Female VO: Millions of people use dating websites to meet people and develop relationships.

Unfortunately skilled scam artists are online as well. So although your online love interest may seem kind, smart, attractive, funny, and really into you, sometimes it’s a trick.

If you or someone you know is dating online, have fun – but also be on the lookout. An online love interest who asks for money –for any reason – is probably a scam artist.

Scammers try to get you to leave the dating website and instead communicate by e-mail or instant message.

They may claim to be from the U.S., but say they are having an emergency overseas.

Then they ask for money for medical care, for travel, or to pay fees.  The requests will keep coming until you stop giving.

So, if an online love interest asks for money, exercise doubt. Check out FTC.gov to learn more.

A tip from the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency.