A recent arrest by the Fairhope Police Department brought to light a case involving an elderly woman who lost over $100,000 to an online scam. The victim discovered the fraud after purchasing a new vehicle and noticing unexpected charges for an anti-theft service.
Investigators identified 37-year-old Kamal Hussain of Clarkston, Georgia, as the perpetrator. He was charged with financial exploitation of the elderly. According to police, Hussain obtained the woman’s personal banking information, installed software on her phone and computer, and used fear tactics to manipulate her.
Monde Donaldson, Vice President of the Educational Foundation at the Better Business Bureau, highlighted the prevalence of online scams targeting older adults. “Older people aren’t isolated from technology,” she noted. “If they get a text, an email, or a pop-up on their computer saying something’s wrong, they may panic and contact the supposed help number.” She emphasized that seniors often fall prey to schemes such as Medicare fraud and identity theft, especially during the Medicare open enrollment period.
Donaldson advised that there are ways to verify suspicious emails or phone calls. She suggested contacting the Senior Medicare Patrol for guidance or the Better Business Bureau to confirm a company’s legitimacy.
She also warned about the “Grandparents Scam,” where a scammer impersonates a grandchild in distress, convincing grandparents to send money for legal assistance without verifying the claim.