Note: This is an Opinion Piece from US Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, William Ihlenfeld based on a recent case of fraud, the victim of which is an elderly veteran in cognitive decline.
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.
US Attorney William Ihlenfeld
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
