Explore the Archive

**Pig Butchering Scams Overview** "Pig Butchering" is a romance/investment scam that typically begins with unsolicited text messages appearing to be sent to the wrong person, establishing false familiarity and trust. Scammers then gradually build relationships with victims and persuade them to invest money in fraudulent cryptocurrency or trading schemes, often resulting in significant financial losses. The scam gets its name from the process of cultivating ("fattening") victims before extracting ("butchering") their money.

Scammers are using artificial intelligence to clone voices and create fake audio and video impersonations to defraud victims, with AI impostor scams becoming the leading form of fraud in the past year, affecting over 850,000 people and causing $2.7 billion in losses. A common variant involves victims receiving frantic calls from AI-cloned voices of family members claiming to be kidnapped and demanding ransom money, as exemplified by an Arizona mother who testified before Congress after receiving a convincing call from her daughter's cloned voice begging for help. Experts warn this emerging fraud threat requires increased awareness and caution, as voice cloning technology has become easily accessible to bad actors worldwide

A YouTube content creator known as "Skip" operates a scam-baiting channel with over 3 million followers that exposes online scams targeting vulnerable people. The creator deliberately engages with scammers through fake scenarios (such as fake cryptocurrency and gift card redemption schemes) to waste their time and reveal their tactics, preventing them from targeting actual victims. This educational approach demonstrates common scam methods and how scammers attempt to manipulate people into believing they can easily access free money or cryptocurrency.

This is a podcast introduction featuring Arun Rao, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the DOJ's Consumer Protection Branch, discussing the growing sophistication of fraud schemes targeting consumers and elders. Rao explains how technological advances such as robocalls, text, email, and social media have enabled fraudsters to refine their tactics and target victims with greater precision. The discussion covers the DOJ's consumer protection work, cybercrime, elder fraud, and data privacy issues.

This is an introductory webinar hosted by the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau on payments industry practices for combating elder financial exploitation. The session provides participants with access to slides, resources, and a discussion platform to explore strategies and tools for preventing elder financial abuse within the payments sector.

Three Nigerian men in their 40s were sentenced to federal prison for orchestrating romance and investment scams that targeted victims across America from 2017 to 2021, including a Western Tennessee resident who lost $400,000. The perpetrators used fake identities on social media and dating sites, posing as romantic partners and repeatedly requesting emergency financial assistance from victims. Law enforcement urges scam victims to report incidents to police, as victims of romance scams often face additional risks including identity theft when they unknowingly share personal information with fraudsters.

Florida residents, particularly seniors, are experiencing widespread scam calls and text messages, including toll balance fraud and unsolicited calls from unknown numbers. According to board-certified elder law attorney Jana McConna, vulnerable seniors—especially those who are isolated, lonely, recently widowed, or experiencing memory issues—are actively being targeted, with scammers exploiting emotional vulnerability and cognitive decline to financially manipulate victims. McConna emphasizes that isolation and loneliness are key risk factors that make seniors susceptible to fraud schemes.

This is a transcript excerpt from the Smashing Security podcast (Episode 413) featuring hosts Graeme Cluey and Carol Tero discussing cybersecurity topics, including a mention of a Swiss cybersecurity company launching a "CIS initiative" and references to Nigerian fraud schemes (419 scams). The transcript appears to be a partial, auto-generated recording with significant repetition and unclear audio quality, making it unsuitable for detailed summarization of specific fraud cases or elder abuse incidents.

This episode from the Bangkok Post examines Thailand's growing cyber scam epidemic, which has expanded into a trillion-dollar industry over the past three years as both scammer and victim numbers have surged. The content outlines common scam tactics including advance-fee schemes (fake Nigerian prince emails), phishing attacks impersonating banks and government agencies to steal identity and funds, and tech support scams where fraudsters pose as Microsoft to gain computer access. The episode illustrates how modern cyber scams are adaptations of centuries-old swindle techniques now conducted through digital channels.

A Nigerian man was extradited from the UK to face eight federal charges for allegedly defrauding Idahoans out of at least $2 million through romance and sextortion scams. He posed as a woman on social media to deceive male victims into sending explicit images, then threatened to share the photos with their families unless they paid. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in prison.

Seven defendants across the United States and Nigeria were indicted for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $8 million between March 2018 and June 2019. The scheme involved Nigerian operators creating fake online personas to build trust with victims before requesting money under false pretenses, with many elderly victims losing their life savings and retirement funds. The defendants facilitated money laundering by establishing U.S. bank accounts to collect and distribute fraud proceeds while concealing the funds' destination and the scammers' identities.

**Nigerian Romance/Sweepstakes Scam Targeting Elderly Americans** Dotun Alonge, a 47-year-old Nigerian national living in Providence, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison as the fifth defendant convicted in a sophisticated fraud operation that defrauded elderly Americans across multiple states of over $1.7 million. The scam involved fabricated romantic relationships on social media and dating sites, fake sweepstakes winnings requiring upfront payments, and fraudulent rental property schemes to extract money from victims. Four other co-conspirators received sentences ranging from time served to 42 months, with joint restitution ordered at approximately

Abdul Waris Akinsanya, a 26-year-old Nigerian citizen in Oklahoma City, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam conspiracy that defrauded an Alabama victim of $2,650 in May 2020. Akinsanya opened fraudulent bank accounts under false identities using forged documents to deposit money obtained through the scam, keeping a percentage for himself. He was also ordered to pay $2,650 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.

A 26-year-old Nigerian man living in Oklahoma City was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for perpetrating a romance scam against an Alabama woman. Akinsanya was ordered to pay $2,650 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Americans aged 30-49 reported the most investment fraud complaints to the FBI in 2023, with over 13,000 cases, contradicting the assumption that older adults are most susceptible to investment scams. Total losses from investment fraud reached $4.57 billion in 2023—a 38% increase from the previous year—with cryptocurrency scams accounting for $3.94 billion of that total. Scammers typically lure victims through social media and online ads by promising high returns with minimal risk, using fake investment strategies, phony training products, and impersonation of public figures.

INTERPOL's Global Financial Fraud Assessment reveals that organized crime groups are increasingly using AI, large language models, cryptocurrencies, and phishing-as-a-service models to conduct sophisticated fraud campaigns targeting vulnerable people worldwide at relatively low cost. Key fraud trends include investment fraud, romance baiting (which combines romance and investment schemes), advance payment fraud, and business email compromise, with human trafficking networks increasingly forced into call centers to execute these schemes. The report emphasizes the urgent need for international law enforcement cooperation, data sharing, and public-private partnerships to combat this escalating global threat; since 2022, INTERPOL's I-GRIP mechanism has helped intercept over $500 million in criminal proceeds

A 60-year-old Australian man, Renato Calalang, lost approximately $150,000 in an inheritance scam after responding to a fraudulent email claiming to be from a Philippine bank offering him a 3.8 million euro inheritance from a deceased relative. Over a three-month period, the scammer convinced Calalang to transfer funds to an Australian Commonwealth Bank account, using a fake death certificate and phone communication to establish credibility. After reporting the fraud to police and Commonwealth Bank in September 2023, the bank stated it could not recover the funds due to lack of cooperation from the Philippine bank, leaving Calalang unable to retire as planned.

A Visa report analyzing payment fraud from June to December 2023 found that 15% of U.S. adults have been targeted by inheritance scams, where victims are deceived by fraudsters posing as law firms notifying them of inheritances from relatives and requesting upfront payments. The report also highlighted other major scam trends including "pig butchering" scams (targeting 10% of adults through fake cryptocurrency investments), humanitarian relief scams, and triangulation fraud, while noting that fraudsters increasingly use AI to enhance their attacks and that ransomware cases surged 300% compared to the previous year.

This educational article provides guidance on identifying common cyber scams and protecting oneself online. It identifies six prevalent scam types targeting all age groups—including phishing, sweepstakes, investment, lawsuit/tax, romance, and tech support scams—and recommends seven safety practices such as using strong passwords, updating devices, and exercising skepticism toward unsolicited offers. The piece emphasizes that cybercrime is a rising threat and encourages reporting suspicious emails to CISA.

Scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and costly, with consumers losing more money despite fewer individual reports, according to Visa research. Key threats include pig butchering scams (targeting 10% of adults via fake cryptocurrency schemes), inheritance scams (affecting 15% of adults), humanitarian relief scams, and triangulation fraud (costing merchants up to $1 billion monthly), all leveraging generative AI and emerging technologies to deceive victims more effectively. Additionally, threat actors are exploiting organizational vulnerabilities, with PRA fraud attacks rising 83% and ransomware cases increasing 300% year-over-year, while over one-third of scam victims do not report their losses, indicating actual

Visa's Spring 2024 Threats Report reveals that while the number of individual scam reports decreased from June to December 2023, total monetary losses increased, indicating fraudsters are executing more effective and costly schemes. Emerging scams include "pig butchering" (fake cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting 10% of surveyed adults), inheritance scams (affecting 15% of adults), and triangulation fraud (costing merchants up to $1 billion monthly), with fraudsters increasingly leveraging generative AI and other technologies to create more convincing campaigns. Organizational threats are also escalating, including a 300% increase in ransomware cases and an 83% rise in purchase return authorization frau

This article provides six practical tips for avoiding online, phone, and in-person scams, using a personal anecdote about a friend who nearly fell victim to a fake Google support call. Key protective measures include being suspicious of unsolicited emails and messages, verifying links before clicking them, recognizing "too good to be true" offers, and contacting companies directly rather than through unsolicited channels. The author emphasizes that awareness and vigilance are essential defenses against increasingly sophisticated scammers.

The IRS launched its annual "Dirty Dozen" awareness campaign warning taxpayers about evolving phishing and smishing scams designed to steal sensitive personal and financial information. Fraudsters impersonate the IRS via unsolicited emails and text messages, using tactics like phony refund offers or false legal threats to trick victims into clicking malicious links or downloading malware. The IRS advises taxpayers and tax professionals to remain vigilant, avoid clicking links in unsolicited communications, and be especially cautious during tax season when such scams peak.

This educational resource outlines common investment scams including Ponzi schemes, boiler room scams, pump-and-dump schemes, advance fee fraud, crypto scams, and affinity fraud that exploit trust within specific communities. Key red flags to avoid include guaranteed returns, artificial urgency, unclear information, unsolicited offers, and promises that seem too good to be true. Consumers are advised to conduct independent research, request verified financial statements, and report suspected scams to authorities.

Advances in technology and social engineering are enabling sophisticated scams that cost consumers billions of dollars annually. Visa's 2024 Threats Report identifies four major scams on the rise, including pig butchering (romance) scams where fraudsters use AI and deepfake technology to build trust with victims over weeks or months before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms—affecting 10% of surveyed adults and resulting in billions in losses. The report notes that beyond financial victims, these scams often involve human trafficking victims forced to participate in the fraud operations.

In Greater Manchester, 15,623 fraud cases were reported to Action Fraud in the past year, with online shopping/auction fraud being most common (3,100 cases), followed by advance fee fraud (1,500 cases). Notable cases included serial fraudster Cieran McNamara, who manipulated four women into sending over £300,000 through romance scams before being sentenced to seven years in prison, and a separate case where a man defrauded a woman of £50,000 on a widows' dating site. Other scams included pet fraud, concert ticket fraud, and designer goods schemes targeting victims through emotional manipulation and online platforms.

This is an educational podcast series covering consumer protection topics rather than a specific fraud or elder abuse incident. Key episodes address red flags in standard contracts, risks associated with rewards credit cards that can lead to debt, vehicle recalls affecting safety, and credit denial trends affecting consumers. The podcast provides advice on identifying problematic contract clauses, understanding credit card pitfalls, and navigating consumer financial decisions.

Nigerian footballer Olanrewaju Kayode issued a public warning about alleged property fraud involving his wife Ezinne Dora Okoro, Ziloc Construction Ltd, and Ugochukwu Igboanugo in multiple Lagos real estate transactions. The scheme allegedly involved the fraudulent sale of seven properties including luxury vehicles, residential duplexes, and land parcels across prestigious estates in Lagos. Kayode urged the public to conduct thorough due diligence on property titles and sellers, and to report suspected fraudulent activity to law enforcement.

A reformed Nigerian scammer who stole over $70,000 through romance and tax-related fraud now works for Social Catfish to combat similar schemes, as government impersonation scams surge nationwide. California experienced record losses of $88.3 million in 2023, with the FBI reporting $394 million lost to government impersonation scams overall—a 63% increase from 2022. The five most prevalent tax-related scams targeting victims include Turbo Tax phishing, fake accountant schemes, IRS spoofing calls, unclaimed refund emails, and fraudulent Employee Retention Credit promotions.

Romance scammers known as "Yahoo Boys," primarily based in Nigeria, are increasingly using deepfake and face-swapping technology in real-time video calls to impersonate fake romantic partners and defraud victims of thousands of dollars each. The FBI reports over $650 million was lost to romance fraud last year, with the scammers openly sharing their techniques and recruiting accomplices across Telegram and social media platforms. These experienced con artists, who have evolved their tactics as AI technology has improved, operate in loosely organized clusters without formal leadership structure and show little fear of consequences.

Nigerian-based online criminals known as "Yahoo Boys" conduct romance scams that cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with victims—often elderly people targeted for retirement funds and life savings—losing substantial amounts; the scam has become more sophisticated as perpetrators now use AI-generated deepfakes and video calls to impersonate romantic interests and financial officials. A 69-year-old widow lost $39,000 of her life savings, and in Utah alone, victims lost $3.6 million to these scams in 2022, prompting law enforcement to recommend reverse image searches and caution against sending money to people met only online.

This compilation covers six major elder fraud and scam cases: Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" used AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams causing $650 million in losses (2021), with recent cases totaling $25 million and a Salt Lake City jury indicting seven members for laundering $8 million; a Montreal woman lost $25,000 to a crypto scam featuring a fake Elon Musk deepfake; Greek police arrested nine individuals who defrauded victims of €305,789 through phone impersonation scams; a Myanmar trafficking operation forced victims into romance scams via torture and exploitation; and a UK survey found 22% of young adults

This educational piece outlines common online and phone scams while providing prevention advice from SafeWise safety expert Rebecca Edwards. Key recommendations include not answering unknown calls, changing passwords every six months, avoiding suspicious links and unreviewed websites, and recognizing common schemes like extended warranty calls, fake giveaways, and ticket scams. According to Gallup data, 8% of Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with Edwards attributing the rise in scams to increased internet reliance, weak law enforcement consequences, and online anonymity that embolden fraudsters.

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

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

Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for laundering over $2.3 million in proceeds from romance scams and business email compromise fraud schemes orchestrated by Nigerian co-conspirators; he used bank accounts and cryptocurrency exchanges to conceal and transfer the funds. Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was ordered to forfeit $464,923.91. Four additional defendants remain at large in this transnational fraud operation.

Jamaican lottery scammers are adopting new tactics by gaining control of elderly US victims' bank accounts to make fraudulent purchases and transfers, replacing traditional money-laundering methods like remittance companies and money mules. Recent cases include using stolen debit cards to purchase vehicles in Japan and attempting to secure loans in victims' names, with authorities confiscating over 100 debit cards linked to major American banks since the start of the year. According to FBI data, Americans over 60 lost US$3.1 billion to various scams in 2022, a 121 percent increase from the previous year.

Nigerian "Yahoo boys" are using sophisticated deepfake technology in romance scams to create fake video identities on platforms like Zoom, employing readily available software to realistically alter their appearance in real-time during video calls. Scammers build trust through social engineering before exploiting victims financially, with experts warning that rapidly improving deepfake quality makes these deceptions increasingly believable and poses risks for significant financial losses. Security experts caution that this technology's ease of use could expand beyond romance scams to other fraudulent schemes.

Renato Calalang, a 60-year-old Australian warehouse worker, lost nearly $150,000 in life savings to an inheritance scam after receiving an email from someone claiming to be a Philippine bank owner offering him a €3.8 million inheritance from a deceased cousin. The scammer, posing as "Steve Golds," provided forged documents including a death certificate and instructed Calalang to open a new bank account and deposit funds to facilitate the transfer, exploiting Calalang's family ties to the Philippines and his trust in his existing bank. After months of transfers and communication, Calalang realized he had been defrauded and lost his retirement

On March 28, 2024, the IRS issued its annual Dirty Dozen warning about evolving phishing and smishing scams designed to steal taxpayer personal and financial information for identity theft or fraudulent tax filings. Scammers impersonate the IRS through unsolicited emails and text messages using tactics such as promises of false refunds or threats of legal action, and the IRS advises taxpayers never to click links or respond to such communications and to report suspicious messages to [email protected] or by texting 7726.

Austrian weatherman Sigi Fink discovered his photos were being stolen and used by romance scammers to deceive victims across multiple platforms, with scammers creating dozens of fake profiles using his image and real name. Romance scams have grown dramatically, with reported losses in Canada increasing from $15.6 million in 2013 to over $52 million in 2023, and victims have sometimes reached out to the real Fink after discovering the deception. The unauthorized use of his likeness has left Fink feeling violated and concerned about his reputation, while experts note that image theft in romance scams can be traumatic for innocent people whose photos are misused.

Austrian weatherman Sigi Fink discovered his photos have been stolen and used in dozens of romance scams targeting vulnerable people online, after a CBC journalist exposed one scammer who posed as "Bobby Brown," a wealthy oil rig engineer. Romance scams have grown dramatically, with reported losses increasing from $15.6 million in 2013 to over $52 million in 2023, and Fink now receives reports of fake profiles using his images almost daily, leaving him distressed about his image being weaponized despite his innocence.

A Nigerian citizen, Efe Egbowawa, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in an international romance scam ring that defrauded victims across the United States, including Tennessee, from 2017 to 2021. The conspiracy involved members using fake identities on dating sites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims before requesting emergency financial assistance in escalating amounts, with money then laundered through shell companies and bank accounts. Two co-conspirators, Igocha Mac-Okor and Kay Ozegbe, also face charges in connection with the scheme, with one awaiting sentencing and the other scheduled for trial.

The Yahoo Boys, a loosely organized collective of thousands of scammers primarily based in West Africa, operate openly on social media platforms including Facebook, WhatsApp, Telegram, TikTok, and YouTube, conducting romance scams, sextortion schemes, business email compromise, and AI-generated deepfake fraud that collectively total hundreds of millions of dollars annually. These cybercriminals openly share their identities, sell fraudulent scripts and fake identification documents, and coordinate their activities across dozens of groups with hundreds of thousands of combined members, with social media companies providing what experts describe as "free office space" for their criminal operations. While major platforms have removed many Yahoo Boys accounts after media scrut

In 2023, 759 New Mexico residents over age 60 lost more than $17.7 million to online fraud, with the costliest scams being confidence/romance schemes ($4.9 million), investment fraud ($4.6 million), and tech support scams ($3.1 million). The FBI emphasizes that older adults are vulnerable targets due to financial stability, potential isolation, and lower awareness of online threats, and urges seniors and families to educate themselves about these scams and report incidents through ic3.gov or their local FBI office.

Olamide Shanu, a 33-year-old Nigerian, was arrested and faces extradition to the United States on charges related to a sextortion scam that allegedly generated up to £2 million. Shanu is accused of posing as a teenage girl online to coerce boys into sending sexually explicit images, then blackmailing them with threats to share the photos with their families and friends unless they paid money; his cryptocurrency account received over 6,000 payments from hundreds of victims over three years. The case coincides with a surge in sextortion scams targeting minors in the UK and US, with at least three British children having taken their own lives after being vict

A Nigerian national, Amos Prince Okey Ezemma, pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims were entitled to multimillion-dollar inheritances from overseas relatives, then requesting upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes before the funds could be released. Ezemma faces up to 20 years in prison upon sentencing, and five other co-conspirators have already been convicted in connection with the scheme.

In 2023, 759 New Mexico residents over age 60 lost more than $17.7 million to online fraud, with the costliest schemes being romance scams ($4.9 million), investment scams ($4.6 million), and tech support scams ($3.1 million). The FBI emphasizes that older adults are particularly vulnerable due to financial stability and potential isolation, and urges prevention through awareness and family education, with victims encouraged to report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.

Nigeria is a global center for romance scams, particularly targeting foreign victims, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reporting 1,129 victims and approximately $14 million in losses in 2021. The EFCC identified rapid growth in cyber-crime among young Nigerians, noting that societal acceptance of these crimes—including parental support of scammers—enables the criminal activity to flourish despite existing laws. Romance scams extend internationally, with documented cases involving Nigerian perpetrators defrauding victims across the US, UK, and Europe, ranging from financial extortion to cases resulting in victim suicides and prison sentences.

A Nigerian man expressed frustration after a Polish bank refused to open an account for his child, citing a blanket policy against Nigerian customers. He attributed the discriminatory policy to reputational damage caused by Nigerian nationals involved in scams and fraud schemes abroad, including documented cases of Nigerians convicted of money laundering, bank fraud, and romance scams in countries like the United States.