The IC3 has received several complaints regarding a romance con originating via a dating website. Generally, in romance cons, the subject claims to be out of the country for a business trip and in need of money. The subject asks potential victims to wire funds for various reasons including paying for a hotel, returning to the states, or paying for a lawyer.

Recently, the scammers have added a layer of supposed law enforcement involvement in an attempt to convince the victim the con is legitimate. In one such IC3 complaint, the "investigator" says he is using his private e-mail because the IC3 database
is under maintenance. To convince the victim to wire the requested funds, he claims to be assigned to the case and assures the victim that the subject has been "interrogated and investigated" and that he is a safe, "legit business man."

Other complainants reported having difficulty canceling their membership to the particular dating site, which reportedly offers a "3-day free membership" for their service. The membership is reportedly "automatically" renewed after the three days
unless canceled. Complainants reported that the website renewed their membership and charged their credit card over $59 despite the complainant's attempts to cancel the membership. Some complainants said the company did not answer their calls, e-mails,
or voice mail messages, while others claimed the company admitted the "error" and offered them free service, but refused to refund the charges.
This should make all of us weary of so-called dating sites. Now I know most of you know that Mike & I met through the Internet, but we happened to be the lucky ones, because we used caution & never had to pay anyone anything.

http://www.ic3.gov/media/2011/110310.aspxwww.ic3.gov/media/2011/110310.aspx