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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:

 

Search Terms
imposter
online dating
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Topics
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
Scams
Romance Scams

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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.

Don't use your…
April 13, 2021

In reply to by disbeliever

Can you email me this person I think I have the same. Thing he said he’s name is David William that he got a son 14 and that his wife died over cancer and that he’s parents died in a car accident, he also claim he is from Germany
Annie
May 29, 2020

In reply to by Angel

Hi Angel, I also met a guy from Instagram he sent me message his name goes with William Stephen he said he is from US and Doctor now in Yemen. He has one son I have a feeling he is a scammer. What I did I am the one who asked for money and he said he will help but needs to add WhatsApp Id number of his bank manager to transfer money which I didn’t do. I would like to send you the photo of this guy. I am not able to send here.Please send me your email address. Thanks
Cac
June 22, 2020

In reply to by Annie

I met a guy on a game, James Owen. He is a UN orthopedic surgeon in Afghanistan. His wife died of cancer several years ago. He has a son going to school in the UK. He hasn't asked for anything yet, but this isn't the first time I've been approached and chatted with in hangouts. I've had a petroengineer and someone in the army. This guy has chatted the longest without asking. Why would a petroengineer need money?? Lol I have given nothing. Some of these stories sound familiar.
DEDE
June 25, 2020

In reply to by Cac

You guys, these are all such scams. I met Dr. Edward Todd who is apparently from Mississippi but is working for the UN as an orthopedic surgeon and is currently in Somalia. You can enter that name in Instagram and find him. He wanted to message via hangouts. I googled the situation instantly, told him I did so and that he was a scammer, and he let loose on me with a bunch of slang. His English wasnt great and it sound like a second language, which was my first clue. Said he had a 14 year old son named Elvis living with his godmother in Mississippi until he gets back to the states in July. Divorced for 4 years because she cheated. He didnt have the chance to ask me for anything.
Cody
August 18, 2020

In reply to by Alabamamaidem

I have one a picture .. same story about being a surgeon in Somalia and had the son in Mississippi ....
Cody
August 18, 2020

In reply to by DEDE

I just got caught up with the dr Edward Todd too ... exact story ! Started to ask for money for his son Elvis computer .. made no sense .. Did anything happen after you blocked him? Omg but the pictures on his Instagram looked real ?? Then I started to google him n now know he’s a fake !
Cody
August 18, 2020

In reply to by DEDE

Did anything happen when you blocked him ? I don’t want to make him think I know yet ., I said I’m back at work and busy ..
Cindy
August 21, 2020

In reply to by DEDE

Same exact story .. but also told me his parents were assasinated by their business partners when he was 8 and was raised by a friend .. but was left very wealthy .. needed $$ though to buy his son a computer back home Bc his assets were tied up .. i was skeptical all along then saw your story and just blocked him .. I wanted to know did he try to reach you anymore?
Dakameg
July 01, 2020

In reply to by Cac

Sounds like same guy who thought he was scamming me, his name, James Owens, days he's from Ireland but. Says he's a civil engineer in construction working on ship for 13 months on the Ivory Coast, days he had 2 sons and wife died from breast cancer...Says no one since his wife died so he's so lonely and said i sound very smart and loving and he knows he can fall in love with me and would be happy forever, hasn't asked for anything yet but I knew from begging he was a scammer, after a while I told him that wasnt his pic, by the way gorgeous, asked if he could call me honey, also say baby, does get mad when I don't believe him, very religious and thinks he's romantic and he knows he's in love with me now, I played along for short time to find where he's really at, and was trying to find out what he liked like cause that pic want him, pic on a website of guy who it actually is, and he's married, somewhat people got his photo, can we all see our photos to see off its same pic off you haven't talked to him on have chat.
Judith
July 04, 2020

In reply to by Cac

I just met this James Owen as well. I confronted him with this page and I got the reply: he didn't tell me earlier because of security reasons. Blocked his number. And thanks for informing me about the petroengineer, they both approached me in a game of Yahtzee this morning!
mmz
July 20, 2020

In reply to by Cac

I chatted with James Owen says he is UN orthopedic surgeon in Afghanistan and his wife died of cancer years ago. Says he has 2 daughters (show on his Facebook page) and 2 dogs. He asked me to buy phone card, then send to him (he said he will pay me back) so he can talk to his daughters that are in boarding school in Russia. Says he is a millionaire but doesn't have access to his bank account in the US. Says he is from Oklahoma City in the US. No, did not fall for any of that; be aware whenever someone asks or wants money or wants info.
Pattycat
August 19, 2020

In reply to by Cac

Wow, these guys have a script. My guy has been chatting with me since may. He has dead wife who died from cancer. No parents. Grew up in Australia. Son lives in Manchester Named Alex . Orthopedic surgeon in Kabul. Works for the UN. I can’t find anything on him. I did find a Ghana number on his site one day while I was searching his instagram site . I have a ton of pictures
Wedadoe
February 21, 2021

In reply to by Cac

I met James Owen on Yahtzee same story. Do you have pictures? I confronted him on this when I saw this site. He got upset and said he would never ask me for money. That he had plenty . Have not been able to verify ID. Still chatting with him.
WittyBonita
July 26, 2020

In reply to by Annie

The doctor that I met in Instagram says he's a Brazilian working in Yemen and is working with the UN for 2 years now. That he has 2 kids left in LA, where he met and used to live with her ex-wife. He deactivated his IG account and we started talking on WhatsApp. I'll be glad to share his photos he sent me. How?
Gianna
May 29, 2020

In reply to by Angel

I have a very similar story and would be very thankful to get a photo of this "orthopedic surgeon" to compare!
Annie
May 29, 2020

In reply to by Gianna

Hi Gianna, Please let me know where I can send you the photo to compare. Thanks
Heather
March 19, 2021

In reply to by Annie

Hey Annie I have a friend with a guy I believe he is scamming her he has this same story can you send me the pic?
Nancyon't use …
June 29, 2020

In reply to by Gianna

I have a similar story. Jeffrey Dennis, Age 51, Orthopedic Surgeon, was in Jacksonville, FL. Says went to med school in UK. Signed UN contract for Yemen for 5 years. Says been there 2 yrs now. Says Can’t take photos there. No money; no access to bank account. Wife Rita died during childbirth 3 yrs ago. Son Michael is 13 & in military school in NY. Email is 7777jeffreydennis@ on hangout. I deleted conversation, but started it back up. I have a new photo & copied it. He eventually asked for gift cards. Have tried to research with no results. How can I get pic verified? I’ve had a feeling it’s a scam but I want to be wrong!
Nancy
June 13, 2020

In reply to by Gianna

How do you share a picture? I have one. Orthopedic surgeon, widow, in Yemen.
Maria
July 30, 2020

In reply to by Nancy

Hi I have a orthopedic surgeon widowed no kids working in Yemen. I wonder if it’s the same person?
Anna
October 23, 2020

In reply to by Maria

Have a same story can you send me a picture of him
Confused
July 30, 2020

In reply to by Nancy

Hi Nancy, I met an orthopedic surgeon, widowed no kids. He messaged me via instagram and is now on a contract working in Yemen. His IG account has since disappeared. My guy has dark hair, dark eyes. I have a photo I wonder if this is the same person? I was hoping he was genuine but I’m not so sure
Destiny
December 21, 2020

In reply to by Confused

Hi he sounds like i guy i.was chatting to except he says a daughter in uk.but sounds like him.
Cat
July 20, 2020

In reply to by Gianna

same here. Orthopedidic surgeon working in Afganistan for UN. I have picture of him in green scrubs.
Luckygenius1
October 12, 2020

In reply to by Cat

That sounds like the guy who scammed me claiming to be a doctor working in Turkey and begged me for months for money transfer .. His very polite , sweet talk and texts with loving words .. he goes by the name Alfred Oreily
Maria
July 30, 2020

In reply to by Angel

I met someone via IG. He claims to be an orthopedic surgeon working for Doctors Without Borders in Yemen. I wonder if it’s the same person?
Just wondering
October 19, 2020

In reply to by Maria

Please put a picture because I have been talking with someone who said they work with Doctors Without Border in Yemen. He has a salt and pepper beard. Black hair and goes by the name of Tyson Weber.
To Good To Be
August 21, 2020

In reply to by Angel

I think I might be talking with same guy also. What you said matches. Please get into contact with me I have pictures so we can see if its the same " Dr". He's good that's all I can say . Just glad I figured this out now before I lost $$.
Jack
August 23, 2020

In reply to by Angel

Just had a whole week of being completely taken in by a guy call MD Khocan McClain, widowed, she died in car crash, teenager daughter, his profile pic was lush, orthopaedic surgeon in Yemen, progressed v. quickly after establishing trust and honesty - all we talked about for a few days was trust and honesty, then he wants to come her to see me and release from his UN contract and wanted £5,700 as a registration fee. could not access his bank account because of the civil war, I have not broken contact as I want to get more info to set him up. had video contact that is why I believed him. Tall, mid 50 - 60's? dutch, handsome, beard.
Amelia
August 14, 2021

In reply to by Angel

I would love to share a picture of my Doctor Who is in Yemen by the name of Alexander Spencer later tells me klug. How old is your guy
Panmar
June 13, 2020

In reply to by Jessica

Sounds same has me doctor in Yemen but been on cam for few seconds he look sane has pic any chance I can see uf it’s him
Jack
October 08, 2020

In reply to by Panmar

Does not look like we can send photo links of these (or the same) men/man... I have tried to resize it and change the format but no can do. He liked to drink Dead Rabbit Irish whiskey...
Stardust 789
August 10, 2020

In reply to by Jessica

Hey Jessica, how can we exchange pictures? Just tell me..
Mexican Girl
October 22, 2020

In reply to by Jessica

Can you send me pictures I think we have the same story this guy send me photos and we just made video calls and it’s the same person and he has a son named Owen, do yo have pictures of him?
KariDon't use …
June 16, 2020

In reply to by debbie

I think it's the same one. My daughter told me he is not real. I have many photos.
Nanny8888s
September 28, 2020

In reply to by debbie

Anyone ever had doctor in yemem want to send me larhe sum of money to hold till his contract was fone in a year?
Jay
March 11, 2021

In reply to by Nanny8888s

Yes , he said he wants to send money necklace ring and apple computer and iPhone , can I send you picture he said his name is James & has a son named ben
Scammed by UNI…
December 25, 2020

In reply to by debbie

I would love to see the photos. Speaks 2/3 languages.
Bobcat
April 03, 2021

In reply to by debbie

How can I get in touch with you ladies I think I have the same man
Bobcat
April 03, 2021

In reply to by debbie

I have been talking to someone it's sounds like the same man you have been talking to and the same date.would love to compare pictures how can we get in touch
Htowngirl
March 14, 2020

In reply to by Nancy Drew

I met him too! Around the same time as you. I would love to see the pic of him that you got vs what I got
Micah
April 30, 2020

In reply to by Nancy Drew

Do you mind sharing a photo of this person? Sounds like somebody I’m talking to
Curious Georgina
May 19, 2020

In reply to by Nancy Drew

I met a Ortho doctor on line. Stated he was on a Peace Keeping mission in Yemen. He is a widower and has a son. Gorgeous with gray hair, asked for ITunes cards. Wanted to marry me. Lol. Said he needed money for an airline ticket.
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