Omofe Okoro, Elder Financial Fraud, Pennsylvania 2018

HARRISBURG – A Pennsylvania man has been charged with elder financial fraud, as part of the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. Omofe Okoro, 48, is alleged to have engaged in an attorney “collection scam” in Ontario, Canada, and elsewhere, targeting elderly victims and causing millions of dollars in losses.

According to authorities, Okoro and his co-conspirators contacted businesses and individuals, including elderly victims, and requested to collect an outstanding debt. They then sent a counterfeit check to the victim for deposit and requested that the victim wire funds to an account overseas, typically in Japan, South Korea, or China. Okoro was surrendered by Canada to the United States on August 29, 2018, and is currently scheduled for trial on May 6, 2019.

“Crimes against the elderly target some of the most vulnerable people in our society,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “But thanks to the hard work of our agents and prosecutors, as well as our state and local partners, the U.S. Attorney’s Office is protecting our seniors from fraud.

The total alleged losses at this year’s sweep are over three fourths of one billion dollars, surpassing last year’s nationwide sweep. The cases involved more than 260 defendants from around the globe who victimized more than two million Americans, most of them elderly.

Okoro, age 48, a citizen of Canada, was charged in the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The charges are merely allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Do not remain silent if you were a victim of financial fraud, speak out and tell someone. Find the right reporting agency by going to Elder Abuse Resource Roadmaps: elderjustice.gov/roadmap or call the Victim Connect Hotline at 1-855-4Victim.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdpa/pr/us-attorney-s-office-middle-district-pennsylvania-takes-part-largest-ever-nationwide