Vulnerable

Beware: Dutchess County Police Alert Residents to Surge in Grand Jury Scam Targeting Vulnerable Victims

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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — Authorities in Dutchess County are sounding alarms about a growing scam targeting residents. Law enforcement officials report that scammers are reaching out to individuals under the pretense of informing them, or their relatives, that they have missed grand jury appearances. The communication typically implies that a payment is required to evade impending arrest. The Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized that legitimate police agencies will never request monetary payments to resolve outstanding warrants. This warning comes as the community has increasingly reported these fraudulent encounters, prompting officials to take action to inform … Read more

Minot Man Convicted of Exploiting Vulnerable Elderly Residents in Disturbing Care Facility Case

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MINOT, N.D. — A Ward County jury has found Dalton Hattem guilty of sexually abusive actions against elderly residents in a Minot long-term care facility. The verdict was reached quickly, with jurors deliberating for only 16 minutes before concluding that Hattem exploited individuals who were vulnerable due to age, illness, or cognitive limitations. Prosecutors presented evidence, including explicit communications and videos between Hattem and his wife, Amber, which outlined a disturbing pattern of exploitation. The jury’s decision, which includes two counts of conspiracy to commit gross sexual imposition, carries a potential maximum sentence of 20 … Read more

Minot Man Convicted of Conspiring to Exploit Vulnerable Care Facility Residents in Disturbing Case

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MINOT, N.D. — A Minot man has been convicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit gross sexual imposition following a brief jury deliberation that lasted only 16 minutes at the Ward County Courthouse last week. The charges stemmed from allegations that he and his wife exploited vulnerable residents of a local long-term care facility. Dalton Hattem, 34, was charged earlier this year in March after an investigation revealed that he coordinated with his 33-year-old wife, Amber Hattem, to take advantage of residents who were unable to defend themselves due to age, illness, or cognitive … Read more

Arizona Attorney General Cracks Down on Alleged Home Foreclosure Scam Targeting Vulnerable Homeowners

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PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has initiated legal action against two individuals accused of running a fraudulent foreclosure service, allegedly designed to deceive homeowners into forfeiting their property titles. Mayes announced the suit on Monday, targeting Edward Trenton Albarracin and Gretchen Marie Zamjahn, alongside 50 business entities linked to them. The lawsuit contends that Albarracin and Zamjahn exploited vulnerable homeowners facing foreclosure, promising to alleviate their financial burden by catching up on overdue mortgage payments. Instead of providing genuine assistance, they reportedly instructed victims to temporarily transfer property ownership to a trust linked … Read more