Attorney General William P. Barr, alongside law enforcement partners, announced results of the coordinated effort claiming it surpassed last year’s record-breaking sweep. According to the Justice Department, 260 defendants from counties around the globe will face legal action.
"Crimes against the elderly target some of the most vulnerable people in our society," Barr said. "But thanks to the hard work of our agents and prosecutors, as well as our state and local partners, the Department of Justice is protecting our seniors from fraud."
The concerted push to protect elders from malicious actors yielded criminal and civil charges, as well as consumer educational efforts. According to Barr’s office, alleged fraud schemes costs the elderly millions of dollars more than last year’s sweep, totaling more than $750 million.
"This year’s sweep involves 13% more criminal defendants, 28% more in losses, and twice the number of fraud victims as last year’s sweep,” Barr added. “I want to thank the Department’s Consumer Protection Branch, which led this effort, together with the Department’s Criminal Division, the more than 50 U.S. Attorneys’ offices, and the state and local partners who helped to make these results possible. Together, we are bringing justice and peace of mind to America's seniors.”
Barr was joined by a number of law enforcement officials including:
- FBI Deputy Director David L. Bowdich;
- Executive Associate Director Derek Benner for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations
- Federal Trade Commission Chairman Joseph Simons
- Louisiana Attorney General and President of the National Association of Attorneys General Jeff Landry
- Director Randolph Alles of the Secret Service
- Chief Postal Inspector Gary Barksdale
- Barbara Stewart, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service
- Former FBI director and CIA director Judge William Webster and Lynda Webster.
"We’re committed to investigating financial fraud schemes against the elderly,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We’ve dedicated additional resources to address a wide range of elder fraud threats, including technical-support fraud. Victims of these schemes often lose thousands of dollars or more apiece, which can cause significant harm to elderly victims and their caretakers.”
Former FBI Director Target of Elder Abuse Scam
William Webster, formerly the director of the FBI, who along with his wife Lynda, were on-hand for the announcement where the couple recalled how they were once a target of a call scam, according to the FBI. The former director pledged his support to thwart the abuse, which in his case involved a death threat.
"Our elder fellow citizens deserve our support and our protection, and we’re going to do everything we can to be sure they’re not defrauded and that they are protected," Webster said at the press conference.
According to the FBI, a caller told the couple they won millions of dollars and a car, but needed to pay for shipping costs. When the Webster’s hedged, they were threatened with death.
AARP Offers Outlet for Those Who Suspect Foul Play
Resources from the AARP allow callers to report suspected abuse to the AARP Foundation ElderWatch. To report fraud or "financial exploitation," suspected victims are encouraged to call 1-800-222-4444, option 2.
"AARP Foundation ElderWatch engages hundreds of volunteers each year to help older consumers recognize, refuse and report fraud and scams. This website provides additional information and tools to help protect consumers against financial exploitation," the website reads.
Contact information for a number of organization’s handling such crimes are also provided on the advocacy group’s website.