Religious groups take on rampant fraud with conference

Religious groups take on rampant fraud with conference


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SALT LAKE CITY -- Fraudsters are fleecing Utahns like never before, with published estimates of their spoils in the billions of dollars.

Now, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will have a presence at an upcoming conference on fraud. Organizers of the second-annual Fraud College hope the presence will help the message resonate.

"Whether or not these people are wearing a white shirt or are your boy scout leader, you need to exercise extreme caution when it involves your investment dollars," attorney and event organizer Brent Baker told KSL.

Conference Details
Where: Feb. 15 at the University of Utah's student union ballroom

When 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The LDS Church is sending its Managing Director of Public Affairs, Michael Otterson to the conference. Otterson will be flanked by Christian Life Center Pastor Myke Crowder Rabbi Ilana Schwartzman from the Congregation Kol Ami.

A key focus of the event will be on affinity fraud, where scammers target the bonds that tie people to ethnic groups and faiths.

"Just because someone belongs to the same synagogue or is in the same ward - as we often see is the case here in Utah - people tend to let their guard down," Baker said. "They don't use the same common sense they use otherwise."

Representatives from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies are expected to be in attendance.

The conference will be held Feb. 15 at the University of Utah's student union ballroom, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

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Andrew Adams

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