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Paul Robert Gunter, 58, and his daughter, Zibiah Joy Gunter, 25, have been charged with duping thousands of mainly elderly UK victims into investing more than $70 million in bogus corporations.  According to the complaint, the Gunter’s high jacked dormant shell companies, created a compelling story about each, and sold worthless stock in the companies through high pressure sales tactics to 15,000 elderly residents of the United Kingdom. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers arrested the Günter’s following a joint investigation with the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida, the United States Secret Service, and the City of London Police Department.

It’s a small world.  International communication is as easy as calling your next door neighbor.  Scam artists are not just willing, but anxious, to cross borders.  The elderly are targeted the world over because they have a lifetime of savings to lose.  American scam artists may be targeting residents of the UK hoping to trade on America’s reputation for energy and innovation.  Whatever the reason, residents of the UK should thoroughly investigate any American broker or investment promoter before sending any money. 

Baby boomers should talk to their elderly parents about these scams.  Widowed seniors are especially susceptible.  Anyone who has seen the terrific BBC Series Planet Earth will remember predators charging a pack of potential meals on the hoof hoping to separate one from the pack.  Once isolated, the target’s fate is sealed.