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It’s Valentine’s Day and love is in the air. You may think you spend a lot on flowers or chocolate, but losing money in a romance scam would cost you even more. Last year, people reported losing $143 million to romance scams – a higher total than for any other type of scam reported to the FTC. And, according to a new FTC Data Spotlight, reports of romance scams are on the rise.

What do we mean by romance scams? We’re not talking about the person you thought was “the one” but ended up being a dud. We’re talking about people you meet online, who lavish you with attention … and then ask for money. Usually they want the money by wire transfer or gift card. They might claim they need it for a medical emergency or to come visit you. Then they take your money, but there’s no surgery and no trip.

Romance scammers are hard at work wooing people on dating apps and social media. They may lift photos to create an attractive profile or even steal the identity of a real person. Just like with real romances, it may take them some time to gain your trust, but the scammer’s payoff can be big. Last year, people reported a median loss of $2,600 from romance scams.

How can you avoid romance scams?

  • Never send money or gifts to a sweetheart you haven’t met in person.
  • Take it slowly. Ask questions and look for inconsistent answers. Check the person’s photo using your search engine’s “search by image” feature. If the same picture shows up with a different name, that’s a red flag.
  • Talk to someone about this new love interest. And pay attention if your friends or family are concerned.
  • If you suspect a romance scam, cut off contact right away. Then, report to the scam to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. Notify the dating site where you met the scammer, too.

For more information, read Online Dating Scams or watch this video:

 

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Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
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Romance Scams

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
  • We won’t post comments that include vulgar messages, personal attacks by name, or offensive terms that target specific people or groups.
  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Chookiegirl
June 13, 2021

In reply to by Lara

I believe we have the same DR but mines name is Richard Donald he’s 56 photos of a white man blue eyes met via fb dating and talking on what’s app and email today he asked for money for his treasure box I bet it’s the same man using a randoms photo
Nicki
August 02, 2021

In reply to by Lara

I am taking to an “Orthopedic surgeon in Aleppo.He says his wife died and has a daughter in Texas. Just called him on some things and he is HURT that I would think this of him……
Nick
September 23, 2021

In reply to by Nicki

This all sounds similar to my a orthopedic surgeon from LA who is under the UN ambassador in Isreal. Is there any other who had the same contact?
Shan
August 21, 2021

In reply to by Lara

I would appreciate someone posting a pic because this guy on IG just messaged me and has very similar story. Dr./surgeon based out of Washington but under contract in Yemen due to the terror attacks to help out. I have no time for nonsense
liumay887
April 01, 2021

In reply to by Vanesa

I also chatted with a man who claimed himself as Dr Zhang Lee , working under contract with UN government in Yemen. He texted me every day for 3 weeks, and confessed deep feelings which made me suspicious of him. After 2 weeks of texting, he said his son was hospitalised and his bank account is blocked. He asked me to loan him 28000SEK but I said no firmly. He continued messaging me and said he solved the matter. After few days, he said his camp in Yemen will be attacked soon. And he wants to send me his belongings via courier. I said again firmly that I will not receive anything from him. Then he stopped messaging immediately. I am sure this is a scam. Please share your thoughts. Thanks
oliva
April 29, 2021

In reply to by liumay887

hi, Im passing for some similar to your story this man he said is a Dr. surgeon in UK he send me a box with surprise gifhts for me and mi kids supossed but the company who is encharged to deliver the package ask me to pay for the clear costums to aftter delivery to my adress so now this i already say I dont want nothing then i pay to the same company to send back this package and now they are asking me more money suposs is for a flight to go ensure and give back this package Im scare about this i dont have money and they are puting me in scare saying about goverment problems or call police and also saying about court
Ward
May 17, 2021

In reply to by oliva

Can you please share the photo because this sound like a man that I'm talking to he's in the military station in Yemen
Tprice84
June 12, 2021

In reply to by Ward

Very interested in seeing this man's picture. My MIL is talking to a surgeon that is contracted in Yemen and is under military protection because of the area. He also says he's contracted by WHO and is originally from Brazil but moved to the states.
RLB76
September 19, 2021

In reply to by Ward

His name is Kelvin Cox. He set up a Facebook account on August 21, 2021
Zhelle
July 25, 2021

In reply to by liumay887

Hello, can u send me his pic? Look like the man that you chatted with was also the man I met in the app..
Christina
April 06, 2021

In reply to by Vanesa

Hi Vanessa. Your story sounds the same like mine. By any chance did he give you a name?
Christina
August 08, 2021

In reply to by Christina

Could someone send me photos? I have someone that says he is a widow with 2 kids and a contract doctor in Turkey. He has professed his love for me and I don’t believe a word of it. Calls me his Queen.
Belinda
September 06, 2021

In reply to by Christina

It sounds that we have been contacted by the same person. He sent me a Facebook friend request. Based on his profile pictures, he is a very handsome man, who lives in New Orleans, but currently in Yemen working as an orthopedic surgeon through the United Nations. He is a widow with two daughters. He has also professed his love to me and tells me that he is soon returning to the US and wants to meet me in person. After sending me the most romantic messages for two weeks, he has now asked me to send him money. I doubted everything, but I have now confirmed that he is a scammer.
gonzalezelizab…
September 13, 2021

In reply to by Belinda

Do you have any pictures of this guy he hit me up to after two he say he love me to send him money through a vacation certificate on untied nation abassy saying he has a daugter name kathrine she in boading school but i seen him on video chat but it all to be good to be true
MoMo
February 26, 2021

In reply to by NA

Can You send some photos? Facebook acount? I have a contacy with a similar guy..
Sherry k Dunca…
March 30, 2021

In reply to by NA

Could you please send me his picture. I want to know if this is the same guy that has wooed me for months and now wants money. He is in Yemen so he says, claims to be an orthopedic surgeon and is from Texas
deeper
April 11, 2021

In reply to by Sherry k Dunca…

Ive also experiencing it now. Would you mind to send photos of the Doctor too
Aus
April 26, 2021

In reply to by deeper

I'm also right now being contacted by orthopaedic surgeon in Yemen met on war words wants to marry me can I please see photos
Brenda ArleneD…
July 07, 2021

In reply to by Sherry k Dunca…

I find all of these very interesting I’ve been contacted by a guy name Ruben George he states he’s a UN contractor as a orthopedic surgeon in Yemen. He hit me up on Facebook and said he like to comment on one of my other social media‘s posts and then persuaded to have me sign up for hangouts app because he said he couldn’t talk on Facebook or messenger because the military has strict regulations against it.. after reading all these comments I’m thinking mines a scam also thanks for all your input I would love to have pictures from somebody of these supposed orthopedic surgeons contracted by UN In Yemen
Red
July 19, 2021

In reply to by Brenda ArleneD…

Someone also sent me friend request in fb but was askes to install hangouts because he has a problem with fb... he aaid he is an american surgeon and assigned in UN in UK. But he doesnt sound like american actually... a widower with 13 year old son.
icelandicgirl
September 10, 2021

In reply to by Red

I just recently meet someone online who says he is a widower with a 13-year-old son, he says he is an American based in Italy, his name on Facebook is Jayden Liam, he appears with a sweet Cavalier King Charles spaniel dog. It caught my attention in one of the chats he asked if my dog had "inches" and I am not a native English speaker but I can tell when someone is making a mistake, he meant fleas and "I even asked him again INCHES?" he said yes, he blamed the check speller hahaha, I told him to stop contacted me, that I could see that he was not an English native speaker and he was a scammer and he stopped contacting me. hahaha
Sharon
August 12, 2021

In reply to by Sherry k Dunca…

This sounds like the one just started talking to me says he’s in Yemen and a orthopaedic surgeon but from new jersey
BELLA
September 19, 2021

In reply to by Sharon

Have you heard of a Patrick G Williams. He is currently scamming my aunt. She has sent him thousands. She is in poor health and refuses to believe it's a scam. He says he's from New Jersey and claims to be an orthopedic doctor.
Cee Jay
August 23, 2021

In reply to by Sherry k Dunca…

I think we have been in contact with the same scammer who I know as James McQueen! Sandy blond hair, brown eyes. I can email pics if you like, maybe the same guy!
Roxy1981
September 16, 2021

In reply to by Cee Jay

I’m talking to a Robert working for the UN in Yemen. He has a daughter at a bording school in Lokeren (Belgium)
Rob D
April 10, 2021

In reply to by NA

Have you or do you know of anyone , scammed by a UN doctor by name of Franklyn Thomas?
AlmostBit
September 22, 2021

In reply to by Confusedandhurt

STEVE Bush on oil rigger in Norway. Widower with 11 year old son. Gorgeous. White guy but sounds like an African. Wants me to come up with $1500US to pay for box to be shipped to me. So many clues: What'sApp; instant marriage proposal; request for Stream gift cards for his "son"; very romantic. How do you post pictures here?
Pippa
April 16, 2021

In reply to by NA

Hi could you send me pics please the same has just happened to my mother in law scammed out of £1000
Lulu
July 20, 2021

In reply to by NA

Hi, can you send me a picture of your lover surgeon from Houston. I think it’s the same who wants to have a big relationship with me…
dmac1417
January 07, 2022

In reply to by NA

I need to see a picture of that doctor also I'm currently dealing with a doctor he said he is a cardiac surgeon he's currently working in Yemen and he lives in Houston Texas please send me a picture
ML
January 14, 2021

In reply to by JexWixx

I’ve been talking to an ‘orthopaedic surgeon working for UN in Yemen’. Widower of 2 years with 10 yr old son being looked after his nanny in Tennessee. His English is good but some little mistakes give it away. Today he started being a bit cagey and keeping his answers about his past to bare minimum. He also says all the things women tend to want to hear and is plainly too good to be true. It would be interesting to see if the pictures he sent to me match the ones you received.
Wen
April 14, 2021

In reply to by ML

What name did he give I have similar experience Orthapedic surgeon in Yemen. Since his wife died If you have picture could you send it
Jm
August 12, 2021

In reply to by ML

All similar to the so called orthopedic surgeon working for the UN in Yemen, but he say he is originally from Germany. Instead of a son, he say he has a 10 year old daughter that has an incurable disease and he needs money. Hw grew up as an orphan, where he met his wife, as a child of course. He said he, he promised her when they get older he would marry her. He claims, she died 4 years ago. His daughter is back in Germany being raised by a nanny. He claims he can get his money to get to get so she can get meds she needs. He gets angry and have tantrums when I told him, he wasn't getting money or my account number. He throws insult and I politely tells him about him self. We talked for over a month and he still keep asking for money. Never gave him anything. Then he started asking for 50 dollars for an iTunes card. I still said no. Before that, he presented me with a wedding ring. After I refused to give him money, he said he maybe want no relationship, just be friends. The last day I heard from him was on Aug. 8th, 2021. I believe he was talking to someone else at the same time after I refused to give him money. I called his bluff before he stopped messaging me. He goes by the name of Mike Kent. He is on whatsapp
teresatutu
January 24, 2021

In reply to by JexWixx

Dr stated he needed exist certificate couldn't get money out I sent he the money wire transfer his name Edward kreiger
FAYE
January 28, 2021

In reply to by JexWixx

There is one Orthopedic Surgeon added me on wechat and he told me that he is a divorced man with 2 children in boarding school. I will confront him also about this.. Why they did this to us?
Linda
May 22, 2021

In reply to by FAYE

I would love to see the picture he sent you. I believe a friend is being scammed by this person
Shar
May 22, 2021

In reply to by FAYE

Same MO orthopedic Surgeon UK, being contracted by NATO for 5 weeks in Yemen
Chris
June 07, 2021

In reply to by Shar

Hi, if you can share some pivtures and the name of the orthopedic doctor in Yemen, i will aprecciate it
Cida from Texas
August 31, 2021

In reply to by Chris

My scammer is named Dr. Konig Mayer and has a 12 year old son in boarding school in Ghana. He video chatted with me and it was him on the video and a colleague waved Hi to me. Then he wants me to correspond with his son Derek who is already calling me Mum. I'm thinking this is strange to bring your child into this relationship so I started getting a bad feeling. He asked for Google Play gift cards for $100 each but prior wanted me to transfer money from his checking account to my account - he gave me access to his checking account. It is just so strange.....you question yourself is this real or not and he does have an Instagram page and it is him on the Instagram page but I just don't think he is the real Dr. Konig Mayer....these scammers are getting better and better at falsifying information and video calls and stumping me....I have blocked him but I was out $400 in Google Play gift cards to help with his son's school excursion. I was duped I believe.
nani
March 27, 2021

In reply to by Tmh

Is it possible to send me a picture of this man. I have a man from California calling me. Asking me to start investing in bitcoin investment. Met him in FB dating app.
Don't use your…
April 13, 2021

In reply to by nani

Hi I know this guy he is talking to me and he said he works for the marines and is a king me for Bitcoin! He said his parents died and his wife. He also have a 14 years. And he said he is from Germany he sent me pictures of him, and one time I ask him to face time which he did but it was so quick but it was him since them I kept asking him to face time and he won’t do it. He keep sending pictures of him , he also said he believed in god and talk about god like he is really serious about it. Let me know if we talking about the same guy.
Kiki
May 05, 2021

In reply to by Don't use your…

Currently working through this with a family member that has been targeted. Same story. The pictures he is showing are the same pics that show up on FB is you type in "zachary cox" (profile states he lives in Iowa) if anyone can offer any advice or guidance as to the next best steps please help.
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