In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, U.S. Attorney Rachelle Aud Crowe addressed the urgency of shielding seniors from scams and abuse. According to a press release from the Department of Justice, the U.S. Attorney's Office is championing the Elder Justice Initiative by intensifying prosecution efforts against those who exploit the elderly and providing preventative training to the senior community.
Highlighting the gravity of elder abuse, a recent indictment was brought forward by a federal grand jury in southern Illinois, pinning Ligneshkumar H. Patel, 37, with the role of a "money mule" within a fraud ring that deceived an elderly Edwardsville woman out of over $148,000. Court documents note how the suspects impersonated law enforcement and misled the victim, persuading her to buy gold for them to "safeguard" under the pretense of protecting her assets. "These scams are particularly vicious, because the perpetrators attempt to take the senior's entire life savings," Crowe stated, urging vigilance among families with elderly members.
The U.S. attorney's office informs that alongside tackling such fraud, the National Money Mule Initiative targets the networks of money couriers that facilitate these criminal undertakings. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) has played a collaborator role, with HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Sean Fitzgerald mentioning the commitment to apprehend individuals preying on the elderly. "While the charges cannot undo the pain and financial loss inflicted upon the victim, it is my hope that the perpetrator being held accountable for this horrific crime will aid in the journey of processing what has transpired," Fitzgerald conveyed in the same press release.
In a related indictment, former certified nursing assistant Markeisha A. Hill, 35, is charged with abusing access to elderly patients' financial information to make unauthorized personal transactions, yet an indictment is not a conviction but merely the start of formal legal proceedings. As part of its community outreach, the U.S. Attorney’s Office hosted an educational session titled 'Protect Yourself Against Fraud,' to arm seniors against becoming fraud victims. People interested in these educational resources can reach out to Lauren Barry for more information or to schedule a program.
Elder fraud can be reported to a dedicated hotline at 1-833-372-8311 or via the FBI’s IC3 Elder Fraud Complaint Center.
