A military romance scam is a type of online fraud in which criminals pose as military members to trick their victims into sending money or providing sensitive information. Cheaters often impersonate unknowing military members, luring unsuspecting victims into an online relationship. The scammers pretend to be deployed overseas and go through hardships. They make up fake stories about needing money to cover expenses such as paying for school or debts. These criminals come on strong, trying hard to enamor their victims right off the bat.
If you’ve been contacted by a supposed military member showing immediate signs of affection, use PeopleFinders to verify their identity. Scammers often steal a military member’s identity, taking advantage of their deployments. With PeopleFinders, you can look up a military member’s name, phone number, and email address. The results you get can help you determine whether you’re dealing with a real person. PeopleFinders can help spare you from becoming another victim of an elaborate hoax.
PeopleFinders Is Here for You
PeopleFinders has become a trusted way folks from all walks of life can verify a person’s online identity. With a name, number, or email, you can determine if you’re dealing with a real person, such as a military member. That is why PeopleFinders is the best way to spot the military romance scam.
Join the millions of folks using PeopleFinders to stay safe from the military romance scam, among other types of fraud. Don’t take any chances. Follow up on your online suitors with PeopleFinders.
Major Red Flags of the Military Romance Scam
The following major red flags will help you spot the military romance scam from a mile away:
Quick and Passionate Relationship
One of the major red flags of a military romance scam is the scammer’s tendency to move quickly in establishing a relationship with their victim. This attitude is a deliberate tactic scammers use to build trust and emotional connections with their victims in a short period. In particular, They may use terms of endearment and flattery to make the victim feel special and wanted.
Keep in mind that scammers may make unrealistic promises to their victims, such as promising to retire from the military and move to be with them. These promises often create a sense of hope and anticipation in the victim.
Lack of Video Calls
If someone you are communicating with online avoids video calls or in-person meetings, it should raise suspicion as it could be a sign of the military romance scam. Scammers may claim they can’t video call or meet in person because it’s against military regulations. However, this is often not true, as many members of the military use video calls and communicate with loved ones regularly. Above all, cheaters avoid video calls since they often use fake or stolen photos on their profiles. That is why video calls will help victims discover the scam.
Inconsistent Stories
This red flag is a clear signal of the military romance scam. Scammers may provide conflicting information about their personal details, such as their age, rank, or location. They may also change their story over time, providing different information during different conversations. Also, keep in mind that fraudsters may claim to be in the military or have military experience. Still, their story may contain inconsistencies or errors. For example, they may claim to be an active member of a particular military branch but provide incorrect information about it. These inconsistencies may include inaccurate deployment details, such as conflicting dates or non-existent operations.
Poor Language Skills
Poor grammar and spelling are other common red flags of a military romance scam. Scammers may use language that is inconsistent with the level of education or profession they claim to have. Remember that many scammers are based in countries where English is not the primary language. As a result, their messages may contain grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
However, scammers may use poor grammar and spelling in messages that contain urgent requests for money or personal information. They may use this tactic to create a sense of urgency and pressure you into responding quickly.
Requests for Money or Personal Information
Asking for money or personal information is a hallmark of a military romance scam. Scammers use various tactics to convince you to provide them with money or personal information. Cheaters often use urgent situations, such as a sudden illness or a need for emergency travel, to convince you to send money quickly. They may also use emotional manipulation to fool you into complying with their requests.
Avoid the Military Romance with PeopleFinders
PeopleFinders is the go-to tool folks use daily to beat scammers. Don’t get caught off-base by an unexpected tech support call. Instead, check out who’s calling you by using PeopleFinders’ phone lookup service. Even when numbers look legit, it’s a good idea to double-check. You can never be too safe when it comes to unusual phone calls.
