Connecticut Elder Fraud & Confidence Scam Defense Lawyer

Allegations of scamming or exploiting an elderly person can be devastating. Prosecutors in Connecticut treat these cases aggressively, and accusations often lead to felony charges, complex financial investigations, and serious reputational damage.

Even if you never intended to defraud anyone, you might still be accused—simply because you were unknowingly used in a scheme orchestrated by others.

At Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer, we have over 30 years of experience defending clients accused of financial crimes involving seniors. We know how to navigate these high-stakes cases, uncover the truth, and fight to protect your rights.

Call us today for a free, confidential consultation.

“Elder fraud” or “confidence scams” involve allegations of exploiting or deceiving an older adult. Common accusations include:

• Persuading someone to send money for a fake investment or emergency
• Starting a relationship (online or in-person) to gain access to finances (“sweetheart scams”)
• Using personal or financial information without permission

These cases frequently involve traditional financial crime charges, such as:

• Larceny in the First Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-122): Theft exceeding $20,000
• Larceny in the Second Degree (C.G.S. § 53a-123): Theft exceeding $10,000
• Identity Theft (C.G.S. § 53a-129): Using another person’s information without consent
• Credit Card Fraud (C.G.S. § 53a-128d): Unauthorized use or possession of a credit or debit card
  

One of the most common—and least understood—realities of elder fraud prosecutions is that many defendants are not the masterminds of any scheme. Instead, they are innocent “money mules”—people recruited, often unknowingly, to pass along funds, deposit checks, or allow others to use their accounts.

International crime rings and domestic scammers frequently recruit ordinary people through:

• Job offers promising easy remote work.
• Romantic relationships that develop online.
• Social media connections offering “quick earnings.”

By the time law enforcement investigates, the true perpetrators are often overseas or impossible to identify, leaving local, unknowing participants to face charges.

We have successfully defended clients in these situations by:

• Intervening early: Presenting evidence to law enforcement before formal charges are filed.
• Tracing communications and transactions: Proving our client was manipulated.
• Demonstrating lack of intent: A key requirement for defeating fraud and larceny charges.

Many elder fraud cases begin long before any arrest. You may:

• Receive a call from a detective asking you to “answer a few questions.”
• Be served with a subpoena for financial records.
• Have a search warrant executed at your home or bank.

• Complaints from alleged victims or family members: A senior or their relatives report suspicious withdrawals, transactions, or gifts.
• Financial institution alerts: Banks file suspicious activity reports (SARs) to law enforcement.
• Digital evidence: Emails, texts, and social media messages are often the starting point.
• Guardianship or probate disputes: Civil conflicts sometimes trigger criminal complaints.

Elder fraud investigations often involve:

• Local police financial crime units.
• Connecticut State Police.
• Federal agencies (FBI, U.S. Postal Inspectors) when allegations cross state or national borders.

• Unusual financial transactions.
• Evidence of persuasion or undue influence.
• Communications suggesting a fraudulent scheme.
• Links between you and known scammers.

• You do not have to speak to investigators.
• You should never “explain yourself” without a lawyer present.
• You have the right to challenge improper searches or subpoenas.

Early legal intervention can often stop a case before it becomes public. We communicate directly with investigators, present exculpatory evidence, and protect your rights from day one.

• Romance or “Sweetheart” Scams: A genuine relationship later misconstrued as exploitation.
• Emergency Scams: Alleged schemes to convince seniors to send funds for a fake crisis.
• Money Mule Recruitment: Defendants believing they were assisting with legitimate transactions, only to face felony charges while the true criminals escape.
• Family Disputes: False claims of exploitation during inheritance or guardianship conflicts.

Our defense strategy focuses on challenging both the facts and the narrative of the case:

• Proving lack of intent: Showing you acted in good faith and without knowledge of wrongdoing.
• Exposing the true culprits: Using digital evidence, communications, and timelines to point to the real perpetrators.
• Challenging improper evidence collection: Suppressing unlawfully obtained records or statements.
• Countering false allegations

For first-time defendants, Connecticut’s Accelerated Rehabilitation (AR) Program offers a potential path to dismissal. Successful completion results in:

• All charges erased from your record, and
• Your reputation restored.

We often combine early advocacy with AR applications to:

• Convince prosecutors not to file charges, or
• Secure AR approval to avoid a permanent criminal record.

Learn more about AR and whether it’s an option in your case.

Clients choose us for our:

• Over 30 years of criminal defense success in Connecticut.
• Extensive experience with financial and fraud-related cases.
• Proven record of early intervention, often preventing charges entirely.
• Dedicated, personalized representation to protect your freedom and future.

A single accusation of exploiting a senior can ruin your life—but it doesn’t have to. With the right defense, you can protect your reputation, freedom, and future.

Call Allan F. Friedman Criminal Lawyer today at (203) 357-555 for a free, confidential consultation or use this contact form.