BUFFALO (WBEN) - "Last Friday, Attorney General William Barr directed me and the 92 other U.S. attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of coronavirus frad schemes," said U.S. Attorney JP Kennedy to begin a Monday press conference. "In order to do that, I am enlisting the assistance of the public to report suspected fraud schemes related to the COVID-19 pandemic by calling the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at 1-866-720-5721."
While Kennedy emphasized that there haven't been any local reports of fraud schemes, there have been cases seen throughout the country, including in Western Pennsylvania. Kennedy expects local cases to appear soon as well.
Some examples of these fraud schemes include individuals selling fake cures for COVID-19, emails posing as health organizations, malicious websites and apps seeking fraudulent donations, etc.
As part of the directive from Barr, Washington D.C. also mandated that each U.S. attorney appoint a coronavirus fraud coordinator who will serve as legal counsel for each district on matters relating to coronavirus.
"The National Center for Disaster Fraud can receive and enter complaints into a centralized system that can be accessed by all 93 of us U.S. attorneys, as well as the justice department litigating components and enforcement components who will identify, investigate and prosecute these fraud schemes," said Kennedy. "My message to those who seek to exploit the pandemic for their own personal gain by stealing others' money or identity is simple...we will find you, and we will treat you. Your treatment will include isolation in a federal courthouse and isolation in federal prison should you be convicted."