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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
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military
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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.

lindaevans1
October 29, 2019
Anyone heard of a guy name Wilson Donald???
Too_goodtobetrur
October 29, 2019
I met two men on Match, a “Bulgarian architect “ calling himself Dexter Aleksander (broke his laptop in Cyprus), and Allen Henry Walter “Texan oil rig worker, dropped his tools into his “machine” and needs $26,000.00 to fix). I was born on a Sunday but not last Sunday! Not sending money to either of them. I have to admit I was suspicious of Allen from go; too effusive too quickly, but Dexter had me feeling for him. He’s good.
Scambuster
November 03, 2019

In reply to by Too_goodtobetrur

Never fall for Dexter. Some kind of charms might be working for him
Susie.
June 13, 2020

In reply to by Too_goodtobetrur

Your Dexter has been emailing me for 3 months. He’s very patient and told me everything I’ve always dreamed of. He’s stuck in Cyprus now with a broken lap top. I’m so angry. Knew he was a fraud when started hinting for money. I feel like a fool.
Rheashelly
October 29, 2019
Anyone been contacted from a Alexandra Kaufman from Canada working on an oil rig in Ireland. Has a 10 year son. Wife been dead for 6 years. Please let me know
nanab
October 29, 2019
Ok. I've been talking to this man that goes by Stuart Prater aka James Stuart. Says hes in military in Afghanistan. He contacted me thru Facebook at first but then says he was hacked and then wanted to chat on Hangouts. We've chatted several times daily for months and he has professed love and marriage. Says hes from Ohio and has a 16 year old son that lives with his mom. He is divorced. Nothing out of the ordinary until he claimed he had to pay restitution to a family there. Said he needed to come up with 6000.00 before he could come home. When I offered to help save money for him he was all love. Then when he decided that he could show that he had half the money he ask me to wire the money thru my bank and thru a US bank account number. Does anyone else know this man?? I have put off and put off sending anything so far. Should I feel it is a scammer??
Maria19
October 29, 2019
I have been chatting with a Thomas Herman Henz, he's telling me that he is going off shore to Cambodia and upon his return he wants me to purchase a home with his investments. He's given me a City Bank Of London care support agent that wants to wire me 700,000 dollars so that I can purchase a home upon his arrival to the US, naturally they need all my personal info. I'm not giving this fraudulent bank my info! Please reach out if you hear from him.
Khali Sanchez
October 31, 2019
Hello I feel like I'm being conned into a romantic relationship with many women ones goes by the name Belinda walker living in UK asking me for bit coin to send money for her daughter I never responded because I'm thinking with my mind it's tough but I'm trying fight it I called them a scammer I Know your not real because I looked at the Belinda walker and it says she lives in Houston and they tell I'm wrong they play dumb now this person is using wwe diva Pamela rose Martinez aka ring name Bailey asking me for Amazon card for hospital bills for the doctor
John Seth Hlavin
November 05, 2019
Johnhlavin608@ Avoid at all costs Scammer .Abusive text messages when his requests for Steam Cards was rejected
Ss
November 01, 2019
Just happened I blocked him- Greg Ferguson !!
charlynsd
November 02, 2019
Thomas Allesandro anyone?
King K
November 05, 2019
I'll give the short story bc HE'S not worth my words but I don't want anyone with a too kind heart to be scammed by him. My heart has been put thru too much to be weak. *James Bickel, Edward Bickel James, Bickel James *Says he's in the Marines *Met on POF *Supposedly has daughter named Linda *Linda mom left and she's with nanny *From North Carolina, Waldorf MD *Sends lots of pictures! He even sent pictures of himself on Halloween *All the I'm a good guy comments, Usually if you keep saying something it's not true *Asked for $2,000 to get father's inheritance (This wasn't even a good scam! I would have been more likely to believe he was a Nigerian prince lol) *He's was an orphan, no family I think that's the gist of it! There's other women on Pinterest that he's either scammed or tried to scam Be safe out here protect your hearts AND wallets
char
April 23, 2020

In reply to by King K

He contacted me in LinkedIn said he had a two year old daughter. He was in Afghanistan currently and was to be deployed back to the UK in a month. Told him we could chat but I was not interested in romance. Photo he sent was poorly cropped and superimposed in a background that didn’t go with his photo (car seat in middle of room). Long periods of absence then would reappear. Hadn’t asked for anything yet but I suspected scam from beginning so I was careful. Goes by Devid Bickel. Apparently there is a “Bickel” team.
Annonymous
November 02, 2019
I have been on line for the past 3 months with a person. Friendly conversation, turning into romantic, poetic conversation. Into the second month, he says he's leaving for S. Africa to work on an oil rig. Asks me to purchase Google, Amazon cards so we can communicate. Next asks me to send money through Western Union or Moneygram because he has to order more material to meet target date to get the job done. Up until asking for money, very sweet. I refused to send money and he kept with sad stories,practically begging in a nice way. Don't let these guys fool you!!
Frank
November 03, 2019
Chatcafe online is a scam. I used it once. It's guarantee contacts for a certain cost. The cost is based on the number of credits you buy. Each credit you purchase means cost for each contact you make. After several contacts depending on the number of credits you buy, you are asked to pay more to maintain the connections you made. The scam is fake pictures and fake people asking you to buy more credits as you make more contacts.
Mary D. Ace
November 03, 2019
I'm currently chatting with this claimed US Army named SIMON HOBBS CANTU, 33. With 2 kids (son is 6yrs old and daughter 4yrs old). Both parents died when he was 11 years old and raised by his late Uncle which was a priest. He is now in Syria for peace keeping missions. Had conned me for $1000 thru western union and received by a certain CEMALETTIN TOP in Istanbul Turkey. I filed already in FTC. Waiting for any feedback from my complaint.
Lakersfan65
November 04, 2019
Linda Chapman. Definitely fake and tried to get me to send her money to come visit me. She is on Hinge so watch out
Don'quiltgirlt…
November 05, 2019
I met a man on Match.com and he quickly asked me to go offline to text and email. He said his name was Roger Patterson, he was a widower, he had an 8 year old daughter and he was an Italian oil rig engineer. 2 weeks later he said he was going to Malaysia for a contract job. Shortly afterwards he said he needed $1500.00 for equipment because his credit card was. It working. I am a vulnerable new widow. I believed him and sent him the money via bitcoin. To make a long story short we have been talking for 3 months and he has asked me for $17,500.00 for project tax levy expenses. I have said no but continue to receive drama, trauma photos and emails. I feel so stupid. He is so clever and smart!
Don't use your…
November 07, 2019

In reply to by Don'quiltgirlt…

Please give him nothing. Sounds exactly like a guy I have talked to from match.com Asked me to use bitcoin too. Also wanted to talk off the dating site very quickly. Talked to me for 3 months... chatty ,friendly ,swore undying love, wanted to be with me forever......then came the requests for money. Don't be fooled.... he doesn't love anyone but himself and the money.
Dray
November 05, 2019
I need help this happend to me a couple of days ago they were threatening to post a video of me naked can and will they actually do it if I dont give money
Isaac Ben
November 05, 2019
I was talking to this women she say she was from the Us army in Syria that she need money to come and visit me in my country I send her 50,000 Us Dollar but she never come I send her another 80,000 Us Dollar but she never come Was she a scammer i lost everything i have but she never
smpgart
November 05, 2019
I am in the midst of communicating with an oil rig engineer with a very similar story! His Wife died during childbirth of his second child. His daughter, 6, and his son, soon to be 15, are going to a boarding school in Australia, where this scammer was originally born and he now calls Lakewood, CA. He’s now in Miami, Florida. Yet, just today, he received word that he has to leave to go to Gdańsk, Poland first thing tomorrow morning. He hasn’t asked for any money-yet! I certainly won’t send him or his kids any either. He sent me a photo-he’s good looking, late 50’s. He romanced next pretty quickly but for a guy who grew up in Australia, his use of the English language and grammar is very rough, and sometimes doesn’t make sense! How to I post a photo here to see if this is one of the scammers? His name is David Schultz Martinez. Any advice?
Cc
November 06, 2019
What can anyone say about Charles Luke, I am wanting to confirm stories, I do see his name on here but simple inquiries. I was scammed out of a lot of money by him. I am in my 60’s and want to try to get my money back. I live in NY but he does not. He pledged undying love for a year but he completely scammed me.
Polar bear
November 06, 2019
How do you check the photos of scammer? I think I seen the picture of the guy I was talking to used few years back. He never asked me for money or any favors, of course we only talked within maybe 24 hours if that long. The guy I met on FB claimed he has a daughter. I would like to find out for sure about him. He said he wanted me to be his wife. I knew he was full of it then. Lol.
romancescammerhater
November 06, 2019
Hi, I have just recently chatted with this guy named Nelson Michael. I blocked him in Instagram (nelsonderick1212) and Telegram. He was really sweet and I was about to be fooled. We were just chatting for a week and he confessed his love to me already without knowing me. Also, he asked me to fill-out a leave application form and told me to place there that I am his fiancée. He said he was an orphan, his parents died when he was a teenager and was only raised by a priest. He is currently situated in Kabul, Afghanistan and was staying there for more than a year already. But I was just curious on how the leave application worked so I had to do some research. Luckily, I saw a lot of this romance scammer especially a soldier from US military. I still gave a benefit of the doubt because he was not yet asking me for money unlike the other women who had been asked to send the guy some money or fill-out a wire transfer form. But just today, he told me he can already come home but there was a bad news. He needed to pay his ticket going back to the US and told me that he has no access to his bank account (this is a lie btw, because it’s not true they have no access to their bank accounts even if they’re already deployed). So he is borrowing some money. 1000 USD and he will cover for the rest. If I transfer him money within 15 hours he can already go home. Honestly, I am really not fooled by these type of scams where they ask for money. Please be mindful about these things. Words are just words unless they put it into an effort. They will fool you with sweet words, but don’t give in. Still think and be vigilant for these scammers.
bigheart
November 07, 2019
On instagram anyone talking to Jamal Howard Payne he professed love early on and asked me to marry him.He says he is a single parent to young boy.Said he lives in Athens, Alabama.His Mom lives with him and his son.His story was that he was trying to get his inheritance that his father left him.Said his father had a company with other realtors and he had to go to the UK to get this inheritance and needed to get a $20,000 loan to get his 2mil.Then the story changed to it wasn't an inheritance but he had to go there to get some contract and had to take a test to get this money.He passed his test and they were going to hire him and give him $6, 000 a month to work for them in the UK.He first asked me for$50 to get something for his son. Then it was $800 dollars to help him get to the UK.Then it was couldhe send me the check he just earned so I could cash it for him.I never sent him any money nor did I cash his check.We have been talking for about 4mos online and by phone. I know he is talking to other women.I saw 2 womens posts from him and he was flirting with them and trying to make a relationship with them.They were 2 of my friends.I have reverse imaged his photos but didn't get any hits.I asked him to skype with me but he didn't want to.So I think its a fake acct. We text so I have his ph #.I googled his name and nothing came up.I checked out his ph # and it said it was a landline in Beaverton, Oregon.
Sue
November 07, 2019
Peter S. Krause...claimed to be in military in Afghanistan. Wanted Amazon gift card for $300 after only talking for a day. He wanted to utilize Google Hangouts. I didn't send money and blocked him
Don't use your…
November 07, 2019
anyone heard of Joseph Wagner. very smart designer clothes about 55 says he is a Civil Engineer ... needs money to get back from South Africa.... but has been detained in Abu Dhabi..... he has an amazing story. Money grabber and liar
CindyDon't use…
November 08, 2019
My guy says his wife's died , Two kids Barry and Jane wants cards sent to him now A cell phone , I phone Which costs A lot I have the phone but I'm not sending it . I thought I would go back and read some of your comments and glad I did .So sad I feel in love with this man , and I thought he love me. He use the name Dickson and Turawa2
CindyDon't use…
November 08, 2019
I had bought $8,000 phone ready to send it until I read your report again saying he was a widower what do children I fell in love with him can't believe a person could do this to somebody says he's on a offshore drilling rig wanting me to send the phone to Nigeria I have it but not sending now. Names used Dickson and Turawa anybody else know this name?q
Help2323
November 08, 2019
I was talking to this guy who messaged me on twitter back in aug. All of a sudden he stopped messaging, stopped calling. His name is “Michael Miller” an Architect from NY. Divorced father of two. I never sent him any money but i also never video chatted with him bc he claimed his camera did not work. Apparently he didn’t have a phone line bc he owed money so he could only use apps such as “TextNow” or “google voice” via WiFi. A lot of red flags i know. I’m just confused bc i never sent him any money and it seemed legit i just would like to know WHO he really is. Wondering if anyone out there has come across this guy. He has an accent says he’s French.
Consuelo1956
November 08, 2019
Does anyone know anything about a mark Brandon
Roland123
November 08, 2019
Has anyone been scammed by someone with the name Henry Brown??
J
November 09, 2019
Anyone heard of a 'Michaek Payton Reich' claims girlfriend left him 5vyears ago has daughter 16 called Vanessa and son called henry who was 7/8. Claimed was telephone engineer from LA but working in China . Stunning looking man in fact too perfect but did have accent certainly not American. He also claimed was born in Germany and had property to sell in Bonn and LA.
Want to believe
November 09, 2019
Anyone know a robert coleman
Gullablenature74!!
November 09, 2019
Im afraid I am being scammed now I believe. I have been dating online someone who claims to be celebrity since April 2019. First it was iTunes cards, then Steam cards and Sephora cards and money graham to a charity. He cancelled twice on me with bs excuses whenever he was supposed to fly out for us to meet. I feel like such a fool because after adding it all up, I'm in the hole for $5,000 so far. He keeps promising me he has an account with millions in my name and our son (to be) name but I have to wait till we meet so he can give me access by me adding my biometric thumb print to access the account. He keeps asking for more and more money even though I'm not working and the only money I have is from my ex for support of my kids so i had to borrow from family and friends to keep buying these gift cards. I dont know how he uses the steam cards for cash or the sephora cards for cash. He tells me to take picture of cards and receipts and signs and dates receipts and send picture of that too I'm afraid if what this person is doing is illegal, I'm being set up for blackmail if I decide to break things off. Please help!
Jessie
November 10, 2019
My scammer friended me on facebook. At first very nice person. He told me he loved me within a few days. When your lonely at home it's nice to talk to someone. He told me he was on an old rig in the gulf. Yah right. He asked me if he could send a package to my house. He told it was 650.000 dollars in a armaguard security box. I started getting email asking for money because this box was in customs. I told him that I would not pay for it. We went back and forth about this for a few weeks. He said he had pictures of me that I have no idea how he got them. He had pictures of my family etc. He started threatening me. Sending things to my friends on facebook. This guy Shaw, Michael, ambrose etc What ever his name is. Was very good at what he does. People like this are scum. They pray on good people because it make them feel good. I hope this guy rots in hell. And he gets want is come to him.
charlynsd
November 10, 2019
How about Harold Grant?
Gilopo
December 11, 2019

In reply to by charlynsd

I think I am being scammed by a man I met on Zoosk and his name is Harry. Very smart and sends love songs from youtube...all country music...one Al Green. Claims he owns a marketing company for medical devices, pharmaceuticals and tracks prescription data from physicians, Prof golfer, house in South Carolina, Boston, Island of Nevis, Speaks English very well. Claims to speak french, italian and learning Portuguese. Has 5 kids. 54 years old. Married 30 years. Romantic. Attentive. Says he will come visit but calls it off. 98 year old dad and special needs brother in hospital. Wouldn't give last name. Likes to talk about travels we will do.
CSD1986
November 11, 2019
After hearing about all kinds of stories about scammers targeting innocent people on dating sites, I'm not ashamed to admit that I have also become a victim of such a scenario just recently as well... I was able to meet a beautiful girl who went by the name of Rose Terry, and she told me that she was actually from Evansville (which is not too far away from where I live) while working in California after meeting her on a dating website a few months ago. She seemed like a really nice girl at first, since we were able to text to each other every single day, and she told me that she needed some Google Play cards to help her study for a big exam, which, of course, I ended up spending about $200-$300 for a couple of months to help her. She claimed to have passed the exam and she told me that she had been given a huge promotion while promising me a new car and house (neither of which I had received); Not only that, but she even promised to fly all the way to meet me in person after her granny was able to feel better. I offered to help her by letting her transfer some money to my own bank account, but when I realized that the money she sent me was declared stolen, I had my account frozen temporary with the money being sent back to the rightful owner, and as a result, I had to open a new account so that I won't make that same mistake of telling my number who anyone ever again. Believe me, I was quite heartbroken after realizing that the girl who claimed to have loved me turned out to be using me the whole time, and I wish I never met her if I knew she was a scammer...
Violet
November 11, 2019
Does the name John Steven mean anything to anyone?? He declared love after a month of chatting on Words with Friends . Works on oil rig but suddenly his diver died and needed money to keep his business going..
NotMe
November 11, 2019
I am talking to a guy who says his name is Andrew Moore from Ontario Canada. His syntax is odd. Im American and his syntax should be similar to mine. He says he is an engineer working near Africa. He is a widow and has an 11 year old son in boarding school. Im most put out with his grammer. Have declined his calls and he has yet to ask me for anything but he fits the profile of what i have read about today. He messaged me on Pinterest and then email and then hangouts. Be smart ladies. You work too hard to be where you are to get scammed by these losers. Its always ok to say NO!!!
Nina 122
November 11, 2019
I was recently talking with a guy in Florida who says he's in the Navy. He's always said he's opening up a business and strapped for cash. Wants to always send me pictures of the alleged stuff he is purchasing for his shop. Then he fixes his mouth to ask me for money to help cover co
Suckered
November 13, 2019
I have met several guys that have been asking for cards (Amazon, iTunes Google play, and etc) they all say that they will pay me back when they get home. They all say that they are widowed and have kids. Parents passed away when they were young. They work on rigs, soldiers/doctors or engineers. Here are several names that I have talked too. Christian Flores Garcia - Kenny Mcarthney - Brian Gipson - Christopher Hubbs Collin Gates, Richard Moore, I have been scammed by these guys/Scam.
Truth Seeker
July 24, 2020

In reply to by Suckered

Can you give more info on Richard Moore? He’s supposed to be an engineer working in an oil rig, but online searches came up with nothing, including in the hometown he claims to live in.
Croberts
November 12, 2019
Has anyone been communicating with a guy that goes by John Maine? Says he lives in Texas, has a son named George that lives in Los Angeles. Says his wife passed away about four years ago.
annformanes
November 13, 2019
How about Sergeant Grant Rogers, thosr any one know him? he will send me a box containing his Medal, awards, uniform and a simple gift for me haha, but i refused to accept it, thanks God
terry
November 13, 2019
a lot of these scammers use instragram They set up instragram accounts with pictures from other instragram accounts. I am sure that Instragram could run a program to pull out new accounts that are using pictures from other instragram accounts
Boochie
November 14, 2019

In reply to by terry

The problem with my scammer is that he is giving me a real name his business name and his date of birth and all sorts of stuff. I looked him up in the business seems to be legit with the picture as well as a picture of his daughter on Facebook. I still feel like it is a scam so I have dismiss entertaining this man any further if he is who he say he is in his riches he is then I guess I just missed out on the real deal. These scammers make it so hard for anyone that is sincere to be believed because they are so evil. Patrick Proclaim that he was a widow and that his parents and sister were killed in a car accident and that he have a daughter away in college and he just wants to be able to spend the money that he has on someone that he can love and get close to
Dy
November 13, 2019
I met a guy on hangouts..oh said he loved me and not to lie..I fell head over hills for this man..then he started asking for Amazon cards which I never got for him..and then he said he was over in insabul turkey working..and said he lost his wallet..and wanted me to get a loan on my home send him 2,800 dollars to pay someone to take his contract over ..and get a plan ticket back home..was telling me his fate was in my hands..well it never happened..I never sent this man no money..I ask for proof driver license or passport to show me that he was who he said..and that's when he really showed his true colors..I called him out on it and just like that attitude changed and now he is gone..but like I said I didn't give him anything but my heart..his so called name initial is WS and he is in with bitcoin he say
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