He was a U.S. Navy veteran from Charles Town. After serving his country, he went to work for the federal government. He saved his money, invested it wisely, and accumulated enough to enjoy retirement. But he was lonely and so he passed his time at the local American Legion to be around other people.
The veteran’s cognitive abilities were in decline, something recognized by Sam Bunner, an employee at the Legion. Sam befriended him, and became a caretaker of sorts, taking him to doctor appointments, and ultimately to a lawyer to sign a power of attorney. Sam used that power of attorney to gain access to his bank and investment accounts and emptied them, along with selling his real estate. Due to his declining mental health, the veteran was helpless to stop Sam from stealing all that he had, which totaled nearly $2 million.
Unfortunately, cases of seniors being victimized by loved ones or caretakers are common in West Virginia, as are scams committed by strangers. We have one of the oldest populations in the country and our seniors are trusting, they’re good listeners, they answer the phone when it rings, and many have accumulated savings. The attributes that make older West Virginians so wonderful also make them the targets of criminals.
In many cases, the scammer is someone the victim has never met in person and is in another country. The most common stranger scams are tech support schemes, followed by romance scams. The romance scams can turn into investment scams if the victim follows the perpetrator’s financial advice, thinking that they are investing in a legitimate venture that turns out to be a boondoggle.
Other common types of stranger scams include government impersonation and criminals who pretend to be a family member in need. Advancements in artificial intelligence have made these schemes harder to detect and more likely to succeed.
Some of the saddest cases I see involve adult children who steal from their parents. Professional caregivers, such as nurses’ aides, rehabilitation workers, and in-home care providers are also common perpetrators of adult theft. These schemes often involve the transfer of money from the victim’s bank account to the perpetrator’s, forging the victim’s name on a check, or using the victim’s credit card or debit card. We prosecuted a son who, with the help of his wife, sold his mother’s stock and purchased a home in the Outer Banks with the proceeds.
What can you do to protect yourself and your loved ones? Resist the pressure to act quickly, as criminals are good at creating a sense of urgency. Never send money to someone you have only met online. Don’t click on emails or links you were not expecting. Think carefully before providing a power of attorney with unlimited authority. If you’re worried about theft by family members, place your assets into a trust with restrictions. If your loved one is going to receive in-home care, secure their valuables, bank and investment statements, and personally identifiable information.
And if someone calls and says you’ve won the lottery, just hang up.
The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to prosecuting people like Sam – he was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison last week – as well as presenting to churches, community groups, and senior living facilities about this issue. Whether the threat is coming from within your own home or from a stranger in a foreign land, please call us if we can help at 304-234-0100.
William Ihlenfeld is the United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia.
