Elderly Exploited Through Deception and Fear Tactics
A wave of shocking financial exploitation targeting elderly Israelis has been exposed, involving elaborate scams that leave victims destitute and emotionally devastated. Cases range from individuals being tricked into taking out loans and purchasing vehicles they never drove, to others being coerced into selling their homes and life savings under duress.
One victim, Irina Ponomaryov, 76, discovered loans taken out in her name and a car purchased without her knowledge, leading to a barrage of traffic fines and a reduction in her social security benefits. She had sought a small loan online and instead found herself entangled in a scheme that cost her approximately 100,000 shekels. Another elderly woman was convinced by her Chinese medicine therapist that she would die if she didn't purchase increasingly expensive treatments, ultimately leading her to sell her home and transfer all the money to the therapist.
These incidents highlight a pattern where perpetrators exploit trust, often through therapeutic or familial relationships, or by creating a false sense of urgency and fear via phone calls or online advertisements. The scams involve convincing victims to sign loans, power of attorney documents, or transfer assets under false pretenses. Some victims are targeted by impersonators posing as bank officials, police, or even family members.
Legal aid organizations are working to assist victims, but many cases face challenges. The article notes that police sometimes close cases, classifying them as civil disputes, despite clear evidence of fraud. Lawyers emphasize the need for stricter controls by financial institutions to prevent such exploitation and highlight the shame and isolation victims often experience, which can hinder their ability to seek help.
In one particularly brazen scam, a 73-year-old woman lost 50,000 shekels after scammers, impersonating her grandson, convinced her to hand over cash to a courier for 'safekeeping.' Another case involved a couple who sold their apartment and transferred 1.75 million shekels to a scammer posing as a tax authority representative, who convinced them their accounts were compromised and demanded secrecy.
A recent amendment to the Legal Aid Law in March 2026 provides free legal assistance to individuals over 65 who have been victims of fraud, deception, or theft due to exploitation of their vulnerability or cognitive state. This aims to help victims cancel fraudulent contracts, recover assets, and obtain restraining orders, though legal aid emphasizes that reporting to the police is still crucial.
