newfound love they need money to help them get out of the service, start a business, or, perhaps, just buy a computer so they can com- municate. “It’s heartbreaking,” he says. “I’ve talked to women who’ve sent $70,000 to $80,000 [to the scam artists]; they’ve gotten second mort- gages on their homes.” To create convincing identities, scammers often mix and match the names and images of military per- sonnel found on social media as well as on official government websites. “I’ve talked to victims’ wives who were convinced that their husband was having an affair,” Grey says. “The poor guy’s sitting in Oklahoma and has no idea his picture’s been taken by this group out of Nigeria.” Because neither the victims nor the perpetrators — most of whom seem to be operating out of West Africa — are in the military, CID doesn’t have jurisdiction in these cases. It does, however, have the power to arm potential victims with knowledge and has launched an ex- tensive educational campaign. CID also has developed materi- als to advise military officers and enlisted personnel on the safe use of social media. Many people don’t realize how much information about themselves and their families, homes, and affiliations they are ex- posing through the use of websites such as Facebook and Instagram. A photo of your dog might have valu- able home electronics in the back- ground. Combine that with photos revealing your family is on vacation, and it’s an invitation for thieves. Sadly, burglary is no longer the
only, nor the most pressing, concern regarding information inadvertently shared on social media. In late 2014, a joint intelligence bulletin issued by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security recommended
“current and former members of the military review their online social media accounts for any infor- mation that might serve to attract the attention of ISIL [the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] and its supporters.”
A taxing situation Carol Kando-Pineda, an attorney in the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer and Business Education Division, manages the agency’s military outreach. She has seen a sharp rise in the number of impostor scams. “The scammer pre- tends to be from a legitimate agency or organization to trick you — and scare you — into thinking that you’ve got an unexpected problem, some dire circumstance, that they can help you resolve. Think tax problems, a stranded loved one, or an attack on your computer,” she explains. In 2012, the FTC received more
than 44,000 complaints from con- sumers about someone trying to cheat them by impersonating an offi- cial from any number of government agencies — including the FTC itself. In 2014, the number of complaints had jumped to more than 159,000. Kando-Pineda is particularly con- cerned about the growth in Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scams. “The IRS is never going to initiate contact with you through a telephone call or through an email. Never. They just do not do it,” she cautions. “Their initial contact with you will always be with a printed postal letter.” Cybercrime and online fraud
present unique challenges to law enforcement. Criminals mask their identities and locations. Websites, email accounts, and online profiles can be established quickly and delet- ed just as easily, allowing criminals to cover their tracks before investiga- tors close in.
[CONTINUES ON PAGE 83] OCTOBER 2015 MILITARY OFFICER 63
<AVOID BECOMING AN ONLINE FRAUD VICTIM>
Be very suspicious of any un- solicited email requesting per- sonal information. Never purchase anything advertised through unsolicited email. Search for a company’s official website instead of click- ing a link. When purchasing merchan- dise online, make sure you are dealing with a reputable source. Do a little research to ensure the legitimacy of the individual or company. Be wary of businesses that operate solely out of post office boxes or mail drops and do not have a street address listed on- line or in printed materials. Consider upfront fees to be a bright red flag. Scammers often say they can help you access your benefits or get you a good interest rate on a loan — if you provide them an upfront fee. Also be wary of anything that promises large sums of money, such as sweepstakes or lottery winnings, in exchange for an advance payment, a donation, or an investment. Bottom line: Never send money to someone you don’t know and haven’t checked out thoroughly. Take precautions when mak- ing charitable donations. Bogus charities often use official- sounding names and words like “veterans” or “foundation” to try to convince potential donors of their status. Consult Charity Navigator or the Wise Giving Alliance register to be sure your money will reach those in need.
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