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  Geebo 9:00 am on December 20, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: elder fraud, extortion ( 16 ), Police ( 9 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), tech support scam ( 51 )   

  Unraveling a $1M Scam with No Justice 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A deeply troubling case has emerged, showcasing the devastating impacts of financial scams on vulnerable individuals. In Smithfield, North Carolina, private investigators tracked down suspects believed to have defrauded a 98-year-old military veteran of nearly $1 million. Despite uncovering significant evidence, law enforcement agencies have not pressed charges, raising questions about the challenges of prosecuting such crimes.

  The incident began innocuously in late 2023 when the elderly woman encountered a fake computer virus alert. A phone number displayed on her screen led her to scammers posing as helpful technicians. Under the guise of resolving a non-existent problem, they gained remote access to her computer, learning extensive details about her life, including her military background and academic achievements. Armed with this information, they wove a manipulative narrative, falsely accusing her of possessing illegal material and pressuring her to pay them to avoid prosecution.

  The woman was coerced into withdrawing funds and sending cashiers checks totaling over $800,000. The scheme’s sophistication and psychological manipulation reflect the expertise of the perpetrators. By the time her family intervened, the scammers had drained nearly all her savings and were urging her to sell her home to provide more money.

  Private investigators were able to trace some of the checks to physical addresses in North Carolina, tied to businesses and individuals allegedly involved in the operation. Surveillance revealed significant home renovations and luxury upgrades at these addresses, raising suspicions about the origins of the funds. Yet, despite clear leads and documented evidence, no arrests have been made.

  This situation underscores the difficulties inherent in prosecuting financial scams. While the investigators consider this case relatively straightforward, scams of this nature often involve transnational networks. Criminal organizations based overseas rely on U.S.-based collaborators to launder stolen funds, creating layers of separation that complicate legal accountability. Even when specific individuals or entities are identified, building a prosecutable case demands clear evidence of intent and direct involvement in the overarching scam. Local participants may claim ignorance or present plausible deniability, asserting that they were unaware of the criminal origins of the funds.

  Jurisdictional challenges further hinder the pursuit of justice. State, local, and federal agencies often struggle to coordinate effectively in addressing crimes spanning multiple locations. Additionally, limited resources and the complexity of financial crime investigations can discourage authorities from pursuing cases perceived as arduous or unlikely to yield successful prosecutions.

  For victims, the road to restitution is often bleak. Once funds are transferred into the intricate channels of a scam network, recovering them becomes nearly impossible. The emotional and financial toll on victims is immense, as evidenced by the profound impact this ordeal has had on the elderly veteran’s health and well-being.

  The broader lesson from this tragedy is the urgent need for greater public awareness, enhanced legal frameworks, and improved collaboration among law enforcement agencies to combat such crimes. Scammers are highly skilled at exploiting trust and vulnerability, proving that no one is immune from their tactics. While prevention is key, ensuring that perpetrators face consequences is essential to deterring future crimes and delivering justice to victims. Without systemic changes, similar stories will continue to unfold, leaving countless others to bear the devastating costs of financial fraud.

   

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  Geebo 8:00 am on June 21, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: elder fraud, elderly ( 12 ), landscaping, Scams ( 1,386 ), seniors ( 9 )   

  Elderly victim threatened in landscaping scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  A 79-year-old Navy veteran from the San Diego area recently fell victim to a landscaping scam that cost him $15,000. This unsettling incident serves as a warning to the community about the dangers of door-to-door offers, especially targeting seniors.

  The man was approached last month by a group of landscapers offering to make some improvements for what seemed like a good price. He explained that he felt coerced into paying the scammers after they intimidated him.

  The crew, led by a man who claimed they were working in the neighborhood, offered to mulch the man’s lawn for $10 a bag. Estimating the job would require about 40 bags, he agreed to the service. However, shortly after, three additional trucks arrived, and the crew began unloading a massive amount of mulch. The man was instructed to stay inside to avoid being “in the way.”

  To his shock, just one hour later, he received an invoice for $19,000, allegedly for 1,900 bags of mulch. When he questioned the invoice, the scammers became increasingly aggressive. Fearing for his and his wife’s safety, he negotiated the amount down to $15,000 and was instructed to write two checks to different people for $7,500 each.

  Despite the financial loss, the man is speaking out to prevent others from falling victim. A spokesperson from the District Attorney’s office expressed concern about the scam, noting that it involved local suspects potentially targeting seniors. The spokesperson urged anyone who feels they have been the victim of any elder abuse to report it to local law enforcement.

  By following these steps, you can help protect yourself from landscaping scams and ensure that you receive legitimate and fair services. Avoid making immediate decisions when approached by door-to-door salespeople offering services. Politely decline and take the time to research the company before agreeing to any work.

  If asked to go inside or away from the work area, be cautious and periodically check the progress. If you feel pressured or suspect fraud, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement immediately.

  While it might be tempting to accept offers from door-to-door service providers, it’s crucial to exercise caution and due diligence. Unsolicited services often come with high risks of fraud and exploitation, especially targeting vulnerable individuals. Protect yourself by researching and verifying businesses, and always consult trusted sources before making decisions. Remember, safeguarding your home and finances starts with being informed and suspicious against unsolicited offers.

   
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  Geebo 9:00 am on February 5, 2024 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: advance fee scam ( 45 ), elder fraud, elderly ( 12 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), sweepstakes ( 25 )   

  Scammer made $50M in $30 scam 

  

  By Greg Collier

  The recent sentencing of a scammer from New Jersey by federal authorities serves as yet another case offering us a glimpse into the inner workings of various scams. His scam might even be deemed ingenious if it weren’t for the unfortunate reality that he targeted one of the most vulnerable segments of the population, stealing their hard-earned money.

  For more than a decade, the scammer diligently dispatched 750,000 letters per month to potential victims, with the majority being elderly individuals. These letters all bore promises of a cash prize, contingent on the recipient paying a $30 processing fee. This might ring a bell as the classic advance payment scam or sweepstakes scam. Essentially, victims are lured into paying a small amount with the promise of a larger prize. The scammer typically escalates the requested amounts, conjuring up various excuses for the delay in prize disbursement. In reality, there is no prize, and the scammers are simply leading their victims on for additional payments.

  Among the multitude of letters dispatched, approximately 2% of recipients reportedly took the bait. This translated to a staggering monthly income of $450,000 for the scammer. Allegedly, he had tapped into a pool of victims who had fallen prey to scams before, having purchased a list from other fraudsters. Upon a victim’s response, the scammer would send out additional letters with a similar pitch but appearing to originate from different entities. In numerous cases, the victims, often elderly and on fixed incomes, found themselves in poor health, hoping that the promised prize money would enable them to seek much-needed treatment.

  Despite facing arrest for orchestrating these scams, the scammer brazenly persisted in sending out deceptive prize letters to victims while awaiting sentencing. Just last week, the perpetrator received a federal prison sentence of five years.

  This scheme reveals that scammers are willing to cast a wide net in hopes of snaring just a few victims. Take, for instance, the mystery of how scammers pinpoint the banks their targets are affiliated within their deceptive text alerts. The truth is, they don’t. They inundate people with a barrage of messages pretending to be a prominent regional bank, knowing only a small number will take the bait. By successfully tricking a handful of respondents, scammers manage to pilfer enough to sustain their lucrative operation.

  Keeping our elderly relatives informed is crucial in safeguarding them from such heartless scams. Remind them that it’s illegal for anyone to request money for a supposed sweepstakes prize. No one’s parents or grandparents should have to endure the financial torment that these scams bring. Empowering them with knowledge is a powerful tool in the fight against these schemes.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on September 14, 2023 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: elder fraud, elder scam ( 7 ), elderly ( 12 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Protecting the elderly from scams 

  

  By Greg Collier

  While young people are just as susceptible to scams, the elderly have long been a target of scammers. Recently, the Better Business Bureau released a list of signs to look out for that could indicate an elderly loved one is bing scammed.

  Unsolicited Mail or Emails: Scammers often send unsolicited mail or emails promising prizes, lottery winnings, or other offers that require upfront payments or personal information.

  Sudden Financial Changes: If your elderly relative experiences sudden financial changes, such as large withdrawals or transfers of money, unpaid bills, missing funds, or payments to unfamiliar companies, it could be a red flag.

  Changes in Behavior: Look for changes in behavior, such as increased anxiety, withdrawal from social activities, or secrecy about financial matters. If they’re being secretive about phone calls, that could be an indicator that a scammer has already made inroads to their finances.

  Loss of Assets: If your relative unexpectedly sells valuable possessions, real estate, or investments without a clear reason, it could be a sign of financial exploitation. Another indicator could be that your loved one is going without necessities such as food or utilities.

  If your loved one has already fallen victim to a scammer, there are steps you can take to help them.

  First, you should have an open and non-judgmental conversation with your relative about your concerns. Listen to their side of the story. Keep records of any suspicious communications, transactions, or individuals involved. Lastly, report the scam to authorities.

  However, the best thing you can do for them is to educate them on common scams and strategies to protect themselves from future scams.

  Remember, it’s essential to maintain your elderly loved one’s dignity and autonomy while helping them stay safe from scams. Encourage them to stay vigilant and seek support from trusted friends and family members.

  You can find more tips about scams and the elderly at this link.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on October 31, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: elder fraud, elder scam ( 7 ), elderly ( 12 ), identity theft ( 108 ), medicare ( 17 ), open enrollment ( 5 ), Scams ( 1,386 ), seniors ( 9 )   

  It’s the season for more scams against seniors 

  

  By Greg Collier

  Senior citizens are often the targets of scams because of a perceived unfamiliarity with technology. This is a recurring theme throughout the year. However, until December 7th, seniors will be the target of even more scams. That’s because now is the open enrollment period for Medicare. Until December 7th, Medicare recipients will be able to decide if they want to stay with their current Medicare coverage or switch to a new insurer. Unfortunately, open enrollment is also open season for Medicare scammers.

  The most prevalent scam seniors will have to look out for are identity theft schemes. Scammers will call their senior victims, posing as either Medicare or some other insurer. The scammers will try to get their victims to give them their personal information by asking the victim to verify their identity. In some instances, scammers will try to get the victim’s personal information by promising them better benefits at a lower cost.

  It’s not just identity theft the scammers are after, either. Medicare fraud has been a growing problem for years. Medicare scammers could use their victim’s Medicare information to file for fraudulent benefits. Not only does this make Medicare more expensive, but could also limit a recipient’s benefits in the future.

  Please keep in mind that Medicare or some other insurer is probably not calling you. Even if the number shows up on your phone as Medicare, the odds are the call isn’t from them. Phone numbers can be easily spoofed to make the call appear like it’s coming from Medicare.

  In the majority of cases, if you feel the need to change your coverage, you need to call Medicare or your insurer. If someone calls you claiming to be from Medicare during open enrollment, you can hang up the call. You are not required to take any calls that appear to be from Medicare. Then call Medicare or your insurer from the number on the back of your insurance card.

  And always remember to never give your Medicare or insurance ID number to any strangers over the phone.

   
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  Geebo 8:00 am on March 15, 2022 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: elder fraud, elder scam ( 7 ), gangs, grandparent scam ( 69 ), Scams ( 1,386 )   

  Are gangs showing up at your grandparents’ home? 

  

  By Greg Collier

  The grandparent scam has been going on all over the country for a while now. The scam itself has evolved so many times, it seems like it’s taken on a life of its own. The latest evolution of the scam will probably cause even more concern than its past iterations.

  The grandparent scam is named that way because it largely targets the elderly, and the scammers pose as the victim’s grandchild. The bogus grandchild will claim they’re in jail or some other kind of legal trouble and need money, such as bail or legal fees. These scams typically cost their victims thousands of dollars.

  When these scams first started, everything was done over the phone. The scammers would have their victims send money either through gift cards, money transfers, or even cash in the mail. However, as more people became aware of the scam, the scammers started changing their tactics. Instead of trying to get payment over the phone, the scammers would send unwitting Uber drivers to collect cash from the victims. Then the scammers started getting more brazen and would show up at their victims’ homes themselves, posing as couriers.

  If these situations weren’t alarming enough, a report out of the Pacific Northwest states that it’s not just overseas scammers that are getting in on stealing from the elderly. According to the AARP, they’ve started seeing instances of street gangs engaging in the grandparent scam. It’s believed that if caught, gang members will serve less jail time for the grandparent scam than they would if they were committing more violent and illicit crimes associated with gangs. This is potentially disheartening because most scammers will try to get as much out of their victims as possible. With gangs, this could lead to robberies or home invasions.

  The best prevention for avoiding this scam is to be forewarned. If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be a loved one who’s been arrested, hang up and verify their actual location. If you can’t reach them, contact someone in your family who would know where they are. Often in these scams, the scammer will try to get the victim not to tell anyone else, but that never helps anyone. Also, try not to give out any personal information while on the phone with potential scammers. For example, if the callers says ‘Grandma?’, don’t use any of your grandchildren’s names in response.

  As always, we ask that if you have an elderly relative or neighbor who may be vulnerable to this scam, we ask that you share this post or the article we linked to about this scam.