. Call you queen?
Scammed&Hurt
December 12, 2020

In reply to by All Smiles

I think I may have been scammed by the same guy. Do you Harv a photo by chance? Thank you.
Evieyg
December 24, 2018

In reply to by Tickedoff

The one that i had spoken with for months says he was born in Louisiana but lived most of his life in Italy. Works on a vessel as a maritime programmer. Ex cheated on him with his best friend. Has a Facebook account. I also found an older account on Instagram. Very intelligent. Everything was kosher until he asked me to get an I tune card from Wal-Mart and put 200 dollars on it so he could get the e codes for e zines to upload videos faster to finish his coding on what he's programming. Of course I said, No. Then he said, I hurt him because he really needs me for that. He has sent photos, called on messenger and called on video chat with only part of his face showing while on a boat that was moving. Says he has no children or siblings and never been married. Any similar stories on here?
msrotten1
August 05, 2020

In reply to by Evieyg

What was his name? This sounds like someone that is chatting me up right now. Except that he has a child this time around.
Don't use your…
January 21, 2019

In reply to by Tickedoff

I'm talking to the same guy right now and hes asking me to check a bank account for him to see if theres a deposit. All info is the exact same as you mentioned.
ladybwell
December 12, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

Hello. My Prince is named Anthony Blake from Portugal. Supposedly lives in Beverly Hills. Independent contractor trying to bid on “big Job” in the Ukraine. Asked for large sum of money to get the awarded contract. I refused.
Gail smithwick
July 18, 2019

In reply to by Tickedoff

Sounds like "my oilrigger: wife died from illness, has 16 yr old daughter. Needed gift card for Amazon for her birthday but couldn't get it on oil driller at sea. Lots of excuses for name, address to send card for daughter, etc Finally found love of his life and daughter wants new mom
Almost got me
September 19, 2020

In reply to by Gail smithwick

Sounds like my guy. 1 week after 2 back and forth email chains a day he claimed he loved me and could not live without me. 2 weeks later he wanted money so his sick daughter could have emergency surgery. His wife died 3 years ago and was looking for me! I dropped him!
Sweet angel
November 27, 2020

In reply to by Almost got me

Sounds like the same guy i am talking to said his 16 old daughter was in a car accident needs $15000 for surgery. His wife died 4 years ago from breast cancer. Said hes working on an oil rig in the Philippines that hes coming home the end of November. He wants to marry me as soon as he gets home. Still waiting for him to pay me back for all the money I sent him $1700.00. Now can't pay my rent for what he did.
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