TAMPA, Fla. – Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier delivered a powerful message in Tampa today, announcing a concerted effort to combat a pervasive and insidious form of elder exploitation: scams perpetrated by incarcerated individuals using contraband technology.
Flanked by Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, Uthmeier emphasized a coordinated law enforcement approach to safeguard Florida’s seniors from losing their hard-earned retirement savings.
“This is hard-earned retirement our seniors need,” Attorney General Uthmeier stated emphatically. “We are going to crack down and ensure that this does not happen ever again.” He highlighted that many of these perpetrators are already behind bars but are utilizing illicit devices and technology to create elaborate scam opportunities, preying on seniors for services or financial transactions. Some victims have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
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Uthmeier stressed that law enforcement across the state is working in a coordinated fashion, leveraging every available resource and technological asset to protect seniors and hold these criminals accountable.
“You’re not going to be able to run and hide,” he warned the perpetrators. “In this case, it’s very easy because we know exactly where they are, so they’re not going anywhere.”
The Attorney General revealed that after discovering these incidents occurring across multiple counties, his office collaborated with Secretary Dixon’s team, who conducted a “massive wide sweep of inspections” in correctional facilities last week.
These efforts resulted in the confiscation of “dozens and dozens of devices.” Uthmeier pledged to work with the Department of Corrections to ensure prisons are “locked down” and criminal activity cannot continue from behind bars.
“I know there’s a lot of people out there that want us to be more lenient, less tough on crime,” Uthmeier said, “I think by now, you know, I’m not one of those people. And if this is any indication whatsoever, a lot of these bad guys, they need to stay [locked up].”
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Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister echoed the Attorney General’s outrage, describing the criminals as “despicable, repulsive, abhorrent.” He lamented how these individuals exploit the “good nature and big hearts” of seniors, who are often on fixed incomes with no room for error.
Sheriff Chronister shared a shocking local case: a 92-year-old male victim was robbed of over $800,000 over a two-year period by an offender who was incarcerated at the time of the crime. “I would love to say more,” Chronister added, hinting at ongoing investigations, “but I don’t think it’ll be too long before I’m back in front of the cameras… there’s more individuals, and it’s even more egregious than we originally anticipated.”
Chronister expressed gratitude for the Attorney General’s focus on protecting vulnerable populations and for the Statewide Prosecutor’s office, which provides a crucial tool when criminals disregard jurisdictional boundaries. He also urged seniors to remain vigilant, keep a watchful eye on their financial resources, and “trust no one” on the phone unless they are a “trusted, noteworthy person from a financial institution.” He advised guardians of seniors to be “a little intrusive” and monitor their parents’ finances.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey further underscored the historical persistence and evolving nature of these crimes. He recalled seeing inmates committing identity theft and credit card fraud as early as 1993, using rudimentary methods like three-way calls from payphones. “Fast forward today,” Ivey noted, “Technology has changed the game.” He explained how cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin have made it even more challenging for law enforcement and seniors, who may not be familiar with these platforms.
Since 2021, Brevard County alone has seen nearly $13 million stolen from seniors, with only $1.4 million recovered. “Where does the 90-year-old victim that based their entire life existence, their entire income on that money that’s now lost it? There’s nothing for us to help them, no matter how big our hearts are,” Ivey stated, emphasizing the critical need for prevention.
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Both sheriffs highlighted the importance of education and awareness campaigns. Ivey advised seniors to use their voicemail and answering machines as filters and to never give out information to unsolicited callers. He stressed the importance of seeking out trusted sources for financial information.
Sheriff Ivey concluded with a stern warning to criminals: “If you’re going to do this type of activity, I highly recommend you do it somewhere, other than the State of Florida, because our attorney general, our Florida Department of Law Enforcement, our Statewide prosecutor’s office, our DOC, all working together… to either lock your butt up for the first time or make sure your butt stays locked up for the rest of the time that you’re on this planet.”
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