Fraudsters Caught Allegedly Targeting Sick Veterans

Two individuals face federal charges for an appalling scheme targeting seriously ill veterans, exploiting their vulnerability for financial gain.

At a Glance

Darryl Lamont Young and Aqeelah Ngiesha Williams have been indicted for fraud after allegedly targeting sick veterans.
Young allegedly posed as a VA employee while incarcerated to gather veterans’ personal information.
The scheme is believed to have involved over 30 medical facilities and more than 60 victims.
The duo is accused of carrying out 130 fraudulent transactions, obtaining approximately $8,000.
Charges include conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft.

Uncovering a Despicable Scheme

In a disturbing case of fraud targeting our nation’s heroes, Darryl Lamont Young and Aqeelah Ngiesha Williams have been indicted for a scheme that preyed upon seriously ill veterans. The pair’s alleged activities have shocked investigators and the public alike, shedding light on the vulnerability of hospitalized veterans to such malicious exploitation.

Young, while already incarcerated, is accused of posing as a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employee to gather sensitive personal and financial information from veterans. His alleged accomplice, Williams, facilitated fraudulent transactions using the ill-gotten data. The audacity of their scheme has left many questioning the security measures in place to protect our veterans’ personal information.

VA fraud: 2 charged in scheme stealing from sick veterans https://t.co/6kVVtf6LnT

— KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) October 8, 2024

The Mechanics of Deception

Reports indicate the fraudsters’ modus operandi was as cunning as it was callous. Young allegedly used jail phone systems to contact medical facilities, skillfully masking the origin of his calls. He is accused of seeking information about patients in intensive care units, targeting those least able to protect themselves. Williams then allegedly set up three-way calls to the victims or their representatives, enabling Young to pose as a VA employee offering financial benefits.

This elaborate ruse reportedly allowed the pair to target over 30 medical facilities and more than 60 victims. It’s believed that their brazen efforts resulted in approximately 130 attempted fraudulent transactions, netting them around $8,000 before their scheme was uncovered and halted.

Legal Consequences and Investigation

The gravity of Young and Williams’ alleged crimes is reflected in the charges they now face. The indictment includes conspiracy to commit wire fraud, six counts of wire fraud, and six counts of aggravated identity theft. These charges carry severe potential penalties, with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud each punishable by up to 20 years in prison. The aggravated identity theft charges come with a mandatory two-year sentence.

U.S. Attorney Gorman spoke of the case, saying, “While they did not get a huge amount of money with this scheme, the harm they caused to those already suffering a health crisis, is deserving of federal prosecution.”

The investigation into this alleged scheme is being conducted jointly by the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General and the United States Secret Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Mike Dion and Yunah Chung are prosecuting the case, demonstrating the federal government’s commitment to protecting our veterans from such predatory behavior.

Implications and Preventive Measures

This case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for vigilance in protecting our veterans, especially those who are most vulnerable due to illness or hospitalization. It highlights potential weaknesses in the verification processes within VA facilities and emphasizes the importance of robust security measures to prevent similar frauds in the future.

While the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty, this case underscores the critical need for heightened awareness about potential fraud targeting veterans. It serves as a call to action for improved security protocols within veterans’ services and a reminder for all citizens to remain vigilant in protecting personal information.