HONOLULU (AP) — Maui authorities are looking at ways to cut down on the number of people who become victims of financial crimes, an issue being dealt with in police departments across the state. ADVERTISING HONOLULU (AP) — Maui authorities
HONOLULU (AP) — Maui authorities are looking at ways to cut down on the number of people who become victims of financial crimes, an issue being dealt with in police departments across the state.
Maui police Chief Tivoli Faaumu said his department has seen an increase in identity theft, unlicensed contractor fraud and scams involving suspects who call potential victims and claim to be from the IRS. He says suspects often target unsuspecting victims.
“The folks that we are dealing with now is our elderly folks where contractors will come in (to their homes) and propose to do things for them and take their money and walk away,” Faaumu told Honolulu station KHON-TV (https://bit.ly/1XiNxWp).
A rise in financial crimes is being seen in police departments throughout Hawaii, including in Honolulu, Kauai and on the Big Island.
Maui County Prosecutor John Kim said the key to catching the suspects is getting victims to come forward.
“We had a case with a guy who was what they call a ‘gypsy roofer,’ and he went from house to house victimizing senior citizens,” Kim said. “In that case, there was at least two victims who did not want to prosecute, did not want to be embarrassed, but we had several others who did come forward and we were able to prosecute him successfully.”
