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Secret Service unearths overseas fraud ring stealing millions in unemployment benefits
The Hill ^ | 05 16 2020 | J. Edward Moreno

Posted on 05/16/2020 6:25:47 PM PDT by yesthatjallen

The Secret Service has detected a large-scale foreign attack on the U.S. unemployment system that is processing record numbers of jobless claims amid the pandemic, according to the New York Times.

In a Secret Service memo obtained by the Times, the agency described the attack as a well-organized Nigerian fraud ring that could lead to “potential losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars.”

”We are actively running down every lead we are getting,” Roy Dotson, a special agent who specializes in financial fraud at the Secret Service, said in an interview with investigators obtained by the Times.

The attackers are reportedly using previously obtained social security numbers and other personal information to claim unemployment benefits.

Since March, more than 36 million people have filed for unemployment amid shutdowns triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The sudden volume in jobless claims has overwhelmed state unemployment systems.

The attack was first reported in Washington State, where people who did not file for unemployment reported receiving benefits they didn’t ask for.

(Excerpt) Read more at thehill.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: fraud; h1b; nigeria; scam; secretservice; unemployment
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To: yesthatjallen

Is that why I didn’t get a welfare check today?


21 posted on 05/16/2020 7:12:03 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: Cedar

It’s everywhere now so the thiefs will always come out and scam....less risk of being caught when things are overwhelmed.


22 posted on 05/16/2020 7:12:56 PM PDT by caww
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To: yesthatjallen

Any way to see if you’re a victim of this fraud? My mom still hasn’t received hers.


23 posted on 05/16/2020 7:18:50 PM PDT by wastedyears (The left would kill every single one of us and our families if they knew they could get away with it)
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To: Trump Girl Kit Cat

Good point. Most likely the weak link in the system.


24 posted on 05/16/2020 7:29:06 PM PDT by Cedar
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To: yesthatjallen

Our government is so inept that the entire world is ripping us off and stealing us blind.


25 posted on 05/16/2020 7:42:10 PM PDT by Lurkinanloomin (Natural Born Citizens Are Born Here of Citizen Parents_Know Islam, No Peace-No Islam, Know Peace)
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To: Cedar

That is what I recall from when I worked in private industry many years ago. Obama secretly changed so many rules and regulations, I wonder if he changed the unemployment system??


26 posted on 05/16/2020 7:44:44 PM PDT by elpadre (AfganistaMr Obama said theoal was to "disrupt, dismantle and defeat al-hereQaeda" and its allies.)
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To: Lurkinanloomin

Inept?
No, coconspirators.
The bank is always open.
Money,
And I think I need a lear jet...


27 posted on 05/16/2020 7:47:27 PM PDT by gathersnomoss (Welcf theome to North Mexico, Gringo's it...)
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To: yesthatjallen

Just “Draw a line in the sand” and warn them to behave!


28 posted on 05/16/2020 7:51:50 PM PDT by Mark (Celebrities... is there anything they do not know? -Homer Simpson)
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To: yesthatjallen

But do you think it could be not Nigerians, but China behind this?

China–Nigeria relations
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China have expanded on growing bilateral trade and strategic cooperation. China is considered one of Nigeria’s closest allies and partners. China is also one of Nigeria’s important trading and export partners. According to a 2014 BBC World Service Poll, 80% of Nigerians view China’s influence positively, with only 10% expressing a negative view, making Nigeria the most pro-Chinese nation in the world.[1]


29 posted on 05/16/2020 8:15:34 PM PDT by Faith Presses On (Above all, politics should serve the Great Commission, "preparing the way for the Lord.")
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To: Lurkinanloomin

Inept?
No, coconspirators.
The bank is always open.
Money,
And I think I need a lear jet...


30 posted on 05/16/2020 8:19:20 PM PDT by gathersnomoss (Welcf theome to North Mexico, Gringo's it...)
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To: elpadre

I’m not sure if Obama made any changes in the system. But as mentioned earlier in this thread, with the current rules changed to allow 1099 and gig workers to collect unemployment, there is no Employer step to verify these workers (real or fake).


31 posted on 05/16/2020 9:02:39 PM PDT by Cedar
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To: Whenifhow; null and void; aragorn; EnigmaticAnomaly; kalee; Kale; AZ .44 MAG; Baynative; bgill; ...

p


32 posted on 05/16/2020 9:07:08 PM PDT by bitt (Much of our culture is intended to traumatize us, as traumatized people are easily controlled)
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To: elpadre

Well, I should have said there MIGHT not be a way to verify 1099/gig workers. I really don’t know all the steps the states are taking for this current situation.

And I’m glad the gig workers and others are able to receive benefits. No doubt there are many thousands with no income for the past 2 months due to this virus shutdown. So they need the temporary help also along with W-2 workers. It’s really too bad that some overseas fraud ring has found a way to steal funds. Sure hope the Secret Service can shut all of them down.


33 posted on 05/16/2020 9:39:25 PM PDT by Cedar
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To: yesthatjallen

You must have a very stupid Democrats state government to have this kind of crap go on

I mean I’m here in California and they make you list your employer give the phone number and everything else


34 posted on 05/16/2020 10:16:16 PM PDT by Truthoverpower (The guv mint you get is the Trump winning express !)
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To: yesthatjallen

Been noticing some extra scams showing up in my Spam folder lately...


35 posted on 05/17/2020 4:44:21 AM PDT by trebb (Don't howl about illegal leeches, or Trump in general, while not donating to FR - it's hypocritical.)
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