Scammed by SFC Tyler Jones

I met SFC Tyler Jones on OKCupid.com. Wow. What a good looking guy. He started out sounding very sincere - he was in the Army in Iraq fighting for our country, his wife died from "cancer of the breast", his parents were both dead and his 16 year old son, Carl, lived with his "gammie". But then w/in 3 days he was madly in love with me and told me that he needed a sat phone so that we could be in constant contact. I told him I didn't have any extra cash to buy one for him. He then told me he was worried because my finances must not be the best. I told him I was frugal and he seemed ok with it. He told me that he didn't have any money because he lost all of his in the Bernie Madoff scam. Seriously? The phone and Bernie Madoff scam were the first clue. He sent me several photos. He told me he was a sargeant 1st class but patch on his jacket indicates he is a Captain. He said he was in the 6th Infantry Division which no longer exists. He wouldn't tell me his battalion - said my questions indicated to him that I didn't trust him. There were just too many red flags so I emailed a friend of mine that is retired army. She checked it out and turned me to this site. I'm so glad she did! Everything he said is basically on this site. From asking for the sat phone to paying for leave. And his email address is a yahoo address not a .mil address. We video chatted but he was not allowed to have a webcam of his own. I found out that that too is a lie. He talked about how he wants to be a father to my kids and wants me to be a mother to his son. However, his son wouldn't tell him where he wants to go to college. He said "I am sure he will tell me when I get home." Another red flag!

Beware ladies! The picture he is using is of a very good looking guy.

Here's the last email I received from him:

I could kiss you a thousand times and still not be satisfied. My love for you is endless, so tender, so hot and complete. I swear to God I want you in my life. I love you more and more with each day passing and it eases me to know as tomorrow approaches, that I will love you more then yesterday and tomorrow will be more then today. My love for you cannot be measured by words alone as love does express my true feelings for you.

When I think of our love it reminds me of all the things you are to me. You and only you have given me so much hope and have made me realize how much I want you! You show the true meaning of how a woman should treat a man.

(removed), please accept my heart as your own and listen to both of ours beating as one. You are my reason to live. Without you I'm nothing. The years will be a test, but nothing will keep me from loving you, or from being by your side. I love you more than you could even know, you are my world. I just wanted to let you know how much I love all that you are and will be. You're truly my love, my soul mate, and my best friend.

For the first time in my life I have something to believe in. You've seen me at my worst and still take me as I am. I thank God for you every day because I know you're heaven sent, you are my angel. I love you from now till death do us part.

Right now you live far away from me and I really mean it's killing me but I know in my heart that we are doing alright. I don't want to lose you to anyone else or anything that anyone wants to say about you. I want you to know I love you from the deepest part of my heart. I'm always so lost for words when it comes to you, I just wish there was another way that we could be together.

I want you and always will and there is nothing that will ever change the way I feel about you ... I love you! Love can make you do things that you never thought possible. See, there's a place in me where your fingerprints still rest, your kisses still linger and your whispers softly echo. It's the place where a part of you will forever be a part me. I promise, you'll always be in my heart. I love you.

Love always,

Tyler.

Funny thing is I found the same letter on another website.

Hi scammedinmd!
I'm sorry to hear that you had this experience with this scammer but am sure happy to hear that you didn't lose any money to him. Thank-you for sharing your story.
Would you please post the headers from his emails? If you haven't done that before you can learn how here: http://www.ip-adress.com/faq/view_email_header/

I am currently in contact with a PERSON-OF THIS NAME. Yep, Met on OKCupid.com. Have received only 2 pictures, and have asked for more, He won't give me the OKCupid - TY4Love - picture. We mostly YAHOO -IM, and I keep a history of all talks. I thought is was funny that he JUST activated his Yahoo account on Apr 25th 2011...??? We started talking on May 21st.
Deceased wife, Son 16, lives with ex's ??? (thought she died- not divorced) parents in NC.
Being very careful, Thank you for the heads up, and the what's next in conversation Info.
Would like to actually get the real -Tyler Jones- person one of these days... let him know someome stole his identity.
Will keep you informed. K, in Denver

Unfortunately, even if you got hold of the real soldier (who very likely is not named Tyler), he couldn't do anything about the scamming--the scammers have gotten hold of his photos, and they will continue to use them as long as they work in getting money.

Since this scammer presumably has your real life information, the best thing to do is drop him like a hot potato.

Got the exact same letter from David Scott, who contacted me from Chemistry.com. His picture and profile is also on Badoo.com, where he says he lives in Russia. Same story, 17 yr old, now an exchange student, wife killed in car accident. He says he is Australian, living now in US. Had to fly to Ivory Coast, Africa, to work on oil rig, and actually thought I would fly there to meet him. I'm surprised women actually fall for this stuff.

You are a lucky lady with a very good friend! I am happy that you saw the truth and did not lose money or too much time. Be safe in your search for a companion! I feel so bad for the men and women whose pictures are used in these scams