Elder Financial Abuse: Through the Eyes of the Predator

Free Community Presentation

Elder Financial Abuse

Through the Eyes of the Predator

Financial predators are patient, organized, and increasingly operating online. This presentation takes you inside their playbook so you can recognize the warning signs before damage is done.

01

Real Case Studies

Cases of elder financial exploitation from across the United States.

02

The Predator's Playbook

The tactics and techniques online financial predators use to target, groom, and exploit older adults.

03

Harden the Target

Practical strategies seniors and trusted family members can use to “harden the target” against financial predators.

John R. Schwartz

Founder and President
Center for Combating Elder Financial Abuse

John Schwartz is a retired FBI Special Agent with 24 years of investigative experience and a U.S. Army veteran who served nine years on active duty after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1986.

In February 2021, John founded the Center for Combating Elder Financial Abuse, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Haymarket, Virginia. The Center's mission is to lead the way in protecting older Americans and their families from financial predators through education, awareness, and prevention. The Center provides training on the tactics criminals use to target, groom, and financially exploit vulnerable older adults while equipping individuals, families, professionals, and law enforcement with practical strategies to recognize, prevent, and respond to elder financial abuse.

John has presented to organizations including the Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, the Virginia Assisted Living Association, AARP Virginia, the American Society of Criminology, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, West Chester University, the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Rotary International, and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Colorado.

John was also quoted in The Wall Street Journal article, “4 Financial Scams Targeting Seniors to Watch For,” published April 19, 2026. In March 2026, the Center received the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences' Nonprofit Organization Leadership and Innovation Award in recognition of its leadership and impact in combating elder financial abuse.