HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – On Wednesday, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia Moore Capito hosted a roundtable at the Cabell County Courthouse to focus on fraud‑prevention efforts that directly affect West Virginians. The meeting brought together roughly 20 federal, state and local law‑enforcement officials, including prosecutors, investigators and agency representatives.
Protecting taxpayers and seniors
Capito emphasized that the primary goal of the initiative is to safeguard taxpayers’ money and to pursue individuals who target older adults with fraudulent schemes. “Our seniors deserve the peace of mind that comes from knowing their hard‑earned savings are protected,” Capito said during the session.
Statewide task force on the horizon
Participants learned that a statewide task force, the Mountain State Fraud and Diversion Taskforce, will be formally announced on Nov. 10 in Clarksburg. The task force’s mission is to coordinate resources across agencies to combat fraud throughout West Virginia, from identity theft to fraudulent charitable solicitations.
Collaboration across jurisdictions
Representatives from the FBI, the West Virginia State Police, the Department of Justice’s Fraud Section, and local sheriff’s offices highlighted recent successes in dismantling fraud rings that preyed on vulnerable residents. They also discussed best practices for reporting suspicious activity and for educating the public, especially seniors, about common scams such as fake lottery winnings, bogus investment opportunities and phishing emails.
Local impact and next steps
The roundtable underscored the importance of local law‑enforcement agencies in detecting and responding to fraud early. Capito noted that the collaborative model being developed will allow for faster information sharing and more efficient allocation of investigative resources. He urged community members to remain vigilant and to report any suspected fraud to their local police department or the state attorney’s office.
As the Mountain State Fraud and Diversion Taskforce prepares for its official launch, officials expect a continued focus on outreach, education and coordinated enforcement actions that will help keep West Virginians’ finances secure.
Original reporting: WCHS Eyewitness News Charleston (local) — read the source article.
