Military romance scams have become increasingly common, with fraudsters posing as service members to manipulate and deceive their victims. If you’re communicating with someone claiming to be in the military, be on the lookout for these warning signs to avoid becoming a victim of fraud.

1. They Quickly Express Love and Commitment

Scammers often rush into professing love and devotion, even if you’ve only been talking for a short period.

2. They Avoid Video Calls

A scammer will make excuses to avoid video chatting, claiming security reasons or lack of internet access due to their deployment.

3. They Claim to Be on a Secret Mission

They might say they are stationed in a dangerous location on a classified mission, making it difficult for them to contact you regularly.

4. Their Photos Look Too Perfect

Many scammers steal photos of real military personnel from social media or official websites to make their profiles look legitimate.

5. They Ask for Money

A common red flag is when they request money for things like travel expenses, medical bills, or other emergencies.

6. They Have a Suspicious Social Media Presence

Their profile might be new, have very few friends, or lack posts that show a genuine personal life.

7. They Request Financial Assistance for Leave or Travel

Scammers claim they need money to return home or take leave, but in reality, the military covers travel expenses for service members.

8. They Ask for Unusual Payment Methods

Be cautious if they request payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods.

9. They Provide Inconsistent Details

Their stories may change over time, with inconsistencies in their rank, location, or background.

10. They Avoid Answering Direct Questions

If they deflect questions about their military service or background, it’s a strong indication they may not be who they claim to be.

11. They Have an Unusual Email Address

Legitimate military personnel use official military email addresses ending in “.mil” rather than free services like Gmail or Yahoo.

12. They Claim They Can’t Access Their Bank Account

Scammers often pretend they can’t access their finances due to deployment and need you to send money on their behalf.

13. They Ask You to Keep the Relationship Private

They may insist on secrecy, discouraging you from discussing the relationship with friends or family.

14. They Pressure You to Send Personal Information

They might ask for sensitive details like your address, financial info, or copies of your ID, which can be used for identity theft.

15. They Claim to Be Widowed or Have No Family

Scammers often create emotional sympathy by saying they lost their spouse and have no family support.

16. They Use Poor Grammar and Spelling

Many scams originate from overseas, so their messages may contain strange phrasing or numerous errors.

17. They Try to Move the Conversation Off the Platform

They will often ask you to switch to private messaging apps like WhatsApp or Google Chat to avoid detection.

18. They Ask for Help with Customs or Shipping Fees

A scammer may claim they need money to ship their belongings or a special package.

19. They Provide Fake Military ID or Documents

Scammers may send you doctored military IDs or official-looking documents to make their story seem real.

20. They Become Angry or Defensive When Questioned

If you express doubts or ask for proof, a scammer may react aggressively or guilt-trip you to keep you engaged.

How to Protect Yourself

• Verify their identity using official military resources.
• Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person.
• Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true stories.
• Report suspected scammers to authorities, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

By staying informed and recognizing these red flags, you can protect yourself and others from falling victim to military romance scams.