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Prison Inmates Catfished $560,000 Out of Military Service Members in Sextortion Scam, NCIS Says (gizmodo.com)

Hundreds of military service members reportedly got caught up in a sextortion scam run by prison inmates using cellphones, according to a release issued by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). From a report: Military agents from multiple criminal investigation groups have served summons and issued warrants for arrests related to the scheme. According to the NCIS, South Carolina and North Carolina prison inmates, assisted by outside accomplices, sought out service members through dating sites and social media, then took on false identities, feigned romantic interest, and exchanged photos.

Once the inmates had successfully catfished their targets, they would then pose as the father of the fake persona, insisting their child was underage and that the target had therefore committed a crime by exchanging photos. In some situations, the "father" claimed he wouldn't press charges if the target gave him money. Sometimes the catfisher would pose as law enforcement requesting money for the family.

4 of 165 comments (clear)

  1. More proof.... by b0s0z0ku · · Score: 1, Funny

    that the military isn't composed of the best and the brightest. "Military intelligence" is a fine oxymoron.

    1. Re:More proof.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      Maybe if Marines would pick up after themselves after pooping on people's lawns then they'd get a little more respect.

      I've seen Navy personnel that had successfully been trained to do this. Doubt if it would work with Marines though.

  2. This didn't happen when Obama was president by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Funny

    rump is letting this happen because he doesn't give a damn about the military.

  3. Re:This is why by thomn8r · · Score: 3, Funny
    Are judges in Canada legally obligated to return a guilty verdict?

    No, but they're legally obligated to apologize.