Alan McilwraithFormer call center employee in Scotland posing as a British officer
Date of Birth: 03.03.1978
Country: Great Britain |
Biography of Alan Macilraith
Alan Macilraith, a former employee of a call center in Scotland, gained notoriety for impersonating a British officer and deceiving numerous charitable organizations and media outlets. Despite his claims of being a decorated British officer, it was revealed that Macilraith had never served in the military and had fabricated his entire background.
Macilraith managed to convince organizations such as the 'National Children's Home' and the glamorous magazine 'No1' that he was a knighted officer, Sir Alan Macilraith, with numerous awards and honors. However, it was later discovered that he had purchased military uniforms and medals on eBay.
In an attempt to further solidify his false identity, Macilraith created a Wikipedia article about himself, claiming to be a highly decorated British officer currently serving in the Scottish territorial forces. He was described as a highly skilled and respected captain known for his heroic actions. However, these claims were eventually exposed as false by the British government and Macilraith himself.
Macilraith's deception was exposed in an article published in the 'Daily Record' on April 11, 2006. He was referred to as Walter Mitty, referencing a fictional character known for daydreaming and fabricating stories. The British Army confirmed that Macilraith had never served as an officer, soldier, or even a cadet. The University of Glasgow also denied any record of him attending their institution.
As a result of the media exposure, Macilraith lost his job at a Dell Computers call center and his fiancée returned her engagement ring. In an interview in July 2006, Macilraith claimed that his deception had originated from a traumatic incident where he was attacked by a group of teenagers, causing him to spiral into a web of lies. He expressed remorse for the embarrassment he caused to his family and friends.
In December 2007, Macilraith resurfaced under the pseudonym 'Ledger' as a magician. He claimed to have competed in a competition for the title of best magician and even boasted about his romantic conquests. However, these claims were never substantiated.
In June 2009, another article published in the 'Daily Record' revealed Macilraith's latest impersonation as a millionaire philanthropist. He had deceived students at Strathclyde University, further highlighting his pattern of deceit.
The story of Alan Macilraith serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of fabricating one's identity and the damage it can cause to personal and professional relationships.