Is a Soldier in Yemen Falsely Contacting You?

Have you ever received a FaceTime or Hangouts call from someone claiming to be a soldier in Yemen? If yes, tread with caution as you might be dealing with a scammer. This article will help you identify if you are facing a false claim and provide tips on how to protect yourself against such scams.

Understanding the Conditions in Yemen

Since 2014, there has been no active deployment of U.S. soldiers in Yemen. If someone tries to contact you claiming to be a solider, chances are they are a Nigerian scammer attempting to extract funds from innocent individuals.

Why would a scammer claim to be a soldier in Yemen? The anonymity provided by messaging apps like Hangouts can be leveraged to mask the scammer's true identity. Scammers shy away from video and voice chat as it would expose the truth – these impostors are often pimply-faced West African teenagers.

Recognizing the Scam

If you’ve received a message from someone claiming to be a soldier in Yemen, report and block them immediately. Scammers usually try to elicit money under various pretenses, promising to return it later, or even threatening to harm your family if you don’t comply.

Skeptical of the authenticity of the claim? Consider the following:

If someone contacted you claiming to be a U.S. soldier in Yemen, they are deceitful because there are no U.S. military personnel currently in the country. Check their written communications for spelling errors or inconsistencies. Scammers often misrepresent themselves, especially with regard to spelling and location. Be wary of emotional appeals where they try to instill trust by asking for favors or money.

Common Scam Tactics and How to Spot Them

Scammers working the Yemen angle typically use a combination of tactics to bypass your defenses:

They might claim to have valuable information that needs your help to disseminate. Scammers might suggest you need to send them money to verify their identity or for some urgent purpose. Some might even try to make you feel guilty, asking you to trust them.

To safeguard yourself, always:

Report the profile to the social media administrators. Block the account permanently to prevent further harassment or attempts to scam you. Request for proof, such as two selfies and a recent local newspaper with a banner near the face, or a person standing with a vehicle having Yemini license plates.

Scammers are opportunistic, and the false claims of being in Yemen are just another scamming technique. Remain vigilant and do your due diligence before engaging with anyone online who makes such claims.