Military dating scams: how fake soldier profiles work
Quick answer
Someone you met online who says they're a soldier and asks for money, for leave, packages, food or medical care, is a scammer. Servicemembers never have to pay for those. Stop contact, don't send money, and report it to the app and ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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How it works
Scammers copy photos of real service members to build dating or social media profiles. They flatter you, move the chat off the app and build a relationship.
Then comes a reason to send money. The FTC says they may claim to need cash for a "leave request" so they can visit you, or for food and medical treatment during deployment. One version claims to be US troops in Ukraine and asks you to send care packages by wiring money through an official-looking but fake military website.
The real service member whose photos were stolen isn't involved. The FTC's point is simple: servicemembers never have to pay to get packages, food, medical treatment or to take leave.
Red flags
- A profile with a military story that is hard to verify
- A fast, intense relationship
- Requests for money for leave, packages, food or medical care
- Moving the chat to another app straight away
- Excuses for why you can't video chat
Example message
Hi love, I'm deployed and can't get leave unless the paperwork fee is paid. Can you send it through [payment link]? I'll pay you back when I visit.
What to do
- 1
Slow down and tell someone
The FTC advises slowing down when someone rushes a romance, and talking to a trusted friend or family member first.
- 2
Check the photos
Run a reverse image search on the profile photos to see whether they belong to someone else.
- 3
Stop contact and don't send money
Real servicemembers don't need you to pay for leave, packages, food or medical care.
- 4
If you sent money
Contact your bank or the payment service straight away and ask whether the transfer can be stopped.
- 5
Report the profile
Tell the app or social platform, then report to the FTC.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Romance scammers pick targets from public profiles and dating apps. Names, phone numbers and addresses like these are easy to buy or look up on people-search sites, and they show up in data breaches. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list you and removes you from them, and alerts you when your details appear in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you.
Frequently asked
Do soldiers ever ask for money to get leave?
The FTC says servicemembers never have to pay for packages, food, medical treatment or leave.
How do I check if the photos are real?
Run a reverse image search on the profile photos. The FTC suggests this as a way to spot stolen pictures.
Where do I report a military romance scam?
Tell the app or platform first, then report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.