One catfish is terrible enough, but our next case of catfish misbehaving focuses on 15 people from North and South Carolina, who were indicted in a 2018 federal court! The biggest shocker of the situation is that these crimes, from 2015 to 2017, occurred when inmates in the above state developed a complicated scheme to extort money from members of the United States Military.
Their con?
To frame military members for sex crimes and extort money from them. This is the true story of how this sextortion ring worked and conned over 400 people. Plus, everything you need to know to avoid being tricked the next time you, or someone you love, uses an online dating app!
Those who developed the plan probably thought it was a perfect crime. Safe from their jailhouse, they could smuggle smartphones into the prison and use internet access to acquire funds from U.S. Military personnel fraudulently.
Once these inmates had their smuggled smartphones, they would sign up for dating apps and make connections with anyone who was in the military. Using images they stole off the internet, they would exchange racy nude pictures with the men they connected with. Those men being conned would think that they were connecting with an attractive female of consenting age.
In reality, the person behind the scenes was an inmate setting up his con! Once the inmate traded pics with the Military member, they would send a separate message and pose as a concerned father. They would “explain” that the woman the soldier or naval member had been talking to was not 18+, but an underage girl.
They would either threaten to contact the police and military authorities or say that they needed money for counseling and medical bills. Terrified of being reprimanded, shamed, or having to register as a sex offender, many victims believed this con and sent money.
U.S. Attorney, Sherri A. Lydon, said this:
After retrieving the wired money, these ten individuals would then provide the named inmates with access to the wire funds through various methods at the inmates’ direction, including the use of pre-paid debit cards. In some instances, the individuals provided the named inmates with debit card numbers so they could access the criminal proceeds in prison via smartphones. Other times, the individuals wired the money directly into the inmates’ prison accounts.
All of this was illegal and once the Naval Criminal Investigative Services, I.R.S. – Criminal Investigations, and numerous other (at least 6) organizations began to investigate, the facts compiled quickly. Those inmates who participated in the con and those who helped them were caught and indicted.
The case has drawn attention to problems within the prison system and how inmates can smuggle phones inside.
Have you ever had a catfish pretend to be someone they aren’t and ask you for money? If anyone poses as an adult online and then threatens to extort from you, be sure to contact the police yourself. Scammers and online thieves take advantage of the fear hard-working soldiers have of getting in trouble.
Remember the golden rule for Social Catfish users, if anyone you meet online asks you for money, do not give it to them. Cybercriminals will do and say anything to get your cash! Many are highly skilled con artists that lie and trick for a living. Have you lost money online?
Consider filing a complaint with the F.T.C. and get help from the government. If you’re uncertain whether or not you have met a legitimate individual or are at risk of being conned by a professional or amateur catfish, get help from Social Catfish. Social Catfish users know the power of the internet and how our tools can help them avoid being tricked!
Social Catfish’s high powered algorithm will help you to verify identity and background check an online love, date, or acquaintance. Search name, username, images, email address, or phone number today and find out the truth! If you need additional one-on-one support, consider hiring one of our support specialists!
The Israeli Soldiers and the Hamas have never gotten along with one another, as the Hamas tries to find any way they can to end the Israeli Soldiers. Basically, the Israeli Soldier… Read More
You meet someone online claiming that they serve in the military when in fact, they are lying. With an increase in social media and online dating, this problem has become more comm… Read More
We got a phone call from a recent subscriber of ours who wanted to share his heartbreaking story to help inform other people to be more careful as they try online dating. The scamm… Read More
We go to the doctor’s office when we need help, support, or medical care. People who met a licensed practical nurse (LPN), William Francis Melchert-Dinkel, online didn’t find t… Read More
Is your significant other cheating on you? Did your child secretly make a Tinder account? No matter what your dating situation or dilemma, read this a ...
Read More >>Have you ever wondered how to find out if someone has a dating profile, like your boyfriend, girlfriend or spouse? This situation comes up more oft ...
Read More >>Dating online is most people's go-to way to discover their prince charming or princess of their dreams. However, scammers know just how badly people w ...
Read More >>Are you looking for hidden online profiles? While it would be helpful if social network profiles were always easy to find, that often isn’t the case ...
Read More >>What is Catfishing on Ashley Madison? Ashley Madison is the best of what modern relationships have to offer the cheaters of the world. Their tag li ...
Read More >>You've been talking to someone online, and you start getting suspicions and you're getting some signs that you might be catfished. The person t ...
Read More >>0 Comments
Social Catfish is an online dating investigation service based in California, USA. We verify information to confirm if the person that you've met online is really who they say they are.
We do in depth checks using our own proprietary online tools to verify things like images, social profiles, phone numbers, emails, jobs and a lot more to make sure that you have the most information about the person that you've met online. We are the only company doing verification of public information such as jobs, phone numbers criminal checks as well as social profiles and images.
If you want to be aware of the latest news and catfish stories, subscribe to our newsletter!
