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Image of cupid and heartNot everyone using online dating sites is looking for love. Scammers create fake online profiles using photos of other people — even stolen pictures of real military personnel. They profess their love quickly. And they tug at your heartstrings with made-up stories about how they need money — for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel. Why all of the tricks? They’re looking to steal your money.

As if all that isn’t bad enough, romance scammers are now involving their victims in online bank fraud. Here’s how it works: The scammers set up dating profiles to meet potential victims. After they form a “relationship,” they come up with reasons to ask their love interest to set up a new bank account. The scammers transfer stolen money into the new account, and then tell their victims to wire the money out of the country. Victims think they’re just helping out their soulmate, never realizing they’re aiding and abetting a crime.  

Here are some warning signs that an online love interest might be a fake. They ask you to:

  • chat off of the dating site immediately, using personal email, text, or phone
  • wire money using Western Union or Money Gram
  • set up a new bank account

Did you know you can do an image search of your love interest’s photo in your favorite search engine? If you do an image search and the person’s photo appears under several different names, you’re probably dealing with a scammer. And if the person’s online profile disappears a few days after they meet you, that’s another tip-off.

Here’s the real deal: Don’t send money to someone you met online — for any reason. If your online sweetheart asks for money, you can expect it’s a scam.

Unfortunately, online dating scams are all too common. There may be tens of thousands of victims, and only a small fraction report it to the FTC. If this happens to you, please report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

A woman looking at a dating site on her computer.

It is your choice whether to submit a comment. If you do, you must create a user name, or we will not post your comment. The Federal Trade Commission Act authorizes this information collection for purposes of managing online comments. Comments and user names are part of the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) public records system, and user names also are part of the FTC’s computer user records system. We may routinely use these records as described in the FTC’s Privacy Act system notices. For more information on how the FTC handles information that we collect, please read our privacy policy.

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.

Angels
April 17, 2016

In reply to by hahaha

Well that's something to be proud of - isn't it - are you in Africa? Does your father rule a village? I just want to know if you are one of the two I know.
thedude
May 28, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Just like nobody would say supposable, they would say (supposably from California).
WhistleBlower
June 02, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

I was scammed by a woman with perfect english from Botswana. All the signs were there but I didn't want to see it. She is a professional scammer, cheat, lies, and builds a web around you. Her name is Elizabeth , she uses AKA's, Lilly, Liz, Elizabeth K, Kayliz, kayliz13 ====TOTAL SCAMMER======
periwinkle
June 09, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Site coming from zorphia..real american online talks, was convinced it was real and used christianity in family. Very convincing trap. Used sweet nothings words and phrases. Then after 3 days he sents these 'good to be true' packages and used a legit courier company. Then email came from the national airport with the legit courier company; and package arrived and be delivered at once to mailing address but have to follow instructions before delivery of parcel. Have to pay first $400 before delivery and send money to this bank account via the express delivery money send out. The online mate burst out when I said will then have to RETURN ADDRESS the parcel. He asked me to bargain and email the person. Then there's this text that followed, follow ups if money had been sent. I replied the Police Office will attend to your texts. They stopped and I learned these were all fraud..hoax..PLEASE BE AWARE

azmesa69
June 13, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

I had one guy Micheal scott miller, he said that he has a son, that he micheal was in Nigeria and that his son stays at grandparents place, i meet him on line about a year ago i was one of them that fell for his bs, i did send him money via Western union, more then one time, then I told him that I was not going to do it no longer because I didn't have the money, he played the if you don't then that means you don't love me card, so i broke it off, did not talk to him for a really long time,

i have the kik, hangout apps on my phone for my family, and he found me again first on hangout i blocked him, then he just found me on kik, he began to tell me that he still love me and that he hasn't been with anyone else or even talked to anyone else because he only loves me, he said he had great news i ask what was it he said that he was going to get his retirement and is coming home, all he didn't was my address and my phone number, so i gave him my old address but told him that i was not giving him my number, told him that im not going though that again and that i will not be helping him anymore,

so he was black meilling me by telling me that all of my pictures my information that i sent him in the past, if i didn't send him 1000.00 tomorrow morning that he was going to make my life miserable and that no one would want me after he does that, so i told him that he'll get the money, and that I knew all along tgat he was a scammer, that by him threading me was only making mader and that i didn't believe a word he said, that was the last time I heard from him, but he did say he had to get off the computer and that i better be sending the money tomorrow morning,

Undercover
June 20, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Burdetty Mark do not accept any friend request from this man.I was told he's in Iraq of course he's wife passed away n he's parents he does have a daughter but other than that is all alone .I put out there to him: look if you're looking for money you picked the wrong woman. A few hours later he deleted FB N HAVEN'T heard from him again ...Lady's please be careful its very easy to fall in love .I'm not ready to give my money to some bum n shame on them using our service men ..
basketball
July 06, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

There's a guy who contacted me via Facebook and his name is Antonio Giampaolo. He has 9 other FB accounts under Pa Olo, Giam Pao, Antonio Gi, etc. claims to be a FIBA agent currently stuck in Cambodia due to unpaid bills and has outstanding taxes in UK and needs money to clear his tax liability in exchange for contract payment from Surrey Basketball Club
basketball too
July 11, 2016

In reply to by basketball

Murray Corrado and Veroni Basketballl agencies- scammers
Kate
July 08, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

I was almost scammed... I met a man in Ourtime. Successfull architect, I'm an interior designer. His pictures 2 were head shots only. After a few days he won a big 16 million dollar government contract in Accra, Ghana. Needed me to send iPhones and iPads for the Chief's approval of the land use for affordable housing. I did research on the project and the guy general info checked out, however what successful business man would ask someone he just talked, never met to do this. I played along and as I asked him more and more about his upbringing, family, work etc...he was inconsistent or using the same story over.

Beware...this guy had a German accent, said his mother was born in Germany, but he was born in San Fransisco. He got his masters in Germany, however he did not speak German??? How can you have a German accent if you do not speak German?!! Bottom line Ghana had a heavy German influence at one time. So the possibility of a scammer having an accent is likely. I asked for him to text me a realtime snap shot.. He did it was a shot of a picture. Also, there is an app called dingtone...you can download into your phone and get a phone number from another country you use your phone but the number that shows up is a chosen number from wherever you choose. For example this scammer had a Colorado number. He contacted me on the dating site, I believe they study profiles and then create a person around your profile. They know just enough. Don't send anything....I played around with this guy and he became edgy when I told him my brother was a fraud investigator.....LOL! Report them and block them. I suggest if you choose to continue using dating sites get a seperate phone and email address.

basketball
July 11, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Beware of Antonio Giampaolo, connected with Veroni Basketball Agency, Giampaolo Basketball Agency. Scammer fake FIBA agent.
booksmart2649
July 13, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

What is the guy talks to you on the pohne for many days and tell you he loves you. He did ask for money but is it possible they fall in love, These scammers. He talks to me on the phone every day
Sully
July 17, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Was he 33, sexy? Mine is Espinosa. I asked for 200 bucks, doesn't care how I send it. I paid for a site called catfish ed scam....you can search by picture. If a picture comes back w multiple other....it's a scam. Obviously he copy and pasted. Mr. Espinose text me non stop on kik sends a bunch of photos. Tonight he wants to download viber so we can talk. I've done research, lots, I've called the reserve, talked to other soldiers, searched his name finding instagram, facebook, and I believe tumblr. Lots of email adresses.half his story is very lagit, he claims to be in Cairo Egypt. It's all possible.....but why no skype? Army regulations he says! Ladies the newest popular thing soldiers are doing is acting single to have u pay, sleep with them and he returns. His wife would never know! Jose should be home in October....I will update asap. I want him, I don't need him, and I don't need the questions I feel in my gut...
wyoming54
July 26, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

I had a man name Joshua Gallagher birth date Sept 24 1962 he suppose to be working in the army as an engineer along with Nato. he lost his wife five years ago has a daughter mary who is 12. He got me off of a post I had replied to on facebook and he read it. we got to talk he did talk some sweet things. I feel for everyone until his daughter's birthday I was going to send a gift card and he got mad said no send her money through money gram I said no I told him I was told by my FBI friend and Police friends never use that or western union. He told me not to listen to them and wanted me to make his daughter happy to give her what she wants.

I said I would send a gift card and that was not good he got mad he would not give me an address at all. red flag- then he told me she wants an iphone and some electronic game I said well i sure hope your able to get it for her. Then he asked me to tell him how much I get monthly I said I make enough for me and that I am not asking him for anything. so then I got on hear read all the stories and it all sounded the same. I called him a scammer and he said I hurt his feelings I said I am not the scammer. oh another red flag he took and left facebook the next day after getting together no picture no nothing well I had already saved his picture the day we got together just in case then I asked for another one and he was much older that the face book picture, his daughter looked more 15-16 then 11-12 he had three numbers never answered any of them.red flag.there is nothing I can do as no money was given I don't believe thats his real name and not even sure if that is his picture or did he get into stolen id's as well. My mistake he has a picture of me, what will he do with it. any help on it,

Rihanna
March 19, 2017

In reply to by wyoming54

Hi, samething happened to me. I commented on Tom Hardy's instagram page and this scammer saw and started messaging me. His name Josh Gallagher, I even added him on Facebook.The pics used was of a hispanic guy very very good looking with chin dimple and beauty mark above the lip. He claimed to have a 6 year old daughter. His story was that his wife left him and sent divorce papers then got married 2 months after and hehas full custody of his daughter who stays with his mom because he is in the milatry. First time I caught him lyingit was 7am in the morning and he asked me how was my night going when I asked why he said night he said he was deployed in Korea 3rd time chatting I asked what time it was in Korea he said 1hr behind upon googling the time i found Korea was about 12hrs in front US time. He asked me to start online datinf and I agreed less than a week he started saying I love you, anpther fed flag. Almost a month into chatting with him he claims his daughter's birthday is the ending of March and he needs $400 because he is behind on getting her presents and his mom needs upkeep and maintenance. I cussed him out and I blocked him on instagram and facebook. He got offended when I called him an online scammer. After searching the Gallagher (on Facebook) which was on his uniform in the pics I found another account Carlos J Gallagher. I messaged him thinking I could warn him that someone stole his pics, his reply was ok baby!I blocked him and reported him as well. I thank God I didn't send money for them. At the beginning I also got the impression that he was copying and pasting like are you single? married? live alone? The same ques over and over.He used to send me pics everyday and I even sent him one of myself but Thank God it wasn't a sexy pic or anything. My guess is that they can use it to create their fake profiles but I am not too worried. They are very evil but they will get what is coming to them. His birthday was September 28th and he was 34yrs can't remember the year but sounds close. My mom even checked out his Facebook and his pics didn't evenlook the same he looked different in all some he looked very tall some he looked average height. When I asked his height hesaif 5'4. I googled celebs that were 5'4 and Kevin Hart came up another red flag because he didnt look that short in the pics. Also when I asked about family he would avoid the ques and go offline for the rest of the day and then apologise the next day that he fell asleep. What young man goes to sleep at 6pm or 7pm.Smh!
Hurtbyokcoupid
July 30, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

How to know if they are real of fake, I have been chatting with this guys that says he in the Army deployed in Afghanistan. Procceing leave for 6 months, has send me a lot of pictures of him self. Said the his leave has been a approved, but need to pay a donation before he comes back. Said he getting money from His Mom, he has not ask me for money, said he will take care of the problem, or just borrowed from friends. Does this happens to soldiers? Is he taking his time, to try to get me more in old in his live, or is true that if a soldiery pledges a donations it becomes a responsibility before they have to pay before they are granted leave. Please help
FTC Staff
August 01, 2016

In reply to by Hurtbyokcoupid

No, that is not true. Members of the United States military do not have to pay money to get leave papers, or to get leave papers approved. If someone says he is in the US military and he asks you for money for leave papers, or for money to travel home, that is a scam.

This article from the United States Army has warnings about people who pretend to be soldiers.

southern daughter
August 05, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

i met a guy on line. suspose to be in the army stationed in Ghana. started out just friends,wasn't long before he was saying that he loved me.had two different facebook profiles. he explained that right away.then i started to care for him. to make a long story short , he ask me to send him 1,800.00 .because he had lost something very important and if the army found out he would be in real trouble.And by this time i'm really thinking. sounded like a lie to me. But, i like to give everyone a chance.I tryed to get him to describe this item that he'd lost and or had stolen.He kept saying you'll see it when i come home to you.I contacted a military lawyer , and without giving names , i ask him about this item. SCAM!!!!!! OK, still trying to be nice. still lied to me. So, just to make myself feel better, i talked to a private agent. This guy was x-military. anyway the U.S.Army has no such item.this guy had the nerve to say , you don't trust me.I guess it takes all kinds to make this world go round. But, i really hate the fact that he's using the U.S.Army to try and scam people.
MGB007
August 10, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

I had been scamped personally 6 times by so called military personnel. I catch onto them pretty quickly though. I've never sent any of them a single penny. As a matterrible of fact, I play the game right back with them. The first dead give away is their lack of correct verbal and English grammar. Then thru will either involve their so called children and the kids will askr things like expensive computer parts or some type of gifts as if they are testing you to see if you'll bite. Also when you ask for their military i.d. and a picre of their dog tags, they will either send you a fake i.d. or they will make ip an excuse about their dog tags. All I can say is go onto the US ARMY CIC UNIT website and read "Romance Dating Scams" their article was released Sept 2015 after people reortedly lost approx $82M in 2014 to these scammers. If you do your homework, you'll save your heart and your money. Do not ever send anybody you don't personally know money or gifts of any type. Ladies guard your hearts and your wallets, save yourself the heartache and headaches and beware of who's really behind the profile. May God bless all of you.
Ben
August 26, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Recently, I'm facing a scam too! United bank for Africa wants to send me $30000 but first I've to send $888 to receive those money. $888 is the charge for sending through DHL. Is this true?
Jannaw0007
September 01, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Barry Nelson from Ohio ( not really) just scammed an elderly woman out of 1250 dollars. It was her Social Security, I didn't find out till it was too late. Is there anyway to get any money back or is this poor woman screwed? He said all the right things did all the right things she lied to her friends for love.. Now she's just behind on rent and brokenhearted
Brandon
September 28, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

I'm sorry that's has happened to you!! I pray for your safety!!
frank18851
October 16, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

I agree with you 100%. It is unfortunate that we are looking for love and these are the issues we have to deal with.
upsetman
October 18, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

I met this woman online on a site called mingle2. After we talked for a few days she gave me her Kik profile name. We talked on there and I asked her do she have a phone so she can call me. She said she can only use her phone for texting.

Within the 6 months I known her I helped her out by sending money via money gram because she swore she was going to pay me pack. I still have the receipts. I helped her out with her school things and also her gas and internet bill which she needed 250$ for. I even sent her aunt money 150$ one time for her to send back to her for a flight to Virginia.

She says she from Iowa but lives in Ohio currently for school. Her dad past some years back and she was going through a process with her lawyer with whom I talked to via email. Back in August I sent her 300$ to help her with the hotel costs because she had to fly out to California to meet a man name Mack then goto DC to meet her lawyer. She never went to DC and came back to Ohio.

She kept saying I swear to God my money will be refunded back to me. Her excuse was that the day her lawyer wanted to me up with her she didn't make it in time because she was still in California waiting for some documents to be released. After all that I still believed her until recently as of Friday 10/14/2016 she told me she had 160$ and told me to give her 180$ for she can book the flight. She said the flight was already booked and she was suppose to be at Richmond international airport on 10/17/16 at 9 pm.

She never showed up I waited there for 2 hours almost. I confronted her on kik tonight about it still waiting for a response. All she said was sound good when I told her she lied to me and I told her don't text me again. But messages prior to that as well. So I don't know what she was replying too, but I called her out and told her I hate her for lying and doing to this me. I am going to email her lawyer as well. What should I do, please help me. Her name is Susan Bill and we been talking to each other only through Kik profile since around April. I don't have her email address just Kik profile. She attends Winnepeg University.

I didn't want to file a complaint just yet, but she didn't say why she never shown up. I don't want to believe I've been getting scammed this whole time. And when I do send her money its to her friend name Maria her information for money gram is Maria Bright Arizona. I don't understand why is it going to Arizona and not Ohio. She told me that's how she gets her money. She mentioned the money gets send there first and then sent to her friend that lives there.

And she also stated that since she is a student they are not allowed to pick money up by them living in a dorm. I never heard of that but she told me to Google it. The flight tonight was from 17-24th but every time I asked for flight details and airline she never gave me kept saying she will send it to me she hasn't forgot. In all to it I invested over a thousand dollars to this person now I don't know if she is real or anonymous.

All her pictures seem like the same girl. She was begging me for a last chance after she kept letting me down. So this is why I'm here. I don't know if this the right way to file a complaint? But I am giving it a shot. I hope she still shows up as promise so nothing will happen and everything will be okay, but I have lost trust. She claims she loves me but way too many times problems occurred and I have got nothing but lies.

FTC Staff
November 07, 2016

In reply to by upsetman

I'm sorry this happened. It sounds like it could be a scam to get your money.

You can report it to law enforcement at FTC.gov/complaint. You can give details about the woman, and other people you talked to and wired money to. You can copy what you wrote here in the blog, and paste it into the complaint.

You could call MoneyGram and tell them you think fraud is going on. Call 1‑800‑926‑9400.

crystal c
February 26, 2018

In reply to by upsetman

That's very sad and i have also been though all that and i sent that guy 40000 dollars and i also end up gating nothing but lies and u can text me on
stupidgirlny
November 06, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

The guy I like goes by Smith Jackson. Supposedly he's in Nigeria working for a construction company, but there's some sort of business mix-up so he's having a friend wire $5,000 from a bank in Texas, but asked me to set up an account as well. I want to believe he's sincere - this is the first guy I've met in 9 1/2 years.
FTC Staff
November 07, 2016

In reply to by stupidgirlny

If you let someone put money in your bank account, and it turns out the money is stolen or involved in fraud, then you're involved too.

Unfortunately, your situation sounds a lot like the story in the blog. You meet someone online, you form a relationship, and then because of some emergency in his business, he asks you to send money or help him out and set up a new bank account.

Then he, or his associates, transfer stolen money into the new account (the account with your name and information on it) and they ask you to send that money out of the country. You think you're helping him out, but you're aiding and abetting a crime.

Don’t send money to someone you met online, or become his banker. If an online sweetheart asks for money help, you can expect it’s a scam.

chestercopperpot
December 18, 2016

In reply to by Jeanne

Scammer Marie Smith on Hpoz dating app. Says she's American and in Redwood City Ca. She's not. I flipped her con on her and she or probably he immediately tried to get me to help here in the US. SMITHMARIE is the name. Also on hangouts app as 1Mariesmith
Radio
March 25, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

Who is Major General James Rainey? He wants me to send money to set up a phone so we could talk .
ryantsosie
March 28, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

mine is very different and difficult to track, shes not across seas and shes wanting me to purchase iTunes card with 150$ to 200$ to transfer money into my account, shes from Houston texas and her lawyer is confirming shes needing help with the divorce payout , idk she s a scam and the lawyer as well, she said she gonna transfer 30000 into my bank account weird transaction for that kind of money to need help with
Bad4647
June 12, 2018

In reply to by ryantsosie

I have one name is Steve Cowell, he tried to deposit into my retirement account $80,000 but my thank god stopped it. ☺
beta1234
April 06, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

I was scammed by a man I met on a dating site. Hindsight is wonderful after the fact. The sole reason I believed his ruse is because he had an 'official' military email. firstname. lastname @us. army. mil. He did a lovely job of pulling the wool over my eyes. I don't understand how banks allow people to set up fake accounts (there were about 8+ accounts I sent money to). It was a complex ruse involving shipping a package, the Federal Reserve, a foreign exchange company, Amazon, a bank in Hong Kong, a travel agent and of course me, the victim. I lost a massive amount of money. When I asked the Federal Reserve about it, asked if they wanted info, they ignored me. Local cops here thought it was a new scam.

FTC Staff
April 06, 2017

In reply to by beta1234

You can report this to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give goes into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations. The comments you put here on the blog don't go into the law enforcement database.

sassygrrl32
June 05, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

Hello, some of your stories sound like what I've encountered. I was lucky. I reverse searched his photo after only a few messages and it turns out he's using a Ukrainian journalist Kostiantyn Petrovich Stogniy's photos. Mr. Stogniy has a facebook page which lead me to all the photos the scammer sent. It is similar to some of what I'm reading here. I met him on eharmony. He was supposedly from Los Angeles California and grew up in Florida. Widowed, daughter in boarding school. No family.Wife died from cancer. There are stories about the wife dying in a car accident also. Works as a drilling engineer in the UK. I've already found some of his other victims. He has had profiles in the US on several dating sites. There are victims in the UK, one I know about in Austria. HIs english writing is very good.You need to reverse search all of the photos your sent and no one will profess love immediately online with someone they've never met before. Ifi t sounds far different from all the other correspondences you're getting then you can bet something isn't right. And you need to tread lightly.
Concerned friend
June 26, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

My friend is also having this story... we suspected that shes being scammed... she dont want to believe us.. shes so into him.. The guy is David Scott.. a military, widow and with kids. He's from US but doesnt even sounds like American. He is currently in Nigeria and said that he is being shot. And that they need money for the operation.. He put my friends name as his direct family members (he said he no longer have family). And thats why the doctor contacted him for money for operation.. also the general ask her money.. and they also have wired money transfer before... to japan then nigeria..

FTC Staff
June 26, 2017

In reply to by Concerned friend

American soldiers get medical care from the US military. They do not need money to pay for operations. A doctor working for real US soldiers will not call and ask for money for an operation. A real US general will not call and ask for money.

Sergano
July 09, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

The best way I found to deal with online romance scammers is as for a simple request. I ask them to Send me a pic of them holding up a piece of paper with current date that says "hello Jp from wherever they are aka Nigeria" lol..thry drop like flies then
137777
July 13, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

Beware of a guy pretending to be Frederick Ramos, a widower from Argentina 2/ kids living in "both" LA Calif and Austin TX. He hacked into the POF profile of andean33 then deleted that profile. I goggled, then found his "love letters" on line he stopped contact when I confronted the imposter- and did not send him any money.
taintedluv
July 27, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

Jeanne, from my experience with online dating has showed me that most of the online profiles are scammers. The words and sentence structure should be a good first clue. You can tell if they are Russian or Nigerian by their linguistic accent. One trick I use to quickly identify a scammer is to ask them a sports question about baseball or football. These are Uniquely American sports. I'll ask something like, "What football team did Babe Ruth play for?" Any American would know the answer but a foreign scammer will be tripped up. End it right there. Remember that online romance scammers aren't who they say they are and all they have to do is change their email and they are gone to the wind. The first thing I ever do with a new email contact is track their IP address. That tells you everthing you need to know. I also have a good friend that did find the love of her life through an online service and he is a good man. Good luck.
Alexander
August 18, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

I've been a victim for a long time. I was in a very dark depression since my girlfriend died in a car accident two weeks before prom. After 1-2 Months, I started getting messages from these so called "sweethearts". One they ask you how you been doing. Second they ask you to send a picture, then they tell you where she's from and works at, then tells me this sob story about her last boyfriend and asked if i was married. She was luring me in to her trap. Even though im a very nice guy, she says that she's looking for a guy like me and wants me to be her boyfriend. At the time I didn't know that i was being scammed, we started talking about what we like and don't like, then she mentions that her birthday was on saturday and wanted me to send her a $50 iTunes Gift Card. I bought the card and before i gave her the code, i went to the itunes page and when i scrolled all the way down, there was a scammers/victims page. i read though all the blogs, they were similar to mine. I thought I was in love, but now i know it was just an act to get money out of me. I tried to call her, but the phone was under a different name. I knew i was being played. I'm never going to find true love after these incidents.
Fluff
September 17, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

Hi how do I search photos of a man that's been messaging me on Facebook.He messages everyday wants ITune cards thanks fluff
Ms MD
September 26, 2017

In reply to by Fluff

I think that's the same gu it st deleted, he claims to have his own oil business , and just got this big contract to go to china , and has one daughter, he claims he need itune cards to use on the ship , I ask him why can't he get them in New York were he loves , if he's such a successful businessman, and then I deleted him
Rhea1524
September 20, 2017

In reply to by Jeanne

I too am being scammed. Guy says he is a Major General in the US Army. Wife died of cancer 5 years ago. And yes within a few days he called me his wife and wants me to live in San Diego..He is supposedly in Kabul but the time difference he claims is only 6 hours. It should be 9. He has not asked me for money yet, but Im waiting, but glad I have the well awareness to kick this guy to the curb. Name: Able Owen
Josem44
January 06, 2018

In reply to by Jeanne

There a friend sending money to ningeria weekly still I don't say nothing because she in love with someone that she don't even know
crystal cooper
February 26, 2018

In reply to by Jeanne

how many years you mat that person online and i also got the same person talking to me seeking for help over here
Wonder Woman
March 12, 2018

In reply to by Jeanne

To save reading through 48 plus pages of people’s stories, here is a guide I have written to save time with Tell Tale Signs of Scammers based on the stories here and my own experiences. Hope it helps. Some people in countries like Nigeria and Ghana have limited work opportunities, so therefore becoming a scammer is a good option for them in their minds. They benefit from cash and gifts (iPads, phones and laptops seem to be favoured) sent by their victim and/or they ask for iTunes cards. Tell tale signs: Approach out of the blue on apps such as Messenger, Instagram, Linkdin, dating apps, and Words with Friends. Ask to move to another form of communication such as Google Hangouts, Whatsapp, Viber or Kik. This is so if their original account gets reported, they still have you. May have two first names like Alex William, Peter Josh or James Adam. Or an old fashioned name such as Donald or Ronald. Might have an ‘s’ on a name that wouldn’t normally such as Williams Fredrick. Won’t take no for an answer, ie you say you are happily married yet they still insist on pursuing you. Flatter your looks and personality. Have bad English for someone who claims to have an important job such as an American Engineer, oil rig worker, or a captain in the military. May use odd terms such as “Born of a Dutch woman” when claiming to be American. An American is more likely to say “My Mom is Dutch”. They very quickly start professing their love. Way faster than a normal guy falling in love with you. Call you dear, baby, sweetie and sweetheart a sickening amount. They may not ask you what you like and dislike, compatibility issues in a normal relationship, such as is one of you a vegan, hobbies etc or they may ask you things like your fav colour, pets name etc which can be used later for password cracking. If you met them on Instagram and they direct messaged you, you may find they have locked up their account (set to private) after the initial conversation so you can’t go in and copy pictures to do a Google search with. Their Instagram accounts are quite new and have few followers and people they are following. They don’t want to waste too much time on setting up, so they just do the minimal. They have very few photos too and no genuine likes or comments from friends. If you ask to use FaceTime or Skype they will say their camera is broken. If you do get to speak to them in an audio call, their accent most likely won’t match their given identity but they may make an excuse, such as they spent time working in Nigeria and picked up the accent. May make a rash statement early on that they are very keen to move to your country and have a new life with you. If they use red flag words like “Money Gram” or “Western Union”. They feign hurt and lay on a heavy guilt trip if you don’t reply to them, say no, or make excuses. They get busy or take a while to respond to you at times. This can be because they are having multiple conversations with others, or if they need to research your answer ie how’s the weather in England today? or wherever they claim to live. May cut and paste soppy poetry. They say “Age is just a number” if you mention anything about the age gap between you. Can be vague if asked personal information. May get their information mixed up and forget their own birthday or what they have previously told you. They don’t care if you are already married, engaged, involved or just not interested in a relationship. If they manage to get to an intimate stage and send photos and you do in return, these can be used against you later as blackmail. When they feel you are hooked they ask for money in a desperate situation that pressures you, such as they are flying in to see you and got stuck at the airport with no money, so please help. Or their dog, mother, child got sick and needs an operation. May claim to have a child at boarding school who messages you and needs money or equipment. If any online stranger asks for money, no is always the right answer. Even if you no longer consider them a stranger because you have been communicating daily and you feel you know them. Then you will see them get angry at you. Block and delete, and report their account too. Never give out personal information such as your birthday (they may ask so they can send you a gift), your address (to receive a promised gift), phone number or bank account number (they may ask for this to send you money). If they ask you to receive and forward on money from different bank accounts, this is money laundering and illegal. Always say no. The same goes if they ask you to ship and receive products to help them out. It’s important to keep a level head and realise the sweet older man who has a dead wife and is raising his child alone, isn’t who he says he is. In your mind, you picture him as loving and caring but really he is a calculated scammer.
Blount
March 23, 2018

In reply to by Jeanne

I was recently contacted buy a girl I suppose she's a girl saying that she's in Kenya and she needs to get back to the States she need a $900 to pay the hotel bill because the guy that she was supposed to go see that was there on a business trip left her with nothing and then it got to where she needed travel expenses and then she needed to pay for a new ticket and then when she got the new ticket she needed to pay new travel expenses because had expired could this be a scam