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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.

Tech support fraud is the most commonly reported scam targeting older Americans, where scammers impersonate tech support to gain access to sensitive information, though investment scams result in the greatest financial losses (over $50 million reported annually). In Pennsylvania specifically, common scams include tech support fraud, personal data breaches, and delivery scams. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited contacts, never download attachments from unknown sources, refuse to share personal information or money with unverified people, and resist pressure to act quickly, as scammers use urgency to manipulate victims.

Pennsylvania SNAP (food assistance) program recipients had their accounts drained by criminals using skimming devices installed at point-of-sale terminals to steal card numbers and PINs. The thieves targeted SNAP cards because they contain guaranteed funds at predictable times and lack chip technology, making them easier to compromise than credit or debit cards; the state replaced the stolen funds.

This article is a news briefing covering multiple Pennsylvania stories unrelated to elder fraud or abuse. The topics include Pittsburgh Public Schools' potential closures and consolidations, the FTC's ban on non-compete agreements facing legal challenges from employers including Pennsylvania-based ATS Tree Services, and a report on state trooper traffic stops. This content does not contain information relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.

Representative Mike Armanini is hosting two Senior Scam Jam educational events for older adults—one at Parkside Community Center in Dubois and another at Ridgeway Senior Junction in Elk County, both from 10:00 a.m. to noon. The seminars will teach older Pennsylvanians and their families how to protect themselves from scams and how to report suspected fraud cases.

Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing for stricter banking regulations to combat wire fraud targeting Americans' life savings, with scammers tricking victims into transferring funds to overseas accounts. Nearly 60% of dollars stolen in financial fraud schemes originate as wire transfers, and most stolen money is never recovered, prompting state representatives like Joe Hogan to introduce legislation that would require financial institutions to contact law enforcement and freeze suspicious transfers.

Police report that business email compromise scams are stealing tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars from victims, including a San Jose case where a suspect posed as a business employee to reroute a $500,000 wire transfer to a personal account. Pennsylvania resident Ala Torres was identified as the primary suspect in that case, with most funds recovered and an arrest warrant issued as police investigate other victims. Law enforcement advises that this growing fraud scheme operates both locally and nationally with multiple perpetrators, many of them international.

Ronald Russell and his wife fell victim to a pet scam after paying a deposit via PayPal for a miniature pinscher they found on a Facebook adoption page; they drove three and a half hours to Pennsylvania only to discover the dog didn't exist and the seller made excuses. Russell recovered his deposit by paying through PayPal Business instead of Friends & Family, allowing him to cancel the transaction within 48 hours, and the family ultimately adopted two rescue dogs instead.

A Pennsylvania widow lost her life savings, home, and possessions to a romance scam after being targeted on Facebook by someone posing as "Tony," a surgeon who built an emotional relationship with her over months of daily communication. The scammer exploited her vulnerability as a widow by showering her with attention and affection before manipulating her into sending money, ultimately leaving her financially devastated and emotionally heartbroken. The case highlights how romance scams use deep emotional manipulation to target victims, who often remain silent due to embarrassment, and warns that thousands of people—particularly older adults—are affected by this type of fraud annually.

A PECO customer in Norristown, Pennsylvania went months without receiving utility bills starting in August, and when her bill finally arrived in April, it totaled nearly $12,000. The customer attempted to contact PECO multiple times during the billing gap to determine what she owed, but the utility company was unable to provide bill information, leaving her to make estimated payments before facing the unexpected large charge.

A Pennsylvania woman's Facebook account was hacked in February and used by scammers to post fake listings claiming her family was selling items like a Peloton bike and Jeep, deceiving her friends into contacting her about purchases. Cybersecurity experts identified this as a spear-phishing attack and recommend two-factor authentication as the best defense; the victim remains locked out of her account with no response from Meta regarding recovery.

Pennsylvania State Representative Tina Picket held an annual senior expo in Athens, Bradford County, to educate elderly residents about protecting themselves from scams targeting their finances and identities. The event featured speakers on topics including healthcare benefits, secure banking, and Medicare, along with booths offering information on local services and a free document shredding service to reduce identity theft risk.

A computer scam targeting older, single men has been operating in northeastern and central Pennsylvania, with at least four reported cases in Lycoming County resulting in over $6 million in total losses. Scammers pose as young women using stolen computer information and suggestive photos to build trust with victims before gaining access to their financial accounts. Law enforcement warns residents to be vigilant about this emerging threat.

Joshua DeWitt, a 38-year-old Fayette County auto dealer, was sentenced to ten months in prison for conspiring with a co-conspirator to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds by filing false applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Paycheck Protection Program loans, sometimes on behalf of customers whom he told could use the funds to purchase vehicles from his dealership. DeWitt and his partner used the fraudulently obtained pandemic benefits totaling $60,022.50 to pay for vehicles, services, and personal expenses at their used car dealership, RC Auto.

A 29-year-old California man, Jiahao Xiao, was arrested in Archbald, Pennsylvania after conspiring to defraud a 59-year-old local resident, Ferdinando Santarelli, of $361,000 through a romance and investment scam. Xiao and unknown co-conspirators posed as an online romantic interest named "Jennie" on Telegram and falsely promised Santarelli access to millions in investments, convincing him to wire funds for fabricated tax payments. Xiao was caught attempting to collect a final $175,000 payment in cash and is being held on $500,000

State Representative Liz Hanbidge organized a free educational session on March 1, 2024, in Lower Gwynedd Township, Pennsylvania, featuring experts from the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities, Montgomery County District Attorney's Office, and AARP Pennsylvania to educate residents about current scam trends and protective measures. The event aimed to help community members identify scam tactics and safeguard themselves against evolving fraud schemes.

**Summary:** A 65-year-old Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania woman was indicted on federal theft of government funds charges for unlawfully obtaining approximately $91,300 in Social Security benefits between May 2016 and January 2022. The case was investigated by the Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General, and if convicted, Merlo faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and/or a $250,000 fine.

Kate Kleinert, an AARP Pennsylvania volunteer, lost her entire life savings of $39,000, her home, and her six dogs to a romance scam involving a man posing as a surgeon in Iraq who she met on Facebook. After the scammer failed to appear as promised and a subsequent house fire destroyed her remaining possessions, Kleinert rebuilt her life and now volunteers as a Fraud Watch Network Speaker, educating seniors and community groups about recognizing and avoiding romance scams. Her advocacy work demonstrates how victims can transform their experience into meaningful action to protect others from similar financial and emotional devastation.

Online scams in the United States reached record losses of $6.9 billion in 2021, nearly doubling since 2019, with Pennsylvania ranking fifth among most-scammed states at $207 million in losses affecting 17,262 victims who lost an average of $11,991 each. Romance, cryptocurrency, and investment scams are increasingly sophisticated and affecting educated individuals across all socioeconomic levels, with teens experiencing the highest percentage increase in losses (1,125% over five years) and seniors seeing a 390% increase. The article recommends avoiding money transfers to strangers met online, refusing requests for personal information, performing reverse image searches to verify identities,

The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple educational presentations throughout March 2024 to help seniors and the public protect themselves from financial fraud and identity theft. Topics include recognizing elder financial abuse (which is the #1 reported issue to Adult Protective Services), avoiding identity theft, cybersecurity best practices, investment fraud awareness, and common scam tactics, with sessions offered both in-person and virtually across the state.

A 37-year-old Philadelphia tech professional lost $450,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam involving a fake online suitor who used deepfake videos and sophisticated social engineering to build romantic trust before directing her to a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment app. The scammer, operating from Southeast Asia as part of an organized crime syndicate, convinced the victim to invest her savings and retirement funds by showing fake profitable trades and gradually escalating pressure to invest more. This type of romance-based cryptocurrency fraud has resulted in billions of dollars in losses across the United States with minimal victim recovery options.

A 71-year-old woman in Longswamp Township, Pennsylvania was defrauded of $20,000 in February after receiving a call from someone impersonating "Agent Garcia" from the Federal Trade Commission, who falsely claimed her Amazon and bank accounts were compromised. The scammer directed her to move her money to a Bitcoin ATM, where the funds were stolen. Police warn residents not to share account numbers or sensitive information over the phone.

Ashley Donnelly of Peckville, Pennsylvania discovered fraudulent transactions on her bank account at Rite Aid and Sheetz locations in South Abington Township, despite having her physical card in her possession; the thief had obtained her banking information including her PIN. Local police identified a suspect through surveillance footage and note these card-skimming cases are increasingly common as society becomes more cashless, with criminals exploiting the difficulty law enforcement faces in tracing how and when personal financial data is stolen. Donnelly's bank replaced the stolen funds, but authorities are seeking public information to identify the suspect.

Josiah DeJesus, a 22-year-old from the Bronx, was sentenced to 80 months in prison for serving as the lead courier in a "grandparents" fraud scheme operating from the Dominican Republic from June to October 2020. The scam targeted elderly Americans nationwide by using phone calls from overseas co-conspirators posing as grandchildren or attorneys to convince victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed immediate bail money, with DeJesus and his recruits collecting thousands of dollars from UPS and FedEx packages across Pennsylvania. DeJesus was ordered to pay $366,303.28 in restitution to victims.

Pennsylvania residents lost at least $158 million to scammers in the first nine months of 2023, a $28 million increase from the same period in 2022, based on Federal Trade Commission data showing 126,576 fraud reports with an average loss of $1,250 per victim. Remote contact methods—particularly social media—were the most common and profitable scam techniques, with social media accounting for $1 billion of the $7 billion stolen nationwide in 2023.

Pennsylvania residents lost more than $158 million to scams in the first nine months of 2023, a 22% increase from the previous year, with over 126,000 fraud reports filed averaging $1,250 per incident. While people ages 30-39 reported the most fraud cases, those ages 60-69 lost the most money at $744 million, and one in seven fraud victims experienced losses exceeding $10,000. The FTC advises consumers to avoid unsolicited requests for personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, and be wary of scammers demanding cryptocurrency or gift card payments.

Rep. Lou Schmitt, R-Blair, is partnering with the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office to host a free Senior Scam Prevention Seminar on March 21 in Altoona, addressing the problem of scammers targeting senior citizens and stealing their money. The seminar will cover identity theft prevention, protecting personal information online, and recognizing identity theft scams, with attendees encouraged to RSVP by calling 814-946-7218 or visiting RepSchmitt.com/events.

State Representative Mike Cabell hosted an educational seminar at Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Dallas, Pennsylvania, where approximately 50 seniors learned how to protect their personal information and identify identity theft scams. The seminar focused on online safety and everyday fraud prevention, with Cabell emphasizing that education is the key tool to combat scams targeting vulnerable seniors.

A 67-year-old New Castle, Pennsylvania man lost $18,600 ($15,000 in cash plus $3,600 in gift card codes) in October after clicking on a malware pop-up that mimicked Microsoft or the FBI and prompted him to call a scammer for technical support. Pennsylvania State Police warn the public to avoid calling numbers on suspicious pop-ups, never allow remote computer access to unknown parties, and remember that legitimate companies never request payment via gift cards or cash; victims should contact their bank, change passwords, and consider a credit freeze.

West Chester, Pennsylvania police received over 25 calls over a weekend from residents targeted by scammers posing as police officers claiming they had warrants or felonies pending, an international scam that is difficult to trace. Authorities warn that scammers are attempting to obtain personal information from victims, with past cases showing that people who provide information believing it will resolve legal issues often experience additional fraud problems. Imposter scams reported to the FTC increased 12% year-over-year, and while no confirmed victims were reported in this particular incident, residents are advised to contact police if they receive such calls.

This is not an article about fraud or elder abuse. Rather, it is informational content from the official Pennsylvania government website describing legitimate state services and resources, including guidance on verifying official .gov websites to avoid phishing scams. It does not contain a specific scam incident, fraud case, or elder abuse situation to summarize.

Scammers have been selling counterfeit solar-viewing glasses ahead of the April 8 solar eclipse, capitalizing on consumer demand for eye protection during the event. Fake glasses lack the special filters needed to protect eyes from the sun's intense energy, unlike legitimate ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses. Pennsylvania authorities urge consumers to verify glasses are marked with the ISO 12312-2 certification number and to report suspected fake products to the Attorney General's office.

Pennsylvania Turnpike officials identified a phishing scam targeting E-ZPass account holders through fraudulent text messages impersonating toll services and threatening late fees to pressure victims into clicking malicious links. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide in recent days. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advises account holders to verify account information only through official websites and to report suspicious communications to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The PA Turnpike alerted customers to a smishing scam in which fraudulent text messages impersonating "PA Turnpike Toll Services" requested personal financial information by warning of outstanding tolls and late fees. The agency advised customers not to click links in unsolicited messages and to verify account information only through official channels like the PA Turnpike website or approved mobile apps, with victims able to report fraudulent texts to the FTC or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

AARP Pennsylvania is launching an educational campaign to combat Social Security fraud, which affected approximately 360,000 people through impersonation scams in 2021. The organization recommends protective measures including robocall-blocking applications, online account monitoring, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities, emphasizing that genuine unsolicited Social Security Administration contact is extremely rare. Victims of these scams face risks including identity theft, financial loss, and long-term challenges accessing credit and services.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is warning E-ZPass users of a phishing scam in which fraudsters send texts or emails impersonating "PA Turnpike Services" to request personal financial information for allegedly outstanding toll balances and late fees. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide, with scammers directing victims to fake PA Turnpike websites; the legitimate way to check accounts is through paturnpike.com, and fraudulent messages should be reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike warned E-ZPass account holders of a phishing scam using text messages falsely claiming to be from "PA Toll Services" and threatening late fees to pressure victims into clicking malicious links and providing personal financial information. Similar scams have been reported by toll agencies nationwide, and the Turnpike advised customers to verify account information only through official channels like the PA Turnpike website or PA Toll Pay app, with fraud reports directed to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

**Summary:** Fraudsters targeted Pennsylvania Turnpike E-ZPass customers with phishing text messages and emails impersonating "PA Toll Services," claiming they had outstanding toll balances requiring immediate payment to avoid late fees. The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission advised customers to delete suspicious messages, avoid clicking links, and instead check accounts through the official PA Turnpike website or PA Toll Pay app, with an option to report fraudulent texts to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Jackie Lynn Neubauer, a 41-year-old car rental manager in Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft after processing over 140 fraudulent car rentals using stolen credit card numbers provided by conspirators, resulting in losses exceeding $500,000. Sentencing is scheduled for July 31, 2024, with potential penalties ranging from two to 12 years in prison and fines up to $500,000. The U.S. Secret Service investigation led to the prosecution of this case involving coordinated identity theft and fraud.

A Tallmadge police sergeant investigated a 2019 online dating scam that defrauded a local woman of $60,000 and uncovered a multi-state money-laundering operation involving victims across Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, including one couple who lost $375,000. The investigation led to the arrest of six people in Rhode Island who were processing fraudulent funds through compromised bank accounts and money orders. The FBI reported 19,000 romance scam complaints nationally in 2022 with losses exceeding $739 million, typically targeting women over 40.

A Senate report reveals that retirees across multiple states have been targeted by scams resulting in both significant financial losses and substantial IRS tax bills, with victims unable to deduct theft losses under current tax law. The report profiles cases such as a Pennsylvania retiree who lost $765,000 to a cryptocurrency scam and subsequently faced a $220,000 tax bill, highlighting how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act narrowed the theft loss deduction for individuals to only federally declared disasters. Senator Bob Casey calls for reversing these tax limitations to protect fraud victims from bearing additional tax burdens on their stolen retirement savings.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. It is a political interview with a Pennsylvania District Attorney candidate discussing his qualifications and priorities for Attorney General, which include mentions of protecting elders and children alongside fentanyl, mental health, and violent crime initiatives. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.

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).

The FBI warns that online romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often perpetrated by organized crime rings exploiting dating app users. A victim named Carina lost $150,000 after being manipulated by a fake profile into investing in cryptocurrency over a three-month period, and in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware alone, 970 people reported romance scam losses totaling $33.5 million last year. Experts emphasize that victims experience significant emotional damage beyond financial loss and recommend approaching suspected victims with empathy rather than judgment, while noting that many scammers operate overseas, making recovery difficult.

This is not an article about fraud or elder abuse. It is the homepage content from the official Pennsylvania state government website (pennsylvania.gov), which provides general information about accessing state services and resources. There is no scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case to summarize for the Elderus database.

"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.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike and FBI issued warnings about a widespread texting scam targeting tolling customers across multiple states, with over 2,000 complaints received from at least three states. The fraudulent texts falsely claim recipients owe money for unpaid tolls and direct them to click links that compromise personal and financial information. Officials advise customers to delete suspicious messages immediately and contact their financial institutions if they have already clicked malicious links or submitted information.

Sixteen people were charged in connection with a "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of older Americans across the Northeast out of millions of dollars between January 2019 and December 2023. Scammers operating call centers in the Dominican Republic used spoofed phone numbers to call elderly victims, impersonating distressed grandchildren or relatives needing bail money, then posed as attorneys and officials to extract payments via couriers or mail. The charges carry penalties up to 20 years in prison, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% nationally and victims losing an average of $33,915 each in 2023.

The FBI warns that tech support fraud is the most commonly reported scam targeting seniors nationwide, where scammers pose as tech representatives to access sensitive information, though investment scams caused the greatest financial harm with over $50 million in reported losses last year. To protect themselves, seniors should avoid unsolicited contacts, never open attachments from unknown sources, resist pressure to act quickly, and never share personal information or money with unverified people.

A 63-year-old Pennsylvania woman lost her $1,225 Social Security check after falling victim to an impersonation scam in April 2024. The victim provided her Social Security information to an unknown female caller claiming to represent the Social Security Administration, and her check was subsequently rerouted to an address in Washington D.C. State Police in DuBois launched an investigation into the fraud.