SEATTLE – In a stunning expose on the dark underbelly of financial exploitation, two Long Island residents, Sean Novis, 50, and Gary Denkberg, 57, have been charged with orchestrating a multi-million dollar elder fraud scheme that targeted vulnerable seniors across the nation.
The duo allegedly tricked thousands into believing they had won substantial cash prizes, only to demand exorbitant fees for “processing” those non-existent winnings. The ruse resulted in tens of millions of dollars in losses, marking one of the most audacious elder fraud operations to date.
According to a federal indictment, Novis and Denkberg, operating under the guise of legitimate prize giveaways, mailed hundreds of thousands of fraudulent notices between January 2003 and September 2016. Their brazenness reached new heights when they continued their scheme in defiance of U.S. Postal Service cease-and-desist agreements and consent orders signed in 2012.
Acting Assistant Attorney General Ethan P. Davis of the Department of Justice’s Civil Division minced no words, declaring that ‘fraud schemes are intolerable, especially those that harm our nation’s seniors.’ He added, ‘The Civil Division is committed to protecting seniors and will not stop until the scourge of elder fraud is defeated.’
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which investigated the case, echoed the sentiment, with Deputy Chief Inspector Craig Goldberg emphasizing their relentless pursuit of fraudulent schemes. ‘We are committed, with the Department of Justice, to protect our older Americans,’ he said.
Novis and Denkberg now face a mountain of charges, including conspiracy to commit mail fraud and multiple counts of mail fraud and wire fraud. If convicted, they could be sentenced to up to twenty years in prison and fined $250,000 or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense.
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Key Facts
- State: Nevada
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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