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Robert Powell, 23, of Indianapolis, was sentenced to 79 months in federal prison for armed robbery of a U.S. Postal Service mail truck in June 2022 and for operating a "card cracking" fraud scheme. Powell robbed a postal worker at gunpoint, stole mail containing checks, and used social media to recruit victims to share their bank account information so he could deposit altered stolen checks and quickly withdraw the funds. The scheme defrauded countless victims before Powell's arrest through investigation by U.S. Postal Inspectors and the Avon Police Department.

Jennifer Bleeke's Facebook account was compromised by a scammer who posted false listings claiming her sister-in-law was selling vehicles and equipment to fund cancer treatment, resulting in at least two of Bleeke's friends losing money ($500 and $400 respectively) before the fraudulent posts were removed weeks later. The article advises protecting accounts by using unique passwords, verifying suspicious posts through direct contact with friends, and contacting the person directly before sending money.

An uptick in jury duty scams has been reported across multiple U.S. locations, where scammers impersonate court officials or police officers and threaten victims with fines or arrest for allegedly missing jury duty, demanding immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers. Incidents have been documented in Elkhart County, Indiana and Hopkinsville, Kentucky, with authorities emphasizing that legitimate courts communicate about jury duty through official mail only and never solicit payments or personal information by phone or email. Citizens should verify caller claims independently, avoid immediate payments, and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement or the court clerk's office.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It describes a 26-year-old Indiana man, Marvin T. Golden Jr., sentenced to 13 years in federal prison for methamphetamine distribution, firearm possession by a convicted felon, and involvement in a fatal shooting of Anthony Shelman on I-70 in March 2023. The case involved gang activity, drug trafficking, and a murder investigation—criminal matters unrelated to elder abuse or fraud targeting seniors.

This press release announces the resignation of U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Myers from the Southern District of Indiana, effective January 18, 2025. The release summarizes his office's accomplishments during his tenure, including prosecutions focused on gun violence, domestic abuser cases, and drug trafficking, but contains no information about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.

Jennifer Lynn Horton, 49, of Kentucky, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for wire fraud after stealing over $1.1 million from her employer, a family-owned contracting company in Indiana, between 2016 and 2022. Using her position as office manager, Horton inflated her salary by $515,000, fraudulently added her husband to payroll for $107,000, redirected customer credit card payments totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars to her personal account, and misused company credit cards for personal purchases including vehicles and a house. She concealed the theft by manipulating payroll data and accounting records, and was ordered to forfeit four vehicles an

This press release does not summarize a scam, fraud case, or elder abuse incident suitable for the Elderus database. Instead, it announces the retirement of James M. Warden, the longest-serving Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of Indiana's 97-year history. While the release mentions various prosecutions Warden handled throughout his nearly 40-year career—including bank fraud, money laundering, public corruption, and bank robbery—it is a personnel announcement rather than coverage of a specific fraud or elder abuse case.

In Fiscal Year 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana collected $33.86 million in asset forfeiture and financial litigation debt, including $18.84 million in criminal restitution and civil collections and $15.02 million from criminal and civil forfeiture actions. These funds are used to compensate crime victims and support federal and state victim compensation and assistance programs. The office emphasized its commitment to holding criminals financially accountable and recovering funds for victims of crime through partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.

This is an educational piece from the Better Business Bureau of Northeast Indiana warning consumers about holiday shipping and returns scams during peak shopping season. The advisory advises recipients to verify package tracking messages through official websites rather than clicking links that could steal personal information or install malware, and recommends reviewing store return policies promptly since holiday return windows are often limited.

Smishing scams impersonating the U.S. Postal Service are rising in Indiana, particularly around the holiday season when people expect package deliveries. Scammers send text messages disguising themselves as USPS, attempting to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, though the legitimate USPS never sends unsolicited tracking texts and does not include clickable links in messages. Residents should verify tracking information directly through the USPS website and report suspicious messages to 7726 (SPAM) and [email protected].

Kroger implemented security locks on gift card displays at all 116 of its Louisville and southern Indiana stores in response to a major gift card fraud scheme that cost customers over $1 million. Four men were arrested in October and charged with organized crime after tampering with gift cards at a local Kroger; the new locks make cards harder to remove and prevent altered cards from being returned to shelves. Police recommend customers continue inspecting gift cards for tampering before purchase.

Brandon Alford, a 47-year-old employee in Washington, Indiana, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for defrauding his employer through a scheme involving a fake company called A&D Distributing LLC. Between December 2017 and January 2023, Alford submitted 25 fraudulent invoices totaling $1,006,500 for machine parts that were never ordered or delivered, while also evading taxes on the fraud proceeds from 2017-2022. He was ordered to pay $1,006,500 in restitution to his employer and $319,793.02 to the IRS.

During the holiday season, scammers in Indiana are impersonating USPS representatives and sending text messages claiming packages are held due to invalid zip codes, with links designed to trick recipients into clicking. The Floyd County Sheriff's Office warns recipients to delete these messages and verified with the post office that this is a scam. Authorities advise checking package status directly through tracking apps or contacting the postal service directly rather than responding to unsolicited messages.

An 82-year-old Florida woman lost over $40,000 in a lottery scam where a caller claiming to represent Mega Millions told her she had won $8 million and instructed her to send cash to an Indianapolis address to cover taxes. The scammer used fake check deposits and promises of prize money to convince the victim to wire multiple shipments of cash via UPS, though authorities have not recovered the funds or identified the actual perpetrator. This case exemplifies the rising tide of elder fraud, with the FBI reporting $3.4 billion in losses to people age 60 and older in 2023—an 11 percent increase from the previous year.

This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It announces the opening of a new Community Health Network clinic at a Walgreens location in Fishers, Indiana, offering services such as routine physicals, chronic disease management, and wellness visits. This is a standard healthcare facility announcement and falls outside the scope of the Elderus fraud research database.

An Indiana woman who lost $1,000 to a gift card scam was denied a class action lawsuit against Google after a federal judge ruled that Google had no legal obligation to refund victims, determining the losses resulted from third-party fraud rather than Google's misconduct. The victim, Judy May, had fallen for a scam in April 2021 in which a fraudster impersonating a relative directed her to purchase Google Play gift cards as supposed upfront costs for federal grant money. The ruling reflects broader concerns about gift card fraud, with Americans losing $217 million to such scams in 2023, though the judge allowed May to refile certain claims within 45 days.

Indiana's older population lost nearly $38 million to fraud in the past year, with imposter scams being the most frequently reported type, including schemes using AI-generated voice cloning and fake charity requests following disasters. The FBI ranks Indiana 25th among the most scammed states, and experts recommend that residents verify suspicious requests through trusted contacts before taking action and report suspected fraud to the FTC.

After her husband's death, Indianapolis widow Rosalie Douglass turned to online dating and was targeted by romance scammers who posed as wealthy professionals; over the course of a year, she wired more than $430,000 to two different scammers, depleting her retirement savings and forcing her to take a reverse mortgage on her home. The FBI reported 88,262 fraud victims over age 60 in 2021, growing to 101,068 in 2023, with romance scams accounting for $1.1 billion in losses nationally in 2023. Experts warn that seniors new to online dating are particularly vulnerable to romance scams and should be alert to requests

Two correctional officers at an Indiana prison, Martins Tochukwu Chidiobi and Lawrence Onyesonwu, were sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing the identities of at least five inmates and using them to open fraudulent bank accounts between 2015 and 2019. The defendants deposited at least $331,282 in fraud proceeds—largely from romance scams and other schemes—into these accounts, then withdrew most of the money as cash or transferred it to Nigerian bank accounts. Both men pleaded guilty to aggravated identity theft and making false statements to financial institutions.

A man lost $800 purchasing fake Taylor Swift concert tickets through an unauthorized Facebook seller using a money transfer service, and several others fell victim to scams involving hacked Facebook accounts posing as friends selling tickets. The Better Business Bureau recommends purchasing tickets only from reputable resellers that accept credit cards with money-back guarantees, such as StubHub, Vivid Seats, and GameTime, and verifying in-person with anyone offering tickets on social media before completing any transactions.

A 90-year-old in Noblesville, Indiana, received a threatening letter claiming to be a "Final demand for payment" from a fake "Tax Processing Unit" demanding $8,000 for unpaid taxes, which her family identified as a scam by noting the urgency, lack of online payment option, and absence of verifiable contact information. The FBI reports that scams targeting people 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with victims averaging $33,915 in losses, as scammers exploit seniors' politeness, savings, and reluctance to report fraud.

An 82-year-old Florida widow lost approximately $6,000 in a lottery scam after receiving a call from someone claiming to represent Mega Millions promising her an $8 million prize. The scammer, using the name "Michael Baxter," convinced her to send cash advances to an address in Indianapolis by falsely claiming he would pay off her credit cards and send her a larger payment, but the initial payments were made with fraudulent checks that were later reversed. The FBI reports that elder fraud complaints increased 11% in 2023 to 101,000 cases involving $3.4 billion in losses, and the victim now faces nearly $40,000 in debt with significantly damaged credit

Two correctional officers at an Indiana prison, Martins Tochukwu Chidiobi and Lawrence Onyesonwu, were sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing personally identifiable information from at least five inmates and using their identities to open fraudulent bank accounts between 2015 and January 2019. The defendants received at least $331,282 in fraud proceeds through these accounts, primarily from romance scam victims, and withdrew most funds as cash or transferred them to Nigerian bank accounts. Both men were also ordered to pay $5,000 fines and serve two years of supervised release following their prison sentences.

Nathaniel Wills, a 34-year-old accountant and Director of Administration in Indiana, stole approximately $952,237 from his employer over 18 months (August 2020 to February 2022) by fraudulently transferring funds to his personal accounts and falsifying accounting records to conceal the theft. Wills used the stolen money to pay personal debts and fund online gambling, causing substantial financial hardship to his employer and employees. He was sentenced to 41 months in federal prison, three years supervised release, and ordered to pay $877,507 in restitution.

Christi Lee Dodd, 51, of Fishers, Indiana, was indicted on federal charges of wire fraud and forging a federal judge's signature after she allegedly created a fake bankruptcy discharge order in 2023 to fraudulently obtain a line of credit for her trucking business. Dodd forged a judge's signature on the fraudulent document by copying her legitimate 2015 Chapter 7 discharge order and falsely presenting it as proof of discharge from her 2019 Chapter 13 bankruptcy case, which had actually been dismissed without issuing a discharge. If convicted, Dodd faces up to 25 years in federal prison.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It is a lifestyle/dating advice piece about cultural expectations when dating people from Indiana, and contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or financial exploitation. It does not belong in the Elderus database.

The Indianapolis FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association is hosting a free elder fraud awareness workshop on October 8, featuring forensic accountants and consumer protection officials to educate the community about fraud schemes. The event is being held in response to findings that Indiana seniors lost over $37.8 million to elder fraud in 2023, with Indiana ranking 25th among U.S. states and territories for elder fraud losses.

The Better Business Bureau warned of a "card declined" scam where fraudsters create fake retail websites that display false payment decline messages to trick shoppers into entering multiple credit card numbers, which the scammers then harvest for unauthorized charges. To protect yourself, verify website URLs and security features (https://), avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, research businesses before purchasing, use credit cards for extra fraud protection, and never retry payments with different cards on suspicious sites. The BBB recommends checking for legitimate business accreditation and monitoring your accounts for unauthorized charges.

**Summary:** Antranette Echols, a 57-year-old Indianapolis resident, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for wire fraud involving fraudulent COVID-19 relief loan applications. Echols prepared and submitted falsified loan applications on behalf of business borrowers in exchange for fees, resulting in losses of $373,690 to financial institutions and the Small Business Administration, which she was ordered to repay.

Bitcoin ATM scammers defrauded seniors of $110 million in the past year, a nearly tenfold increase from 2020, with Americans over 60 being more than three times as likely to fall victim than younger adults. The typical scheme involves fraudsters posing as customer service representatives or officials contacting victims about identity theft or account breaches, then directing them to scan QR codes and deposit money into bitcoin ATMs that flows directly to the perpetrators. One victim, a 76-year-old Indiana resident, lost $31,500 after being targeted by scammers impersonating Apple support, bank representatives, and government officials.

**Bitcoin ATM Fraud Surge Targeting Seniors** Reported losses from Bitcoin ATM scams rose nearly tenfold since 2020, totaling over $110 million in 2023, with consumers over 60 being more than three times as likely as younger adults to fall victim. Scammers impersonate customer service representatives, government officials, or tech company employees, directing victims to scan QR codes and deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs that converts their money to cryptocurrency immediately transferred to fraudsters. One 76-year-old Indiana woman lost $31,500 after receiving a fake security alert, highlighting how scammers exploit urgency and confusion about

Michele M. Rose, a 62-year-old Medical Staff Coordinator in Jasper, Indiana, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison after pleading guilty to five counts of wire fraud for stealing $153,769 from a nonprofit healthcare organization's medical staff checking account between March 2011 and December 2020. Rose abused her position by writing fraudulent checks to herself, falsely claiming they were for legitimate business expenses, and concealing the thefts in monthly financial reports; the stolen funds were intended by contributing physicians to support community scholarships, food banks, and local student events. She was ordered to pay full restitution of $153,769 and must

Taylor Swift Eras Tour ticket scams are proliferating on social media resale groups, with scammers targeting desperate fans willing to pay hundreds or thousands of dollars for the limited remaining tour dates. One Missouri fan nearly fell victim after sending $200 via PayPal for a fake ticket to an Indianapolis show, but was protected by PayPal's goods and services feature, which automatically refunded her when fraudulent activity was detected. Cybersecurity experts recommend buyers use PayPal's goods and services option, meet sellers in person at safe public locations, or request venue verification to avoid these high-value ticket scams.

Willie D. Watts, 42, of Clarksville, was sentenced to eighteen months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining $125,753.90 in federal benefits from 2014 to 2021 by falsely claiming her three children lived with her and were eligible for Section 8 housing vouchers, SNAP, Social Security Survivors benefits, and Medicaid. Watts also concealed ownership of a house and rental income, and had previously committed nearly identical fraud in Kentucky (2011-2013), stealing over $30,000 before continuing the scheme in Indiana despite her Kentucky conviction.

Indiana residents and the general public are warned about smishing scams impersonating the U.S. Postal Service, in which scammers send unsolicited text messages with malicious links claiming a package delivery requires action. These fraudulent messages aim to trick victims into clicking links and providing personally identifiable information such as Social Security numbers, account passwords, and financial details, which are then used for identity theft and financial fraud. The USPS clarified that it only sends tracking text messages to customers who have initiated requests and these messages never contain links; victims should not click suspicious links and should report suspected smishing to [email protected] or forward the message to 7726.

The Indiana Attorney General's office held an educational seminar at Allisonville Meadows Assisted Living to inform seniors about common fraud schemes, including high-tech theft exploiting data breaches and the grandparent scam where callers impersonate grandchildren in distress to solicit money. The presentation emphasized that people over 60 are frequent targets of fraud and recommended verifying unexpected contacts directly with banks or institutions rather than responding to suspicious emails or calls. The attorney general's office accepts consumer fraud complaints through its website (in.gov/attorneygeneral) and in-person at Government Center South.

Indiana Michigan Power reported a significant surge in utility scams during the first half of 2024, receiving 240 reports by the end of June—125 more than all of 2023 combined. Scammers impersonated I&M using spoofed caller IDs and phone/text messages to demand immediate payment through various methods (prepaid cards, wire transfers, mobile apps) while threatening disconnection, requesting overpayment refunds, or claiming customers needed to pay for meter installations; some scammers also approached customers in person. The Better Business Bureau recommends verifying callers by hanging up and calling the official utility number on your actual bill, avoiding payment through prepaid cards or

Indiana Michigan Power reported 240 scam attempts targeting its customers through June of this year, an increase from the previous year, with scammers using spoofed caller IDs and claiming customers owe money requiring immediate payment. The company warns customers that legitimate I&M representatives will never demand payment via gift cards or third-party apps, will carry company ID and wear I&M logos, and the company always offers multiple payment notices and plan options before service disconnection. Customers should hang up on suspicious calls and report them to I&M or local police.

Barry Gallon, a 54-year-old Maintenance Manager at the Indianapolis USPS Processing and Distribution Center, pleaded guilty to stealing cash from mail and packages over a three-week period in August-September 2023, totaling no more than $6,500. He was sentenced to one year of probation for the felony offense of mail theft. The case highlights the vulnerability of mail in transit and demonstrates consequences for postal employees who exploit positions of trust.

American Senior Communities is hosting a free educational session in partnership with the Indiana Attorney General and U.S. Department of Justice to teach seniors how to recognize and avoid scams and fraud. The session covers common elder fraud tactics, including grandparent scams, romance scams, and fake investment schemes, which collectively cost seniors over $5.9 billion annually. The event takes place July 25 from 2-4 p.m. at Allisonville Meadows in Fishers, Indiana.

The Indiana Toll Road Concession Company (ITRCC) is warning the public about smishing scams in which fraudsters send text messages falsely claiming users have unpaid tolls and directing them to click malicious links to avoid late fees. The ITRCC reminds customers that it does not send text messages requesting sensitive information and advises recipients of suspicious messages not to respond or click links, instead verifying messages through the legitimate customer service number (574-675-4010) or filing complaints with the IC3.

Sean Eberhart, a 58-year-old Indiana state representative, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for conspiracy to commit honest services fraud after pleading guilty to using his legislative position from January to May 2019 to advocate for gaming legislation that benefited Spectacle Entertainment in exchange for a promised $350,000 annual salary and equity stake. Eberhart's actions reduced a $100 million transfer fee to $20,000 and secured favorable tax provisions worth tens of millions for the company, betraying his constituents' trust in his public office. He was also ordered to pay $25,000 in fines and $60,000 in restitution.

This educational article explains how to identify fraudulent debt collector scams, which often use threatening calls or texts to alarm potential victims. Warning signs include calls outside legal hours (8 a.m.–9 p.m.), threats to disclose debt to family or coworkers, requests for untraceable payment methods like cryptocurrency or gift cards, and failure to provide required information such as the creditor name and amount owed. The article advises consumers to verify debts through their credit report and avoid sharing personal financial information with callers.

The Federal Trade Commission warns of two-stage government imposter scams in which initial callers claim to represent a company and report suspicious account activity, then transfer victims to accomplices posing as government officials who pressure them to withdraw cash or use gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps to "resolve" alleged criminal involvement. Red flags include requests to keep the call secret, fake caller IDs mimicking government agencies, and claims that legitimate government employees would never make—such as demanding immediate payment or asking victims to transfer funds to "protect" them.

The FBI reported that elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion from January to May 2024, a $300 million increase over the same 2023 period, with tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation scams being the most prevalent. To protect themselves, seniors should verify unsolicited contacts through independent research, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information or money with unverified sources, and monitor financial accounts for suspicious activity. Victims should document details of the scam and report it to their local FBI office or IC3.gov.

Elder fraud incidents rose 14% in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing over $724 million to scams in 2022—more than all other age groups combined. The article identifies five prevalent fraud types targeting seniors: impersonation scams (using AI voice technology), robocalls and phishing, the grandparent scam, sweepstakes scams (costing victims nearly $70 million in 2022), and investment/charity scams (causing $1.2 billion in losses in 2023). Key protective measures include verifying caller identity through alternative channels, hanging up on suspicious calls, confirming situations with family members, and researching

The FBI reported that scammers stole $3.4 billion from people over 60 in 2023, prompting a free educational workshop scheduled for June 10 in Indianapolis to teach seniors and caregivers about evolving fraud tactics, including how artificial intelligence is being exploited by scammers. The workshop, featuring FBI forensic accountants and Indiana's consumer protection director, will focus on top scams including tech scams, data breaches, and romance schemes.

Leslie Smith, a 63-year-old licensed attorney and office manager at an Indianapolis podiatry practice, was sentenced to five and a half years in federal prison and ordered to pay $2,341,655.08 in restitution after pleading guilty to healthcare fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion. Over several years, Smith submitted approximately 288 fraudulent Medicaid claims for oxygen monitoring devices totaling $1.75 million, fraudulently obtained COVID-19 mortgage assistance funds using a deceased relative's property, sold a jointly-owned home without consent by forging her co-owner's signature, and failed to file federal income tax returns from 2018-2

This article outlines six common PayPal scams affecting thousands of users in 2024, including fake payment confirmation emails, fraudulent invoices, accidental transfer schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, shipping address manipulation, and misuse of the "Friends and Family" payment option. The piece provides practical prevention advice for each scam type, emphasizing direct verification with PayPal, avoiding unsolicited links, and using secure payment categories for transactions with unknown parties.

**Summary:** Antranette Echols, 57, of Indianapolis pleaded guilty to wire fraud for preparing and submitting falsified COVID-19 relief loan applications on behalf of borrowers, including some in Pennsylvania, while collecting fees for her services. Sentencing is scheduled for August 16, 2024, with potential penalties of up to 40 years in prison and $1 million in fines.