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It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. You may think you spend a lot on flowers or chocolate, but losing money in a romance scam would cost you even more. Last year, people reported losing $143 million to romance scams – a higher total than for any other type of scam reported to the FTC. And, according to a new FTC Data Spotlight, reports of romance scams are on the rise.

What do we mean by romance scams? We’re not talking about the person you thought was “the one” but ended up being a dud. We’re talking about people you meet online, who lavish you with attention … and then ask for money. Usually they want the money by wire transfer or gift card. They might claim they need it for a medical emergency or to come visit you. Then they take your money, but there’s no surgery and no trip.

Romance scammers are hard at work wooing people on dating apps and social media. They may lift photos to create an attractive profile or even steal the identity of a real person. Just like with real romances, it may take them some time to gain your trust, but the scammer’s payoff can be big. Last year, people reported a median loss of $2,600 from romance scams.

How can you avoid romance scams?

  • Never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person.
  • Take it slowly. Ask questions and look for inconsistent answers. Check the person’s photo using your search engine’s “search by image” feature. If the same picture shows up with a different name, that’s a red flag.
  • Talk to someone about this new love interest. And pay attention if your friends or family are concerned.
  • If you suspect a romance scam, cut off contact right away. Then, report to the scam to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Notify the dating site where you met the scammer, too.

For more information, read Online Dating Scams or watch this video:

 

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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.

Casablanca
March 06, 2021

In reply to by scamed

My daughter is talking to someone on scrabble who says he has lost his wife to cancer and has a ten year daughter. He goes by the name of George Anderson. He claims to be a dr. With the UN in Afghanistan. My daughter has learning problems and lost her husband last year. He has her believing every word he tells her. I am very concerned as she has given him her address as well as her tel no. Not asked for money yet....does anyone know him?
Iknewsomething…
April 13, 2021

In reply to by kitkat

I was also contacted by this Dr. in Yemmen. He contacted me through Facebook dating. He is going by Dr. Gregg. Claims to have two boys, 1 14 year old and a 16 year old. Divorced and falls in love quickly. He was proposing marriage 4 days after he met me and wanted me to leave Facebook dating to begin chatting with him on What's up app. He hasn't asked me for money, but I know this weirdo is up to something. Women beware.
Clara
May 05, 2021

In reply to by kitkat

Hi, Kitkat! It's too much of a coincidence! I've been contacted by a very gentle someone that calls himself James Brown, Canadian doctor working in Yemen, greyish hair, teenage daughter. . . I have the picture, would love to see yours!
Binda
February 10, 2021

In reply to by DMona

This sounds like the guy that I've been chatting with up till a week ago. Dr. Michael Thompson from North Carolina working in Syria. Has a box he needs to have sent to me that has 4 million dollars in it, plus documents and photos of his late parents. The company that is storing so called box is shutting down and he has no friends to ask to receive it. Oh, did I mention I'd have to pay the shipping costs. What's with these losers. They are not looking for love, they only want your money and then when they've taken all yours and you smartened up they move on to someone else. Or they work several people at a time.
Red Dress
February 10, 2021

In reply to by DMona

I have a similar story. Just realized yesterday. Can you send me your pics he sent you please?
kitkat
February 22, 2021

In reply to by Red Dress

sounds like someone im talking to . anyway to share the pictures ? This guy has greyish hair , handsome . Brown eyes , dr in yemen.
Ash-639
February 11, 2021

In reply to by DMona

Can we please exchange information. Think I’m chatting with him. Can you describe the pictures?
Angel2021
February 23, 2021

In reply to by Ash-639

oh my god I have the same issue. Can you send me a pic. I'm going to go throw up real quick, be right back.
Mallen1962
February 12, 2021

In reply to by DMona

Sounds like the one who had been trying to scam me
Shelley Pricebaum
February 24, 2021

In reply to by DMona

So this adorable looking friend of a friend on FB by the Name of Alex Mason wants to be my friend. I figured it was ok, however,... He introduces himself as an "Orthopedic Surgeon Doctor," who is on a UN Peace Keeping Mission in Yemen. Oh and he has a lovely 16 year old daughter. He is not associated with the AMA or any Washington State Medical Registery which is odd because he said he practiced in Seattle, Washington. When confronted with his lack of creds, he crept off and I blocked the creep
Christina
April 06, 2021

In reply to by Shelley Pricebaum

Hi Shelley I believe I'm being scammed by the same person. Can you please send me a picture? This person somehow got my information.
Ramona
March 03, 2021

In reply to by DMona

Does he go by the name Bryan Orthopedic surgeon In Syria with the united nations peacekeepingScott
40 years old women
April 09, 2021

In reply to by DMona

Hei Can any one help me if you heard any Doctor claim to be working in Yemen under UN. He wants me to send letter to the UN about his vacation? Any one knows if this is scam. His name is Cheng Lee or Park lee. Pls help
amb
April 12, 2021

In reply to by DMona

I am talking to the same guy I guess. He has not asked for money as yet but says he has a son at Boarding School in England. Do you think he is a scammer. He seems so genuine. I have asked for a specific photo to sent to me.
Notsonaive.
September 22, 2021

In reply to by DMona

What is his name.sound's very familiar to one I've been speaking too.
Milly
January 20, 2021

In reply to by Love betrayal?

I have the same thing can you tell me more about him? Does he say he’s divorced, parents passed away, son passed away ? Does he say he’s the only doctor working in Yemen for 15 years ? Is he saying he is from South Korea
Scarred for l…
February 01, 2021

In reply to by Love betrayal?

I have a picture ,same Scenario. Want to share a picture.
Bobcat
April 04, 2021

In reply to by I think I am …

Please send me a pic this doctor is being scammed along with you and me.i am sure this is the same man. the scammer gave me a name he is using for this doctor George Michaei he is a surgeon I have pictures of him.do you know the doctor real name please let me know thanks
Ginny
August 09, 2021

In reply to by Love betrayal?

Almost same circumstances. Dr in yemen, daughter at home alone,a minor, needs money to send to un to get home early, goes by Michael lange or lawson
scopio1985
August 21, 2021

In reply to by Love betrayal?

Hi please can you share pics with me im having the same story relayed to me.
sucker
August 29, 2020

In reply to by No me sucker

I would like to see your pictures. I have been speaking with a dr. from yemen widow with 14 yr old son in boarding school needing money.
Forgetpics
September 03, 2020

In reply to by sucker

They change profile pictures but continue to use the same scenarios. This is a scammer. A Doctor in Yemen is not going to need money to get home or whatever other nonsense he is claiming. Block him before he drains you emotionally & scams you out of your life savings.
Idiot
October 27, 2020

In reply to by sucker

I was in contact with a vascular surgeon , widow, born in Sweden, working at UN in Yemen that needed emergency money to help his 14 year old son who was ill at his Sweden boarding school. Just horrible the lengths of deceiving this ppl go.
Me too
November 01, 2020

In reply to by sucker

I met this guy in scrabble. Swedish surgeon working for the UN in Yemen. 14 year old son, widower , son in boarding school. Asked me for itunes card fir his birthday. After that son falls ill. Asked me for $750 to get nanny to sweden to help his son. Unbeliavable!
Yemen lover
September 22, 2020

In reply to by No me sucker

Hi I have some Pictures of a man in Yemen- could we exchange them to see if he is match with yours?
Imannoyed94
November 05, 2020

In reply to by Yemen lover

Would love to see pictures too please!
Stupidity
November 17, 2020

In reply to by Yemen lover

I would like to exchange pictures.
Llama
November 24, 2020

In reply to by Yemen lover

I have pictures too. Why isn't anyone sharing pics. It would help me a lot
scamed
March 02, 2021

In reply to by Yemen lover

I think I am talking to the same guy Please can you send pictures?
Donna
September 25, 2020

In reply to by No me sucker

Hi, I currently have a widow surgeon claiming to work with the UN in Yemen. I would love to check pictures of him with you.
Igotcatfished2020
December 04, 2020

In reply to by Donna

Same story here. Good looking blond guy. Claims his wife died from cervical cancer & he is working in Yemen but lives in Beverly Hills
Goldenfish 102320
January 03, 2021

In reply to by Igotcatfished2020

That blond guy you said from Beverly Hills is he a doctor? What name did he used ? He sounds familiar . Did you just meet him this December?
Don't use your…
February 14, 2021

In reply to by Igotcatfished2020

General in us military. Working with Nate on peacekeeping mission. Very handsome gentleman Knows all the right things to day. If it’s too good to be true.......well it’s not true. Red flag, if he was who he said he was he would be looking for someone half my age. These scammers have a lot to learn. Especially English grammar , incomplete sentences etcnot understanding our slang words Is there a way for them to be identified and punished. Never did ask for money or anything
XenaADon't use…
December 25, 2020

In reply to by Donna

Please send me pictures because l have a same situation
friendhelper
September 29, 2020

In reply to by No me sucker

Do you have a photo of this doctor? If so would you share?
Just wondering
October 19, 2020

In reply to by No me sucker

Hi, what was the surgeon name in Yemen?
Anba
October 29, 2020

In reply to by No me sucker

I have the same story . Widow surgeon working in Yemen. He has sent me his photo's with daughter. He has called me every day in the morning before he went to "health care " , during the lunch time he sent me some messages and we had talk at the evenings. He was very attent. He has told me about his wife who passed away in accident. He asked me for iTune gift for his daughter. I did it once. Then he asked me the same for the second time I have found it suspecious. I used google scan to check his pictures. They've been stolen from Facebook and LinkedIn of someone else.
not surprised
January 18, 2021

In reply to by No me sucker

i was a sucker too this one really almost had me fooled i have pictures too
Investigation …
February 06, 2021

In reply to by No me sucker

Hi! I had a guy named Harry Hendricks message me who said he was from Poole, UK and is a white Orthopedic Surgeon. He then says he’s looking for a “ good friend” and bored. Then he says he lives in Sana a Yemen. Immediately wants to know if I live alone or with someone(red flag). His pictures on FB are of him in his “surgeons gown”. With Professor Masseen on his dr’s hat. He must be a scammer and using a fake pic. Have you heard of this one?
Undaunted
March 07, 2021

In reply to by Investigation …

Yes this felllow. Contacted. Me tonight via Instagram
Metooha!ha!
July 05, 2021

In reply to by Investigation …

Harry contacted me 1 week ago on Facebook... same photos and description..soon asked me to use the WhatsApp as he was not going to be on Facebook any longer..it’s a business account...anyone else?
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