Faking it — scammers’ tricks to steal your heart and money

There has got to be a way to prosecute these people. And, for the people asking have you heard of so and so, they do not use the same names or pictures. This is unfortunately their "job". These are the lowest forms of criminals. It is easy to say "this would never happen to me." Yes, it can.

Hi, I just want to check if anyone ever talk to a guy name Morgan Mendenhall. He said he is a US marine, no wife just a child with someone. Half American-half Vietnamese. He said he cant show me pics cos he is on some duty but admit that the pic he used on Tinder is not his. I met him on Tinder, by the way. I asked him upfront if he is a scammer and showed him reasons why I say that. And he keeps denying. I told him if money that he wants, I have none so he might as well walk away but he insisted that he really likes me. However his English is quite good. Mostly grammatical and well- structured. Does anyone have idea if he real or fake?

I have the comments My story is over a 2 year span, in 2018. I was contact by Facebook His name is James Preston Casper or James Morison Casper. I doubt that either of these names are real. Texts were the first time he contacted he told me he was Trama and Othepetic surgeon in " Afghanistan Facebook page has been hacked " texting and then he called asked me first for $2,500. 00 euros. The reason for this was his son Wilson need the money to write an exam as he was going to school in Italy like asked for the of the school if need help lower would it to the school. NO NO put in bitcoin, is faster for me to get it to him. Then the son called crying on phone call me mum and he will make me proud. Lauren if you can send $1,500.00 it really could send. I called Police to my notes and recorded all the conversation text, phone, email l wanted no part of it. On January 14th, 2020 he contacted again this time it was different he professed his love wanted to spend his life with. Now l spoke to him on the phone, he was a widow, with 14 year son. We texted a bit each night asking questions. Sending me picture of himself. Over Christmas he was back in the states now know that Military l come from a Military family. Then asked to buy him a gift card from Google, eBay, Amazon Proceeds to tell that $ 50.00 is not much, l work had for my money. I ask him to call me on video chat that was yesterday. Have heard nothing. I told him talk to his CO. He got really pissy with me. He a most had me but the stories were not consistent. So now he's gone ladies or men beware. His profileyes Only child Both parents dead Single father Widow Surgeon Born in Sweden Thick west African Accent Very poor grammer

Has anyone been speaking with a man Richard Grey working on an oil rig in Netherlands. Needs itune cards to boost poor internet service. Fell in love after 3 days and now seems like a stalker. Warned of coming to my state and finding me because he is in love with me . Help!!!

We haven't been talking long. Met on POF. Now we chat on Hangouts. Tells me to never buy online and only order over phone or on store because internet is not safe; not even the government sites. Sent me gifts and my children gifts,(very expensive). He knows I have 5 kids and support a household of 10 and have no money. He sent me his bank account with a date/time stamp and balance. He's pretty loaded. He was going to wire me money to pick his son up a google game card from CVS tonight. Then asked me to buy 3 but said if I could only get 1, that would be fine too. He'd mail me a check or money order tomorrow. I called him out on his pics and he sent me his location. He was in VA, not MI like he said. We were supposed to meet that day but he never said a word. Got upset about trust because I was asking questions, then sent me flowers the next day to apologize? He know this area well. Types and talks very educated. Can't find him on any reverse image search. He said he was a financial consultant and he doesn't want any money. Has a son moving in with him next month from CA. Sent me family pics and a short video of him and his son. Speaks clear and precise English. Reads books, etc. He won't talk over the phone or video call though. I am being cautious. Does not talk sexual and is very very respectful. The card thing got me though but when I reminded him I didn't have any $ he didn't get upset. Just wants me to get better cuz I'm sick. His name is John. I can't find him anywhere on the internet. I am praying he's legit! He tried to order him and us groceries today but couldn't get them to process his card over the phone because that's his rule and he's on crutches from hurting his foot. But why no calls or video chats?

Any one ever dealt with a Nicholas Wayne? Claims to be a private contractor out of Troy NC currently working on a construction project in Turkey.

Got one she wouldn’t show pic on wwf wanted to go to hangouts to see her pic. Sent sad pics very blurry. Said from England named Sarah. Then she said had problems with daughter. Did like a 11 sec clip with a little girl and four shorter clips of her with make up. ask for money. Wouldn’t give her any still kept chatting. Sent smiling happy short clips with make up on. Just wondering if anyone else has chatted with same

Mark Denise ? Anyone herd of him

I saw his passport and also ask him to take a photo of his face holding a note saying my name he even sent me his location! But he is traveling to the UK for two months for work! Haven’t met in person and he said he can’t video chat now!

Has anyone heard from an Albert Anderson that is widowed with two daughters and from Norway?

I have a friend who got on a dating app plenty of fish and instantly started chatting with. Jason Kyle James supposedly a Col in the army deployed in Afghanistan. Late 50s salt pepper thin hair says he is a widow no kids no family .. has already told my friend he is looking for a long term relationship and is over the top sugary sweet Romantic saying how they are going to be together forever after he retires in May . Btw she is a widow her husband passed 2 years ago . He emails and chats every day and she did send him a care package for Christmas but when he let her know it arrived at the address he gave her , he then said he was out on mission and the only way to get it to him was to pay 300$ which she instantly refused to do . Reading all these comments I See the names James Kyle & Jason are common .. I am inclined to think he is a scammer.. tried to post pic but it won’t come thru

I met a scammer on Tinder and he almost had me fooled but I knew the warning signs and too many inconsistencies. He goes by the name Toby Zahel and he has two facebook pages - one with about 7 photos all oddly posted on the same day and another FB page with two photos. He told me he was in the Marines, his fiancé and dad both died during their respective Army deployments and he just lost his best friend during a mission. He said he’s an American-born (NJ) Australian. Wanted to quit military after current deployment ends in January. Just told me he wouldn’t be home until February except that he would have to pay for ticket home himself and be reimbursed three months later. He wanted to start his own business and said he spent life savings on gems that got caught up in customs; lost his two credit cards during the mission where his friend died and wanted me to him him by sending his new credit card to him that I would have to go to pick up at bank because the bank refused to mail a new card to a war zone. He said he was stationed at Sam Houston in San Antonio, TX (except that no one calls it that - I am a native and everyone calls it Ft. Sam...and it’s an Army base so not sure why a Marine would be stationed here. He made a mention about being used to the cold because he was from Australia. Since when is Australia cold?! Be careful out there, ladies. The scammers are getting way more elaborate with their stories...

A guy calling himself Larri Begley says he is an army sgt w/ UN forces in Syria. Says he helps out at the local orphanage (what a saint!), but then he started asking about my credit cards and wanted me to send itunes cards, amazon, etc. ALL FAKE!! The pics were on other people's FB pages, the ph# went back to a couple in Oklahoma. When I refused the money donations he got kinda nasty w/ me so I blocked him. I think he's actually in india/africa, the accent didn't really sound midwestern. Be Careful he is a Smooth talker!

Do NOT RESPOND TO ANYONE USING THE NAME JAMES. EVEN IF CONNECTED TO THE SAME OTHER NAME. JAMES SCOTT, SCOTT JAMES ETC. ALL THE SAME PERSON. BIG TIME ROMANCE SCAMMER.

Does any one know of a Ken Blake? Spokane Washington? I think he is scamming my best friend, by telling her to order iPhones thru her carrier, and then to ship them to him. He will then pay for them after.

I’ve got a live one now. Instagram. Name Williams.owen3. Yes his first name he says is Williams with an “s”. Says he is in the army, and is currently deployed, in, get this: Iowa. Protecting Iowa from some sort of threat. Lol! Said he loved me after 3 days. Wanted me to download hangouts, asked for my email and phone number, none of which he got. Told him I had to run an errand to the bank and his ears perked up. Asked if I had any credit cards and what kinds. He gave me the story that he doesn’t have access to his money and his mother was suddenly the hospital. His English is abhorrent despite being born in Florida. Doesn’t know basic American slang. He then asked if I could get him a google steam card so he can trade it at the store for food because he hates the food the army gives him. He is getting nothing besides a calling out and a link to this site. Be careful out there every one!!!

Scammer goes by a Robert Buxmann on Tinder. Says wife cheated and has been single for a long while. No children. Says he is a Structural engineer and landed a Gov job in South Africa. Uses Queen, babe, sweetheart, beloved and I love you. Very smooth and acts interested in your daily life. Of course funding for his government job is on hold and he needs money till funding. Wants to deal in Bitcoin Wallet. Beware!! Says he is Sweedish, lived in CA, then WA, and wherever his job takes him. Currently claims to be in Pretoria South Africa.

Somebody who know Philip Gutman ?

Has anyone had a guy tell them they moved here from Canada and his wife died in child birth and his daughter is being raised by his nanny in the UK? I don't want to publish a name just in case it's not a lie but sounds like a scam to me.

I got a scammer telling me they needed money to to help them pay for food and medical bills. I told them. Really? I need money too!! Send it right away !!

Anyone know of a McGhee Kelly Thom or General Thomas Hill Vong?

I suspected this guy right away. I've asked him many questions to try and figure it out. I asked him what he slept in and he said "a sleep suit." He fits the classic profile. He says he is a widowed man with a daughter living in California. However, he is in Germany working on an Oil Rig management as a consultant. The age he gives me doesn't match his picture. He has sent me several photos. I was suspicious, but when he asked me if I have a credit card I was sure. I haven't done an image search yet - but I am going to do that and see what I get back. If I do I will turn him in. He uses the name, Wilfred Peterson.

Met a guy online, says he’s a sniper for Mariens. Very nice after a couple weeks, he said that the food they send messes with his stomach. Now befor O get into it, we have done face time, I’ve also received pictures of him in dog tags. He said they are late on bonuses, and could I help him out a little. I told him, I’m out of work and have a child to provide for. Was hurt on the job. He said even 109 would work. Then said his internet has been bad, he has to use his buddy’s. Now, as I’ve looked up, they get internet access as well as their ban. But his is frozen or something. He eventually said forget about the money, I’ll figure it out. Oh, and the dating site was gone after we spoke for weeks. Does this seem like a scam?

I think I am being scammed but no request for money yet. He is from the UK but says he was living in Delaware. Flew back to the UK to get his yacht and bring it to the US. Some things are not adding up. He says he has plenty of money and has professed his love to me. I have some photos and have not found them to be fake. He is suppose to be sailing now. Just had some bad weather. Having been texting and calling thru Hangouts. If it is a scam, he is really good.

My sister I believe is being scammed and she has sent this guy money she cant afford to lose. He sent her 2 stuffed animals and now a cell phone. He is supposedly was raised in london has a house in Florida but is in Germany for a job as a weilder. He needs money to get his millions out of his bank and told her when you send me x amount of money I will send you 10,000. I tried telling her and others have tried telling her to stop and delete him but she believes this guy is real.

Hi All Look out for a guy posing as Admiral Anthony Graham, originally from Oslo, orphaned at 16, sent to USA to live with uncle, attended Navy Academy. 58 yrs old, supposedly deployed on USS carrier since May 2019, widowed, lived in Seattle, and posed in Plenty if Fish website. Be careful, will send you great pics, but uniforms are not those if rank if Admiral or an officer. Professes he’s in love with you, and can’t access his bank accounts! I wasn’t fooled so exposed him, he can’t video call you due to being in a sensitive area, and any ops he goes on, appear to be between 06.00 - q15.00, clearly not very good skills in covert ops! I have pics, he uses email Anthiny graham 1600@ And used Stevie 6604 in Plenty of Fish Beware and be careful A real manipulative smooth talker!

Anyone know of a George Phillips that supposedly is a civil petroleum engineer or a Chris Sewell ?

I wish I knew about this site before I met my probable scammer. Fortunately, my core instincts of not trusting, worked to my advantage, but not without a solid 3 month emotional investment brewing. It is amazing the similarities I've read, so I have to thank all the people, like myself that have offered their stories. I continued to believe, even when I ended the situation, that there was a 50/50 chance this guy is telling the truth. Of course, the more I read your stories I have leaned to the 50% side of deception of the utmost of my beliefs. For one thing, I wasn't on an online site, so I didn't believe I was looking for this. These guys are slicker than slick though. His story? Well a widower, stuck on an oil rig and unable to be granted earned vacation time, as he called it, and not seeing his only daughter in over a year. After about a month of so called "romancing me" online (the compliments, the constant confessions of love, you all know the scenario, it's all part of their game), the first situation arose about $, and I had a sinking sensation in my stomach that this was a huge scam! It is a devastating realization. And some common themes, and the worst one of all, was the faith in God, etc...and confessions and blatant submission to God's will for our "forever love". As I said, my basic mistrust, kept me at bay, just enough to doggy paddle myself back to reality and the possibility that this "story" was never going to happen in reality. You might ask what hooked me initially, and I have to admit sheer curiosity and perhaps a cat and mouse game on my own part to see if "Romance" truly was still a reality in my life. Other similarities I found in others stories, were these: - the "Oil Rig" occupation of the scammer - the widower with a young child -the dual language discrepancy (at times, very "American slang" phrases, then supposed broken German dialect (my real German friend was kind enough to offer her input as to the unlikelihood of a lot of persons of German descent behaving in the ways he portrayed himself, along with other German references she could not verify with her own German online id, etc... and couldn't verify his address in Germany either, nor his American address. Easy markers for scammers using stolen ID references, etc...) - removing his FB ID, very shortly after our communication started and communicating on Google hangout - denying the scammer possibility and denying he ever asked me for anything (he always cont to ask me to help him and of course he'd pay me back triple - showing me a beautiful home he wanted to buy us, in the state I live in, and strangely, the city I was wanting to live in (I believe he was already scamming and accessing my online searches, somehow - it goes on and on, but always came down to me getting him out of where he was supposedly "stuck" and that would involve my giving my personal bank info, but OF COURSE I would be refunded once he was here... - when I called him on it a few times, he'd get very upset and anxious, denying any allegations I made. I refused to budge on giving my bank info at any cost - I finally got tired of the cat and mouse game, the only online communication, etc.. - finally all the input from any close friends (only one believed him real, the others were skeptical) - completely removing myself from the situation and any communication in exactly one month time, I AM TOTALLY CONVINCED THIS WAS A SCAMMER

I think I've met a scammer. His name is Tim/Timothy. He says he's a contractor in Miami. Met on a dating site and after a week of intense texting he says he wants to marry me. He's super muscular and tatted up in his photos, says he's 64 and originally from Sacramento, Ca. Sound familiar, anyone?

Anyone know this guy he is a dr in yiemen asking for money to get home. Unfortunately also sent photos and have sent money for a security box never received apparently customs blocked. His name dr Jefferson Holden

I was talking to this guy, Stefan Jeremy Roman. He's stuck in Colombia after taking his guitars ( that took him 3 years to build) to his customers there. He ran into problems cause he had to pay taxes. Now he told before he supposedly left that he went to his bank and withdrew 19,500.00! And he didn't buy a round-trip ticket! He got me for 100 bucks for a Google play card. Now for past week has begged me to basically go panhandling because I don't have money. Another one born in Brazil, came to states when he was 26, wife died and 20 year old son is still in Brazil cause he's a drug user. I'm this guy's only friend! He quoted me scripture about how we should help each other! Supposedly lives in Phoenix, Arizona with his two dogs and a horse. Anybody else encounter this guy?

Gonzalez Narvaez scammed me out of thousands over the years. My fault I fell in love with the guy.. I am very depressed' broken hearted, and sad. I call it emotional blackmail.. I'm smarter than that.. He was the first and will be the last. They are narcissistic sociapaths. They have no conscience.. One day they will stand before God and answer to him for all the evil things they have done..

Just want to add another shady character to watch for on POF: a guy with an account in the name of 'consciously managed'. He says he works on an oil rig in Ireland, his name supposedly "Alessandro', of Italian origin, but from the USA. He says he's retiring from the rig soon, but needs a google pay gift card so that he can reactivate his online banking app (?) to send money to his son in the USA. Apparently the nanny has run out of money to buy groceries. He also goes by the name Chris on hangouts. Typical scammer's tactics: declares his eternal love, strong Christian undertones in his dialogue, widower to a wife who died of leukaemia...and boom! suddenly decretes he needs money from you so that he can keep his son fed. Don't fall for it.