For any military folk...
 

I have a question that I hope someone here can answer.

There is a certain gentleman who has been writing to a family member, presenting himself as a member of the U.S. Army. For various reasons, I suspect that he is a scammer. A few months ago, another person claiming to be in the military managed to scam this family member and now I think this might be an associate. I saw an email from him and for an "general" in the army, he has incredibly bad grammer and spelling. A quick search for his name turned up a soldier who died in 1985...

Now, my question is whether there is a duty roster one can check, or any place one might find out if someone is legitimately in the army? I had located a site the other day while at work and had been unable to access it. Now I can't find it again.

Any help would be appreciated.

Re: For any military folk...
 

Are they contacting you as an official representing the US Army?
Have you or anyone in your family considered enlisting or appying for a commission in the US Army?

It is not unusual for someone to "advertise" their retired rank and service association. However, if you are active duty, the use of your rank as "advertisement", IF YOU ARE NOT OFFICIALLY REPRESENTING the US government is frowned upon...and may even be against the UCMJ.

Are these emails or actual letters?

Does the person in question indicate which command he/she is attached to? If so, contact the nearest US consulate and express your concerns. You may also be able to find out if said person exists and is indeed active duty and attached to the command he/she claims.

If you cannot get any information regarding which command they are from...then this is almost certainly a swindle. Another indication is the apparent poor English; which may indicate a non-native speaker,,,also an indication of a scam/swindle. Report this to the appropriate authorities.

P.S. I am retired US Navy. If I wished to "advertise" my retired rank and service association I would do it thusly, i.e.
John Doe, AT1(NAC) USN(Ret)

Re: For any military folk...
 

Go to the army police, tell 'em your suspsicions, and they will check.

Re: For any military folk...
 

Ok, I should clarify.

The basic story is this:

A few months ago my sister in-law started talking to a guy who said he was in the US army (we are in Canada). He sweet-talked her and started an online romance with her. He eventually asked for her help in "transferring" a large amount of money. I supposedly got stuck at the border and she had to send money to a lawyer friend of his to get it across the border. (Yeah I know this sounds crazy, but she was "in love" with him and didn't tell any of this to family members who could have said "hello? Wake up.")

Eventually (after losing money to him) she realised it was a scam and cut ties.

Now comes this other guy, again a "Major in the US Army". As noted, he had horrible spelling, etc. He refers to himself as a soldier, but any officer I have ever known calls himself an officer, not a soldier.

Anyhow, they have started a new romance and we are just waiting for the other shoe to drop, because we all feel it has to be a scam and that he must be an associate of the first guy. They probably figured she fell for it once, so they can get her again.

His use of English is rather poor and he introduces himself in an odd way, using a family name as first name. Imagine someone introducing himself as Doe John and signing off on emails as Doe. He'd be Mr John, first name Doe. It just sounds wrong.

Anyhow, I just want to be able to show her proof that this guy is scamming her. She is taking his side over family and looking for ways to prove us wrong. I had done a quick search of his name, finding a match, but he died years ago, so I suspect the guy is using a stolen name.

I had seen a site that lets you inquire about whether someone is really activev in the military, but can no longer locate it.

And that's where we are now.

Re: For any military folk...
 

Re: For any military folk...
 

Try here for starters http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/locat.../millocate.htm

You can also search for 'active duty military locator' or variations thereof. Be aware that the search may not be free, and they may not divulge certain info. The services usually will not divulge info on deployed members, for instance. If this "Army Major" won't tell you where he is attached, then this is certainly a swindle.

BTW, what does your brother think of all this?

Re: For any military folk...
 

It is actually the sister of my wife.

Someone had told me to request info, quoting the freedom of information act. I am not sure if that's valid.

Re: For any military folk...
 

First off, yes people are using military association for scamming.

Ask for the perp to send an e-mail from work, so you can proudly display it to (insert gender -here) friends.

ALL, real addresses will end with a .mil and ALL Army official e-mail will end with .army.mil

If he is a Major, his signature will read:

Scammer
MAJ, USA

A link:
http://www.defense.gov/faq/pis/PC04MLTR.html

Another:
http://www.archives.gov/

For an immediate response call the FBI, they have a fraudulent Armed Forces special unit that deals with just that.

Lastly:
I am Felix
MSG, USA Retired

Re: For any military folk...
 

I doubt the US government would honor a Freedom of Information Act request from a Canadian citizen. Hell, they barely honor them from US citizens, and only then if you pay ALL expenses.

Re: For any military folk...
 

It is a federal offense to impersonate an officer. In time of war, it can be and is most usually considered an act of treason.