Secret Service Names Special Agent to Go After $100B Pilfered by Pandemic Fraudsters

Close to $100 billion was pilfered from pandemic relief funds, and the U.S. Secret Service has assigned Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAIC) Roy Dotson of the Jacksonville field office to oversee the recovery of the money lost to fraud.

As National Pandemic Fraud Recovery Coordinator, Dotson will coordinate the more than 900 ongoing Secret Service investigations into the fraudulent use of COVID-19 relief applications that include Paycheck Protection Loans and other federal funds that were part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, according to a Secret Service press release.

See also: First Pandemic Loan Scammer Sent To Federal Prison After Faking Suicide

While the Secret Service is best known for protecting the president and other political leaders, the agency is also in charge of investigating financial crimes.

To date, Secret Service investigations and inquiries into unemployment and SBA loan fraud resulted in the seizure of over $1.2 billion and the return of more than $2.3 billion of monies obtained fraudulently through Automated Clearing House reversals. The investigations have also led to the arrest of 100 people responsible for the fraud.

The Secret Service coordinates its efforts with the U.S. Department of Labor and SBA Offices of Inspectors General (OIG), and the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC).

As part of his duties as National Pandemic Fraud Recovery Coordinator, Dotson will coordinate with financial institutions and money services businesses, as well as the United States Attorney Offices and other federal agencies.

Read more: Fraudsters Siphon $100 Million In COVID Relief Through Online Investment Platforms

Every state has been hit, some harder than others. The Secret Service is hitting the ground running, trying to recover everything we can, including funds stolen from both federal and state programs,” Dotson said.

“The Secret Service has seen a huge uptick in electronic crime in furtherance of these fraud cases,” Dotson added. “Criminals will often ask potential victims to open an account and move money for them for some reason as part of a ruse.”