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This document outlines the US Department of Justice's updated White-Collar Enforcement Plan announced in May 2025, which aims to balance corporate criminal enforcement with reducing burden on businesses. The revised approach maintains focus on priority areas including fraud (healthcare, federal programs, securities, and elder fraud), trade/customs violations, and national security threats, while implementing changes such as fee caps on monitors, shorter investigation timelines, and increased opportunities for early case termination. The policy shift reflects the administration's view that previous enforcement strategies were too costly to American enterprise, though DOJ reaffirms its commitment to white-collar crime prosecution.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced updated white-collar enforcement priorities, identifying 10 "high-impact areas" for prosecution including investment fraud, elder fraud, health care fraud, and market manipulation schemes. The announcement included revised policies for corporate enforcement, voluntary self-disclosure, and a whistleblower awards program designed to incentivize reporting of misconduct and provide fairer, more transparent prosecution standards.

On May 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice announced new enforcement priorities for white collar crime prosecution, emphasizing a balanced approach between prosecuting corporate wrongdoing and minimizing burdens on businesses. The announcement identifies 10 high-impact focus areas for prosecutors, including healthcare fraud, trade/customs fraud, and notably elder fraud schemes involving investment fraud and Ponzi schemes. The DOJ's revised guidance emphasizes fairness through alternatives to prosecution and efficiency in investigations, representing a significant shift in the current administration's approach to white collar enforcement.

The Better Business Bureau reports an increase in scams targeting seniors, with online purchase scams and romance scams being particularly prevalent among adults 55 and older. The article outlines common warning signs of senior-targeted fraud, including phone scams impersonating government or bank officials, pressure to pay via unusual methods, unrealistic investment promises, and requests for personal financial information. Consumers are advised to verify caller identities, research purchases, protect personal data, and report suspicious activity to the BBB's Scam Tracker.

The U.S. Department of Justice Criminal Division announced updated white-collar enforcement policies on May 12, 2025, focusing on ten high-impact areas including health care fraud, securities fraud, Ponzi schemes, and money laundering. The revised Corporate Enforcement Policy offers greater incentives for companies that voluntarily self-report misconduct, fully cooperate, and remediate, while also expanding opportunities for corporate whistleblowers. The DOJ's renewed emphasis on corporate criminal enforcement prioritizes cases involving senior-level personnel, demonstrable financial losses, and obstruction of justice, indicating continued robust prosecution despite earlier speculation of reduced white-collar enforcement activity.

The Department of Justice's Criminal Division issued a memorandum outlining new enforcement priorities for white-collar crime prosecution under the "focus" tenet, which directs prosecutors to concentrate on cases posing significant threats to U.S. interests. Elder fraud, securities fraud, health care fraud, money laundering, and crimes targeting U.S. investors are among the prioritized areas, with emphasis on cases involving senior-level personnel, demonstrable losses, and victim compensation through asset forfeiture. The Department also expanded its Corporate Whistleblower Awards Program to incentivize reporting of fraud in these priority areas.

This is not an elder fraud news article. The document is a May 2025 Department of Justice policy memorandum outlining white-collar crime enforcement priorities for the Trump administration. While the memorandum lists "elder fraud" as one of several high-impact areas for prosecution alongside securities fraud, investment fraud, and Ponzi schemes, it provides no specific case information, victim details, or dollar amounts related to elder fraud incidents. This is a policy/enforcement guidance document rather than reporting on an actual fraud case or elder abuse event.

A New York watchdog group issued an alert warning Medicare cardholders about medical identity theft, where scammers use personal health information or Medicare numbers to fraudulently bill for services. The alert emphasizes that Medicare, the IRS, and Social Security will never call requesting information, and advises victims to monitor statements, contact their doctor's office, call Medicare at 1-800-Medicare, or call the New York State Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-800-333-4374 for assistance.

Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are warning residents about six prevalent scams: Facebook marketplace scams offering cheap duct cleaning or car detailing that harvest personal information; jury duty scams impersonating authorities and requesting driver's license or passport numbers; "brushing" scams involving unsolicited packages with malicious QR codes designed to access phone data; Medicaid/Medicare impersonation scams attempting to steal Social Security numbers and personal information; fake law enforcement scams threatening arrest and demanding bond payments; and additional schemes targeting victims through phone calls, emails, and in-person contact. The advisory emphasizes avoiding contact with suspicious offers, never scanning unknown QR codes, hanging up on callers imp

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The New York Statewide Senior Action Council warned of a spreading Medicare scam involving medical identity theft, where criminals obtain seniors' confidential medical information to fraudulently bill for services and supplies. The alert comes as the FTC reports identity theft has risen since late 2023, with thousands of Americans—particularly older adults—falling victim annually; authorities advise seniors never to share Medicare or Social Security numbers with unsolicited callers and to verify suspicious claims directly with Medicare (1-800-Medicare) or their doctors.

On May 12, 2025, the DOJ Criminal Division announced a new White-Collar Enforcement Plan and updated guidance documents that emphasize an "America First" approach prioritizing prosecution of fraud schemes targeting vulnerable populations, government program fraud, and crimes affecting national security and U.S. businesses. The guidance signals a shift toward considering the impact of investigations on legitimate businesses while maintaining focus on dishonest actors, foreign corruption, and trade enforcement violations.

This educational article explains why retirees are targeted for financial fraud and describes common scams affecting older adults. Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with victims aged 80+ reporting average losses of $1,450—nearly three times higher than younger victims. The piece identifies key vulnerabilities (accumulated wealth, lower tech familiarity, trusting nature, social isolation) and provides warning signs and protection strategies for imposter scams (posing as IRS, Medicare, Social Security) and tech support scams, emphasizing awareness as the primary defense against financial fraud.

On May 12, 2025, the DOJ's Criminal Division issued a memorandum recalibrating white-collar crime enforcement around three principles: Focus (targeting the most urgent threats), Fairness (prioritizing individual accountability while providing clearer guidance for cooperating companies), and Efficiency (streamlining investigations). The DOJ identified 10 priority enforcement areas, including healthcare fraud, elder fraud, investment fraud, securities fraud, money laundering, and trade violations, signaling a targeted approach to white-collar crimes that harm public finances, investors, and national security.

Tony Lupo, an Oak Creek senior, fell victim to multiple scams including fake prize notifications and fraudulent calls claiming to involve his Social Security and Medicare benefits. Milwaukee County authorities report three prevalent phone scam tactics targeting residents: fake arrest warrants, missed jury duty claims, and Social Security impersonation scams. AARP hosted a community Scam Jam event featuring expert speakers and resources to educate residents on recognizing and reporting scams, with law enforcement emphasizing the importance of verifying suspicious calls through official agency contact numbers before providing any personal information.

On May 12, 2025, the DOJ released its white-collar crime enforcement priorities for the current administration, identifying 10 high-impact corporate crime areas for investigation and prosecution. Elder securities fraud is explicitly highlighted as a top priority alongside healthcare fraud, trade fraud, money laundering, and crimes linked to terrorism. Companies operating in these sectors should expect increased federal oversight and compliance requirements, particularly those involved in healthcare, international trade, and financial services.

On May 12, 2025, the DOJ's Criminal Division announced a new white-collar corporate enforcement plan prioritizing ten "high-impact areas," including elder fraud schemes involving variable interest entities, investment fraud targeting individuals, and Ponzi schemes. The plan offers clearer incentives for companies to self-disclose misconduct and cooperate with investigators, with assurances that proper self-disclosures will result in criminal prosecution declinations. Elder fraud is explicitly listed as a priority area for DOJ investigation and prosecution.

Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez hosted an Older Americans Month event in Canarsie on May 20, 2025, with over 100 seniors in attendance to raise awareness about scams, fraud, and elder abuse targeting seniors. Presenters from the DA's office discussed various scam types including phone/text scams, cryptocurrency fraud, grandson scams, gift card schemes, and deed theft, while noting that the office had taken down over 300 fraudulent websites in the previous 18 months and assisted thousands of scam victims. The event provided resources and encouraged seniors to report abuse and fraud without shame, emphasizing that scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics and that victims should contact

**Summary:** Two Milwaukee-area prenatal care coordination companies (PNCCs) have been referred to the Wisconsin Department of Justice for Medicaid fraud investigations, with eight additional PNCCs flagged by the state Department of Health Services for potential fraud, waste, or abuse. These companies, which operate in the infant mortality prevention sector, are being scrutinized as part of a broader state examination of the troubled industry.

This article discusses shifts in the Trump administration's white-collar enforcement priorities as of 2025, not elder fraud or scams affecting seniors. The DOJ has deprioritized enforcement in several areas including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (paused for 180 days), environmental litigation, and certain cryptocurrency regulations, while indicating it will focus on fraud involving cartels and transnational criminal organizations. This content is outside the scope of elder fraud research and is not relevant to the Elderus database.

Over 80 seniors attended an educational seminar in West Hempstead to learn scam prevention strategies, as the FBI reported that people aged 60 and older suffered the largest losses in 2024's $16 billion in online scams and cybercrimes. Nassau County Police Officer Eugene Messmer presented the SCAM framework (Stop, Check, Alert, Mention) and detailed common scams including phone/email fraud, IRS imposters, sweepstakes schemes, and identity theft, emphasizing that scammers use professional tactics and recommending verification steps like calling back through official numbers. Key prevention advice includes never clicking suspicious links, refusing to pay via wire transfer or gift cards, protecting personal

The Senior LinkAge Line is offering a free virtual presentation on June 4 covering health care fraud, waste, and abuse prevention, noting that scams targeting older adults are on the rise. The presentation, developed with the Senior Medicare Patrol program, provides information on fraud prevention, detection, and reporting to help seniors protect themselves and their personal information.

A San Diego dermatologist was charged with 22 felony counts of healthcare insurance fraud and Medi-Cal fraud totaling $1,386,995 for billing Medi-Cal for services never rendered, including false claims for light therapy treatments on up to 233 patients daily. The investigation revealed the dermatologist falsely billed for identical or comparable services, with most patients receiving non-medical lamp treatments rather than legitimate medical care. The case was prosecuted by the California Attorney General's office with assistance from the FBI, California Department of Healthcare Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.

A South Carolina couple, Larry Darnell Broadnax Jr. and Charmaine D. Broadnax, were arrested for stealing over $10,000 from a vulnerable adult through unauthorized Cash App transfers and checks; Broadnax Jr., acting as power of attorney, misappropriated funds for personal use while his co-defendant linked her account to the victim's bank account to withdraw an additional $10,000. Both face exploitation of vulnerable adult charges carrying up to five years in prison, with additional charges against each defendant potentially resulting in sentences up to 10 years.

**Medicare Fraud Prevention Week Awareness and Protection Guide** Medicare fraud costs American taxpayers over $60 billion annually and takes various forms including overcharges, fraudulent billing, unauthorized medical equipment orders, and identity theft schemes. The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) recommends retirees protect themselves by never providing personal information over the phone, regularly reviewing Medicare statements and bills for errors, maintaining detailed medical journals documenting appointments and services received, and contacting SMP at 800-892-0890 or [email protected] if they suspect fraudulent charges or abuse.

Lacy G. Abraham, a 39-year-old in-home caregiver in Warren, was charged with second-degree felony forgery and financial exploitation after stealing approximately $1,750 from an elderly client between October 2023 and May 2024, including forging checks and misappropriating a beneficiary check. The victim's financial harm was severe enough to cause her bank to close her checking account, and the case was initiated by the Area Agency on Aging in October 2024. Abraham was jailed with bail set at $25,000 after admitting during police interviews to cashing checks she kept for personal use rather than their intended purposes.

Hawai'i's Senior Medicare Patrol is promoting Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 1-7) to educate residents on identifying and reporting fraud, which costs the U.S. over $60 billion annually and threatens seniors' access to critical services. The program offers free counseling, presentations, and resources to help Medicare beneficiaries protect their information, recognize billing errors, and report suspicious activity, with particular emphasis on guarding against increasingly sophisticated scams targeting Hawai'i's elderly population. Residents can contact SMP Hawai'i at 1-800-296-9422 or attend a free webinar on June 7 to learn prevention strategies.

The Taylor County Senior Citizens Center is promoting Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (June 5) to educate seniors on detecting and preventing Medicare fraud, which costs the program an estimated $60 billion annually. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) provides free resources and guidance to help beneficiaries, caregivers, and families protect themselves through monitoring insurance statements, safeguarding Medicare numbers, and reporting suspicious activity. Community members are encouraged to watch for warning signs among elderly neighbors and contact the center at 304-265-4555 for more information and educational materials.

Blue Shield of California launched a Medicare Fraud Prevention Week campaign alerting seniors to common scams including unsolicited medical supplies, phantom billing, impersonation schemes, and AI-driven fraud, noting that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals in 2024 for healthcare fraud involving over $2.75 billion in false claims. The health plan established a Special Investigations Unit and online reporting portal to detect fraud, and encourages members to review statements carefully, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity through their fraud hotline at (855) 331-4894.

Blue Shield of California launched educational initiatives during Medicare Fraud Prevention Week to combat rising healthcare fraud targeting seniors, noting that the U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 individuals in 2024 for schemes involving over $2.75 billion in false claims. The health plan highlighted prevalent scams including unsolicited medical supplies, impersonation schemes, phantom billing, and AI-driven fraud, and encouraged members to review statements carefully, protect personal information, and report suspicious activity to their health plan's Special Investigations Unit.

Investment and cryptocurrency scams remain the riskiest threat for adults 55+, followed by online purchase scams and romance scams for specific age groups, according to the BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report. The article provides practical prevention strategies including: avoiding unsolicited callers (especially those claiming to be government agents or bank employees), recognizing red flags like pressure to act or unusual payment requests, hiring only licensed contractors through verified sources, remaining alert to emergency/grandchild scams, and hanging up on calls about "free" medical equipment or government impersonations. Key advice emphasizes registering with the National Do-Not-Call Registry, verifying unexpected claims through official sources, and maintaining healthy

During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, Valley Program for Aging Services warned Shenandoah Valley seniors about rising scams in which impersonators call posing as Medicare or Social Security representatives, requesting personal information like Medicare numbers or banking details and threatening loss of benefits. Common schemes also include fake DNA screenings, rebates, and medical equipment offers, with residents reporting unauthorized charges on their Medicare statements for services never received. The organization encouraged seniors to hang up on unsolicited calls and regularly review their Medicare statements, offering local reporting resources including VICAP and the Senior Medicare Patrol.

Medicare Fraud Prevention Week (held annually in early June) educates older adults and healthcare providers about common fraud schemes targeting seniors, including romance scams where fraudsters pose as companions and gradually request money, diabetic supply buyback scams advertised on roadsides that endanger victims' health, and phone scams using numbers similar to legitimate healthcare providers. Experts emphasize the importance of removing stigma around fraud victimization so seniors report scams quickly, and warn that legitimate healthcare providers never request financial information over the phone.

Medicare loses $60 billion to $80 billion annually to fraud, with common scams including callers requesting Medicare numbers under the pretense of issuing new cards, unsolicited medical equipment deliveries, and strangers offering fraudulent free services like house cleaning that are billed to the government. The Senior Medicare Patrol advises beneficiaries to regularly check their Medicare summary notices on MyMedicare.gov and remain vigilant for red flags such as charges for services never received or from unfamiliar providers, and warns that some scammers trick people into unknowingly enrolling in hospice care, which can result in Medicare denying essential surgeries or medications.

Senior executives at Greenko Group in Hyderabad lost ₹2.7 crore ($325,000 USD equivalent) to a WhatsApp impersonation scam in June, where fraudsters posed as the Managing Director using his photo to trick officials into authorizing two fund transfers to fake accounts. The scam exploited corporate hierarchy and trust, with ₹1.95 crore transferred on June 2 and ₹75 lakh on June 5, only discovered fraudulent when details were shared with the actual MD's office. A similar attempt at another company (RCML) targeting ₹20 lakh was prevented when the CFO verified the request directly

During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, Hawaii advocates warned seniors about rising scam threats, noting that kupuna lost over $52 million to internet scams in 2023. The Senior Medicare Patrol highlighted that imposter scams and identity theft are the most common fraud types targeting Hawaii residents, with particular concern as the state's aging population continues to grow.

A 75-year-old man in New Delhi lost Rs 20 lakh (half his life savings) to a cybercrime scheme involving unauthorized bank transfers and fixed deposit withdrawals, forcing his family to postpone a wedding. The incident reflects a broader crisis: cybercrimes targeting elderly Indians increased 86% from 2020 to 2022, with criminals exploiting seniors' digital illiteracy through fraudulent calls, links, and "digital arrest" schemes. In response, police departments and NGOs across India—including Kolkata Police, Bengaluru Police, and HelpAge India—have launched awareness campaigns and digital literacy workshops to educate seniors on cybersecurity an

Elder fraud targeting seniors age 60+ is rapidly increasing, with nearly 72% of scams initiated using personal data scraped from the internet or purchased from data brokers, enabling criminals to conduct highly personalized attacks like AI-powered grandchild impersonation and spoofed bank calls. Texas seniors lost an average of $51,700 per complaint, while Arizona experienced the highest elder fraud rate per capita at 3.5 cases per 1,000 seniors. Protection strategies include freezing credit, using call-filtering apps, employing password managers, discussing scams with family, and utilizing data removal services to scrub personal information from people-search sites and data brokers.

In 2024, Americans over 60 reported a 46% increase in financial scams compared to 2023, resulting in losses exceeding $4.8 billion, with nearly 12,000 victims in Florida alone. Common schemes include phone and mail scams, Medicare fraud, internet scams, and power-of-attorney abuse. The article provides prevention strategies including learning to identify common scams, understanding IRS communication practices, registering on Do Not Call lists, seeking reputable financial services, and reporting suspected fraud to consumer protection agencies.

A workshop in Crockett County, Tennessee educated seniors about Medicare fraud schemes, which cost the program an estimated $60 billion annually. Common scams include unsolicited calls from fraudsters posing as Medicare representatives requesting personal information, offering free equipment or prescriptions, or using stolen Medicare numbers to submit false claims. The Senior Medicare Patrol supervisor advised residents to refuse unknown callers, protect personal information, monitor their Medicare statements against actual services received, and report suspected fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE or local authorities.

This educational column advises readers to assume all unsolicited emails, texts, and phone calls from organizations are scams, as fraudsters have become highly skilled at impersonating legitimate entities and fabricating personal details. The author highlights common scam tactics including fake DMV/Medicare/bank requests, charity donation schemes, and "grandchild in danger" extortion, while warning that artificial intelligence now enables criminals to create convincing audio and video impersonations of known contacts. The recommended defense is to never transfer money or share sensitive information unless you initiated contact, and instead verify requests by independently looking up official contact information or using a pre-arranged "safe word" with loved ones.

**Summary:** Medicare fraud costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $60 billion annually, with recent investigations uncovering widespread schemes including unordered genetic testing kits, phantom billing for medical equipment, and catheter scams affecting individuals across Indiana and beyond. Notable prosecutions include a North Carolina man laundering $3 million in a $100 million DME scam and two Texas residents charged with $359 million in fraudulent genetic testing claims. Seniors should protect themselves by never sharing Medicare numbers with unverified callers, monitoring billing statements for unauthorized charges, and reporting suspicious activity to Medicare, the Senior Medicare Patrol, or the HHS Fraud Hotline.

Scammers stole $3.4 billion from older U.S. adults in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year, using tactics like romance scams, fake investments, and Medicare fraud that exploit fear and greed. Beyond financial losses, elder fraud causes significant psychological harm including anxiety, shame, depression, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation, requiring individualized mental health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Older adults are particularly targeted due to their assets, trust in authority, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential cognitive changes that impair fraud recognition.

Vietnam veteran Leroy Theodore, Sr., a quadriplegic stroke survivor, became the subject of a guardianship dispute after St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa initiated efforts to obtain legal control of his finances and medical decisions in April 2024, despite his daughter Valerie Parks holding power of attorney and having been cleared of neglect allegations by Adult Protective Services in March. The hospital and state denied the family access to Theodore for 1.5 months while competing guardianship claims were filed in two different courts, raising concerns that Theodore's case exemplifies a growing nationwide pattern of guardianship fraud targeting vulnerable elderly patients for financial gain.

The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol Program, a national initiative to combat healthcare fraud and errors, presented educational workshops at its 11th Statewide Conference in May, emphasizing the billions of dollars annually lost to healthcare fraud and abuse. The program recommends that Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries maintain personal healthcare journals tracking all medical encounters, medications, and services, protect sensitive documents like Medicare cards, and ask key questions at medical appointments to detect errors and fraud. The MA SMP provides free educational sessions statewide and estimates that approximately 98,000 lives are lost annually due to medical errors, underscoring the importance of consumer engagement in preventing costly and health-damaging healthcare fraud and unnecessary treatments.

**Health Insurance Discount Plan Scams:** Dishonest marketers deceive consumers by misrepresenting discount medical plans as legitimate health insurance or claiming they offer equivalent coverage at lower prices. Scammers also falsely claim these plans are widely accepted by medical providers, when they often have limited acceptance. Consumers should verify they are purchasing actual health insurance rather than discount plans that provide insufficient coverage.

This compilation of scam alerts documents multiple phishing and fraud schemes targeting individuals and organizations: a DocuSign phishing scam redirects victims to a Canva site potentially hosting malware like ScreenConnect; a "phantom payment" email uses hidden text to disguise phishing attempts; a fake "healthcare award" scam impersonates selection for professional programs to solicit video calls; and the University of Wyoming reported voicemail phishing emails with deceptive subject lines and non-audio file attachments. The alerts emphasize that mobile scams are increasingly prevalent, with half of US and UK mobile users encountering scams daily, and advise users to verify sender addresses, avoid clicking

This article highlights San Joaquin County's District Attorney's office commitment to public safety and crime prosecution, and includes educational information from the FTC about health insurance scams where dishonest marketers misrepresent discount plans as legitimate health insurance coverage. The article also describes the services of a Family Justice Center, which provides coordinated support to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, elder abuse, child abuse, and stalking.

Wisconsin residents reported receiving fraudulent letters impersonating a Canadian law firm claiming they were eligible to claim a $10 million life insurance policy (requesting $980,000 in processing fees) and a fake Medicare letter threatening penalty fees and requesting personal information from a soon-to-be Medicare enrollee. The article advises consumers to pause before acting, verify the sender's legitimacy, research common scam templates, and take preventative steps such as opting out of prescreened offers and reducing unsolicited mail through services like OptOutPrescreen.com and the DMA Mail Preference Service.

This educational piece from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner advises Medicare beneficiaries to review their quarterly Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) as a primary defense against health care fraud. The article provides guidance on how to read MSNs effectively, identify red flags such as duplicate charges or unrecognized services, and report suspected fraud through Medicare or local Senior Medicare Patrol offices. Regular MSN review is presented as a critical tool to protect individual benefits while helping safeguard the broader Medicare program against billions in annual fraud losses.