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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:

 

Search Terms
imposter
online dating
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Topics
Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
Scams
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.

I’ll ubble
March 09, 2021

In reply to by JexWixx

Can you let me have his name please. I think I have fallen foul of this guy.
lostdog -- Ma…
March 11, 2021

In reply to by JexWixx

I too have an orthopedic surgeon who has been deployed to Yemen with a 13 year old son who is in Texas. He has asked for ebay card and Stream card for son. We have never spoken nor met in person. Do you have a pictureÉ
Marie Aristegui
April 16, 2021

In reply to by JexWixx

I am talking to a supposed orthopedic surgeon from Texas working in Yemen. He has a 14 years old daughter boarding in London. He uses frameless glasses, I have some photos of him. I will like to know if he is the same one. He writes in the morning and at nights every day. If you want I can sent you photos, I am cancer survivor and this will help me a lot.
Mel
May 24, 2021

In reply to by Marie Aristegui

I have pictures and hangouts chats of a guy named Gabriel Bloom. Same situation. I would love to compare pictures.
Busted?
June 13, 2021

In reply to by Marie Aristegui

Hi, i have a similar history how do i know we are talking about the same guy? please let me know ...
Nbrooks60
April 20, 2021

In reply to by JexWixx

Ha! Also a surgeon in Yemen divorced with a son. Goes by the name of Riccardo. I blocked him!
OMG
January 17, 2021

In reply to by Same

Sounds like same guy I'm talking to. His name is Anthony Cotham in Yemen and orthopedic surgeon. From Washington D.C. Wife died of cancer and has 2 girls in boarding school. Always asking for money to keep his internet going. Kinda funny he wants Ebay Gift card and Steam card.
Sunshine
September 02, 2021

In reply to by Same

I had 2 different people contact me the latest one is Mark Welter. and then he said his real name is Mark Walter says he is with UN a surgeon in Afghanistan.
Jai
October 26, 2021

In reply to by Sunshine

Hi I'm in the same situation, he sounds like the same guy
Kathryn Tremell
February 10, 2021

In reply to by Juleeob

Hello, could you please send me pictures of this guy to compare to the ones I have. Could be the same guy. Appreciate your help
Kathryn Tremell
February 10, 2021

In reply to by Juleeob

Have you heard of Jeffrey George? Please let me know. He's a doctor in Badhdad, has one son and a golden retriever. Thank you
Christine Marie
February 26, 2021

In reply to by Kathryn Tremell

That sounds like somebody that I've been talking with could you send me your photos.
Christine Marie
February 27, 2021

In reply to by Kathryn Tremell

Would you be able to send those pics to me I am dating someone but he is in Afghanistan with a son and a dog on his and he claims he is a doctor.
Bhill
April 30, 2021

In reply to by Christine Marie

Do you have a pics because I have similar description with a son and a dog
Mel
May 24, 2021

In reply to by Bhill

I was just in the situation about an orthopedic surgeon his name is Gabriel Bloom. I have pictures and all the hangouts chats we have had. He tryed to get me to contact a lawyer so he could get out of his contract with the United Nations. I would not and ended everything.
Worried
June 15, 2021

In reply to by Mel

My mom recently told me of some the same of what I'm seeing on here..I have a picture of what she sent me,how do I put on here to see if he is one of these situations?
Not surprised
September 18, 2021

In reply to by Bhill

I am talking to a man in Syria with 13 yo son and dog Jerry. He's flying me to live with him in new year....first class...voice doesn't match the face. I have asked for visual call.... now I wait.
Christine Marie
March 06, 2021

In reply to by Kathryn Tremell

Do you have any pictures of your doctor with the dog and one son in Baghdad? I have them with just the doctor.
BlessingV
March 23, 2021

In reply to by Christine Marie

Hi, I met a dr working Bhagdad who is finishing his contract and promise to visit me here in canada. He sounds legit. But who knows, We've been talking since nov 2020 and have not mentioned or ask for money. His name is Dr. James McNiel a neurosurgeon. I would like to share his picture but how do i do it here?
maple leave
October 09, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

I met someone like this and he is currently now living in Istanbul, turkey and he is trying to ask me 8600 so he can pay his lawyer to make tax clearance for the funds that are now held in the Turkish bank and the amount awarded to him is 620k. He said he needs total 30k, and he managed to get a friend to help out with 10k and all heneeds is 8600 and the balance will be deducted from the 620k and he will wire me the loan of 8600 once he has access to his funds within 30 days and he will leave Turkey to come down and start our lives together. I met him on Istagram in Feb 2019 and he is very convincing..Yes, he only address me as baby, sends me many love songs from Youtube. He claims to have high blood pressure and had been admitted to the Hospital in turkey and he couldnt pay the hospital bills and asked me to help me. Part of the payment came from his friend, Jayden and the other part, i sent him via ppal. So i am just wondering if this is the same guy, he sends me pics and i made a tint eye search, but no results. Are you able to send me a pic of this person. He calls himself Jeffery James and he said he is american, widowed with a son and lives in CA. Thank you, i will appreciate receiving the pic.
DumbIam
January 25, 2021

In reply to by maple leave

I basically have experienced the same story-line with an American who currently in Istanbul, Turkey. He was going to fly back to the USA for holiday in December but he was stopped by the customs agents at the airport for failure to provide the proper document for gem stones in his possession, of which value was estimated as 2 million Euros, supposedly. His lawyer's fee is 20 % of its value and he would accept a partial payment up front. His name is Thomas Wayne, age 46. He was born in the Netherlands and moved to the US when he was very young with his parents who have passed away years ago. He's never been married and no siblings. He is well educated with 3 B.S. degrees from New York, Colombia, and Fordham Universities. Yes, he is convincing and assertive, yet sounds very sweet. I have several photos, always wearing expensive designer clothes such as Hermes, Gucci, Spyder, Louis Vuitton, etc. But I don't know how I can share the photos here (I don't think there's no photo uploading function here).
2404abc
February 10, 2021

In reply to by maple leave

Sounds like the same person who contacted me. He need to pay his taxes on an oil deal. Sent youtube romances. His name was David Anderson and lived in CA.
rezinka22
February 13, 2021

In reply to by maple leave

Hi, I have the same guy on my WhatsApp. Says he is an engineer with 4y old daughter living in London. He moved to Turkey for some huge project and needs a money for a tax clearance. A week ago he asked for an iTunes card, then he wanted me to transfer some money, because of robbery - his iPhone and id were stolen so he is without an access to his account. Very nice guy, i found some of pics he sent me on TinEye. But not the peronal ones, only pics from the building site. His "name" is Thomas Sigurd.
nurseangel
April 13, 2021

In reply to by maple leave

I am dating online I met on fb same guy who is a doctor in Iraq with a 10 year old son and is from Austin Texas. He is gorgeous attractive! Says he wants to marry me! Calls me his wife every day. How can we share pics on this site we all need to compare!
Cali T
October 19, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

Where can I see these pictures everyone is sharing?
all the phonies
January 04, 2021

In reply to by Cali T

beware of Jayden they are a scammer Has anyone been exchange chat with Nathan Smith claims to live in LA about 57 maybe more years old Short haircut dark rimmed glasses and tatoos
Shocked11!
March 15, 2021

In reply to by all the phonies

That sounds like someone who I was talking with on Fitbit. He goes by the name James S on Fitbit. He said that his name is James Stewart. The profile picture is of similar to the man you described with glasses, yellow hoodie, grey hair, and white headphones on his head. He sent me a whole bunch of pictures and two videos. I deleted my Fitbit account because too many of them are on there. He got mad at me because I refused to buy him google play cards for his phone upgrade.
Refuses to be …
July 17, 2021

In reply to by Shocked11!

My guy says he is Harrison Thang, an orthopedic surgeon born in Taiwan and living in Dallas. Currently in Yemen with the UN. States he is widow with 15 yo son in boarding school. Hasn't yet asked for money.
NMarie
February 27, 2021

In reply to by Cali T

This sounds like a person I might be dealing with. I would love to see pics. Would someone be willing to share?
Dee Dee/ Janua…
January 29, 2021

In reply to by Don't use your…

How do I text you to see Derek Bendon picture
Bea
March 06, 2021

In reply to by ** Ana

sound like the guy im talking to did he send you pictures of him in the navy
Don't use your…
August 16, 2019

In reply to by Gabriellalani

that sounds just like a guy i meet on words with friends he is from Africa but lives in Indiana but right now he is working in Dubi and he only talks to me once in a while now because i would not give him any money. his name is William Chapman
karen davis
September 10, 2019

In reply to by Don't use your…

My friend at work I think meet the same man do any 1 have a pic ?He is asking her for money something about his son got in car rack and need 1,ooo to started his surgery.He also sounds like a Africa she chats with him on hangout. tks
Christy
October 15, 2019

In reply to by karen davis

It sounds exactly like a scammer I talked too. He had a 12 yrs old daughter at home but had a 17 yrs old son living with his sister. They were in a head on car collision and he wanted me to send him$1200 for the son to get surgery. He said he couldnt cause his wallet was in his car when he went to church and it was stolen. If it's the same guy I think I still have his picture.
Mary
January 25, 2020

In reply to by karen davis

Hi Karen, I had the same scenario and he showed me pictures of the kids and him. He said he is a surgeon in the military. I met him on Bible app. He messaged me and said wants to communicate on email and hang out. Then he started opening about his son had an accident and needs operations. Need 1000usd to perform other procedure. Sounds so the same as your description here. He says his name was Mark Daniels. Is that familiar?
Blondie
October 27, 2020

In reply to by Mary

Hi Mary, I have the same story, do you still have a photo of him?
Scammed by UNI…
December 25, 2020

In reply to by Mary

Gorgeous man with a 14 year old. Needed to apply for a vacation & I had to apply fir his approval to come to USA. 4300 US DOLLAR To use fir travel fees. Amount was sent on a letter from the United Nations. All similar to the above stories. Great manners. Well spoken & even though the position as a surgeon was great he had no access to his funds... wanted a x mass gift from iTunes. Very odd. I said 45-59 & he said NO. 100-200. Lol.
Hurt lady
January 08, 2021

In reply to by Scammed by UNI…

Hey , did your guy go by the name Chris Dc. Or Chris Cross , he Sounds like I guy I was talking too wanting steam cards though to help with his internet connection , then he started talking about a vacation but then he wanted me to pay for it, But I didn’t
Jursey86
February 19, 2021

In reply to by Scammed by UNI…

My mom has been writing with a guy his name is Richard Anderson , doctor in Alepo Syria. My mom payed 4000€ for his vacation after him saying that his bank acout is blocked. They send her sertification and she had to pay 9000€ for his flight . Can someone here has expirience with that?
Ray
March 20, 2021

In reply to by Jursey86

Could you send any pictures please sounds like the guy I am chatting to asking for money for a flight as money froze going by the name of Donald Anderson orthopaedic surgeon
Potyi 6
April 28, 2021

In reply to by Ray

I have one right now that we are talking per e-mail but first he was on Skype that is where I meat him, very nice looking Dr. Charles Christopher , also in Syria , a Neurosurgeon, he is a widower with a son who is33 yrs. old but he is also a Missioner, Charles is under a 9 year contract wit the United Nations and like to come home but needs a Vacation Certificate that would cost $ 3,150.00. If I could apply for him to the UN so that he could come home to me, he loves me and there is no other woman just me. Well, because I did not send the money he got nesty with me so i deleted him from Skype but now he is on e-mail ,with me but must say very polite and very sweet talking. i will not send the money and I do not care how much he loves me. So be warned it is a scam.
Concerned99
September 17, 2021

In reply to by Potyi 6

Hi . This is exacly what is currently happening with me do you have any pics
Concerned99
September 17, 2021

In reply to by Jursey86

Hi . Do you maybe have any pictures of this man. I was also talking to a doc from Syria, who worked for the UN. And he has just asked me money so that he can get his clearance certificate to go on holiday
Rachel Pham
February 22, 2021

In reply to by Scammed by UNI…

Similar to here, a doctor working in Yemen with contract 5 year, want to marry me, but first need to get the certificate bill to get approval from UN. He asked me to pay it first then he will pay me back wjen je back home.
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