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COVID-19 Fraud Schemes Rampant, Public Urged to Report, Washington 2020
Seattle – In a desperate bid to stop opportunistic scammers, U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran of the Western District of Washington has urged the public to report suspected COVID-19 fraud schemes by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline at 1-866-720-5721 or emailing disaster@leo.gov.
The warning comes as Attorney General William Barr directs U.S. Attorneys nationwide to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus-related scams.
"We cannot allow criminals to use the anxiety and fear surrounding this virus to further victimize our community," said U.S. Attorney Moran. "Reporting this activity to the National Center for Disaster Fraud will help law enforcement identify and ultimately prosecute those who try to profit using fraud schemes related to the virus."
Some of the brazen schemes include individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online, phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received.
Phishing emails, websites, and apps are just the tip of the iceberg. Other scams include seeking donations for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations and medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures.
In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus.
The Western District of Washington Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator is Assistant United States Attorney Brian Werner of the Complex Crimes Unit.
Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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