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A Glenwood, Illinois man named Elliot Lawson Henderson defrauded multiple people through discounted travel deals advertised on social media and a dedicated website. One victim, Pinky Jackson, paid Henderson for flights, a hotel room, and Broadway tickets for a New York City trip, but upon arrival discovered the hotel booking was never actually paid for, forcing her family to pay full price on the spot. Multiple individuals report that Henderson takes payment for travel packages and then fails to complete the bookings, leaving customers stranded without accommodations.

Officials in New York seized nearly two dozen web domains from IP addresses in China used to conduct "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, which operate across multiple states including California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Scammers use dating apps and group chats to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency schemes that appear to generate returns, then steal their money; reported losses include $16,000 and $118,000 from individual victims in Brooklyn.

The L's Park Police Department held a free educational session warning Illinois seniors about tax refund scams and other fraud schemes, including the grandchild scam where criminals impersonate relatives to extract money. Police emphasized that scammers are particularly active during tax season and encouraged victims to report fraud to local authorities and the Better Business Bureau for current scam alerts in their area.

I cannot provide a summary of elder fraud, scams, or abuse from this text. The provided content is a weather forecast broadcast from WTVO news dated April 12th, 2024, which discusses temperatures, wind conditions, and weather predictions for the Rockford, Illinois area. It does not contain information relevant to the Elderus database's focus on elder fraud or abuse.

A 57-year-old widowed healthcare executive from Illinois lost $1.5 million in a romance scam after meeting a man posing as a Swedish businessman on Match.com; the scammer used stolen photos of a Chilean doctor and manipulated her emotionally over an extended period. The case, investigated by CBS News, illustrates a growing threat affecting tens of thousands of Americans, with romance scammers defrauding over 64,000 people of more than $1 billion annually. The victim's daughter is seeking answers and working with law enforcement to understand how her mother fell victim to the sophisticated scam.

A 57-year-old retired healthcare executive from Illinois was defrauded of her life savings through a romance scam after meeting a man posing as a Swedish businessman on Match.com; the scammer used stolen photos of a Chilean doctor and manipulated her emotionally over an extended period. The case highlights a growing epidemic of romance scams in the United States, with 64,000 Americans losing over $1 billion to such scams in the previous year—more than double the $500 million lost four years prior. The victim's daughter is seeking answers from law enforcement about the circumstances surrounding her mother's death in connection to the fraud.

An Illinois woman, Laura Coall, lost $1.5 million in a romance scam and was later found dead in the Mississippi River; her daughter discovered that Laura had been coerced into becoming a "money mule" for the scammers, laundering stolen funds through her accounts. This tactic has become increasingly common among romance scam perpetrators, who manipulate victims so deeply that they unwillingly participate in money laundering and other crimes, often without initially realizing they are committing felonies. Federal agents have issued warnings about this evolution in romance scams, where victims are exploited beyond financial loss to become unwitting accomplices in criminal activity.

**Romance Scam Epidemic** CBS News investigated a national epidemic of romance scams involving victims who are manipulated into emotional relationships with scammers over dating sites, sometimes in as little as 12 days, resulting in financial losses totaling approximately one billion dollars. The investigation documented tragic cases where victims lost not only money but also their lives, including an Illinois woman whose death raised questions about whether she had been coerced into working for the scammers. Romance scams rob families of far more than financial resources, causing devastating emotional and psychological harm to victims and their loved ones.

This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It reports on vandalism at a U.S. congressman's office where hostage awareness posters were destroyed. This does not fall within the scope of the Elderus database, which focuses on financial crimes, scams, and abuse targeting older adults.

Romance scams have become a national epidemic affecting victims across the country, with CBS News investigating a billion-dollar online fraud operation. The report features the tragic case of an Illinois woman who fell victim to a romance scam, developing an intense emotional attachment to a scammer in just 12 days, which ultimately had devastating consequences for her family. These scams exploit the emotional vulnerabilities of victims—often causing psychological harm and financial devastation that extends far beyond monetary losses.

A nationwide Medicare fraud scheme involving a medical supply company in Roselle, Illinois resulted in over $100 million in fraudulent claims, with scammers ultimately making approximately $3 billion in fake Medicare billing before being caught. The small office, which normally submitted less than $8 million annually in claims, suddenly submitted over $260 million in just a few months, primarily for urinary catheters that had no legitimate purpose for the products listed. Federal investigators were observed conducting raids on the office as part of the investigation into this Medicare fraud ring.

AARP Illinois launched "Fraud-Fighting Fraudlettes," a collaborative awareness initiative featuring AARP representatives Theresa Jones and Courtney Herman to educate seniors about prevalent scams. The program aims to increase fraud prevention awareness among older adults, who are identified as particularly susceptible targets for scams.

Courtney and Teresa, fraud prevention specialists with AARP Illinois, have partnered together as "the Fraud-Fighting Fraudlets" to expand their fraud awareness and prevention efforts across Illinois, combining resources from Springfield and Chicago. The duo emphasizes that scams are constantly evolving and criminals continuously target people of all ages to steal money and personal information, making ongoing education and awareness efforts essential.

The FBI warns consumers to be vigilant against holiday scams, which proliferate during the shopping season when people are rushed and spending more money. Common schemes include spoofed shopping websites designed to steal payment information, puppy scams advertising fake pets for sale, and fraudulent package delivery texts. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, Illinois residents alone reported over 15,000 scams resulting in $335 million in losses.

The Better Business Bureau released its top 10 local scams of 2024, with online purchases through fake websites ranking as the #1 threat, followed by phishing scams, employment scams, debt collection scams, and social media shopping scams involving counterfeit products. Consumers are advised to verify companies through the BBB before providing personal or financial information, avoid clicking suspicious links in emails or social media ads, be wary of unsolicited urgent requests, and recognize that legitimate debt collectors must notify in writing before taking action.

**Article:** File taxes early to avoid SCAMS during 2025 tax season Identity thieves exploit compromised personal information to file fraudulent tax returns in victims' names and redirect refunds to their own bank accounts. The IRS recommends filing taxes as early as possible and requesting a six-digit PIN from the IRS to prevent unauthorized filing using your Social Security number. Illinois is also introducing new tax credits and free tax filing options for 2025.

**Summary:** The Federal Trade Commission warned about a text message scam circulating in Illinois and elsewhere claiming recipients owe late toll fees and threatening legal action or driver's license suspension if unpaid. Scammers use multiple phone numbers to contact victims and attempt to obtain passwords, PINs, credit card, and banking information; the FTC advises those concerned about tolls to contact the tollway agency directly using verified phone numbers or websites rather than responding to unsolicited messages.

A Chicago woman drained her savings account, cashed out her 401(k), and took loans against her paid-off car after being scammed by someone posing as actor Taylor Kinney from NBC's Chicago Fire over the course of more than a year. The scammer, whom she met through an online fan page, used romantic language mixed with emotional manipulation and guilt-tripping to repeatedly request money under various pretexts. The case reflects a broader trend: the Federal Trade Commission reported that over 64,000 people fell victim to romance scams in 2023, losing a combined $1.1 billion.

Two men attempted a fundraiser scam at a Chippewa Falls bank on February 15th, claiming to sell candy bars to raise money for a Boys and Girls Club mentorship program and scholarships. When bank employees verified with the actual Chicago-area club, they confirmed the men had no affiliation with the organization. The suspects, one identified as Chris Jefferson from Illinois and the other using a fake name, attempted to collect payments via digital wallets and Square card readers, prompting a statewide warning after similar schemes were reported elsewhere.

In 2023, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul identified the top consumer scams affecting state residents, with construction/home repair fraud leading for the third consecutive year (2,091 reports), followed by identity theft (1,885 reports) and consumer debt complaints (1,683 reports). The Consumer Fraud Bureau recovered over $9 million through mediation and $76 million through enforcement actions, and the office received nearly 20,000 written complaints plus tens of thousands of calls. The attorney general recommends residents protect themselves by guarding personal information, changing passwords frequently, and being cautious of unsolicited communications, especially as scammers increasingly use AI technology.

Medicare fraud targeting area seniors involves billing schemes for medical items not received, particularly urinary catheters; in recent cases documented by county aging officials, one senior's fraudulent claim involved 2,000 catheters with Medicare paying $14,613.80 to a fraudulent supplier while the senior's out-of-pocket cost reached $3,728. Similar scams originating from companies in New York, Texas, and Illinois have also targeted seniors with false claims for back braces and other medical supplies. Authorities urge seniors to review Medicare correspondence carefully and report fraudulent activity to Medicare at (800) 633-4227 or Kansas Senior Medicare Patrol at (800) 432-

As the April 8 solar eclipse attracts tens of thousands of travelers to Missouri and Illinois, scammers are targeting consumers with counterfeit eclipse glasses and fraudulent rental listings, exploiting patterns from the 2017 eclipse when fake glasses and rental scams proliferated online. The Better Business Bureau advises buyers to purchase eclipse glasses only from vetted manufacturers meeting ISO 12312-2 safety standards, verify rental properties exist through address research and reverse image searches, and use credit cards rather than cash transfer apps to protect against deposit fraud. Consumers should report suspicious products and listings to BBB Scam Tracker.

The Illinois Tollway warned customers of a phishing scam involving text messages claiming outstanding toll amounts. Customers should delete suspicious texts and verify any toll issues directly through the official website or customer service line (1-800-UC-IPASS), and report phishing messages to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Valerie of Illinois lost nearly $100,000 in a PayPal phishing scam that began with fraudulent billing emails in January 2023. After calling a number in the suspicious emails, a scammer convinced her to download remote access software, then manipulated her account to make it appear he had deposited $100,000 while actually stealing that amount from her savings. She eventually received a full refund in February after local news coverage prompted Blue Ridge Bank to assist, though her initial fraud report from Chase Bank had been declined.

Illinois State Police Trooper Jason Wilson and AARP Illinois are working to combat fraud in the state, where consumers reported $244.7 million in losses to fraud in 2023. Wilson highlights common scams like phishing emails and fake refund schemes, and recommends preventative measures including not engaging with unknown callers, avoiding suspicious links, using two-factor authentication, and reporting crimes despite potential embarrassment. AARP Illinois is offering a five-part online fraud prevention series with expert speakers to educate the public on recognizing and avoiding elder fraud.

Scammers continue sending fraudulent text messages to Illinois drivers claiming unpaid tolls of $12 with pending $50 late fees and directing them to fake websites to collect credit card and bank account information, even after authorities shut down the original website. The Illinois Tollway and federal authorities have been working to stop the scheme, but the automated texts persist as scammers use a "shotgun approach" sending mass messages hoping a small percentage of recipients will fall victim. The FTC reports that imposter scams like this remain a top fraud category, with scammers increasingly favoring text messages and emails over phone calls to initiate schemes.

An Iowa resident paid approximately $48,000 to Revolution Solar Company in April 2023 for solar panel installation, but the system was not activated for nearly seven months and was found to be non-functional when turned on. The company subsequently went out of business, leaving the customer unable to obtain repairs or pursue the promised insurance coverage that was supposed to address such problems. The Hamilton, Illinois City Council has warned tri-state residents about the company after multiple complaints, and the Better Business Bureau reports a rising trend of solar scams where installed systems fail to meet promised specifications.

In Marion, Illinois, scammers targeting senior citizens at retail self-checkout stations used distraction tactics to steal debit cards. One victim had his card taken after a suspect distracted him by claiming he dropped money, while an accomplice grabbed the card and used it to purchase approximately $7,000-$8,000 in gift cards; a second victim was approached but the scam was unsuccessful. Police Chief David Fitts advised the community to shield their PIN entry, stay aware of their surroundings, and monitor their wallet and purse, as the suspects—described as Middle Eastern or Arabic males speaking fluent English and Russian—remain at large.

This article is not about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. It is a press release from AARP Illinois advocating for legislation (HB 4431) to eliminate Illinois's mandatory extra road test requirement for drivers over 75 years old, arguing that the requirement constitutes age discrimination and is unsupported by safety data showing older drivers have lower crash rates than younger age groups.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It is a community events calendar listing holiday activities and performances in the Oak Park-River Forest, Illinois area. It contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or related topics.

The FBI issued a warning about a "smishing" scam active since March 2024 that uses fake SMS text messages claiming recipients have unpaid toll fees, directing them to fraudulent websites to steal payment information or malware. Over 2,000 complaints were received across three states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois, with scammers impersonating legitimate toll services and threatening late fees. Victims are advised to verify toll balances through official channels, avoid clicking suspicious links, delete fraudulent messages, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

Laura Kowal, a widowed healthcare executive, lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scammer operating under the name "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through months of calls and emails before pressuring her into fraudulent investments and coercing her to help defraud other victims; she was found dead in the Mississippi River. The FBI and Justice Department reported over 64,000 American romance scam victims in 2023 (with experts believing the true number is significantly higher due to underreporting), with financial losses ballooning from $500 million in 2019 to $1.14 billion in

An Oak Park, Illinois driver lost $9,800 to a fake online car dealership (MuscleVintageCars.com) while attempting to purchase a 1966 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. The scammer posed as a legitimate dealer offering an escrow service and 10-day inspection period, but after the victim wired payment, the seller claimed a refund problem and never returned the money or vehicle. According to the Better Business Bureau, victims can protect themselves by purchasing from local, trusted dealers they can physically visit or by verifying the legitimacy of online sellers before making payments.

A widow named Laura Kowal lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scam perpetrator using the alias "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through emotional connection before coercing her into fraudulent investments and wire transfers; she subsequently died in the Mississippi River. The case exemplifies a growing epidemic of romance scams combined with investment fraud targeting dating app users, with over 64,000 reported American victims in 2023 and losses totaling $1.14 billion in 2022, though experts believe actual figures are significantly higher due to underreporting and shame among victims. Law enforcement officials acknowledge the response has been inadequate, with sc

Laura Kowal, a 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois, was victimized by a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as "Frank Borg," a Swedish investment adviser, beginning in October 2018; she eventually went missing in 2020 after losing significant money and being manipulated through sophisticated psychological tactics. Her daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother's disappearance and subsequently learned that over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion through romance scams in a single year, with victims often too ashamed to report the crime. Gowe has since dedicated herself to raising awareness

A 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois lost $1.5 million to a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as a Swedish investment adviser between October 2018 and August 2020. The victim's daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother had been victimized after a federal investigator's call and subsequently found a suicide note, motivating her to advocate for romance scam awareness. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion by romance scammers in a recent year, with victims often reluctant to report due to shame and embarrassment, though law enforcement emphasizes

"Smishing" is a text message-based scam combining "phishing" and SMS that tricks recipients into clicking malicious links by claiming unpaid toll balances are due. The FBI issued a warning after more than 2,000 complaints across North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though Virginia has not yet reported cases; authorities advise never clicking links in unsolicited toll-related texts and instead using official websites or calling legitimate customer service numbers to verify account status.

Between 2013 and 2018, as many as 25-30 percent of new Match.com members were reportedly using the platform to perpetrate romance scams, according to an FTC lawsuit against parent company Match Group. American victims lost over $1 billion to romance scammers in 2023 alone, with dating apps serving as primary "hunting grounds" for scammers targeting vulnerable individuals, including a case where an Illinois widow lost her life savings of $1.5 million to a fake profile. Despite Match Group's reported $125 million annual investment in trust and safety measures, critics argue the company has not done enough to prevent scammers from accessing the platform

Romance scammers exploit vulnerable people seeking companionship online, extracting billions of dollars through increasingly sophisticated tactics. CBS News investigates this widespread epidemic by following an Illinois woman investigating her mother's death, which appears connected to a romance scam. The report highlights how romance fraud has evolved in the digital age to become a major financial and emotional threat to victims.

In 2021, Illinois residents lost over $19.7 million to romance scams across 591 reported cases, with the FBI noting that similar scams cost the U.S. $739 million in preliminary 2022 losses. The FBI identified common red flags including requests to move communication off dating apps, quickly professed love, isolation from friends and family, canceled visit plans, and requests for money or personal information. The agency advises victims to go slow in online relationships, never send money to people met online, verify photos independently, and report suspected scams to the FBI Springfield office or online.

CBS News's "Anything for Love" series documented romance scams on dating sites and apps that facilitate human trafficking. A 57-year-old widow in Illinois named Laura Kowal was targeted by a trafficker who coerced her into money laundering before she went missing and was found dead. The FBI reports an estimated 27.6 million people are trafficked globally, generating approximately $140 billion annually, with sex traffickers exploiting dating apps to recruit victims—efforts aided by lax security measures on these platforms.

Romance scams on dating apps have escalated into human trafficking schemes, exemplified by the case of 57-year-old Laura Kowal from Illinois, who was coerced into laundering money for a trafficker and was later found dead. The FBI warned in 2020 that dating apps are being exploited by sex traffickers to recruit victims, including minors, with an estimated 27.3 million people globally trafficked annually generating $150 billion in illegal income. Dating app companies like Match Group have resisted implementing basic safety measures such as background checks and age verification despite documented cases of traffickers using their platforms, prompting calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups for Congressional regulation.

CBS News's "Anything for Love" series documented romance scams on dating apps that facilitate human trafficking, including the case of 57-year-old Laura Kowal from Illinois, who was coerced into financial fraud by a trafficker and was later found dead. The FBI warned in March 2020 that dating apps are being exploited by sex traffickers to target vulnerable people, including children, with an estimated 27.3 million people globally trafficked annually generating $150 billion in profits, and dating app companies have resisted implementing basic safety measures such as background checks and age verification despite multiple convictions of traffickers using their platforms. The author calls for Congress to enact regulations requiring dating

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau distributed $15 million in compensation checks to 13,413 Illinois residents who were victims of an online lending scam by Texas-based company Think Finance, which collected payments on loans that were legally void under state interest rate caps and licensing requirements. The settlement, part of a larger $384 million payout across 17 states to 191,000 victims, resulted from a 2017 lawsuit against Think Finance for making illegal electronic withdrawals and debt collection calls on non-existent debts. Affected Illinois residents received an average of $1,100 per check from the CFPB's victims relief fund.

AARP Illinois is hosting a monthly virtual fraud prevention series featuring expert speakers including the Better Business Bureau, with the first session on May 28 addressing general fraud protection strategies and upcoming sessions covering specific scam types such as travel fraud, mail fraud, internet fraud, romance scams, healthcare scams, and holiday scams. The program aims to educate participants on recognizing and avoiding common fraud schemes to protect their personal information and financial security.

A 37-year-old Illinois man, Ligneshkumar Patel, was charged with stealing $148,000 in gold Krugerrand coins from a 73-year-old Edwardsville woman in March 2024 after scammers posing as PayPal convinced her to purchase the coins with her retirement funds and hand them over to him. Patel, arrested in Wisconsin while attempting to scam another victim, served as the middleman in the scheme and faces two felony counts. Police Chief Michael Fillback warned that such scams targeting vulnerable individuals through fake identity fraud alerts and high-pressure tactics demanding immediate payment have become increasingly common, and advised victims

Fraudsters are sending text message phishing scams impersonating toll collection services like the Illinois Tollway and Florida Turnpike, claiming recipients owe small amounts (typically around $12) and threatening $50 late fees to pressure immediate payment. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to verify any toll debt by visiting the official toll service website or calling their customer service line directly rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.

State Representative Jeff Keicher partnered with the Town of Cortland and the Illinois Attorney General's Office to host a free Senior Fraud Protection Event on May 29 at the Cortland Lions Club. Experts from the Attorney General's Office presented information on recognizing scams, stopping targeted fraud, and obtaining assistance for victims of scams or identity theft. The event was designed to educate seniors and their caregivers about protecting themselves from the growing threat of fraud and identity theft in the digital age.

I don't see the full article content in what you've provided—only the headline and a list of trending articles from the news site. To write an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the actual article text describing the romance scam details, such as: how the scam operated, how many victims were affected, what dollar amounts were lost, and what the outcome was. Could you please provide the full article content?

The Better Business Bureau has received multiple reports of phishing text messages impersonating toll collection services, demanding payment of small amounts (typically $12) with threats of larger late fees to trick travelers into clicking malicious links and providing personal or payment information. Scammers exploit the fact that road travelers may not track tolls closely, with recent cases including fake messages spoofing the Illinois Tollway and fraudulent "Missouri Toll Services" texts directing payments through SunPass, a Florida-based toll agency that does not operate in Missouri. To avoid these scams, consumers should independently verify outstanding tolls through legitimate agency websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in unsolicited text messages.