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An 87 and 83-year-old Coconut Creek couple were defrauded by scammers posing as Microsoft support who claimed hackers had compromised their bank accounts and instructed them to purchase gift cards. The scammers remained on the phone throughout the process, directing the victims on where to buy the cards and how much to load onto them, resulting in financial loss (amount not disclosed). Coconut Creek Police warned residents that demands for gift cards are a major red flag indicator of scam activity.

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet declared at a global anti-fraud conference that the country will not serve as a safe haven for transnational scam syndicates, as the government showcases its crackdown on the multibillion-dollar cyberscam industry operating in Southeast Asia. Cambodian authorities claim to have raided hundreds of compounds and deported hundreds of thousands of people over the past year, with the US estimating that Americans lost over $10 billion to scammers operating in the region in 2024 alone. However, analysts and opposition figures express skepticism, noting that high-level figures allegedly protecting these criminal networks have remained untouched while scam operations continue adapting by fragment

Revolut disclosed that a limited number of customers had their sensitive data—including passports, selfies, and transaction histories—exposed to a fraudster who used a fake government agency domain to submit data requests. The fintech company confirmed customer funds remained secure despite the breach, though the exact number of affected customers was not disclosed.

A young mainland Chinese man lost 2.7 million yuan (approximately 3.1 million patacas) in a "fake police" scam where a caller impersonating a mainland police officer accused him of fraud involvement and convinced him to disclose his online banking credentials under the pretense of a "funds investigation." The scammer subsequently drained the victim's bank account, and the victim remained unaware of the fraud even after initial contact from Judiciary Police officers in Macau. The case has been referred to the PJ Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

A former North Korean provincial official arrested in August ran an elaborate job placement scam targeting wealthy parents in Sariwon, extracting $5,000 to over $10,000 per child by falsely promising to secure coveted state positions for their children using forged documents and mock interviews. The scam exploited parents' desperation to prevent their children from being assigned to hardship postings, but victims have remained silent out of fear of prosecution for bribery rather than reporting the fraud. The scheme unraveled when some victims presented the worthless assignment papers at government agencies, prompting authorities to investigate and confiscate related documents.

Hu Xiaowei (alias Mr Wu), a high-ranking member of the Cambodian criminal group The Prince Group linked to romance scams, investment frauds, and forced labor, purchased Udney Park Playing Fields in Teddington for £35 million in 2022 but was arrested in Japan after being sanctioned by the US and UK. The 13-acre fields have remained unused for over a decade, and the Udney Park Community Fields Foundation is now urging Richmond Council to compulsorily purchase the site, as sanctions restrictions prevent any transfer without breaching Sanctions Law.

Hong Kong police arrested 17 people, including 12 Malaysian "runners," and seized HK$3.67 million in a crackdown on a phone scam syndicate that defrauded 22 victims of HK$2.5 million between June and August. The scam used "guess who I am" tactics where perpetrators impersonated relatives or friends claiming emergencies, while foreign runners collected cash directly from victims at designated locations. Police recovered HK$200,000 for one victim who remained unaware of the fraud even after handing over the money.

Hong Kong saw investment scam cases decline 15% in the first half of 2026 (from 2,525 to 2,151 cases), but losses remained substantial at HK$1.65 billion as fraudsters impersonated representatives of overseas firms, some of which were fictitious or used AI-generated identities and fake licenses. The largest single case involved a 67-year-old merchant who lost HK$48.79 million in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scam between July 2025 and January 2026.

Thailand's Civil Court is hearing its first case testing digital platform liability for scams, with the Thailand Consumers Council suing 17 platform operators including Meta and LINE over fraudulent investment advertisements that caused consumers millions in losses. Between July 2021 and May 2026, the council received 11,815 complaints linked to online platforms—with Facebook accounting for nearly 60%—reporting at least 397 million baht in losses, of which over 84% remained unrecovered. The lawsuit targets overseas parent companies directly, arguing they bear responsibility for systemic safety failures and should share liability for crimes committed through their platforms.

Jean Booth fell victim to a romance scam in which she developed a deep emotional attachment to a man named Donnie who turned out to be fake, leading her to make significant life changes including moving back to her father's house in Ohio. The scam devastated her life in the spring, yet she remained emotionally invested enough to plan a future with him and await his arrival at the airport. While the full details of how she was manipulated aren't provided in this excerpt, the story illustrates how romance scams exploit people's emotional vulnerabilities—a reminder to be cautious about relationships conducted primarily online and to verify the identity of people you're planning to meet or make major life decisions around.

Imposter scams remained the top reported fraud type in 2025, with about 1 million reports filed, resulting in $3.5 billion in losses for the 20% of victims who lost money. Total fraud losses reached a record $15.9 billion in 2025—a 27% increase from the previous year—with seniors age 60 and older disproportionately affected, accounting for $2.4 billion in losses. To protect yourself, be cautious of imposter scams (where someone pretends to be a trusted entity), verify caller identities independently, and report suspected fraud to the FTC if you're victimized.

Senator Susan Collins praised Maine's credit unions at their annual convention for their efforts to combat fraud targeting seniors, highlighting the Senior$afe initiative that trains financial employees to identify warning signs of elder fraud and exploitation. The program became the foundation for the bipartisan Senior Safe Act, which Collins authored and was signed into law in 2018. Collins also recognized the credit unions' charitable work, including nearly $1.5 million raised to fight hunger in 2025 and 36,000 volunteer hours contributed last year.

Imposter scams remained the #1 fraud threat in 2025, with over 1 million reports and losses climbing nearly 20% to $3.5 billion, driven by surging government imposter scams (up 40%) using fake toll collection messages and rising romance scams (up 22%) where scammers build relationships before requesting money for fake investments. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages about toll payments or government issues, verify requests through official channels, and be cautious of romantic relationships that quickly turn to investment opportunities. If you encounter a scam, report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help authorities stop scammers.

A Maine man in his early 70s lost approximately $27,000 in a romance scam after connecting with someone he believed was a single mother on Facebook, who gradually convinced him to send money through bitcoin transactions under the guise of home repairs and shared future plans. The scammers exploited his trust by escalating requests from small gifts to larger investments, with most funds transferred via a bitcoin kiosk, which made the transactions difficult to reverse. Experts advise people to be cautious of online relationships that quickly turn financial, verify identities thoroughly, and avoid cryptocurrency transfers—which are nearly impossible to recover once sent.

Maine is poised to stop collecting income tax on money stolen from victims of certain types of scams under legislation that moved forward Thursday with strong bipartisan support. LD 714 would align s...

Older Mainers are less likely than younger people to fall victim to scams, but when they do, the financial losses are often much greater. Older Mainers are less likely than younger people to fall vic...

Does a financial adviser have a fiduciary duty to protect a client from being scammed out of their retirement savings? Or can the adviser “simply watch their diminished-capacity client walk off a fin...

By the People, for the People News Justices examine limits of adviser's responsibilities and red flags of diminished capacity in high-profile case. Mar. 3, 2026 at 11:19pm Got story updates? Submi...

People over 50 are particularly vulnerable to fraud, with over $11 million reported in scams during just a nine-month period in 2025, according to a presentation by Coastal Maine Regional Broadband and local police. Most scams involve impostors contacting victims through email, text, or phone with urgent messages designed to cloud judgment, sometimes building fake relationships over time to gain trust. To protect yourself, experts recommend verifying unexpected contacts directly with the person, avoiding clicking links or sharing passwords, watching for language errors and mismatched email addresses, and declining friend requests from people already in your network.

Newly released Department of Justice files reveal that deceased billionaire Jeffrey Epstein maintained multiple accounts on Match.com in 2012, years after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor, and appeared to match with women in their early 20s on the platform. The discovery raises serious questions about dating app safety protocols, as Match Group—the parent company of Tinder, Hinge, and other dating services—apparently failed to prevent a registered sex offender from using their platforms, similar to recent cases where serial rapists remained active on these apps despite being reported by users. Users should be cautious when using dating apps, verify the authenticity of profiles, and report suspicious behavior immediately, while also advocating for stronger background check requirements and safety measures from major dating platforms.

# Romance Scam Warning Law enforcement in New Hampshire and the broader Northeast are warning residents about romance scams, which have cost over 700 victims approximately $20 million across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Scammers typically target people seeking companionship—especially recent widows—by creating fake online personas, quickly professing love, and then requesting money for emergencies via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Authorities advise people to watch for red flags like refusals to video call or meet in person, and urge victims not to feel ashamed but to reach out to loved ones and law enforcement for help.

# Article Summary A Maine couple lost their $1.3 million life savings in a 2022 scam after the husband liquidated investment accounts based on false claims about a "real estate opportunity" and transferred the money to a fraudulent bitcoin account he thought was SSA-protected. Their wealth management firm, R.M. Davis Inc., is being sued for failing to recognize and prevent the fraud despite employee training on elder financial exploitation warning signs. The case highlights vulnerabilities in financial oversight and underscores the importance of both financial advisers and customers remaining vigilant about suspicious requests, particularly regarding sudden large transfers or investments in unfamiliar assets.

An 80-year-old Maine man and his wife lost $1.3 million in life savings after being scammed into transferring funds to a fake bitcoin account they believed was protected by the Social Security Administration. Their financial adviser at R.M. Davis Inc. liquidated the accounts after Bruce MacMillan mentioned an "exciting real estate opportunity" but failed to intervene despite recognizing red flags commonly associated with elder fraud. The case is now before Maine's highest court to determine whether financial firms have a legal obligation to protect elderly clients from such scams, highlighting gaps in existing protections and the need for greater vigilance from both financial professionals and customers about this growing threat.

# Tech Support Scam Arrest A Texas man was arrested in Maine during an undercover operation targeting an organized tech support scam where fraudsters pose as legitimate tech support representatives to trick victims into giving them computer access and stealing their money or valuables. The scammers typically claim hackers have compromised the victim's accounts, use personal information to appear credible, and convince people to withdraw cash or buy gold under the guise of protecting their assets, with couriers then collecting the valuables. If you receive unsolicited calls about computer problems or hacking threats, hang up and contact your bank or local police directly rather than following the caller's instructions.

AARP Maine offers a free monthly virtual scam-awareness series called "Fraud Watch with Phil and Pam," held via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month for 30 minutes. The October session focuses on cybersecurity and is led by retired journalist Phil Chin and retired educator Pam Partridge, with registration available at states.aarp.org/maine/monthly-fraud-watch.

Maine appointed its first statewide elder justice investigator, Candice Simeoni, to address the high prevalence of crimes targeting seniors—a population that represents one in ten victims of elder crime but rarely reports incidents to police. Simeoni, a 21-year veteran law enforcement officer, will gather data, investigate cases, and educate police and seniors about elder fraud and abuse, with approximately 85 percent of suspects being someone the victim knows and trusts. The $150,000 pilot program, which runs through September 2026, aims to create standardized reporting tools and secure funding for a statewide elder justice task force.

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, accepted a plea deal for a multi-state bank fraud scheme in which she used fake passports to impersonate account holders and withdraw thousands of dollars from banks across Washington and Maine between May and August 2024. She faces federal charges including bank fraud, identity theft, and false use of a passport, with potential sentences up to 30 years, plus additional state charges in multiple Washington counties. Her plea hearing is scheduled for August 28, with specific agreement details pending release.

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

Charleston Police are investigating five scam cases targeting elderly residents (ages 61-85) who were manipulated into transferring $7,000-$10,000 each via phone calls, with three victims directed to Bitcoin ATMs while scammers remained on the line. The scammers used high-pressure tactics such as claiming relatives were in jail, threatening arrest warrants, or alleging identity theft, and requested payment through gift cards or cryptocurrency. Police advise victims to hang up immediately, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and verify suspicious claims by calling trusted family members or local law enforcement.

The Liberal Democrats called for urgent regulation of YouTube advertising after scams involving deepfakes, impersonated public figures, and fraudulent investment schemes proliferated on the platform with minimal oversight. Notable examples included AI-generated deepfake ads impersonating consumer champion Martin Lewis to promote cryptocurrency schemes, as well as ads for fake products, scam diet pills, and government grant impersonations that remained online for days before removal. The party is urging the UK government to bring YouTube under the same pre-approval and independent enforcement standards as traditional broadcasters, with Ofcom given powers to levy fines and redirect revenues to scam victims.

The FBI Boston Division is warning New Englanders of an increasing surge in scam calls from fraudsters impersonating federal agents and law enforcement officials who use intimidation tactics—threatening arrest, property confiscation, or bank account freezes—to pressure victims into sending money via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or cash. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, 778 complaints were filed across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, resulting in total losses of $12.9 million. The FBI emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement agencies do not call threatening arrest or demanding payment, and victims should hang up immediately, contact their financial institutions, and report the scam to local police

Investment scams, particularly those involving cryptocurrency, remained the top cybercrime reported to the Better Business Bureau, with over 80% of reported scams falling into this category and victims losing an average of $5,000. Scammers typically initiate contact via social media, ads, or email, then build trust over weeks or months before offering fake investment opportunities that show false returns until the scammer and funds disappear. The BBB recommends never investing with unknown individuals and verifying investment opportunities through the SEC or FINRA before committing money.

At least 13 Mainers reported receiving text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, using a fake law reference and threatening license suspension to create panic and prompt immediate payment. Maine has seen a significant rise in government impersonation scams, with 98 reported victims in 2024 compared to about 40 annually from 2020-2022, while phishing and spoofing scams jumped from fewer than 100 victims yearly to 357 victims in 2024. Experts recommend acting quickly if scammed by freezing credit with all three major agencies, monitoring financial accounts, and reporting the incident to local police and relevant companies.

A text message scam claiming to be from Maine's Department of Motor Vehicles has resurfaced, falsely threatening to suspend recipients' licenses over unpaid traffic citations and urging them to click a link for payment. Nearly a dozen Maine residents reported receiving the deceptive messages, which include a fake state seal and can be identified as fraudulent by red flags such as Maine not having a DMV (the correct agency name is Bureau of Motor Vehicles) and the state never collecting payments via text. Officials advise recipients not to click links, to delete the message immediately, and to report any financial losses to their bank, while acknowledging that tracking the scammers' source is difficult due to identity-shielding technology.

Maine secured a federal grant to create the nation's first dedicated elder justice investigator position, filled by Kennebuck Police Officer Candice Simeoni, as part of a two-year pilot program to address rising elder fraud and abuse. According to the FBI, one in ten seniors becomes a victim of elder crime, though few report it; Simeoni notes that over 85 percent of elder abuse is perpetrated by someone the victim knows and trusts, often involving financial crimes and cognitive impairment. The investigator will focus on investigations, research, and education to protect Maine's vulnerable senior population.

Three men were arrested following a six-month investigation into a fraud scheme that defrauded over 75 elderly Texans of $1.5 million across North Texas cities including McKinney, Allen, Wylie, and Frisco. Operating under business names Precision Home Pros and Krishnaraj Construction, the suspects approached victims offering to reduce utility bills, then used forged electronic signatures to create unauthorized 20-year loans ranging from $13,000 to $32,500, funneling the funds through shell companies while victims remained liable for repayment. Prakash Krishnaraj (58), Christian Bolding (31), and Eric Ell (

"Revenge on Gold Diggers," a Chinese interactive video game released in June, became a commercial hit by simulating pig-butchering love scams where players protect themselves from women who manipulate men for money, selling over one million copies. The game sparked intense debate in China, with supporters praising its anti-fraud educational value amid rising scam concerns (40,000 telecom fraud cases in 2024), while critics condemned it for reinforcing misogynistic stereotypes and portraying women as inherent schemers rather than addressing systemic vulnerabilities in relationships. The developers changed the Chinese title to "Emotional Anti-Fraud Simulator" but maintained the English title remained "

Czech police reported a 5% decline in cybercrime cases in 2024, with 18,500 incidents investigated—the first decrease since the pandemic began. Online fraud remained the most prevalent cybercrime type, encompassing fake bank alerts, investment scams, and romance fraud, though authorities attributed the overall decline partly to increased awareness campaigns by police, banks, and state institutions.

A mother of eleven was scammed out of $5,250 after accidentally calling a fraudulent number while trying to contact American Airlines about accommodations for her autistic daughter and niece. The scammer, posing as an airline representative, gained her trust by reciting her flight details and credit card information, then offered discounts and refunds that required processing through her cards, ultimately charging her thousands before sending a fake confirmation email from "flight trip" instead of American Airlines. The victim discovered the fraud when her original flights remained unchanged in the American Airlines app and successfully disputed the charges after locking her credit cards.

Thai police arrested 21 people (20 South Korean nationals and one Chinese national) operating an online romance scam from a luxury villa in Chon Buri Province after a tip from the South Korean Embassy revealed a kidnapped victim being forced to work for the operation. Officers discovered scripted investment pitch materials and confiscated electronic devices, indicating the group was part of a larger transnational fraud network. All suspects remained in custody facing legal proceedings under Thai law.

A 48-year-old Miami man was arrested in Standish, Maine after flying to New England to collect money from an elderly woman who had been victimized by a "grandparent scam." The woman had withdrawn $9,500 believing she was paying legal fees for her grandson's arrest, but Bighoro was the in-person collector for the fraud scheme. He faces charges of theft by deception and operating with a suspended license.

A nationwide DMV scam involves cybercriminals texting people claiming they owe fines for traffic violations or unpaid tolls, threatening license revocation or vehicle registration suspension to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or paying money. These phishing scams, reported in Indiana, Ohio, Maine, Texas, and other states, use official-sounding language, fake ordinance codes, and threats of jail time or credit score damage to create urgency, but legitimate DMVs typically only send texts that users have opted into and never request payment or personal information via text.

Online scammers are increasingly targeting pet lovers with fraudulent adoption listings, particularly for high-demand Maine Coon cats and purebred puppies, using fake breeder profiles on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and requesting payment through untraceable methods such as gift cards. One potential victim, Kathy Pierce, nearly paid $500 to a scammer before becoming suspicious when the seller refused a cashier's check and demanded gift card payment instead. Experts advise meeting breeders and animals in person, requesting live video verification if meeting is impossible, being wary of prices significantly below market value (legitimate Maine Coons cost $1,000+), and using local resources like shelters and veterin

Scammers are targeting pet lovers online with fake adoption listings for Maine Coon cats and purebred puppies, often using Facebook and other platforms to solicit upfront fees and demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers. One woman nearly lost $500 to a scammer posing as a breeder before becoming suspicious when the seller refused a cashier's check. The ASPCA recommends purchasing pets through local shelters or veterinarians, meeting breeders in person, and being wary of red flags such as refusal to video call, prices significantly below market value (legitimate Maine Coons cost $1,000+), and requests for additional fees.

A South Carolina couple, Larry Darnell Broadnax Jr. and Charmaine D. Broadnax, were arrested for stealing over $10,000 from a vulnerable adult through unauthorized Cash App transfers and checks; Broadnax Jr., acting as power of attorney, misappropriated funds for personal use while his co-defendant linked her account to the victim's bank account to withdraw an additional $10,000. Both face exploitation of vulnerable adult charges carrying up to five years in prison, with additional charges against each defendant potentially resulting in sentences up to 10 years.

Maine's Senate unanimously approved LD 1445, a bill enabling banks and credit unions to delay transactions for customers age 65 and older when financial exploitation is suspected, while notifying the customer and the state Attorney General. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Anne Carney, allows elders to designate a "trusted contact," defines financial exploitation in state law, and permits financial institutions to share records with law enforcement—measures supported by the Maine Bankers Association and AARP Maine in response to rising scams targeting older adults.

UK fraud losses remained at £1.17 billion in 2024, with 70% of authorised push payment fraud cases originating online through social media and messaging platforms. Investment and romance scams are surging despite fewer reported cases, with victims often losing life savings to sophisticated social engineering tactics that bypass bank warnings. Experts warn that fraudsters are evolving tactics—particularly toward remote purchase fraud—and call for a unified national strategy involving banks, law enforcement, and technology providers to address fraud, which now represents 40% of all UK crime.

AI-powered voice cloning technology is enabling scammers to create convincing replicas of trusted individuals to perpetrate fraud, with common schemes including family emergency scams targeting relatives and "vishing" attacks on businesses (one case involving a quarter-million dollar theft). Since AI voices are now difficult to distinguish from real ones by ear alone, experts recommend focusing on suspicious situations rather than voice authenticity, verifying callers through independent contact methods, and establishing family verification codes to confirm identity during unexpected calls requesting money.