09/01/2023
Elder Fraud
Indictments by a federal grand jury for charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud exceeding $1.5 million involving US elders.
Three residents of Panama have been indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh, PA, on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, United States Attorney Eric G. Olshan announced today. The charges stem from the Department of Justice’s wide-ranging efforts to protect older adults from fraud and financial exploitation.
Stefano Zanetti, a 41-year-old citizen of Canada; Samuel David Ferrer Avila, a 22-year-old citizen of Venezuela; and Cesar Javier Chourio Morante, a 27-year-old citizen of Venezuela and Colombia, were named as defendants in separate two-count Indictments.
“Our office is committed to protecting elderly and other vulnerable victims from fraud schemes targeting residents of Western Pennsylvania,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “This case demonstrates that we will use all available tools to identify and hold accountable those who steal from seniors, and we will work with our domestic and international partners to seek justice even when the evidence leads to perpetrators operating outside the United States. We encourage people to make use of the Department of Justice’s online resources to learn about these common fraud schemes and avoid falling prey to them.”
“International financial fraud investigations are at the core of HSI’s mission. As such, we take great pride in protecting our seniors who are among our most vulnerable and valuable citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “HSI will utilize every resource, both here and abroad, to ensure that the American public is kept safe from those that hide in foreign countries while attempting to defraud our citizens.”
As alleged in the Indictments, the defendants orchestrated and executed a sophisticated nationwide scheme to defraud that targeted the elderly and caused losses exceeding $1,500,000 involving US elders ac
Stefano Zanetti, a 41-year-old citizen of Canada; Samuel David Ferrer Avila, a 22-year-old citizen of Venezuela; and Cesar Javier Chourio Morante, a 27-year-old citizen of Venezuela and Colombia, were named as defendants in separate two-count Indictments.
“Our office is committed to protecting elderly and other vulnerable victims from fraud schemes targeting residents of Western Pennsylvania,” said U.S. Attorney Olshan. “This case demonstrates that we will use all available tools to identify and hold accountable those who steal from seniors, and we will work with our domestic and international partners to seek justice even when the evidence leads to perpetrators operating outside the United States. We encourage people to make use of the Department of Justice’s online resources to learn about these common fraud schemes and avoid falling prey to them.”
“International financial fraud investigations are at the core of HSI’s mission. As such, we take great pride in protecting our seniors who are among our most vulnerable and valuable citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI Philadelphia William S. Walker. “HSI will utilize every resource, both here and abroad, to ensure that the American public is kept safe from those that hide in foreign countries while attempting to defraud our citizens.”
As alleged in the Indictments, the defendants orchestrated and executed a sophisticated nationwide scheme to defraud that targeted the elderly and caused losses exceeding $1,500,000 involving US elders ac
National Association of Bunco Investigators, Inc.
Exposing Exploitation/ Safeguarding Our Seniors
NABI began in 1984 and consists of law enforcement and associated professionals in the United States, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom devoted exclusively to assisting in the identification, apprehension, and prosecution of Confidence Crime and certain other non-traditional, trans-national Organized Crime group suspects.
The crimes committed by these suspects are particularly devastating to our senior citizens. Examples of these crimes are Sweetheart Swindles, Bank Examiner Schemes, Home Repair Fraud, Fortune Telling Fraud, Home Invasion Burglaries, Utility Imposter and Ruse Entry robberies, Lottery Scams, and many other crimes that exploit the elderly.
NABI enhances communication between agencies and allows members to share information by distributing a weekly intelligence log, printing descriptions of current crimes, maintaining a database of suspects, and providing expert training by conducting regional and national seminars. Who should join? Patrol Officers, Investigators, Crime Prevention Specialists, Intelligence Officers, Training Personnel, Prosecutors, first responders in the Adult or Child Protective Services Fields and other professionals in related fields such as Insurance, Banking and Retail Security.
No one can do it alone but by working together and sharing information we help solve difficult cases. JOIN US NOW and assist in the common goal of arresting and prosecuting these criminal groups.
NABI is a 501(c)3 organization (charity) and exists solely on membership dues and donations. We solicit donations from any source to allow us to remain viable. All funds go directly to running the organization. If you want to donate, please do so online by completing the form below, or if you wish to mail a check, mail it to NABI Treasurer, P.O. Box 3322, Victoria, TX 77903.
The crimes committed by these suspects are particularly devastating to our senior citizens. Examples of these crimes are Sweetheart Swindles, Bank Examiner Schemes, Home Repair Fraud, Fortune Telling Fraud, Home Invasion Burglaries, Utility Imposter and Ruse Entry robberies, Lottery Scams, and many other crimes that exploit the elderly.
NABI enhances communication between agencies and allows members to share information by distributing a weekly intelligence log, printing descriptions of current crimes, maintaining a database of suspects, and providing expert training by conducting regional and national seminars. Who should join? Patrol Officers, Investigators, Crime Prevention Specialists, Intelligence Officers, Training Personnel, Prosecutors, first responders in the Adult or Child Protective Services Fields and other professionals in related fields such as Insurance, Banking and Retail Security.
No one can do it alone but by working together and sharing information we help solve difficult cases. JOIN US NOW and assist in the common goal of arresting and prosecuting these criminal groups.
NABI is a 501(c)3 organization (charity) and exists solely on membership dues and donations. We solicit donations from any source to allow us to remain viable. All funds go directly to running the organization. If you want to donate, please do so online by completing the form below, or if you wish to mail a check, mail it to NABI Treasurer, P.O. Box 3322, Victoria, TX 77903.