What happens when a flashy resume, a few military medals, and some convincing Instagram posts come together? For actor James Edward Yeates, it created a web of lies that has now spectacularly come undone.
Once claiming to be a decorated intelligence officer and Netflix actor, Yeates is now being exposed as a fraudster with a history of deception — and this time, the military community isn’t staying quiet.
Posing as a War Hero and Netflix Star
James Yeates, 42, had quite the backstory. He portrayed himself as a Captain in the British Army reserves, supposedly serving in an elite intelligence unit.
His online photos painted the perfect image — medals on his chest, a crisp military uniform, even appearances at formal army events.
He also claimed to be a LAMDA-trained actor and a skilled pilot, boasting credits in high-profile productions like The Crown, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and Heads of State.
But here’s the kicker: none of it checks out.
The Reality Behind the Medals
Yeates founded a company called Military and Aviation Advisors (MAA) Ltd in 2023, promoting it as a go-to for adding realism to military scenes in film and TV.
His company promised “authenticity and storytelling,” with Yeates at the helm.
The problem? According to defence insiders, he has no military record whatsoever.
LAMDA, the prestigious drama school, also confirmed they have no record of him ever attending.
And those impressive film credits? No confirmed evidence of involvement — not even a listing on IMDb.
Busted by the Real-Life Watchdogs
The cracks in Yeates’ story started to show when the Walter Mitty Hunters Club — a group of former soldiers who investigate phony military claims — began digging.
When they reached out, Yeates signed off his emails as “Major James Yeates.”
But military sources and official records came up empty.
No medals. No service history. No one had heard of him — and in the tight-knit intelligence world, that’s a red flag.
One club member explained it best: “If he had all those medals, he would have had to serve for nearly 20 years.
Someone would’ve known him. But we couldn’t find a single trace.”
History of Fraud Comes Back to Light
As it turns out, this wasn’t Yeates’ first brush with dishonesty.
In 2006, he avoided jail after swiping over £20,000 from customers’ bank accounts following his company’s collapse.
In 2015, he wasn’t so lucky — he got 12 months behind bars for racking up £7,700 on a credit card that wasn’t his.
That money went toward a trip to LA, supposedly to shoot a video promoting his influencer company.
This isn’t just a case of exaggerated credentials — it’s a full-blown pattern of fraud.
Public Reaction and Yeates’ Defense
When confronted with the mounting evidence, Yeates downplayed the situation.
In a statement to The Sun, he said some of his past comments were “misunderstood or taken out of context.”
He insisted he had never tried to intentionally mislead anyone or profit from his claims.
But critics aren’t buying it. Many in the military community view his actions as “stolen valour” — using the respect and sacrifice of real service members to gain personal or professional advantage.
Film Industry Questions and No IMDb Credits
Yeates also claimed MAA worked on big titles like Indiana Jones and Heads of State (starring John Cena and Idris Elba).
However, there’s no evidence on public databases, such as IMDb, to support those claims.
Amazon MGM Studios has not confirmed any involvement, and Yeates’ company isn’t officially credited.
What’s Being Done About It?
So far, the Ministry of Defence has declined to comment on Yeates’ claims.
And while there’s been no public mention of legal consequences this time around, the backlash from both the military community and the public continues to grow.
A Warning About False Prestige
This story is more than just one man’s fall from grace — it’s a reminder of how easily impressive-looking lies can spread online.
Yeates built an identity out of thin air using social media, flashy uniforms, and buzzwords.
But thanks to diligent watchdogs and fact-checkers, the truth caught up with him.
In the end, the respect earned through real service and integrity can’t be faked — and pretending otherwise only leads to one thing: exposure.