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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.

Search Terms
bank account
fraud
military
money transfer
online dating
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Topics
Shopping and Donating
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.

Concerned Cousin
April 16, 2021

In reply to by Divorced

Yes my cousin is talking to a man named Allen Williams Rogers... I believe he is a scammer. Works on an oil rig.. From Russia lives in North Carolina
Curious and cu…
May 23, 2020

In reply to by confused1

Sounds like the person I was talking to. Had to go to Turkey. Connected on a dating app, I’ve notified them of the fake profile. I did a google image search and found where the photos came from. It took a bunch of photos and tries before google found him. The “real” pictures are of a man from Spain whose profile says is a physical trainer/therapist. Claimed to be Australian. His dad and brother died and mom is sick.
2 of us scamme…
June 30, 2020

In reply to by Curious and cu…

Definitely same guy...used Richard Langham as hie name. We even messaged that person in the "real" pictures he used. Wish we could post photos of the scammers that have deceived us and stole money. He hung onto me for 1 year and thee other person simultaneously for 6 months.
Dumb girl
August 13, 2020

In reply to by Curious and cu…

He claimed himself as an architect/ property developer and a private investigator living in LA. Named himself Henry Rich Archer. I couldn't find his photos on reverse search. He said he is an Australian from Perth. His dad and brother died. His mom sick with Amnesia in Australia. His dad left a huge property on Istanbul Turkey and he went to change the property to his name and apparently had to redo the house. After two weeks of finishing the work on it, he had to pay the contractor some money and asked me to somehow get some otherwise they wouldn't give him his passport back. I did arrange some money and sent him, but the bank in turkey rejected the money. I was saved by god. Said that he was 34 yo. He definitely didn't sound like an Australian, but stressed some Australian accent here and there. He also said that his model ex girlfriend cheated on him with her manager. And he kept saying that he won a lottery ticket when he met me online. I was so much into him. He never appeared on video call. I thought i found real love. He made me feel so good about myself and when I realized all of these in was left heart broken. However, he once said he won a huge contract worth half a million and he called me on Skype, during then, I felt like a video of the person he claimed to be was played for 30 seconds with no audio. I can say that because it replayed at one point. While I was finding ways to help him, I called the turkey Australian embassy to help him and they told me about similar incidents and ghats when I realized this is a scam for money and he also said that he contacted the embassy but couldnt get any help. But the embassy did not get any calls from the person named Henry Rich Archer. God was definite with me. When I asked him to go to yhe embassy to get help, he got mad and me and broke up with me. It's been a week for today he did that. I feel stupid to have dreamy about a life with him. He even said that after he returned to LA, he will find a 4 bedroom house for us to start out life and marry in India and have babies. He sounded so realistic while he said all that. I cried after realizing it was fake and coping up from the disappointment.
Dontsend$$
August 15, 2020

In reply to by Dumb girl

Dont feel bad about yourself many people have fallen for this including myself. The universe was looking out for you and putting roadblocks in your way. Block him and move on.
Summer-story
August 22, 2020

In reply to by Dumb girl

OMG!!!! That is the exact story I was told. The only difference he was from South Africa and he’s name is Gorden, he has an accent and he sounds so real, I’m talking to him for almost 3 months every single day. When the exactly the same thing happens to him like you described, I send him money, but he still didn’t come. The man is gorgeous and so professional in what he does. He make feel so special, he never missed to call me or text me., he sounds so caring and loving.
Don'tSend$$$
September 01, 2020

In reply to by Summer-story

They are very good at what they do that’s why so many people are scammed by them. They are very attentive and loving and say all the right things. He will keep stringing you along and asking for money and he will never show up. It’s a scam and he is not the person in the pictures or messaging or calling and it is all lies. Block & delete him and then heal your heart break.
Tee
October 07, 2020

In reply to by Summer-story

I have a friend that is a widow, lost her husband in March. Anyway she has been talking to a guy his name is Leonard, in the service over seas, he sent her $3000.00 she put that in her bank, than he paid off her car, he tells her he loves her, calls her though out the day, he said he is an orphan, his parents died in a car crash when he was 7. I have told her it's a scam and to stop talking to him, but she doesn't see it. Has anyone talked to a guy by the name of Leonard? Oh he says he's from Utah
annasara
November 10, 2020

In reply to by Tee

I'm talking to Leonard. Spanish, from Madrid. Parents orphaned. Son 17 years living with head master in st. Diego. Right now doing cancer reaserch in Malaysia. He's using US phone number. Couldn't find any info. Of him. He said he's very reserved. We're talking second week. He loves me, he will marry me. He's rich. Will take care of me.
Smarter than him
October 23, 2020

In reply to by Dumb girl

Sounds just like my guy. I have been talking to him for 4 months. He was originally in Houston and then he was in Maryland for work. When he was suppose to come back he was sent to Turkey for work. Even sent me his work confirmation email. Told me to go look for houses. Sent me pizza and flowers. Has two daughter (Amanda and Noel). Mom abandoned them. They are now with his sister in Australia. Set up a crypto wallet for me and put in $100. I won’t touch it. He even sent me his bank account info so I could transfer money for him to businesses he needs to pay. When he was suppose to come home from Turkey his bank accounts got locked up and he needed $40k to finish the job. He has been on me non stop to get him the money. I won’t do it and he claims I don’t love him like he loves me. Jeffery LucaMoore. Anyone else have this guy.?
Angel
December 10, 2020

In reply to by Smarter than him

I think we got the same guy. I have pictures of you want to share. Name is a little different but I caught him changing his name. Lucas Walter or Lucas Johnathan or Lucas Smith. He claimed to have bought an a car for me, and sent gifts in the car from Turkey to the states. He used a website that seemed convincing at first. But when I got a call to pay $5,800.00 I knew it was a scam. It broke my heart because I was emotional invested. But, he turned really mean and rude saying I didn’t love him and I ruined his life because of it. Oh and he’s rich, supposedly. He also pushed me buying Bitcoin,
Yorkshirerose
February 03, 2021

In reply to by Angel

I have a Chris Walter at the moment I know he's a scammer did you get his IP address or picture
Almost scammed
December 13, 2020

In reply to by Smarter than him

Did you ever get to meet this Jeffery Lucamoore? Or was this online. I am actually in Houston and supposed to meet him today. I did a search on him because he honestly just seems too good to be true.... and this is what I found....
Covid-love
December 20, 2020

In reply to by Almost scammed

Jeffery Lucamoore is a scam!!! Don’t give him money! Block and delete right away! I didn’t want to listen and list money and my heart! Little by little he will convince you to give him money. He will promise you everything! Run away and save yourself.
Speaker Man
February 03, 2021

In reply to by Dumb girl

Hi, I'm a 60yo guy from Western Australia. I got scammed by a lady from a dating site. She must have known I was a soft-touch, she got in trouble doing business overseas. Threats of jail in Malaysia and Thailand. Just know there are a lot of lonely, genuine men inthe same situation as you. Big, sad hug from Dave.
Sweden
October 18, 2020

In reply to by Curious and cu…

Hi! How did you find the real person on pics, this spanish therapist? I want to identify "mine", please
Friend in Need
November 04, 2020

In reply to by Sweden

DID YOU FIND OUT HOW TO GET PICTURES IDENTIFIED I need to know how to do that
Amstumped
January 19, 2021

In reply to by Friend in Need

George Benton, 63, bald, accent. 6’2” slender. Says from Denmark Driilling eng currently in Dubai UAE Had explosion on platform. Messed up computer. Emergency please help. I did. Very pleasant, loving Explosion, bandits, messed up rig sent to Hong Kong with shieks for new drilling head. He is expected to pay half of cost because he was manager of platform site. 442,000. Had to borrow. All friends himself now tapped out. Im in for the computer, He needs 50,000 port charges in dubai . . To ship back rig to dubai. Before he can ship He stalls gets port guy to say its paid they get him sent back via Interpol. Contact is with UAE oil company that does exist. He now owes port guy 27,000. Sent money but some snafoo last 19000 didnt go. Now taken to jail in Abu Dhabi Due to port charges not arriving. Now has appointed attorney needs bail money. Anyone who knows how to photo id
Vancouver20
May 29, 2020

In reply to by confused1

I was in Iraq for a whole year and we still had phone and internet access, so don’t believe that
Soupopera
July 07, 2020

In reply to by Vancouver20

This 52 y.o. guy claims he is doc with WHO stuck in Iraq now cos about to be sent on dangerous mission. Widowed with 2 kids and mum. Our 22nd day and already saying he is disappointed that i can't pay 13k euros to fly him out on early retirement cos his joint account is locked due to female friend trying to steal all when he is in Iraq. 9 more weeks to go before contract ends. All sounds too convincing, but you get a bit weary when all poems, writings he sends you are copied and pasted from online sources. I am telling him stay on till contract ends; nowhere is safe.
hopefulbutt?
July 06, 2020

In reply to by confused1

I have met a good looking man that I'm his queen within a week. not even sure he knows my name. says hes traveling anesthesia nurse. wants me to recieve money from cash app. wondering how yours ended up
Hinger
August 11, 2020

In reply to by confused1

I met a guy sounding very very similar to this- very hot with an incredible body! Can only text cause of his work in Turkey. I am pretty sure he is real, but doesn't change the fact that he could be a scammer! I have pics- do you? Brown hair and eyes. I even got a video of him, but supposedly got in trouble. What was his name? Please respond!!!
MonkeyGirl
September 18, 2020

In reply to by Hinger

I'm pretty sure the guy I've been corresponding could be this guy. He goes by the name, Joon Seong Wang. He also send a video while in Turkey and got in trouble. I have lots of pics. Have tried to do reverse image lookup but have not found anything online. He has stopped texting since I refused to send iTunes card and accused him of being a scammer. He said he was hurt by my words when he's just asking for a favor from the woman he loves. I'm trying not to laugh, but it's funny.
Good girl
August 23, 2020

In reply to by confused1

Hi, your story is exactly the same as mine. He said he was an US Navy, in late 30, super handsome with good body. Their parent died in ghastly car accident, 60ft tall and confessed very deep love for me within only days and promised to marry me in my country!? He said he was deploying to turkey to peacekeeping mission and he succedd to save the live of the oil company boss from kidnapper and the man reward him $423.760 and wanted me to make him a new online bank account using my email because he forgot his own's email password. But the number of money that the teller agent deposite is not the same ammount of it, i dont know what will he do for the next. I am still talking with this "suspected scammer". His name is ALEX MICHAEL. Is it the same guy? Hope to get your reply please
ailurophile
August 28, 2020

In reply to by Good girl

Hi, your story similiar with mine. Do you have a picture of him? Or does he had some tatooes on his hand (full on the right and a half on the left hand)? Because now i still texting with him and i am afraid if he was a scammers.
Ary76
September 30, 2020

In reply to by ailurophile

Ailurophile I have the same description of the guy I've been talking too since July 20th...handsome, very muscler, has one half sleeve of tattoos and the other arm is a full sleeve of tattoes...he claims to marry me once he is home in November..he is in south Africa on a peacekeeping mission...we met on facebook...then he started sending pics of him and his 3 kids...he says he is divorced..his wife sold all his stuff while he was deployed in Afghanistan..sold his truck and valuables...and left the 3 kids with the nanny on base...he says he is from Austin texas...he supposedly had a birthday September 27th so now he is 44...and his dad died in a car crash and him mom died of cancer...their names was Hensley and Karen...his dad was African American and his mom was Jamaican...he grew up in New York and when his parents died he joined the marine and got married to his ex wife at 22 and she was 19 ..her name was jane....he says he has a daughter name Kayla who is 8 a son name Jack who is 6 and a daughter stormie who is 4...and goes by Chris benjamin...i have pics of him that he sent me...and confesses his love for me...and that he makes sure im eat...and taking care of myself...talks about God and writes me poetry....he supposedly lost his wallet right before he was deployed to Africa and his bank had to freeze is account do to him losing his wallet...then asked me if i had cash app...i sent him $50 once to someone cash app cause his card was in his wallet...so i screenshot the name of the person I sent the cash app too...and said he needed it to pay for his connection to keep in touch with me...but i realize the military has free wifi wherever they go...so now I've been playing him lately and not talking to him and he is telling me he can't concentrate over there cause I won't talk to him..he is saying he is dying not able to talk to me cause i won't respond back to him..asking why I'm doing this to him what did he do.wrong...let me kniw if anyone is having the same story
Bamb
November 18, 2020

In reply to by Ary76

Sounds like the same guy I’m talking to now...Do you have pictures of him
CNEL
December 09, 2020

In reply to by Ary76

HOW DO WE SHARE PHOTOS? I've been talking to someone similar!
Pings
February 01, 2021

In reply to by Ary76

Ary76 I believe same exact guy I am talking to he made me fall deeply in love I sent him money also very handsome lots of tattoos some nice roses on one hand some colors on the other he told me he has 1 son in Jamaica 42 years supposed bd Dec 21 I have him on 5 diff accounts I set up a fake account and he's chatting me there is in love wants to marry but don't know is me goes by the name now David Smith Maxwell Smith I looked at alot of pages before I found you I can't believe this even do I know he's fake let me know if the tattoos match
almost
October 30, 2020

In reply to by ailurophile

full tribal tattoo on his right arm and sort of half on his left. blue eyes, really good-looking.
Prettygirl16
August 30, 2020

In reply to by Good girl

Hey I was also talking to a Alex Michael from New Jersey. Your description sounds exactly like him Do you have a picture or how do I share a picture?
canadianborn
October 15, 2020

In reply to by Prettygirl16

I am currently talking to a Andy Micheal who I met on LinkedIn and he is currently ending his contract in the North Sea. Widowed .. 14 yr old son. I sent some money but refused anymore..
Don'tSend$$$
September 01, 2020

In reply to by Good girl

Do not open a bank account! This is a scam. They will deposit fraudulent funds into your account that they have stolen from another victim. They will deposit the money then tell you to keep a portion then transfer money to other bank accounts. You are being groomed as a money mule. You can be charged with money laundering and go to prison. Block him immediately for your own sake!
Prettygirl16
September 09, 2020

In reply to by Good girl

OMG do you have a picture of him Please share. I think we are all talking to the same guy Alex Michael From Franklin lakes New Jersey
ladyrain
October 25, 2020

In reply to by Good girl

Heyyyy, I got same story here - he mention he are on submit and review in Surabaya, Indonesia - and looking for his Indonesian bride to be marrried with and do retirement after that due to he doesnt want to be far with the family (soon to be). HIS NAME ALEX MICHAEL P - Got friend and his name Adam (scott) mckenzie Exact story I have with Turkey, money reward from the man he save, his team mate got shoot, and one day he can get release the money from the bank due to tax, and ask me to pay the tax. Confront him right away and blocked me straight away. Is it possible to check if this man using same photo here, I would like to check it - i'm afraid this man in the photo is innocent and doesnt know that his photo is being used by scammer.
Belle
November 24, 2020

In reply to by Good girl

Scammers use different names and even use other people’s pictures. Try using reverse lookup for the pictures they used and you’ll be surprise with the outcome. Don’t fall for their sweet serenade that’s how they’ll get you.
Jl
November 15, 2020

In reply to by confused1

Hi recently, there is this guy whom I talked to. Also told me about his family passed on. Gg for a biz trip in Malaysia as he had bid a contact. He's indeed in Malaysia now, flying from Leeds, from UK. We chat for 2 weeks, very loving guy, 1.75m,quite a Charmer, he sent me his photo, obviously is a Chinese. He has not ask for money yet, but he lost his atm card on the plane. I blocked him ytd night and today he bought a Malaysia sim card to text me back asking why I blocked him. He named himself as Nicholas Chan. Very strong religion and understand Christ very well. Do you have his picture?
Complete Idiot
December 07, 2020

In reply to by confused1

I wonder if this is the same guy I’m talking to! I would like to match our stories to see if this is same person.
TooGoodToBeTrue
January 04, 2021

In reply to by confused1

Moved from Ireland to Chicago at the age of 16 ... girlfriend was a heroine addict ... contract job in Benin building Covid isolation center .... great looking guy ... over 6 ft ... bald ... dark beard ... late 30s/40 .... tattoo on arm sent several pictures and a video Skype video would cut out after a few seconds ... he could hear & see me but magically I couldn't hear him He did call me several times before he left for Africa ... assuming an Irish accent ???? He never asked for money but I figured out his inconsistencies. Yep. I was sad. Would love to share my photos
LadyKat509
July 11, 2021

In reply to by TooGoodToBeTrue

More than 3yrs now. Bryan Brooks? Says he's in Dubai working under us army special forces on special assignment. He will NOT TALK on phone or Skype bcuz he says it will jeopardize his job & his mission. Says he special agent. 5 yr mission in dubai.Afghanistan Working for Homeland Security thru Dept. of Defence. 6ft4in. bald. Tattoos on both arms. Tribal tat on left arm. I think Abigail on his chest. I have sent him ALOT of $ in past 3 years bcuz he say he's on salary pay & his acct is frozen due 2 him out of country. He has 2 blond hair girls. He very muscular with beard. I'm very much in love with him but not sure if he not a scammer.
Don't use your…
February 12, 2021

In reply to by confused1

I am talking to a guy met on fb now talking on hangouts says he is private investigator showed pic of his I'd in alabama talking for a few days have alot of pics of him but he asked if I would get him a google play card
Foolish1
March 13, 2021

In reply to by confused1

6ft 2, he is using the name Richard clooney born in 1982? Does this sound like the same guy? Did he have a dog? Or did he use the name John Richard.
Sflo21
March 22, 2021

In reply to by confused1

The name mune used us Lucas. His number starts with 512. Same exact arowy. Never asked me for money but 2 weeks in turkey was held at tun point while sight seeing and had to run because they had guns. Had to have leg surgery cause he broke it. Said it cost him 8500.00... a few says later said his phone broke when he fell and needed a new iPhone 11 pro maz with 512gb because that's they only thing that works there. He wanted me to buy him one and that he would pay me back. I ignored his texts saying that I turned my back on him when he needed me the most... blah. blah. blah... finally blocked him. I have a lit of pics. Very handsome, same description as you.
Denny
July 12, 2021

In reply to by Sflo21

Hi...i am reading sense one week your comments...doesn't someone know Pardon Philip....he pretend to be a neurosurgeon in Syria ,from TX Weco....widow his wife died for some years ago...no kids.... I lost a lot of money and I have a broken heart, my husband died in 2018 and I met him 2019 ...I can't believe that he called all the time the name of God....it took me a lot of time to realize that he is a scammer....even now when I write I can't believe and I am so ashamed....he was crying on phone...I have the feeling that I was speaking in the last 30 months with different mans ....he has an account on Instagram...we went to WhatsApp...then there was closed ....moved to hangouts..now I discovered that he is on Twitter....please tell me if someone knows him ...I send a picture....I can't believe that people like this exist and they are so bad ...I write here...but I can't believe...I know that I have a good heart but i know that i reacted like a full...i learned my lesson but too late.....please tell me if someone knows him....
scammed!
September 26, 2021

In reply to by confused1

story sounds familiar. Single father, widow, daughter is in the military and can't reach her etc. No other family. Wants to transfer bitcoin to me so I can cash out and send him money. He is stuck overseas and lost his wallet. Name in email is Christopher Walter. Name on dating site was Chris Walter.
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