Financial Crime World

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Financial Crime Prevention Strategies in Georgia: Attorney General Chris Carr Provides Update on Efforts to Combat Violent Crime, Protect Lives, Livelihoods, and Liberties

Atlanta, GA - In an update on his office’s efforts to combat violent crime and protect Georgia lives, livelihoods, and liberties, Attorney General Chris Carr highlighted the success of various initiatives aimed at preventing financial crimes in the state.

Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit

Since its creation in 2019, Carr’s Human Trafficking Prosecution Unit has worked with local, state, and federal law enforcement to arrest and prosecute offenders and rescue victims of sex trafficking. Last year, the unit:

  • Rescued and assisted 129 victims
  • Led and assisted 81 case investigations
  • Secured 29 new convictions, resulting in prison sentences

Gang Prosecution Unit

Carr’s Gang Prosecution Unit has also made significant progress, securing:

  • 25 convictions since April 2023
  • 89 indictments since its creation in July 2022

The unit has regional prosecutors and investigators in Albany and Augusta, and last year partnered with local, state, and federal law enforcement to execute 41 search warrants as part of “Operation No Loyalty” in Richmond County.

Cybercrime Prevention

To prevent financial crimes, Carr’s office has also taken steps to address cybercrime, partnering with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia and other agencies to form the:

  • Georgia Cyber Fraud Task Force: The Public Integrity and White Collar Crime Unit has prosecuted several cases as a result of leads identified by the task force.

Cybersecurity in Georgia Guide

In addition, Carr’s office has created “Cybersecurity in Georgia,” a comprehensive guide that includes critical tips and information about:

  • Cyber threats
  • Planning for and responding to security breaches
  • More…

The guide is available for download from the Consumer Protection Division website.

Protecting Older Georgians from Financial Exploitation

Carr’s Medicaid Fraud Division has secured:

  • 89 convictions for Medicaid fraud and abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, resulting in $19,373,894.15 in restitution orders
  • Civil settlements and judgments totaling $108,833,926.70

The division has also taken action to protect older Georgians from deceptive business practices, including false advertisements pertaining to unproven stem cell therapy.

Consumer Protection Division

Carr’s Consumer Protection Division has:

  • Secured settlements with the Attorney General’s Office resulting in payments to the State Treasury totaling $22,960,841 to benefit the public
  • Distributed 16,895 copies of its “Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults,” which covers a range of topics important to seniors

The guide is available in English, Spanish, and Korean and can be downloaded free from the Consumer Protection Division website.

Partnerships and Updates

In his efforts to protect Georgians from financial crimes, Carr has partnered with attorneys general across the country to investigate Meta’s conduct on social media platforms and TikTok’s handling of user data. He has also urged both companies to strengthen parental controls and encouraged Apple and Google to update their age ratings for the TikTok app.

“We are committed to preventing financial crimes in Georgia and protecting our citizens from harm,” said Carr. “We will continue to work tirelessly with law enforcement agencies, consumer protection organizations, and other stakeholders to ensure that our state remains a safe and prosperous place to live.”