Next week, April 19-25, 2020, is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. This year’s theme-Seek
Justice | Ensure Victims’ Rights | Inspire Hope-recognizes the individuals and groups whose
advocacy has propelled the victims’ rights movement forward for the past half century, inspiring in
victims and their loved ones a feeling of hope for progress, justice, and healing.
Although all National Crime Victims’ Rights Week activities have been postponed or cancelled this
year due to the pandemic, we still honor crime victims in our daily work, ensure victims’ rights,
and maintain our steadfast commitment to seeking justice for victims. We also want to remind the
community of an important resource and service available during this global crisis.
“The Coronavirus continues to batter every segment of our society," said U.S. Attorney Steven
Weinhoeft. “It is taking a toll on our economy and every part of our daily lives. But more
important is its cost in terms of human suffering. Any individual who seeks to exploit this
suffering through fraud, price gouging, or other means can expect to face the full wrath of the federal justice system. The
U.S. Attorney’s Coronavirus Fraud Task Force is working with local, state, and federal law
enforcement officials, and we will aggressively prosecute anyone who further victimizes the good
people of this district who are simply trying to survive this pandemic."
Anyone who has been a victim of a Covid-19 fraud or scam should call the National Center for
Disaster Fraud (NCDF) hotline (1-866-720-5721) or send complaints to the NCD e-mail
address: disaster@leo.gov. Victims can also contact our office directly at 618-628-3700.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
