Elder Fraud in West Virginia

Former college basketball player Kerr Kriisa was indicted on five counts of wire fraud after allegedly defrauding two victims of nearly $2.2 million between 2022 and 2024 by posing as different people, including his own mother, and claiming he and his family needed emergency financial assistance. The 25-year-old Estonian guard, who played for Arizona, West Virginia, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, was arrested in Kentucky and faces federal charges in West Virginia. Victims should be cautious of unsolicited requests for money—especially from people claiming emergencies—and verify the person's identity through independent contact information before sending any funds.

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.

Federal and West Virginia officials are backing a "Never EVER" campaign to combat elder fraud, which costs West Virginia seniors approximately $19 million annually, with government imposter scams accounting for $1.1 million of that. Scammers—often operating from foreign countries using AI technology to mimic trusted voices and create artificial urgency—target vulnerable people by pressuring them to act immediately or face consequences. To protect yourself, never give out personal information to unsolicited callers, and if you suspect fraud, report it to local law enforcement or the U.S. Attorney's office.

Emergency alert systems in the U.S. and Canada are based on outdated assumptions about older adults: while planners long assumed seniors relied on landlines, new federal data shows that roughly 75% of American seniors and 83% of Canadian seniors now primarily use cell phones and the internet. This disconnect means many emergency alerts—which still rely on reverse 911 systems tied to physical addresses—may fail to reach older residents effectively during severe weather or other crises. To stay safe, seniors should ensure their cell phone numbers are registered with local emergency services, opt into mobile alert systems, and verify they can receive emergency notifications on their devices.

Financial scams targeting older Americans are increasing at an alarming rate, with Arizona reporting the highest number of fraud cases among residents age 60 and older at seven reports per 1,000 people, followed by Delaware and Colorado. Business imposter scams are the most common fraud type nationwide, though government imposter scams are more prevalent in six states including Alaska and Iowa. Experts warn that as digital banking and online payments become more common, older Americans should be vigilant about verifying the identity of anyone requesting financial information and consider reporting suspicious activity to the Federal Trade Commission.

A man dubbed the "TikTok Trickster" has been arrested and faces multiple felony charges for running romance scams across several states, targeting women by building fake relationships on social media using dozens of aliases to steal money and property—with victims reporting losses ranging from $1,500 to over $30,000. Brenton Fillers, now held in Baldwin County Jail with his bond increased to $25,000, allegedly moved between states to evade arrest, and authorities say publicity about his case has prompted additional victims to come forward. People should be cautious about online relationships asking for money or property, and anyone with information about this or similar scams should contact local police.

A 79-year-old Bradenton widower lost $31,000 in a romance scam after meeting a person posing as "Julia" on Facebook in 2023, who claimed to be a woman in the UK needing money to relocate to Florida. Benjamin Yakah, who was using stolen photos from an unsuspecting West Virginia woman, was arrested in Minnesota and convicted of grand theft, receiving one year in jail and four years of probation while being ordered to repay the victim. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that quickly involve requests for money, verify identities through video calls, and alert authorities if you suspect you're being scammed—especially if family members express concerns about your online relationships.

A 79-year-old Florida widower lost $31,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a British woman named "Julia" on Facebook for eight months, claiming she needed money to relocate to be with him. Benjamin Yakah from Minnesota was arrested, convicted of grand theft, and sentenced to one year in jail plus probation after police discovered he was using stolen photos and had targeted other victims in multiple states. Police warn that romance scams are among the top five fraud tactics used against Americans, especially seniors, and recommend that older adults seek printed resources about fraud prevention from local authorities.