POF : Military guy
Why do scammers always claim they are in the military and are deployed somewhere in Middle East. I have had 4 people doing this already. The first one asked for me to be their sponsor to get him home. I understand this is a scam. I’m just curious why. Anybody have any insights?
By. mrmitsay
Like the Nigerian Prince scam – Americans have certain character types they see as heroes or paragon types, so if you say « this hero needs your help » they immedicately open their wallet. Not all people do, but it’s predictable enough to work again and again and again as a scam.
For targeting men, the scam is a hot foreign women who needs your help to survive in your country – pretty much a captive hot babe.
For targeting women, the scam is the exotic uber-male warrior/prince who can take you away from your drudgy life, dull friends, and family that « doesn’t understand you » to a fantasy life of adventure.
These scam-lover setups work even if the fantasy-lover says they are currently in prison. Amazing. People want to believe the fantasy.
As a USAF veteran myself, nah, don’t fall for the scam. We don’t need « sponsors » to come back from deployment, as our itinerary is already prepaid and filed weeks in advance prior to deployment. The only time we need « sponsors » is if we are being transferred to a new duty station, and it’s not a financial « sponsor » we’re talking about; we have an NCO assigned to « sponsor » a new inbound, and this sponsor merely coordinates with the traveling inbound and makes sure the inbound arrives safely at the new duty station.
Because if anyone is naive enough to believe that, they’re more likely to fall for the sending them the code for the gift card thing. It’s a cynical way of qualifying leads.
Because Americans put the military and police on a pedestal
It’s ridiculous.. I think it’s hilarious to “hear” their story.. I work for the VA and me and my military co-workers/friends have a very good laugh over their messages.