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Scam text messages tell people to register for ‘draft’ or face penalty

BOSTON — In the wake of the clash with Iran, at least 3,500 U.S. troops have been deployed to the Middle East.

Now, fake texts are going out telling people to report to the nearest Army recruiting branch.

“Individuals were sending out notes directing young people from the New England area to register for the draft or they would experience some sort of penalty,” said Army Lt. Col. Anthony Paul Barbina.

Lt. Col. Barbina, who is a recruiting battalion commander in New England, told Boston 25 they were notified about the fake texts on Tuesday.

“There is no draft. The draft has not been instated. A lot of these texts, hoaxes are made for people to panic,” Barbina said.

Some of the fake text messages are telling people to go to your nearest Army recruiting branch “For immediate departure to Iran.” And they’re warning people about multiple attempts to contact recipients.

In one case, a message read: “You’ll be fined and sent to jail for a minimum of 6 years if no reply.”

“The draft has not been in place since 1973. The draft is run by the selective service organization. That’s different from the Department of Defense,” Barbina said.

According to USA.gov, almost all men 18-25 who are U.S. citizens or are immigrants living in the U.S. are required to be registered with selective service. The U.S. law calls for citizens to register within 30 days of turning 18, and immigrants have to register within 30 days of arriving to the U.S.

“You are required to sign up for the selective service. You can do it through a variety of agencies,” Barbina said.