WASHINGTON (AFP) � Online scammers are posing as US serviceman posted overseas and promising love and marriage to cheat women out of thousands of dollars, the US Army's Criminal Investigation Command has warned.
Special CID agents cautioned that they had learned of multiple incidents in which people online posed as US soldiers and got "romantically involved... with female victims and prey on their emotions and patriotism."
Army CID spokesman Chris Grey said the scammers often used information about real soldiers, including their names and ranks, and found photographs of soldiers online to create a false identity.
These individuals promise "true love, but only end up breaking hearts and bank accounts," the CID warned.
Once they have snared a victim, the criminals request money they claim is needed to purchase items including laptops and return plane tickets.
"These perpetrators, often from other countries, most notably from Ghana, Angola and Nigeria, are good at what they do and quite familiar with American culture," said Grey.
The Army CID warned women to be cautious when contacted online by people claiming to be US service members.
"Be extremely suspicious if you are asked for money for transportation costs, communication fees or marriage processing and medical fees," the CID warned in a statement.
I haven't heard that one. But..... three times I've had a guy start up a email conversation with me - emailing every day. Then all of a sudden they tell me they are in Africa on business and oh, by the way, they are short on cash and could I send them some?
AAARRRGGG AAACCCKKKK Run for the hils, ladies! I tell them I have no money (true) and that they could contact me when they got back.
Yup ! I've hada a couple hits like that ona a differant site a long while ago...It amazed me that these Yahoo's really had the nerve...anywho...this site is purty good at bannin em...xo
I have leanred the hard way regarding scammers. I recently talked to a guy who said he was from Washington DC, but then said he was from Scotland. Then when i looked at my inbox, for my msgs it said something about be aware about this person. I blocked him right away. I used to talk to people on a yahoo group, and learned so much about these idiots. So have been ripped by people like this that talk like they care. I met a guy long time ago on a different christian website. He told me he was from Illinois, but was working in Nigeria. But, i want to emphasize something, NOT EVERYONE is a scammers from these countries. I have a dear friend who lives in Ohio, and is from Ghana. He is a christian, truly loves the Lord. He too has been scammed and is sad grieved by all this. What is sad, that these scammers make others from their countries look bad. It is good to be aware.
While that is easy to say, oh my can it be difficult to live. While a full-time missionary, people would send thousands of dollars, materials, and supplies with no way to verify that I actually did what I was supposed to. The worst part...most of it was no big deal to me but Satan kept on chipping away til he found my weakness. Wow, that was tough.
With those we speak with, it is very similar. We cannot know how the money is spent. Whether a scammer or an online appeal for Haiti, it behooves us to be good stewards and ensure those in need receive the Lord's blessings.
A question for everyone. Why is Haiti so in the news, with outreaches occurring regularly, while Chile experienced an earthquake of greater magnitude in February? Many died in Chile, homes were destroyed, utilities gone. Yet, we are continuing to collect for Haiti and no mention is made of helping Chile. Does anyone happen to know why?
Elisa - I have been wondering why there is hardly any mention of Chile's needs as well. Last week I heard on the radio a possible explanation. They said that the major countries had to keep a visible presence there so that the terrorists would not take a foothold in Haiti. If they were allowed to, then their proximity to the US would be a problem. I suppose there isn't that kind of threat in Chile. Other than that, I would think that Chile might still be in need of help as well.
