Beware of Scams and Scammers

"There is an individual or small group of individuals contacting, POW/MIA family members, activist and individuals within the Vietnamese community. Their story is always the same; they have access to one or more POWs and they can get them home. Money isn't mentioned at first. These unscrupulous individuals first establish a rapport with their intended victim.

They provide small pieces of information, all readily available through public documents, or gleaned from conversations with the family member over a period of time. Then they provide photos. Most of the recent reporting centers on John Hartley Robertson lost in Vietnam on May 20th 1968. In some cases when a family member is contacted they will be told their loved one is held with Robertson, thus making it very personal."

Since we issued our warning, we continue to receive reports from both POW/MIA family members and activists stating they were contacted by an individual or a group of individuals who have access to POWs. In the latest email from a family member forwarded to us, the following names are mentioned "Hadel" "Toma" "Tre" and "Bret Hart." We've seen the "Toma" name before in connection with a photo purported to be both Peter Cressman and Robert Simmons.

Again, we repeat our warning; "Be very cautious when approached by anyone who claims they have access to, or can rescue specific POWs." Check them out thoroughly. Make sure any information they provide on a POW is not available on the internet.