What’s in it for them?

We are often asked how do posers, fakes and embellishers gain from their medallic fuckery™?

Over the course of the past few years, it’s become apparent that the vast majority of individuals reported to us are nothing more than grifter & con artists who lie, cheat or steal for their own personal gain!

They have used their “special status” to attend military ceremonies and parades, military themed galas and high profile sporting events as VIP guests. Some have participated in fully funded overseas pilgrimages & adventurous expeditions, more have “advocated” on veterans issues without the requisite knowledge, experience or service!

Fakes and embellishers have even acquired “trauma support” dogs and mobility equipment that should have gone to legitimate veterans.  Many have used their fake military narratives and tales of battlefield injuries to advance their employment opportunities & political aspirations.

Others are involved in intimidation, theft, fraud including accessing veteran/military discounts, questionable charity schemes, embezzlement and dating scams.

We are well aware of individuals using their fabricated experiences and bogus medals to justify and/or elicit sympathy for their bad behaviour, this is particularly evident with those who claim to have been Prisoners of War.

One absolute fake, claiming to be a combat wounded, Vietnam Vet had his “service” honoured by a professionally painted portrait by a volunteer artist!

We have found that Mental Health issues are not usually a factor in the cases reported to us. However, we have piquetted and bypassed a small number of individuals who clearly don’t have the intellectual/mental capacity to understand the nature of their actions.

In fact, we have channeled a number of individuals to mental health agencies as our interactions with them caused us some concerns.

Remember folks, they are grifters and con artists…