Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, a retired four-star U.S. Army General has been a frequent target of romance scams since at least 2014.
Fake accounts often say he is deployed, widowed,single,seeking love.
He is very much married to Melissa with Army sons.(BELIEVE NOTHING ELSE).
Key Details of the Case:
Modus Operandi: Scammers use Townsend’s name, rank, and images to FAKE profiles, claiming to be on active duty in war zones. They use love, poetry, fabricate stories of needing funds for military leave, medical emergencies, or personal crises (e.g., a sick child). Commonly ask for money for "secure phone lines," travel costs, or fake investments. These are RED FLAGS of romance scams, as the Army never requires Soldiers to pay for such expenses.
Scale of Misuse: Townsend himself has acknowledged that his identity has been used in “hundreds, if not thousands” of fake profiles. In a 2022 interview, he noted being contacted by victims or investigators about accounts impersonating him on platforms like Facebook, where scammers operate globally, often from West Africa (e.g., Nigeria or Ghana).
Impact on Townsend: As a victim of identity theft, Townsend has faced significant personal and professional frustration. Victims of the scams sometimes contact him directly, mistakenly believing he is involved, leading to accusations or emotional appeals.
Victim Impact: The scams cause substantial financial and emotional harm. The U.S. Army CID notes that romance scams using military identities, including Townsend’s, generate hundreds of complaints monthly, with losses in the broader romance scam category reaching $1.3 billion in 2022.
Challenges in Stopping the Scams: It is easy to get hold of pictures of Public People. Many Scammers operate from overseas, giving jurisdictional issues. Social media platforms DO NOT remove enough accounts nor do they stop them being made.
Army Response: The U.S. Army CID issues warnings about scams involving Townsend and other officers, REAL Soldiers do not ASK FOR money or personal information online. IT NEEDS A CONCERTED EFFORT FROM MILITARY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TO STOP THIS USE OF GENERALS. FORCE social media into a ‘Duty of Care’ on their platforms.
As of 2025, William B. Garrett III is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general living as a private citizen. Burke, as he is known to friends and family is a very quiet and private person and is never on social media and does not contact anyone.
He is associated with the University of North Georgia, likely in an academic and advisory capacity. He enjoys his role at UNG. He said the education and training that he received at UNG remains foundational to his success. And his three-point philosophy for being an effective leader is simple.
"Know your stuff. Take care of your people. Lead with courage."
There are no public records or recent updates indicating specific activities beyond this, as he maintains a low profile typical of many retired military officers. His photos continue to be misused in romance scams.
Scammers first began using Lt. Gen. William B. Garrett III's (also referred to as William Burke Garrett or Burke Garrett) photos and identity in romance fraud around 2014, as evidenced by victim reports on scam awareness forums documenting encounters with fake profiles impersonating him as early as April 2014. His publicly available military photos made him a popular choice for impersonation shortly after gaining higher visibility in roles like deputy commander of U.S. European Command.
As for the number of active fake profiles today, it's impossible to catalogue precisely due to the sheer volume across social media, dating sites, and other platforms, with estimates suggesting millions of impersonations using his images overall, operated by numerous scammers (often described as hundreds of thousands).
Specific examples continue to surface in 2025, including recovery scams and ongoing social media frauds, but platforms frequently remove reported fakes, making an exact current count unavailable.
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As of 2025, William B. Garrett III is a retired U.S. Army lieutenant general living as a private citizen. Burke, as he is known to friends and family is a very quiet and private person and is never on social media and does not contact anyone.
He is associated with the University of North Georgia, likely in an academic and advisory capacity. He enjoys his role at UNG. He said the education and training that he received at UNG remains foundational to his success. And his three-point philosophy for being an effective leader is simple.
"Know your stuff. Take care of your people. Lead with courage."
There are no public records or recent updates indicating specific activities beyond this, as he maintains a low profile typical of many retired military officers. His photos continue to be misused in romance scams.
Scammers first began using Lt. Gen. William B. Garrett III's (also referred to as William Burke Garrett or Burke Garrett) photos and identity in romance fraud around 2014, as evidenced by victim reports on scam awareness forums documenting encounters with fake profiles impersonating him as early as April 2014. His publicly available military photos made him a popular choice for impersonation shortly after gaining higher visibility in roles like deputy commander of U.S. European Command.
As for the number of active fake profiles today, it's impossible to catalogue precisely due to the sheer volume across social media, dating sites, and other platforms, with estimates suggesting millions of impersonations using his images overall, operated by numerous scammers (often described as hundreds of thousands).
Specific examples continue to surface in 2025, including recovery scams and ongoing social media frauds, but platforms frequently remove reported fakes, making an exact current count unavailable.
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