Explore the Archive

Online scams cost Americans an estimated $119 billion annually, with the FBI reporting $20.9 billion in confirmed losses in 2025, a 26% increase from 2024, while 73% of American adults have experienced some form of online scam. Criminals operating from compounds in Southeast Asia and Nigeria use romance and investment schemes—often involving fake cryptocurrency platforms—to defraud victims, with some operations involving human trafficking and coercion of people forced into scamming activities. The FBI advises victims to stop sending money immediately, preserve transaction records, and report incidents at IC3.gov, while recommending people verify unexpected requests through official channels before providing personal information or making payments.

This article describes an educational workshop held in Kenedy, Texas, where seniors and caregivers learned about resources for healthy aging, including topics on transportation, brain health, and financial safety. FBI and Adult Protective Services representatives provided guidance on recognizing and avoiding elder fraud and financial scams as part of the free "Education Expeditions" event organized by the Alamo Senior Advisory Committee. The workshop was informational in nature with no specific fraud incidents or financial losses reported.

Elizabeth Holmes, founder of failed blood-testing startup Theranos, has been approved to move to a halfway house in Austin, Texas in August 2027 after serving more than a decade of her 123-month prison sentence for defrauding investors. Holmes was convicted in 2022 of conspiracy and wire fraud for misleading investors about her company's nonexistent proprietary blood-testing technology, which ultimately dissolved in 2018. Her sentence was recently reduced by one year after a judge found her eligible for a sentencing-guidelines reduction.

Elizabeth Holmes, the Theranos founder convicted in 2022 of defrauding investors of millions through false claims about her blood-testing technology, has been approved to move to a halfway house in Austin, Texas in August 2027 after serving most of her 123-month prison sentence. Her conviction stemmed from her company's misrepresentation that it could perform hundreds of blood tests using proprietary technology, when in fact Theranos relied on third-party devices and performed only about a dozen tests with questionable accuracy. Holmes is currently imprisoned at a minimum-security federal facility in Bryan, Texas and was originally scheduled for release in February 2030, though her sentence was reduced by one year in March

A Texas family of four was indicted for operating unlicensed boarding homes where they exploited elderly and disabled residents, including orchestrating the fraudulent sale of a 79-year-old woman's home and stealing over $156,000 that they misrepresented as a family gift to purchase their own property. The defendants face up to 30 years in federal prison on charges of conspiracy and making false statements to financial institutions. The case reflects a broader surge in elder fraud, with adults over 60 reporting 201,266 fraud complaints totaling $7.7 billion in losses last year, and AI-powered scams accounting for $900 million in reported losses.

A Friendswood, Texas woman lost approximately $185,000 in gold bars after scammers impersonating federal agents claimed her Social Security information was compromised and instructed her to convert assets into gold for protection. The alleged courier, Rajdeep Singh from California, was arrested on September 16 and charged with theft, with investigators suspecting he targeted multiple victims in the Houston area. Authorities warn that legitimate law enforcement and financial institutions never request purchases of gold, cryptocurrency, or gift cards to protect assets or prevent arrest.

Siddharth Jawahar, a Texas-based investment adviser, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for running a Ponzi scheme through his company Swiftarc Capital LLC that defrauded NFL star Travis Kelce and other investors of over $35 million beginning in 2015. Jawahar falsely claimed investors were making profits while consolidating 99% of client funds into a single failing investment, then used the money for personal luxury expenses and to pay earlier investors. He was ordered to pay $31.35 million in restitution to victims.

Four North Texas boarding-home operators were indicted on federal charges for allegedly exploiting vulnerable residents through two schemes: the unauthorized sale of a 79-year-old woman's home for over $156,000 and the diversion of more than $50,000 in Social Security benefits from another resident. The defendants—Donella Locke, Suekya Whitney, Shakoya Crenshaw, and Krystle Locke—are accused of abusing their positions of trust by obtaining power of attorney and using residents' identities and resources for personal gain.

Four North Texas family members operating unlicensed boarding homes were federally indicted for defrauding a Garland woman of her home sale proceeds and stealing a resident's Social Security benefits. The case reflects broader concerns about financial abuse targeting elderly and vulnerable populations, with links to AI-related scams. Specific dollar amounts were not disclosed in the available portion of the article.

Venkateswara Chagamreddy, a 37-year-old Indian student visa holder in Texas, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding a 79-year-old Vietnam veteran through a tech support and impersonation scam. Chagamreddy convinced the victim his identity had been stolen and instructed him to convert money into gold; the victim lost money before a family member recognized the scam and authorities arrested Chagamreddy with $500 and 23 ounces of gold in his vehicle. Evidence connected Chagamreddy to similar gold collection schemes targeting an 87-year-old North Carolina woman and a

Four North Texas boarding home operators were indicted in federal court for exploiting elderly and vulnerable residents through two separate fraud schemes: one involving the fraudulent sale of a 79-year-old woman's home for over $156,000, and another involving the theft of more than $50,000 in Social Security benefits from a deceased resident. Donella Locke, Suekya Whitney, and Shakoya Crenshaw face conspiracy and false statement charges in the first case, while Krystle Locke faces theft of government money and identity theft charges in the second case. The defendants allegedly used positions of trust and power of attorney to carry out the schemes involving unlicensed boarding homes.

Venkateswara Chagamreddy, a 37-year-old Indian man on a student visa in Texas, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for defrauding an elderly Vietnam veteran in a tech support scam that resulted in the loss of gold and cash. The scheme involved fake Microsoft support, federal officer, and Treasury Department impersonators who convinced the victim to convert money to gold, which Chagamreddy collected in person; he was arrested during a second pickup arranged by law enforcement. Chagamreddy was ordered to pay $99,496 in restitution and evidence showed he targeted multiple elderly victims across multiple states within 48 hours, collecting gold

Elizabeth Holmes, the convicted Theranos founder who defrauded investors of millions by falsely claiming her company's blood-testing technology could perform hundreds of medical tests with minimal blood samples, invited filmmaker Nathan Fielder to document her life in the 34 days before she entered federal prison in 2022. Holmes was convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud and three counts of fraud, and the resulting documentary reveals she and her partner discussed launching a "new and improved Theranos" while incarcerated at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas. The A24 film "You Can See Everything" premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and captures Holmes repeatedly denying she is deceptive while discussing plans to restart her fraudulent

Over 200 elderly victims across Texas and the nation lost more than $250 million in a gold theft scam where perpetrators posed as bank officials and federal agents, directing seniors to withdraw savings and purchase gold bars, bitcoin, or prepare cash for pickup. The stolen assets were moved through shell companies in New Jersey to a Florida refinery, then converted to cryptocurrency and transferred overseas, with one victim alone losing over $2 million. Authorities have secured more than 40 indictments, seized over $130 million in gold, and arrested suspect Muzamil Ahmed, 35, of New Jersey on charges including organized criminal activity, elder financial abuse, and money laundering.

Dating apps are increasingly implementing facial recognition technology to verify user identities and combat romance scams, which cost Americans hundreds of millions of dollars annually and have become harder to detect with AI-generated fake profiles. While the "verified human" badges aim to close security loopholes, privacy advocates warn the technology expands surveillance risks and could normalize biometric scanning across other platforms, with unclear data retention and security practices. The regulatory landscape, particularly in jurisdictions with strict biometric privacy laws like Illinois, Texas, and the EU, will likely determine whether these verification systems become standard practice.

This article discusses credit union advocacy meetings with policymakers during congressional recess, not an actual fraud case or scam. The article mentions that credit unions raised fraud concerns, including elder fraud schemes, as a policy priority during meetings with representatives from Virginia, Alabama, Texas, North Carolina, and Illinois, but does not describe a specific fraud incident or victim impact.

A man captured on surveillance camera withdrew cash using a stolen debit card at an ATM in the 10500 block of Culebra Road on August 12, and Bexar County deputies are seeking the public's help identifying him and locating the dark-colored SUV he fled in. The suspect, described as a Black male wearing a Jordan tank top, green pants, and light brown hat, faces potential charges under Texas law that carry sentences up to two years in state jail, or significantly longer if the victim is 65 or older. Deputies did not disclose the cardholder's identity or the amount withdrawn, nor explain how the debit card was originally stolen.

Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin discovered that scammers can identify social relationships by analyzing the length and patterns of online reviews on platforms like Yelp, allowing them to target spear phishing attacks at users' friends. By studying 4,299 reviewers, the team found that attackers could correctly identify up to 63% of users' social connections from their online behavior alone, with review length being a key indicator of friendship. This vulnerability is particularly concerning given that spear phishing attacks cost victims over $305 million between 2021-2023, and scammers' financial returns increase dramatically as they expand their targeting from hundreds to thousands of potential victims.

Oluwasegun Baiyewu, a 40-year-old Nigerian national residing in Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 95 months in prison for laundering over $3.1 million in fraud proceeds through a conspiracy involving business email compromise, romance scams, and unemployment insurance fraud between May 2020 and October 2021. Baiyewu led a network of at least six co-conspirators across the U.S. and Nigeria who used encrypted messaging to coordinate the purchase of used and salvaged vehicles in America, which were then exported to Nigeria to convert the illicit proceeds into physical assets. The scheme included laundering approximately $280,000 stolen from a Puerto R

Oluwasegun Baiyewu, a 40-year-old Nigerian national based in Houston, Texas, was sentenced to 95 months in prison for laundering over $3.1 million in proceeds from business email compromise, romance, and unemployment insurance fraud schemes targeting US citizens between May 2020 and October 2021. Working with at least six co-conspirators in the US and Nigeria, Baiyewu used encrypted messaging apps to coordinate the purchase and shipment of salvaged vehicles to Nigeria, including laundering $280,000 stolen from a Puerto Rican renewable energy company through a business email compromise scam.

Scammers in Angelina County, Texas are impersonating sheriff's deputies through spoofed phone calls, threatening victims with arrest for missing jury duty or court appearances and demanding payment via Bitcoin kiosks to avoid arrest. At least two victims lost significant sums—one person transferred $35,000 through a Bitcoin kiosk and another attempted to pay $10,000—with tens of thousands of dollars total lost in the area, as scammers use pressure tactics and stay on the line while victims complete transactions.

Texas-based Baylor Genetics experienced a data breach between June 11-17, 2026, exposing sensitive information for approximately 2.8 million individuals nationwide, including names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, medical records, and diagnoses. The breach affected over 248,000 Texas residents along with hundreds of thousands in other states, with the company notifying affected individuals starting August 14. While the company reports no confirmed cases of identity theft or fraud related to the incident, patients should monitor their information closely given the exposure of highly sensitive personal and medical data.

A 75-year-old woman recovering from surgery at a San Antonio hospital was allegedly robbed by someone impersonating a credit union employee, with police seeking the public's help to identify the suspect through Crime Stoppers. This incident is part of a larger pattern of elder fraud in San Antonio, where the police department recorded over 330 financial crimes against seniors in 2025, with imposter scams being among the most common tactics. Texas residents over 60 lost $679 million to financial fraud in 2025 across more than 14,400 cases, prompting enhanced legal penalties under state law for crimes targeting elderly victims.

This is a radio program transcript covering various Houston topics including gas station zoning proposals, a discussion with an author who researched romance scams for a novel, breast cancer prevention initiatives at Texas Southern University, and the Houston Jazz Legacy Project—not an article about elder fraud or scams affecting victims.

Devin Ward Elder, CEO of DJE Texas Management Group in San Antonio, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to wire fraud after raising over $69.5 million from approximately 345 investors between January 2023 and March 2025 through false promises about investment returns, risk levels, and his personal participation in 17 real-estate deals. Elder used funds from new investors to make interest payments to existing investors without disclosing the source, and when new capital slowed in March 2025, he halted payments and informed investors that projects would not be completed and substantial losses were likely. The scheme averaged approximately $200,000 per investor, with Elder facing up to 20

Florida, Georgia, and Texas rank among the states with the highest reported cryptocurrency fraud losses, with California leading at over $2.5 billion and Texas reporting nearly $1.4 billion in losses. Scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake apps, social media solicitations, celebrity endorsements, and fraudulent educational courses that promise wealth through cryptocurrency trading but deliver little value or don't exist. These schemes often employ pump-and-dump tactics, fake trading platforms displaying fabricated profits, and high-pressure sales of expensive mentorship programs and VIP memberships costing thousands of dollars.

The Trump administration awarded a $150 million sole-source contract to Burke Law Group, a small Texas firm with minimal immigration law experience and ties to the administration, to provide legal representation to unaccompanied migrant children in government shelters. Legal aid groups warn this move could leave vulnerable children without adequate legal representation during deportation proceedings, particularly as the administration ends a previous contract with experienced immigrant legal aid providers. The contract covers approximately 1,800 children currently in shelters, while roughly 22,000 migrant children living outside the shelter system lack designated legal services.

Cryptocurrency kiosks located in convenience stores and gas stations have become the primary collection point for impersonation scams, with the FBI logging 13,460 complaints in 2025 resulting in approximately $389 million in losses, with roughly two-thirds of victims over age 60. While federal law treats kiosk operators as money services businesses subject to FinCEN registration and anti-money-laundering requirements, state regulation is highly fragmented, ranging from outright bans (Indiana, Tennessee, Minnesota) to licensing regimes with transaction caps and fraud protections to complete absence of oversight (such as in Texas, which leads the nation in reported losses). The regulatory inconsistency means operators face vastly

Texans lost approximately $57 million to cryptocurrency kiosk scams in 2025, primarily targeting elderly victims who are tricked into depositing cash into crypto ATMs to send funds to scammers' wallets. Texas lawmakers plan to ban crypto kiosks entirely, joining Indiana, Tennessee, and Minnesota in prohibiting the machines, as three states have already enacted or scheduled bans to take effect between March and August 2026. The scam typically involves fraudsters contacting victims with urgent stories about unpaid taxes or compromised accounts, directing them to withdraw cash and convert it to cryptocurrency that cannot be recovered once transferred.

Used car scams target buyers with artificially low prices and fraudulent listings, with scammers using third-party payment apps and gift cards to make refunds nearly impossible. The Texas Department of Insurance recommends verifying vehicles through their VIN number on sites like VIN Check and purchasing in person to avoid these scams, which can cost thousands of dollars upfront plus increased insurance premiums.

Federal authorities conducted a nationwide crackdown called "Operation Signal Break" targeting illegal "SIM farms" in Texas and five other states, which are operations that use thousands of SIM cards to send phishing and scam text messages while hiding their true origin. These scam operations cost Americans approximately $15 million annually, and the investigation has resulted in seizing over 500,000 SIM cards, nearly 1,900 SIM boxes, and more than $700,000 in illegal proceeds linked to Chinese criminal organizations. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited text messages asking for personal information or directing you to click links, and report suspicious texts to the FTC or your mobile carrier.

Following devastating flooding in Texas's Hill Country that killed two people and destroyed homes and infrastructure, the Texas Attorney General warned of scammers posing as FEMA agents, fake charities, and businesses price gouging essential goods—practices that are illegal during declared disasters. The alert comes as relief efforts intensify, with the Attorney General's office encouraging residents to report suspected fraud at 1-800-621-0508 and noting that after Hurricane Harvey, the state pursued 127 businesses accused of price gouging, some charging up to $99 for a case of water.

Romance scammers operate sophisticated schemes using deepfake videos, scripts, and pressure tactics to pose as romantic partners, targeting vulnerable people who often continue sending money even after suspecting fraud—sometimes for the emotional connection alone. Author Amanda Eyre Ward explores this dark underworld in her new novel "Arrivals and Departures," drawing on two years of research including interviews with fraud examiners in Austin who work to dismantle these scams. If you're being pursued by someone online asking for money or personal information, be cautious—legitimate romantic partners won't pressure you for funds or use overly polished messaging, and it's worth reporting suspicious activity to fraud examiners and law enforcement rather than continuing engagement.

An elderly Texas woman lost $100,000 in a cash pickup scam after being deceived about fraudulent activity on her bank accounts, which scammers used to pressure her into withdrawing money outside normal banking channels over several days. Two suspects, MD Imran Hossain and his wife Zakia Hossain, were arrested at a Family Dollar when the victim's grandsons intervened during a final planned cash pickup. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls about bank fraud—legitimate banks will never ask you to withdraw cash and hand it over; always hang up and call your bank directly using a number from your statement or their official website.

An East Texas contractor named Robert Lee was indicted for financially abusing an elderly homeowner by convincing her to pay $64,000 for unnecessary roof repairs that were never actually needed. Lee falsely claimed the roof was in danger of collapsing and his team created damage themselves, installing only a poorly-fitted piece of plywood instead of performing real repairs—enough work to warrant four new roofs according to inspectors. Experts advise having elderly family members get second opinions on major home repairs and staying alert to pressure tactics from contractors.

Over the past year, approximately 1,200 Texas residents lost $56.8 million to cryptocurrency ATM scams, with victims losing an average of $47,000 each. Scammers impersonate government officials, law enforcement, or corporate representatives to pressure victims into believing they face legal trouble or account compromise, then direct them to convert cash at crypto ATMs where the money becomes irretrievable. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming urgency or legal threats, verify caller identity through official channels rather than using provided numbers, and remember that legitimate authorities never demand immediate cryptocurrency transfers.

Summer scammers are targeting travelers and homeowners with fake airline customer service numbers, fraudulent vacation rentals, counterfeit concert tickets, and HVAC repair schemes, leaving victims stranded, out of money, and unable to access legitimate services. The scams prey on people in a hurry or desperate for deals, such as those frantically booking last-minute vacations or needing urgent air conditioning repairs in Texas heat. To protect yourself, verify services through official websites and phone numbers, avoid deals that seem too good to be true, and use established booking platforms rather than third-party sellers.

Texans lost over $1 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2025, making the state second only to California for fraud losses, with criminals exploiting the digital currency's difficulty to trace. The scams typically fall into two categories: fraudulent investment schemes using fake websites that mimic legitimate trading platforms, and romance scams where criminals build relationships before directing victims to invest in fake opportunities or send money directly. To protect yourself, use only verified and established cryptocurrency exchanges, research investment opportunities through reputable sources or your bank, and be wary of unsolicited investment opportunities or romantic contacts that pressure you toward cryptocurrency transfers.

A federal judge dismissed a $4 million lawsuit against Citibank brought by a Texas man who lost family trust funds in a romance scam involving fake cryptocurrency investments. The scammer manipulated the victim through social media into authorizing wire transfers to fraudulent accounts, but the judge ruled the bank had no legal obligation to block the transfers despite potential warning signs. This case highlights the growing challenge victims face in holding banks accountable for "authorized push payment" scams, where customers voluntarily transfer funds after being deceived, though consumers should remain vigilant about verifying investment opportunities and be suspicious of romantic contacts promoting cryptocurrency investments.

Four men, including a former Army soldier, were convicted of stealing $1.1 million worth of meals-ready-to-eat (MREs) from Fort Bliss in Texas during 2020. The conspirators stored over 200 pallets of the stolen military rations in a warehouse before FBI and Army investigators recovered the goods in August of that year. While this case specifically targeted military supply chains, it serves as a reminder that insider theft remains a security concern at military installations.

Cryptocurrency fraud has become the leading cybercrime category in America, with victims losing over $11 billion last year, particularly affecting elderly Americans and residents of California, Florida, and Texas through investment scams and fake platforms. FBI Director Kash Patel has warned crypto fraudsters that law enforcement will pursue them across borders by following money trails and leveraging international partnerships, with recent successes including 300 arrests in Dubai and recovery of over $500 million in illicit assets. People should be especially cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency, verify platforms through official channels before depositing funds, and report suspected scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

FBI Director Kash Patel has warned cryptocurrency fraudsters that law enforcement will pursue and prosecute them, as crypto-related scams have become the dominant form of cybercrime in America—with Americans losing over $11 billion to digital asset fraud last year alone, particularly affecting elderly citizens and residents in California, Florida, and Texas. The FBI is intensifying efforts by following money trails and partnering with foreign governments, recently freezing over 3,000 illicit crypto wallets and recovering more than $500 million in stolen assets. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities involving cryptocurrency, verify the legitimacy of platforms before depositing funds, and never send money to unknown parties or click links from unsolicited messages.

Americans lost a record $20.9 billion to cybercrime last year, with cryptocurrency fraud accounting for over half of that—$11 billion—through schemes like fake exchanges, investment scams, and "pig butchering" tactics that exploit victims' pseudonymity on blockchain. Elderly Americans were hit particularly hard, losing nearly a third of the total amount, with California, Texas, and Florida seeing the most crypto-related losses. In response, FBI Director Kash Patel vowed to intensify enforcement efforts, noting the bureau has already frozen over 3,000 illicit crypto wallets and recovered $500 million, with plans to expand these asset-recovery operations.

Financial exploitation of elderly adults through investment scams, romance scams, impersonation fraud, and digital schemes remains a widespread problem, as highlighted during June's Elder Abuse Awareness Month recognition. Warning signs include unexplained withdrawals, pressure to send money or share personal information, and unsolicited contacts via text or social media. Seniors and their families can protect themselves by designating a trusted contact for financial decisions, consulting with family or professionals before major transfers, and reporting suspected fraud to the Texas State Securities Board.

Elder abuse—including physical violence, emotional mistreatment, neglect, and financial exploitation—is a widespread problem in Texas that often goes unreported due to stigma, fear, and lack of awareness. About 10% of adults over 60 experience some form of abuse annually, though experts believe the actual rate is much higher, making vulnerable seniors with mobility issues, cognitive impairments, or social isolation particularly at risk. To help protect elderly Texans, communities are urged to learn warning signs of abuse, report suspected cases to Texas Adult Protective Services, and become more vigilant about safeguarding seniors' wellbeing.

A North Texas couple was arrested for operating a fortune-teller scam that defrauded emotionally vulnerable people out of more than $2.5 million over three years. The perpetrators posed as psychics and targeted people experiencing grief, divorce, or isolation through social media ads, convincing them that supernatural "curses" on their love lives and finances could only be removed through expensive "cleansing" ceremonies. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited offers from psychics or spiritual advisors claiming to remove curses, avoid sending money to strangers online, and seek support through trusted friends, family, or licensed professionals during difficult emotional periods.

Police departments across the country are warning drivers about the "screw method" gas pump scam, where fraudsters insert a screw into a pump's nozzle cradle to prevent the transaction from ending, allowing them to fuel up for free on a victim's card. This scam has been reported in multiple states including California, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Texas, and can result in hundreds of dollars in fraudulent charges. To protect yourself, inspect the nozzle cradle before fueling, stay by your pump while filling up, and always wait for the transaction to fully complete (with a receipt prompt or zero balance display) before leaving.

A 17-year-old Texas teen named Tejasvi Manoj, honored as Time magazine's Kid of the Year, is teaching seniors how to protect themselves from cyber scams after her own grandfather nearly fell victim to a scammer impersonating a family member. Seniors lose billions annually to scams—$4.8 billion in one year alone from 860,000 reported incidents—because scammers target them as perceived wealthy targets who are less familiar with technology and tend to be trusting. To protect yourself, learn about common scams through the Federal Trade Commission website (ftc.gov) and consider resources like Manoj's Shield Seniors program.

Meta generated approximately $14.3 million in ad revenue during 2025 by hosting scam advertisements targeting seniors, particularly those aged 65 and older in Texas and Florida, according to a watchdog report. These fraudulent Medicare-related ads used false promises of free benefits, AI-generated celebrity deepfakes, and fake enrollment deadlines to deceive elderly users, reaching 215 million impressions across Facebook despite Meta's removal efforts. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited ads promising free Medicare benefits, verify any enrollment information directly through official Medicare channels, and report suspicious ads to Meta and the FTC.

A Houston woman lost $90,000 to scammers who impersonated tech support and then posed as IRS and FTC officials, tricking her into wiring money to a fake federal account shortly after her husband's death. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to these schemes, with Texas reporting over $1.35 billion in fraud losses in 2024 alone, and victims often experiencing severe emotional trauma beyond financial loss. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups and phone calls, verify any official communications directly with government agencies using official phone numbers, and never wire money based on threats or claims of identity theft.