California man sentenced in ‘grandparent scam’ network that stole thousands from elderly
False claim that seniors can get a $1,728 lump sum from Social Security or MedicareEuropean police bust gang accused of using young women, love to defraud elderly Italian men
Owuor picked up cash from multiple victims and recruited and directed other members of the network to help with the scam, the release said.
“Owuor and the criminal enterprise he was a part of preyed upon our elderly population, defrauding some of our most vulnerable and often most trusting citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Stacey Moy, from the FBI’s San Diego Field Office.
Moy claimed Owuor’s sentencing is an indication that San Diego’s Elder Justice Task Force is working.
The organization investigates nursing homes and other facilities that provide “grossly substandard care to seniors,” financial scams targeting seniors, and trains law enforcement to identify and respond to elder abuse, according to its website.
“The Department of Justice’s Consumer Protection Branch will continue to pursue and prosecute groups that target elderly and vulnerable Americans through extortion, fraud, and impersonating their loved ones,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton, head of the Justice Department’s Civil Division, in the release.
Involved in the investigation were the FBI’s San Diego Field Office and the North County Resident Agency. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office also helped.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757 – and loves all things horror, witches, Christmas, and food. Follow her on Twitter at @Saleen_Martin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.