Washington -More than 250 people were charged in a major U.S. crackdown on elder fraud scams that victimized over 1 million people and led to $500 million in losses, the Justice Department announced on Thursday.
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The scams included the use of mass mailing, telemarketing and investment frauds as well as identity theft and theft by guardians, the department said in a statement announcing the criminal and civil charges.
Some of the schemes included scams where people were falsely told they had won a lottery but had to pre-pay a fee or taxes, while in other scams a senior was told a grandchild had been arrested and needed money for bail, the department said.
Globally, 200 defendants were charged criminally and another 50 face civil or other charges, the department said.
“Today is only the beginning. I have directed department prosecutors to coordinate with both domestic law enforcement partners and foreign counterparts to stop these criminals from exploiting our seniors,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said.
The sweep was carried out by the Justice Department, FBI, Federal Trade Commission and the Iowa and Kansas attorneys general, among others.
sessions is the best a real patriot unlike 2 timing liberal chuck.
Huge problem in this country. Hope they keep catching these people.
More Grand Jury indictments against Trumpf employees Gates and Manafort. Secessions will soon be having press conferences about indictments against Herr Trumpf, Junior, Kushie and “J”Vanka. No Administration comes close to the corruption of the Trumpf Crime Family. Feh.
Why do Seniors fall for these idiotic scams? Why don’t they just hang the phone up on these con artists? I always get rid of these hucksters and scammers, whenever I have the misfortune of being contacted by them (which is rare, since I have Caller ID, and Call Blocking). Also, I don’t open my door to strangers, and have signs on my front door, for these “sales” people to stay away.