LAPD Sgt. Ben Irving to Present on Common New Mexico Fraud Scams

Sgt. Benjamin Irving of the Los Alamos Police Department presented a public forum titled “The Most Common Fraud Scams in New Mexico” at the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos Sanctuary on Feb. 6, 2026, drawing local residents for a 30-minute talk and discussion on how to recognize scams, prevent victimization and report incidents to authorities.

Organizers framed the event as a practical response to rising consumer losses nationwide. Promotional material cited Federal Trade Commission 2024 figures showing 2.6 million fraud reports, 1.1 million identity-theft reports and more than $12 billion in consumer losses. The materials warned that “Since not all incidents are reported, the actual numbers are higher and the threat is larger,” and noted that “The advent of AI will make the peril of internet fraud more potent.”

Irving, who serves as LAPD Community Liaison Unit Supervisor, led the session with local examples and prevention strategies. Irving has worked with LAPD for 14 years and serves in multiple instructional and support roles, including field training officer, domestic violence instructor and general instructor on a variety of topics. He also functions as the LAPD Chaplain Corps liaison. Irving is a graduate of the Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command, class 538, and holds a Master of Science degree in Law Enforcement Leadership from the University of San Diego, according to event materials.

The forum followed the Unitarian Church’s Sunday Monthly Forums format of a short presentation followed by audience questions and discussion. Church organizers said the program “endeavors to educate the public about issues that affect the community. It is independent of the religious mission of the church.” Many presentations in the series are recorded and posted on the church website and a Sunday Forums YouTube playlist for residents who cannot attend in person.

For Los Alamos residents, the seminar underscored practical steps to reduce risk: scrutinize unexpected requests for money or personal information, be cautious with links and attachments, and verify callers who claim to represent government agencies or local utilities. The combination of large national loss figures and rapid advances in artificial intelligence suggests scam tactics may become more sophisticated, raising the bar for local vigilance.

Those seeking the recorded presentation or more information can contact the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos at 1738 North Sage Street or by phone at 505-662-2346. Local residents concerned about a possible scam are encouraged to contact the Los Alamos Police Department Community Liaison Unit to report incidents and get guidance. The forum signals continued local emphasis on consumer protection and community education as fraud risks evolve.