North Carolina's friendliness for the military is being used by online scammers to get money from the unsuspecting.
WBTV reported Wednesday thieves are posting photos of troops on dating web sites, hoping to lure someone thinking about romance.
A spokesman for the Army Criminal Investigative Command says the scammers build a relationship as they trade e-mails, talk about a relationship and marriage, then start asking for money.
Spokesman Chris Grey says he's seen a dramatic increase in the last six months in reported scams involving people who get involved with fake soldiers.
Grey says one obvious rule to avoid becoming a victim is refusing to send money overseas to someone you've never met.
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