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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.

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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.

Almost fell
May 13, 2019
As I read all the stories here most of them are the same man. Is there anything someone can do to trap this scammer?! Come on ladies, let’s do something about it.
Scammedandmad
June 01, 2019

In reply to by Almost fell

There is something that can be done. If you don't know them though others that we associate with. DO NOT except friend request. As a lonly person I was scammed, but only once, will not let that happen again. Those who have to ask if Joe is a scammer on here must already have the answer, so block them. To put them out of business is stop sending money or itune cards. Fall in love with someone you meet on person, at church or health club, where you can observe how they act. Actions are better than words.
Concerned husband
May 14, 2019
Has anyone ever heard of Roland David? He started following my wife on instagram and has now started chatting with her on whatsapp, he claims to have a young son named Tino San in boarding school who is also messaging my wife using google hang outs and has started calling her mom! Soo many similarities with all these other stories! His first wife died in a car crash, second wife left him and his kid and moved to Germany, now he is working a pipeline job in south korea. His mother recently passed away and he has no contact with his father.
Loidamanogura
May 16, 2019
I met a person who is named Andrew Honk and I met him on an online dating site and I noticed that as soon as I contacted him, he immediately led me out of the dating site and wanted to chat in my personal email. This Andrew Honk is said to be a military doctor who has a son (they have even posted pictures of a tall white man and his son who is a small child). There was even one time wherein he sent a bullet shotted arm where he is said to have been wounded in war. I was really deceived by this scum. His email is andrewhook 66 @ gmail. com; If you encounter this email it is a scam. His voice is not even an american voice, its like a malay or arabic voice. Then as the time goes he immediately said that he was going to retire from the war, but he needed some beneficiary (fiance) to receive his big amount of money is USD. He immediately sent me a form to fill which is like a United Nations fillup form and he said that a security company named first freights have been said to send the money to me in Kuala Lumpur Malaysia. He told me to bring 3650 USD for a charge fee before the security men will release the money. At first I thought that the so called charge fee would be deducted from the money the security money showed to me (it realy looked like fake money). They left immediately after they have realized that I have no money to bring. Then they started calling me in intervals but then my friend whom I called researched the company and it was found out to be a complete fraud and scam. I immediately checked out on the hotel the scammers arranged for me and booked a flight back home. I was happy nothing was taken away from me. I hope the information posted warns the public on scammers.
Ashley Dutton
May 14, 2019
There's this guy who claims to be Richard Scott he's on Twitter and Instagram scottnation60 don't know how accurate he is
Concerned Mother
May 14, 2019
Has anyone had an experience with a Dr. Alvin Greg who is working in Nigeria.
Kellydawne
May 15, 2019
Has anyone been corresponding with a man named Graham Baruch?
I knew better
September 23, 2020

In reply to by Kellydawne

I have been dealing with someone that uses the name Graham Joe. He is suppose to be a oil rig engineer that lives in Texas. I wanna laugh because I mentioned flying down to met him. All of the sudden, he had to fly to the Netherlands for a job there. More details.. he said his wife passed away from cancer 5 years ago and he is raising his 7 yr old alone. We have been talking for about a month and what caught my attention was him saying he needed money to update his computer system. Yeah.. right..
Betty
May 15, 2019
Been talking to supposedly the ROCK , this guy knows everything about the ROCK , calls himself DADDY asked for 40,000 for booking and. 5,000 for visitation forms had me wire money out and has been acamibg me with love romance met on Instagram , quickly went to whattsapp , loves her with in 1 weeks , real smooth talker, please contact me if this person is also contacting you , he won't share pic only what the real ROCK posts and will not talk on phone , has other people involved pretending to be his agents and assistants working for him, like I said really good scam ........
Tj
May 15, 2019
Hi, has anyone had contact with a female called Monique Ducham or a Marie Ducham. Surname could be Ducharm. Saying in Africa needing money, business, now saying in hospital? Have pictures to compare
BooBee123
May 15, 2019
Has anyone talked to a guy named KELLY Jack pretending to be deployed in Afghanistan
Aleo71
May 15, 2019
Anyone else have a Ryan Quinn.. supposed to be stationed at bagram Air Force base in Afghanistan .. is a seargent major, 40 yrs old..I have about 8 pictures of all the same man but I finally got an email that was usa.com and then I finally got a Skype attempt and when I Looked up the IP address it was Nigeria...in the month we chatted, didnt ask for a thing...but there were red flags...
MikulTodd
May 15, 2019
What do we do when it wasn't internet fraud but a neighbor that spent eight months in jail showering me with words of love and assurances of a relationship with her? As embarrassing as it is to admit. She used my feelings for her and my l9ve for her three children to manipulate more than $4000 out of me and wrote me off like a bad check as soon as she was released.
Shemar54
May 15, 2019
So this is my experience with a Romantic Italian that I have encountered. He is a civil engineer, wife died in auto accident 5 years ago, son and mother live in Rome, Italy. His son is going to college in Italy to become a doctor. He claims to be an only child and has a cousin that he will send you photos of him and his cousin. He is 65, DOB 08/31/1954. Now let me tell you, I am a very educated intelligent woman and I got sucked up into his game. The first thing he will ask is if you can text via phone. So naturally I gave this man my cell phone number. The next step, and very quickly I might add is that he wants to Skype with you to see if you are a real person. This seems to be a way to make sure you are not getting Robo Scammed. That will be a very short encounter. Next he will almost always insist on using Skype.
Shemar54
May 15, 2019
continuing... This Italian man that goes by the name Richard Baron Francisco is a fraud. He knew how to hit the right buttons with me and got me to give him my home phone #, my heart and even my address. But worse than that, I gave him bits and pieces of information about my family and what I was doing this summer, (going on vaca and date) as well as all of my likes, dislikes financial status etc. Now the strange thing is, he NEVER asked for money or for me to give him anything. On the contrary, he offered to show me his bank account to prove to me he trusted me. He gave me his User ID/ PW and said log onto this link I gave you then tell me what you see. That was unnerving but again, I was under his spell. I looked, and he had $5.2 Million....Yes I said Million dollars in this account. This at first made me feel special but insignificant because I am not anywhere close to that tax bracket. My friends looked into this account and found its domain server is out of Nigeria. This is not good. Then I did a reverse photo look up on him and found that he has been on multiple sites and is followed by many. Not the story he was telling me. So please, I know we all are looking for that perfect man/woman but don't be fooled and suckered into it like I did. Fortunately I kept ALL the correspondents as well as pictures and the bank account info. I will be reporting him to the fraud division, and unfortunately he knows where I live, my phone numbers and when I will be gone. So people out there, if this happens to you, don't let your embarrassment stop you from telling the world or calling the fraud division or police. I have never felt so stupid, embarrassed, and empty. Once I told him I couldn't pick him up at the airport, yes he was planning on coming out here for a week, then you would not believe the nasty things he called me and said to me. One last thing, he uses God to get under you skin and to get you to trust. HE IS GOOD, that I will admit. If anyone would like copies of our conversations so you can get an accurate feel as to how he works just post on here for I will be viewing this to watch out for you. Now onto calling the police. Good day and don't let this turn you into a non-trusting person. Just be a little smarter/not like me, and check into things first.
Shirley_2000
June 14, 2019

In reply to by Shemar54

Hi....I have a similar situation: he says he's name is William Jackson, born in Sicily, Italy, widowed, both parents dead, a son who lives in Sacramento with his sister in law, he now is working as petroleum engineer in an Exxon's rig at Anchorage offshore, Alaska. He is tall, white skin, thin, glasses, good looking, around 40's.. he also gave me his account data...I don't understand how is he doesn't have someone to trust to help him.
Smurfette
May 15, 2019
Is there anywhere we can all share our photos of the scammers? Or a way to get in touch with each other? Maybe via email or a Facebook group?
Kirklm41
May 16, 2019
My wife got involved in something like this what can happen to her
Stupidgirl27
May 15, 2019
I have been talking to this guy from Ireland. He’s an engineer that says he lives in Florida. Has a daughter & is a widower. His wife died of breast cancer 3 years ago. He goes back home to Ireland for the holidays & then goes to Turkey in a contract. Wants money to get his stuff out of customs & then to pay taxes. His name is Jake Moran. He also uses name of William Moran. Uses profile of lovely_canice on Instagram. Anyone heard of him or been contacted by him?
Fellforittoo
June 11, 2019

In reply to by Stupidgirl27

Stupidgirl27 Wow! I got the exact same story, except he told me Sweden. Different name, different pic. Garymayer09 on IG. Everything else is the exact same story. I bet it is the same person.
Might be naive
October 19, 2019

In reply to by Stupidgirl27

Same story different Instagram account lovely_irish_ Chatting on Hangout, doesn't answer half of my questions. Haven't asked for money yet.
summer79
June 09, 2020

In reply to by Stupidgirl27

hi - ive been contacted by this guy, similar story has anyone got a picture of him or can describe him ? or describe any of the photos he has sent to anyone ? & is anyone still in contact with him ? thank you
Shhh
August 19, 2021

In reply to by Stupidgirl27

Yep! Currently there. I'm onto it after alarm bells were ringing and now doing replying for entertainment! Is that wrong of me?! I have screen shots I'll send him when he asks for money.
Seriously?
May 15, 2019
My scammer is using the name of Harry Brayden. He 1st contacted me through Facebook and then Messenger. The photos were of a very handsome guy who claims to live in Madrid. He asked me to start communicating via Hangouts which I did. He claimed to be a civil engineer on his way to do a contract job in Nigeria. He said he has 2 boys and that his wife died during childbirth (the kid is now 3). Almost immediately he was sooo in love with me and wanted to marry me. Now he claims that his contract is finished but he’s stuck in Nigeria because he can’t access his bank account in Spain to pay the taxes to send his equipment back home. I’ve suspected for a long time that he is a scammer. Initially he asked me to buy an I-Tunes card for him to have better calling reception. I told him no right away and let him know that is not the purpose of an I-Tunes card. He is now asking for money to pay the shipping taxes and, of course, I told him no a million times. I let him know that I know for sure he is a lying scammer. Unfortunately, fell for his loving charm but not enough to send any money, gift cards or my phone number. Is anyone here being scammed by a Harry Brayden?
Frusteratedwoman915
May 15, 2019
I am so grateful I found all of your posts. I was recently contacted through Instagram and did accept a request from a guy named Brian Houston who lives in New York with a son named Jeffery. Son is 16 years old and lives in a boarding school. Wife died. Right away he asked me to download Hangouts and In less than a week, he is professing his love despite not knowing me at all. He stated he is an underwater welder and works mostly on contracts in Brazil. Doesn’t talk much about despite being asked. He isn’t working now. Owns a ranch in New York and rides his horse there often. I am scared and embarrassed I have let my guard down. Has anyone heard this possible made up name?
Andrea33
June 26, 2019

In reply to by Frusteratedwoman915

Hi, Your story seems like mine but a bit different. Mine his name is Daniel, Brian Adams has a son Jason 16 at the beginning he told me his wife had an affair and divorce. Recently he said my wife died i wouldn't like to push the button as he was angry. He works in the water toxicology under contracts. He supposed to be stuck monitoring in Belgium, but i check with his cell phone number that telling me Houston. And said living in Nashville.
kirklm41
May 16, 2019
me an my where split up she got scammed into the same exact thing what can happen to her help where scarred
Kfhana
May 16, 2019
Yes I was scammed by Robert Christopher white claims to be an engineer for Diamond offshore drilling USA making 6.5 million in a contract needed money for flights, fixing machine, itune cards, Google play cards gave him my life savings stating g he would pay me back and vanished block6me on hangouts no where to be found.....I even wired money thru 3rd parties..how do I find him to get my money back.....nade a lot of room promises
mssweet123
May 19, 2019

In reply to by Kfhana

Has anyone heard the name Collins Jefferson Williams? He claims to be a contractor on an oil rig , met on tinder, wanted me to change to hangouts very soon after meeting.... sounds the same as everyone else's stories. Never have talked to him ...he says he can't because of pirate attacks
bal92113
May 29, 2019

In reply to by mssweet123

There is a guy with same story on instagram dont trust him must be same guy just difrent pictures and name antonioluca 845 is his name On instagram
Lynn
June 06, 2020

In reply to by mssweet123

I think he is connected with a guy I talked to. He mentioned a Collins Williams one day to me.
Lisa
May 16, 2019
I think I just met one. He is Edward Frank, he said he is a US army deployed in Syria. Lost his wife some years ago with a son named Frank, 6y.o. He asked me to chat with him through g-chat as it is not safe much for him in IG. I gave my gmail (not linked to any of my online accounts and does not have my full name in it.) He sent me picture and asked me to send mine, which I did not do. After that I no longer heard anything from him. Much of my curiosity, I searched and it brought me here. I researched using the picture he sent me in g-chat (but not uploaded in his IG account) and I can now see two profile in IG, with the same face but different pictures and names. The picture he sent me is the profile pic of the other account I found. I want to know what he is up to but no message from him. He also has a tattoo in his arm which I think I read it in some of the comment here.
Don't use your…
May 16, 2019
Re:: Smart girl, May 11, you and Kathy, Apr 27th I believed are being scammed by the same low.life loser , just different scenarios, Australia , think about it .
Beccaconfused
May 16, 2019
I am afraid I may be dealing with a scammer. He says he is a civil engineer working on a ship repairing old pipe line off the coast of Oregon. I can't find any reference to old pipeline off the coast. According to him he can't do selfiee he can't video chat he had to leave Id with port authority. He could take a picture of barcode for a bit coin address for an account he wanted me to send bitcoin to. I was stupid, which I usually am not. I gave him my bank account to put money in for the button. Some woman in Florida got bank money orders for 4700 dollars and deposited to my account. Now I wonder if she is being scammed. The bank held the funds for 8 days said possible fraud. He was very upset. Said what did you tell them? They asked me when I called about the hold if I knew the person who was depositing to my account. I said no. Met online. I never had a clue about romance scams. I had been on 2 days when he contacted me. As I am writing this I realize how much goes along with what I have read about scammers. Did been verified check on name, phone, email nothing comes up. Reverse pic look up. On several dating sites, different picture different name but same person, one is even on a gay porn site. No explanation except his computer was hacked. He had me by Amazon cards and send him photos, had me scratch the codes. They released the money after 8 days. I now wonder if he made the deposit good due to the fact he didn't expect the hold and to string me along. Oh he was crazy in love with me after a week. Promised to fly to meet me on the 31st when he gets off ship. He is retiring and wants to marry me. Calls me baby, baby girl, asked if I ate about for every meal and what 1 ate. Does call or most of the time text tell me to call him. There is more. Oh divorced, daughter in Canada. Raised by grandmother in Romania. Came to states when 22. Accent I can't place. Word he uses instead of fell asleep but can't remember it. I think after all my questions and me calling him a scammer, he is only still in touch with me because I still have 2000 dollars of his money. He wants to give me an account number to deposit to. I want to stall as long as I can see if I can find out more. Tried to find out if port authority holds your I'd. He goes by Stanley Colin. Want to believe him but gut tells me no matter how sweet he talks it's not real. Sorry to write a book. Be careful Ladies. Red Flag? Let go as soon as that first little voice says something is wrong. I have been widowed a little over a year. We seem to be prime target. I am 65.
ugh
May 17, 2019

In reply to by Beccaconfused

Does he use “I need to get some rest now” and “take care” does he spell check , cheque, how tall does he say he is, does he wear braces? Very familiar
Crazy cat lady
June 01, 2019

In reply to by ugh

Hi ugh!i think I have been talking to Leonardo Dicapro.i have noticed he alaways says be safe and stay out of trouble .
Buckaroo
June 21, 2019

In reply to by ugh

Yeah, I had one do that too. She was aggressive. Sent some very risqué real time photos of herself. She made the money ask and I said “no”. She was a cutie though. Blocked her and she found out I did that and then blocked me. Oh, well.
Lovebird
January 20, 2020

In reply to by Crazy cat lady

I received a post from a person saying they were Leonardo Dicaprio as well. Happened late November. He showered me with adoration and love and then asked to meet me and said that in order to do so I had to pay a fan card price of 1200 or 6500 and when I refused he was angry and threatened me. He disappeared for a bit then came back and said I don't need to pay and did not remember anything we had shared previously. He asked me to block his old cell number and unfollow him on instagram so his management would not know. When I asked if he was truly single---asked about Camilia Moonroe---he called her names and said he was not in love with her---etc. So yeah I have a scammer pledging undying love to me too and calling himself Leonardo Dicaprio--weird world man
KotyJ
July 07, 2019

In reply to by Beccaconfused

Im born and raised in oregon. There is no pipe line repair going on except sewer line. I’m sorry.
NAIVE OL ME..
November 03, 2019

In reply to by Beccaconfused

He woukd say Felling asleep? Is that him? Good grammar usually, just funny because that stuck out. Felling asleep, im tired.
my gut instinc…
May 16, 2019
Just in this last week a man by the name of Mark Robert sent me a message through Instagram I too thought it legitimate as its not a dating site, claimed he was an oil engineer, in Turkey now 2-3 months, from Florida, 12 yr old daughter, Amy in boarding school. Claims his wife left him, for another man and then she died of a heart attack. Started on personal details how he wants to love again marry again, shared photos with me, saw my child as I thought it was all legitimate. Told me to join a google chat app (it was a green in colour icon, blank on the name at present) so he could talk to you at work. Only could talk certain times. I was starting to believe it but I started to ask some more personal details about family and his daughter and he'd go quiet. I feel so stupid to tell him so much about my personal life, feel violated and gullible. Sent pics of him and his daughter on motorbike. On Instagram he's under mark616666 and markRobert. Please be aware.
Rosie
May 16, 2019
Does anyone knows this michael dickson?claiming hes a oil rig contractor marine engineer in an offshore sea company...that hes a widow and he has a 16year old son...when i asked him to video call he said for security reason.and ask me whith whatsup accoubt..i gave him my number so we can chat there..i met him online via tango...then as i researched him in facebook i found he have differnt name and in romania where he told me hes in spain i keep on asking him and he keep insisting hes not the person.that i should forget that man...now hes saying he have an emergency with his son and the company hold their salary and cant send money to his son...i checked his whatsup number and the directory came from nigeria....do you think hes a scam?....
concerned_daughter
April 15, 2020

In reply to by Rosie

My sweet mom (Widower) is currently talking with a so called James Dickson who claims he’s out on an oil rig. His Wife died of cancer, & has 17 yo daughter. Only chat & talk on google hang out! What 65yo person goes on that? I’ve got his number though he is definitely a scammer!! Tons of red flags while reading this forum. Stay strong ladies (& men) & don’t believe everything you’re told.
Frazzeled and …
July 23, 2020

In reply to by Rosie

Hello, I'm concerned for my friend, she is also talking to a Mike Dickson. They met on Instagram ,and he supposedly in love with her from day 1. She was skeptical at 1st ,but now drawn into it. He supposedly from Dallas Tx, architect , has 11 yr old daughter, divorced . He is working in Gambia Africa for his job since March ,Covid 19 is keeping him there. He was robbed and his phone was trashed, money stolen. He only asked for pics n videos, but no money. He got rid of his Instagram account right away, they talk on telegram only. She received many pretty boy pics of him but I can't find him on google search ,comes up gentleman. I believe this is another scam but I need proof, at loss. don't have address, email, or phone number ? Help
cjs1234
May 16, 2019
Has anyone met one with the name Gary Lewis Miner from Alabama? Says he's an engineer and working in Malaysia to finish a contract.