How to Identify a Military Romance Scam

Military romance scams are a form of online fraud in which scammers create fake profiles on online dating sites or social media platforms pretending to be military personnel. They then use emotional manipulation to gain the trust and affection of their victims before eventually asking for money or personal information.

Romance scams can have devastating consequences for victims, including financial loss, emotional trauma, and even identity theft. Unfortunately, they have become increasingly common in recent years, especially among older individuals who may be more susceptible to these types of scams.

That’s why you need to know the signs of a military scam and take steps to avoid becoming a victim.

In this article, we’ll examine the anatomy of military romance scams, the impact they can have on victims, and what you can do to protect yourself. By understanding these scams and staying vigilant, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to this type of online fraud.

The Anatomy of Military Romance Scams

How the Scam Works

Military romance scams typically begin with a fake profile created by the scammer, often using stolen photos and personal information. The profile is designed to look legitimate and trustworthy, with details designed to appeal to the victim’s interests and desires.

Romance scammers begin building a relationship through messages, emails, or phone calls once they have connected with their victim. In most cases it is men who write that they are looking for an honest woman.

They often use emotional manipulation tactics to gain the victim’s trust and affection, such as sending romantic messages, quickly expressing deep feelings, or even claiming to be in love with the victim after just a few conversations.

After establishing a relationship with the victim, the scammer usually requests money or personal information. This can take many forms, such as asking for funds

• to help with travel expenses
• or medical expenses,

or even asking for sensitive information such as bank account or nude pictures.

Once the scammer receives the requested funds or information, they may disappear completely, leaving the victim to deal with the financial and emotional fallout. In many cases, the scammer will continue to ask for more money or information, using threats or guilt to keep the victim under control.

Remember that military members can’t solicit money from citizens, and any request for money or personal information should raise a red flag. By staying vigilant and recognizing the tactics used by military romance scammers, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of a military scam.

Short Summary of the Playbook: This is How Military Scammers Operate

1. Romance scammers create fake profiles on dating apps, websites, and social media. They use real photos and research real military members to create a believable persona for the fake accounts.
2. Next, they identify vulnerable targets. Typical victims are people who show their support for the military, either through their profiles or by joining Facebook groups or donating to veterans’ charities.
3. After establishing an online relationship, they quickly escalate. Scammers may send “love bombs” or even propose marriage within a few weeks. Many scammers work in groups, sharing scripts and formulas that appeal to your emotions and cloud your judgment.
4. Once you are addicted, they will ask you for a favour. This could be money, gift cards, or confidential information that they can use for identity theft and extortion.
5. When you realize that they are a con artist, they vanish. You are ashamed, and the money they stole from you is gone.

20 Red Flags by which you can recognize Online Military Scams

1. After the initial social media contact, they want to move the conversation to WhatsApp or text.
2. Their social media accounts contain little meaningful information and have few interactions.
3. They’re stationed in a foreign country or live far away from you.
4. They can’t video chat because it’s forbidden in the armed forces for security reasons.
5. They are widowers and have a child or are divorced, with the ex-wife being a drug addict and unable to care for the child.
6. They tell you they love you quickly or even propose to you.
7. They only use a free email address like gmail, hotmail or yahoo and not a .mil one or an APO or FPO mailing address.
8. They give you a direct phone number but never answer or you can’t call the number, only WhatsApp.
9. They say their bank account is frozen and they can’t access it.
10. To keep writing with you, they need money for the Internet and communication fees.
11. They ask you for money or gift cards from Amazon, Steam, iTunes, Google Play Store, etc.
12. They send you a photo of their passport to prove they are real people.
13. They send you pictures of their “official military ID”.
14. They have to pay to go on leave.
15. They need money for food or medicine sent directly to Africa by Western Union.
16. They want you to help them get money back to the States or to visit you.
17. They want you to hold a valuable package for them and you have to pay for shipping or customs later.
18. They need money for their children because of illness. But all military personnel have very good medical insurance for themselves and their immediate family members.
19. A commanding officer is demanding money from them.
20. They say they have to pay for early retirement from the armed forces.

Tactics Used by Scammers

Military romance scammers are skilled at manipulating their victims, using a variety of tactics to gain their trust and extract money or personal information. Here are some of the more common tactics used by scammers:

1. A romance scammer often uses flattery, compliments, and romantic gestures to build a sense of intimacy and trust with the victims. He may also express deep feelings quickly, often claiming to be in love after just a few conversations.
2. Scammers often create a sense of urgency by claiming to need money for an emergency, such as a medical issue or transportation costs. They usually claim that they need the money quickly and cannot wait.
3. Scammers often use fake identities, sometimes posing as deployed military personnel or veterans, to gain credibility and trust. They may use stolen photos and personal information to create a convincing profile.
4. A romance scammer may try to isolate the victim from family and friends, encouraging them to keep the relationship a secret. This can make it difficult for victims to seek help or advice.
5. In some cases, scammers may use threats or intimidation to control their victims, often threatening to harm them or their families if they don’t comply with their demands.

Understanding these tactics and being aware of red flags can help reduce your risk of falling victim to a romance scam. Keep in mind that anyone can fall prey, so it’s essential to stay vigilant and protect yourself.

Common Signs of a Military Romance Scam

There are several warning signs that may indicate you are being targeted by a military scam. Here are some of the more common signs:

1. Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency and intimacy by moving the relationship along quickly, sometimes claiming to be in love after just a few conversations.
2. Scammers often pose as military personnel or veterans to gain credibility and trust. However, military personnel are not allowed to solicit money from civilians, so any request for money should be considered suspicious.
3. Scammers often ask for money to cover expenses such as travel or medical costs, or even for personal information such as bank account or social security numbers. This is a big red flag and should be avoided at all costs.
4. Scammers often avoid meeting in person or video chatting, using excuses such as being stationed overseas or not having access to video chat services. This is often a sign that the person is not who they claim to be.
5. Scammers often use fake identities, which can be revealed by inconsistencies in their profile information or photos. Look for details that don’t add up or seem too good to be true.

By recognizing these warning signs and taking steps to protect yourself, you can reduce your risk of falling victim to a romance scam. If you suspect you have been targeted by a scammer, report it to the authorities or seek professional assistance.

Our advice when you meet a soldier online

1. Never send money to people you met on the internet and have never seen before.
2. Never send nude photos of yourself to strangers.
3. Never let strangers send you money, which you should then forward afterwards.
4. Never engage in online sexual activity in front of the camera on your PC or cell phone.
5. Do not give personal information or bank details to strangers.

Listen to your gut feeling – what sounds too good to be true, usually isn’t.

Have you already sent money to a stranger? If yes, there is a good chance that you are a victim of one of the many military scams conducted every day. There is only a very low possibility that you will get your money back.

The Impact of Military Romance Scams

1. Financial loss

One of the most significant impacts of military romance scams is financial loss. Scammers often ask for money for various reasons and may continue to request funds over time. Victims may also be asked to provide personal information such as bank account or credit card details, which can be used to commit identity theft or fraud.

The financial losses associated with military romance scams can be significant, with victims often losing thousands of dollars. In addition to the direct financial losses, victims may also experience indirect costs such as legal fees or lost income from time taken off work to deal with the aftermath of the scam.

Unfortunately, victims of military romance scams or other romance scams may have little recourse to recover their losses. Scammers often operate from overseas, making it difficult to track them down and prosecute them. In addition, victims may feel embarrassed or ashamed to come forward, further complicating the recovery process.

To avoid financial loss due to military romance scams, you need to be aware of the warning signs and take steps to protect yourself. This may include being cautious about providing personal information or sending money to someone you’ve met online, and seeking advice from trusted friends or family members if you’re unsure about a potential scam.

If you have fallen victim to a romance scam, consider reporting it to the authorities and seeking assistance from an expert in exposing online scams.

2. Emotional Toll

In addition to financial losses, military romance scams can have a significant emotional impact on their victims. Scammers often use emotional manipulation tactics to build a sense of intimacy and trust, leaving victims feeling vulnerable and betrayed when the scam is discovered.

Victims of military romance scams may experience a range of emotions, including anger, shame, and embarrassment. They may also feel a sense of loss and sadness for the relationship they thought they had, and struggle to come to terms with the fact that it was all a lie.

The emotional toll of military romance scams can be particularly challenging for military personnel and veterans, who may already be dealing with the stress and trauma of their service. Scammers may also specifically target military personnel and veterans, using their shared experiences as a way to gain trust and credibility.

Prevention and Recovery

Tips to Avoid Military Romance Scams

Preventing military romance scams in the first place is the best way to avoid the emotional and financial toll they can take on their victims. Here are some tips to avoid military romance scams:

• Be wary of unsolicited messages from people you don’t know, and be careful about sharing personal information or nude photos of yourself with them.
• If someone claims to be in the military, ask for their unit and base information and verify their claims with official sources.
• Scammers may ask for money for various reasons, such as travel expenses or medical fees, and may also ask for personal information, such as bank account or credit card details.
• When things don’t feel right, they probably aren’t. Trust your gut and don’t be afraid to walk away from a situation that feels wrong.
• If you suspect that a deployed soldier is trying to scam you, report them to the platform or internet dating site where you met them.

By following these tips, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim of a military romance scam and protect yourself from the emotional and financial impact of these scams perpetrated by purported deployed soldiers.

You may find the love of your life online with a service member deployed overseas, but chances are you are the victim of one of the many military scams that occur every day.

U.S. military officials have warned those involved in online dating to proceed with caution when corresponding with someone claiming to be a U.S. military member serving in Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Iraq or elsewhere.

Not sure if your soldier is real?

If you are in contact with someone claiming to be a soldier and you are not sure whether you are dealing with a real man or a fraud, we can help. We check military members from all units and determine if the story is true or if you are dealing with a fraud.

It doesn’t matter if the soldier is serving in the U.S. or with troops overseas – we find the truth everywhere.

By the way, the scam works for both sexes, as there are scammers who pretend to be women serving overseas.

Contact us now. Our private investigators will discreetly investigate the man. At the end of our investigation, you will receive a comprehensive report. In it you will find the whole truth.

The investigation will cost you some money, but it will help save you from making a big mistake. Before you end up with an empty bank account and emotional damage, you can better spend the small fee for a check.

More related articles:

• Beware of scammers posing as military personnel
• Online relationship with a woman from Kazakhstan – are you dating a scammer?

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