PORTLAND, Maine:
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has joined the Justice Department in a wide-ranging effort to protect older adults from fraud and exploitation. According to the latest data, the number of senior Mainers reporting being victimized by scammers has increased, with 475 individuals losing over $2.5 million in the past year alone.
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who steal funds from older adults, including by returning those funds to the victims where possible.
U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee stated that Maine has the highest percentage of older adults in the country and that actual losses are likely to be far higher due to fear and embarrassment.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maine engages in outreach to the community and industry to raise awareness about scams and exploitation, distributing public service announcements to law enforcement and senior-related organizations around the state.
As part of the effort to educate Maine seniors about current scam tactics, the U.S. Attorney’s Office will distribute information directly this winter, beginning with the People Plus Senior Health Expo in Brunswick on October 20.
The Justice Department has announced the expansion of the Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force by adding 14 new U.S. Attorney’s Offices, helping to coordinate the Department’s ongoing efforts to combat the largest and most harmful fraud schemes targeting or disproportionately impacting older adults.
In the past year, the Department has notified over 550,000 people that they may be eligible for remission payments, with over 150,000 of those victims cashing checks totaling $52 million.
Defendant: U.S. Government, Charge: Elderly Exploitation, City: PORTLAND, State: Maine, Date: n/a, Outcome: n/a, Dollar Amount: $2.5 million, Sentence: n/a.
Related Federal Cases
- Patrick Plummer, Child Exploitation, Maine 2022 · Idaho
- Richard D. Gooding, Bank Heist, Maine, 2023 · New York
- Thomas E. Delahanty II, Election Fraud Crackdown, Maine, 2016 · District of Columbia
- Michael Johnson, Crack Cocaine Distribution, Maine 2023 · Massachusetts
- Brandon Knox, Postal Money Order Theft, Maine 2024 · Texas
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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