20 Charged in $103M Elder Fraud Scheme Across Florida

Twenty defendants in the Southern District of Florida have been charged in connection with elder fraud schemes totaling more than $103 million, part of a historic nationwide crackdown by the Department of Justice. The takedown, the largest coordinated action against elder fraud in DOJ history, spans 50 federal districts and involves over 250 defendants across the globe who preyed on more than a million Americans—most of them elderly victims. In Florida, the schemes ranged from mass-mailing scams to telemarketing frauds and identity theft, with criminals draining life savings from seniors who trusted the system.

Of the 250 defendants charged nationwide, 200 face criminal charges. The Florida cases include complex financial fraud operations, some tied to transnational criminal organizations that used the U.S. mail and digital networks to target vulnerable seniors. Others involved local actors—relatives, guardians, or caretakers—who exploited their positions to steal directly from individual victims. Across the country, the fraud schemes caused losses exceeding half a billion dollars, with Florida accounting for a significant chunk at $103 million.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions called the operation unprecedented, emphasizing that DOJ is deploying criminal prosecutions, civil injunctions, and asset forfeitures to dismantle elder fraud networks. “When criminals steal the hard-earned life savings of older Americans, we will respond with all the tools at the Department’s disposal,” Sessions said. “Today is only the beginning.” He has directed prosecutors to coordinate with both domestic and foreign law enforcement to choke off these operations at their source.

U.S. Attorney Benjamin G. Greenberg for the Southern District of Florida vowed relentless pursuit of those who exploit the elderly. “We will bring to justice those who target the elderly and defraud them out of their life savings,” Greenberg stated. The Southern District, long a hotspot for fraud due to its large retiree population, has become a focal point in the national campaign against financial predators.

Law enforcement leaders across federal agencies stood shoulder-to-shoulder in announcing the sweep. Antonio J. Gomez, Inspector in Charge of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Miami Division, stressed that the Postal Service will not be a conduit for fraud. Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge of ICE-HSI Miami, affirmed that targeting vulnerable seniors is a direct assault on community trust—and will be met with full-force investigations. Brian Swain of the U.S. Secret Service highlighted ongoing efforts to dismantle cyber-based fraud operations preying on older Americans.

The DOJ did not release the full list of defendants’ names, ages, or specific charges in this initial announcement, but confirmed that actions include criminal indictments, civil complaints, and forfeiture filings. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities urging victims and witnesses to come forward. As the country ages, so too does the urgency to protect seniors from predators masquerading as benefactors, tech support, or family friends. This sweep marks a turning point in federal resolve to hold every perpetrator accountable—no matter where they operate.