Connect with us

Crime

Scammers steal billions from Americans every 12 months. What’s worse is that most scammers get away with it

Published

on

The cheaters win.

Sophisticated foreign criminals steal tens of billions of dollars from Americans every year, and the crime wave is expected to accentuate because the U.S. population ages and technologies like artificial intelligence make it easier than ever to commit fraud and get away with it.

Advertisement

Online and telephone scams have grown “exponentially,” overwhelming police and prosecutors who’re catching and convicting relatively few perpetrators, said Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention at AARP’s Fraud Watch Network.

Victims rarely get their a reimbursement. This includes seniors who’ve lost their life savings in marriage scams, grandchild scams, tech support scams, and other common scams.

“We’re at a crisis level of fraud in society,” Stokes said. “So many people have joined the fight because it’s pretty easy to be a criminal. They don’t have to follow any rules. And you can make a lot of money, and then there’s very little chance of getting caught.”

A recent case from Ohio through which an 81-year-old man fell victim to a scammer and allegedly responded with violence illustrates the challenge law enforcement faces.

Advertisement

Police say a person fatally shot an Uber driver after wrongly assuming she was involved in a plot to swindle $12,000 in alleged bail money for a relative. The driver fell victim to the identical scammer, sent to a house halfway between Dayton and Columbus to select up a package for delivery, in response to authorities.

Homeowner William Brock has been charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting at Lo-Letha Hall on March 25, however the conman who threatened Brock over the phone and set off the tragic chain of events stays at large greater than three months later.

Brock pleaded not guilty, claiming he feared for his life.

Scammers taking advantage

Internet and telephone crimes have turn into so common that law enforcement and adult protective services should not have enough resources to maintain up.

Advertisement

“It’s kind of like drinking from a fire hose,” said Brady Finta, a former FBI agent who oversaw investigations into elder fraud. “There’s so much of it, logistically and rationally, that it’s almost impossible to overcome now.”

Crimes may be difficult to analyze, especially those that originate overseas, where stolen funds are quickly converted into hard-to-trace cryptocurrency or transferred to offshore bank accounts.

Some police departments don’t take financial fraud as seriously as other crimes, which discourages and demoralizes victims, said Paul Greenwood, who has spent 22 years prosecuting seniors in San Diego.

“A lot of law enforcement thinks that because a victim is sending money voluntarily through gift cards or bank transfers or buying cryptocurrency, that it’s actually consensual,” said Greenwood, who travels the country teaching police tips on how to spot scams. “And that’s a big mistake, because it’s not. It’s not consensual. They’ve been scammed.”

Advertisement

Greenwood said federal prosecutors typically don’t intervene in a case until the fraud reaches a specific amount.

The U.S. Justice Department says it doesn’t impose a general monetary threshold for federal elder abuse prosecutions. But it acknowledged that a number of the 93 U.S. attorneys’ offices across the country may set their very own thresholds, giving priority to cases with more victims or greater financial impact. Federal prosecutors bring tons of of elder fraud and abuse cases every year.

The Federal Trade Commission says the “vast majority” of scams go unreported. Often, victims are reluctant to come back forward.

Featured Stories

A 74-year-old woman who was recently charged with robbing a credit union north of Cincinnati was the victim of a web based scam, in response to her family. Authorities say they consider the lady was taken advantage of by the scammer, but there is no record that she filed a proper police report.

Advertisement

“These people are very good at what they do, and they are very good at scamming people and getting money out of them,” said Fairview Township, Ohio, police sergeant Brandon McCroskey, who investigated the robbery. “I’ve seen people almost want to fight with police and bank tellers because … they believe they have to get that money out.”

A destructive plan

Older people have more wealth as a gaggle and are a vulnerable goal for fraudsters. The effects may be devastating because lots of these victims are past their working years and don’t have much time to recoup their losses.

The variety of complaints about elder fraud filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center increased 14% last 12 months, while losses increased 11% to $3.4 billion, in response to a brand new report from the FBI.

Other estimates put the annual loss much higher.

Advertisement

A 2023 AARP study calculated that Americans over 60 lose $28.3 billion a 12 months to fraud. The Federal Trade Commission, attempting to account for unreported losses, estimated that fraudsters stole a staggering $137 billion in 2022, including $48 billion from seniors. The study’s authors acknowledged there is a “significant degree of uncertainty.”

In San Diego, William Bortz, 80, said criminals stole nearly $700,000 of his family’s savings in an elaborate scheme involving a nonexistent Amazon order, a fake “returns processing center” in Hong Kong, fake bank statements and directions that Bortz must “sync bank accounts” to get the a reimbursement.

Bortz’s scammer was relentless and harassed him, harassing him with dozens of phone calls, and at one point took control of his computer.

Even though he was the victim of a criminal offense, Bortz struggles with guilt.

Advertisement

“Now I understand why so many elder abuse scams never get reported. Because when you think about it, you think, ‘How could I have been so stupid?’” said Bortz, who retired after a profession in banking, financial services and real estate.

His daughter, Ave Williams, said local police and the FBI tried hard to trace down the foreign fraudster and get well the cash but bumped into dead ends. The family blames Bortz’s bank, which Williams says ignored multiple red flags and allowed her father to make several large transfers over an eight-day period. The bank has denied wrongdoing, and the family’s lawsuit against it has been dismissed.

“Fraudsters are getting better,” Williams said. “We need our law enforcement agencies to be given the tools they need, and we need our banks to get better because they are the first line of defense.”

The Justice Department believes the industry must do more and the United States is not going to discover a strategy to resolve the difficulty through the courts.

Advertisement

“Private industry — including technology, retail, banking, fintech and telecommunications — must make it harder for fraudsters to defraud victims and launder victims’ money,” the agency said in an announcement to The Associated Press.

The way forward

Banking industry officials told a Senate subcommittee in May that they were investing heavily in latest technologies to stem fraud, “and some of them are very promising.” The American Bankers Association says it is working on a program to coordinate real-time communications amongst banks to higher flag suspicious activity and curb the flow of stolen funds.

But industry officials said banks can’t prevent fraud on their very own. They said the U.S. needs an overarching national technique to combat fraud, calling the federal government’s current efforts scattershot and uncoordinated.

Law enforcement and industry need to affix forces to combat fraud faster and more effectively, said Finta, a former FBI agent who founded a nonprofit called the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center aimed toward strengthening cooperation between law enforcement and huge corporations equivalent to Walmart, Amazon and Google.

Advertisement

“There are very, very smart people and there are very powerful, wealthy companies that want this to stop,” he said. “So I think we have an opportunity to make a bigger impact and help our brothers and sisters in law enforcement who are struggling with this tsunami of fraud.”

This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Advertisement

Crime

17-year-old accused in Texas

Published

on

By

Caramelo Anthony, a 17-year-old who was accused of a deadly stab on the Torah in Texas, was released on Bond.

On Monday afternoon, Anthony was released from $ 250,000 bonds after his lawyer successfully ran a campaign to cut back it from the unique $ 1 million throughout the interrogation in the bond, ABC News Partner Plate Reported.

Talking to reporters after the hearing, his defender, Mike Howard, said that the brand new bond was “honest”, despite his desire to lower it to $ 150,000.

Advertisement

“Bond, as the judge said, should not be an instrument of oppression, should not keep people in prison, he should not punish,” Howard said, adding this “large and significant” amount, “I think that the judge rightly imposed reasonable conditions that will ensure both Karmelo and Anthony, but also the security of the community.”

As a part of his release, per Fox 4Anthony will probably be limited to home custody on the Parents’ House by Kostki. The teenager may even need to search for a permit before leaving the home, namely for trips related to the case, and he is not going to have the opportunity to depart without an adult accompanying him. He was excluded from using social media and can’t contact the victim’s family. If he violates any of his conditions, he risk returning to prison.

His release from the Collin Function prison appears 13 days after arrest for the murder of Austin Metcalf on April 2 during a gathering on the track, which was combined by the competing boys’ teams. It is claimed that in rainy delay Anthony stabbed Metcalf, also 17, during a tense meeting between them. Anthony, who confessed to stab, still argued that he was lively in self -defense. He was accused of first -degree murder in reference to the incident.

Family of Texas Teen, accused of a deadly stab of another teenager on the track, collected over $ 150,000 via the online fundraiser

The judge considered several aspects, including Anthony’s age, lack of criminal history and his connections with the community, which were visible in the courtroom throughout the trial. The Dallas Morning News He informed that Anthony’s father testified in court on behalf of the character of his son, noting that he was the captain of the team of each football and track teams in highschool, and that he has two jobs. Several people appeared to support Anthony, including a football coach and a manager from one in all his two works.

The side of the Court Metcalf, which Dallas Morning News noticed, was also full, embraced his mother, father and a number of other relations. When the judge issued her rule, Metcalf’s mother hung her head and cried. Anthony, who participated in the hearing in a yellow overalls and handcuffs, didn’t react in a dignified way.

Advertisement

The judge also considered the quantity. Although the fundraiser for Anthony collected almost $ 500,000, Anthony’s father said that his family had not received these funds yet. Failing in the case meant that the family tried to maneuver, which also charges their funds.

After interrogation, the District Prosecutor of Collin, Greg Willis, told journalists the priority of his office, including subsequent steps, including the review of the Police Investigation in Frisco and presenting the case of the Great Jury in order to find out whether Anthony will probably be accused and the trial.

“We are afraid that as prosecutors it is justice, truth and responsibility, so we will go where the facts lead us,” said Willis.

Rapper Tay-K convicted of murder for the second time in Texas

(Tagstransate) crime

Advertisement
This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading

Crime

Family of Texas Teen, accused of a deadly stab of another teenager on the track, collected over $ 150,000 via the online fundraiser

Published

on

By

The collection of money for a teenager accused of a deadly stabbing of another teenager during a meeting at the Texas track last week has almost USD 200,000.

Launched by the family of Carmelo Anthony, a 17-year-old from Texas, who’s accused of stabbing Austin Metcalf, also 17, during an intensive meeting between them, Dajndo Fundraiser reached USD 160,000 from Monday morning.

According to Anthony’s lawyer, Deric Walpole, his client demands self -defense on this matter. Talking with NBC Dallas-Fort Worth On Friday, other than the prison, wherein Anthony was detained, Walpole said: “I know that my client said it was a self -defense. I have no reason not to believe it, but I have to develop facts, talk to people and find out what is happening before I made some statements about what I think.”

Advertisement

He added: “I have no reason to think that it was not a self -defense at the moment.”

On Wednesday, April 2, around 10 am local time, it’s claimed that Anthony stabbed Metcalf after Metcalf asked to depart a specific area during the rain delay at a sports event at the Kuykeyndall stadium in Frisco, in accordance with the NBC Dalls-Fort value. Anthony, a competitor in a competitive team, apparently sat under the tent of the Metcalf team to avoid rainfall when Metcalf asked him to depart. When Anthony didn’t follow Metcalf in order that he wouldn’t touch him, allegedly Metcalf caught Anthony’s arm, leaning Anthony, using a knife from a backpack to stab Metcalf in his chest from escaping.

Metcalf suffered a stinging wound in his heart and was recognized as deceased at the scene of the incident, despite the attempts to save lots of his twin brother.

“I put my hand on (his chest), tried to stop (bleeding), grabbed his head and looked into his eyes. I just saw his soul. And this also took my soul,” said Twin Hunter Metcalfa Fox News.

Advertisement
Harriet Tubman removed from the National Park Service website to

Anthony was arrested and accused of killing the first degree, and is currently being detained in the Collin County prison for a bond of USD 1,000,000, which his lawyer is trying to cut back. He hopes to interrogate bonds this week.

Teenager Apparently he said the police“It is not alleged, I did it” that he was lively in self -defense and asked if Metcalf can be tremendous. Anthony’s father said The New York Post That his son was “provoked”.

“He was not an aggressor. He was not the one who started him,” said Andrew Anthony, adding: “Everyone has already adopted their assumptions about my son, but he is not what they make him.”

He explained that his son was a “good child” who works two works and maintains 3.7 GPs.

“I feel sorry for other parents and family, and words cannot explain how both (families) affected this tragedy,” he noted.

Advertisement

The online collection of money causes “false” narratives circulating after the consequence.

“The widespread narrative is false, unfair and harmful. As a family of faith, we are deeply grateful for all your support in this difficult period. Your prayers and help mean more for us than ever,” we read a fundraiser.

Collecting money on Gofundme In the case of family costs and Metcalf’s funeral, they brought 95% of their goal.

NY Public Schools inform Trump's administration that they will not comply with the DEI order

(Tagstransate) news

Advertisement
This article was originally published on : thegrio.com
Continue Reading

Crime

New research: Demlitization police departments do not increase crime

Published

on

By

New studies say that demilitarization police departments do not increase crime

Richmond, Virginia – June 12: photo of George Floyd expected to the statue of confederate general Robert Lee on June 12, 2020 in Richmond, Virginia. Last week, the governor of Virginia Ralph Northam ordered the removal of Lee’s general statue as soon as possible, but court proceedings temporarily stopped these plans. Protests proceed in cities across the country after the death of George Floyd, who died in police detention in Minneapolis on May 25. (Photo eze amos/getty images)

Advertisement

Giving police departments equipment to military class does not reduce crime or increase safety based on two independent research. Studies appear in the course of the ongoing conversation concerning the importance of “rejecting the police” as a method.

IN “Police demilitarization and brutal crime“, Kenneth Lwande, a professor on the University of Michigan, questioned the claim that the military weapon exchange program reduced the crime rate, assaulting police officers and the variety of complaints towards police officers.

Finding problems in previously published data Lwande focused on the information available after ordering the Obama administration from 2015, required to demlate local police agencies. Answering public indignation after exposing the militarized police in Ferguson, Obama’s administration Forbade some Sales of military equipment to the police as a part of the controversial program 1033. Trump’s administration reversed this policy in 2017.

Advertisement

IN interview In the case of ABC, Lwande explained that earlier research found that the transfer of military equipment to police plots served as deterrent. But from his evaluation, evidence does not confirm such conclusions. “It’s just not an accurate record,” said Lwande. “[Prior studies] They clearly suggested that by transferring military police equipment, he would stop criminals from committing crimes. “

Published in the character of human behavior, London magazine, research emphasizes the reaper of Trump’s administration on potentially “unbelievable” data when making decisions about withdrawing restrictions from Obama’s time. After assessing previous research, Lipowde found that publicly published data utilized in previous studies were filled with inaccuracies. Earlier evaluation did not control the equipment that was transferred between agencies, unused or otherwise inoperable. In addition, Lwande did not find any evidence that the demilitarizing law enforcement authorities led to an increase in crime.

Program 1033, managed by the Defense Logistics Agency, is one in every of several ways through which law enforcement authorities acquire military assessment equipment. Established in 1997 as a part of the Act on authorization for national defense, is estimated Program 1033 has transferred over $ 7 billion in military equipment into $ 8,000 across the country. The program was originally created for the forces of “counteracting terrorism”, but later prolonged to cover all of the activities of law enforcement agencies.

Covering with the national uprisings this summer, several members of the Chamber introduced laws to eliminate the 1033 program in June. The Black Lives movement also published Act Breathe Act, a comprehensive legislative proposal, including financing specific politicians and the abolition of the police. Section I of the proposed respiratory act requires the opening of the 1033 program in its entirety.

Advertisement

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending