Why Do Romance Scammers Pretend to Be Astronauts?

🚀 Instant credibility

People generally associate astronauts with intelligence, honesty, bravery, and success.

🚀 Explains why they can’t meet in person

The scammer can claim they are on a space mission, at a training facility, or preparing for launch, making it easy to avoid face-to-face meetings.

🚀 Explains communication problems

They may say:

* Internet access is limited.

* Video calls are restricted.

* Security rules prevent phone calls.

* They can only text at certain times.

🚀 Creates a sense of exclusivity

Victims may feel special because a famous astronaut or space scientist supposedly chose them.

🚀 Provides endless excuses for money requests

The astronaut story gives scammers many ways to invent emergencies and financial crises. 

Common Astronaut Scam Stories

🌎 “I need money to return to Earth.”

The scammer claims they need funds for a rocket, transportation, landing fees, or paperwork before they can come home and be with the victim. 

❤️ “We’ll get married when I land.”

The victim is told a wedding and future together are waiting once the mission ends. 

🛰️ “I’m stranded in space.”

One of the more bizarre stories involves claiming to be stuck aboard a spacecraft or space station and needing financial help. 

🫧 “I need oxygen or emergency supplies.”

Some scammers claim their spacecraft is damaged, under attack, or running out of oxygen and ask for urgent financial assistance. 

📦 “My mission bonus or equipment is being held.”

The scammer may claim money is needed to release mission funds, scientific equipment, or personal belongings.

🔒 “Security regulations prevent me from accessing my money.”

Just like fake soldiers and oil-rig workers, they claim their accounts are frozen while on assignment.

💰 “I need help paying mission fees or taxes.”

Victims are told they must help cover special government, customs, or travel expenses before the astronaut can leave the mission.

The Reality

A real astronaut:

* Does not need strangers online to buy oxygen.

* Does not need money for a return flight to Earth.

* Does not need gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.

* Does not search social media for romance while on a mission.

* Does not ask someone they have never met to solve financial problems. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us. 

#ScamHatersUnited #romancescameducation #romancescamawareness

🚨 40 FACES. 40 STOLEN IDENTITIES. COUNTLESS FAKE ACCOUNTS.

Look at the 40 faces shown in this clip.

They are real people. Some may still be serving, some have retired, and others have changed careers. But their military photos are still online, and scammers keep stealing and using them to create fake profiles.

Remember, the people in the photos are victims too. They are NOT the scammers.

Scammers know that a military uniform can create trust. They steal real photos, add a fake name and story, and pretend to be that person.

The photo may be real.

The person talking to you is not.

Often with a random friend or follower request from someone you have never met.

Then come the messages, attention, compliments, and eventually romance.

They may claim to be deployed or working overseas. They may avoid video calls or always have an excuse for why they cannot meet.

Sooner or later, the story may lead to an emergency, military leave, a package, an investment, financial problems, or another reason they need your help.

And eventually, money is requested.

💰 Don't wait for the money request.

This is important.

A scam does not suddenly become a scam when someone asks you for money.

If a stranger is using a stolen identity and pretending to be someone else, the scam has already started.

The 40 faces shown here are only examples. Many more stolen identities are used every day.

So don't just memorize the faces.

Learn the red flags.

If you are talking to an account using one of these photos, stop communicating.

Report. Block. Delete.

Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, personal information, documents, or photos to someone you have never met in person.

Faces shown in this warning:

1. Austen Alexander

2. Julian Miguel Arroyo

3. Caesar Camacho

4. Pierson Keefe

5. Terry Hestilow

6. Josh Eastin

7. Cameo Marbry

8. Jonathan Marsh

9. Davon Copeland

10. Roger Good

11. Edward Bryan

12. Daniel Dlugolecki

13. Lawrence Flores

14. Joshua Young

15. Rob Steven

16. Pierre Bonilla

17. Barry Bull

18. Johnathan (John) Ramos

19. Steve Kalfman

20. Logan Carpenter

21. Brad Robinson

22. Koke Yepes

23. Brandon Burleson

24. John Kurzum

25. Don Rockwell

26. Jake Hudson

27. Brandon Watkins

28. William Ty Donaldson

29. Joshua Porter

30. Jan A. Man

31. James Albert Tracht

32. Derek Lorusso

33. Robert Pacheco

34. Fernando Malachovski

35. Dustin Capps

36. Tyler Thomas

37. Michael Albert

38. Vince Valerio

39. Bryan Denny

40. Steven Kelly

👉 These individuals are victims of identity theft. We include their names and photos for scam awareness and identification only. 👈

For more romance scam warnings, educational videos, and stolen identity alerts, please visit our ScamHaters United YouTube channel.

💡 Be smart on the internet.
🙅🏻‍♀️ Don’t become the next victim.
🚨 Stay alert.
💔 Protect your heart.
💸 Protect your wallet.

 Why Do Romance Scammers Want Victims to Hide the Relationship?

Romance scammers know that family and friends are often the biggest threat to their scheme. A loved one may spot red flags that the victim cannot see because they are emotionally invested in the relationship.

Scammers often:

* Encourage secrecy by saying others are “jealous” or “don’t understand our love.”

* Create an “us against the world” mentality.

* Tell victims that family members are trying to ruin the relationship.

* Discourage victims from discussing money requests or investment opportunities.

* Demand constant communication to reduce outside influence.

* Make victims feel guilty for listening to anyone else. 

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, specifically warn that attempts to isolate victims from family and friends are a major red flag of romance fraud. 

What Effect Does This Have on Families?

The damage often extends far beyond financial loss.

Families may experience:

* Broken trust and communication.

* Constant arguments about the online relationship.

* Emotional exhaustion from trying to help.

* Fear as savings, retirement funds, or family assets disappear.

* Strained relationships between parents, children, siblings, and friends.

* Feelings of helplessness when warnings are ignored.

* Grief and trauma after the scam is discovered. 

In many cases, scammers are not just stealing money—they are replacing the victim’s real support system with a fake one. The more isolated the victim becomes, the easier it is for the scammer to control the narrative and continue the fraud. 

A healthy relationship welcomes support from loved ones. A scammer fears it.

🚩 If someone you met online wants you to keep the relationship secret, consider it a major red flag.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

#scamhatersunited #romancescamawareness #romancescameducation

🚨 SCAM WARNING: ZACK HUGHES

 

Zack Hughes is a U.S. Army veteran and former Special Forces Green Beret. His photos and identity are being stolen and used by criminals in online romance scams.

Scammers create fake profiles using stolen photos and real information to appear believable, build trust and create emotional connections.

👉 Zack Hughes is married and a proud father.
👉 He is NOT looking for relationships through fake social media profiles.
👉 He is NOT the person behind accounts impersonating him.
👉 He does NOT need or ask strangers for money or financial assistance.

If you are already communicating with someone claiming to be Zack Hughes:

❌ Stop communicating.
❌ Do not send money, gift cards or cryptocurrency.
❌ Do not share personal or financial information.
✅ REPORT AND BLOCK.

💡 Be smart on the internet.

🙅🏻‍♀️ Don’t become the next victim.

🚨 Stay alert.

💔 Protect your heart.

💸 Protect your wallet.

For more information about online romance scams, including educational videos, stolen identity warnings, and scam awareness clips, please visit the ScamHaters United YouTube channel.

 Warnings of ones to watch......

KEN YASGER

He is an avid runner. He does not randomly contact strangers on social media. He is not looking for a relationship. He will not ask for money, cards, or bitcoin.

If you are talking to someone using these photos, you will not be talking to Roberto.

Only YOU can protect YOURSELF on social media. Be social media aware. Be social media smart.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

 Please listen to Jason Stephen Jensen/greatnessreinvented1

He is not looking for a relationship, and he will not send you a message or DM you. Please stay safe on social media. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

 Here are a few A. I. videos that we have found or that have been sent to us.

Keep in mind, they are all fake.

Some are really bad, they can use voice cloning or they are voiceovers, Some even use a robotic voice.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

 Why do some romance scam survivors feel the need to contact the person in the photos?

Many survivors are not really looking for the person in the photos—they are looking for answers, validation, and closure.

After months or even years of emotional manipulation, victims may wonder:

• Did this person know?

• Were they involved?

• Can they explain what happened?

• Will talking to them help me heal?

The reality is that the person in the photos is usually another victim whose images were stolen and misused by scammers.

Contacting them often does not provide the closure survivors hope for because:

❌ They were not the person sending the messages.

❌ They did not receive the money.

❌ They do not know who the scammer really is.

❌ They may be traumatized by repeated contacts from victims.

True closure rarely comes from the face in the photos.

It comes from understanding the scam, accepting that the relationship was a deception, allowing yourself to grieve, and focusing on your own healing and recovery.

💜 Remember: The feelings were real. The person behind the messages was not.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

#RomanceScam #FraudAwareness #ScamHatersUnited #FightRomanceFraudWorldwide

Ceazr Smith Identity Stolen | Hear His Own Warning About Romance Scammers

 🚨 Ceazr Smith Identity Stolen | Hear His Own Warning About Romance Scammers

Ceazr Smith, also known as Papa C, is an Australian entertainer with Magic Men Australia and a mental health advocate.

Criminals are stealing his photos and videos to create fake profiles on dating sites and social media, often using his name or completely made-up names.

In the clip below, Ceazr speaks for himself, warns people about scammers using his identity and shares tips and his current real social media accounts. 

If someone contacts you claiming to be Ceazr Smith while using his photos or videos:

👉 Do not engage.

👉 Report the account.

👉 Block it.

💡 Be smart on the internet.

✋ Don’t become the next victim.

🚨 Stay alert.

💔 Protect your heart.

💸 Protect your wallet.

This clip also can be find in the ScamHaters United YouTube Channel. Watch and share this warning to help protect others. 

The link to this clip is: 

Ceazr Smith (Papa C) warns people

 Why Do Romance Scammers Say “Age Is Just a Number”?

Many victims hear this phrase early in an online relationship and assume it is a sincere compliment. In reality, “age is just a number” is one of the most common stock phrases used by romance scammers. It often appears regardless of the actual ages involved.

What Is the Scammer Trying to Achieve?

❤️ Keep Older Targets Engaged

* Romance scammers often seek people who may have established careers, savings, pensions, investments, or property.

* By saying age does not matter, they encourage older targets to continue the conversation instead of questioning the relationship.

❤️ Distract From an Obvious Mismatch

* Many scammers use stolen or AI-generated photos of younger, attractive people.

* The phrase is designed to stop the victim from focusing on why a much younger person appears interested in them.

❤️ Create Instant Emotional Connection

* It is often part of a larger love-bombing strategy.

* The scammer may combine it with statements such as:

    * “I have never felt this way before.”

    * “You are my soulmate.”

    * “God brought us together.”

    * “True love knows no age.”

* These messages are meant to make the victim feel uniquely chosen and valued.

❤️ Lower Defenses

* The phrase subtly encourages the victim to ignore doubts and focus on emotions instead of facts.

* Once emotional attachment forms, the victim may become less likely to question inconsistencies.

❤️ It Is Often Scripted

* Many romance scammers work from shared scripts and templates.

* The same phrases appear repeatedly across unrelated scams.

* Some scammers will use “age is just a number” even when there is little or no age difference because it is simply part of their routine.

The Bigger Picture

The phrase is usually not about romance at all.

It is a grooming tool designed to:

* Keep the conversation going.

* Reduce skepticism.

* Build emotional attachment quickly.

* Encourage the victim to overlook red flags.

ScamHaters United Reminder

🚩 “Age is just a number” can be a compliment—but in online romance scams, it is often a strategy.

Before investing your heart, time, or money:

✅ Verify the person’s identity.

✅ Have live video calls.

✅ Reverse-image search profile photos.

✅ Watch for love-bombing and rushed commitment.

✅ Never send money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or financial information.

✅ Listen when trusted family and friends raise concerns.

Remember: Age may be just a number, but verification is not. Genuine people welcome transparency. Romance scammers depend on trust without proof.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

 Warnings of ones to watch......

ROBERTO C.

He is an avid runner and has a love for cars. He does not randomly contact strangers on social media. He is not looking for a relationship. He will not ask for money, cards, or bitcoin.

If you are talking to someone using these photos, you will not be talking to Roberto.

Only YOU can protect YOURSELF on social media. Be social media aware. Be social media smart.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us.

DR. TUFAN ERGENÇ

 🚨 SCAM WARNING: 

DR. TUFAN ERGENÇ

DR. TUFAN ERGENÇ’S IDENTITY IS BEING STOLEN BY CRIMINALS AND USED IN ONLINE ROMANCE SCAMS.

Dr. Tufan Ergenç is a Turkish bariatric surgeon based in Izmir, Turkey.

He specializes in laparoscopic weight-loss surgery, including sleeve gastrectomy, and has over 20 years of medical experience.

Scammers are stealing his photos and using them to create fake profiles and deceive people online.

Scammers are using Dr. Tufan Ergenç’s stolen photos to create fake profiles on dating sites and social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.

They also use messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Messenger and Telegram to contact potential victims.

👉 No real, genuine doctor would ever send random friend requests to people online. 🙅🏻‍♀️

Dr. Tufan Ergenç is happily married and has three children.

👉 He is NOT looking for online relationships.

👉 He is NOT on dating sites.

👉 He does NOT contact anyone privately to start romantic relationships.

👉 He does NOT need or ask for money, gifts, financial assistance or personal favours.

⛔ If someone contacts you using his photos, you are NOT talking to Dr. Tufan Ergenç. You are talking to a scammer using his stolen identity!

🚨 DO NOT BECOME THE NEXT VICTIM!

If someone contacts you using Dr. Tufan Ergenç’s photos:

👉 Do NOT accept their friend or follow request.

👉 Do NOT reply or continue chatting.

👉 Do NOT move the conversation to WhatsApp, Telegram or another messaging app.

👉 NEVER send money, gift cards or personal information.

🚫 REPORT AND BLOCK THE FAKE ACCOUNT!

🚨 Stay alert.

💔 Protect your heart.

💸 Protect your wallet.

You can also find this warning clip on the ScamHaters United YouTube channel.

The link to this clip is:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-bxNy5kjZc