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in Tech Support Scams
aol.com
· 2026-07-10
A 73-year-old retired social worker lost her entire $300,000 retirement savings to scammers who impersonated Microsoft Tech Support and her investment firm, using psychological manipulation and fear tactics about hacking and child pornography to convince her to transfer funds. Fraud targeting seniors has surged 300% since 2020, with gold courier scams becoming so prevalent they're now their own FBI crime category, and victims should remember that no legitimate government agency will ever request payment via gold, cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, verify unexpected calls independently by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, and work only with certified fiduciary financial advisors who are legally required to put your interests first.
3newsnow.com
· 2026-07-10
Americans lost nearly $21 billion to cybercrime last year, with seniors aged 60 and older accounting for $7.7 billion in losses, as AI-powered scams become increasingly sophisticated and personalized. A Navy veteran lost $45,000 after initially falling for a fake government refund website and then allowing scammers remote access to his computer. Experts recommend treating all unsolicited contact as suspicious and avoiding sharing personal information or granting computer access to unknown parties, as AI technology is making scams cheaper to operate and harder to detect.
money.com
· 2026-07-10
Four Washington residents lost over $673,000 in a coordinated scam spree where fraudsters impersonated Microsoft, the FTC, and Coinbase using various tactics including fake tech support calls, malicious email links, and fake apps to steal money and valuables. An 84-year-old victim lost more than $400,000 after being threatened with criminal charges and instructed to convert his money to gold for a stranger. To protect yourself, hang up on suspicious calls and directly contact any company or agency in question through official channels—remember that legitimate organizations never ask you to buy gift cards, cryptocurrency, or gold, or to avoid contacting law enforcement.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2026-07-09
The FBI is warning of two major scams targeting people: a courier scam where victims are tricked into handing over cash or gold to supposed couriers, and a money mule scam targeting job seekers who are deceived into laundering stolen money through their bank accounts. Both scams begin with deceptive messages or job postings that build false trust, and victims can face serious consequences including legal liability and account closures. People should be wary of unsolicited contact requesting urgent action on accounts, verify job opportunities independently, and never transfer money or valuables to strangers, regardless of the reason given.
rickscott.senate.gov
· 2026-07-09
Senator Rick Scott is pushing Congress to pass new legislation to combat a nationwide fraud epidemic, citing that scammers using AI and sophisticated cybercrime cost American seniors alone over $4.8 billion in 2024. The proposed bills aim to hold criminals accountable and address the current fragmented reporting system where fraud complaints are spread across 13 different federal agencies, making it difficult for victims to get help. To protect yourself, report scams through official channels and be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages, especially those using AI-generated voices or requesting personal financial information.
247wallst.com
· 2026-07-09
A 73-year-old retired social worker lost her entire $300,000 retirement nest egg to an elaborate scam that began with a fake Microsoft security warning and escalated through coordinated psychological manipulation by fake tech support and investment fraud representatives. The scammers used fear tactics—falsely claiming she was involved in illegal activity—to coerce her into liquidating her assets, buying gold coins, and handing them to a courier, with her bank failing to intervene despite the highly unusual transactions. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of unsolicited pop-ups or calls claiming security issues, never transfer large sums based on phone conversations alone, and always verify requests directly with your financial institution using official contact numbers rather than those provided by the caller.
aol.com
· 2026-07-09
A new study reveals that Americans aged 60 and older lost $7.748 billion to internet fraud in 2025—a 59% increase from 2024—with the actual total likely much higher when accounting for unreported cases. Seniors fell victim to common scams including investment fraud, tech support scams, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes, with criminals increasingly using AI to make their deceptions more convincing. To protect yourself, stay skeptical of unsolicited contact about investments or tech problems, verify requests for money through independent channels, and report suspected fraud to the FTC or local law enforcement immediately.
digitaltrends.com
· 2026-07-09
Scammers are compromising government and university websites to host fake pages advertising stolen adult content, using the trusted .gov and .edu domains to make scams appear more credible and rank higher in search results—a technique called "parasite SEO." This has affected thousands of government and educational institutions across 80 countries, with over 384,000 takedown requests filed since 2011, and Google has removed over 132,000 reported URLs as a result. If you encounter suspicious links claiming to have leaked content, avoid clicking them as they often lead to dating scams or malware, and report any compromised government websites to the appropriate authorities.
foxnews.com
· 2026-07-08
Scammers are sending fake Booking.com emails offering $500 travel credits to target travelers planning summer trips, using pressure tactics, personalized details, and suspicious sender addresses to trick people into clicking malicious links. The fraudulent messages exploit urgency and curiosity with vague subject lines and broad reward promises, particularly targeting people actively booking flights and hotels. To protect yourself, verify the sender's email address matches the official brand, look for clear offer details rather than vague language, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails—instead, go directly to the official website by typing the URL yourself.
texastribune.org
· 2026-07-08
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.
the-independent.com
· 2026-07-07
Scammers are increasingly sophisticated and use the internet to impersonate banks, debt relief agencies, and loved ones to trick people into sharing sensitive information or sending money, with nearly £9.5 billion stolen annually and 1 in 5 people becoming victims. Anyone can be targeted regardless of how cautious they think they are, though many victims stay silent due to stigma and fear of judgment. To protect yourself, recognize common scam tactics, stay vigilant about unsolicited requests for money or personal information, and verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from a financial institution or someone you know before responding.
asialink.unimelb.edu.au
· 2026-07-07
Cambodia has launched an aggressive crackdown on online scams, which have become a major security and economic threat in the country. The government enacted new anti-scam legislation in April 2026, established a national coordinating commission in November 2025, and conducted over 400 raids that resulted in 25 casino license revocations and approximately 20,000 deportations of foreign nationals involved in scam operations between November 2025 and May 2026. While these efforts represent important progress in combating fraud operations, the article suggests that structural challenges remain and complete elimination of scams is unlikely in the short term, making sustained disruption of scam networks a more realistic goal.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2026-07-07
A Filipino domestic worker lost her entire year's savings of approximately $1,625 to scammers who used AI-generated deepfake videos to impersonate Dubai's crown prince on a dating site. The scammers built trust through intimate messages and convincing video calls where a deepfake face matched the prince's appearance, then convinced her to send money for fraudulent "marriage certificates" and hotel reservations. To protect yourself, be extremely skeptical of romantic connections with wealthy or famous individuals online, avoid sending money to people you haven't met in person, and verify identities through official channels rather than relying on video calls or social media accounts.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2026-07-07
I'm unable to provide a summary of this article because the text provided appears to be incomplete—it only shows the website header and navigation elements without the actual article content. To give you an accurate 2-3 sentence summary focused on what happened, who was affected, and actionable advice, I would need the full article text. Could you please share the complete article content?
foxnews.com
· 2026-07-06
The "Hi Mom" text scam tricks parents by impersonating their children with a believable emergency story—claiming they dropped their phone and need to text from a work number—to get them to respond to an unknown number. Once parents reply, scammers build trust and eventually ask for money, exploiting the emotional panic parents feel when they think their child needs help. To protect yourself, verify unexpected messages by calling your child directly or contacting them through a known number, and be suspicious of any request to text an unfamiliar number, even if the story sounds plausible.
usatoday.com
· 2026-07-06
Over three days, scammers in Washington state defrauded four Clallam County residents of more than $670,000 using sophisticated tactics including impersonating Microsoft, the FTC, and Coinbase employees. The schemes ranged from tricking victims into buying gift cards and clicking malicious links to the most extreme case: an 84-year-old who was convinced they were under FTC investigation and handed $420,000 in gold to a stranger at their door. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact from tech companies or government agencies, never click links in suspicious emails, avoid downloading apps from people who contact you, and remember that legitimate authorities will never demand payment or ask you to keep contact secret.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-05
An 86-year-old Ontario woman lost over $900,000 to a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme after being lured in by an AI-generated deepfake video featuring Prime Minister Mark Carney, which falsely promised Bank of Canada backing. The scammers gradually convinced her to liquidate her retirement fund, mortgage her condo, and take a cash advance—promises of $40,000 monthly returns that never materialized before they disappeared. This case highlights the growing risk of AI-enabled fraud targeting seniors, emphasizing the importance of verifying investment opportunities through official channels and being skeptical of unsolicited investment offers, especially those featuring deepfake videos or celebrity endorsements.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-05
A 70-year-old California man lost $84,000 after falling victim to a tech support scam where someone claiming to represent McAfee Security convinced him his bank account was compromised, then arranged for him to withdraw cash and hand it to an accomplice. The scammer used accurate bank details to appear legitimate and instructed the victim to share a verbal security code before the exchange. Police arrested the man who collected the cash, 44-year-old Binchao Cen, and are urging the public to be wary of unsolicited calls claiming to be from security companies—legitimate firms will never ask you to withdraw cash or share security codes with unknown individuals.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-05
An 84-year-old Washington resident lost $420,000 in gold after falling victim to a scam that started with a fake Microsoft alert and escalated into impersonation of federal authorities who falsely claimed the victim was under investigation for money laundering. This case was part of a broader fraud wave in Clallam County where residents lost over $673,000 in just three days through similar schemes involving cryptocurrency, gift cards, and other assets. Authorities urge people to pause before making any financial transactions or purchases, and to verify requests by calling trusted contacts, their bank, or local law enforcement—especially when pressured to keep transactions secret or given remote access to devices.
wired.com
· 2026-07-05
A New York Times journalist embedded himself with romance scammers in Lagos, Nigeria to document their operations in a new book called "The Yahoo Boys." The scammers exploit lonely people online through fake romantic relationships to steal money, causing real emotional and financial harm to victims. To protect yourself, be cautious of online romantic interests who quickly ask for money, verify identities through video calls, and research people before sending funds.
thegazette.com
· 2026-07-04
Scammers worldwide are using American technology—including ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and satellite internet services—to commit fraud at an industrial scale, with U.S. companies providing the infrastructure that enables these crimes despite having the technical ability to prevent them. The investigation found that while these companies aren't breaking laws, they may not be adequately enforcing their own terms of service against illegal activity, and scam centers in Southeast Asia using these tools stole tens of millions of dollars from victims. To protect yourself, remain cautious of AI-generated messages and communications from unknown sources, verify requests for money through independent contact with known organizations, and report suspected scams to the FTC.
sfchronicle.com
· 2026-07-04
A college professor lost nearly $500,000 to an elaborate scam targeting Indian nationals and Indian Americans, where criminals impersonating Indian government officials threatened her with arrest and extradition over a fake money laundering investigation. The scammers convinced her to submit to 24/7 video surveillance, send constant selfies, and isolate herself from friends and family under the false pretense of a "forensic audit." To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls from government officials claiming you're under investigation, verify any such claims directly with official agencies using independently confirmed phone numbers, and never agree to financial transactions or surveillance demands from callers.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-04
Scammers are using AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate family members and create panic-driven extortion calls targeting Canadian and American parents. One victim, Brenda Brookins, received a call that sounded exactly like her son claiming he'd been in a car accident, but she avoided losing money by noticing red flags like unusual word choices and a mismatched area code. Parents should be suspicious of urgent requests from family members and verify the caller's identity through independent contact before sending money or providing personal information.
thegazette.com
· 2026-07-04
Global scam operations are increasingly using U.S. technology infrastructure—including AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini, satellite internet, and other digital services—to orchestrate fraud that cost Americans nearly $200 billion in 2024, according to an AP/FRONTLINE investigation. The scams often involve people trafficked to compounds in Southeast Asia who use these tools to impersonate legitimate contacts, generate automated responses across multiple languages, and target victims worldwide. While these technology companies aren't breaking laws, watchdogs say they have the capacity to better enforce their own terms of service against illegal activity and could do more to prevent their platforms from being weaponized by fraudsters.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2026-07-03
Criminal syndicates operating scam compounds near Myanmar's border are using ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Starlink to run "pig butchering" romance-investment scams at unprecedented speed, forcing trafficked workers to use AI to build fake relationships with victims and convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms—with some scams completing in just four days instead of weeks. The FBI reported over $11 billion in cryptocurrency investment fraud losses in 2025, though the actual figure is believed to be much higher since many victims don't report the crime. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited romantic or investment overtures online, never send money to unknown cryptocurrency platforms, and verify investment opportunities through independent research before committing funds.
sandiegouniontribune.com
· 2026-07-03
A major elder fraud ring that stole approximately $65 million from thousands of elderly victims across the country has been dismantled, with the ring's money collection coordinator, Hua Wang, pleading guilty in federal court. The scheme involved fraudsters impersonating tech support, government officials, or bank employees to trick seniors into withdrawing cash and mailing it to addresses at short-term rental properties, which allowed the criminals to frequently relocate. To protect yourself: be skeptical of unsolicited calls asking you to send cash, never wire money or mail packages of cash to unknown addresses, and verify any requests with official organizations by calling their published phone numbers directly.
patch.com
· 2026-07-03
A major elder fraud ring that stole approximately $65 million from thousands of victims across the country has begun to unravel, with the lead defendant Hua Wang pleading guilty to conspiracy, wire fraud, mail fraud, and money laundering charges in San Diego federal court. The scheme involved fraudsters posing as tech support, government officials, or bank employees who tricked elderly victims into withdrawing cash and mailing it to addresses at short-term rental properties, which allowed the criminals to quickly relocate and continue their operations. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages from supposed officials demanding immediate cash payments, verify requests by contacting organizations directly using official phone numbers, and never send money via mail or wire transfer to unknown recipients.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-03
A major elder fraud scheme that defrauded seniors of $64 million has resulted in the guilty plea of Hua Wang, who coordinated the operation from 2019 to 2023, sending over 2,000 cash packages mailed by elderly victims across the United States. The scam involved India-based call centers where fraudsters impersonated technical support agents, government officials, or bank employees to trick seniors into withdrawing cash, placing it in packages addressed to fake names, and mailing it through express carriers to short-term rentals. Elderly Americans should be cautious of unsolicited calls claiming to be from tech support or government agencies requesting immediate payment, and should verify any such requests by contacting the official organization directly before sending money.
sandiegometro.com
· 2026-07-03
A major elder fraud ring that scammed approximately $65 million from victims nationwide has resulted in guilty pleas from defendants who posed as tech support, government officials, and bank employees to trick elderly people into withdrawing cash and mailing it to short-term rental addresses. The scheme exploited the rental properties as temporary collection points, allowing fraudsters to quickly relocate and continue their operations. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious about unsolicited calls asking you to withdraw money or send cash, verify caller identity by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, and never send money to unfamiliar addresses.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-07-03
The FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report found that internet-enabled fraud reached historic levels, with over 1 million complaints filed and $20.9 billion in losses—a 26% jump from the previous year. A new threat highlighted in the report is AI-related cybercrime, which generated 22,364 complaints and $893 million in losses through tactics like deepfakes and voice cloning that can impersonate trusted individuals. Financial institutions and individuals should strengthen their fraud prevention systems and remain skeptical of unexpected requests for money or sensitive information, especially those involving video calls or audio messages that seem unusual.
wealthmanagement.com
· 2026-07-02
The U.S. House has passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act of 2025 with overwhelming bipartisan support, which empowers financial institutions and advisors to temporarily pause suspicious financial transactions to protect seniors from fraud. Older Americans lost over $7.7 billion to scams in 2025—a 59% increase from the previous year—with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics like AI and spoofing to impersonate government agencies and law enforcement. The bill now moves to the Senate and gives financial professionals the legal authority they previously lacked to intervene and prevent exploitation before seniors lose their life savings.
southwhidbeyrecord.com
· 2026-07-02
Scams are becoming increasingly common and affecting people across all age groups on Whidbey Island and beyond, with victims often reluctant to admit they've been targeted despite warnings from loved ones. Common scams include romance schemes where scammers pose as romantic interests to build trust before requesting money, and victims can lose thousands of dollars. The article advises community members to stay vigilant, listen to concerns from friends and family if something seems suspicious, and seek out educational resources about scam prevention to protect themselves.
adn.com
· 2026-07-02
Scammers operating from centers in Myanmar are using artificial intelligence tools from American tech companies to conduct romance fraud at industrial scale, with one trafficked worker impersonating dozens of fake personas to target tens of thousands of victims across the globe in rapid succession. The scheme affects vulnerable people worldwide—from farmers to engineers to soldiers—who are manipulated into sending money to fake romantic interests, with the FTC estimating Americans lost nearly $200 billion to scams in 2024. While tech companies have the technical ability to prevent this abuse, they lack sufficient legal incentives and regulatory pressure to do so, leaving the infrastructure that powers these fraud operations largely unchecked.
wwaytv3.com
· 2026-07-02
Trafficked workers at scam centers in Myanmar are using AI-powered software from American tech companies to run romance scams at massive scale, targeting hundreds of thousands of victims worldwide through fake personas and coordinated messaging campaigns. According to an AP investigation, one trafficked worker alone targeted approximately 50,000 people across at least 17 countries in a single month, exploiting victims' desire for romance to ultimately fleece them of money. While U.S. tech companies have the technical ability to prevent this abuse, regulatory gaps and lack of business incentives mean they're not taking sufficient action against fraud that cost Americans nearly $200 billion in losses in 2024—making it critical for people to be skeptical of online romantic connections, especially with people who quickly ask for money or claim to need financial help.
10news.com
· 2026-07-02
A major elder fraud ring that stole approximately $65 million from victims nationwide has been dismantled, with the lead defendant, Hua Wang, pleading guilty to conspiracy, wire and mail fraud, and money laundering charges. The scheme involved criminals posing as tech support, government officials, or bank employees who tricked elderly victims into withdrawing cash and mailing it to short-term rental addresses controlled by the fraud ring. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited calls or messages from people claiming to represent tech companies, government agencies, or banks—legitimate organizations will never ask you to send cash by mail or wire transfer.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2026-07-01
A national elder fraud ring that stole approximately $65 million has resulted in guilty pleas from multiple defendants, including the lead organizer Hua Wang, who collected over 2,000 cash packages from victims. The scammers posed as tech support, government officials, or bank employees to trick elderly people into withdrawing cash and mailing it to short-term rental addresses, which allowed them to quickly relocate and avoid detection. To protect yourself: verify caller identities independently by hanging up and calling official numbers, never wire money or send cash based on unsolicited calls, and report suspicious activity to authorities or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
kesq.com
· 2026-07-01
A major elder fraud ring that stole approximately $65 million from victims nationwide has resulted in guilty pleas from its lead defendant, Hua Wang, and nine other conspirators, with more than 30 total defendants charged. The scheme involved scammers impersonating tech support, government officials, or bank employees who tricked elderly victims into withdrawing cash and mailing it to short-term rental addresses, which allowed the fraudsters to quickly relocate and avoid detection. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from officials or tech support, never withdraw large amounts of cash based on such requests, and report suspicious activity to authorities or organizations like Adult Protective Services.
jdsupra.com
· 2026-07-01
Older adults are particularly vulnerable to abuse and financial exploitation because they often have accumulated savings, may be socially isolated after losing a spouse, and sometimes need help managing finances—making them attractive targets for abusers seeking personal gain. The problem is compounded by the fact that elder abuse frequently goes undetected and unreported for extended periods, allowing the harm to continue and worsen without intervention. To protect themselves, older adults should maintain strong social connections, carefully monitor their financial accounts, be cautious about who they grant financial control to, and report any suspicious activity to family members or authorities promptly.
whidbeynewstimes.com
· 2026-07-01
Scams are becoming increasingly common and affecting people across all age groups on Whidbey Island and beyond, with victims often reluctant to acknowledge they've been targeted—as illustrated by cases ranging from romance scams involving fake romantic interests to financial fraud costing victims thousands of dollars. The article emphasizes that scams have evolved significantly over time and recommends community awareness and education as preventative measures, noting that even well-intentioned warnings from friends and family members are sometimes rejected by victims who refuse to believe they're being deceived. To protect yourself, stay skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers (especially involving romantic or financial proposals), verify claims independently, and listen to warnings from trusted friends and family members about suspicious requests.
cyberdaily.au
· 2026-07-01
Researchers have discovered a Chinese software framework called DCloud that powers over 236,000 scam domains targeting people in Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. The scams use various tactics including fake job offers, cryptocurrency schemes, and gambling platforms—with one example being Yuechi Sharing Technology, which lures victims with fake "trial profits" before pressuring them to deposit money and buy cryptocurrency. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited job offers promising easy money, never invest based on small "trial" profits, and avoid sending cryptocurrency or personal financial information to unknown contacts.
apnews.com
· 2026-07-01
I appreciate you sharing this, but the text provided appears to be only the navigation menu and header section of a news website rather than the actual article content. The article text cuts off before any substantive information about scams, victims, or fraud is included.
To provide you with an accurate 2-3 sentence summary focused on what happened, who was affected, and actionable advice, I would need the complete article body. Could you please share the full article text?
theguardian.com
· 2026-07-01
Martin Lewis, a trusted financial expert whose name and image are being stolen by scammers to promote fake investments, says he receives constant reports of vulnerable people—including an elderly woman who lost her life savings—falling victim to deepfake videos and fraudulent schemes bearing his endorsement. Lewis emphasizes that he never advertises anything and that the government could easily stop these scams, yet he feels helpless against the "constant, ongoing deluge" of fraud using his identity. To protect yourself, be skeptical of any investment offers appearing to come from celebrities or trusted figures, verify endorsements directly through official channels, and never invest based solely on social media posts or videos.
fox5dc.com
· 2026-07-01
American technology companies—including AI models like ChatGPT and Gemini, internet service providers like AT&T and Cogent Communications, and Starlink—are being exploited by scam operations primarily based in Myanmar to defraud Americans of approximately $200 billion annually. While these companies aren't breaking laws themselves, watchdogs say they have the technical ability to better enforce their terms of service and prevent abuse but lack sufficient legal and business incentives to do so. Americans can protect themselves by being cautious about unsolicited contacts, verifying requests through official channels, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC.
statesman.com
· 2026-07-01
Romance scammers operating from centers in Myanmar are using AI tools from American tech companies to target victims worldwide at massive scale, with one trafficked worker impersonating a woman to deceive tens of thousands of people across dozens of countries in just one month. The scams cost Americans nearly $200 billion in losses in 2024, exploiting vulnerable individuals like farmers, soldiers, and widows through fake romantic relationships designed to extract money. While American tech companies have the technical ability to prevent this abuse, they lack sufficient legal incentives and regulatory pressure to do so, allowing the infrastructure for these scams to flourish.
yahoo.com
· 2026-07-01
Trafficked workers at scam centers in Myanmar are using AI-powered software built by American tech companies to impersonate people and conduct romance scams at an industrial scale, targeting tens of thousands of victims across multiple countries. A whistleblower's records show that in just one month, one scammer targeted approximately 50,000 people—including farmers, soldiers, and everyday professionals—using fake profiles while supervised by armed handlers. Experts say American tech companies have the technical ability to prevent this abuse but lack sufficient legal incentives and regulatory pressure to do so, despite fraud costing Americans nearly $200 billion in losses in 2024; people should be cautious of online romantic connections that develop quickly and verify the identity of anyone asking for money or personal information.
nbcnews.com
· 2026-06-30
# Summary
According to a Gallup and Stop Scams Alliance survey, approximately 6% of U.S. adults (15 million people) were scammed in 2024, losing a total of $68 billion, with 12% of successful scams involving AI or deepfakes. The survey found that AI-enabled fraud is becoming increasingly difficult for victims to detect, and scammers are using sophisticated impersonation and research techniques, including targeting previous scam victims with fake "recovery" services. The data reveals significant disparities, with lower-income adults, people of color, and those without bachelor's degrees experiencing higher scam rates, while causing severe or moderate financial hardship for 67%
pbs.org
· 2026-06-30
Global scam networks operating from centers in Myanmar are using AI technology from American companies to conduct massive romance scams at industrial scale, with one trafficked worker impersonating a woman to deceive over 50,000 victims across 17 countries in just one month. The victims—ranging from farmers and tailor to soldiers and engineers—are targeted by scammers who exploit US-built AI tools and software to rapidly create fake profiles and automate deceptive conversations. To protect yourself, be cautious of strangers who quickly profess romantic feelings online, verify identities through video calls before financial discussions, and report suspicious accounts to social media platforms.
lancs.live
· 2026-06-30
Scammers are increasingly targeting travelers by compromising legitimate hotel booking accounts and sending fake payment requests through official-looking emails and chat messages, making these scams harder to detect. Travelers should be wary of unexpected payment requests from hotels, especially those arriving through email or in-app messages, and should verify any requests directly with the hotel through their official phone number or website rather than clicking links in suspicious communications. The scams have evolved beyond obvious fake websites to exploit people's trust in established travel platforms and verified communication channels.
argus-press.com
· 2026-06-30
Financial scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using AI to create convincing phishing emails and fake videos, targeting victims through cryptocurrency schemes, romance scams on social media, and fraudulent QR codes in public spaces. Anyone with financial accounts is vulnerable, though scammers often prey on those seeking investment opportunities or romantic connections online. To protect yourself, enable two-factor authentication on all accounts, verify requests directly with organizations through official channels, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, research investments thoroughly before committing money, and be cautious of QR codes in unfamiliar locations.
foxnews.com
· 2026-06-29
Criminals are using an AI-powered phishing service called Kali365 to target Microsoft 365 users (Outlook, Teams, OneDrive) by tricking them into approving fake device-code requests, which grants attackers access to their accounts without needing passwords—even bypassing multifactor authentication. The scam steals OAuth tokens (digital access keys) instead, allowing criminals to stay connected to accounts long-term. To protect yourself, be cautious about unexpected device-code approval requests, verify authentication prompts carefully, and consider disabling unnecessary OAuth app permissions on your Microsoft account.