Law Enforcement Working Collaboratively to Combat Elder Fraud

“Every day, this Office sees the financial ruin and emotional devastation inflicted on elderly victims by scams and fraud schemes. The most recent FBI statistics are staggering: in 2021 nearly 100,000 American seniors reported being defrauded by scammers of $1.7 billion dollars. That’s more than just a statistic – it’s a life changing event that many never recover from, and we are determined to leverage our resources to bring to justice those who prey on our elderly and vulnerable friends and neighbors.”

That’s the sobering reality United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha outlined at the outset of a recent elder fraud investigation and prosecution training program attended by prosecutors and more than sixty members of Rhode Island federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Hosted by the United States Attorney’s Office and the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, in collaboration with the United States Postal Inspection Service, the training program focused on identifying the most common elder fraud scams; utilizing techniques and federal laws to build a case from a one-victim complaint to identifying larger fraud networks; overcoming challenges law enforcement and prosecutors face while investigating and prosecuting elder fraud cases; the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies; and support and resources available for victims of crimes against the elderly.

Mr. Cunha emphasized to training participants the worthiness of pursuing these cases: "This is everywhere.  And it has real impacts on the lives of our family members and our neighbors. You have elderly and vulnerable victims - maybe they’re, or confused, or they are being manipulated into believing that a grandchild has been kidnapped and they need to send bail, or they’re lonely and willing to believe that the person they’ve met on an online dating site really cares about them and really needs money for surgery. These scams are everywhere, and they are devastating. Not only  do victims potentially lose their hard-earned savings, but they lose their sense of self-respect."

Assistant United States Attorney Denise M. Barton, Elder Justice Coordinator for the United States Attorney's Office, described how in 2020, one in four adults over the age of fifty-five experienced identity theft, but that only one in forty-four came forward to report being financially abused. Ms. Barton detailed how financial abuse is mostly likely to occur through the mail, over the phone, on a computer, or in person; the most common fraud vehicles include telemarketing, charity, IRS, and  Social Security scams. Ms. Barton showed how coordinated investigations and federal statutes enhance the likelihood of identifying and successfully prosecuting individual actors and large conspiracies who prey on the elderly.

The United States Postal Inspection Service works alongside the U.S. Attorney's Office on elder fraud cases. Postal Inspector Cory P. McManus described to attendees his agency’s efforts to identify, arrest, and prosecute money mules who, in many instances, are the crucial link in the transfer of fraud funds into oversea accounts. Working closely with federal law enforcement partners such as the FBI, Secret Service, and Homeland Security Investigations, Postal Service Inspectors coordinate to identify individuals who, both wittingly and unwittingly, are engaging in these types of activities; and to intercept and return fraud funds back to victims.

In addition to significant collaboration across the country between federal and state law enforcement agencies investigating and prosecuting the perpetrators of scams against the elderly, the Department of Justice recently expanded its Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force to amplify efforts to combat scams originating overseas. In the past year, the Justice Department notified over 550,000 individuals that they may be eligible for remission payments.

In a joint press release issued at the completion of the training held on the East Greenwich campus of New England Technical Institute, Bristol Police Chief Kevin M. Lynch. President of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs’ Association, emphasized that every local police department in Rhode Island stands ready to assist victims of fraud. "We know that your local police will be your first call to report an incident. We pledge to work with our partners in State and Federal law enforcement and will be your advocate and champion to ensure that your property, identity, and concerns are investigated and safeguarded to the best of our ability. Do not hesitate to contact your local police department even if you are embarrassed or have questions, as knowledge and timely collaboration are key to successful outcomes.”