From the Illinois Air and Army National Guard:

SPRINGFIELD (WIFR) - Criminals claiming to be a deploying Illinois Army National Guard Soldier defrauded numerous people out of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of dollars.

“Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating these crimes,” said Maj. Brad Leighton, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Director.

Leighton said the scam has been an ongoing problem, but based on the number of calls to his office it seems like the perpetrators have increased their activities the last couple of weeks.

For more than a year, there have been multiple advertisements posted on Craigslist claiming the sellers are deploying to Iraq with the Illinois Army National Guard’s (ILARNG) 139th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment in Springfield. Advertised items range from vehicles to an Apple I-Pad. The person impersonating an Illinois Soldier attempts to get the potential buyer to use Google Checkout, a third-party Web site, to transfer funds. All of these advertisements are a scam.

After further review by the Criminal Investigative Division, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the National Guard Security office, these ads have been found to be fraudulent in order to obtain ividuals personnel identification information. Craigslist’s legal office has been contacted.

Citizens and service members need to remember operational security (OPSEC) when using the Internet to buy and sell merchandise. The following are some basic OPSEC precautions:

• Properly destroy sensitive information


• Know who you are talking to and guard yourself against calls to obtain sensitive information


• Do not transmit sensitive information via telephone, fax, radio or email unless you know and can confirm the identity of the person on the receiving end


• Do not discuss sensitive information in public


• Limit distribution of sensitive information


• Avoid posting or displaying sensitive information


• Do not leave lap-top computers unattended in public places

Craigslist tips on how to avoid scams:

• Deal locally with people you can meet in person


• Never wire funds via Western Union, MoneyGram


• Fake cashier’s checks and money orders are common and banks will cash them and then hold you responsible


• Craigslist is not involved in any transaction


• Never give out financial information


• Avoid deals involving shipping or escrow services and only a scammer will “guarantee” your transaction.