Military scammer photos: how fake soldier profiles work in romance scams
Quick answer
If a soldier you met online asks you for money, for any reason, they're a scammer. Scammers copy real servicemembers' names and photos for fake profiles. Check the photo with a reverse image search, stop contact and report the profile.
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- Social media, Website, App
- First reported
- Latest official alert
- (FTC)
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers steal the names and photos of real military personnel to build fake profiles on social media and dating sites. The FTC says they like to pose as servicemembers stationed overseas. Army investigators add that the real soldiers are often unaware their identity is being used.
The chat turns to love or even marriage quickly, but there's always a reason they can't meet in person or on video. Then comes the money:
- A "leave request" fee so they can visit you
- Food, medical treatment or a care package while deployed
- A computer, phone or transport costs
The FTC notes that servicemembers never have to pay to get packages, food, medical treatment or to take leave. Some scammers send you to an official-looking but fake military website to wire money. The Army has also seen the same stolen identities used in fake vehicle sales that ask for a wire transfer to a third party.
Red flags
- A profile photo of a soldier that shows up under different names on other accounts
- Talk of love or marriage very quickly
- Always an excuse not to meet or video call
- Requests for money for leave, food, medical care or a care package
- Payment by gift card, wire transfer, payment app or cryptocurrency
- A fake-looking military website for sending money
Example message
My darling, I miss you so much. My leave request is approved but I need £500 for the paperwork and I can't access my pay out here. Can you send it by gift card? I'll pay you back when I'm home.
What to do
- 1
Run a reverse image search on their photos
Search the profile picture and the name along with the words "scam" and "imposter". If the same photo appears under other names, it's a scam.
- 2
Stop sending money and cut off contact
Don't send money, gift cards or parcels, and don't accept packages or forward money for them.
- 3
If you sent money, tell your bank or payment provider
Contact them straight away and ask them to stop or recall the payment. Keep the receipts.
- 4
Report the profile
Tell the app, dating site or social platform, then report to the FTC.
- 5
Talk to someone you trust
Romance scammers rely on you keeping the relationship private. A friend or family member can often see what you can't.
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 some build their story from details they find about you, such as your name, town, relatives and job. Much of that is on people-search sites and in old breaches. Serus finds the people-search sites and data brokers that list you and requests removal, and alerts you when your details appear in a breach, so there's less for a scammer to work with.
Official alerts
Frequently asked
Is the soldier in the photos involved in the scam?
Almost never. Army investigators say the real soldiers are honorably serving and often don't know their photos or identity were stolen.
How can I check a profile photo?
Do a reverse image search of the picture, and search the name online with the words "scam" and "imposter". Multiple profiles with the same photo are a strong sign.
Do servicemembers ever need money from someone they just met online?
No. The FTC says servicemembers never have to pay to get packages, food, medical treatment or to take leave. Anyone asking is a scammer.
What if I only sent a little money?
Stop. Small first requests lead to larger ones. Cut contact, report the profile and tell your bank if you sent a payment.
Sources
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