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A Hickory, North Carolina woman fell victim to a romance scam in 2022 after being contacted by a man posing as someone in Africa on LinkedIn, who gradually built trust through emotional manipulation before requesting money for medical expenses. North Carolina ranks ninth nationally for romance scams, with 4,422 victims losing $18 million in 2022, while Americans overall lost over $1 billion to such schemes that year, with scammers increasingly using AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to deceive victims.

The FBI in Raleigh warned of a sharp rise in cryptocurrency investment scams across North Carolina, with losses increasing more than 50% year-over-year and totaling nearly $4 billion nationally. Scammers target victims through social media and job networking sites, building trust through shared interests before convincing them to invest and displaying fake profits to encourage continued investment, after which they disappear with the funds. North Carolina residents have lost tens of millions to these schemes, with individual victims losing amounts ranging from $40,000 to over $53,000.

This article is not relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database. It describes a memorial service honoring K9 Santos, a police dog from Wake County, North Carolina, who was accidentally shot by a police officer in 2023. The content focuses on law enforcement and animal services, not elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse.

This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a weather report about the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) visibility in North Carolina and does not fall within the scope of the Elderus database. I cannot provide a summary for this content.

This article is not related to elder fraud or abuse. It describes a law enforcement incident involving a high-speed chase and shooting near Wilson County, North Carolina. It does not involve scams, fraud targeting elders, or elder abuse, so it falls outside the scope of the Elderus database.

A former romance scammer from Nigeria who operated between 2016-2021, earning over $70,000, revealed his tactics to a news organization—targeting primarily single parents on dating apps through excessive compliments, emotional manipulation, and appeals to financial need (such as claiming inability to afford medicine). Last year, over 64,000 Americans lost more than $1 billion to romance scams, with North Carolina ranking 10th in losses; the scammer now works as a consultant for an identity verification company to help expose these schemes.

**Summary:** This is an educational piece on how to research child care providers in North Carolina. Parents can visit ncdhhs.gov to search for child care facilities by name, city, or county, and view their licensing status, violation records, inspection history, and facility details to make informed decisions about their child's care.

Ashley Lamb from the Area Agency on Aging presented information about the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program, which has operated since 2003 under North Carolina's Department of Insurance. The program aims to empower seniors aged 60 and older and their caregivers to prevent healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse through education and outreach, utilizing trained SHIP volunteers to provide free counseling and assistance across a 10-county region.

A woman filed a fraudulent deed claiming ownership of a high-end home in Raleigh, North Carolina, listing herself as both grantor and grantee; the actual homeowner, Craig Adams, stated he had never met the woman and had no connection to the fraudulent filing. When contacted by reporters, a man claiming to be the woman's attorney questioned what law was broken by recording the deed, highlighting the lack of accountability measures at the Wake County register of deeds.

This is an educational piece about insurance enrollment assistance rather than a scam warning. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina offers guidance to help North Carolinians select appropriate health insurance plans during enrollment periods through retail center locations and their website (BlueCrossNC.com). The centers provide one-on-one member support for plan selection, enrollment assistance for Medicare and ACA plans, and community engagement programs.

North Carolina state officials are warning residents of a toll scam circulating via email and text messages that uses fake websites to collect personal information by falsely claiming outstanding balances on toll roads. The scammers impersonate NC Quick Pass and threaten legal consequences, though the legitimate service never requests payment or threatens action through text. Experts advise keeping software and antivirus programs updated to protect against these phishing attempts.

North Carolina's Department of Justice held a "Scam Jam" educational event in Mecklenburg County to raise senior awareness about fraud and scams, which are increasing in frequency daily. The event focused on helping seniors identify scams and understand what steps to take if victimized, including calling the Department of Justice fraud hotline (833-FRAUD-1) to report incidents. Officials emphasized that prevention through education is the most effective approach, as scam attempts have grown exponentially over the past five years.

A phishing scam text message claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets with Saturday payment deadlines and license suspension threats circulated across multiple states including Tennessee, North Carolina, and Minnesota, with scammers including fraudulent payment links. Law enforcement agencies confirmed the scam and clarified that government agencies do not send text messages about traffic fines or suspensions; residents are advised to delete messages, avoid clicking links, and use only verified official phone numbers or websites ending in .gov.

Carol West lost $60,000 in a romance scam conducted by Cory Woodall, a North Carolina resident who was extradited to Volusia County to face charges of organized fraud scheme and grand theft over $20,000. West sent money through traditional transfers and Bitcoin, which detectives tracked being moved multiple times, and while she may not recover her funds, Woodall now faces criminal prosecution.

The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys held a three-day training conference in February 2024 titled "Break the Silence: The Abuse and Exploitation of Older Adults" to educate prosecutors, law enforcement, and allied professionals on recognizing and prosecuting elder abuse and exploitation cases. Participants gained knowledge of exploitation and abuse warning signs, prosecution skills, and strategies to protect vulnerable older adults in their communities. The conference underscored the importance of collaborative justice efforts given North Carolina's aging population.

In 2022, 70,000 Americans lost a record $1.3 billion to romance scams—nearly double the $547 million lost in 2021—with scammers increasingly using AI, deepfakes, and voice cloning to deceive victims. North Carolina ranked 9th nationally, with 422 victims losing $18 million that year, including a Hickory therapist who sent $50 to a scammer posing as an African man seeking help before recognizing manipulation tactics like emotional appeals, requests for money, and guilt-tripping. Key warning signs include requests for unorthodox payments, emotionally manipulative pitches, false urgency, an

Carteret County, North Carolina is experiencing a surge in elder scams involving cryptocurrency and phone-based fraud, including impersonation of law enforcement, fake bail/accident schemes, and romance scams. County officials warn against sending money to unknown contacts claiming legal authority, investing in cryptocurrency without research, clicking suspicious links, and falling victim to online relationship scams, while noting that cryptocurrency and gift cards are preferred by scammers because they are difficult for law enforcement to trace. Residents are advised to verify suspicious claims with local law enforcement before sending any funds.

Scammers are creating fake sports betting websites and apps that mimic legitimate services to target North Carolina consumers as legal sports betting launches in March 2024. Common scam tactics include copycat websites offering guaranteed winnings, too-good-to-be-true sign-up bonuses, and account lockouts that prevent withdrawal of deposited funds—one victim reported depositing $500 and being unable to recover their money. To avoid these scams, consumers should verify the company is state-licensed, check for secure website indicators (lock symbol and HTTPS), read fine print carefully, and be skeptical of any guarantees of winnings.

In 2023, North Carolina residents lost nearly $190 million to fraud, with credit scams and identity theft comprising 36% of all Federal Trade Commission complaints in the state. Identity theft (18% of complaints) involves unauthorized use of personal information and can severely damage victims' credit, while credit scams (18%) often include false reporting or improper use of consumer data by credit bureaus and tenant screening companies. Imposter scams, the third most prevalent fraud type at 14% of complaints, typically involve scammers impersonating acquaintances and requesting money via wire transfer or gift card purchases.

**Spring Break Travel Scams in North Carolina** Scammers are targeting North Carolina travelers during spring break by creating fake websites that mimic legitimate airlines, rental car companies, and vacation listing sites, often differing by only a single letter in the URL. Additional threats include "juice jacking" at public charging stations and malicious Wi-Fi hotspots that steal personal information. Security experts recommend verifying URLs carefully, using Norton's free scanning tools, employing VPNs on public Wi-Fi, and avoiding public charging stations to protect against these threats.

According to a recent Federal Trade Commission report, older adults in North Carolina and across the country lost $1.6 billion to scammers in the past year, with nearly half of those losses attributable to bogus investment schemes. Common tactics include impersonation scams initiated through text messages and AI-based schemes, which scammers use to build false relationships before requesting money or investments. Experts recommend that seniors and their financial caregivers monitor accounts for suspicious activity, report suspected fraud to their financial institution and police, use strong password practices, and stay informed through resources like the FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The North Carolina Department of Justice Consumer Protection Division received over 21,000 complaints in the past year, with scams being a major category. The top three scams in the Triad region included online purchase fraud (255 reports, ~$150,000 in losses), employment scams ($70,000 lost through fake job postings), and phishing schemes targeting personal and financial information via email, text, and phone. Police recommend caution with suspicious contacts and note that voluntarily sent funds to scammers are typically unrecoverable.

This is an educational piece from the North Carolina Department of Justice providing prevention tips for spring break travel scams. The article advises travelers to research companies through the Better Business Bureau, read contracts carefully, obtain written details before paying, use credit cards instead of cash, and contact authorities if victimized. No specific fraud cases or dollar amounts are mentioned.

A 76-year-old Georgia widow lost her life savings of approximately $78,700 in a romance scam after meeting a man claiming to be a doctor working for the Red Cross in Yemen on Facebook. The scammer, using the name Caleb, built a months-long relationship with Jennifer Dennis and convinced her to wire money toward purchasing a home in North Carolina together, but the property was already occupied and the scammer disappeared after sending a final photo claiming he had been beaten. Dennis and her son ended up homeless and sleeping in their car until receiving a camper from their church, and she now warns others about romance scam red flags.

**Article:** Backyard Leisure Customer Non-Delivery Investigation Multiple customers of Backyard Leisure, a Raleigh-based company, paid thousands of dollars for hot tubs and spas that were never delivered despite repeated promises and false tracking updates, with payment amounts ranging from $7,000 to $20,000 and wait times extending from months to over a year. The North Carolina Attorney General's Office began reviewing the case after receiving 18 complaints, and the company subsequently claimed staffing shortages and promised to send order confirmations and obtain receipts. Some affected customers initiated credit card chargebacks to dispute their payments.

Scammers are increasingly targeting older adults in North Carolina and nationwide using impersonation, investment schemes, and AI tactics, with senior citizens losing $1.6 billion to financial scams last year out of a total of $10 billion in fraud losses. A common scam involves fraudsters texting seniors posing as wrong numbers to build personal relationships before requesting money or investment. Financial caregivers and seniors can protect themselves by monitoring accounts for suspicious activity, using unique passwords across websites, and staying informed about fraud warnings from the FTC and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

The FBI in North Carolina is warning consumers about a surging cryptocurrency investment scam that has cost North Carolina victims over $65 million in 2023, with investment fraud involving crypto rising 53% nationally from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.944 billion in 2023. Scammers use social media research and fake websites/apps to build trust with victims, displaying fake profits to encourage larger investments, then disappear with all funds when victims attempt major withdrawals. The FBI advises victims not to be embarrassed and to report scams quickly, though recovery is difficult since cryptocurrency is unregulated.

Americans lost over $1 million to online puppy scams in the past year, with the Better Business Bureau receiving thousands of reports primarily from Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, where approximately 80% of sponsored pet advertisements are potentially fraudulent. A North Carolina grandmother lost her life savings when she sent $5,000 in gift cards to a scammer on Facebook Marketplace while attempting to purchase a Yorkshire terrier. The FTC recommends consumers adopt from local shelters, reverse image search photos, request in-person meetings, and avoid unusual payment methods like gift cards, while law enforcement has begun prosecuting perpetrators with felony charges carrying substantial prison sentences.

Three men were charged with money laundering conspiracy and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business after laundering over $4.5 million in proceeds from business email compromise schemes and romance scams targeting elderly victims between 2020 and 2023. The defendants directed victims to wire funds into bank accounts they controlled, then depleted those accounts through multiple withdrawals and transfers, including to overseas accounts, while keeping a percentage of the fraudulent proceeds. One co-conspirator has already pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in North Carolina warned the public about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, particularly around Tax Day. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors used an interactive "Fraud Bingo" educational tool at a senior center to help older adults, caregivers, and community workers recognize fraud tactics and report suspicious activity to help recover stolen funds and identify emerging

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina is warning residents about IRS imposter scams and other fraud schemes that disproportionately target older adults, with the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report noting that individuals 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses—the highest among all age groups. Common scams include government impersonation (IRS, SSA, sheriff's office), tech support scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, and non-delivery schemes, with authorities emphasizing that reporting fraud helps recover stolen funds and identify emerging criminal trends.

Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old active-duty Army servicemember stationed at Fort Bragg, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars from romance scams. Frimpong and co-conspirators impersonated romantic interests, military personnel, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims—including seniors and military veterans—before funneling the illicit proceeds through his bank accounts across state lines and contacts in Ghana. He was ordered to pay substantial restitution to the victims of these elaborate fraud schemes.

Sanda G. Frimpong, an E-4 soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, orchestrated multiple online romance and fraud schemes between December 2019 and February 2022, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars by impersonating romantic interests, military personnel, and officials. One victim lost over $150,000 after being convinced by a fake soldier to send money for gold and diamond transfers, while another victim sent over $7,000 after being targeted with a romance scam involving fake inheritance claims. Frimpong was arrested in 2023, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering, and was sentenced to 40 months in

Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old Army specialist, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for operating romance scams that defrauded vulnerable individuals including widows, widowers, and divorcees of approximately $357,961 over two years while stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Frimpong posed as different people online (including "Catherine White" and "Tom Tanner") to convince victims to wire money under false pretenses involving gold transfers and marriage proposals, and he also conspired to fraudulently collect COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits using stolen identities across multiple states. He was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in restitution after pleading guilty to

The North Carolina Department of Transportation warned of a "smishing" scam in which fraudsters impersonate tolling agencies nationwide and send text messages to randomly selected phone numbers demanding payment for unpaid tolls. Victims should verify legitimacy by confirming NC Quick Pass never requests payment via text and that official links contain ncquickpass.com, and should report suspicious messages to the IC3 at www.ic3.gov.

Former Army Specialist Sanda Frimpong was sentenced to 40 months in prison in April 2022 for money laundering connected to romance scams that defrauded victims of over $350,000 between December 2019 and February 2022. Operating with three co-conspirators from Fort Liberty, North Carolina, Frimpong impersonated romantic interests, military personnel, and customs officials via WhatsApp and Snapchat to convince victims—including seniors and military veterans—to send money under false pretenses such as inheritance releases and asset transfers. He must also pay restitution to victims and serve three years of supervised release.

"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.

Former Army specialist Sanda G. Frimpong was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for laundering over $350,000 obtained through romance scams targeting vulnerable victims including seniors and military veterans. Frimpong and at least three conspirators executed multiple scams by impersonating romantic interests, diplomats, and military personnel via encrypted messaging apps, and also fraudulently obtained CARES Act funds and unemployment benefits using stolen identities across multiple states. The money was laundered through various banking systems, across state lines, and through contacts in Ghana while Frimpong remained on active duty at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.

A sophisticated property fraud scheme involving Jose Manuel Santiago, Rosson Dwayne Hamilton, and Vernon Lavoie resulted in multiple homes being stolen and sold without owners' knowledge across Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. The trio created fraudulent bank accounts in homeowners' names, with Lavoie using fake IDs to impersonate owners; one home in Tampa, Florida sold for $65,000 and a U.S. Army veteran lost his house along with military memorabilia and his Jeep. Santiago received three years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, Hamilton received one day, and Lavoie received two years and seven months; experts recommend homeowners obtain

The U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice announced completion of the Money Mule Initiative, a campaign that disrupted transnational fraud networks by taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate scams targeting Americans, particularly elderly victims of lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams. More than 20 individuals were criminally charged, including cases involving $4.5 million laundered from romance scams targeting elderly victims, a grandparent scam operation using couriers to collect cash from seniors, and a tech support fraud scheme that collected approximately $7 million from elderly victims. The initiative combined criminal prosecutions, warning letters to unknowing participants,

A Charlotte, North Carolina motorist lost over $10,600 purchasing a 2015 Honda Odyssey from Facebook Marketplace with a rolled-back odometer that concealed the vehicle's true mileage of approximately 200,000 miles by displaying only 132,000 miles. According to Carfax, North Carolina has experienced widespread odometer fraud with an estimated 49,000 clocked vehicles statewide and 16,000 in the Charlotte area. The article advises buyers to verify mileage against service records, inspect vehicle wear patterns, and scrutinize paperwork to detect odometer tampering.

A sophisticated scam in Asheville, North Carolina defrauded two residents of $50,000 total, in which suspects posed as Microsoft employees after displaying pop-up warnings on victims' computers, then convinced them to withdraw cash and sent an in-person courier to collect it from their homes. The scam is notable for its rare in-person component, involving a suspect driving a dark silver or gray Toyota Highlander with possible front-right quarter panel damage. Police are warning residents to verify the identity of anyone claiming to represent Microsoft or other companies before providing money or access to their homes.

Pamela Mangum and her husband lost $70,000 to an investment scam that began when Mangum clicked on a Bitcoin mining link posted by a family member (whose account had been hacked) and was contacted by a fraudster posing as an investment coach. Over six months, Mangum made deposits through Bitcoin ATMs and the scammers also created unauthorized Cash App accounts using her personal information obtained from an online investment profile, draining additional funds before she discovered the scheme when attempting to withdraw her purported $159,638 balance. The scammer, believed to be operating from Nigeria, exploited Mangum's information to fraudulently access her bank accounts, resulting in significant

One in ten older adults in the US experience elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation annually, with North Carolina ranking 15th nationally for fraud victims age 60 and older, totaling over 90,000 victims. Mecklenburg County, AARP, and the US Attorney General's Office organized a community awareness walk on June 4, 2024, at Freedom Park to raise visibility about elder mistreatment in its various forms—physical, emotional, psychological, financial, and neglect. Residents can report elder abuse and exploitation to the Department of Child, Family, and Adults Services at 980-336-2273.

Antony Linton Stewart, a 39-year-old Jamaican national, pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud elderly U.S. victims through a fake lottery scheme in which he falsely told victims they had won and needed to pay taxes on their "winnings." Victims wired hundreds of thousands of dollars to intermediaries in the United States and Jamaica, who forwarded the money to Stewart. Stewart faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

In 2022, elder fraud cost North Carolina and South Carolina consumers approximately $100 million combined, with North Carolina seniors losing $63 million (averaging $32,000 per victim) and South Carolina seniors losing $35 million (averaging $27,000 per victim), according to analysis of FBI and FTC data by cybersecurity company VPNPro. Despite these significant losses, both states ranked better than at least half of the country in elder fraud victimization.

Charlotte held its second annual walk at Freedom Park to raise awareness about elder abuse, organized by AARP, the U.S. Attorney's Office, and Mecklenburg County services ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. Participants highlighted that seniors lose approximately $23.8 billion annually to fraud and scams, while also emphasizing that abuse can occur within families and nursing homes, often exacerbated by isolation and lack of community support.

**Summary:** North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey warned residents about door-to-door scammers impersonating N.C. Department of Insurance agents to sell fake insurance policies. At least two recent incidents were reported, marking the fourth occurrence since 2020, with fraudsters sometimes presenting fake business cards bearing the department's logo. The department clarified that it does not sell insurance and urged consumers to report such impersonation attempts to law enforcement.

North Carolina has experienced a significant spike in insurance fraud since the COVID-19 pandemic, with senior citizens particularly targeted through online scams that convince them to move savings into fraudulent high-return annuities and investment accounts. Additional fraud schemes include door-to-door impostors posing as Department of Insurance employees, medical prescription scams, and staged accidents, with Americans collectively paying over $300 billion annually to cover known insurance fraud costs.

North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein released a resource card in June 2024 to help seniors and families navigate long-term care options and understand available health insurance plans, addressing concerns about costs, staffing, and residents' rights in care facilities. The initiative, part of Elder Abuse Awareness Month, connects residents with state and federal agencies and includes the Department of Justice's Medicaid Investigations Division, which has recovered over $1 billion in restitution and penalties since 1979 and investigates fraud and abuse in Medicaid-funded facilities.