Someone abroad says they're a soldier or a UN doctor and wants to marry me. Is it real?
It is one of the most used stories in romance scams. The uniform or white coat makes the person look trustworthy, and the job explains why they can never meet, call properly or access their own money.
Scammers copy photos of real soldiers and doctors from social media. The story usually ends with a request: money for leave papers, a parcel with their savings, or a fee to release them from a contract.
Real soldiers and doctors don't need a stranger online to pay for their leave, travel or medical bills.
How to check
- Do a reverse image search on their photos.
- Ask for a live video call, not a recorded clip.
- Search their name together with the word "scam".
- Never pay for leave, travel papers or a parcel.
- Check the number and messages with Veritaza.
Frequently asked questions
- They sent me a photo of their military ID. Doesn't that prove it?
- No. ID photos are easy to fake or steal. Veritaza can look for signs of forgery, but it never says a document is genuine.
Want to know if there are warning signs about the person you're chatting to? Veritaza checks the photos, the messages, the number, the email address, the name and the ID document, for KSh 300.
Check a person