U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg announced this past Friday, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, an escalation in efforts to combat fraud schemes targeting older Americans. These schemes, which cost victims billions of dollars annually, are a national crisis demanding immediate and decisive action.

The Northern District of Georgia is leading the charge, aggressively prosecuting fraudsters who prey on the elderly and providing crucial education to law enforcement about the evolving tactics employed by these criminals. Attorney General Bondi emphasized the unwavering dedication to holding perpetrators accountable for exploiting the vulnerability of older Americans. “We are committed to ensuring the safety and financial security of our seniors,” stated Attorney General Bondi. “These fraudsters will be brought to justice, and we will continue to work tirelessly to prevent these devastating crimes.”

The U.S. Attorney’s Office is focusing on a multi-pronged approach, prioritizing the identification and prosecution of both domestic and international criminals involved in elder fraud. Simultaneously, they are actively engaging with law enforcement agencies and community groups to raise awareness and promote effective prevention strategies. Common elder fraud schemes include insidious tactics such as romance scams, lottery scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, all meticulously designed to manipulate and extract money from victims.

Beyond legal action, comprehensive outreach programs for law enforcement and the National Elder Fraud Hotline are providing critical support for older victims. The hotline offers valuable resources and assistance for reporting fraud and navigating the aftermath. Ongoing efforts are particularly focused on combating foreign fraud schemes, which disproportionately impact American seniors and require international cooperation to dismantle.