Fake Military Romance Scams
Scammers posing as deployed service members who cite duty rules to avoid meeting and then ask for money.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
A fake military romance scam uses the identity of a deployed soldier to build trust and explain why they can't meet, call freely, or access their own money — setting up requests for funds.
How it works
The 'service member' is posted overseas and cites military rules for not video calling or meeting. They request money for leave papers, communications, shipping, or emergencies — none of which the military charges families for.
Common red flags
- Claims military rules prevent calls or meeting
- Requests for 'leave', 'comms' or shipping fees
- Stolen photos in uniform
- Pushes communication to private apps quickly
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
I can't video call due to base security, but I need [amount] to process my leave to come see you.
Payment methods used
- Gift cards
- Bank transfer
- Money transfer
Who is usually targeted
- People seeking relationships
- Patriotic or trusting individuals
What to do immediately
- Do not pay — militaries do not charge families these 'fees'
- Reverse-image-search photos
- Report the profile and contact your bank if you paid
Evidence to preserve
- Profile and photos
- Chat history
- Payment records
Where to report it
- Action Fraud (UK) — UK national fraud & cybercrime reporting centre
- FTC ReportFraud (US) — US Federal Trade Commission fraud reports
- FBI IC3 (US) — US Internet Crime Complaint Center
- Scamwatch (Australia) — Australian competition & consumer reporting
- Your bank's fraud line — Use the number on the back of your card or in your banking app — never a number the caller gives you
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Frequently asked questions
Does the military charge for leave or communications?
No. Service members do not need civilians to pay for leave requests, communications, or shipping. Any such request is a scam regardless of how convincing the uniform photos look.