Broken trust: Financial exploitation of vulnerable older adults from privileged perpetrator positions

• In Event: Hidden forms of Victimization

Abstract

While frauds and scams against older adults, often perpetrated by organised criminals with no prior connection to the victims, have long been the focus of political and media discourse, this is not the only threat to the assets of older people. Internationally, there is growing evidence that attacks on the property of older individuals are also committed to a considerable extent by people who are already close to the victims before the offence and whom the victims trust: family members, legal guardians, individuals granted power of attorney, healthcare and nursing staff, domestic helpers, etc. These risks apply in particular to older adults who are vulnerable in the sense that they suffer from physical or cognitive impairment and are dependent on support by third parties. Based on a review of international research, findings are presented on the prevalence of financial exploitation of older people from privileged positions, on perpetrator, victim and offence characteristics, on short- and long-term consequences of the offences, on risk factors and on perspectives for prevention and intervention. Results are discussed with regard to existing research gaps in a field that is methodologically difficult to access.

Authors

• Thomas Görgen, Deutsche Hochschule der Polizei/German Police University

• Tihomir Vrdoljak, German Police University