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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.

Don't use your…
August 10, 2020
I know some women who are victimize by the name Jeffrey Rissler from Altoona PA .A lot of dollars they given to this guy he said he's a military too.I want to help this girl's .But they scared to report.
Scammed
October 08, 2020

In reply to by Don't use your…

I may have talked to him as well. Light brown hair, light brown eyed, white, handsome? Says he has a son named Justin ?
Lyn 1933
August 10, 2020
Did you know Steve Pacheco and Jeffrey Rissler? Claim they are military.Same story .
Ryah
August 10, 2020
Has anybody had contact with a Jeff Walter. Working as a Petroleum Engineer in Shanghai?
Busycar
August 10, 2020
Was anyone contacted by a military Orthopedic Surgeon Paul Walton, MD. In Somalia?
Sk
January 07, 2021

In reply to by Busycar

I have had contact w Paul Walter or Walters thru Words w Friends. He claims to be an ortho surgeon in Somalia. Has a son and wife died during still birth. He’s about to ask for something...he sent me a msg thru Words that he needs to ask me for something...watch out. He’s definitely a scammer. Poor English, can’t answer questions about medicine, weather in Denver or Somalia...
Traci
August 10, 2021

In reply to by Sk

I have been contacted by Paul Walter and he says he is an orthopedic surgeon from Texas in Syria. Wife died 2 years ago from cancer. I figured he was a scanner. Luckily I do not accept friend requests from people I do not know. It was through Facebook
Pecncorn
August 11, 2020
I'm in Vietnam and my neighbor has two on the hook at the same time. One says he's working construction in Yemen She has been talking to him for a year. In the beginning he asked he to set up a bank account here so he could send his funds that are stuck in Oman. He has given the same story, single dad two girls has sent her video of him with them before he left the US to work etc etc. Name is Joquiem, the kids are writing her emails. The funny thing is he hasn't tried or mentioned money again yet. These people are playing the long game. The second guy says he has a 1.3 million $ contract here in Vietnam but has been stuck offshore in Malaysia for 4 months. He told her he couldn't access his account and asked if she would try and sent all the details to transfer money for him for flights. I did it for her and it was a Swiss account with 3.7 million in it. I transfered 4,500 $ for him to an account here in VN. which was a little strange but I didn't think a lot about it until afterwards now I'm a little concerned that it was done from my IP address. He told her yesterday he was in quarantine and couldn't access his account and asked her to send him 1500 $, at this point it was too much. If you are wealthy you have people to deal with this stuff for you and don't rely on strangers. I don't know how he had access to the Swiss account but I am a bit concerned and feel pretty stupid for making the transfer for him. I don't know what the angle is but rich people are not rich by giving their account details out to strangers .
Scammerbegone
August 11, 2020
This happened to my son who is in the Army. What are some resources to go after the person ie type of attorney, criminal charges ?? She is a real person, living in the U.S, found her parents.
Rosebud
August 12, 2020
Has anyone run into these names1: Natan Antoni, Humphrey Lucas, David Roland?
Bluebella52
September 26, 2020

In reply to by Rosebud

Yes as a matter of fact Natan is in my hangouts right now. What is the deal with him? I need to know fast
Phelp
August 12, 2020
Why are they all orthopedic surgeons that’s weird I had a scammer said he was from Texas went to work on oil rig and his machine broke the pic was a copy of one published in2006 what idiots I kept him going for three months he wanted me to do his banking I said no never he never gave up trying I was able to go back to work so just told him about himself and sent the pic from the news clip with the day and deleted the app met him on scrabble now I have a guy texted me on face book suppose to be a surgeon for the in same thing wife an parents dead daughter in boarding school in uk he sent me a pic of his daughter and their dog I found the same pic on another site not his daughter really
Court_the_brave
August 15, 2020
My mom's been in love with a man from India for 4 years now. He claims he is a good guy with money and a good job. He actually doesn't ask anything money related. They video called once in a blue moon and i have seen him myself on video call but what really doesn't seem right is sometimes he disappears for weeks on end. Then he finally shows up and the cycle repeats all over again. He says he wants to meet her in person but he says he can't come to America so she has to go to him in India. Has anyone else dealt with this sort of thing? I need some help protecting my mom.
BrianaR
August 16, 2020
Anybody been scammed by "Mark Sency", "Stephen Townsend?"
Cody
August 18, 2020
I don’t know what to do he’s noticing I’m not responding so much . I said I was back at work and couldn’t
Cat
August 20, 2020
My friend met a guy on Scrabble game named Miller S. His picture is fake. He has multiple Scrabble accts. Same name just diff pics of same guy. Says he is from San Francisco, wife died from ovarian cancer, father died, mother met some guy and is living in South America. First he wanted her to send him money because his luggage got lost and he couldn’t get home from China. Then he was going to meet her when he got back and pay her back. So she sends him money thru BitCoin. When he was coming to meet her he was in a wreck on the way to airport and is in a coma. His friend mike contacted her to let her know Miller S was in accident and it was all her fault cause he was coming to see her. He may end up having amnesia. Anyone else talk to this Miller guy?? There is nothing about him on the Internet
xixi
August 21, 2020
My friend was recently contacted by an orthopedic surgeon from Doctors without borders Yemen via Facebook and Skype. He claimed his name was Richard W. Crowder. She was deeply attracted by his profile photos especially the one in surgical gown and requested a video chat but was recommended to postpone. After reading the shared experiences posted here, I wondered if he was one of the scammers as too good to be true. He has nearly perfect profile and sounded very patient but writing skills were not consistent, at least not like someone with years of education and from a hometown in England. I am not sure how to help her but will check if anybody here knows this person. She is very naive with pure soul. God bless her not to be hurt.
Sister
November 30, 2020

In reply to by xixi

Yess Orthopaedic surgeon in yemen for peace keeping mission thay have NATO logo also hope i wud posted more photos but the chat deleted when i blocked him,but i have one photoes of his u know he says surgen but pictures he send is of handosme guy who is dentist ,so illitrste people but a good scammer
newburg1959
August 21, 2020
I received a FB request from a Louis Flare. His pictures were that of Brian Etemad, ESQ. [see Instragram]. He then confessed this is not him and says his real name is Nicholas Greto. He says he is a widow and has a 7 year old daughter. He claims he works as a Resp. Therapy in Russia. He has sent me pictures and his uniform top says Holy Name Medical Center. That facility is located in NJ. He sent pictures of himself and his daughter. He then asked for a AMX Gift Card to be sent his "house" in Florida . He then became agitated when he asked me to send it through my phone, and I said no. He is very handsome and believable .
Candy
August 23, 2020
Supposedly a Greek neurosurgeon is working at a Yemen base. He has 3 years left there and it has gotten bad, and is asking for me to help him get leave. At first, he asked for a game card, then to do bitcoin (learn from his coworker), which I stated that I couldn’t help him due to lack of $. Now, he’s consistently been asking for me to apply for his leave to help him come to the US. 1) to escape what’s happening in Yemen, 2) to meet me. Now, he’s telling me it’s an emergency and wants my full name and address to send me his atm card. I’ve been very careful and haven’t sent him any $ or any of my personal info. But he has gotten a couple of pics. I’ve chatted on the phone but have not verified that he is the person in his pics. Wondering if anyone has encountered a Daniel
Love or fake
August 24, 2020
I’ve met a man they my game chat.. His name is Harun my heart says it is real but my mind says maybe not.. He has never asked for money. I am going to meet him he sends pictures and texts all day.. even some of his family and such.. My question has anyone had it be real and not fake?
Wytch
August 27, 2020
I have numerous contacts from men via Fitbit. They all have the same story, they are a widower, they have a child in boarding school in the US, they either work on an oil rig or for the UN in Yemen. They start off by saying they are lonely then within a couple of conversations on hangouts they are proclaiming their undying love for me. One even pretended his kids were emailing me. They start off by asking for an amazon, i tunes or steam card and when I refuse they get angry. One also pretended to be flying to China (no destination airport on the fake tickets) and another that he had been paid by shell into a UK account and wanted me to get the money. The clues are always in the poor English and the inconsistancies in their stories
2020gonewrong
August 27, 2020
I'm playing a word game. This guys picture has a celebrities face on his. Plus on Instagram I got another guy with a celebrities face . They want to talk on hangouts. The first one .I told him if I'm not asking for money I sure as heck ain't giving you money . But he still wants to talk ...Don't they have a quota? After 30 days you can't get what you want so you move on?
Maria44
August 30, 2020
The 'United Nations Orthopedic Surgeon' scam is also active on Twitter. Name: Mayer Willson. In email: James (Roland) Mayer Willson (also spelled Wilson). Details: works in Iraq, daughter (12) and son (7) who stay in Turkey, widower: his wife died in a car crash in 2017. Asked for gift card after a few days in Hangouts. After I refused politely and asked for proof he first came back what proof I needed. He apparently didn't like my response. Received some bad language messages.
BonymDon't use…
October 11, 2020
Have any of You dealt with a Dr. Todd Williams from San Diego now in Somalea for 16 Months.
Stephanie
October 13, 2020
He claims to be at sea on cargo ship, gets paid and end of contract. Claims name is Connor Miller, but admits using anglicized name. Claims dad from UAE, parents killed in plane crash, wife dead. Has 2 daughters and building home in Phoenix. Anyone heard these lines?
Queen
October 14, 2020
I’ve been talking to a guy from Hinge goes by the name of Robert Williams. Claims he is in Norway on a contract with Nextgentel, uses number +1 (412) 903-9291. His mother is Australian but died when he was 3 and his dad lived in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where he was born. He claims he lived in Albania for 12 years. He has sent me photos and I have spoken to him in WhatsApp but he refuse to video chat. He is turning 40 in December. Has anyone else come across him?
Serena
December 03, 2020

In reply to by Queen

Thank you, Queen. I found this page and your comment for a fact check on a fishy guy I matched on Hinge. Said his name was Micheal Lewis, born on 3/02/1974 at 7.04AM. Manchester born and bred to an Australian mom. 5G project developer. Couldn't do video chats because he was on a ship. The whole thing was simply odd and fishy. Thanks again for proving my intuition right.
Canadian Eagle
January 26, 2021

In reply to by Serena

My friend has been chatting with the same guy for 1 month and half. He Asked for money 6 times. Luckily she didn’t give to him but only a iTune card of $150. Her daughter has reported to police and Police is monitoring this guy online. He will be arrested if he steps into Canadian soil.
Nightingale
December 04, 2020

In reply to by Queen

Yes, I think I’ve met the same person. Same story, but was using the name John Taylor.
Rocky
January 03, 2021

In reply to by Queen

My friend got hook up by a guy by the name of Lewis Michael. He said that he is in Norway on a contract with Nextgentel. He was born 1974 from Manchester, UK. Just arrived in Canada. He said he is on a ship laying 5G optical ocean cable from Norway to Sweden. The fact is that these two countries are connected by land. He sent to my friend buisness invoice worth of over 13 million of pay but the sum of the money is not correct. He asked my friend helped him transferred money from his account to purchase equipment. His equipment broke again so he asked my friend to do the same thing but with of transfer of money from my friend's account ($6986 USD), which my friend refused. Beware of this guy
Sally
January 28, 2021

In reply to by Rocky

Thanks Rocky for sharing the story! I just came across this guy called Michael Tang on Hinge as well. Exactly the same story, I refused to help him transfer the money from his account when my first instinct told me something is fishy. Please be careful everyone!
Patti
March 08, 2021

In reply to by Queen

I think I’ve met the same person too. Same story, but was using the name John Wilson, phone number +1 (412) 891-6270.
HBG2
October 15, 2020
I got chatting to an American man who said he was on a rig in the North Sea. After a couple of months he said me a copy of a letter which stated he had been paid £2.8 million into an offshore account which was closed. He asked me to open an account with Citibank so that the money could be transferred to me. The cost of opening the account was costing in excess of £3k and, the same again to activate the account. I declined as it didn't sound genuine to me. He then asked me to help pay his sons rent which was over £4k. He said his son went to school in London and, he was unable to send it from offshore. Needless to say I didn't send money. He then made me feel guilty by saying that I'd rather see his 16yr old son evicted
Scammed
October 19, 2020
Tinder scammer. Claim from Canada, lives in Texas , civil engineer. Age 54 , then wanted me wire transfer his funds from a work contract by email. I did not do. These guys do not FaceTime, escuse after excuse, make you feel bad if you catch them they turn it around on you. Girls stay away tinder Tom Gerald university of Oxford.
Just wondering
October 19, 2020
The man I have been speaking with contacted me on telegram. I have been searching for him on the internet also however, I could not find him. He is single, no children but works with Doctors without boarder. Have anyone had any verbal communication with him.
Cali T
October 19, 2020
I'm sorry to hear, out loud, there are so many awful people out there. Preying on vulnerable women and men. I would like to see some of these photos and am curious if some of you are talking to the same person. I have some pics to share from someone who I think is trying to do the same to me. I want to stop him if that's the case. I will make it my mission to put a stop to these awful people.
71young
October 25, 2020
Gabriel Leonardo Switzerland, 58 yrs old, teenage daughter, then said Lives in Germany orthopedic surgeon with UN NATO, stationed in Yemen saving lives. Asked for my email and to use WhatsApp. Wanted to know who I am and where I live, work, hobbies .... I was bored and typed back. I told him messenger only and waive. He said he must have email since he works hard. I said add messenger to his cell phone. He said no cell phone. If you Ok into his frequent visit on his two photo Facebook, you can see Nigerian sites and the URL he is using is under a different name. Response time proves he was using a translation package and he would not give a phone number to call — afraid of a country code giving up his true location? Anyway, a Real scam artist. He tried to get access to my computer so we could FaceTime. Do not trust anyone you do not see as a real friend or a friend of a friend. Not a good enough scammer for me to not see through. I wasted at least two hours of his/her time on messenger while I watched The Healer on Netflix. He ran like lightning when I mentioned Washington DC and I work with data privacy and security enforcement. Never trust anyone until you know them for a year or more. Do not judge the book by its cover. Fortunately, he did not get more than messenger time out of me. Prayers to those that have been or will be scammed like this. Facebook prompted me his message might be a scam. Thank you to Facebook for the message. Made me question the individual very hard. No time to waste in the future on someone not blood with me. Stay safe
Bitcoin scam
October 25, 2020
I meant someone by the name of Michael Adams on Instagram. The back-and-forth was going on since April until the first week of October. The biggest deal for me was he was a Christian man. He knew the Bible. His story was his mother fled South Africa and she died at childbirth. The man and woman that she lived with in Jacksonville adopted him. Then goes on to say he was married and found out that his wife was cheating on him and the child they had was not his and at the same time found out about his adoption and moved to Texas. So we continued our conversations/texts until the first week of October. Always asking me for money to be deposited in his bitcoin account. Like an idiot recovering from two strokes fell in love with him. Don’t even want to say how much money I lost with the deposits I made to his BitCoin account and what Uber was charging me. Calling me his baby girl, darling mi amor and how much he loved me and wanting his parents to meet me. Wanted To have a future together and settle down. We weren’t getting any younger and he was going to help me with my recovery. So after my last deposit and my paid flight to Jacksonville to meet him for the first time and his parents, I spoke with him in the morning, he said he was on the phone with the doctor? I tried calling several times, texting and nothing. So I canceled my trip because there was no one I was meeting at the airport. Game over. The most hurtful experience I ever had!
Hegotitall
October 30, 2020
I wanted to report the romance scam to the site on Instagram, they do not have a option for that. I picked the closest thing, ddried! There is no way to report this to them!
Vava
October 30, 2020
I meet a man online, his name ia Carter Jameswil. He said he is pediatric, works in Yemen, from Sweden. He said only can use Hangouts on there ,can't used video call too. Once day, he said he need to top up steam gift. I asked him, don't you have free calling if you use hangouts, he said no we can't. Is he scammer?
Comcerned
November 01, 2020
My mom met a man on scrabble go. Goes by the name michael travis. He's an orthopedic surgeon from the U.S working in London. I've already caught him sending her a pic of a fake id. He says he plans on moving here to be with her and open his own practice. I know this guy is scamming her but she won't believe me. Help. Does this sound familiar to anyone? His scrabble go is michael t and in his pic he's got headphones around his neck. Help me prove he's a scammer.
Momscammed
November 17, 2020
Davestiller23 He claims to be a doctor for UN in Yemen
Yoj999
November 17, 2020
At first I also scammed, thousand of dollars, they used UN in the 1st place, he said that he is engineer and a representative from UN told me about his founds, in order to receive I need to pay, without my knowledge I've been scam web used to talk in Hangouts and he is using this email address jameslarry1803,I hope this person will be captured and return my money.
Rashmi
November 24, 2020
I’ve been chatting with a guy who claims to be an American pilot from new Orleans who is working with the UN and posted in Yemen. Goes by the name of George Wilson. Only chats on hangout and Facebook. Says he doesn’t have a number as it isn’t allowed. Divorced with 2 boys in boarding school and head over bees in love with me. I have a strong intuition that he is fake and I wonder if there is any way to find out. I insisted that we have a phone call. Had an audio call on hangout and he had a strangely African accent and not American. Not sure what to do. Any suggestions?
Heart Broke an…
November 27, 2020
I've been chatting with a guy claiming to be a doctor working with the UN say he's in Syria. He keeps say he loves me and wants to marry me. But the three says he has been pushing me to get him a 100 gift card at first it was for amazon then today he said let him know what the store has if they don't have it. He says its for his internet so he can talk to me and get permission form the UN for vacation to come visit me. But some of the things he has told me don't make sense. He says he is divorced with a 14 year old son in boarding school. That he is rich has cars and houses. He had a facebook page which he took down and after asking me to just talk to him through hang out a few days ago. Said he took it down for me because he only need me now. Goes by James. He says all the right things. But if is why would he working by contract for the Un if he a US doctor though at first he said he was a military doctor working with the UN. On Hangout he goes by James B I think he's scamming me and even though i haven't given him any money I'm still feeling pretty stupid
Robby D
April 10, 2021

In reply to by Heart Broke an…

I just discovered my wife was scammed by a UN Dr in Syria needing money and a formal written request to in. Management for him to be allowed to come home to USA, claiming she was his fiancée. She had sent over $50k from her bank account to him through either W T or Bitcoin. Can you share with me any pics? He went by name of dr Thomas. I am going to police/fbi tomorrow
Sister
November 30, 2020
Hi All yeah same story when i check and blocked him within a week he came up with different number he looks so handsome but bad english,inspite of being raised in LA, dont know whose photo he uses, Orthopaedic Surgeon for peace keeping mission ready to fall in love,looking for sincere women
Rawvegan
December 04, 2020
Hi..I have been chatting with a guy from Chicago who went to Yemen. He is an orthopedic surgeon whose first name is Philip Howard. I met him on tinder and he has a daughter. He asked once for a gift card but I ignored his request and we are still chatting. Not sure if he is who he says he is. We have never chatted except texting. Of any one has pictures I would love to see if this is him? Thanks..appreciate your time..
Sk
January 07, 2021

In reply to by Rawvegan

I had William Howard, ortho surgeon from Austin, working in Syria. He also goes by Paul Walter, ortho surgeon now in Somalia. They are such cliches.
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