Martin Hogan, Wire and Mail Fraud, New York 2022

Buffalo, NY - In a shocking case of elder abuse, Martin Hogan, a Montreal, Canada resident, has been convicted of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud and sentenced to serve 111 months in prison. Hogan's scheme targeted elderly victims, who were told they had won the Canadian lottery and needed to pay taxes, brokerage fees, and custom fees to claim their winnings.

Between September 2021 and September 2022, Hogan's operation defrauded elderly victims of over $2,600,000. The scheme involved placing telephone calls from Canada to victims in the United States, convincing them to part with their cash.

Hogan's conviction is a major win for law enforcement, who have been working tirelessly to protect older adults from scams like this one. The Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force, a coalition of law enforcement agencies, is dedicated to disrupting and dismantling foreign-based fraud schemes that target American seniors.

The Justice Department's efforts to combat elder abuse have been stepped up in recent months, with Attorney General Merrick B. Garland announcing plans to triple the number of U.S. Attorneys' offices participating in the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force.

Hogan's case highlights the importance of vigilance when it comes to elder abuse. Older adults are often targeted by scammers who take advantage of their trust and vulnerability. It's essential for family members and caregivers to be aware of the signs of elder abuse and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

In related news, Jennifer Campbell, of Niagara Falls, NY, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Campbell, the Office Manager and Chief Compliance Officer at an investment advisory firm in Buffalo, NY, is accused of accessing client accounts and stealing over $500,000.

Brian Bartz, of Rochester, NY, was convicted of wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, and sentenced to serve 70 months in prison. Bartz, an insurance broker, submitted approximately 105 fraudulent policy applications in various individuals' names without their knowledge.

Thomas Mann, of Addison, NY, was convicted of wire fraud and sentenced to serve 24 months in prison. Mann, treasurer of the Transport Investment Club, embezzled all but $707.74 of the club's stock holdings, totaling over $290,614.05.

The Justice Department is committed to protecting older adults from financial exploitation and abuse. The expansion of the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force and the success of the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force are just two examples of the Department's efforts to combat elder abuse.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdny/pr/western-district-new-york-takes-part-departments-wide-ranging-efforts-protect-older