Scammer Posing as Airborne - Requesting Advice & Possible Victim ID &/or Notification

[GratefulCitizen]

Hello all. My post purpose is two-fold: to figure out how to bust the scammer and to hopefully have someone notify the victim(s) who's identity and valor is being compromised. I sincerely hope that I am not violating any forum rule by posting the photos.

The scammer is using the attached photos (I have a total of 22) on FB, LinkedIn, and eHarmony (at least). Is claiming to be a 1Lt serving in Afghanistan. It is my understanding that the photos are of a CW3 but that is the limit of my military knowledge. The scammer claims to be divorced and asks for money for child support and things to be shipped to a Vancouver address to be “hand delivered” to him by someone returning from leave. He gave the correct address for Camp Eggers to have care packages sent to.

Not only is the scammer making claims of losing comrades in one of the recent attacks reported in the news and conducting scams over Memorial Day weekend, but he is using at least 7 photos of what looks to be this soldier’s very young sons.

I have notified a variety of government and enforcement agencies but have not received any response. Managed to get the scammer to go on video chat and took a screen shot – as you can see he looks nothing like the other photos and has non-regulation hair and background. I’ve kept communication open with the guy in case it will aid tracking him down but will have to notify the websites soon as he is surely scamming others.

If anyone has plausible suggestions on who else to contact or actions to take, I would certainly appreciate it. If anyone thinks they recognize the soldier in the photos, it would be greatly appreciated if he was made aware of the situation. It would probably be better if the word came from one of you versus some woman he’s never heard of. His photos have been used in previous scams, as indicated on the following website (scroll down and look for “John Palmas”: http://militarygear.com/asp/2010/07/...wall-of-shame/ One of the head-shots being used is also recognized by http://scamdigger.com/

I thank you all for your military service and for any help you might be able to extend in this particular case.

[azazel221]

As far as I can tell.....

Firstly, this individual is serving in the 1st Infantry Division and has deployed with both the Big Red One and the 82nd (as an attachment). Secondly, this individual does not have jump wings and is not airborne. All the more reason to believe that individual using these pictures to solicit money has no idea what they are talking about, therefore, it is a fraud.

I know the Command Sergeant Major over at 1st Division, he used to be the 3-Panther CSM. He actually added me on facebook because he recognized me. It was weird. I won't mention his name in the interest of persec. I'll ask him for some more info. We may be able to find out the identity of this CW3. I'm guessing by the patch on his chest he is in a specific skill set in a unit (I think it's a pilot patch). The blurred out name tape is fun too.

I've been out for more than five years now. Anyone more current able to give me some intel before I contact CSM? I'm sure he'll be on board. He's always been one of those that looks out for both joe and the officers (I'm thinking CWO's count too!).

[Bell]

Good job. Thanks for looking out.

[azazel221]

Just checking....does it say "Air Liaison" on the patch in the 3rd pic? (BDU's)

Just trying to narrow it down to some type of unit.

[GratefulCitizen]

Thanks Sobie & Bell. I have tried zooming in on the patches and can not read anything but someone else may have better luck. I have one other photo of muted patches that I'll post to see if that helps. Also, the name the scammer is using was verified by a defense contractor friend as someone currently deployed. My friend has also tried to get word over to that individual of the situation...just FYI on the miniscule chance your CSM says the scenario rings a bell. THANKS.

[azazel221]

Wow....this guy has gotten around. That looks like a 2nd ID patch, but his badges help verify that he is with an aviation unit if I'm seeing things correctly. Could someone verify this for me. I don't want to contact CSM without accurate info. Aviation should narrow it down to only a couple hundred.

If only I could figure out what unit the badge is in the 2nd pic. It seems to fit "Demon Aviation Brigade," but I can't verify it.

[jschreiner]

I understand that you reported this issue.

Here is an additional site which may offer assistance.

Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force
http://www.stopfraud.gov/report.html

Thanks for taking the time to report this issue.

[StumpJumper]

Thank you for bringing this to the light of day. I hope they catch and prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law, then turn him over to REAL paratroopers for his sentencing.

[CharliePC]

If he's asking for money to be sent to him, in addition to posing, this is mail fraud.

Contact a postmaster.

[CR6]

Wow....this guy has gotten around. That looks like a 2nd ID patch, but his badges help verify that he is with an aviation unit if I'm seeing things correctly. Could someone verify this for me. I don't want to contact CSM without accurate info. Aviation should narrow it down to only a couple hundred.

If only I could figure out what unit the badge is in the 2nd pic. It seems to fit "Demon Aviation Brigade," but I can't verify it.

No doubt the CW3 is an aviator. He has aviation collar insignia in the 2ID picture and his aviator badge is the top insignia on his right side. The other two sets of wings appear to be enlisted Naval Aviation badges, which this officer may have earned prior to going Army and to WOC school. I have been going over army aviation unit patches to try and determine the patch in the 2nd picture with the child, but no joy thus far. The 82nd patch on the right arm makes sense for an aviator with no jump wings, as the CAB went off jump status around the 2004 timeframe.

[azazel221]

No doubt the CW3 is an aviator. He has aviation collar insignia in the 2ID picture and his aviator badge is the top insignia on his right side. The other two sets of wings appear to be enlisted Naval Aviation badges, which this officer may have earned prior to going Army and to WOC school. I have been going over army aviation unit patches to try and determine the patch in the 2nd picture with the child, but no joy thus far. The 82nd patch on the right arm makes sense for an aviator with no jump wings, as the CAB went off jump status around the 2004 timeframe.

Roger that. I thought the same thing. I just wanted that warm fuzzy before I go and trouble the Smaj. While I would like to see the scammer caught, I would also like to see the victim notified as well.

[GratefulCitizen]

jschreiner & CharliePC - Thanks!! Any suggestions on new places to report are really appreciated! So far have reported it to IC3, local police, Vancouver police, FTC, etc. (can't remember the full list off the top of my head) but FedEx and USPS are on the list too, and now stopfraud.gov.

StumpJumper - You're on! I would be delighted to personally deliver him to you for you to sentence as you see fit (...and I like your John Wayne quote. That explains a LOT...)

CR6 - Thank you for taking on the extra effort of researching patches - everyone's efforts will make all the difference in the world. Yours is truly appreciated!

Sobie - I can't agree with you more. Making the identity victim aware is critical - especially with the two boys being exploited as well! If he is also willing to pursue the scammer, the more angles we can hit him from the better. I sincerely appreciate the extra effort you have put into this from the start, and your willingness to approach those that you think may be able to help.

You are all teaching me a LOT about the intricate nature of badges, patches, and rank. Wow. I am really grateful for the quick response you are providing as well. The eHarmony membership (I'm offshore 6 months out of the year - impossible to meet anyone at home and equally impossible to meet a quality, NON-married gentleman offshore...so I gave it a shot. Won't be doing THAT again! Lol!!) ends in a few days and I have to report him to the website beforehand. Unfortunately, I know this will lead to the scammer's current account being closed, followed by his starting up a new one under a different name. So the more progress I can make between now and then, the better chance there is of nailing the ...well, you fill in the blank.

[IEDmagnet]

Good luck, if his address is close to SC I'd be glad to stomp his ass. It's a....stress reliever. Yeah...that's what it is.

[LOOON]

Ok, here is the deal:

We don't know you and you have no affiliation with this site. We have no way to verify YOU are who YOU say YOU are. If the person in question was a member here, I would have no problem looking into your claims.

Since the person in question has no dealings with this website, you are on your own.

If someone on this site wants to help you bust them out, they will do so by their own means. Meaning they will do it away from this website. This goes for any member that wants to participate. YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.

That's just the way it is. No offense intended.\

Thread closed.