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jpak

(41,757 posts)
Wed Jan 8, 2020, 05:57 PM Jan 2020

Army Warns of Fake Texts Drafting Civilians for 'Immediate Departure to Iran'

Source: New York Times

The text messages popped up on cellphones across the country, purporting to be an urgent communication from the United States Army.

“We tried contacting you through your email several times and have had no response,” one message read. The recipient, it said, had been “marked eligible” for the military draft and was ordered to report to the nearest Army branch “for immediate departure to Iran.”

From New Jersey to Utah to Florida, similar fraudulent messages have circulated around the country this week, setting off concern among young people and their parents amid an escalation in conflict between the United States and Iran. But after receiving multiple calls and emails about the messages, which in at least one case threatened jail time, the United States Army issued a “fraud alert” warning that the messages were fake and said it was investigating who was behind them.

“This is nothing that we are initiating,” said Lisa M. Ferguson, a spokeswoman for the United States Army Recruiting Command. “They are completely fake.”

<more>


Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/08/us/fake-draft-texts-army.html





17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Army Warns of Fake Texts Drafting Civilians for 'Immediate Departure to Iran' (Original Post) jpak Jan 2020 OP
I love it Traildogbob Jan 2020 #1
Would have to be pretty gullible to fall for that. Sapient Donkey Jan 2020 #2
President Trump jpak Jan 2020 #3
Trump's Base... nt. BlueIdaho Jan 2020 #4
Yeah, they probably would not have made good recruits ToxMarz Jan 2020 #5
lol Renew Deal Jan 2020 #6
Immediate deployment to Iran? Don't I get some basic training first? JustABozoOnThisBus Jan 2020 #7
If I had gotten the text, dware Jan 2020 #14
The Army recruiter might say, ... JustABozoOnThisBus Jan 2020 #15
LOLOL. dware Jan 2020 #16
My freshman writing students are worried. B Stieg Jan 2020 #8
Stupid and unhelpful onenote Jan 2020 #9
good larwdem Jan 2020 #10
Haha! Flaleftist Jan 2020 #11
I do wonder... jmowreader Jan 2020 #12
A sudden rash of bone spurs keithbvadu2 Jan 2020 #17
I kind of wish they had let it go on for a while first. Jamastiene Jan 2020 #13

Traildogbob

(8,735 posts)
1. I love it
Wed Jan 8, 2020, 06:04 PM
Jan 2020

Talk about about get out the vote. Provo, More please. If they want to control media with lies, damn time we do.

ToxMarz

(2,166 posts)
5. Yeah, they probably would not have made good recruits
Wed Jan 8, 2020, 06:14 PM
Jan 2020

Though they probably would obey mindlessly. I hope CBP doesn't get any ideas.

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,339 posts)
7. Immediate deployment to Iran? Don't I get some basic training first?
Wed Jan 8, 2020, 07:09 PM
Jan 2020

I wanna be yelled at by drill sergeants, told to pull my head out of my ass, told "no, your OTHER left", neat army stuff like that.

Then Iran.



No, wait, I don't think they're drafting 70-somethings.

dware

(12,374 posts)
14. If I had gotten the text,
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 09:54 AM
Jan 2020

I would have shown up at the nearest Army Recruiting station in my USMC Dress Blues and said, here I am, now what?

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,339 posts)
15. The Army recruiter might say, ...
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 01:32 PM
Jan 2020

Marine, eh? Well, we might be able to teach you something, regardless.

Step toward the bus, starting with your left foot. No, Marine, your OTHER left foot. Sheesh.



onenote

(42,700 posts)
9. Stupid and unhelpful
Wed Jan 8, 2020, 07:32 PM
Jan 2020

Even if a few people believe these messages are authentic, as soon as they contact the Army (as directed) they will learn it is a hoax. And they will be pissed. And who will they direct their ire towards? Not the military. Not Trump. They'll assume it was a con designed to scare people perpetrated by opponents of war with Iran.

jmowreader

(50,557 posts)
12. I do wonder...
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 03:24 AM
Jan 2020

Let’s say 1000 military-age Trump supporters were sent genuine draft notices. How many would report, and how many would try to get out of it?

Jamastiene

(38,187 posts)
13. I kind of wish they had let it go on for a while first.
Thu Jan 9, 2020, 03:27 AM
Jan 2020

It would have been even better if the Trump boys had gotten one of those texts and had to sweat it out for a day or two.

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