Scammers stole his image to lure the lovesick. Then the lovesick came looking for him
Romance scammers steal photos of a real person and use them to build hundreds of fake dating and social media profiles. They use these profiles to take money from people looking for love.
How it works
The contact starts on a dating site or social media app, where a profile shows attractive photos of a person who does not exist as described. The scammer builds an emotional bond through messages over time, then asks for money for a claimed emergency, travel, or other need. The real person in the photos may have no connection to the scam and may be just as surprised to learn their pictures are being used.
Red flags to watch for
- Profile photos look polished but appear nowhere else online
- Someone you met online asks you for money
- They avoid video calls or meeting in person
- Strong emotional bond formed very quickly
- Requests for payment by gift card, wire, or crypto
What to do
Do not send money or gift cards to anyone you have met only online, no matter how close the relationship feels. Run a reverse image search on profile photos using Google Images or TinEye, and insist on a live video call before trusting the person. If you have sent money, contact your bank or payment provider right away and report the scam at reportfraud.ftc.gov or ic3.gov.
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Source: Seattle Times. Scam Sentinel summarizes this news report in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.