Once the Soldier sends a compromising photo or participates in a video chat, the perpetrator threatens to send those images to the Soldier’s command, family, and friends unless “ransom money” is paid, according to CCIU officials. “These criminals will try to get unsuspecting service members to engage in online sexual activities and then demand money or favors in exchange for not publicizing potentially embarrassing information or turning them over to law enforcement,” Andrews said. In addition, when using a legitimate online dating site, victims are more apt to provide personal information and or participate in online “compromising acts ” however, CID officials are warning the Army community to be very cautious of their online communications activity and not share intimate, personal information with strangers or people you have never met in person. Officials describe “sextortion scams” as cyber sexual extortion where perpetrators conduct schemes that leverage online sexual acts for financial gain or other forms of blackmail. “Turn off your electronic devices and physically block web cameras when you are not using them.” “To avoid falling prey to a sextortionist, never send compromising photos or videos of yourself to anyone, whether you know them or think you know them,” said Special Agent Daniel Andrews, CCIU director. Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Computer Crime Investigative Unit, or CCIU, continues to caution the Army community to be on the lookout for all types of “sextortion scams” where criminals will use any dishonest method to make contact with potential victims and then attempt to blackmail them. They then ask for first and last month's rent and said they will send out the key once payment is received.Īfter sending the money. The same gimmick happens here: the scammer lists a rental property for a great price and claim they are deployed. Once they get their money, they will stop responding, and the buyer won't get the item and will be out some cash.Īlso, watch out for fake rental properties.
RELATED: Online car shopping scams you need to be aware of
The scammer will ask for a shipping fee and claim they have shipped the car. Stay on top of breaking news stories with the ABC11 News App
The ad will state they are being deployed and need to sell it fast.
This is where the scammer posts an advertisement selling something like a car or big ticket item. One of the tops scams to watch out for is the deployed soldier scam. The scammers will impersonate someone in the military or a veteran to gain their victim's trust. It's a time to honor and remember those who died while serving our country, but it's also a time when scammers use the military to try and take advantage of others. Memorial Day is just around the corner, but scammers are using the holiday and our military to take advantage of us.
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