West Virginia forms statewide fraud task force

West Virginia’s two U.S. attorneys have launched the Mountain State Fraud and Diversion Task Force, bringing together federal, state and local agencies to investigate and prosecute fraud across the state. The partnership held its first meeting at the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services facility in Clarksburg and will focus on schemes involving health care, taxes, public benefits and personal finances. Officials say coordinated information-sharing and federal investigative resources can help close gaps between agencies and support local departments facing staffing constraints. They also warn that fraud harms consumers and taxpayers by draining savings and driving up costs, and urge residents to report suspected crimes to law enforcement or the FBI.