SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. – A concerning rise in scams targeting senior citizens has caught the attention of both the FBI and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office. These sophisticated schemes involve criminals posing as tech support or government officials to deceive their victims.
The scammers convince seniors to convert their assets into cash or purchase precious metals under the guise of safeguarding their finances. Couriers are then sent to collect the valuables, leaving the victims with empty promises of protection.
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“We’ve had victims report losses exceeding $300,000,” said FBI Tampa Field Office Special Agent in Charge Matthew Fodor. “These criminals are well-practiced in their deceptive tactics and use high-pressure methods to manipulate their targets. The best defense is to hang up immediately, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement without delay.”
“We’re confident, by working with our federal partners, we can help bring more awareness to this type of sophisticated fraud we continue to see. Our Economic Crimes Unit has open investigations, and we continue to monitor these fraud trends, especially towards our elderly residents. We remain committed to bringing these scammers to justice through the dedicated work of our detectives,” said Sheriff Kurt Hoffman.
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If you or someone you know has been a victim of fraud, it is crucial to contact local law enforcement immediately. In Sarasota County, you can report fraud by emailing fraud@sarasotasheriff.org or calling (941) 316-1201.
Additionally, you can reach the FBI at 1-800-CALL FBI (225-5324), file a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, or submit a tip online through the FBI’s website at tips.fbi.gov. There is also a National Elder Fraud Hotline available at (833) 372-8311.
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