Israeli army warns reserve soldiers over inflated expense claims

JERUSEM — Israel's military has sent warnings to hundreds of thousands of reserve soldiers against inflating reimbursement claims or submitting fraudulent expense reports, according to Israeli public broadcaster KAN. The army's Manpower Directorate told reservists in messages that exaggerating expenses or filing false claims for additional compensation would be treated as a criminal matter. Officials said criminal proceedings would be initiated against those found in violation. The military also said it had introduced additional mechanisms to audit reimbursement submissions. Reservists were informed in voice messages that anyone caught filing fraudulent claims would face prosecution. The warning comes as the army works to expand its reserve force, KAN reported. No further details on the number of flagged claims or the scope of the new audit measures were immediately available.