Military romance scam format: how fake soldier profiles ask for money
Quick answer
Someone you met online who says they're a deployed soldier and asks for money is almost certainly a scammer using stolen photos. The FTC says service members never have to pay for packages, food, medical care or leave. Stop contact and report it.
- Comes by
- Social media, Text, Website
- Pretends to be
- U.S. military service members
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers build a profile with stolen photos of real service members and approach you on dating sites or social media. They build a relationship, then ask for money.
The FTC says common requests are for a "leave request" fee to visit you, or to pay for food and medical care during deployment. A newer version claims the soldier is deployed to Ukraine and asks you to pay for care packages through a fake military website.
The FTC notes that service members never have to pay for packages, food, medical treatment or leave.
Red flags
- A new online love interest who says they're deployed and can't video call
- A request to pay a fee for leave, packages, food or medical care
- Payment by gift card, wire or crypto
- Profile photos that appear elsewhere under other names
- A push to move the chat off the dating site or social platform
- Professions of love very quickly
Example message
My love, I'm deployed and my leave isn't approved until the fee is paid. Can you send $[amount] through [link] so I can finally come see you?
What to do
- 1
Stop sending money and cut contact
Don't pay anything for leave, packages or medical care.
- 2
Run a reverse image search on their photos
Use a search engine's image search. Photos that appear under other names point to a scam.
- 3
Report to the platform
Use the report option on the dating site or social app.
- 4
If you paid, contact your bank or payment provider
Ask whether the payment can be stopped and watch for follow-up scams that promise to recover your money.
- 5
Report it
File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and at ic3.gov.
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
Scammers choose targets from public profiles and use what you post to build a connection. Your name, age and contact details often sit on people-search sites. Serus finds where your information is listed and removes it where it can, and alerts you when your data shows up in a breach.
Frequently asked
Do soldiers ever ask for money for leave?
The FTC says service members never have to pay for leave, packages, food or medical treatment.
How do I check a profile photo?
Run a reverse image search. The FTC suggests it for profile photos.
Why do these scammers use real soldiers' photos?
Stolen photos of real service members make the profile look credible. The real service member isn't involved.
Where do I report it?
To the platform, and at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or ic3.gov.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
