Military Deployment Leave Fee Scam
Fraudsters posing as deployed military personnel claim they need financial help to secure leave to visit the victim, then disappear after payment is made.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
What this scam is
Military deployment leave fee scams are a variant of romance fraud in which the scammer poses as a member of the armed forces currently deployed overseas. After building a relationship, the scammer claims they can apply for emergency leave to visit the victim but must pay for special clearance, travel documentation, a military communication system, or other fees before they can leave the base.
The fees increase over time: an initial clearance fee is followed by transport costs, insurance requirements, and eventually medical emergencies. No visit ever occurs. The use of a military identity adds a layer of credibility and emotional resonance: service members are trusted figures, and the deployment context explains why they cannot meet in person.
How it works
The scammer typically creates a convincing military identity with photos taken from genuine service members' social media accounts or military image libraries. They establish contact through dating apps, Facebook, or Instagram, quickly expressing deep affection and describing the deployment in convincing terms.
After weeks or months of correspondence, the scammer reveals that they want to visit but need to apply for emergency leave. Various fees are described as military bureaucracy: a commanding officer fee, a leave processing charge, or a flight clearance cost. These are paid by the victim with expectation of a visit that never materialises.
When fees are questioned or a visit fails to happen, further obstacles arise — a medical emergency, a mission extension, or a communications blackout — each generating a new financial request.
Why this scam works
Military service members are figures of trust and sacrifice. The deployment context provides a compelling reason why the person cannot meet or video call freely. Victims who have grown emotionally attached over months believe that a fee to enable a visit is a small price to pay for a real relationship.
Common red flags
- Met online only — never in person or video call
- Claims to be stationed overseas in a conflict zone
- Requests money for leave fees, transport, or military admin costs
- Photos appear professional or are found elsewhere online via reverse image search
- Communication is only via messaging apps or email, never a verifiable military channel
- Escalating emergencies that each require immediate financial help
- Love is expressed very quickly after first contact
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
I have applied for emergency leave to come and see you. My commanding officer requires a clearance payment of [amount] to approve it.
I need a satellite communication device to reach you from the base. It costs [amount] and I have no way to pay from here.
My leave has been approved but the military transport requires a refundable security bond of [amount] before I can board.
There has been an emergency at the base. I was injured and need [amount] for medical treatment. I will pay you back when I arrive.
Common variations
- UN peacekeeper variant — scammer claims to be a UN peacekeeping officer who needs fees to leave a mission
- Doctor without Borders variant — poses as a medical worker in a conflict zone
- Contractor variant — poses as a civilian military contractor rather than a service member
How to verify before you act
The US military does not charge fees for any form of leave. Genuine service members do not ask romantic contacts to pay military fees or clearances. Contact the relevant branch's official public affairs office if you want to verify whether a named unit or deployment location is real. Request a live video call — genuine service members deployed overseas can and do video call family members.
Payment methods used
- Cryptocurrency
- Bank/wire transfer
- Gift cards
- Money transfer services
- Payment apps to 'friends & family'
Who is usually targeted
- People using dating apps
- Widows and widowers
- People who express admiration for military service publicly
- Individuals in long-distance relationship situations
What to do immediately
- Stop all financial transfers immediately
- Verify the person's identity independently — contact the military branch's official public information office
- Reverse image search any photos provided
- Report the profile to the platform and to your national fraud service
- Contact your bank to report any transfers already made
How to prevent it
- Know that no military service charges fees for a service member to take leave
- Request a live video call early in any online relationship
- Reverse image search profile photos to identify stolen images
- Be cautious about the pace of emotional development in online-only relationships
Evidence to preserve
- All messages and call logs
- Profile screenshots
- Transfer records
- Any photos or documents provided by the scammer
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 ever charge fees for leave or travel?
No. Military leave procedures and travel arrangements are handled entirely through official channels at no cost to the service member's personal contacts. Any request from a romantic contact for money to cover military fees is fraudulent without exception.
How can I tell if a military identity is genuine?
Reverse image search any photos. Contact the relevant branch's public affairs office with the name and unit to ask general questions about the unit's deployment. Request a video call through official military communication channels. Genuine service members will understand verification requests.