Rep. Mark Wright Named AARP Louisiana’s 2025 Fraud Fighter of the Year

In a time when scams are growing more sophisticated, especially in the world of cryptocurrency, strong leadership is essential to protect consumers. That’s why AARP Louisiana is proud to name Representative Mark Wright as our 2025 Fraud Fighter of the Year.

Rep. Wright has been a driving force in the fight against fraud in Louisiana. Earlier this year, he sponsored House Bill 483, a groundbreaking piece of legislation that passed during the 2025 legislative session. The bill targets a growing threat: virtual currency kiosks, which scammers often use to trick victims, particularly older adults, into converting cash into cryptocurrency as part of elaborate fraud schemes.

So, what does this new law do? It introduces three smart, practical protections that will make a real difference:

• Licensing Requirements: Kiosk operators must now be licensed under Louisiana’s money transmitter laws, ensuring greater oversight and accountability.
• Daily Transaction Limits: These limits help prevent large financial losses while still allowing legitimate transactions to take place.
• 72-Hour Transaction Hold: This critical pause gives victims time to recognize and report fraudulent activity before their money is gone for good.

“Older adults are disproportionately affected by theft losses at crypto kiosks, and strong protections are urgently needed,” said Denise Bottcher, State Director of AARP Louisiana. “Representative Wright’s leadership ensures that Louisiana residents, particularly older consumers, are better protected from these fast-growing scams.”

The statistics are sobering. In 2024, Louisiana residents reported more than $36 million in losses due to cryptocurrency fraud, according to the FBI. Nationally, complaints about crypto ATM scams surged by 99 percent, with older adults losing over $107 million.

Thanks to Representative Wright’s efforts, Louisiana now has stronger safeguards in place to protect consumers and promote transparency in virtual currency transactions. His work is a shining example of what it means to stand up for the safety and well-being of our communities.

Representative Wright was honored at a special celebration on Tuesday, November 4, at the AARP Madisonville Chapter 5408 meeting in Covington, Louisiana.

The AARP Fraud Fighter of the Year award recognizes individuals and organizations whose work demonstrates exceptional effort in preventing, exposing, or reducing fraud and scams that impact older adults.

Want to learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from scams? Visit the AARP Fraud Watch Network for free resources, tips, and tools.