I’ve been sitting on this one for years now because I did not want to be a vehicle for Russian propaganda.  You often hear about how you have to be careful what you eat; be careful what you put in your body.  Eating fatty foods, using drugs, drinking alcohol or smoking cigarettes can all be bad for your health.  When it comes to propaganda, disinformation and influence, the first thing you need to understand is that you also have to be careful what you put in your mind.  In 2015, a Russian disinformation operations targeted my mind, knowing that I was the editor of a military news website and could in turn target your thoughts as well.

An e-mail hit my inbox exactly two years ago.  Her name was Natalie and she claimed to be an Interpol agent.  The e-mail had all the buzzwords and lingo that someone like me looks for.  Talk about Title 50 covert operations, weapons smuggling, former U.S. Special Operations soldiers working as contractors and potential illegal operations.  This is exactly the type of story that investigative journalists keep an eye open for.  The only problem with the story was that it was complete bullshit.

I gave the e-mail a couple of reads and something just didn’t feel right.  The author knew what verbiage to use, but it was all too perfect.  It was as if the entire story was just being handed to me on a silver platter.  That rarely ever happens–usually you have to hustle for a good story.  Check out the e-mail for yourself, and keep in mind that not a word of it is accurate.

Mr. Murphy,

Excuse my direct email.

I am senior investigator with NCB Interpol in Kiev for months participating/supporting investigation on possible illegal U.S. operations directly affecting the war in Ukraine. The specific case was abruptly put to a halt one month ago and the team members, myself included, have been tasked to other assignments. At the point when our investigation was stopped, we had not uncovered illegal action on part of the U.S., but we do believe that further investigation and time would have proved otherwise.

In 2013, we believe that U.S. personnel on behalf of the CIA made continuous trips to Bulgaria with the purpose of buying untraceable weapons as well as armored vehicles in support of their many Title 50 operations. We know these weapons were sent to Africa but we don’t have specific countries. The investigation does not target these U.S. personnel, who we believe were all contractors and not actual employees. But rather the Bulgarian military personnel who were illegally selling them without the consent of the Bulgarian parliament.

These purchases continued until the summer of 2015 but no longer were they being re-purposed to Africa. We believe, but do not have proof that these armaments are one of the many sources fueling war in my country. Based on interviews from Bulgarian military members I am without a doubt positive the U.S. personnel that did travel to Bulgaria were former special operations personnel part of the CIAs GRS program accompanied by a US SOF veteran of Bulgarian descent to serve as a translator (the only non-employee/contractor of CIA). No more than 4 ever made the trip to Bulgaria to meet with active duty Bulgarian officers. We do not have specific identities as we were not seeking legal action against these U.S. citizens.

Tens of millions of dollars made way to the pockets of corrupt Bulgarian officers and now the case has been closed they will remain untouched and will continue these business practices with other countries or individuals. I assume you don’t need explanation why I am reaching out to you and SOFREP anonymously.”