Fake Marine Convicted of Defrauding VA

A Minnesota man has been convicted for a brazen scheme that defrauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) out of nearly $150,000. Mikhail R. Wicker, 39, was found guilty by a federal jury in St. Paul on November 21 for wire and mail fraud, as well as the fraudulent use of military medals.

A Web of False Claims

Wicker concocted an elaborate story, claiming to be part of the Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment. He alleged he was deployed to Iraq in 2005, wounded in combat, and held as a prisoner of war. To further his deception, he claimed to have received sniper training and even fabricated details about a car crash in Michigan.

His elaborate lie allowed him to receive over $146,000 in VA disability benefits. Wicker submitted falsified documents to the VA in 2016, including a fake DD-214 form, a fraudulent certificate of honorable discharge, a fake Purple Heart certificate, and fabricated images supposedly showing him in Iraq. Although initially rejected due to unverifiable service, the fake documents eventually led to him receiving benefits the following year.

Maintaining the Deception

To bolster his fabricated persona, Wicker joined a Facebook group for Marines. He actively sought details about their experiences, even convincing one member to falsely verify his supposed service. This allowed him to maintain the illusion for several years.

The scheme unraveled when Wicker sought to increase his disability benefits. His vague description of his supposed deployment and injuries triggered an internal inquiry by the VA, which ultimately exposed the truth. Investigations revealed that while Wicker did live in Michigan and was involved in a car crash (for which he pleaded guilty to failure to report), he never served in the military. His employment history primarily consisted of short stints in the retail industry.

Justice Served

Veterans from the Lima Company Marines also testified, confirming that Wicker was not part of their unit. The jury’s conviction on charges of wire fraud, mail fraud, and fraudulent use of military medals brings accountability for his actions. Wicker is awaiting sentencing, which will be determined at a later date.