Beware of Disaster Relief Fraud in Puerto Rico, Warns U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez
San Juan, PR – As Puerto Rico struggles to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Irma, U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez is urging residents and businesses to be vigilant against disaster relief fraud. In a press conference held in San Juan, Rodríguez-Vélez announced the formation of the Puerto Rico Disaster Fraud Task Force, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-Office of Inspector General (DHS OIG), the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety, and the Puerto Rico Department of Justice.
The task force is tasked with investigating and prosecuting individuals and organizations that seek to take advantage of those in need by engaging in fraudulent activities, such as impersonation of federal law enforcement officials, identity theft, fraudulent submission of claims to insurance companies and the federal government, and price gouging.
“Our efforts are directed at enforcing a zero tolerance policy,” said Rodríguez-Vélez. “In the midst of the distress and losses caused by Hurricane Irma and the attending need for recovery and rebuilding, there can be no place for fraud and abuse.”
The task force will be in close collaboration with the Justice Department’s National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF), which has been fully operational since its inception following Hurricane Katrina. The NCDF receives reports of fraud, waste, abuse or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations and has processed over 70,000 complaints since 2005.
Puerto Rico residents and businesses are encouraged to report suspected fraudulent activity to the NCDF’s national hotline number (1-866-720-5721) or via email (disaster@leo.gov). The hotline operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, is leading the efforts against disaster relief fraud in Puerto Rico. The task force will work tirelessly to ensure that those who seek to take advantage of those in need are held accountable.
“With our federal and state partners, we have a long history of tracking down and prosecuting those who attempt to defraud the government of monies that have been set aside to help victims of natural disasters,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas A. Leff of the FBI, San Juan Field Office. “The FBI will do everything in its power to protect taxpayer-funded relief programs that have been created to help people who have suffered actual losses.”
The task force will also be working closely with the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety, which has made available all of its resources to support the investigation and prosecution of disaster relief fraud. “His department has been tasked by the Governor of Puerto Rico to join these efforts to investigate and process any individual that engages in fraud or acts of corruption as related to hurricane victims,” said Hector Pesquera, Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Public Safety.
Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, is leading the efforts against disaster relief fraud in Puerto Rico.
Key Facts
- State: Puerto Rico
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News