He Had No Idea What Was Coming – Marine Caught Up in $3.8bn Scam Shocker!

In a shocking twist, a decorated Marine found himself unwittingly entangled in a massive $3.8 billion romance scam. Kagan Dunlap, a 37-year-old from North Carolina, learned that scammers had been using his photos for years to deceive women worldwide.

Dunlap’s ordeal began around 2016 when he started receiving puzzling messages. Strangers reached out, claiming they had seen his images on dating sites. Scammers had stolen his identity, crafting fake profiles to swindle unsuspecting victims.

“One time, I was out hiking, and I got a call from some random person in Philadelphia saying they were talking to someone claiming to be me on Tinder, and they were asking them for money,” Dunlap said. “I have no idea how they managed to get my phone number.”

How It All Started

The first red flag emerged after Dunlap shared a picture of himself in a HUMVEE during a field operation. He later realized the image included sensitive details like a trip ticket with phone numbers. A woman who had been catfished called one of the listed numbers, reaching a sergeant. This sergeant, confused, contacted Dunlap.

“She called him and was like, ‘Do you know this guy? I’ve been talking to him for a year, and he hasn’t responded to my messages,’” Dunlap explained. “The sergeant called me and was like, ‘Do you know this lady?’ That’s when I realized what was going on.”

Scammers Keep Coming

Since then, Dunlap’s life has been upended by hundreds of women reaching out, convinced they were in a relationship with him. Some called daily, while others tracked down his family, even contacting his wife, Reilly.

“[They] couldn’t accept the fact that this isn’t actually happening. There was nothing anybody could say to change their mind or dissuade them,” he said.

The relentless harassment has tested the couple’s patience, but Dunlap and his wife maintain a strong bond. “She understands that this is a thing that happens,” he shared.

Fighting Back Against Scammers

Dunlap’s attempts to stop the scammers have been met with limited success. He collaborated with an organization that had a contact within Facebook’s fraud department. However, the connection left, and efforts stalled. Meanwhile, scammers grew more sophisticated, even creating deepfake videos of Dunlap in uniform, pleading for money.

“Anybody that I know that’s ever posted pictures of themselves in uniform on the internet has been affected by this in some way,” Dunlap said.

Military-themed scams thrive because con artists exploit the trust associated with service members. They use excuses like being “on tour” or lacking internet access to avoid video calls. Victims are often asked for money for “plane tickets” or “secure phone lines.”

“It’s always some disaster befell them or their family, they can’t travel, the military isn’t paying them, or some other nonsense that’s not true,” Dunlap said. “They feed off people’s emotions.”

Who Falls for These Scams?

Scammers target people who are lonely or emotionally vulnerable. Older adults, especially those over 60, are at greater risk, often losing significant sums. One elderly woman, Alicia Bultez, sent $6,500 to a scammer posing as a soldier and nearly lost another $40,000 before her bank intervened.

Out of 70,000 reported romance scams in 2022, 18% involved military impersonations. Social media is a common starting point, with scammers often steering conversations to platforms like WhatsApp or Telegram.

Spreading Awareness

Dunlap is determined to combat these scams by raising awareness. “Honestly, one person makes a difference,” he said, hoping his story will prevent others from falling victim.

For anyone encountering such situations, Dunlap offers simple advice: “If the person won’t video chat with you, and they’re saying ‘I can’t do that because I don’t have internet here,’ that’s your first red flag.”

Through his mission to educate, Dunlap aims to turn his frustrating experience into a lesson for others, reminding everyone to stay vigilant online.