Elder Fraud in Nebraska

Nana Takyiwa Adonu, a 43-year-old U.S.-based Ghanaian woman, was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison for orchestrating a romance scam that defrauded Americans of over $1.6 million. The scheme involved creating fake dating profiles on social media to lure victims into sending money, with some victims losing their life savings, retirement accounts, homes, and vehicles; one Iowa victim alone lost over $55,000. Adonu operated Han-Dak LLC to launder the proceeds and provided false business documentation to obstruct the federal investigation.

Nebraska and 46 other states reached a $45 million settlement with Block, the company behind Cash App, after it failed to adequately protect users from fraud and made scams easier through features like Cash App Fridays promotions, minimal identity verification, and lack of phone support. Fraudsters exploited these weaknesses to trick users into sharing login information or calling fake support numbers, and Block allegedly knew about these issues but continued running the vulnerable promotions without warning users. Users who believe they were affected can seek compensation through Block's separate $75-120 million settlement with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, details available at ConsumerFinance.gov.

An Omaha college student lost nearly $5,000 after responding to a work-from-home data entry job posting that turned out to be a scam involving a fraudulent check. The scammer deposited a fake check into his account, instructed him to use the funds to purchase equipment via Cash App, then disappeared—leaving the student responsible when the bank later discovered the check was forged and clawed back the money. To protect yourself, be wary of job offers that involve upfront payments or equipment purchases, remember that banks can take weeks to identify fraudulent checks even though funds appear available within days, and verify job offers directly with companies through official contact information.

A 66-year-old San Diego contractor lost $4,000 in a sophisticated gift card scam after a caller impersonating a federal agent convinced him his bank account had been compromised and needed to transfer money for security. The scammer kept him on the phone while he purchased Lowe's gift cards at a nearby store, exploiting his fear about serious allegations and his need for business operating funds. The victim is urging retailers to do more to protect customers, such as training employees to recognize and intervene in potential scams and ensuring warning signs are visible and explained to customers at point of sale.

Seniors aged 62 and older are increasingly targeted by reverse mortgage scams, with people over 60 filing over 201,000 fraud complaints in 2025 resulting in $7.7 billion in losses. While reverse mortgages can be a legitimate financial tool for homeowners to access their home's equity, older adults should be cautious of fraudulent schemes, particularly because they are more vulnerable to financial fraud. To protect yourself, it's important to research lenders carefully, verify that any reverse mortgage offer comes from a trusted source, and consider consulting with a financial advisor before committing to any reverse mortgage product.

An Omaha family lost $7,000 after scammers impersonated Delta Airlines and convinced them their return flight from Cancun was on standby, requiring immediate payment to rebook. The family found the fake airline number through a Google search on their phone while panicked about their travel situation, and despite repeated promises, never received their refund. Experts advise travelers to never panic when airlines claim urgent issues, avoid using phone searches for airline numbers, and instead visit airport desks or use verified websites directly to check reservation status.

A woman in Arizona lost nearly $10,000 after scammers impersonated law enforcement officials and convinced her she had missed jury duty and owed a fine. The fraudsters used real names of local judges and officers, created a false sense of urgency about potential arrest, and instructed her to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin through an ATM to pay the supposed penalty. To protect yourself, be aware that legitimate courts never demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency or cash, and always verify official claims by independently contacting the actual government agency using publicly listed phone numbers rather than calling back the number provided by the caller.

Johnson County Park and Recreation District is offering free educational programs in June to help seniors and others recognize and protect themselves from scams, which are a common form of elder abuse. Two sessions—"Financial Prevention" and "Senior Medicare Patrol: Preventing Fraud and Protecting Yourself"—will teach participants how to spot warning signs of fraud, understand common scams targeting seniors, and learn practical steps to safeguard personal information and finances. Interested participants can register for the free programs by calling 913-831-3359 or visiting jcprd.com/50plus.

Nebraska seniors lose more money per scam than any other state, averaging nearly $4,000 per incident according to FTC data. Common scams target older adults through phone calls using urgent scenarios (like fake arrest warrants) to pressure them into withdrawing cash and converting it to cryptocurrency at ATMs. Experts recommend slowing down when money is mentioned, taking time to verify claims independently, and consulting trusted contacts before making large transfers—advice that could have prevented the Gambles from nearly losing $9,000 before a stranger intervened.