Feds Target Elder Fraud with New Prosecutions, Outreach in Georgia

The U.S. Department of Justice has ramped up its efforts to combat financial fraud schemes targeting senior citizens, federal officials announced this week in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Northern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg outlined a renewed strategy that includes aggressive prosecution of scammers and expanded training for law enforcement and community partners.

“Prosecutors across the country are stepping up the fight against malicious schemes that target older Americans,” said Attorney General Bondi. “We are working with domestic law enforcement and foreign counterparts every day to hold criminals accountable and ensure that justice is done for our seniors both here at home and abroad.”

“Our Office is committed to identifying and prosecuting fraudsters who target elderly citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Hertzberg. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to bring opportunistic scammers to justice and ensure they get the punishment they deserve.”

Dual Strategy: Prosecution and Prevention

The Justice Department’s approach includes two major initiatives:

1. Criminal Prosecution: Targeting domestic and international actors who commit elder fraud and launder stolen funds.
2. Community Education: Partnering with local law enforcement and advocacy organizations to raise awareness and train personnel to detect and prevent scams.

Common Fraud Schemes Affecting Seniors

Officials identified four major types of scams that disproportionately impact the elderly:

• Romance Scams: Perpetrators build online relationships to gain victims’ trust before requesting money under false pretenses.
• Lottery and Sweepstakes Scams: Victims are tricked into believing they have won a prize and must pay taxes or fees to claim it.
• Tech Support Scams: Fake pop-up warnings convince victims their devices are infected, prompting them to pay for unnecessary services.
• Grandparent Scams: Scammers impersonate a relative in crisis—often claiming to be arrested or hospitalized—and demand urgent financial help.

Recent Federal Prosecutions in the Northern District of Georgia

U.S. v. Pradip Parikh, Alpesh Patel, Robert Starling, and Sarah Starling

• Case Summary: Parikh and Patel were convicted on June 18, 2025, for laundering fraud proceeds linked to an international call center scam based in India. Scammers posed as government agents and falsely claimed victims’ Social Security numbers were compromised, leading victims to send large sums via wire transfer or cashier’s checks.
• Details:
  • Parikh: Convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of money laundering.
  • Patel: Convicted of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, and two counts of money laundering.
  • Robert Starling and Sarah Starling: Pleaded guilty in April 2025 and were sentenced to 27 months and 20 months in prison, respectively.
  • Restitution: Ordered to be paid to victims.

U.S. v. Rederic Young, Randolph Leggs, and Kendall Grey

• Case Summary: Between July 2022 and January 2023, Young and Leggs executed a scheme to drain funds from victims’ retirement accounts by impersonating accountholders.
• Method: Fraudulent identification documents were used to open bank accounts in the victims’ names. The scammers then requested disbursements from investment firms, which were unknowingly deposited into the fraudulent accounts.
• Kendall Grey: A former bank employee who knowingly opened the fake accounts, pleaded guilty on June 10, 2025, to one count of bank fraud.
• Charges:
  • Young and Leggs: Pleaded guilty to bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
  • Grey: Pleaded guilty to bank fraud.
  • Sentencing: All three await sentencing in federal court.

Training and Outreach Initiatives

Elder Abuse Training – June 11, 2025

The U.S. Attorney’s Office co-hosted a law enforcement training event with the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, the Fulton County District Attorney’s Office, and the Georgia Department of Human Services. The program, held in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), drew more than 125 participants from 45 law enforcement and service agencies across the Northern District.

Topics included:

• Identification of elder fraud indicators
• Interview techniques for vulnerable adults
• Legal remedies and prosecution strategies
• Collaboration across agencies and jurisdictions

National Elder Fraud Hotline

The Justice Department also highlighted the National Elder Fraud Hotline, a toll-free service aimed at supporting seniors and their families who experience financial scams.

• Phone Number: (833) 372-8311 (FRAUD-11)
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET
• Languages: English, Spanish, and other languages available
• Services: Case managers offer personalized assistance, help victims file official complaints with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), and connect callers with local resources and victim support services.

Officials emphasized that early reporting is critical for recovering lost funds and preventing further victimization.

Call to Action

Authorities urge anyone aged 60 or older—or their families—who suspect financial exploitation to call the National Elder Fraud Hotline and file a complaint with IC3.gov. Reporting suspected scams enables investigators to identify criminal networks and pursue restitution for victims.