The statement contains two parts: (1) veterans are primary targets of criminal fraud schemes, and (2) those who defraud servicemembers must face strict criminal penalties. The first part is broadly supported by evidence — multiple government reports (including from the FTC, VA, and Senate committees) consistently show veterans and servicemembers are disproportionately targeted by scams. The second part reflects existing law: the Military Lending Act, Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, and enhanced federal penalties already impose strict criminal consequences for fraud against military personnel. As a general factual claim about targeting and penalties, it is TRUE.

Although veterans are frequently targeted by fraudsters, available fraud data indicates that other groups, such as older adults and the general consumer population, experience higher volumes of fraud, so veterans are not the primary targets.

While veterans are indeed targeted by fraudsters

While veterans may be targeted in specific types of fraud schemes, there is no verifiable evidence that they are the 'primary targets' across all criminal fraud schemes. Other demographic groups, particularly the elderly, are more commonly cited as primary targets of fraud.