With new Tribal leaders and executives continually coming online, it’s important to share a word of caution as the scams of today are both new and old. In this article, I’ll expose some real-life examples to shed light on how some scams operate and what we can do to help prevent them. From schemes that prey on goodwill and relationship ties to new cutting-edge digital cons powered by artificial intelligence, fraudsters are finding new ways to exploit vulnerabilities – and people leading Tribes.

Take email phishing scams, for instance. They’re the digital equivalent of an old-fashioned con artist, sweet-talking their way into your inbox and then walking away with sensitive information. Or brushing scams – those random Amazon packages showing up at our doorstep? They’re not free gifts. Now there are AI-generated scams, with bots cranking out fake texts, emails, and even customer service interactions faster than ever before.

The old tricks, though, are still alive and well. And Indian Country has its own share of unique hustles. Just 20 years ago, Jack Abramoff defrauded Tribes of $85 million in lobbying fees, and worst of all, secretly lobbied AGAINST those same Tribes to extract more fees from them.

Cultural scams are exceedingly rampant where non-Native individuals claim Native American ancestry for personal and professional gain.

Working with Tribes, I am shocked at the stories of how they “lost $30 million” or have some other horrifying story that left financial trauma and a scar that almost always impacts their current and future decision-making.

But it’s not just non-Natives preying on us. Indian-on-Indian scams are prevalent. Like the sweet lady who runs a financial scam so convincing she could sell feathers to a bird. And the tribal executive whose misuse and abuse of funds is hidden behind a haze of gaslighting and misdirection so thick it could rival the morning fog.

When scammers succeed, money is lost, time is wasted, and future generations are impacted. It affects us all. So, it’s imperative to take scam incidents seriously and talk about them, and not just sweep them under the rug.

What Can We Do?

1. Awareness is Key: Recognize that scams, frauds, cons, and tricksters exist and they can evolve over time. Both historical and modern schemes can be sophisticated, preying on trust and familiarity, and some scammers lay plans YEARS in advance.

2. Skepticism with Unsolicited Offers: Be cautious about unsolicited emails, texts, or interactions, especially those requesting sensitive information. Phishing scams rely on unguarded moments.

3. Verify the Source: Do your homework and always verify the identity and credentials of individuals or organizations offering services, funding, or grants. This is especially critical for new partnerships or high-stakes decisions, and a background check could save you lost time and money.

4. Due Diligence on Technology: AI-powered scams are harder to detect as they mimic human behavior. Use secure communication channels and double-check any unusual requests, especially from known contacts.

5. Community Education: Don’t be afraid to speak up! Share information about scams or scammers that have shown up within our community (that’s what I’m doing!). A well-informed group is less likely to fall victim.

6. Strengthen Internal Controls: For Tribes, maintaining strong financial oversight, due diligence, and audit processes can help deter misuse of funds by insiders. Avoid “advance fee” scams by asking individuals or companies seeking pre-payment to provide client references for you to call – and do NOT let them tell you they can’t because everyone they work with has an NDA (non-disclosure agreement).

7. Cultural Vigilance: Protect against cultural misrepresentation by verifying citizenship claims or affiliation with a Tribe. Most Tribal Registration offices are more than happy to verify if someone is a citizen or not.

Have you or your Tribe been scammed? If so, I’d love to hear your story.

Scams can have a devastating impact, but together we can work to combat them. If you’re looking to implement stronger due diligence processes, enhance internal controls, and educate your leadership about scams, I can help. With years of experience working for and alongside Tribes, I’ve seen and experienced what can happen when trust overtakes proper strategy and fact-checking.

Reach out today to discuss how I can assist your Tribe in building resilience to safeguard against financial scams and fraud. Together, we can create a safer, more vigilant, and informed future for Indian Country.