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The Department of Justice's Annual Report to Congress details its intensified efforts to combat elder fraud and abuse, particularly through the National Nursing Home Initiative targeting poorly-performing facilities. The DOJ pursued nearly 300 civil and criminal cases against alleged elder abuse offenders during the reporting period and prosecuted cases such as two Pittsburgh providers who submitted false staffing information to Medicare/Medicaid authorities, while also holding a New Jersey facility accountable for inadequate infection control that resulted in excessive resident deaths. The report emphasizes that over 10% of U.S. adults aged 65 and older annually experience some form of abuse, including physical abuse and financial exploitation.

The Department of Justice released its annual report detailing over 300 enforcement actions against more than 700 defendants for elder fraud, abuse, and neglect, resulting in nearly $700 million in recoveries and disruption of major transnational schemes. Key cases included convictions of two Pittsburgh-area nursing homes for falsifying compliance records and an investigation into New Jersey Veterans Memorial Homes for constitutional rights violations through inadequate care. The DOJ's broader efforts addressed fraud affecting over 225,000 seniors through romance and impersonation scams, blocked $27 million in fraudulent transfers, and handled over 50,000 calls through its National Elder Fraud Hotline while hosting nearly 1

New Jersey legislation (S-1887) sponsored by Sen. Carmen Amato and co-sponsors would create a new criminal offense called "financial exploitation of the elderly" with enhanced penalties for those who defraud seniors aged 60 and older. The bill, which unanimously passed the New Jersey Senate, establishes tiered punishments ranging from up to 18 months imprisonment and $10,000 fines for amounts under $200, to five to 10 years imprisonment and $150,000 fines for amounts exceeding $75,000, and applies to persons in positions of trust such as caregivers or fiduciaries.

The New Jersey Senate unanimously passed legislation (S-1887) creating a new criminal offense of "financial exploitation of the elderly" to protect seniors aged 60 and older from fraud, false promises, extortion, and intimidation by individuals in positions of trust, such as caregivers or fiduciaries. The law establishes graduated penalties ranging from fourth-degree crimes (under $200, up to 18 months imprisonment) to second-degree crimes (over $75,000, 5-10 years imprisonment), with the companion Assembly bill (A-4593) awaiting committee consideration.

Tolulope Samuel Bodunde, a 33-year-old Nigerian citizen living in New Jersey, was sentenced to two years in prison for participating in an international internet fraud scheme that targeted multiple victims across the United States and abroad, including elderly women through romance scams. The conspiracy used money mules to funnel fraudulent proceeds through bank accounts, defrauding businesses and individuals by posing as legitimate recipients; Bodunde was ordered to pay $494,939 in restitution to three victims.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a community events listing for Toms River, New Jersey, containing information about art classes, yoga sessions, holiday activities, and local performances. It contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or elder safety.

A 51-year-old New Jersey man was arrested on September 13, 2024, for defrauding a 69-year-old woman in New Hyde Park through an elder scam in which he posed as a Walmart employee and convinced her that her social security number had been compromised. The victim withdrew $20,000 and handed it to the suspect in a parking lot on September 9, 2024, believing he would safeguard the funds; the suspect was apprehended when he attempted to solicit additional money from the victim days later. Tejas Kapur was charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree and Attempted Grand Larceny 3

New Jersey's ANCHOR property tax benefit program, which distributed over $2.2 billion to homeowners and renters last year, has become a target for scammers impersonating tax officials and collection agencies. Fraudsters are using text messages, spoofed phone calls, and identity theft tactics to steal personal information from residents, with scammers falsely claiming to represent the program or posing as police officers demanding payment. The state Treasury Department advises residents to never share personal information via unsolicited contact and to independently verify any calls by hanging up and calling official agency numbers directly.

Gloria Mooney, a 73-year-old New Jersey widow, lost over $50,000 in a romance scam after being targeted by a scammer posing as "Henry," an oil rig worker on Facebook. The scammer, traced to Nigeria, used a stolen celebrity photo and exploited Mooney's loneliness and emotional vulnerability following a 2023 car accident, convincing her to send money via gift cards, Bitcoin, wire transfers, and by withdrawing her 401k and personal savings with promises of repayment. Despite efforts by her family and authorities including the FBI, the funds could not be recovered.

An "alarming" number of senior citizens in Gloucester Township, New Jersey have fallen victim to cryptocurrency scams in which perpetrators lure victims into purchasing cryptocurrency at Bitcoin ATMs or similar machines. Police emphasize that no legitimate business or government entity will demand payment via cryptocurrency, and warn seniors never to click unexpected links or pay fees requested by unsolicited contacts, particularly those claiming to represent Medicare, tech support companies, or financial institutions.

Communities First Initiative, Jewish Community Housing Corporation, and Valley National Bank held a 2-hour educational workshop in South Orange, New Jersey to teach senior citizens how to avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft, addressing a significant rise in financial crimes targeting older adults. According to the FBI and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023 with victims losing an average of $33,915 each, totaling over $3.4 billion, with many seniors failing to report incidents due to embarrassment or fear of losing independence. The presentation aimed to provide seniors with tools and resources to recognize and protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams, including phone and internet fraud.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It is a community events listing for Toms River, New Jersey, containing information about art classes, yoga sessions, holiday activities, and local performances. It does not contain any information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or financial exploitation.

A woman in New Jersey received a phishing email impersonating the Social Security Administration claiming her Social Security number was compromised and requesting she open an attached document. The article explains that phishing scams use fake official emails with urgent language to trick victims into opening malware-laden attachments or divulging personal information, and provides guidance on recognizing these scams, steps to take if you receive one (flag as spam, don't open attachments, don't respond), and prevention measures such as verifying your Social Security account and using two-factor authentication.

At an AARP fraud prevention summit in Edison, New Jersey, experts including AARP's Kathy Stokes challenged the misconception that older adults are the most vulnerable to phone, text, and social media fraud. The summit, attended by more than 250 people, highlighted various fraud prevention strategies and raised awareness about the actual risk factors for financial exploitation.

An elderly woman in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, lost $13,000 in a tech support scam on July 25 after a pop-up warning of a computer virus directed her to call a fake Microsoft support number. The scammer, posing as a TD Bank representative, convinced her to withdraw cash from her bank account to "protect" her financial information, and a male courier in his early 30s was sent to her home to collect the money. State Police are seeking the courier suspect and warn the public never to move money based on unsolicited tech support alerts or phone calls.

An older woman from Alexandria Township, New Jersey lost $13,000 in a tech support and bank impersonation scam where a fake Microsoft/TD Bank representative convinced her to withdraw cash to "protect" her account, with an accomplice posing as a courier collecting the money from her home. State police are seeking an Asian male suspect, approximately 5'9" and 30-35 years old, described as having black hair and a mustache.

A study by PrivacyJournal.net ranking U.S. states on online dating safety found New Jersey to rank 12th safest, based on metrics including romance scams, violent crime, identity theft, fraud, STDs, and registered sex offenders. While New Jersey users may encounter dishonesty, the state has the lowest rate of registered sex offenders nationally and ranks 8th for lowest STD rates, making it safer than most states for online dating.

Three Dominican nationals were extradited to face charges in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans across multiple states out of millions of dollars. The defendants operated call centers in the Dominican Republic where they impersonated grandchildren in distress, then had "closers" pose as lawyers or police to convince victims to send thousands in cash via couriers or mail. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in prison and substantial fines if convicted on charges including wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering conspiracy.

Three Dominican Republic nationals were extradited to the U.S. and charged in a multi-state "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly victims across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts out of millions of dollars. The defendants operated call centers that impersonated family members claiming relatives needed bail money for vehicle accidents, with scammers posing as attorneys and police to pressure victims into sending thousands of dollars via courier or mail. The three men face charges including mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering as part of an 11-person indictment involving a long-running operation targeting vulnerable seniors.

Three Dominican men were extradited to New Jersey to face federal charges in a "grandparents' scam" that defrauded elderly Americans across the Northeast of millions of dollars. The defendants allegedly impersonated distressed grandchildren claiming arrest or emergency situations, convincing victims to send cash for bail or legal fees. The case involves 19 counts against 16 individuals total, with convictions carrying maximum sentences of 20 years per count plus fines.

A 52-year-old Maryland man was charged with operating a "Gold Bar Scam" that defrauded a 74-year-old Bethesda victim of over $1 million between May and June. The scam involved sending official-looking FTC lawsuit letters, then posing as an attorney who convinced the victim to convert his assets into gold eight separate times. Investigators believe this is part of a larger scheme affecting multiple elderly victims across Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia.

A 74-year-old New Jersey resident and other seniors attended an educational event about protecting themselves from identity theft and online scams, which have become increasingly prevalent in their demographic. According to FBI data, over 101,000 people aged 60 and older reported fraud in 2023, resulting in $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from the previous year. Experts advise seniors to protect themselves by using strong passwords, shredding sensitive documents, never sharing personal information, and recognizing urgency tactics as warning signs of scams.

Law professors argue that states should strengthen driving regulations for seniors by requiring physicians to refer patients with cognitive decline for formal driving assessments and report restrictions to the DMV, rather than imposing blanket age-based regulations. This targeted approach aims to address public safety concerns—as seniors outlive their safe driving ability by 7-10 years and are at increased accident risk—while preserving elderly drivers' autonomy and quality of life. The recommendation responds to incidents like three accidents involving drivers over 90 in New Jersey within one week, two of which were fatal.

AARP New Jersey hosted a Fraud Prevention Summit on August 21, 2024, featuring keynote speakers including New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and AARP's Director of Fraud Prevention Programs Kathy Stokes, who discussed evolving fraud tactics and protective strategies. The free event included presentations on prevalent and emerging scams affecting New Jersey residents, panel discussions with law enforcement experts from the IRS, Middlesex Prosecutor's Office, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and resources for individuals to protect themselves and their loved ones from fraud.

A 39-year-old Bronx man, Victor Anthony Valdez, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role as a courier in an international "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly residents of New York and New Jersey of tens of thousands of dollars between August 2020 and 2021. Scammers operating from call centers in the Dominican Republic posed as grandchildren or legal officials, convincing elderly victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez to collect cash from victims' homes. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Victor Anthony Valdez, 39, of the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from Dominican Republic call centers between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme targeted elderly Americans by impersonating their grandchildren, attorneys, or court officials to convince victims their grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for serving as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" targeting elderly Americans. Between August 2020 and August 2021, Valdez allegedly collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New York and New Jersey after call center operatives convinced seniors that their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud for acting as a courier in a "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that targeted elderly Americans between 2020 and 2021. Scammers called elderly victims impersonating grandchildren requesting emergency cash for bail or expenses, and Valdez collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims in New Jersey and New York. He faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a transnational "grandparent scam" operated from call centers in the Dominican Republic between August 2020 and August 2021. The scheme involved scammers posing as grandchildren, attorneys, or court personnel to convince elderly American victims that their relatives had been arrested and needed bail money, with Valdez collecting tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. If convicted, Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an international "grandparent scam" that operated from Dominican Republic call centers and targeted elderly residents in New Jersey and New York between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers impersonated grandchildren, their attorneys, or court officials to convince victims that their grandchildren needed bail money and legal fees, with Valdez serving as a courier to collect tens of thousands of dollars from the victims. The case highlights the ongoing threat of grandparent scams targeting elderly Americans, with the public encouraged to report suspected elder fraud to the FTC.

**Summary:** Victor Anthony Valdez, a 39-year-old from the Bronx, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for acting as a courier in a Dominican Republic-based "grandparent scam" that targeted elderly Americans between August 2020 and August 2021. Scammers from call centers in the Dominican Republic impersonated victims' grandchildren or legal representatives, claiming the grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez and other couriers to collect tens of thousands of dollars from victims' homes in New York and New Jersey. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.

On June 14 in Ewing Township, New Jersey's Attorney General's Office, Medicaid Fraud Unit, Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, and Elder Protection Task Force honored Certified Volunteer Advocates (CVAs) for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. CVAs work with the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to regularly visit nursing homes statewide, engage with residents, and advocate for their rights and interests.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It discusses dating market conditions and relationship challenges for singles in various U.S. states, not scams, fraud, or elder abuse. While it briefly mentions "romance scams" in Massachusetts, the article focuses on general dating difficulty metrics rather than elder fraud prevention or elder abuse awareness.

Galloway Township Police Department in New Jersey reported multiple incidents where scammers impersonated a "Detective Giberson" and contacted residents requesting their social security numbers. Police emphasized that legitimate law enforcement will never solicit social security numbers or financial information over the phone, and advised victims to report the scam immediately and call the department's verification line at (609) 652-3705.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer introduced bipartisan legislation seeking $60 million in federal funding over six years to help states combat senior scams through enforcement, technology, and education initiatives. The bill comes as seniors lose over $3.4 billion annually to scams involving impersonation, fake deliveries, and social media fraud, with over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reporting scams to the FBI in 2023 alone. Gottheimer also plans to urge social media companies to add warning labels, flag scammers, and improve fraud reporting tools on their platforms.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced legislation aimed at protecting New Jersey seniors from scams, including a proposal requiring social media platforms like Facebook, X, and Instagram to display warning labels on flagged fraudulent content and accounts, as well as a grant program to strengthen the state's scam response capabilities.

Senior citizens at a Fair Lawn Senior Center learned about scams targeting older adults, with one attendee sharing how he nearly lost $1,000 to a gift card scam before CVS staff alerted him. Rep. Josh Gottheimer unveiled a Senior Security Strategy that includes requiring social media platforms to add warning labels to fraudulent accounts, establishing an SEC grant program for state scam response efforts, and notes that over 2,000 New Jersey seniors reported scams to the FBI last year. The key advice is to never provide personal information when contacted by phone, email, or social media, and to report suspected scams to local police or the FBI.

Congressman Josh Gottheimer introduced legislation to protect seniors from social media scams, prompted by an FBI report showing seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud the previous year. The proposals include requiring social media platforms to use AI to identify fraudulent content, increasing state enforcement resources, establishing a federal Senior Investor Task Force within the SEC, and designating May 9 as National Scam Survivor Day.

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center released its 2023 Elder Fraud Report showing a 14% increase in complaints and 11% increase in losses targeting Americans over 60. New Jersey received 2,049 complaints from victims over 60, resulting in $104.1 million in losses (8th highest nationally), though the FBI notes actual fraud and losses likely exceed reported figures due to underreporting. FBI leadership emphasized that combatting elder financial exploitation remains a priority and urged the public to report all fraud incidents to help identify trends and support investigations.

Sixteen individuals—eleven from the Dominican Republic and five from New York—were charged in connection with a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans out of millions of dollars. The defendants allegedly impersonated grandchildren in distress, claiming they had been arrested and needed immediate cash for bail or legal fees, with victims sometimes losing tens of thousands of dollars before authorities intervened. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey with assistance from multiple law enforcement agencies including HSI, the FBI, and the Social Security Administration Office of Inspector General.

The FBI warns that online romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often perpetrated by organized crime rings exploiting dating app users. A victim named Carina lost $150,000 after being manipulated by a fake profile into investing in cryptocurrency over a three-month period, and in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware alone, 970 people reported romance scam losses totaling $33.5 million last year. Experts emphasize that victims experience significant emotional damage beyond financial loss and recommend approaching suspected victims with empathy rather than judgment, while noting that many scammers operate overseas, making recovery difficult.

Gift card draining—a scam where fraudsters obtain card codes from retail displays, reseal the packaging, and drain the balance once consumers load money—resulted in $217 million in losses in 2023 as part of a broader $10 billion fraud crisis. States including New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island have enacted laws requiring retailer warnings and employee training, while Maryland recently approved legislation mandating secure packaging to conceal activation information, though retailers and manufacturers have resisted such regulations.

An 18-year-old New Jersey teenager was arrested for allegedly using Facebook Marketplace to lure victims into robberies, including a March incident where he robbed a buyer of $275 and hit them with his car while fleeing. The investigation revealed a pattern of similar robberies involving fake accounts selling PlayStation 5 consoles across northern New Jersey. Authorities recommend Facebook Marketplace users meet in public, well-lit areas, avoid cash transactions, review seller profiles carefully, and report suspicious activity to police.

New Jersey residents lost $441.2 million to scams in 2023, a 55% increase from 2022, making the state the fifth-highest in total losses nationwide, according to an FBI report. Over 12,000 New Jersey victims fell prey to various scams including phishing, tech support fraud, and personal data breaches, with seniors accounting for more than half of tech scam losses, particularly those ages 60 and older who lost $3.4 billion nationally.

A husband and wife from Burlington County, New Jersey (Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu), along with a third codefendant, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and unlawful money-transmitting charges for their roles in a romance fraud scheme that defrauded over 100 victims of more than $4.5 million between October 2016 and May 2020. The conspirators, some based in Nigeria, posed as romantic interests on dating sites, built relationships with victims, and requested money for fake emergencies, which they then spent on personal expenses or transferred to overseas accounts without paying taxes.

Three New Jersey residents—married couple Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, plus Oluwaseyi Fatolu—pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam from 2016 to 2020 that defrauded over 100 victims of $4.5 million. The defendants posed as romantic interests on dating sites and social media to convince victims to send money for fictitious emergencies, with funds wired to U.S. bank accounts, mailed as checks, or transferred overseas to accomplices in Nigeria and Turkey, while the defendants spent proceeds on personal expenses and cash withdrawals.

A New Jersey married couple, Martins Friday Inalegwu (35) and Steincy Mathieu (27), admitted to stealing at least $4.5 million from over 100 victims through an online romance scam operating from October 2016 to May 2020, using dating websites and social media to build fake relationships before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. The perpetrators received funds via wire transfers, checks, Western Union, MoneyGram, and international bank accounts in Turkey and Nigeria, and also failed to pay taxes on the stolen money. Inalegwu pleaded guilty to money transmitting violations and tax evasion, while Mathieu

Three New Jersey residents pleaded guilty to operating a romance fraud scheme from 2016 to 2020 that defrauded over 100 victims of millions of dollars. Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, along with co-conspirator Oluwaseyi Fatolu, worked with accomplices in Nigeria to pose as romantic partners on dating sites, convincing victims to send money while evading taxes on their illegal proceeds. The defendants face charges including unlawful money transmitting, tax evasion, and conspiracy related to the multi-million dollar scheme.

Jewish Family Service of Central New Jersey is hosting a "Senior Scam Prevention" educational program on March 20 at the Lavy House in Westfield, presented by Officer Victoria Smith of the Union County Sheriff's Office. The community event aims to educate attendees of all ages about scams targeting seniors, with light refreshments provided and free registration available by contacting the organization.

A 26-year-old Jersey City man, Sagar Patel, was arrested and extradited to Colorado, where he faces grand theft charges for scamming a 79-year-old woman out of $120,000 in gold bars. Patel was taken into custody in February and now faces 4 to 12 years in prison if convicted.