Online dating has become increasingly popular over the past decade, but with this popularity comes a danger that many people may not be aware of: military romance scams. A military romance scam is when someone poses as a member of the United States Armed Forces in order to extort financial or personal information from someone they have met online. These scams are becoming more and more common and are a growing concern for law enforcement and those who use online services to find love.
In 2023, the military romance scam is likely to become even more prevalent, as scammers are becoming increasingly creative in their tactics. They often use pictures of real soldiers or other service members in their scams, which make them seem more convincing. Often, the scammers will use video chat or Skype to make it appear like they are in the military or deployed. They also often use stolen photos of soldiers or other service members to make their profiles appear more real.
Another way that scammers are now making their scams look more convincing is by creating fake social media accounts. They use these accounts to build trust with their victims, as well as to collect their personal information. In some cases, they may even post pictures of real soldiers or other service members in order to make the scam more convincing. These social media accounts can be used to contact the potential victim and set up the scam.
It is important for people who use online services to find love to be aware of the increasing prevalence of military romance scams in 2023. It is important to be cautious and take time to do research before becoming involved with someone online, especially if they claim to be a part of the military. It is also important to be aware that even if a person is actually in the military, it does not mean that they cannot scam someone. If something does not seem right, it is important to trust your instincts and not proceed with any financial or personal information requests from someone you have met online.