I seldom use the expression “a special place in Hell” because it has been suggested as the ultimate destination for too many people by now, from serial killers to women who voted for Donald Trump over Hillary Clinton. Invoked too often, it loses its punch.
Still, it’s a tempting phrase to employ in certain situations — like the one I’ll be describing later in this column.
I’ve always taken “a special place in Hell” to mean that uniquely horrible damnation awaits the predatory class of criminals who exploit the vulnerable — that is, sociopaths who abuse children or the elderly.
The latter is particularly despicable — those who gain the confidence of men and women in their golden years and find ways to steal their money. The FBI calls it elder fraud. It’s a big problem that’s become bigger in recent years.
The bureau’s preliminary estimate for 2021 shows losses reaching $1 billion among about 24,000 victims. That would represent a significant increase over 2020, when the bureau estimated losses from elder fraud at $600 million among 23,751 victims. As the nation’s senior population increased over the last five years, so did the number of fraud victims.
The schemes include classic cons and romantic scams. Lottery or sweepstakes frauds are also common. “Criminals will gain their targets’ trust and may…
