Where's That Photo From? Identify the Source | Retro Report

Summary

Bryan Denny, a retired U.S. Army Colonel, recounts how scammers used his photos and identity to defraud women online. After receiving a message from a woman who believed she had been communicating with him, Denny discovered dozens of fake profiles across various platforms. Scammers, posing as him, manipulated victims into sending money for fake causes. Despite his efforts, the issue persists, and Denny advocates for using reverse image search as a defense tool to verify the authenticity of online profiles. He highlights the emotional and financial toll these scams have on victims.

Takeaways

• 👤 Bryan Denny is a retired U.S. Army Colonel whose identity has been exploited by scammers online.
• 💻 In 2016, Denny was contacted by a woman on LinkedIn who believed she had been communicating with him for weeks, but it was a scammer using his photos.
• ⚠️ The scammers used Denny’s photos to create fake profiles across various social media platforms, tricking women into sending money for false causes.
• 📸 Denny discovered multiple scam profiles using his photos on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even dating sites like Christian Mingles.
• 💔 The scammers preyed on women, particularly those from military families, using Denny’s Army uniform photos to build trust.
• 💸 Victims of these scams lost large sums of money, sometimes their life savings, to the fraudsters posing as Denny.
• 🔎 Denny recommends using reverse image searches to check if a profile picture is genuine or being used elsewhere online.
• 🖱️ The reverse image search process involves right-clicking on an image, saving it, and dragging it into Google’s image search to trace its origins.
• 📲 Despite his efforts to stop the scams, Denny receives multiple messages daily from people who have been scammed and are seeking help.
• 🛡️ Denny warns people to be cautious when navigating online spaces, likening it to entering a jungle, and advises using tools like reverse image searches for protection.

Q & A

Who is Bryan Denny?

Bryan Denny is a retired U.S. Army Colonel who became a victim of an online scam where his photos were used by scammers to deceive people.

How did Bryan Denny first learn about the scam?

Denny first learned about the scam when a woman on LinkedIn contacted him, claiming they had been talking for weeks and that he was coming to visit her, which he knew was untrue.

What was the scam that the woman on LinkedIn believed?

The woman believed that Denny was on a humanitarian mission in Syria and was planning to visit her in Montreal. However, she had actually been speaking to a scammer posing as Denny.

How did the scammers use Bryan Denny’s identity?

The scammers used Denny’s name and photos, especially images of him in his Army uniform, to create fake profiles on various social media platforms to lure victims into fake relationships and scams.

What platforms were Denny's fake profiles found on?

Bryan Denny’s fake profiles were found on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even dating sites like Christian Mingle, under various names such as Bryan Denny, Scott Denny, Craig Denny, and Ricky Sanchez.

How do the scammers target their victims?

The scammers use Denny’s photos, particularly in his Army uniform, to target women from military families, as they tend to be sympathetic to someone in uniform.

What are the emotional consequences for victims of these scams?

Victims often feel emotionally embarrassed, devastated, and guilty, especially when they realize they’ve lost significant sums of money, sometimes their entire savings.

How much money did victims lose in romance scams last year, according to the video?

Victims lost $143 million in romance schemes last year, according to the information presented in the video.

What tool does Bryan Denny recommend to verify the authenticity of images online?

Bryan Denny recommends using a reverse image search on platforms like Google Images to check if an image is being used elsewhere on the internet.

What advice does Denny give for protecting oneself online?

Denny advises people to use tools like reverse image search to verify online profiles and to be cautious, as navigating the internet can be like stepping into a jungle, requiring proper tools to stay safe.