U.S. Attorney Urges Public to Report Suspected COVID-19 Fraud | U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Maine
Summary
A press release of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maine of Friday, March 20, 2020. U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank urged the public to report suspected fraud related to COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus, to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. The release notes that Attorney General William Barr directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize such cases and lists examples of the fraud being reported.
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You are here Justice News Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Maine FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, March 20, 2020 U.S. Attorney Urges Public to Report Suspected COVID-19 Fraud PORTLAND, Maine: U.S. Attorney Halsey B. Frank today urged the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to COVID-19 (also known as the Coronavirus) by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline (1-866-720-5721) or to the NCDF e-mail address disaster@leo.gov . In coordination with the Department of Justice, Attorney General William Barr has directed U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of Coronavirus fraud schemes. Some examples of these schemes include: - Individuals and businesses selling fake cures for COVID-19 online and engaging in other forms of fraud. - Phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. - Malicious websites and apps that appear to share Coronavirus-related information to gain and lock access to your devices until payment is received. - Fraudulently seeking donations for illegitimate or non-existent charitable organizations. - Medical providers obtaining patient information for COVID-19 testing and then using that information to fraudulently bill for other tests and procedures. In a memorandum to U.S. Attorneys issued March 19, Deputy Attorney General Jeffrey Rosen also directed each U.S. Attorney to appoint a Coronavirus Fraud Coordinator to serve as the legal counsel for the federal judicial district on matters relating to the Coronavirus, direct the prosecution of Coronavirus-related crimes, and to conduct outreach and awareness activities. U.S. Attorney Frank has named Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel J. Perry as the district’s COVID‑19 Fraud Coordinator. The NCDF can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all U.S. Attorneys, as well as Justice Department litigating and law enforcement components to identify, investigate and prosecute fraud schemes. The NCDF coordinates complaints with 16 additional federal law enforcement agencies, as well as state Attorneys General and local authorities. To find more about Department of Justice resources and information, please visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus . ### Topic(s): Disaster Fraud Component(s): USAO - Maine Contact: Craig M. Wolff Assistant U.S. Attorney Tel: (207) 780-3257 Updated March 20, 2020
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