Elder Fraud in Alaska

A Caring.com report found that Indiana has the second-highest rate of senior fraud in the nation, with 76.9 complaints per 100,000 residents among people over 60, who collectively lost $4.8 billion to fraud nationally. Indiana experienced a 240% increase in fraud cases against older adults over three years, attributed partly to the state's growing elderly population projected to reach 20.1% by 2030. The report recommends seniors and families guard against pressure tactics, tech support scams (the most common type with over 17,000 cases in 2023), and cryptocurrency fraud schemes.

Arizona ranks as the fourth most dangerous state for online dating, with a romance scam rate of 14 per 100,000 users—the highest in the nation—according to a Privacy Journal study. The state also reports elevated rates of fraud, identity theft, and STD reports on dating apps, though it ranks sixth in registered sex offender numbers. Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire are identified as the safest states for online dating.

Andrea Estell Cochran, a 51-year-old from Houston, was arrested and charged with federal bank fraud after using forged passports to impersonate account holders and withdraw approximately $11,000 from multiple banks across Washington state and Maine in 2024. She faces up to 30 years in federal prison plus additional state charges, with a plea deal hearing scheduled for August 28, 2025. A separate study by VPNPro found that seniors aged 60 and older across all U.S. states lost significant sums to fraud in 2022, with losses ranging from approximately $3 million to $31 million per state, highlighting the widesprea

Andrea Estell Cochran, a 51-year-old from Houston, was arrested and charged with federal bank fraud after using fake passports to impersonate account holders and withdraw approximately $11,000 from multiple Washington state banks in 2024, with similar attempts in Maine; she faces up to 30 years in prison and state charges across multiple Washington counties. Additionally, a VPNPro study reveals that seniors aged 60 and over across all U.S. states lost substantial sums to fraud in 2022, with per-victim losses ranging from $13,118 to $30,150 depending on the state, highlighting seniors as prime targets for scammers

The Better Business Bureau's 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report identifies investment and cryptocurrency scams as the riskiest scams in North America, with a median loss of approximately $5,000 per person and often initiated through social media outreach. In Alaska alone, six investment scam reports totaled losses exceeding $74,457 in 2024. The report emphasizes that working with legitimate, fee-based financial advisors—who use standard stock markets, make no guaranteed returns, and wait for clients to approach them—significantly reduces fraud risk and improves wealth-building outcomes compared to falling for unsolicited investment opportunities.

In June, former congressman George Santos and Rep. Eric Burlison fell victim to an identity theft scam when an imposter using an outdated number posing as Rep. Rick Crawford contacted them via Telegram, claiming to offer Santos a "coordinator" position with the First Lady. Santos downloaded a suspicious app and shared a PIN with the imposter before realizing the deception and ending contact, though he reported no information was compromised. This incident is part of a growing trend of scammers using AI-generated messages to target government officials, and Santos has previously been targeted by another scammer who fraudulently claimed to have connections with prosecutors and judges.

AARP fraud experts warn that scammers in Anchorage are placing fake QR codes over legitimate ones in parking lots to direct users to fraudulent websites and steal personal financial information. To avoid falling victim, consumers should avoid scanning codes that appear tampered with, verify URLs match the business, never scan codes from unsolicited texts or emails, and resist rushing before entering sensitive data. Anyone who suspects they've been scammed should contact their bank immediately and report the incident to the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline.

The FBI's 2024 Internet Crime Report documented 6,770 online fraud complaints in Alaska totaling over $26 million in losses, with residents over 60 experiencing the highest financial impact, particularly from cryptocurrency scams comprising 45% of losses. Investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support fraud were the top scam types in the state, with the FBI urging residents to report incidents to their financial institutions and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.

In April, a crew of grifters posing as landscapers targeted the Morrison Ranch neighborhood in Agoura Hills, California, perpetrating a mulch-laying scam that overcharged residents thousands of dollars using intimidation tactics. One homeowner agreed to mulch work at $10 per bag but was presented with 250 mostly empty bags and demanded $2,500; she negotiated down to $500 with help from an attorney, while a neighboring widow reportedly paid the full $4,000 demanded out of fear. The scam involved deceptive practices such as using empty bags and previously used bags with minimal mulch, with the perpetrators becoming aggressive and refusing to leave until

A Newton Falls Township man reported to the Trumbull County Sheriff's Office that he was scammed via Instagram when someone offered him $500 to paint a profile photo, sent him money, then demanded repayment via Cash App before threatening him with images of violence. After the victim refused, the scammer emailed him graphic images including decapitated heads and armed individuals. Police advised the victim to close his social media accounts, delete his email, and contact his bank.

**Social Security Imposter Scams on the Rise** Government imposter scams, particularly those posing as Social Security Administration officials, represent one of the most common fraud schemes targeting consumers, with the Social Security OIG receiving 73,626 reports in 2023—a 13.7% increase from the previous year. Scammers contact victims via phone, text, or email claiming account problems, benefit suspensions, or legal threats, then demand immediate payment or personal information through threats of arrest or account seizure. The Social Security Administration never initiates contact unexpectedly, communicates changes by mail, and never demands immediate payment via gift card, cryptocurrency, or cash—

Christine Joan Echohawk, a 53-year-old Oklahoma woman, scammed four elderly women (ages 64-79) out of $1.5 million between September and December 2024 through romance scams using fake male personas such as "Jason Morris," "Edward Lotts," and "Glenn Goadard," with elaborate schemes involving fake oil rigs, debt payoffs, and financial portfolios. Echohawk received the funds via cash, checks, wire transfers, and gift cards, then laundered the money through bank accounts and cryptocurrency. She was charged with unlawful use of criminal proceeds and computer fraud after a bank flagged suspicious activity and an investigation by the

In December 2024, Oklahoma officials charged Christine Joan Echohawk with orchestrating romance scams that defrauded four elderly women (ages 64-79) of $1.5 million between September and December 2024. Echohawk used fake male personas including "Jason Morris," "Edward Lotts," and "Glenn Goadard" to convince victims to send money under false pretenses such as paying off debts or investing in oil rigs, then laundered the funds through bank accounts and cryptocurrency. A bank's suspicious hold on a $120,000 transfer led to the investigation, and Echohawk was charged with unlawful use of criminal proceeds and computer

Christine Joan Echohawk, a 53-year-old Oklahoma woman, was charged with money laundering after allegedly orchestrating online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) that netted approximately $1.5 million. Using fake male personas including "Edward Lotts," "Jason Morris," and "Glenn Goddard," Echohawk convinced victims they were in romantic relationships and persuaded them to send funds for various schemes (debt payoffs, oil tanker purchases, financial portfolios), which she then converted to cryptocurrency and sent to an unidentified accomplice. The scam was uncovered when MidFirst Bank flagged suspicious wire transfers in late December 2024, an

Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, of Oklahoma, was charged with scamming four elderly women (ages 64-79) out of $1.5 million between September and December through elaborate online romance scams using fake male personas (Jason Morris, Edward Lotts, and Glenn Goadard) who claimed to need money for various schemes like oil rigs and debt payoff. The victims sent cash, checks, wire transfers, and gift cards, which Echohawk deposited into her bank account and converted into cryptocurrency before sending the funds to an unidentified person; the scam was discovered when a bank flagged a $120,000 transaction from one victim.