Florida Elder Abuse Awareness, Fraud, Florida 2020

Miami, FL - The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for our country and the world, but among those most severely affected by the threat of the novel virus are our senior citizens. During this time when seniors are most vulnerable and isolated from their families and loved ones by social distancing and quarantine restrictions, bad actors have immediately exploited this international tragedy to prey on the elderly through a whole host of scam and fraud schemes.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida, along with Attorney General William P. Barr and the entire Department of Justice, observed the 15th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Department echoes voices around the world condemning elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Earlier this year, Attorney General Barr declared 'Prevention and Disruption of Transnational Elder Fraud' to be an Agency Priority Goal, making it one of the Department's four top priorities. Major strides have already been made to that end:

• National Elder Fraud Hotline: 833-FRAUD-11 - Staffed by experienced case managers who provide personalized support to callers, the hotline serves to assist elders and caretakers who believe they have been a victim of fraud by reporting and providing appropriate services.

• Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force - Established in June 2019 to combat foreign elder fraud schemes, the Strike Force is composed of the Department's Consumer Protection Branch and six U.S. Attorneys' Offices along with FBI special agents, Postal Inspectors, and numerous other law enforcement personnel.

• Annual Elder Justice Sweep - In March of this year, the Attorney General announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in department history. The Department, together with every U.S. Attorney's office, charged more than 400 defendants, causing over $1 billion in loss through fraud schemes that largely affected seniors. From January 2019 through March 2020, the Southern District of Florida charged over 25 defendants in elder fraud cases.

• Money Mule Initiative - Since October 2018, the Department and its law enforcement partners began a concentrated effort across the country and around the world to disrupt, investigate, and prosecute money mule activity used to facilitate fraud schemes, especially those victimizing senior citizens.

On this day dedicated to recognizing our seniors, the Department of Justice sends a strong message that we continue the fight to keep seniors safe a top priority.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/pr/department-justice-observes-15th-annual-world-elder-abuse-awareness-day