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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.

sadlybuttrue
March 25, 2019
I’ve been talking to this man that I meet on a dating site that goes by the name Jimmy brown he immediately wanted to keep chatting on hangout he mentioned that he was In Yemen on a mission and claims he’s from Australia and is in the Us Air Force he says he wants to provide a life for me and has big plans. Mentioned he has a house in Kentucky and a gym that he owns. Stated mentioning that he’s gym needs money so it can stay open. I said no that I’m not giving him 2000 dollars. Then wants me to open a credit card account to he can deposit some money. I was very confused it was my first time on a dating site and or talking to someone online. Until I came across the comments and see how many have gone through the Same situations.
Concerned Friend
March 25, 2019
Hey, everyone-I am concerned that my friend is being scammed by someone claiming to be a Two-Star Army General. Has anyone been contacted by a ALEXANDER JAMES WAYNE. He has been communicating with my friend for the past year via text on his burner phone. She has not seen him face-to-face. She was finally able to speak to him on the phone after he returned from Yemen last week. She says his accent is very strong, because he is originally from Denmark. He claims to own a home in Portland, Maine. He wants to fly to see her, but said his credit cards are all suspended since he was deployed. She said she is going to purchase him a plane ticket-not sure if she has given him any credit card or bank info at this point. He claims to be madly in love with her and is going to buy her a new home. I have found an Alex Wayne on Facebook from Portland, Maine. However, this man's cover photo is actually an Air Force uniform with someone else's name on it-could be the same guy? Has anyone else come across this man? I hope he is real, but suspect the opposite. Thanks in advance for your help!!
Concerned Friend
March 27, 2019

In reply to by Concerned Friend

Administrators-please remove this comment, as I do not want my friend to find out this way. I will tell her in person.
Concerned Friend
March 27, 2019

In reply to by Concerned Friend

Administrators-please remove my previous comment, as I do not want my friend to find out this way. I will tell her in person.
Samestorydiffe…
March 28, 2019

In reply to by Concerned Friend

I had the same guy contact me a few days ago. Luckily I found out it was a scam right away because of my experience with the military. It’s common for foreigners to enlist in the military to earn a path to citizenship. It is VERY UNCOMMON for them to stay in and make it their careers. And I have never heard of a non native citizen making it all the way to a two star general status. Especially speaking in heavy accents and broken English. It’s easy enough to find out if he’s lying, just google US Army Major General and then the name he gave. A promotion that high up would have been covered extensively in the press as well as any assignments he may have spearheaded or events he attended for the military. It’s incredibly hard to be a general and not be able to be googled. Anyway the guy that contacted me was Norwegian born, Major General, about to retire. Wife died. 6 year old son in FL staying with a nanny while he’s deployed . Looking for a soul mate to raise his son with. Wants to relocate and start a company. He was an orphan, one sob story after another. Also the military would never charge fees to keep people from going home. They would just dock their next paycheck. The military doesn’t charge for paperwork to be processed. And they pay for all commercial flights to get soldiers home from deployment if military flights are unavailable.
Concerned Friend
March 28, 2019

In reply to by Concerned Friend

Please remove all of my comments as I do not want my friend to find out this way!
Lindy
March 25, 2019
Has anyone heard of Mark Antonio and Michael Kowalski. Both are scammers!
RichardJ
March 28, 2019

In reply to by Lindy

How about a Smith Antonio... working in Canada..cops want to jail him unless he pays 15K for horses that died..longer story here involved.. Lives in CA and house in Jersey
Concerned Sister
March 25, 2019
My brother believes Makenzie Bezos is into him. They've only spoken through social media, never on the phone. With all the money she has she's going to help him start a company because he has so many ideas. She's even sent a copy of how much money she has in the bank, but the fees to wire the money is so expensive she needs him to send her money. If you were just married to one of the richest men in the world and you have so much money why do you need my Brothers money who lives in Alabama with his mother and doesn't have a job. Literally because this girl told him there's no need to work because she's going to take care of him. Has anyone else heard anything about the woman or man professing to be Mackenzie?
Sassy12b
March 25, 2019
I have been chatting with a guy from Bremen Georgia, Timothy Lee Carroll, 54 well built blue eyes, barbed wire tattoo on bicep, roman numerals on chest. He tells me he is an engineer for offshore drilling company. we have been talking for a couple months. he is ready to retire and had me send a request for leave to the offshore department....okay i did, didn't seem to be any harm in that. I have questioned his and his intentions since day one, I am not about to send him any money. However, he did send me money to apply to a credit card bill....weird! Right! His request for leave has been granted however there is a $8,000K processing fee and 8,900 transit fee that must be paid before he can leave the rig. After 72 hours the money will be returned to me according to the paperwork...the paperwork that says Department of Defense Offshore . Has anyone experienced this or heard of this scam?
Almost fell for it
March 25, 2019
My guy says he’s an orthopedic surgeon in Kabul. Says he works with Doctors Without Borders. I confronted him on his fake picture. Says his Facebook was hacked and his pictures stolen. I told him I didn’t trust him. He says all the right things trying to gain my trust. Has not asked for money. However, to prove who he is... he wants to come for a visit. Is supposed to get me an email address and information so I can request a vacation leave from the Board of Directors. Has anyone heard of this? My gut says he’s a scammer... but my heart is not wanting to listen.
Oh brother!
September 04, 2019

In reply to by Almost fell for it

I think we may be dealing with the same guy. Except he says he's in Yemen. Currently investing on behalf of my ex sister in law.
Lornalarue
March 25, 2019
Have spoken with guy on oil rig in Scotland and have just been in contact with manor general in Syria. Has 2 million to send. Wants me to accept for him. NOT HAPPENING. He's getting angry...can tell by the time of email. Have to block him asap!
MoonB
October 17, 2019

In reply to by Lornalarue

Been chatting with a guy on an oil rig off Scotland and similar deal. Needed money to buy food for all his workers. Very angry when I said not happening. He'd pay back when his $1.4 ml. Owed money from last contract job comes through.
TKB
March 26, 2019
I found a girl on Inmessage, in just one day She gave her whatspp no. I started talk to her, She said her name Sheila Yankey a USA resident living in Dubai and working in Hospital as a nurse. She said that she is living alone, her parents were died in a accident, she is not a social person. She wants to invest in some business. She is now on vacation in Ghana (which i doubt). Whatsapp no. on which i m talking is USA no. She wanted to meet in next 3-4 days. she has shared some pic as well. Please let me know if somebody can help me to find her authentication.
Inneedofhelp0088
May 16, 2019
Can you help me I believe I'm being Scammed by a guy named mark weeks his email is markweeks02 @gmail. com
Monroe
March 26, 2019
Someone by the name of Jayne wilson is using fake friend or teacher names and scamming underage boys in USA.
Any on Him?
March 26, 2019
Anyone heard of Adam Kareem Skype scamming? From NY, FL, or London ? Jamaican,green eyes, very fit, handsome, tattoos, beautiful smile? Wondering if it could be a scam?!
Sondra
March 27, 2019
I have recently got into a sort of relationship with a guy through online dating app, and we have yet to meet but we are getting into the feels of being together. He says he loves me, and he really do and is his guts that tells him this will work between us, but at times he will says things like, "My shipment just arrived, and got an agent to handle my shipment, and he wants me to pay mostly all the payment and i cant at the moment because my bank somehow block my card, and now i am stuck, trying to call bank to sort this but cant" Then he say he will find an alternative way to this, and also because he needs the money for business. He have yet to ask me for money so far. What should i do ? Should just leave it for now and if he starts asking, then i should stop talking to him ?
beenscamed
April 02, 2019

In reply to by Sondra

Play along - if your gut is telling you NO NO. Ask your scammer for their social security number and address. He will most likely tell you he's hurt that how can you doubt our love. BLAH BLAH. Might even still contact you for a few more days. - Than guess what. ??? You're blessed because he has moved onto another Client. That's all we are ladies - a Client.
Scameducated
September 09, 2019

In reply to by beenscamed

I had same happen to me, his name Johnson berg, had linikin acct., email, then had to go to crypress
whatthe
November 05, 2019

In reply to by Scameducated

Yes. He's out there - and active. Who ever he is? Goes by Johnson Berg, or John Berg ... Shares 'everything' right away (address?, LinkedIn, FBook, business: Bergsco). Claims to be a widower. Get's off the dating app right away ... disappears to Cyprus and needs help (of course). Pretty easy to spot his off-behavior right away, but be careful and beware.
SundancePi
March 27, 2019
I have been talking to someone in Nigeria by the name of Richard Austin. We have been chatting since November 2016. I wish I could post his picture on here... maybe someone would recognize the picture. I have been sending small amounts of money but am tired of doing that. He says he needs $2000 dollars to get a plane to America. I am torn about letting him go because I have come to love the man I actually talk to. It is going to be hard to not hear his voice anymore.
Lauralloyd
August 07, 2019

In reply to by SundancePi

Just got scammed with a guy from Amsterdam/Nitherlands. Who is apparently very successful engineer, at the moment working on the contract in Kuwait oil company for 3 years . Very handsome hot looking guy with a grey hair with a beard ,well groomed and fit body shape. Super sweet, will chat with you constantly. His name is Fernando Gomes his email fernandogomes 5090@ He is using Hangouts App. At his work he is using only walky-talky , no cell phones aloud. Will ask for the Amazon Gift cards to upgrade his computer for better signal. He lost his wife due to cancer, he has a 13 years old nephew that he adopted from older sister who also passed away. He also will ask to send EBay gift cards to his nephew. After all he will ask for $3200 to feel up the gas tank on his private jet to take off of the oil station. So he just wanted to be with me forever, treat me like his Queen. As soon he gets to US he needs to activate his bank accounts , he is a millionaire big time,. My family convinced me that is the Scam. I fall in love with him to a crazy point. Finally I had to force myself to end our relationship between us because I still have the trust issues. After sending him $700 .
Tracy
March 27, 2019
I was on Waplog dating site. I met a girl named Nancy Marks. She may even spell it Nancee. She made me fall in love with her immediately. She keeps asking for Amazon Cards. Being the idiot I was I did it. Now I regret it. It was one thing after another. Her mom was I'll and in the hospital. The doctor said she needed to come up with $400 to pay the doctor. She even showed me a picture of her mom in a hospital bed. Then the next time she said she had to give blood for her mom and she was very sick and needed money for medicine. Which I haven't payed anymore than the Amazon Cards. That was enough. Then she said her dad was killed in a car wreck in Pennsylvania leaving A job site as a contractor. The man he did the work for owes him $5000. So he agreed to give the money he owed her dad to her and her mom. She wanted me to get a Costco Card which I wouldn't do either. Then she wanted to have the money wired to me. Then I was to wire her the money through Western Union to Walmart. That's when I remembered her saying there wasn't a Walmart where she lived. I wish I knew all this before going on a dating site. She is still trying to get me to trust her. I'm just waisting her time now for the money she took from me. Because I know I won't get it back. It wasn't much. But still. I'm Disabled and she knew it. it's enough to make you wonder what is wrong with people
Anti-Online Dater
March 27, 2019
I've recently been talking to a "woman" I met on a dating site. After the first message, she wanted my personal e-mail to talk. (which I found to be a red flag) She claimed she was from New Jersey, moved to the UK for school briefly, and now she's in the Philippines looking for love. She sent pictures of herself (allegedly) that were very beautiful. She also sent a pic of her passport to prove she was real. She asked me to add her to Facebook and strangely, she has zero friends. That's odd for someone that claimed to have a lot of real life friends. She changed her main photo last year so it's not a new account. After four e-mails, she was already confessing her love for me and wanting to move to the US to be with me. The catch was I had to send her $600 through Moneygram to help with a plane ticket. (of course) I asked why she didn't want to meet someone in her home country and she said none of them wanted love like she did. She said one of her friends would pick up the money from the Moneygram location because her Philippine National ID was conveniently expired. I just read where those IDs were only made available recently and when I questioned that, she got mad and said she never said that. I said I didn't feel comfortable sending $600 to someone I didn't know. She claimed she would never hurt me because someone online hurt her and I need to take chances to get what I want in life. In the next e-mail, that changed to her saying to get someone else since I didn't trust her. Gladly! I'm glad the comments on this site still exist. They helped me to evade what looks like a scammer to me. Hope this helps someone.
Lyn
August 15, 2019

In reply to by Anti-Online Dater

I’m sorry about that encounter. I am from the Philippines but I loathe this evil doings. It affects the others who have good intentions, giving the rest a bad reputation. Love can be blind. But we have this inner voice that tells us that something is too good to be true...and it is.
nursemom75
March 27, 2019
A guy hit me with a chat on an online game & requested to chat on Hangout. He says he's an independent contractor from Baton Rouge, but is working on an offshore rig in Polland. Gave me the sob story of a dead wife & unborn child. We've been chatting for 2-3 weeks. He asked me this morning to get him a $1000 Amazon card, just scratch off the silver, & send him a pic of the numbers. So I've screen shot his photos and his email to report him. He goes by Thomas Moore or Captain Moore. Where should I report him?
Sarah612
March 27, 2019
Does anyone know anything about a Laur brown , supposedly in the service , he has a lot of money , a like 12 year old daughter , his wife died giving birth to her , my gma thinks he’s in love with her , my gma is 70 and won’t get it thru her head , she’s been scammed multiple times before but this one is way worse , she sends him stream cards , she sent him $800 in one week before , he has been saying he is coming to my gmas house and then they’re going to buy a house together , it’s so bad he has told my gma go sell all of her furniture and everything because he’s goign to buy her all new stuff , so she’s selling everything , he bought and sent her a cheap ring and a bracelet that says “laur 4 you” on it , he is suppoused to be sending her a camera , computer and a watch sometime this week and she has to take it to the ups store and ship it off to nigeria , but laur is saying the stuff is actually for his commander , my mom and i have heard that when the scammers send packages it’s stolen things , i don’t want my gma to get into trouble .
hopeless romantic
March 27, 2019
I am shocked I am talking to a man on hangouts who I met on insta goes by the name dr Micheal Herris has a daughter and a sick mom. He hasn’t asked for money as such yet but has started to drop hints about her needing a transfusion keeps avoiding the questions on giving me more information on her cancer itself. He claims to be a man of cloth and made me use hangouts instead of insta to chat to him and closed and changed his profile but didn’t say why. I don’t have any money to send him but is making me wonder now if that’s what is coming ..
Linny
March 27, 2019
There's a guy names Roberto Bernardo (I_am_roberto_nbnz on Insta) that is talking to a good friend of mine. He claims he is in our Army, 44 in Benghazi Libya doing terror sweeps....got her to download Hangouts App and they talk alllll the time. He is full of it. I sent him a request and got the same message response he sends to women. I went OFF on him but he blocked me and she won't listen to me that he's a scam. He has her work address, pics, personal info and she opened an account after sending him ITunes.. Pls help
Ag
March 28, 2019
Anyone here talking to a Karl Davis? From the army?
dontbefooled
April 01, 2019
Got messaged by a guy on POF Uk calling himself Roy Joel Tarver but uses Joel. Email address is tytarver 53@ gmail. com. Says he lives in Essex but born in US to US Dad and UK Mum. Currently in Qatar where he is training army troops but not in the army himself anymore. Very good at avoiding questions, says his ex cheated on him after 16 years and he hates liars and cheats! His angle was he didn’t know how long he’d be stuck in Qatar, then all of a sudden he could break his contract ilfor 3 months but would need to pay and because he’s on an army base he can’t access any money. Also had internet access but apparently no phone.. He got very angry when I said I didn’t have any money and said so didn’t care. We were chatting on Hangouts too, obviously we don’t talk anymore but I’ve Kept Hangouts open and can see he is still active on there, so obviously using the same name to scam others. He didn’t like it when I called him out as a scammer. He will call you darling and tell you his heart is yours. I have a picture. Please don’t fall for him and if you’re talking to him, stop immediately! I’ve reported it to UK Fraud authorities.
Don’t want to …
June 24, 2019

In reply to by dontbefooled

Would you be able to post a picture as think a friend is talking to the same person and have a bad feeling! Thanks
nellwall
March 28, 2019
what abt the name Brett John Cowless
Kim Ra
March 28, 2019
Scammer named Silas Graham or Graham Silas from Monaco France with French accent, he's a Petro chemical engineer, found me on Plenty of Fish. Here's the story: Left for South Africa to work. Explosion on oil rig, 3 dead people. needs $ for 1) chopper funds to get to land. Says he has home in Alamo heights Tx 2) its Mexico to settle debt with dead coworker s' families 3) March 2019 its daughter was in coma from drunk driver, he's in Monaco now, wanting more $. Bitcoin to get funds transferred to France. Asks me for $3k. Sent picture of himself and Mother... Spokeo and other searches do not have a person with his age name.
Just2letUknow
November 18, 2019

In reply to by Kim Ra

He has scammed me, he was in cape town, lost luggage, needed $ to get from land the chopper, had an oil rig accident, went to mexico to pat the dead workers families..our story is the same.. i once told him that he doesn't exist on any sites... at this time he says he has funds in the United kingdom but needs my bank name so he can deposit $ to pay the medical bills for his mother and he needs a knee replacement from oil rig explosion. I told him i cannot be your bank, there are no funds. Another man behaving badly...and he states "he Belives in God".
Aimee
March 28, 2019
Frank Miller has an African accent who claims to be an architect
Destroyed
March 29, 2019
Has anybody been talking with someone named Charles Stroud. He claimed to be in the Army on a mission in Afghanistan and he is widowed with a son. Wife died in a car accident. Son is living in PA with his teacher. The rest is similar, he made me fall for him and asked for money to go on leave to see me and iTunes cards for internet and call credit. And every time he was suppose to make it home something happened to delay him and require more money. I am now severely in debt, my credit is destroyed and I am being evicted from my apartment. I was and am in a vulnerable place being separated from my husband and he took advantage of that and I fell for it.
Ellsk03
March 29, 2019
Has anyone ever heard of a Robert Bristol or Vinny Johnson? I got a DM from them on Instagram. First was Robert. I was stupid and thought I was in love until he started asking me for money and a new phone. Then Vinny...the same thing except I knew he was a scam since I had already been through it before. Both said they were in the military and were single parents. Just wondering if anyone else has heard of them. I have since blocked them but it really is horrible that people do this to others!!
fjfromplanetea…
March 29, 2019
Does anyone here scammed by Chales Gerald (Italian) claiming to be a widowed. Has one son in Italy, working in Malaysia for Oil and Gas company. Sold his properties in Italy to continue the project of his father who’ve passed away because of heart attacked? He’s trying to scammed my mom. They met at dating site telling mom a sweet story that his intentions was good. To finish the project in Malaysia, fly to US, buy a house and have a happy family.. He sent my mom a pictures of his passport, the contact, picture of him and his workers through WhatsApp. Anyway, so he told my mom that he’s project was done, picture of the checks, 3M was under his name and 1M was under my mom’s name.. and he sent mom the picture of his flight.. So the next day someone called my mom at WhatsApp claiming to be an immigration lawyer named “Daniel Brooks” asking for money because Charles Gerald was under investigation because of the two big checks.. They blackmailing my mom that the FBI will take an action if she dont send a $5350 within 24hours... and when my mom asked for the information where she could send the money to the bank was in New York under different name..
luckyducky59
April 03, 2019
Has any one heard of a Ronnie Walker using the email of ronniewalkeruns @gmail. com. I have a friend who is an older woman and I believe is being scammed. She has been told that he is with the United Nations Special Forces and has been talking with him and sending him money via I-cards and he is posted in Africa. He says that he is from Michigan and that he is divorced with a 12 year old daughter. He stated that he purchased a new house in Irving TX and asked her to send funds to the realtor. He keeps postponing their final meeting date and he only emails or texts her. She has never spoken with him personally. Please advise if you have hear of him or have a similar story. This is an emotional fragile person who needs our help. He claims he is 51 and she is 76....Lets get real...
Liz
March 29, 2019
I have a similar story - except it is a widower General in Afghanistan - the picture he used was a retired 2009 Legit General & wants his boxes delivered to my house ... a lot of scammers out there
Information
April 06, 2019

In reply to by Liz

There's a site called military scammers. Com go look up photos of the military men and women identify stolen. Before you go believe in these people.
Dixiegal47
July 27, 2019

In reply to by Liz

That sounds familiar does he claim to have a daughter 14yrs old
Emma Vu
March 29, 2019
Does anyone know the name of Michael Duong. He sent me the friend request through Facebook . We been chatting for almost 1 month and he didn’t ask for money or anything like that. He always send the romantic quotes. His parents, his wife deceased and he has a son is currently in boarding school.
Ayneo
March 30, 2019

In reply to by Emma Vu

The trick is always start with being romantic and telling you that you are the right one and stuff. Then saying about visiting if he is from a foreign country. They may also be asking about your source of income. These are the tricks to make you fall in love with him. Probably on second or third month they either tell you they are going away for some projects in another country, or in some cases offer to send gifts. My advice, don't trust 100% and don't fall in love too quick. If you want to know if this person is genuine and not a scammer, play along and you will find out. Try not to share too much details on your personal life.
CC DD
March 31, 2019

In reply to by Emma Vu

that time will come soon, when he will come up with some story and will beg you for help, never send money, no info about you account etc
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