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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.

William11
May 10, 2020
A man on Instagram has claimed that he needs help to feed him and his brothers (all orphaned) and has no job due to coronavirus. He claims to be from Gambia and has asked me to send some money on westernunion.com to feed him for a month. Unfortunately I cannot help due to no debit or credit card, however I want to help and I’m pretty sure this isn’t a scam due to him sending me videos and saying my name in them. PS he claims the phone is borrowed from a friend. Does this sound like a scam or should I try and find someone else to help him out?
Highly Annoyed
May 11, 2020
Be on the lookout for Walter Drick or Drick Walter. Widowed with a young daughter. Age 49 born March 2. Originally from Munich German now living in Manchester or London. Is a civil engineer with DPR Construction.
Katka
June 05, 2020
hello, I'm from the Czech Republic and via Instagram I was approached by a man, Brad Manley, email: bradmanley85@gmail.com age 40, US Army, widower, 3 children, his wife died in a car accident, now she is on a mission in Afghanistan. I will forward the email from him. Sent a photo in uniform, with children and the whole family and wife "Thanks for your email,now i will tell you more about myself,i am widowed with three lovely kids,Mike,Nathan and Kate,my wife died three years ago in a car accident,i miss her so much,i am a soldier and i work with the US army,right now i have been deployed to Afghanistan on peace mission but my kids are in USA,i miss them so much,I am easy going and love to stay active. I try to make the best out of every day no matter what life throws my way. Friends describe me as caring, generous, honest, intelligent, passionate and easy to talk to. I am a very open minded person and believe that tolerance for others and the differences we share are key to living and learning. Family is the most important. I am passionate about people and life. Some of the things I enjoy are outdoor activities, movies, reading and traveling. However, I don't expect my significant other to do everything with me. I am at a good place in my life right now, but am interested in a friendship that could develop into a long term relationship and even more. My children are still young. I am looking for someone who is kind and spontaneous when the occasion arises, someone who is honest, social, and passionate. I would like to meet someone who is able to express and communicate their feelings,here are my pictures..i hope to hear soon from you,i care."
Linda
May 12, 2020
Please girls we have to catch this Coless Dario and he has other names, age and nationality, but is the same. I guess is a nigerian guy Nelly AG he has account on facebook and does it very well. He playing this nasty game with women all over the world. I am from Europe and I really dont have a lot of money, but he tricked me so well and i felt very sorry about his situation not knowing is a scam! I have three number two turkish phone number, one belgian still working but he is not using that with me maybe with some other women.
Linda
May 12, 2020
Girls this chinese guy, has different names and age. I found him be the foto he is also on russian date website as Kevin, 58. I know him as Coless Dario ( sweedish). He is very active on dating website. I met him on Tinder in december 2019, I can not believe the investigators did not catch him yet!!!
Ann
June 13, 2020

In reply to by Linda

May i know the chinese guy is from where? Few months ago, i knew 1 guys from Instagram named under kevin, 38 years old. Is a chinese america, lives at Houston, texas. He told me he was a marine engineer and works in diamond offshore.
Abby
May 12, 2020
Dr. Eric Gibson is a scammer!! He is supposedly an orthopedic surgeon working in Syria under the UN. He has a 16 year old son. He was an orphan because both of his parents were run over by a car. He is a despicable man in NIGERIA. He also has 'friends' Michael Toni and Glen Hyson - also men in Nigeria. DO NOT SEND HIM AMAZON CARDS. He will always request $300. Please be aware.
jean cox
May 15, 2020

In reply to by Abby

Had the exact same scenario from Chris Anthony Damascus dr under the UN! NEVER SEND MONEY
Ally
May 12, 2020
I was scammed by a man in 2010 who seduced me and convinced me that he loved me while using my credit cards to the tune of $80,000 He promised to repay me. We married and 2 years later I had to get an annulment based on fraud He was a liar and a cheat. And I was left with the debt! Beware of Alfred Dan Scheussler. He could still live in California or moved to Montana. He is very sly and could fool anyone!
ChrisTN423
May 13, 2020
Anyone talking to a lady named Davis Ann, who is supposed to be in the Navy & has a daughter?
So done
May 13, 2020
Anyone heard of a man named Allen Edward or Austine William? Both say they work on oil rigs, asking for google play cards. Both saying they have a daughter and divorced for several years.
Marge
May 14, 2020
I met a man recently his name Willie Jesse on an oil rig says he has a parcel needs attention ..now he needs 9000 dollars to get it ...But I'm smarter than that got scammed before just wanted to put this out there beware lady's
EvilEye
May 14, 2020
Met an individual by the name of John Given on Anonymous chat app. Switched over to Hangouts. We’ve been talking for a couple of weeks & the conversations are strange. He’s fallen in love with me so quickly. Says he wants to marry. Says he’s from France. Never married, no kids. Mentioned that all of his ex gf’s used him for his money & pulls on my heartstring & that I’m different. Has a brother & sister. Mother deceased. Sent me pictures of him & family. Says he resides in Brooklyn but when I got his #, it’s a NE #. Says he’s been in the states for 10yrs, some years in NE for work then moved to NY for 6-7yrs. Says he works for road, highway & street construction company where he supervises. His pictures are of a man in his late 40’s, semi balding. Wore a NY hat & another picture he’s holding a NY mug. I told him to send a pic of his DL info blurred out. But ironically his phone fell in the tub, has to wait to get a new phone. Says he uses his laptop now. Attempted to video call him but he says he camera won’t seem to work. Mentioned a steam card? Unable to purchase one? In one phone call I heard a rooster. We all know damn well there ain’t no roosters in Brooklyn lol. At one point, I heard him get angry and shout? Says he’s frustrated bc his server is bad. If you make money & is a gamer, you can afford good service.
Danijo
May 14, 2020
He is still at it. The white haired guy with the dog. Different stories though. I have a picture if there is any way to post it.
SummerSky
May 14, 2020
Hi has anyone been talking to a guy named Michael Vlaar? Dutch born living in the US
34
January 13, 2021

In reply to by SummerSky

Yes I have been talking to a micheal Vlaar Are you still in touch with him?
Senior 70. …
May 15, 2020
Ladies, please be careful. I met a man good-looking says he a Dr. Had pictures , friended me by FB. 2 days ago. Now I have already been scammed, yes my guard was up. Started talking , says his name is William Anthony from Maimi Fl. 1 conversation, this morning , he had already blocked me. First he says he's 61, a little later he's 59. Tells me he's a Taures, birth date end of this month. I know that's the Gemini sign. I Asked about his son Jeremy , is he a teenager being in boarding school? No he's in the UK , studying to be a Dr. Like myself . Next Afghanistan gets mentioned that he has to work tonight. Really do I look that stupid . Wanted me to get the Whatsapp app. Now I'm assuming he's in the East Coast but Afghanistan is 9 1/2 hr. Ahead . I told him I was a widow, he asked how much do I still owe on my mirtgage, enough was my answer. This guy was fishing but I wasn't going to be his BAIT. He said he was single, yet his profile said widowed . Ladies please be very careful . More than likely this could have been some else's profile .
Susie.
June 21, 2020

In reply to by Senior 70. …

They change their names, it doesn’t matter. They’re all frauds. Just spent 3 months in love with a bright, luring scammer. Phone calls , love poems, he sounded great until he asked me for money. I blocked him.
Punked?
May 15, 2020
Anybody have any dealings with a Charles Pedro, possibly Charles George, 61, lives in SF, born in London? Civil engineer. Very tall, very good looking, white hair, glasses. Widowed for 8 yrs. "Met" him on the dating site Zoosk. Was asked the same day to move to Hangouts instead. Within 2 days he professed his feelings for me, as did I... He's very romantic, sends beautiful youtube songs, pictures and poetry. He calls multiple times a day through Hangouts, but doesn't answer video calls from me. I have "his cell" which comes up empty when searched. I can find a FB, Insta, Twitter, and LinkedIn account for him. I want to believe him sooooo very badly!!! But I can't ignore the red flags. Anybody, anything similar?
Punked?
May 15, 2020
Charles? C.P.G? I want to be wrong about him soooo badly :( But can't ignore the red flags. Contacted me on dating site Zoosk. Very handsome, 6-4, white hair, 61 yo. Widower. Born in London, now lives in SF, Cali. Civil engineer. Moved to Hangouts right away. Calls multiple times through Hangouts, but won't answer video calls. I have more details, but am literally praying he's legit.
Goldilocks1
May 15, 2020
Anyone familiar with one named Alex Santiago? Same old story ....living in Florida...wife died from cancer...2 daughters in boarding school...suddenly had to go to Turkey to fulfill a contract on an oil rig...surprise, surprise. Has "loved" me for 3 months now..never met, told his daughters I'm their new mom. Started asking for those steam cards this week, can't talk to daughters...has no internet. told him to go scam someone else and blocked him, but curious how many women he's done this too. And now i have really strong feelings for the man whose pictures he stole...lol
Jbossiegurl
August 03, 2020

In reply to by Goldilocks1

Omg me too. That’s literally the only thing I care about right now. He shared so many photos with me that were obviously not his. This innocent very gorgeous man. I wish I could alert him somehow. We were both scammed as far as I’m concerned
ALIX
August 06, 2020

In reply to by Jbossiegurl

same here, the pictures that i have been sent are of a gorgeous military gentleman who i am now deeply in love with! how are we able to alert these people whose pictures they are using?
Mad45
May 15, 2020
I'm trying to find out if the man my moms dating is a scammer, which I'm almost positive he is cuz I've been doing my research, but I just wanna be sure cuz I'm scared of my mom being absolutely heartbroken. He said his name was Anthony Roberts (goes by Tony) and that his father was this rich successful guy and that he's lived all around the world, but he clearly has a Nigerian accent. They met on a Jehovah's Witness dating website, and he said he had a construction company and that he was working in Florida. Of course, stuff happened and he said one of the machines got broken, and he needed a part to fix it, but he couldn't afford the part cuz the client he was working for made him encrypt his bank account so he couldn't access his money until the project was over. He then said he got injured unloading a truck, and went to some rehibilitation center that the client had for the workers. He keeps asking my mom for money for the part, saying that he cant ask anyone else because his parents and siblings are dead, and all his friends are working in Russia or something. And whenever she gives him money, more complications come up and she has to give him more. What's really puzzling me though is how much he knows about jehovah's witnesses if he is a scammer. My mom says they talk about Jehovah all the time, and they pray together, and talk about the newest daily text. I just wanna know if a scammer would really go through those lengths and learn about a whole religion to scam someone. Please reply if you are familiar with this story, I really wanna stop my mom from being fooled by this guy.
Lynn
May 29, 2020

In reply to by Mad45

MAD45 , Yes I heard about few stories in the past of men claiming to be or have been Jehovah witnesses ,what you can do is ask your mother where abouts is he from,which congregation does he go too. We all know what Kingdom Hall we go to right. Another question you can ask your mother to ask him names of sisters and brothers in the hall,she might know them,just little questions like that may give you answers to your worries.if he gives names you can easily look them up on FB. I am dating a man that use to be a Jehovah witness and I use to be when when I was younger I know so much about the religion I know he was one and wants us to go back. Be supportive and at the same time listen to her and do some investigating.
Jbritoriel
June 07, 2020

In reply to by Mad45

I just read your comment for about week I was conversing with a man who said that he was a Jehovah’s Witness. I didn’t give him the opportunity to ask for money but he was very knowledgeable about the Witnesses and we too were read the daily text together which was always a very short conversation. He would also call me on Hangouts so we could pray together. He is a very smooth talker and tried to talk his way out of being caught. The way I was able to determine he was a scammer is that he texted me praises that were used by other scammers. Please protect your mother.
Sasha
May 16, 2020
I met a guy who said he was in the royal engineers originally from Manchester but now living in notts a widow with a 5 year old son, even sent pics. Asked for my full name and date of birth lol I didn’t give them, sent cheesy poems from google and asks if he needed help from Iraq would I help him. Nope, did a little digging and so called Michael Jones number appeared hundreds of times, I just wish I could inform the rightful owner of the pics which are being abused and the person in the pics are of a genuine soldier
12345Worried
May 16, 2020
talking to this Guy recently he said his a ME and his from NY has 1 child, asked him about his gf he said he found out the her Fiancee cheated him, and now he keep sending me how deeply he loves me and sending corny poems or love qoutes... i didnt buy his sweet words, i keep talking to him and now he wants me to send money to his son birthday and send it to his son nanny, yes he said he has nanny to look after his child , cause he cant be with him bcuz his working offshore and luckly i have a quick thinking then search for scam his young 30+ and fortunately i didnt send money or any bank details and he wants my answer if i am going to sent the money ??!! and i knew him in karaoke app not in dating site and he asked my email and we talk in hangouts, he let me aware that i cannot ring him cause the captain wouldnt like it and his only talking to me through there company system. Anyone?? the trouble is i have sent my pics.
aiannsalim10
May 29, 2020

In reply to by 12345Worried

oh! Same situation I have. What his name? Do you know Douglas louis joe??
disapointed3212
May 24, 2020

In reply to by 12345Worried

Has anyone had any dealings with A JC Penny. Says he's in the seceret service for the Us Army. His brother( Sandy Penny)got a hold of me through Silver Singles and says his brother is really wanting to meet me. But he's not on the site, and gave me his ph number to please get a hold of him. I would not be disappointed. So for some reason I did, I was not looking for a relationship, just someone to ride with on my motorcycle. But when I texted him he instantly called my, and he wanted to meet for coffee. Well I live in COLO and he supposedly lived in LA, CA. Then we made arrangements to meet at the end of march, because I was going out there anyway. Then COVID hit and he said he had to go to DC for a while. We kept in touch every day, he said he was hired by the gov to reclaim monies that other countries had stolen from the us. And had to leave for a large contract to China for 95 days. I was hear broken to think of him going to a country where we are not liked and if something happened to him, how would I know. So he put me on his military spousal notification list. It looked so real. RT.Major Jack Carlson Penny. But was fake as heck! His comments became kind of stupid. Saying things that did not even sound like the person I was chatting with at all. And one thing, he never answered any of my serious questions. Said he was originally from Israel and had a grown daughter in Germany was all. He had never asked me for a dime, cards or anything. Right off the bat he sent me such good looking pictures of himself ( which I never asked for). But WOW! What a good looking man! Anyway, he started to call or text less and less, the chat conversations was not like he was the one typing them. When he called from Dubai after 6 days of not hearing from him, said he lost his phone and just got to a safe zone where he could call me. And of course it was a different number. But the ph was a NY number. Hummmm? in Dubai! I checked the number out and it was a known scammer site number. So the next call I get from him was telling me he was going shopping for me , and what did I like. I told him I did not like jewellery but he could get me some perfume. the in a day or 2 he called and said he got me a few things and was sending it by crate. I thouht Perfume, by crate. WOW. he must have heard of my IBS condition. Any way. Sent me a picture of the packing slip and said I could track it by email. Which I did. At first it was a legit site but now its no longer there, say "warning do not open this site! So now I have him blocked in every aspect. PLEASE BE CAREFUL. THEY ALL SOUND SO REAL!!!!!!
Peaches 1017. …
May 17, 2020
Anyone know a Jeff Anthony
Ishika
May 17, 2020
I got conned for around 50,000 INR. Name Alex, from Romania, we met on an dating App. He said he works on a cruise as a 2nd Officer in a UK company. Says he works for 4 to 5 months and then he visits new places. We talked for a while then he started using the soul mate words and do lot of sweet talking. From good morning to good night. He asked what I do, where I live, how much do I earn.Then he said he spoke with his mother about us and he will be visiting to India and will ask my parents permission and all. We used to talk on phone as well but never did the video call. I asked him to share his current photos and he used to share his pictures in uniform only. Then after few weeks he said he wants me to send the presents. All kind of clothes, jewelry and tech. I denied but he kept on insisting again and again. I kept denying and then finally he pursued me to share me my address and will send a ring only. I said fine and then after few days he called me and said that my parcel at Mumbai and I need to pay the import duty free on it. I started to question him that how much worth things he sent as just for one ring they need not to charge any money. He said this is the process, he claimed his mother do the same and all. I he told me that it's 50,000 INR I need to pay and then I will receive the parcel. He mentioned that he kept the cheque as well in it. As he wanted me to have everything in this world, I am his soul mate and all the sweet talks. I kept on denying for days to pay then he started getting angry and annoyed. We started arguing back and forth, he said i need not to worry about the money as he sent it already in the parcel. After couple of week he convinced me to pay the fee which apparently I did. I received a call from indian number only and to pay in the specified bank. I spoke with Alex and payed the amount and shared the receipt with him. After that I received a call again saying that they scanned the parcel and found a cheque in it worth a million dollars and I need to pay to the government around 5 lakh INR and I was like this is ridiculous and started questioning Alex that what the hell is this. He again said this is a process and stared with his sweet talks and said please pay the money else he will loose everything and all. I said i don't have that kind of money and he requested to ask around and arrange the money. I said no one will lend me this kind of money. He was after my life for weeks and kept saying I will loose everything please pay and when I said no he started getting angry at me. I received the call from indian number asking to pay else I will loose everything. I questioned that person as well for his identity card, he said he is not liable to share as its personal. I asked him not to call again and ask me to pay money. He said it's my wish and will loose everything. I started receiving angry calls and messages from Alex and he said i don't want to marry such kind of woman and said his mother will not allow now as I wasted lot of money on me. I said that is fine by me and then he started his sweet talks with me and this kept going on and on and then i decided not to indulge in the conversation with him again and knew I am not getting my money back. Eventually he stopped bothering me.
Kevin
May 17, 2020
I sent about 400$ to some scammer in Africa and I was later told to get the money back but unfortunately money gram didn't give me back the 400$ cause I couldn't find the sender receipt anymore so fir that reason my money is bein detained. Please what do I do to get the money back at money gram without the receipt
Ayrrothon
May 17, 2020
Last year 300 a week to Patience Peek Thomson...lives in CA, but in TN, Taking care of niece....i have no live video, no current pics, her phone does work, camera wise, and has PayPal a friend Edna Braw....i think I am a sucker....i don't know what to do.
Kapilina
May 22, 2020
Just received this text message: Your Federal Assistance payment  of $2,500 for the Coronavirus Planhas been processed view web for info  bit.ly/ 2Js58deto proceed Please contact Dr John Email: agentj ohnhowells@ and reconfirm your full names and phone number as soon as possible stay home and staysafe thanks I know it’s a scam because one, there is no way I am receiving that amount, the format of the text messages and the way I was contacted... why do these people do that? How do they obtain out phone numbers?
Embarrassed
May 18, 2020
Has anyone heard of a scammer Hilliton Joans?
MLeen't use yo…
May 18, 2020
Has anyone been contacted by a Harry Jones in Zoosk or other social media platforms? He claims to be the captain of Royal Princess Cruise ship. He says he has sole custody of his daughter because ex-wife is a drug addict. He says his daughter lives with a nanny at his home in SC while he's at sea. The whole story has a lot of holes in it and I'm nervous. Does anyone know of him?
Veronica56
May 18, 2020
Does anybody know a Charles Ben
Not fooled
May 18, 2020
I had a Twitter scam from Colin Farrell. Yes the actor. I played along because he wasn’t asking for money. This guy was good! He knew intimate details of Colin Farrell and sounded very convincing. He would not vm or Skyp or FaceTime so I was on high alert. I’m sure it was several people. Sometimes the conversation did not flow so well. But the one person I think they targeted at me was smooth. After 5 months Of chatting with me, he was buying a condo in Bora Bora. his lawyer deposited the funds. However his account is locked. Could I call his banker? It has to do with some tax. No no no ! No money to anyone online ever. He tried to blame me for not trusting him. Lol Like a guy worth 80 million would need my help. NEVER. Please do not be fooled. Any ask for money by someone you’ve never met is a scam.
ugh.
May 18, 2020
Quick rundown of the scam: Lieutenant Michael Gibbs a marine stationed in Qatar supposed to be home ie "stateside" in 3 weeks; it's now 2 months later. Connected through dating site "Coffee Meets Bagel" and he quickly moved it to Skype because of "military security" . British sounding accent, moved from England to U.S. at 15 after both parents died, no siblings. Very romantic messages and loving terms- "love" "queen" "empress" "babe" etc., love songs are frequent. I was into it until he needed help with his safe box located in Turkey that could get seized by the Turkish government because of everything happening with the pandemic. He said there are gems, bonds, and some personal effects from his parents in the safe boxes. He cannot do it because he is on active duty and its against regulations etc. He hasn't outright asked for money yet, but my gut tells me this is soooo fake. As someone said before, if you feel something is off, trust your instinct.
Sad lady
June 02, 2020

In reply to by ugh.

Does he do video chat? Because must scammers won’t. Just don’t send any money until u meet in person. But he does sound familiar to a guy I met on coffee meets bagel, very sweet, uses names like “queen” “my Regina” “love”, and he would sing a lot too saying his voice is “crooked”. He was in finance and was traveling for some oil deal in Oman. Sends pictures and is quite handsome. Doubt the pictures were actually him.
Think Smart
August 15, 2020

In reply to by Sad lady

Casey Cornell, right? got passport seized by the local police cos of tax issues, right?
Caseybear
August 28, 2020

In reply to by Think Smart

Think Smart ...Yes!!!! Wish we could compare notes!!