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West Virginians Targeted by Coronavirus Scammers, Federal and State Officials Launch Task Force to Combat Fraud
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a desperate bid to exploit the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, scammers have descended upon West Virginians, preying on their fears and anxiety. In response, federal and state officials have launched a joint task force to identify, investigate and prosecute these fraudsters.
United States Attorney Mike Stuart for the Southern District of West Virginia, United States Attorney Bill Powell for the Northern District of West Virginia and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey announced the formation of the West Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force, a partnership between federal and state law enforcement agencies, to combat the growing threat of coronavirus-related scams.
“West Virginians always band together in times of need and times of crisis,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “My fellow U.S. Attorney Bill Powell, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and our federal and state law enforcement partners have joined me in forming this statewide task force to protect West Virginians from fraudsters attempting to exploit a national crisis for personal gain. There’s nothing more despicable. We will use every tool available to us at the federal and state levels to ensure the safety of our citizens and the safety of their wallets during this crisis.”
The task force will be led by Assistant United States Attorneys from both the Southern and Northern Districts of West Virginia, and a Deputy West Virginia Attorney General, in partnership with experienced fraud investigators from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI), the West Virginia State Police and the West Virginia Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
“Though we are not a big state, when our citizens are preyed upon, Mountaineer pride and determination assure that we will stand together like no other,” said Powell. “I stand with my colleagues U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart, West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, and our law enforcement partners in promising aggressive pursuit of those taking advantage of our citizens during the current public health crisis. We will devote all necessary resources.”
West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey noted that his office has received hundreds of reports of price gouging, landlord-tenant issues and vacation/event cancellations since the Governor’s declaration. “The Consumer Protection Division has already sent multiple warning letters to businesses on enforcement matters,” he said. “These are unparalleled times in which we live, and that’s why I am honored to join forces with U.S. Attorneys Bill Powell and Mike Stuart, as together, by combining the investigative and civil enforcement powers of the state Attorney General’s Office with the criminal prosecutorial authority of the federal government, our state is very well positioned to protect its citizens in this time of peril.”
The FBI, HSI and IRS-CI have also pledged their support to the task force, with officials from these agencies emphasizing their commitment to keeping West Virginians safe from scams associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. “Scammers often prey on anxiety and fear,” said FBI Pittsburgh Acting Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Right now, those cyber criminals perceive a large percentage of the population to be vulnerable. Rest assured, the FBI is fully committed to addressing criminal activity during this unprecedented time. We will work closely with our federal, state and local partners to ensure fraudsters don’t take advantage of people’s fears for their own selfish gains.”
The West Virginia Coronavirus Fraud Task Force marks a significant step forward in the state’s efforts to combat coronavirus-related scams. With the formation of this task force, West Virginians can rest assured that their government is taking concrete action to protect them from these despicable crimes.
Key Facts
- State: West Virginia
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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