Conviction in $25 Million Kern County IRS Tax Fraud Case
Miguel Martinez pled guilty to conspiracy to submit $25 million in fraudulent individual federal income tax returns to the International Revenue Service.
Hackers Are Sending USBs Full of Ransomware to Businesses in the Mail
The US Federal Bureau of Investigation is warning that an infamous cybercrime group that is behind previous ransomware operations has sent malicious USB devices to US companies over the past few months in the hopes of infecting their systems with malware and carrying out future attacks. These drives would execute a “BadUSB” attack where the USB…
The rise of tax fraud during the pandemic.
Sadly, as many have learned, the pandemic has emboldened those looking to prey on taxpayers. Tax preparers must exercise caution and suspicion to protect their clients from becoming victims of fraud. Over the course of the pandemic, tax experts have seen fraudulent PPP loan applications and inappropriate use of funds received. Following the subprime mortgage…
The Consequences of Vaccination Fraud
Since the recent vaccine rollout, many businesses have decided to require proof of vaccination to enter their establishments. These mostly include bars, restaurants, and other places where crowds may gather. As mandatory COVID-19 vaccines become more widespread, many employers are asking what they can do if workers refuse. Some employers are firing workers who won’t…
The DOJ speaks out against health care clinics charging for vaccines
Is your clinic charging individuals for the vaccine? Since the rollout of the new COVID-19 vaccinations, acting U.S. Attorney Philip A. Talbert and others released statements warning individuals that they should not be asked to pay to receive the COVID vaccine. Clinics that require individuals to pay for their vaccine are doing so unlawfully. “Covid-19…
DOJ Warns About Post-Vaccine Survey Scams
The DOJ announced a new breed of fraudster taking advantage of individuals who have received the recent COVID-19 vaccine. They do this by enticing individuals to complete a survey post-vaccine, which promises prizes or cash if submitted. In actuality, this scheme is designed to unlawfully gather personal information on these individuals with the purpose of…
Justice Department takes action against COVID-19 fraud
To date, the DOJ has publicly charged 474 defendants with criminal offenses based around fraud schemes connected to the current pandemic. These cases involved fraudulent transactions attempting to obtain over $569 million from the United States government and individual citizens. These cases were brought to 56 federal districts around the country and demonstrated a level…
Recovering from Ponzi Schemes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
It is no secret that Ponzi schemes are illegal and financially devastating to its victims, but they are not always so easy to spot. However, when markets are dropping and finances start shrinking, they become increasingly exposed. Case in point: the financial crash of 2008 revealed Bernie Madoff’s decades-long success of ripping off investors when…
COVID-19 Scams Rising: How You Can Protect Yourself
It is no secret that fraudsters tend to prey on the weak or vulnerable. And right now, the majority of Americans are feeling the crunch of the COVID-19 pandemic. Financial uncertainty and an economy in near shambles make the perfect recipe for scammers to start taking advantage of those in desperation. Consumers and businesses alike…