FBI Hosts Spanish-Language Scam Chat, Denver CO, 2023

Denver residents are getting targeted by increasingly sophisticated scams, and the FBI is fighting back – in Spanish. On Thursday, March 9th, from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM MST, the FBI Denver field office will host a live Twitter chat aimed at Spanish-speaking communities to raise awareness about prevalent fraud schemes.

This isn’t a press conference; it’s a direct line to the feds. A Supervisory Special Agent and an Intelligence Analyst will be online, answering questions in real-time about how to spot, avoid, report, and recover from scams. The topics are hitting hard: elder fraud, money laundering schemes, romance scams preying on vulnerable individuals, and the ever-present threat of identity theft. These aren’t victimless crimes; they’re ripping off families and draining savings.

The FBI is clear: awareness is the first line of defense. Scammers thrive on ignorance and desperation. They’re counting on you *not* knowing the red flags. The feds are partnering with local law enforcement and private sector security firms to get the word out, but this Twitter chat is about putting the power back in the hands of the public.

Want to participate? Follow @miFBIDenver on Twitter and use the hashtag #miFBIDenverEnVivo during the event. Questions can also be submitted in advance to DN_Language@fbi.gov, in either Spanish or English. Don’t be shy – no question is too small when it comes to protecting your money and identity. The FBI is urging those who have been targeted, or suspect they have, to come forward.

The feds aren’t just talking about the *how* of scams, but also the *why*. These criminals aren’t just after money; they’re after emotional manipulation and the destruction of trust. Elder fraud, in particular, is a brutal tactic, exploiting the vulnerability of seniors. Money mule schemes are turning ordinary people into unwitting accomplices in larger criminal operations. Romance scams are emotionally devastating, leaving victims financially and emotionally ruined.

Beyond the live chat, @miFBIDenver is a vital resource for ongoing scam alerts and safety tips. Staying informed is crucial, but remember: if something sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is. Don’t click on suspicious links, never give out personal information over the phone to unsolicited callers, and report any suspected fraud to the FBI and the Federal Trade Commission. This isn’t just about protecting your wallet; it’s about protecting your community.