FTC Warns Consumers About Online Dating Scams
"he Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, warns that scammers sometimes use online dating and social networking sites to try to convince people to send money in the name of love. In a typical scenario, the scam artist creates a fake profile, gains the trust of an online love interest, and then asks that person to wire money—usually to a location outside the United States.

Here are some warning signs that someone you met online could be in it for the money:

Wanting to leave the dating site immediately and use personal e-mail or IM accounts.
Claiming instant feelings of love.
Claiming to be from the United States but currently overseas.
Planning to visit, but being unable to do so because of a tragic event.
Asking for money to pay for travel, visas or other travel documents, medication, a child or other relative’s hospital bills, recovery from a temporary financial setback, or expenses while a big business deal comes through.
Making multiple requests for more money.
The FTC warns consumers that wiring money to someone they haven’t met is the same as sending cash. Once it’s gone, it can’t be recovered..."