Posted on 04/11/2010 10:41:44 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The Army's version of NCIS is warning about a particularly disturbing online scam that's taking advantage of lonely women with big hearts for U.S. servicemen in need.
The Army Criminal Investigation Command says con artists are trolling social and dating Web sites, pretending to be U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. Some of the crooks take the rank and name of a legitimate soldier and use random photos to build a believable profile.
Once they hook someone, their method is to woo the woman and then ask for money for such things as a laptop computer, an international cell phone or for plane fare home on leave.
The bad guys say they need those things to help their "relationships" with the women to continue.
Some prey on their victim's patriotism, asking for contributions to "help keep the Army Internet running," according to an Army News Service article on the problem.
The Army says the perpetrators often are based in Ghana, Angola, and Nigeria among other countries.
Sigh...
Why am I NOT surprised?
You are kidding...is that all it takes. And I’ve been trying these dumb pick up lines for years. Who would have thought a woman would fall for a man in uniform.
Modern day zoot suiters
What the heck is it with Nigeria? First they want to transfer $23 million to people’s bank accounts, now they want women to send them laptops.
They’re like the African Monty Python show.
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