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Looking to start a new relationship? For some, that may mean meeting a new love interest online. Word to the wise: sometimes it’s best to lead with your head and not your heart.

Millions of Americans use dating sites, social networking sites, and chat rooms to meet people. And many forge successful relationships. But scammers also use these sites to meet potential victims. They create fake profiles to build online relationships, and eventually convince people to send money in the name of love.

The Federal Trade Commission receives thousands of reports each year about romance scammers who create fake online relationships only to steal their victims’ money.

Unfortunately, an online love interest who asks for money is almost certainly a scam artist.

The FTC’s new infographic, developed with the American Bankers Association Foundation, lists common signs of online dating scams and what to do if someone you meet online asks you for money.

Below are some tips to identify a real romance versus a scammer cruising for a target.

Online Dating Scams. Has an online love interest asked you for money? That's a scam. Scammers know millions of people use online dating sites. They are there, too, hiding behind fake profiles. Signs of a scam: Professes love quickly. Claims to be from the U.S., but is overseas for business or military service. Asks for money, and lures you off the dating site. Claims to need money — for emergencies, hospital bills, or travel. Plans to visit, but can’t because of an emergency. $220 million lost in 2016. $56 million lost in 2012. Reports to the FBI tripled over 5 years (4,476 reports in 2012; 14,546 reports in 2016) What to do: Slow down — and talk to someone you trust. Don’t let a scammer rush you. Never wire money, put money on a gift or cash reload card, or send cash to an online love interest. You won’t get it back. Contact your bank right away if you think you’ve sent money to a scammer. Report your experience to: • The online dating site • Federal Trade Commission: ftc.gov/complaint • Federal Bureau of Investigation: ic3.gov. Learn more at ftc.gov/imposters and aba.com/engagement

Please share this information with others. Victims may be embarrassed to talk about their experiences, but you can help. A simple phone call, email or text, saying “Look what I just found” and sharing this information may make a difference in someone else’s life.

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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.

stupid widow
November 07, 2019

In reply to by Fraud Stopper

If you see this at a bank or credit union - you should have people there to discuss this with widows. I was scammed for over 100k and my bank never said a word.
rikoshea
February 01, 2018
I would not go for any type of date unless I knew them personally and for a long time.As far as money goes just the word money or deal helps me ignore them.
Hafizur R
February 05, 2018

In reply to by rikoshea

Many names Joy Abdel, Joy Baby Abdel, Marcusse Diaby, Bah Hulaimatu, Charly Choco Balde , Islanda Frislene etc , That Girl told me lie want my help and I trusted her, when my fathere was alive he deposited 6.7 million Dollars, Transfer this money. She gave me Fake bank papers, Fake Affidavit and power of attorney. I have no idea about scamme, My Reference number 88xxxxxx, I have lot of prove, Please save my money. I have no hope without you.
Mykarma
September 03, 2018

In reply to by Hafizur R

I think I am in contact with the same lady please can you send me her photo I try to compare, please this will be of great help to me
Tryme.go
October 29, 2019

In reply to by Hafizur R

Kinda sounds like my girl if you have a photo please send! I'm still talking to her taking me for a lot of money!
Roman Gurtler
February 01, 2018
You don't start a relationship by asking for money
LadyJ
March 08, 2018

In reply to by Roman Gurtler

The man who contacted me through a chat website, did not immediately ask for money. They are very good at what they do and very charming and convincing. The man I just found out scammed me, was using photos from an Army Vets FB back claiming to be him and stationed in Syria. I found out by accident that he's doing this to several women. I have since sent messages to everyone on his "friends" list for that chat site warning them he is a scammer and NOT a true military Vet.
Stalking Jack …
March 14, 2018

In reply to by LadyJ

What name did he use? I might have fallen for the same guy. But I haven't given him info like that.
ivs2018
March 21, 2018

In reply to by Stalking Jack …

Can someone please give me a name? I believe this is happening to me right now!
Fellforthismess
July 04, 2018

In reply to by ivs2018

A guy by the name of Malhoun Baxter, in Syria trying to get home asked me to marry him after meeting him on Facebook . Sent iTunes cards for 50 dollars, but he was asking for a couple of hundred. He talks like he is real but I know he is not real. He says all the right things and wants me to help him raise his two children.but you only given 7 calendar days to pay 4,200.00 with an extension of 5 working days. He is a white male believe to be in his 40's, bald, profile pic wearing grey t-shirt, navy blue pants background paperwork on wall looks like he sitting at a desk leaning over. He is very charming and is a smooth talker.
ochie
December 06, 2019

In reply to by Fellforthismess

he is using this now in what's app profile picture hahaha. asking me 300,000 dollars
Laura
May 29, 2018

In reply to by judy

I have been talking to a guy who calls himself Justin Halls d says he’s in the Royal Navy, he has been sent to Nigeria and says he can’t use his debit card and can’t buy food or WiFi do could I send him £300 paid into his mother’s account!!! This has scam written all over it.
BELINDA l
June 22, 2018

In reply to by Laura

Does anyone know of man in Damascus Syria name Dennis Patterson or Peterson
survivor
May 17, 2018

In reply to by Stalking Jack …

I just went through a similar situation through Instagram. His "name"_Andy_Burns338 and said he was in the military in Syria & a medic. He had an 8 yr old daughter Anna. He was from Australia but lived in CA. He gave me some story about a sad upbringing and not having anyone to talk to. He said he was 38 and turned 39 May 11. His daughter had the "same" birthdate. She was being raised by a nun in the states but when I asked certain questions he didn't answer. He had no parents as they left him on Church steps so he was raised by a priest. I fell for it. I told him personal stuff. I was so naive as I was at a low point in my life. I was excited someone made me feel good about myself. He sent me pics. He was very handsome. He called me and his accent DID NOT SOUND Australian OR American. His English when he typed was odd. He wouldn't tell me where he went to school to be a doctor. When he asked me for $$ for his birthday and then again for a card to send him to be able to call me whenever he wanted I told 2 friends who set me straight. I reported him to Instagram and blocked him. He got me to get the Hangouts app which I have since deleted but he has both of my gmail addresses. I blocked him from there also. Thank God I didn't send him $$. Please let me know if this sounds like him.
mryoda30
March 30, 2018

In reply to by Roman Gurtler

That’s true, I that I scammed by a girl whom I met on Craigslist
klondike
February 01, 2018
Very helpful. I never thought of scammers using online dating services.
LadyJ
March 08, 2018

In reply to by klondike

They do. That's how this man got me. He was using a chat site called WireClub. He was very "charming" and convincing. Knew all the right things to say. Claimed to be in the military in Syria and was using photos of a real Army Vet.
cathy
August 20, 2018

In reply to by LadyJ

A guy name Alistair juggins from Dallas Tx an engineer requested me in Instagram, I thought that was someone from one of our churches around the country. I asked if he knows me and he said no, but that he would like to know me, he had a verse from the Bible so I thought that he was a real Christian. We text through instagram maybe for 2days he asked me where I lived and my age, we talk about the Bible he also said that he attended first baptist church in Dallas. he started to call me honey, love, angel, it was so weird because I never chat with an estranger . he told me he was widowed and had a son 11 years old that lives with his Nannie because of his job. He didn’t asked for money but he was saying to pray for us like for a relationship. I looked his name on public record and his name only comes in Instagram, also he only have women on his followers and I checked that he has another account with alistair_juggin. I didn’t give him my name or where I live , very sad that people try to steal the money but also play with other people feeling. He was super charming, and did not have a picture with his son.
Lola
February 01, 2018
I have seen this kind of situation on Dr. Phil (on TV) and then the other day a friend told me about a person, in our town, that was secretly involved and sending money to someone they met online and this person has bankrupted her family's money/savings!!!!!
John F
February 01, 2018
Very good info thanks
marina52
February 01, 2018
thank you i share this information with others
Salina
February 01, 2018
I have had this happen to me for years by men "friending" me on Facebook, Google Plus Hangouts, and other online sites. They act very charming at first for a few weeks, then ask me to wire them money (which I don't) I have reported their profiles to Facebook, and Google Plus..but am ignored. To this day, their profile remains active, meaning how many more women have they scammed..and why nothing is being done about this. Have even reported to Scamwatchers, to no avail. When will something be done???
An older woman
April 02, 2018

In reply to by KTL

Meet someone on FB,named Melo Johnson March 29-30.Very charming pictures (wish could post them here!). Claimed to work as a secret diplomatic service agent from the US Army for the UN. quickly forced to switch from FB to What's Up and then deactivated his FB profile. Claims to be 48,on FB was 42, in reality looks like 40. Claims to have been cheated by his ex-wife who got pregnant by another man. "Has 10 year old boy. Has no siblings, both parents died. Immigrated from Spain to the states at 15 yrs of age, yet only speaks little Spanish, lol. "Saved $560 thousands but all "fix". Asked for $$ to process his leave from the army duty.
Lratliff
February 26, 2018

In reply to by anne

Is it Michael O. Festus Watch out also goes by Ogundare Abiodun Olayemi

Nice
February 28, 2018

In reply to by Lratliff

How about williams price. Asking $5000 for hospital bill.
Almost got scammed
November 27, 2019

In reply to by TraeDon't use …

Sounds like this guy who said he was a contracted private military David Hammond and broke his phone in combat and wanted me to put it on my plan. Asked for me to buy the iPhone X max. Wanted google play cards and care packages. Even if he was real I couldn’t afford giving him money like that. Blocked him from Instagram then he wanted me to go to kik app. Erases everything so he doesn’t get caught.
Jode
December 12, 2019

In reply to by Almost got scammed

Very similar to a recent scammer. I knew a week into it but gave him a chance to prove it and he didn't. 3 weeks he got angry called me names bla nla nla. He said he was US marine Vorp Sgt Officer, lost his parents and rsised by grandmother in Germany. Mavis Coluns or another name i saw him use was Colins Kenny. Asked for a my so he vould buy phone, Google play cards, and cant get access to anything because he was deployed in Afghanistan. Last he asked to have a phone sent to me and I send it to him and demanding to see my licence. This all happened over 3 weeks. Said love and marriage after 3 days and 1 call made with no German or American accent
Nassau2018
April 18, 2018

In reply to by Lratliff

That sounds like the guy also going as Abrahim Mayoke, kabanga Amir, Andrew Fresca, Brian Blodgett and Kris Mcgrail from Arizona, MA, PA and Kenya.
SammyO!
March 05, 2018

In reply to by anne

Is Michael on a boat in the Black Sea, very ill, needs meds, and
jea
May 07, 2018

In reply to by SammyO!

michael, on a ship around instanbul, about 48 50 no parents, says from ohio, but has an accent, wife died a daughter, got hurt on ship by pirates, different birthdays, I think fake passport pic,very handsome, Michael Brayan, Bryan, met on fb
Val
August 15, 2018

In reply to by jea

Yes the same guy but on Instagram, Michaelalanbr added me several months ago. Every morning I started receiving a message from him, a rose etc from me. He told me he was from California andworking on an oil ring in Germany. Widowed, two children. They all use the same stories... well today he asked me for 5,000 to settle his taxes in Germany so he can return back to the States. I think we both were tried to be scammed by the same person!!!
fooled18
March 22, 2018

In reply to by kathy d.

Watch out for Bruce Chrestien...He is not real ladies!!!
SammyO!
March 23, 2018

In reply to by anne

Michael Poole is the one who got a lot of money from me!!Very charming. Beware!
Lolae
April 21, 2019

In reply to by SammyO!

OMG tell me more Please!! I have been looking thru these for 2. Days. I have a Richard Poole here. He's VERY handsome And charming ....and asked for iTunes because hes been deployed to Iraq. Zero phone calls. O.K.Cupid now onto texting. He's sent mr flowers. ...i'm an idiot. Please advise. Son nsmed Grey with caretakers in Africa sound familiar???
Ellie
November 27, 2019

In reply to by Lolae

I'm speaking to a Richard Pool, at the moment. At first via Instagram. Won't call or video call. Needs money for Internet access...has 2 kids, wife left him for his best friend. Very handsome..dark short hair, tattoos on right arm, says hes 42, but looks younger. Same guy or not?
mryoda30
March 30, 2018

In reply to by anne

Just happened to me on hangouts by a girl who said her name is Carey
Serenity
May 22, 2018

In reply to by mryoda30

Just emotionally scanned by a guy says his name is Hannet Kieth o met him on online dating site and moved to Hangouts.!said his wife cheated on him and doesn’t trust woman but since he find me he’s okay to get married now. So charming. I was trying to be on my guard and well stupid me fell for the guy. He used famous Russian picture and said he was a marine biologist overseas in Fiji working the pipelines. Tried to google that but didn’t find anything. Said I will come to see him and he said come to see. Says he lives in Ontario and has 2 kids. The one kid’s picture I recognized but thought okay maybe that’s his kid a child actor. He give me his kids email addresses peterhannet1231@ gmail.com and annahennet@ 1231@ gmail.com. Got mad when I wasn’t sure about emailing them. He didn’t get any money from me. He sounded like he makes more money than me. Maybe he feels bad asking me or just didactic have time yet.
Scorpio
April 17, 2018

In reply to by anne

Was he going by the name of Michael Shultz
Kendra pistol
April 27, 2018

In reply to by anne

OMG. I think this is the same person whom I still talk to. First met online thru messenger never met claim to us.citzen but in Nigeria bc he's an humanitarian working needed dollars for a plane ticket. Love at first sight I thought. Send pic of himself that looks photoshopped. I said so that photoshopped passport pic But now he needs this and that. New one now us iTubes card for phone. I will not send him money. Oh yeah I did send 300 for plane ticket but quickly thought after he was a scammer. His name is Micheal G. Akintan from Engle Colorad. That's what his passports states and he said also. I do have a couple pictures
Lulu
May 10, 2018

In reply to by anne

How about Jonathan Michaels, in the Navy stationed in Yemen! Needs $400 in iTunes cards for 14 yr old son going to school in UK. Needs $3200 for ticket to fly home as he is retiring from military!
Lulu
May 10, 2018

In reply to by anne

How about Jonathan Michaels, in the Navy stationed in Yemen! Needs $400 in iTunes cards for 14 yr old son going to school in UK. Needs $3200 for ticket to fly home as he is retiring from military!
ames
September 15, 2018

In reply to by anne

Believe I’m being scammed by a guy in Hangouts as well, goes by James Johnson Vinny or Vinny, supposedly stationed in Turkey but wanted me to send medicine to a Nigerian address which is totally prohibited. There is also another one on Facebook with different name but same guy in the profile pics and pics they send me, both have similar stories but subtle differences. They talk smooth and quickly “fall in love” about to delete both of them and move on with my life.
Victoria
February 08, 2021

In reply to by ames

I was scammed as well by a 65 year old military man named James Johnson Day. He was raised by a priest, lost his wife 8 years ago to cancer, has no other family. He said he was an interpreter of 4 different languages and was stationed in Kabul Afghanistan. He calls me every day, and even though I have only known him for a week, he says he loves me, calls me darling, sweety etc. and wants to marry me. I thought he was joking, and he didn't use the best English or answer most of my questions. He texts me on Hangouts and asked me to get him $500 on Google play to load up his computer or else our communication would stop. I didn't give him anything, instead I did some research which took me to this blog. I am blocking him.
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