Feds Form Strike Force To Combat Senior Scams

MIAMI, FL — The U.S. Department of Justice announced a new tool Friday in the fight against scams that disproportionately target older Americans.

The newly created Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force brings together the resources of federal prosecutors in Florida, Georgia, New York and Texas as well as the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Justice Department's Consumer Protection Branch. The initiative was announced by U.S. Attorney General William P. Barr.

"There wasn’t a rash of arrests," spokesperson Sarah Schall of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami told Patch. Her office is one of six regional U.S. Attorneys' offices that will be participating on the strike force, including the Central District of California, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, Eastern District of New York, and Southern District of Texas.

Schall said Florida sees a number of such cases each year in no small part due to the large number of retirees in the Sunshine State.

"It’s just been an ongoing problem," Schall explained. "They've amplified the efforts across the nation to combat these schemes."

The strike force will focus on investigating and prosecuting individuals and entities associated with foreign-based fraud schemes that disproportionately affect American seniors. Such schemes include telemarketing, mass mailing, and tech-support fraud schemes.

"Don't give your personal information. Don't give your bank account. IRS is never going to ask you to send them money; that's not the way it works. You shouldn't be wiring anything," warned Schall. "Some people don't even realize that they've been a victim. ... You shouldn't be paying to win the lottery. These love scams are also devastating too."

The strikeforce will collaborate with the Federal Trade Commission and industry partners, that have pledged to help end what officials described as the "scourge of elder fraud." Elder Justice Coordinators are now assigned in every U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“Fraud against the elderly is on the rise,” said Barr. “One of the most significant and pernicious causes for this increase is foreign-based fraud schemes. The new Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force will bring together the expertise and resources of our prosecutors, federal and international law enforcement partners and other government agencies to better target, investigate and prosecute criminals abroad who prey on our elderly at home."

FBI Director Christopher Wray said the new task force will provide additional resources to better target fraudsters wherever they may be in the world.

“It doesn’t matter where these criminals live," he said. "We’re committed to keeping our elderly citizens safe, whether they’re being targeted door-to-door, over the phone, or online from thousands of miles away.”

To report a case of elder fraud, visit a special Federal Trade Commission website or call 877-FTC-HELP. The Department of Justice also provides a number of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office of Victims of Crime.

Using analytical tools and sophisticated investigative approaches, the strike force will seek to identify those responsible for foreign fraud schemes affecting American seniors as well as individuals and entities that support such schemes.

The strike force will coordinate closely with foreign law enforcement and will use all available criminal and civil tools to stop victims from losing money.

Friday's announcement was part of a week of events recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, which is dedicated to raising awareness about the millions of older adults who experience elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation.

The Department of Justice conducted elder fraud sweeps in 2018 and 2019 that have collectively brought criminal and civil actions against more than 500 defendants responsible for defrauding more than $1.5 billion from at least 3 million victims, according to federal officials.

More information about the department’s efforts can be found on the Elder Justice Initiative webpage. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts, visit the branch website.