The “Gringo Soldier” Scam is Now Circulating in Panama

A month ago, Raquel received this message on WhatsApp from an international number and the name “Anderson”. “I’m James Anderson. I’m from Baltimore, Maryland.”  Thus, with a seemingly harmless message, begins a romantic and professional scam that is knocking on doors in Panama.  On the other end was a supposed U.S. soldier who, in a matter of days, went from being a stranger to being “in love,” promising her love, stability, and a life together once his mission was over.  But something didn’t add up. Raquel decided to investigate online and discovered that the same name and script had already been used to scam women in other countries. They weren’t just stealing their hearts with false promises, but also their money.  Far from falling for it, she decided to play along. When she saw that the romance wasn’t working out, the supposed “Anderson” changed tactics: now he was offering a job in the United States with a salary of $2,500 every two weeks, plus bonuses. 

When asked how he could apply without a visa and living in Panama, the answer was direct: with a payment of $500, the position was his and the company would take care of the immigration procedures.  When she refused because she didn’t have the full amount, the man insisted: she should contribute $300 and he would “cover the rest,” assuring her that he didn’t want her to miss the opportunity. He even suggested she invite other people.  “Do you have any friends who are looking for work? Can’t you borrow some money?” he repeated, while sending photos of a supposed manager and company details to make the scam more believable.  Raquel decided to alert a local Panama news outlet about these types of scams, warning that they are especially dangerous amid unemployment, where tempting offers can trick anyone. 

This type of scam is not new in the country. Earlier this year, a group of teachers reported being defrauded after giving money to individuals posing as officials from the Ministry of Education (Meduca), who promised them jobs. The case was reported to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.  The Attorney General’s Office warned that job scams seek to take advantage of the need for employment with false offers and attractive promises.  Among the main warning signs are requests for money for procedures or training, requests for personal data before interviews, and the use of dubious profiles or foreign contacts.  Given this, authorities recommend verifying the company through official channels, not paying to get a job, not sharing banking information, and confirming any offer directly with the company.  Between January and February 2026, 1,098 cases of fraud were registered in Panama, according to data from the Public Prosecutor’s Office.