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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.

InDenial
June 17, 2020
R. Giovanni Mata. Supposed to be orthopedic surgeon working in Yemen. Abusive ex wife and small daughter. Immediately falls in love. Had gold in Ireland. Want money sent to his Attorney. Will make you beneficiary and give you share. Wants marriage. Any one heard of him. Sister is involved and cannot believe it’s a scam.
NewOKCupiduser
June 22, 2020

In reply to by InDenial

I was chatting with the same man until last night when I blocked him. A surgeon for the army in Yemen. Excellent grammar. Would attach perfect songs at the end of emails... Could not video or talk due to security reasons. Everyone in the family was dead or separated. Very tragic story. Also form Ireland... Get your sister to block him!!! For what I have read, he uses different pictures for different ages and profiles. He is a professional. If he used for your sister the same as the one for me you can find a picture of him on ScamHaters United (Facebook). He shared pictures of him with dogs and a cat, and also one of him by a tank. The false pictures he used for me he had a beard.
Dee
June 18, 2020
Beware of a man claiming to be John Herbert Matt born in Germany (no German accent) and lived in Texas and now working as building contractor in Istanbul, Turkey. He claims to be 55 yrs, widowed 8 years, with one son Phillipe-13 years who is living with family in Germany. Yes, he was instantly in love and I was his soulmate. He immediately needed money for his contract, followed by a medical emergency and need for money to pay that bill. Now he needs money to pay for a machine to complete his job. This guy is full of DRAMA. He has a close associate, James. Regretfully, I fell to the first two scams and sent money to Turkey to other persons on his request because he did no have an account in Turkey. He claimed he did not have an account in the US (he has a USA passport that he sent me a pic of). He claims to have an account in Germany, but his bank does not have branches in Turkey. He has his story solid. I'm done with the DRAMA and I'm moving on. I hope you all report your scammers and leave it in the past. I wish you happiness, joy, and love.
Dee
June 18, 2020
Beware of a man claiming to be John Herbert Matt born in Germany (no German accent) and lived in Texas and now working as building contractor in Istanbul, Turkey. He claims to be 55 yrs, widowed 8 years, with one son Phillipe-13 years who is living with family in Germany. Yes, he was instantly in love and I was his soulmate. He immediately needed money for his contract, followed by a medical emergency and need for money to pay that bill. Now he needs money to pay for a machine to complete his job. This guy is full of DRAMA. He has a close associate, James. Regretfully, I fell to the first two scams and sent money to Turkey to other persons on his request because he did no have an account in Turkey. He claimed he did not have an account in the US (he has a USA passport that he sent me a pic of). He claims to have an account in Germany, but his bank does not have branches in Turkey. He has his story solid. I'm done with the DRAMA and I'm moving on. I hope you all report your scammers and leave it in the past. I wish you happiness, joy, and love.
TexasGirl
June 18, 2020
I recently started chatting with a guy named Dave Lucas on IG. He is extremely attractive. He asked me to start chatting with him on Hangouts. He told me he was born in South Africa and also lived in Chicago for 10 years and became a doctor. Said his dad died when he was 7 and his mom passed away recently. Said he is working for the UN as a doctor and is in Poland now. He said he has an 11-year-old daughter named Zoe who's off in school somewhere, and he is divorced. Claimed he is 40 years old. Said his wife cheated on him and that she is pregnant with another man's child. He professed his love for me way too fast. Now he is asking me to send him a Google gift card so he can pay for his wifi connection to talk to me and do his work projects. Says he is under contract with the UN and doesn't get paid until the contract is finished. Says the UN owns the house he lives in and the car he drives. I told him how he can go online and buy google cards himself then he tells me he has no credit card. I have spoken to him many times on hangouts by phone and once by video call. I also have several pictures of him. His user name on IG is dav_elucas. Does this story sound familiar to anyone? Has anyone had any dealings with him? He also has a very pronounced accent. Sounds kind of french to me but he said it is a South African accent. When he texts, his grammar and spelling are not so good.
BatGirl
June 25, 2020

In reply to by TexasGirl

This guy is a scammer! Look up his photo on Google Images. In fact he calls me all the time but his name is Ron Hart!
TexasGirl
July 04, 2020

In reply to by BatGirl

I have done that but nothing comes up with the pictures he sent me. He calls you too? Is he telling you the same story he’s telling me? How can we trap him and find out who and where he is so we can turn him in to the authorities? I’m still talking to him everyday trying to get some kind of info on him. I’m telling him what he wants to hear just like he thinks he’s doing to me. This guy is very smooth and is a professional con man. The men that do this are plain sick and very cruel!
A woman from Poland
June 25, 2020

In reply to by TexasGirl

There is no urgency in Poland that would call for any doctors to be sent by the UN. Poland is not a third world country and has enough doctors and nurses.
Don't use qwerty123
July 23, 2020

In reply to by TexasGirl

I think the same guy chatted with me a few days ago. He fits the profile that you mentioned. My case he's from Brazil working in Dubai as an oil rig contractor. I never told him my true identity because I was suspicious. This guy told me about his bad wifi bad connection as well. I saw several online profiles with different names and I called him out. He preteneded that his account was hacked. I blocked him the day after. If we're talking about the same person, please do not trust him.
Bianca
June 18, 2020
Have you had contact with KOLE TINGLE? Tingle is not true last name. Usual story: Military, about to retire, oops, deployed to Turkey. Secret mission, widower with teen son. Kole is God-fearing, honest, good-looking, born in Ukraine, stationed in Texas, never calls, uses email or vidconference. Texts are rarely lengthy. Texts are indicative of a speaker of Eastern European speaker. Does not ask for gift cards. Is interested in cyber urgency. Won't reveal last name and is very secretive. Asks if you've eaten and if you are stressed. Immediately corrects typos.
Sasha
August 09, 2020

In reply to by Bianca

I've been in contact with this person. Same story. Ignores direct questions and establishes a distinct time period to text each day.
1230
June 18, 2020
This guy followed my plastic surgeon and approached me with a fake account and his name. I lost $4K donating to his charity via Paypal. Be aware. They can have any names with a familiar picture.
Nicky
June 19, 2020
Hi, i have been dating a russian woman online for more than a year, i feel deeply oin love with her, i have no feeling that she is a scammer, because i once already have a video call with her, but for last 3 months a lost contact with her and suddenly she change her phone number, and i found it is very strange for me, i was suffer alot in last 3 months, when she come back she said she was in Hospital because of Corona, and now she lose her job and ask me to transfer some money to pay her accomodation, i feel sorry for her, and i am very confuse at this moment, i feel this bit scam, however my hearth says no, i don,t transfer any money yet and i feel she is bit upset of me, so what do you think ?
idiot
June 19, 2020
scrabble go is just full of the scammer. all bringing up a child because wife died or died in child birth. mega money. jobs out of this world.. but need someone to sot a money prob.. as if... if they in big buisness. they wouldnt. have this problem.. yes i have been scammed... most on oil rigs last drill before retiring. feel sorry for guy whos actual profile they have stolen too. it seem rife on scrabble go. i thought it was amusing at first always nice to be flattered. but this is a serious problem. it make you distrust everyone.
Richard
June 19, 2020
don't trust at all someone call trader_darrell in instagram. Actually all Darrells i saw there have similar profile...he change pictures after a season and block the people he made bussiness (with no winnings at all, just promises). Is a SCAM
abbey dog
June 19, 2020
I think I just met my first scammer His name is James Hudson Says he is a solar electrician Owns his own company James Solar He was very nice until I told him no I would not give him 1200 dollar for his daughters rent in Virginia
Dleslie
June 19, 2020
yes his wif died and he has a son and wants money to send his son so he can come home to me daddy is on an oil rig and does not have access to his bank for money then the lovin stuff poured in what a joke a new house car no need to worry when I get to you we will be a happy little family his son even emails me and calls me mom hahahahhahahaha
Dleslie
June 19, 2020
have you heard from rodger or Chris yet lol be careful
recently duped
June 28, 2020

In reply to by Dleslie

hey Dleslie was it a chris gaffney of the US Army. Good looking with a sad story? He said he's a Sergeant first class??
Galfrom1890
June 19, 2020
Hello, I am being romanced by a US Army Soldier named Ronald Saxe Johnson or Ronny Johnson. He says he is from Knoxville Tenn. Has anyone on here ran into him? Says he is deployed in Afghanistan. Thank you!
Carrotsnpeas
June 20, 2020
Anybody heard of Don Louis? Armenian-Scottish raised in Sweden, engineer, leading on a big electrical grid contract in Brazil, no social media presence because he's afraid of being kidnapped, wife recently deceased, no kids, not a single other relative in the world. His money is in an offshore bank, he forgot his password and has no access LOLOLOL. Needs the money to pay for supplies already received or else... Brazilian jail! Where he will get Covid! He'll kill himself if he doesn't get the money blah blah blah. Cries. Also goes by Frederic Diran. One of his many phone numbers is either Waterloo, Canada (unlikely) or Burkino Fasa. Associated with a fake company called FZA Industrial Services, fake CEO Frederic Z Alagueuzian, and Josh Streit (fake LinkedIn buddy).
Chris Thomas
June 20, 2020
Beware he’s a scammer from Ohio. He uses handouts to communicate. Also LaVonne Reardon Patty Reinhardt are probably being scammed too. Juanita Cook too. Ladies he’ll take everything you have. Don’t give him anything. He is an engineer supposedly in Gulf of Mexico working for island operations too.
Airwick
June 20, 2020
Newest one, just different name, Maj Garry Williams in Afghanistan needs my help.
mmrymnd
June 20, 2020
There were 2 guys who DM'ed me in my IG account yesterday and these morning. The 1st one was Chris Moore. He was supposedly in the US Army designated in Yemen for the "fighting terrorist war work" 2nd one was Jamil Lee from Malaysia who works as an electrical engineer in Texas. Both did have the same patterns. Dm'ed in IG, wanted to transfer to hangout (the 1st was unfortunately transferred at Hangout), told me that they were looking for true love and thinking of settling down soon, told me they wanted me to be a part of their life (sorry boys, no amount of sweet talk can make me budge that easily). They haven't asked me for any amount yet. But looking forward to blocking them...
JayB
June 20, 2020
Hi there, My sister, who now isn't speaking to me as I said this sounds like a scam and warned her against sending any money, messaged me with the following, would appreciate it if this indeed sounds like a scam and if anyone has had similar experiences- Is there any chance that you can try and get a loan through your bank to help me out. You will get the money back next week. This is gonna be a long story and you won’t even believe it But it’s true. I have met someone a while ago now and he is a pipeline engineer. Anyway he went for a job worth a lot of money in Malaysia he had to do a lot of presentations and finally got an interview we were both praying for him to get an interview so weeks went and then he told me he had got an interview for the work. It was my birthday that he had his first interview they got him a private jet then he had about two more interviews and got the job on the 8th June he was given two weeks to do it. Supposed to be complete on Monday. So he has been working and he messaged me and said I’m thinking I need to order some equipment so I’ve said order it then so you do t get delayed he’s ordered it and it took a few days to arrive so he’s gone to pick it up from customs and he thought he would have enough. He said 50,000 dollars they turned round and said he needs to pay for some excise about the virus. So he was short 20,000 he borrowed 16,000 from his lawyer in America Dollars and he needs 4,000 which is about £3700 in English pounds probably more it’s gone up 600 dollars because he didn’t have the money to pick it up. I’ve tried to get a loan can’t get one. Got nobody to ask. He’s got nobody to ask. He’s got no family just him and a daughter whose with a nanny. He said I can’t believe this and knowing how much I spent for the equipment he sent me the reciept nearly a million dollars for the equipment. He’s been messaging me saying that his reputation is gonna be ruined and he can’t face his workers and I’ve been literally in bits all week thinking I don’t know what to do. He got the contract and now he’s even saying things like he feels like dying and there’s no point he took ages to reply to me I thought he was dead I don’t even know if he’s ok now as it’s 7 hours in front of UK time . He said he will get the money for completing on Monday as that’s the deadline. I’ve thought of so many things he can do and he said he can’t he said the people at customs were being really awkward.
Goldie
July 04, 2020

In reply to by JayB

YES! It’s a textbook scam. I hope she and/or you did not send this guy money. Show your sister this website. The sooner she realizes that this dude is playing her, the better. Let us know what happened.
Helen
July 05, 2020

In reply to by JayB

Sadly I think he is a scammer.
Kat
June 20, 2020
Has anyone been in touch with a Terry Peterson? That was my scammer.
Chris ThomasDo…
June 21, 2020
Chris is a scammer from Ohio. Beware ladies he’ll melt Your heart
Maya
June 21, 2020
Collaro Matthew Wayne scam .. falls in love with herself .. makes an offer to get married .. gives a ring, makes general plans .. introduces parents .. buys things in our house .. then asked for money .. I always helped him .. i sent money through WesternUnion..sent money for food .. tickets .. car repair .. just for life. Lives in America .. now in Arizona Tucson.
Ricky
June 21, 2020
I know that I have been conned by a lovely looking woman, her name was Ame grey Johnson. We stated talking in February this year 2020, was talking for a month. Then she told me she was working in Ghana I checked her out it seamed to be true but could not get back home to Canada as she says that is where she is from but she was running out of money and could I help her like a fool I did and gave her some money then she asked for some more and again I did, I now feel a right fool. We kept on talking again she asked for money by this time I was getting nervous about this, cut a very long story short. Some of the things she was telling me and all the lovely pictures of her ? Was starting to be the same from when we started to talk, then when she again started to ask for money again and when I said no more money she started to get very nasty and gave me a lot of insults. Please watch out for this woman she is dangerous keep away. I am no longer in contact with her, and have gave her no more money. Her name is Ame grey Johnson and she uses her son as a tool if she as one, his name is Nelson
HER1
June 21, 2020
Anyone heard of Frank Carter? Says he is a petroleum engineer, working in Alaska for Shell Oil. Says he originally Norwegian....Carter doesn’t sound Norwegian to me...
Josie47
October 11, 2020

In reply to by HER1

Yes heard of Frank Carter, speaking to him at the moment. I know he's a scammer because I've been scammed before so know the signs and jargon. Don't believe a word he says. I'm only talking to him so eventually I can call his bluff.
Susie
April 20, 2021

In reply to by HER1

Frank carter is still at it on words with friends, I worked him out straight away and called his bluff, had the daughter Becky at home with nanny, petroleum engineer , wife died etc , they all want to do hangout etc. I never give out any details online. They must think we are idiots.
JudyB
June 22, 2020
Anyone talking with any Algerians?
InDenial
June 22, 2020
Giovanni Matteo. Doctor of orthopedic in Yemen. Daughter about 8. Crazy ex wife. Sister is writing him. Anyone know of this scammer ?
Weensusansteve…
June 29, 2020

In reply to by InDenial

I’ve been chatting with someone who also claims to be an Orthopedic Surgeon from Yemen. I just finally came to the conclusion he is a scammer. I can’t find his name anywhere or his profile in any search engines. He is in Sana’s Yemen or so he says.
InDenial
July 02, 2020

In reply to by Weensusansteve…

What is your orthopedic surgeon scammers name? Does he claim to have young girl? He sent picture that looks like bad tooth.
angel4382
August 18, 2020

In reply to by InDenial

I am talking to a Giovanni Matteo He said he is working in Yemen as a bone Doctor said he coming back to Phoenix end of August .Sends me songs and love emails wants to marry when he comes back. I know he is a scammer his emails are not from a DR. there from a 6 grade Has anyone heard from him? He has a14 old daughter and cought his wife chetting on him with his best friend.
InDenial
July 03, 2020

In reply to by Weensusansteve…

If he sent picture you can upload to one of the reverse engines to see if anything pops up. This is sister’s second scammer. First one I found picture and showed that it is different name. The one that is the surgeon I think I located his real name and picture
NewOKCupiduser
July 06, 2020

In reply to by Weensusansteve…

I had the same guy... He used the name Adam Blake with me. Same story. I found his picture on a Scammer website using the reverse look up on google. His story to me was that he was Irish German. Family died on a tragic accident when he was 16. Moved to the US when he was 16 to live with an uncle who also died and had never been married. He didn't have children because he caught his wife cheating on him and of course his base had been attacked and his computer and phone had been destroyed. He was using his Commander's. Everything was a dead end... Ready to retire now in August...
angel4382
August 18, 2020

In reply to by InDenial

He is writing me now He has 14 year daughter cought his wife having sex with his best friend .He is in Yemen as a orthopedic Doctor . Sends me songs and romantic emails. I know he is a scammer and not sure what to do.
angel4382
August 19, 2020

In reply to by InDenial

Yes he is writing me also he is a real scammer . sends love emails and songs From which I found out he is from the Philippines that why his voice is so squeaked he is a scammer form the Philippines . said he is a doctor working in Yemen and uses other pictures of different guys. ( Stayaway he is not real ) Giovanni Matteo is not real says he has a daughter staying with his ex-wife in Virginia and he caught his wife having sex with his best friend ( when he came home early )and never let her know he was coming home. angel4382
Ricky
June 22, 2020
As anyone came a woman who goes by the name ame greyJohnson. She as just took me for some money, it lasted a couple of months, but she had ran out of story's and started to say the same things. One main thing she said that due to the virus she was stuck in Ghana and needed help, like a fool I did, no more, she is now blocked and deleted, she also uses her son Nelson if he is her son. Ame says she come from all over Canada but i had found she is from belleville, Canada have a contact in the UK. She made out that she loved me and promised everything if I help get to the UK. I never. She is now permanently blocked.
Miller
June 23, 2020
I have experienced that all are not scammer some are real but you guys should be careful
Wwflou
June 23, 2020
Words with friends. Don Christopher for one. Many scammers use words with friends . Want you to add them on hangouts. Sends you pictures, easy to find out if you search using Google image search.
Panicdemic
June 23, 2020
The person always sends me this “Your smile lights up my entire spirit,Your laughter fills me with joy, and your mere presence will warm any room,I have no doubt you are the woman Heaven has made especially for me”. He said “I'm an independent Oil and Natural Gas Expert/Consultant, I focus mainly on renovation and relay of oil pipeline and gas tanks. I'm also a natural gas pipeline expert for consulting on pipeline restart, safety and regulations.” He goes by the name Ahmed Thompson in instagram and Sunny Day in Hangouts. He wanted to chat off of IG for some reason and the email address he provided got numbers and doesn’t even match his name. He’s apparently from Cleveland, Ohio and of Malaysian and Native American descent but he looks Korean. I already provided him my real email address before coming across this site. What’s the best thing to do now? Please help.
Fabulous1978
June 23, 2020
June 17, 2020 A man name Anton Niccolo, who works in NATO, said he will gonna come here to Toronto and meet me... he constantly texting me telling love sweet messages and for sure I got impress and I accepted him as my dating mate in POF and he asked me to go in Whatsapp. As days goes bye until June 17 came it was Wednesday he send me pictures snap shot arriving in the airport I thought its really true. But After a while he said to me that he had a problem in the Airport of Istanbul Turkey I asked WHAT??? HE SAID HIS MONEY IN HIS BAG HAD BEEN SEIZURE BY THE AIRPIRT EXAMINER AND THEY CONFISCATED HIS MONEY IN SHORT HE WANTED TO GET BACK HIS MONEY BY PAYING A FINE OF 2, 185.00 US DOLLAR AND HE ALSO ASK A FILIPINA LADY CONIEVANCE WITH HIS PLAN SO BOTH OF THEM WORK TOGETHER AGREED IN THEIR DECISION WAITING FOR ME TO SEND THE MONEY. AT THAT MOMENT BECAUSE HE GAVE ME ALL THE BANK INFORMATION FOR ME TO SEND THE MONEY THRU WESTERN UNION ALSO WHAT THE FILIPINA LADY WORKING IN THAT ISTANBUL AIRPORT. MY WISDOM AND THE SPIRIT OF GOD WHISPERS TO ME ITS SCAM SO I DELETED ALL HIS PICTURES EVEN THE SNAP SHOT OF THE PLANE WHICH IS NOT THE SAME TO HIS SCHEDULED PLANE HE HAD IN HIS FLIGHT. HE BOOKED THE HOTEL THAT IS CLOSED TO MY PLACE KNOWINGLY HE DID NOT PAID IT THE BOOKING I CALLED THE HOTEL RECEPTIONIST ASKING IF THEY HAD THE NAME BOOKED OF ANTON NICCOLO THEY SAID NOTHING WE CANNOT FIND THE NAME U ARE ASKUNG SO I DEFINITELY CONCLUDED IT WAS SCAM.
VP
October 30, 2020
Please beware ladies, there is a scammer that was going by the name of Charles Luke, he said he owned Classified Gems out of California. He said he went to Turkey and then has been stuck there for a very long time. His story when you think about it is impossible. Now his name on Classified Gems is Thomas Patrick White his email is White patrick689 @ His phone number is listed on the website. This fake scammed me out of a lot of money. Please be where, he is very convincing.