A combat medic returned home from a tour in Afghanistan to find out that a conman had stolen his Facebook photos and used them to catfish dozens of women and steal thousands of dollars. United States Army veteran Albert Lovato realized something was not right when strange women started contacting him and professing their love to him. Lovato said that he knows of at least 30 women who had been victims of the fraudster. Many of the women sent money to the man, believing it was going to be used to help his three children.
The imposter targeted vulnerable women from around the world on dating apps and social media and tricked them into long-distance relationships. After he gained their love, he would tell them he was injured while serving in the Middle East and desperately needed money to help care for his kids.
Lovato told the Daily Mail that he "was really angry" when he found out that somebody had "swooped in and took my name and face."
"For someone to do this after everything I had been through - I was really angry. I served honorably in Iraq and Afghanistan and this dude swooped in and took my name and face. He used all I have done in my life honorably for dishonorable means.”
Lovato explained that he felt helpless and was heartbroken for the women who were taken advantage of.
"Someone from a distant country is tearing me down. It's a feeling of helplessness. And thinking of what he did to those women is heartbreaking. To suddenly have a man who looks really good and is young and he tells you that he loves you; it's wrenching.”
"These women were telling me they loved me. These people had formed relationships with me and I wasn't even in the country,” he added.
Lovato managed to contact the conman on one of the fake profiles he was using but was told to "get lost you hungry lion." The imposter also started targetting other members of Lovato's unit, which is why he decided to speak out.
"I just want to tell people to be careful with their military pictures because, at least in America, military people are viewed as heroic, strong and dependable."
Photo: Facebook