DOJ Impersonators Target Elderly in Cruel Scam

BOSTON – The long arm of the law is being twisted by callous criminals. The Department of Justice is warning the public, specifically the elderly, of a sophisticated scam involving imposters claiming to be DOJ investigators. These vultures are preying on vulnerable citizens, attempting to swindle them out of personal information under the guise of official authority.

Reports flooding into the National Elder Fraud Hotline detail a disturbingly clever operation. Scammers falsely identify themselves as Department of Justice employees, initiating contact via phone. Some directly solicit personal information, while others leave voicemails with a return number that mimics the legitimate DOJ main line. This number leads to a deceptively realistic automated menu, ultimately connecting victims to an “operator” who then transfers them to a supposed “investigator” – a con artist eager to exploit their trust.

“Especially with so much of the elderly population isolated at home by COVID, phone scams are an intrusive, calculated effort to target the vulnerable,” stated United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling. “This scam is especially obnoxious because the perpetrators pose as employees of the Justice Department, and so manipulate the public’s trust in the Department.” The fact that these criminals are leveraging the very name of justice to facilitate their crimes is a particularly low blow.

The scheme isn’t just about trickery; it’s about exploiting fear and authority. Victims are likely intimidated into compliance, believing they are dealing with legitimate law enforcement. This is a calculated tactic to bypass skepticism and extract sensitive data. Authorities are urging anyone receiving suspicious calls to resist providing any personal information whatsoever.

If you or a loved one receives a call from someone claiming to be with the Department of Justice, do not engage. Immediately hang up and report the incident. The FTC (Federal Trade Commission) can be reached at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov or by phone at 877–FTC–HELP (877-382-4357). For law enforcement action, report the fraud to the FBI at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-fraud/report-fraud. Time is of the essence; reporting financial losses within the first 2-3 days significantly increases the chances of recovery.

The National Elder Fraud Hotline, a resource provided by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), is available seven days a week to assist victims age 60 and older. More information can be found at https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope. Don’t let these criminals win. Vigilance and reporting are the best defenses against this predatory scheme.

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