JUSTICE DEPARTMENT RELEASES EIGHTH ANNUAL ELDER JUSTICE REPORT DETAILING $4.8 BILLION IN FRAUD AND ABUSE CASES AFFECTING MORE THAN 700,000 VICTIMS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Justice released its eighth annual Elder Justice Report on October 28, 2026, documenting 341 criminal and civil enforcement actions involving fraud, financial exploitation, neglect, and abuse targeting or disproportionately affecting older Americans. The cases involved 712 defendants and approximately $4.84 billion in reported stolen or allegedly stolen funds associated with 711,353 victims.

Prepared by the Justice Department’s Civil Division, the report covers federal enforcement and prevention activities conducted between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Approximately 96% of the enforcement actions were criminal in nature, while 45% involved international fraud schemes. The figures represent cases at different stages of the judicial process, including charges, convictions, and civil proceedings, and should not be interpreted as a total of court-confirmed financial losses.

The report was submitted to Congress under the Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act and examines the department’s work across five areas: enforcement, public awareness, professional training, victim support and recovery, and research. It also documents participation by 78% of U.S. Attorney’s Offices in elder justice enforcement activity during the reporting period.

Federal investigators identified a wide range of schemes affecting older Americans, including fraudulent investments, technology support scams, romance fraud, government impersonation, identity theft, and financial exploitation by caregivers or individuals holding positions of trust. The report identifies international criminal networks as a significant concern because many operations originate outside the United States, requiring cooperation with foreign authorities to identify suspects, trace financial transactions, and recover stolen assets.

The Justice Department’s report also incorporates findings from the FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report. Among complaints filed by individuals aged 60 and older, investment fraud accounted for approximately $3.52 billion in reported losses, followed by technology and customer support scams at $1.04 billion. Romance and confidence scams accounted for approximately $584 million, business email compromise for $568 million, government impersonation for $413 million, and personal data breaches for $324 million. Cryptocurrency-related losses among older adults totaled approximately $4.35 billion.

These FBI complaint statistics are separate from the Justice Department’s enforcement-action totals and should not be added to the $4.84 billion associated with the cases covered in the annual report.

The department highlighted several federal prosecutions demonstrating the methods used to exploit older victims. In one case, Zhao Wang, also known as Oscar, was sentenced in May 2026 to 151 months in federal prison for leading a fraud and money laundering operation involving more than $27 million and over 2,000 older victims nationwide. The operation used fraudulent technology support and refund schemes, with conspirators directing victims to send cash that was later converted into cryptocurrency and transferred to overseas participants.

Another investigation involved Kenneth Akpieyi, who participated in a nationwide romance fraud scheme targeting more than 30 victims, primarily older women. Prosecutors established that the organization used fabricated online identities and false romantic relationships to obtain money from victims. Akpieyi was convicted of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, mail fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He received a 25-year federal prison sentence and was ordered to pay approximately $8.8 million in restitution.

Beyond financial fraud, the Civil Division continued its National Nursing Home Initiative, which coordinates investigations into facilities accused of providing grossly substandard care. Federal authorities examine problems involving inadequate staffing, failure to meet residents’ medical needs, insufficient nutrition, and improper physical or chemical restraints. The initiative works with federal healthcare oversight agencies, state Medicaid Fraud Control Units, and long-term care ombudsman programs to identify facilities requiring investigation.

Public education represented another major component of the department’s activities. During the reporting period, the Justice Department participated in nearly 1,200 awareness and training events reaching more than 62 million Americans. It also helped organize the Never Ever Campaign, a public-private consumer education initiative addressing government and business impersonation scams. According to the department, the campaign collectively reached more than 95 million individuals.

Professional training expanded through resources developed for prosecutors, police officers, emergency medical personnel, victim service providers, and multidisciplinary elder protection teams. One resource highlighted in the report was the Toolkit for Law Enforcement and Emergency Medical Services When Called to a Long-Term Care Facility, which recorded 715 viewers during its first month of availability following its June 2026 launch.

Developed with support from the Justice Department, the toolkit provides eight training modules and accompanying fact sheets addressing suspected abuse and neglect, residents’ rights, emergency response considerations, communication with vulnerable residents, and documentation requirements. It also explains the responsibilities of long-term care ombudsman programs and their coordination with law enforcement and emergency responders.

Victim assistance and financial recovery also formed part of the department’s work. Organizations funded through the Victims of Crime Act allocated approximately $52 million to elder abuse victim services. Federal authorities additionally reported returning millions of dollars to older victims and freezing other funds through investigative and financial recovery programs intended to prevent further losses.

The Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative continues to coordinate training, investigative assistance, and professional resources across federal, state, and local agencies. National Elder Justice Coordinator Andy Mao emphasized the importance of cooperation with international law enforcement agencies and domestic partners, particularly as financial exploitation schemes span multiple jurisdictions and involve sophisticated methods of concealing proceeds.

Individuals who believe they or someone they know has been victimized by elder fraud can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311). Additional resources are available through the Justice Department’s Elder Justice Initiative.

U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch. Annual Report to Congress on Department of Justice Activities to Combat Elder Fraud and Abuse. October 2026. Reporting Period: July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026. (Free Download)

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