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The Honolulu Police Department issued a warning about scams in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement and government agency officials to deceive residents. These scammers typically contact victims by phone, threatening legal action or arrest unless they pay money immediately, a tactic commonly used in extortion schemes. Citizens are advised to be suspicious of unsolicited calls demanding payment and to verify caller identity through official government channels before providing any personal or financial information.

The Honolulu Police Department is warning of scammers impersonating law enforcement and government officials who use spoofed caller IDs and fake badge numbers to trick victims into paying for fake classes via digital payment apps like Apple Pay, Zelle, and Cash App. One fraud group has been fraudulently using the identity and photograph of a former HPD sergeant to pose as an FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center agent in cryptocurrency recovery schemes. Victims are advised to immediately halt contact with scammers, notify their banks, and file reports with local police and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Romance scams typically involve fraudsters creating fake online personas to build romantic relationships with victims, ultimately convincing them to send money for supposed emergencies, travel expenses, or investment opportunities. Victims often lose thousands of dollars before discovering the deception, and the emotional manipulation involved can cause lasting psychological harm. These scams frequently target vulnerable individuals, particularly seniors and divorced or widowed people seeking companionship.

Kauai County officials debunked false rumors that Port Allen was closed and a fuel barge had capsized following Hurricane Lowell, with the port confirming full operational status. Kauai Police Department warned residents to remain vigilant against disaster-related scams, noting that fraudsters often impersonate law enforcement, government agencies, and relief organizations to steal money or personal information during recovery efforts.

Hawaii's Department of the Attorney General is warning the public about a scam in which criminals impersonate Attorney General Anne Lopez via text messages, instructing victims to purchase gift cards and send photographs of the cards and redemption codes. One victim received such messages but was able to recover funds through their financial institution. The department emphasizes that no state official will request gift cards, gift card numbers, or money through unofficial communications, and urges anyone targeted to contact local police or the Attorney General's office.

Hawaii's new law banning cryptocurrency kiosks that accept cash takes effect October 1, 2026, in response to a dramatic surge in crypto ATM fraud affecting state consumers. Hawaii residents lost $3.85 million through crypto ATM scams in 2025—nearly four times the $1 million lost in 2024—with fraudsters using the kiosks to launder money obtained through romance scams, impersonation of government officials, and tech support schemes. The law prohibits operators from owning or managing kiosks that accept U.S. currency or cash equivalents in exchange for cryptocurrency, with violators facing significant civil penalties.

An Indian national was arrested in Hawaii for allegedly serving as a courier in a sophisticated "gold bar" scam targeting elderly victims, where criminals impersonated U.S. Marshals to pressure a woman into liquidating over $137,000 in savings to buy gold bars as "protection" for her identity-compromised account. The suspect admitted to conducting approximately 10 similar fraudulent pickups from older adults over several months, highlighting a growing national trend of organized criminal networks exploiting seniors through impersonation and high-pressure tactics. Elderly people should be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming their identity is compromised or their money is at risk, verify caller identity through official channels, and never liquidate assets based on urgent demands from people they cannot independently verify.

An Indian national named Harsh Fojalal Shah was arrested in Hawaii for his role in a "gold bar purchase" fraud scheme targeting elderly victims, where scammers impersonated U.S. Marshals to convince seniors their identities had been compromised and pressure them to liquidate assets and buy gold. One victim lost over $137,000 in life savings and retirement funds before law enforcement intervened, and Shah admitted to conducting similar scams with at least ten other elderly victims. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from government agencies, never liquidate assets based on phone pressure, and verify any urgent claims by calling official agencies directly using numbers from their official websites.

Scammers in Hawaii are sending threatening text messages claiming drivers owe unpaid traffic tickets and pressuring them to pay immediately or face arrest, license suspension, or wage garnishment—using fake Hawaiian-sounding names and official-sounding case numbers to appear legitimate. If you receive such a text, do not respond, click links, or send money; instead, verify any traffic citations directly through the Hawaii State Judiciary at 808-539-4909 or the eCourt Kokua website. State officials warn that the urgency and threats are red flags, and victims should report payments to law enforcement immediately, though recovery is unlikely.

Honolulu's Department of Planning and Permitting and Hawaii State Judiciary are warning residents about sophisticated scams involving fake inspection notices, permits, and communications that impersonate government officials. Scammers have sent fraudulent violation notices to evict tenants and fake permit emails requesting wire transfer payments for fake "approval fees"—tactics the real DPP never uses. Residents should verify any government communications directly with the agency by phone or in person, avoid wire transfers for government fees, and never respond to suspicious emails or calls claiming to be from city officials.

Americans lost nearly $16 billion to fraud in 2025, with investment scams skyrocketing 36% to become the costliest category at $6.4 billion, followed by romance scams at $1.3 billion, according to FTC data. States like Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii experienced the highest per capita losses, while Washington D.C. had the most fraud reports relative to its population. To protect yourself, be especially cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances from online contacts, verify the legitimacy of investment firms through official regulatory databases, and never send money to unknown parties regardless of the promised returns.

Americans lost nearly $16 billion to fraud in 2025, with investment scams surging 36% to become the costliest scheme type at $6.4 billion, followed by romance scams at $1.3 billion. States like Arizona, Nevada, and Hawaii experienced the highest per capita losses, while Washington D.C. had the highest fraud reporting rate overall. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities and romantic advances from online contacts, verify the legitimacy of financial advisors through official channels, and report suspected scams to the FTC immediately.

A retired local news anchor in Hawaii lost nearly $70,000 of her retirement savings to a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes scam, where she was tricked into paying taxes and fees for a fake $5.5 million prize. The scam, which the FBI reports cost Americans close to $200 million last year, uses convincing fake documents and kind-sounding scammers to prey on victims of all ages, though older adults tend to lose larger amounts. Experts advise being skeptical of unsolicited prize notifications and remembering that legitimate lotteries never ask winners to pay upfront fees or taxes before claiming winnings.

Linda Coble, Hawaii's pioneering first female TV newscaster, lost nearly $60,000 to an elaborate sweepstakes scam in which a caller claiming to be from U.S. Customs convinced her she'd won $5.5 million from Publishers Clearing House and needed to pay taxes and fees upfront. Hawaii residents lost nearly $80 million to fraud last year—a 25% increase—and Coble is publicly sharing her story to warn other seniors, emphasizing that scammers build trust through consistency, daily contact, and involving multiple accomplices posing as government officials. To protect yourself, never send money for "taxes" or "fees" on prizes you've won, verify claims directly with official organizations using independently confirmed phone numbers, and be skeptical of unsolicited calls—legitimate contests don't require upfront payments.

A Hawaiian Airlines customer was charged an additional $180 after someone claiming to be an airline agent told her that her confirmed flight was actually on standby status, which appears to have been a scam. The customer made the payment but later received a fraud notification that the charge was canceled, and Hawaiian Airlines had no record of the call or payment, suggesting she may have contacted scammers posing as the airline. To protect yourself, always verify airline contact information directly from the official website rather than using phone numbers from emails or search results, and be wary of unexpected additional charges on already-confirmed bookings.

Hawaiian seniors over 60 lost over $55 million to online scams in 2025, with fake investments and cryptocurrency scams being the most common—representing a 65% increase from the previous year. One 93-year-old nearly fell victim to a tech support scam where a fraudster posed as Apple support, falsely claiming her computer was compromised and demanding she withdraw money to deposit in a cryptocurrency kiosk. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited tech support calls, never wire money or use cryptocurrency ATMs based on urgent phone requests, and always verify through official company channels before taking financial action.

Hawaii experienced a 25% surge in fraud losses in 2025, reaching $79.6 million, with elderly residents being particularly vulnerable—illustrated by a 93-year-old woman who nearly lost $25,000 to a fake Apple support scam before a stranger intervened. Nationally, seniors aged 60 and older lost approximately $7.7 billion to scams, though actual figures are likely higher due to underreporting. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unexpected computer warnings, never wire money or use cryptocurrency to "recover" funds, and verify any urgent claims by contacting companies directly using official phone numbers.

Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs has warned residents about investment scams spreading on Meta platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp), where scammers use deceptive ads and deepfake technology to trick people into fraudulent schemes like pump-and-dump scams, confidence scams, and cryptocurrency fraud. Victims are losing their savings to these increasingly sophisticated schemes that promise guaranteed returns. Consumers should be skeptical of investment advice on social media, verify opportunities before investing, and report any suspected scams to consumercomplaint.hawaii.gov.

A 42-year-old Hawaii man was sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding a 79-year-old California man out of nearly $1.8 million between 2017 and 2024 through schemes involving a fraudulent yacht sale and unauthorized loans against the victim's home, ultimately leaving him homeless. The perpetrator used fabricated documents and false promises about tax benefits to gain control of the victim's assets and drain their value for personal spending. Anyone who suspects financial fraud targeting seniors should contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.

A Hawaii man named John Tamahere McCabe was sentenced to four years in federal prison for defrauding a 79-year-old elderly California resident out of nearly $2 million through schemes involving a fake yacht sale and unauthorized loans against the victim's home, ultimately leaving the man homeless. McCabe used forged documents to steal the yacht sale proceeds and tricked the victim into transferring his condo into an LLC controlled by McCabe, which he then used to take out loans that he spent for personal use. To protect yourself from similar scams, be extremely cautious about transferring assets or giving financial control to anyone, verify all documents directly, and consult with independent financial or legal advisors before making major financial decisions—especially if you're elderly or vulnerable.

A Hawaii man has been sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding an elderly Orange County resident out of nearly $2 million between 2017 and 2024 by falsely promising to sell his yacht and then manipulating him into transferring his Irvine home into a company the scammer controlled, ultimately costing the victim his house and boat. The perpetrator used forged documents, diverted funds to personal accounts, and took out fraudulent loans against the property without the victim's knowledge, leading to foreclosure and homelessness for the elderly man. Seniors and their families should report suspected financial fraud immediately by contacting the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11, as early reporting significantly improves the chances of recovering stolen funds.

# Article Summary A Hawaii man named John Tamahere McCabe was sentenced to four years in federal prison for defrauding an elderly Irvine resident out of nearly $2 million through schemes involving a yacht sale and unauthorized loans against the victim's home, leaving the 79-year-old widower homeless. McCabe used forged documents to take control of the victim's assets, including selling a yacht and fraudulently obtaining $1 million in loans against the victim's condo, then spent most of the money on himself. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about transferring ownership of valuable assets, verify all documentation directly with financial institutions, and avoid working with individuals who promise quick financial gains—especially if you're elderly or vulnerable.

A Hawaii man named John Tamahere McCabe was sentenced to four years in federal prison for defrauding an elderly Orange County resident out of nearly $2 million through a scheme involving a yacht sale and fraudulent property transfer that cost the victim his Irvine home and yacht. McCabe used fake documents and false promises over multiple years to steal the victim's assets, eventually leaving him homeless after taking out loans against his property without permission. Federal authorities urge seniors and their families to report suspected financial fraud immediately by calling the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311, as quick reporting can improve chances of recovering stolen funds.

A Hawaii man was sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding a 79-year-old Orange County resident of nearly $1.8 million through a scheme involving a fake yacht sale and unauthorized loans against the victim's condo, ultimately leaving the senior homeless. McCabe used forged documents to take ownership of the yacht and divert its proceeds to himself, then convinced the victim to put his million-dollar condo into an LLC where McCabe secretly became the sole manager and took out $1 million in loans against it. Seniors should be cautious of financial offers involving asset transfers or sales, and anyone 60 or older who suspects fraud can contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.

During the holiday season, scammers are targeting generous donors in Hawaii through fake nonprofit websites, phishing emails, and fraudulent crowdfunding campaigns, taking advantage of the community's trusting nature. To protect yourself, verify any charity's legitimacy through the Hawaii Attorney General, IRS, or resources like Charity Navigator before donating, check website URLs carefully, and avoid untraceable payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency. If you fall victim to a scam, report it immediately to authorities.

The Maui Police Department is warning residents about a phishing scam where fraudsters impersonate the County of Maui and contact people by phone, email, or text claiming they owe fees or fines, then pressure them to send money via wire transfer or payment apps. The scammers are using publicly available information from county board agendas to make their deception seem legitimate. To stay safe, remember that the County of Maui will never request immediate payment through wire transfers, cryptocurrency, payment apps, or gift cards—and report any suspected scam activity to the Maui Police Department at (808) 244-6400.

# Fraud Alert Summary As the holiday season approaches, Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs warns that scammers are using sophisticated new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to create convincing investment schemes that prey on consumers' fear of missing out on the latest trends. In 2024 alone, state securities regulators conducted over 8,800 investigations resulting in more than $259 million in fines and restitution, showing the widespread nature of these frauds. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches, especially those claiming to involve cutting-edge technology, and verify any investment opportunity through official sources before committing money.

# Scam Warning Summary Hawaii state officials are warning of increasingly sophisticated scams using artificial intelligence and new technologies to defraud consumers, particularly during the holiday season. Scammers are exploiting people's fear of missing out by pitching fake investment opportunities tied to trending tech, though the underlying schemes remain traditional fraud. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited investment pitches, verify opportunities independently, and contact state securities regulators if you suspect fraud.

Hawaii state officials are warning consumers about increasingly sophisticated scams that use artificial intelligence and other new technologies to trick people into fraudulent investments, with scammers exploiting fear of missing out on tech trends. In 2024, state securities regulators investigated over 8,800 cases and recovered more than $259 million in fines and restitution from fraudsters. To protect yourself, be skeptical of investment pitches involving cutting-edge technology, verify opportunities through official channels, and report suspected fraud to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is warning consumers about increasingly sophisticated holiday scams that use artificial intelligence and technology to exploit victims, including fake investment schemes, deepfake impersonations of celebrities, and fraudulent "AI trading bots" promising guaranteed returns. State securities regulators investigated over 8,800 cases in 2024, resulting in $259 million in fines and restitution, revealing that while scammers employ new tools, their core goal remains stealing money from unsuspecting victims. Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited investment pitches—especially those involving FOMO (fear of missing out), online relationships pushing financial commitments, and promises of guaranteed AI-driven returns—and verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities before sending money.

Hawaii's Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs is warning consumers about sophisticated holiday scams, with state securities regulators handling over 8,800 investigations in 2024 that recovered $259 million in fines and restitution. Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and new technologies to execute schemes like "pig butchering" (romance scams combined with fake investments) that exploit people's fear of missing out on trending investments. Consumers should be cautious of unsolicited investment pitches, especially those involving new technologies or platforms that build trust through online relationships, and verify any investment opportunities through official channels before committing money.

Hawaii officials are warning residents about a surge in holiday scams powered by artificial intelligence and technology, including deepfake voice impersonations of trusted friends, fake investment schemes, and fraudulent trading bots that promise guaranteed returns. According to state regulators, scammers are exploiting people's fear of missing out on tech investments and using AI-generated videos and cloned voices to steal money, with tactics ranging from romance scams to fake cryptocurrency and stock offerings. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited investment pitches, verify requests for money by contacting friends or institutions directly through known channels, and avoid platforms promising guaranteed returns, especially those using AI or cryptocurrency.

Throughout 2025, Hawaii residents fell victim to increasingly sophisticated scams, including phone impersonations of police officers and sheriffs who falsely claimed victims had legal issues and demanded payment via gift cards or other methods. Law enforcement agencies warned the public that legitimate police officers never request payments over the phone and urged residents to be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from authorities. To protect yourself, hang up on unexpected calls from law enforcement, independently verify any legal claims by contacting your local police department directly, and never purchase gift cards or send money in response to phone calls.

# Online Shopping Scams Surge During Holiday Season Over one-third of Americans have fallen victim to online shopping scams, with Hawaii consumers losing more than $61 million last year to fraudsters operating through fake websites, social media ads, and counterfeit emails impersonating legitimate retailers. Scammers exploit busy shoppers by creating convincing fake URLs with subtle typos, posting unrealistic discounts with urgent "buy now" pressure, and stealing credit card information through fraudulent sites. To protect yourself, carefully verify website URLs and sender information before purchasing, avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails, check discounts directly on official websites rather than social media, and use credit cards with fraud protection instead of debit cards or direct bank transfers.

The Hawaii Police Department is warning the public about a phone scam where callers impersonate police officers using real department personnel names, falsely claiming victims owe money for missed court appearances or warrants and pressuring them to pay via untraceable methods like gift cards. Scammers use caller ID spoofing and fraudulent documents to appear legitimate, but the department emphasizes it never requests phone payments or gift cards. Residents should verify caller identity independently, avoid sharing personal information, be suspicious of urgent threats, and report suspected scams to police or the Federal Trade Commission.

This article is a general news roundup from Spectrum News Hawaii covering multiple unrelated stories from the week, including Rams rookies helping rebuild homes in Lahaina following the 2023 wildfires, an unannounced emergency alert test sent to Hawaii residents, a restaurant closure due to health violations, and a brush fire update. None of these stories involve elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse, so this content is not relevant to the Elderus database.

On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), the FBI Honolulu warned about elder fraud targeting seniors through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule operations, noting that victims lost $4.885 billion across 14,127 complaints nationally in 2024—a 46% increase from 2023—with Hawaii alone losing $18.9 million, of which $9.8 million came from investment scams. Criminals target seniors because they perceive them as polite, trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report fraud, which is why the FBI recommends verifying unknown contacts, resisting pressure to act quickly,

During Medicare Fraud Prevention Week, Hawaii advocates warned seniors about rising scam threats, noting that kupuna lost over $52 million to internet scams in 2023. The Senior Medicare Patrol highlighted that imposter scams and identity theft are the most common fraud types targeting Hawaii residents, with particular concern as the state's aging population continues to grow.

The Hawaii State Judiciary warned the public about a text message scam impersonating the DMV, which threatened suspension of driving privileges and vehicle registration unless payment for unpaid traffic citations was made. Officials clarified that legitimate DMV and court communications about unpaid citations only occur through U.S. mail, not via text, phone, or email.

A 78-year-old Orange County man lost nearly $1.8 million and his home to a fraud scheme orchestrated by John Tamahere McCabe, 42, of Hawaii, who used fabricated documents to gain control of the victim's yacht and home, then diverted proceeds and took out loans against the property before defaulting on them. McCabe pleaded guilty to wire fraud and faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison. The victim became homeless after his residence was sold at foreclosure.

A 78-year-old Orange County man lost nearly $2 million and his Irvine home in a fraud scheme perpetrated by John Tamahere McCabe, 42, of Hawaii. McCabe used fabricated documents to take control of the victim's yacht, diverted the sales proceeds to himself, and later convinced the victim to transfer his home into an LLC where McCabe made himself sole manager, taking out $1 million in loans against the property before defaulting on them and causing foreclosure. McCabe pleaded guilty to wire fraud and faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

A 42-year-old Hawaii man pleaded guilty to wire fraud for defrauding a 78-year-old Orange County victim of approximately $1.8 million through false promises to broker the sale of his yacht and fraudulent transfer of his home into a controlled LLC. McCabe used fabricated documents to steal yacht ownership, diverted the proceeds to his personal account, and obtained $1 million in loans against the victim's residence, ultimately causing the home to be foreclosed and leaving the victim homeless. McCabe faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison at his October 16 sentencing hearing.

Hawaii consumers lost $61.6 million to scams in 2024, a 32 percent increase from the prior year, with the most common frauds involving imposters, identity theft, and investment scams conducted via social media and cryptocurrency. AARP Hawaii is hosting a series of webinars in April featuring FBI agents and fraud prevention experts to help residents, particularly older adults (kupuna), recognize and report fraud including business imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and Medicare-related schemes. The webinars aim to educate consumers on protecting themselves and their families while encouraging fraud reporting despite the stigma surrounding victimization.

Lisa Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for operating a nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting senior citizens through impersonation of government officials and companies. Between February and July 2023, she fraudulently obtained approximately $548,000 from a 92-year-old Hawaii resident and an 83-year-old Kentucky man through coordinated phone scams claiming their identities were stolen, with the victims wiring money to bank accounts under Rossopoulos' name that she promptly emptied. If convicted, she faces up to 15 years in prison.

Lise Rossopoulos, 59, of Kew Gardens Hills, Queens, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for orchestrating a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded senior citizens of over $500,000. The scam involved co-conspirators impersonating government officials (FTC and Amazon representatives) who convinced victims to wire money to bank accounts in Queens and upstate New York that Rossopoulos controlled, with funds withdrawn immediately after each transfer. Two identified victims—a 92-year-old from Hawaii and an 83-year-old from Kentucky—lost $446,000 and $101,980 respectively between February and July

Lise Rossopoulos, 59, of Queens, New York, was charged with grand larceny and criminal possession of stolen property for her role in a nationwide scam that defrauded elderly victims of over $500,000. Working with a co-conspirator posing as a government official, Rossopoulos received wire transfers into bank accounts in her name from victims who were falsely told their identities had been stolen, including a 92-year-old Hawaii woman who lost $446,000 and an 83-year-old Kentucky man who lost nearly $102,000. She faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.

I cannot provide a summary for this request. The article contains local news headlines from Hawaii covering e-bike accidents, Pearl Harbor commemorations, and traffic incidents—none of which relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. Please provide an article relevant to the Elderus database's focus on elder fraud research and scam awareness.

This article describes a charitable event rather than a scam or fraud case and is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud database. The piece covers Lanakila Pacific's annual Christmas Meals on Wheels program in Honolulu, where hundreds of volunteers packed and delivered meals to 600 homebound seniors and individuals with disabilities, featuring traditional Hawaiian cuisine and gifts. The program also serves as a fundraiser and employment opportunity for individuals with significant disabilities.

Two Aiea, Hawaii women were federally charged with wire fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and conspiracy for stealing a credit card number and check from a man in his 90s between February and March, using them to make over $20,000 in unauthorized purchases at spas, car dealerships, jewelry stores, and other businesses. Kalehuaiwilliamekamaile "Maile" Montez and Totie Tauala also allegedly used stolen identities of a California woman and an Arizona woman to facilitate the fraudulent transactions. The scheme was discovered when the victim's caregiver and daughter were contacted by a credit card company

Scammers in Hawaii spoofed phone numbers from the Hilo Courthouse to impersonate court officials and demand personal information or immediate payments from residents. The State Judiciary Office warned that legitimate courts never call to demand personal details or payments, and advised residents to hang up on such calls and ignore similar texts or emails.