E-mail scam targets relatives of soldiers died in Iraq
Date: March 04, 2005Source: Computer Crime Research Center
US Senator Larry Craig, Chairman of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, together with the Department of Homeland Security warned about e-mail scams that targets the families of fallen US soldiers.
In the scam, the sender claims to be a US forces volunteer and that a late friend, who also was a US soldier killed in Iraq, was a very good pal of a relatives' slain child. The scammer then asks for help in obtaining funds kept for them by the deceased friend, promising more details when the relative responds to the e-mail.
"This is outrageous," Craig noted. "Anyone who commits fraud on the tender spirits and broken hearts of the families of America's heroes needs to spend a long time in a federal prison. In short, we need to send these predators to jail. And just like Monopoly, when they're caught, it should be 'do not pass go, do not collect $200 and do not get out of jail free.'"
Criminals involved in such crimes could be charged with mail fraud, money laundering, wire fraud and other charges.
"Survivors of our military heroes are precious and they need our protection. If you know a survivor, please encourage them to be on guard against this latest fraud effort," Craig said.
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