They say age comes with wisdom… but even the wisest can fall for a scam when the fraudster plays their cards just right.
In this publication, we're uncovering a disturbing trend that’s draining older Americans of their hard-earned savings. As part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Justice Department is sounding the alarm—and you should be listening.
A surge in sophisticated scams is targeting America’s seniors—costing them billions and devastating lives.
Elder fraud schemes—ranging from romance scams to fake tech support—are now so widespread and convincing that entire criminal networks are being prosecuted in the U.S. and abroad. Law enforcement is cracking down hard, but prevention starts with awareness.
How It Works:
• The scammer identifies an older adult—often through social media, email lists, or cold calls.
• In romance scams, they pretend to fall in love. In lottery scams, they claim the victim has won big.
• For tech support scams, fake pop-ups claim the victim's computer is compromised.
• In grandparent scams, they impersonate a loved one in an emergency needing money urgently.
• The victim is persuaded to send money via wire transfer, cashier’s checks, or even through cryptocurrency.
Who’s Targeted:
These scams disproportionately affect Americans over the age of 60, especially those who:
- Live alone
- Are not tech-savvy
- Are emotionally vulnerable (e.g., recently widowed)
- Rely heavily on email or phone communications
Scammers exploit empathy, urgency, and fear—and the damage is often irreversible.
Real-Life Example:
In U.S. v. Parikh, et al., scammers impersonated government agents to scare victims into wiring money. Pradip Parikh and Alpesh Patel laundered the funds through U.S. bank accounts. Co-defendants received prison sentences and were ordered to pay restitution.
In another case, U.S. v. Young, et al., scammers took over a senior's retirement account using forged documents and complicit bank employees. The stolen funds were laundered through fraudulent bank accounts.
U.S. Attorney Pamela Bondi said it best:
“We are working with domestic law enforcement and foreign counterparts every day to hold criminals accountable and ensure that justice is done for our seniors both here at home and abroad.”
Why You Should Care:
These scams don’t just cause emotional devastation—they wipe out life savings, compromise identity, and leave older victims feeling ashamed and isolated. Many never recover financially or emotionally.
Even worse? A large percentage of these fraudsters operate from abroad, making justice harder to reach and recovery even more difficult.
How to Protect Yourself (or a Loved One):
- Be skeptical of unsolicited contact—especially those involving love, money, or emergencies.
- Never wire money or send gift cards to anyone you haven’t met in person.
- Verify before trusting—call family members directly if you hear of an emergency.
- Update your antivirus software and avoid clicking on suspicious pop-ups.
- Report it early—The National Elder Fraud Hotline can help: (833) 372-8311.
Quick Tips & Updates
Quick Tip: Fraudsters often use emotional manipulation—urgency, fear, or affection—to get you to act without thinking.
Pro Tip: If it involves secrecy, urgency, and a request for money—it’s almost always a scam.
Update: The DOJ’s Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force is aggressively pursuing scammers, both foreign and domestic, and has already secured multiple convictions in 2025 alone.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keyword Definitions:
- Elder Fraud: Financial scams that specifically target older adults, often exploiting loneliness, fear, or confusion.
- Romance Scam: A fraud where a criminal pretends to be romantically interested in the victim to gain their trust—and eventually, their money.
- Tech Support Scam: A scheme where the victim is falsely told their device is compromised and tricked into paying for fake support.
- Grandparent Scam: A con where the scammer pretends to be a grandchild or relative in an emergency needing urgent financial help.
- Money Laundering: The process of concealing the origins of money obtained illegally, often through bank accounts or cryptocurrency.
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