by Samantha
Wed Feb 27, 2013 6:29 pm
A Canadian victim forwarded all of these emails to me. Unfortunately she was caught up in a romance scam involving a purported soldier. I urge you to read this informative description about these scams. The following emails show just how these scammers manipulate their victims. The poor grammar and spelling in the emails supposedly sent by Army officials might seem like a dead-giveaway to Americans, but for victims for whom English is not their native language, like this French-Canadian woman, such language errors are easy to miss.
Sent from [email protected]:
[Note: several generic pictures of a military base were attached; these were downloaded from the Internet.]
Also sent from from [email protected]:
Several more generic pictures were attached; this is the only one showing a soldier. Like all the rest, it was stolen from a website or Facebook:
From the same yahoo address:
More stolen photos were attached. Here are only two of several.
Another scammer enters, using the fake name "Fred Cox" and email [email protected]:
Several more photos were attached, all stolen.
Using a new fake email, [email protected], the scammer pretends to be writing on behalf of the Army, requiring payment for the soldier to go on leave -- something which the military never does.
Yet another official-sounding email address was used for the next stage -- [email protected]:
From the same address comes this promise of huge funds -- and the demand for $2500:
After unfortunately sending the money, the victim received this from [email protected]:
From the same fake email address comes a demand for yet more money before the soldier can be released on leave:
(NOTE: the US Army never requires payment for a soldier to be granted leave, nor does any US government agency, military or otherwise, use Western Union!)
This next form was sent merely to add credibility to the scam. Note the spelling of the "United State of America", not "States":
After getting the victim to send money to ostensibly pay for a plane ticket to visit her in Canada, this fake itinerary was emailed from the [email protected] address:
Needless to say, no soldier arrived. Eventually the victim found her way here and realized she had been scammed. We hope that her story will help prevent someone else from being scammed the same way.
Sent from [email protected]:
hello my love i came back now and found your mail and offline that your cousin's kid is sick again,i thought you said shes ok the other day.hope everthing is under control.i miss you so much here,my day was so hectic to extent that i need to rest now my love i will wake up early and come for you here honey.i missed you and i love you mrs allen i send you my today pics honey time is so hard to find for the pics you want from me but here are some event pics that happened here today,i will waiting for your mail when you got home honey....i love you.....
[Note: several generic pictures of a military base were attached; these were downloaded from the Internet.]
Also sent from from [email protected]:
Hello honey im so sorry for not making to you yesterday,
some of our soldiers were hit on there afternoon patrol
so all my plans was scatter cox we have to go there for
resccue but two were confirmed dead instantly and others
were seriously injured.
Several more generic pictures were attached; this is the only one showing a soldier. Like all the rest, it was stolen from a website or Facebook:
From the same yahoo address:
here the recent pics i took during the patrol baby,
cox there is much time to take pics without uniform
even i went to download this now from a colleague
flash drive here baby,i will send you my photo without
uniform when im off this weekend baby.
sweetheart i really don't know what will happen to me if i loose
you now.please im putting my trust in you please don't let me down
my love,have a nice day baby.caresssss
More stolen photos were attached. Here are only two of several.
Another scammer enters, using the fake name "Fred Cox" and email [email protected]:
here are the pics honey and i wish i could have urs too here as soon as possible.
Several more photos were attached, all stolen.
Using a new fake email, [email protected], the scammer pretends to be writing on behalf of the Army, requiring payment for the soldier to go on leave -- something which the military never does.
dear madam,
We are sorry for the inability to notify you about the last payment on Captain ALLEN MACUS s leave from the war region this is to the system upgrading, due to this you are advice to mail us on the new mail{ [email protected]},we are sorry for the inconviniency.
Thanks for your cooperation.
USARMY
Yet another official-sounding email address was used for the next stage -- [email protected]:
DEAR MADAM,
THIS IS TO REMIND YOU AS REGARD CAPTAIN ALLEN MACUS RETIREMENT CLAIM ALLOWANCE BENEFITS CHARGES.
WE ARE WAITING FOR YOUR RESPOND IN GOOD TIME.
THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION.
LEAVE AND RETIREMENT OFFICER IN CHARGE.
From the same address comes this promise of huge funds -- and the demand for $2500:
Dear Madam,
This is to notify you that Captain ALLEN MACUS has been finally cleared from the Afghanistan war region,We are congratulating you.
NOTICE _ Captain ALLEN MACUS retirement benefits has been ready for claim,And He has to claim the retirement benefits in good time before he moves out.
He has to remain here in the Camp pending the time his retirement benefits will be cleared.
Once his out from here without having his retirement benefits,He might not be able to have it again,He has to claim it before his out of here in good time.
Remember,The money spent by you is going to be sent back to you with bonus,As soon as Captain ALLEN MACUS S arrives with you in CANADA.
NOTICE _ The sum of (TWO THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS) $2,500 has to be paid for the retirement benefits clearance charges in order to be cleared from the US ARMY TREASURY.
This payment has to be made within 24 hours, In order for Captain ALLEN MACUS to be able to claim is retirement benefits,And for him to be able to move out of here in good time.
We are waiting for your respond in good time for the Effective processing.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Leave and Retirement Officer in Charge.
After unfortunately sending the money, the victim received this from [email protected]:
DEAR MADAM,
WE GOT THE MTCN PAYMENT INFORMATION ON BEHAVE OF CAPTAIN ALLEN MACUS PERMANENT LEAVE AND RETIREMENT PROCESS.
YOU ARE TO FILL THE PAYBACK FORM ATTACHED AND SEND IT BACK TO US IN GOOD TIME.
WE WILL NOTIFY YOU IN 24 HOURS AND LET YOU KNOW THE FLIGHT DETAILS.
THANKS FOR YOUR COOPERATION.
LEAVE AND RETIREMENT OFFICER IN CHARGE.
From the same fake email address comes a demand for yet more money before the soldier can be released on leave:
DEAR MADAM,
THE IS TO INFORM YOU THAT,CAPTAIN ALLEN MACUS LEAVE REQUEST HAS BEEN APPROVED FROM THE US ARMY CENTRAL.
ALL SOLDIER LEAVING THE CAMP ON A FAMILY OR SPOUSE REQUEST SHOULD HAVE A LIBERTY PASS CARD WITH HIM OR HER AT THE DEPARTURE.
ALL OFFICER APPLYING FOR PERMANENT LEAVE WILL BE LIABLE TO RECEIVE SOME AMOUNT OF MONEY AS HIS OR HER RETIREMENT CLAIM.
ALL LEAVING OFFICER WILL BE LIABLE TO LEAVE TO HIS DESIGNATED COUNTRY 72 HOURS AFTER ALL PROCESSING IS COMPLETED.
ALL THE PAYMENT MADE BY YOU DURING THIS LEAVE PROCESS WILL BE SENT BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS CAPTAIN ALLEN MACUS ARRIVES WITH YOU WITH BONUS UNDER THE MILITARY POLICY AND ACT.
THE LEAVE CHARGES ARE LISTED BELOW:
1: LIBERTY PASS CARD CHARGES_550 DOLLARS.
2: WAR REGION OFFICERS CLEARANCE LEAVE CHARGES_300 DOLLARS.
THE TOTAL CHARGES IS_ 850 USDOLLARS
THE PAYMENT HAS TO BE MADE IN 48 HOURS IN ORDER FOR THE PROCESS TO BE EFFECTIVE.
You are to make the payment via western union money transfer nearest to you.The Military head link controlling the officers in the war region is based in MALAYSIA.
The payment information is as follow.
.
You are to make the payment to the Officer in Charge name below.
OFFICER RECEIVERS NAME_ FASAKIN AYORINDE ABIODUN.
ADDRESS_ KUALA LUMPUR.
COUNTRY _ MALAYSIA.
You will send back to us the MTCN, given to you from the Western union money transfer after you have made the payment.
1.SENDER S NAMES.
2.SENDER S ADDRESS.
3.SENDER S COUNTRY.
4.MTCN.
The payment has to be made in good time,In order to start the permanent leave and Retirement process.
Thanks for your cooperation.
Leave and Retirement Officer in Charge.
(NOTE: the US Army never requires payment for a soldier to be granted leave, nor does any US government agency, military or otherwise, use Western Union!)
This next form was sent merely to add credibility to the scam. Note the spelling of the "United State of America", not "States":
After getting the victim to send money to ostensibly pay for a plane ticket to visit her in Canada, this fake itinerary was emailed from the [email protected] address:
> NAME
> CAPTAIN ALLEN MACUS US ARMY BASE,CAMP KABUL,AFGHANISTAN
>
> Distance from Afghanistan to Canada
> ( Balkh 6259.4 miles / 10073.5 km / 5435.6 nm / 12 hrs, 60 mins Nautical Miles )
>
> Approximate flight duration time from Kabul, Afghanistan to Montreal,Quebec.
> AIRPORT DEPARTURE DATE:- TIME
> DEPARTURE:- Khwaja Rawash Airport July 19, 2012 01:15 AM
>
>
> AIRPORT ARRIVAL TIME
>
> ARRIVAL:- Pierre Elliot Trudeau Airport, Montreal,Quebec July 20, 2012 03:15 PM
>
> DESTINATION
[snipped]
CANADA
[snipped]
The US ARMY is wishing you a save journey to your destination and splendid retirement from service,
all the money spent by your wife will get to her 48hours after your arrival to your destination,thank you
for your understanding and corporation.
Needless to say, no soldier arrived. Eventually the victim found her way here and realized she had been scammed. We hope that her story will help prevent someone else from being scammed the same way.
