How do you go about investigating stolen Valor?

2023-11-23T21:17:31-05:00

There is a car dealer in my town that scammed a bunch of people and is currently serving 4 years in federal prison. Through my dealings with him I've been "investigating" his supposed military service. One thing I've found out through the National Archives is that a soldier with his information does not exist. How can I investigate this further or who would I pass this information on to do they can investigate him?
And yes, for the record I'm one of his victims and I want him to rot in prison.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2023 9:54 PM

2023-11-23T21:54:37-05:00

Give the information to your lawyer and let them work it. If you have proof from National Archives showing this person never served, let the legal experts do what they do

Response by COL Dan Ruder made Nov 24 at 2023 1:27 AM

2023-11-24T01:27:25-05:00

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 makes it a federal offense to falsely represent oneself as having received certain military decorations or medals with the intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefits. The Act cites steps you can take: report cases to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at https://www.ic3.gov/ (they investigate cases of stolen valor and a lot more than just cyber crimes); or you can also report it to the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS) at https://www.dodig.mil.

Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3) | Home Page

The Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, is the Nation’s central hub for reporting cyber crime. It is run by the FBI, the lead federal agency for investigating cyber crime.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 26 at 2023 11:32 PM

2023-11-26T23:32:05-05:00

Stolen Valor is unique because it has two separate meanings that are very specific and have to be seen as such.

Violation of the Stolen Valor act has to be very specific. The individual has to be claiming specific medals of valor or they have to be benefiting in some way of their false claims. That can be financially or that could be in the way of getting a job under false pretenses. You have to be very accurate with this because it is a fine edge. I have seen many stolen valor scammers dodge prosecution by the FBI because free speech protects them to a point. Medals of valor are super easy to validate as the DOD maintains a database on this. Purple hearts are a little harder to check because the database you find online isn't super accurate.

Second, you have the court of popular opinion. This is where the social media pages like Military Phony and Valor Guardians. I had assistance from them when outing some scammers and they vetted/validated the FOIA requests I did and they did their own as well to be accurate.

You just have to do your math and do the footwork. It takes time and you will also be fighting decades of a backstory this person has built for themselves.

Good luck

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2023 5:39 PM

2023-11-27T17:39:46-05:00

Give it to law enforcement. If he didn't benefit in any way off lying about the service, then they can't prosecute him federally under Stolen Valor Act. This is what constitutes violating SVA of 2013:

The Stolen Valor Act of 2013 amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both for an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds himself or herself out to be a recipient of:

Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross
Navy Cross
Air Force Cross
Silver Star
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
Combat Action Ribbon
Combat Infantryman's Badge
Combat Action Badge
Combat Medical Badge
Combat Action Medal
Or any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law.

If he didn't do any of this, nothing will happen on the legal side of it.

Response by LCpl George Williams made Dec 9 at 2023 3:44 PM

2023-12-09T15:44:35-05:00

CPL Elizabeth Bell. You dont have to do much for the truth to come out. Maybe i'm over simplifying this,but just a few simple questions would reveal the truth. An example
while at the VA Optical sometime back, I was waiting to be called. 2 other Marines were present, when one other entered the room. The 3 of us were funing over Boot Camp when he chimed in. Said "he went to BC at San Francisco". I was in Platoon 258 SD, others gave their PLT. Number. He could not remember his, also he skipped ITR/ATR/ and cold weather training. Oh! he also said that "he was stationed at Chulai in 1963". As far as I know, in 1964 There was no Chuli. It was Quang Ten Prov. Thats open for discussion. Any Questions?