Met on a dating site?
SVC regularly receives reports / questions regarding online dating scams.
Many military members do use dating sites to meet people in their community. But you should know that “bad people” use dating sites, too. They are trolling for people they can scam. If this “service member” swears he loves you and wants to marry you before he has even met you, beware.
If he asks for money, it is a scam.
Report him to the website and stop communicating with him.
Gives an imaginary name. Just because someone you met online gives you a name, rank, duty or sends an image of a military ID card, that doesn’t mean that this is a real person. It probably means they just have Photoshop. If they ask for money, it is a scam.
An example of a manipulated CAF ID card, the original image was lifted from the internet and Vandal’s face was photoshopped in. Mr Vandal doesn’t have a single day of military service.
Cannot access his bank account. Military members can access their money from overseas. They pay bills online, buy items from websites and even arrange for car loans. If they ask you for money — even a loan, this is a scam.
Needs money to come home from “down range”. During an operational deployment, service members may be eligible for leave to travel home / third location. Their travel arrangements are made and paid for by the government. If they ask for money, it is a scam.
Commanding officer calls. Commanding officers do not call girlfriends, fiancées or family members asking for money. If they ask for money, this is a scam.
Can’t get internet, food or travel money. Service members do not have to pay for internet connections, food or travel expenses etc. while deployed. Even if a service member misses a connecting flight, the military takes care of this. If someone you met online claims to be stranded in an airport, do not send them money. If they ask for money, this is a scam.
Scammers love to claim they are in “special forces”. If these individuals really were “operators”, they would never tell you — never. If they ask for money, this is a scam.
Your family and friends think you are crazy. If your family and friends think this is a scam, it is. These people know you and they are not blinded by love. They know if someone asks you for money, it is a scam.
You suspect this isn’t for real. If you think this person you are talking to online isn’t for real, you are probably right. Trust yourself and stop communicating now before he asks you for money.
Please stop being so naïve and gullible.
The bottom line is that if you are communicating with a “service member” who starts asking you for money, don’t pass go. Stop communicating with him immediately and contact the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre. https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm
Additional information on military romance scams can be seen at these links.
http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/en/news/2020/love-is-the-air-beware-romance-scam
https://globalnews.ca/news/4754607/military-romance-scam-bryan-denny/
https://www.army.mil/socialmedia/scams/
I won’t keep mute and will share my story to save a soul- my story started in 2016 where I met Sgt. Lee on a dating site and I was found in love until one day he said he has come across a box of gold and want to secretly sent to me for upkeep until he returns home I paid all cost but he was always given excuse for a request for money therefore my friend-Dave contacted the Embassy and it was confirmed scam and my case was reported to the Ghana Crime Unit(info.ghanapolice at consultant dot com) as his ip was traced to Ghana and luckily the perpetrators was brought to justice! Beware of scam and if any office asks for money then it’s a scam.