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kunr.org
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams impersonating government agencies, particularly DMVs claiming unpaid traffic tickets or tolls, are surging across the Mountain West. Scammers use threatening language and urgency to pressure victims into clicking malicious links, with the FTC reporting $470 million in losses from these scams last year. Consumers are advised to recognize that government agencies don't typically communicate via text, to watch for suspicious website addresses and threatening language, and to avoid clicking links or providing payment information.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
Jefferson County, Tennessee authorities warned of two recent scams: truck drivers were targeted at a Love's Travel Stop on Interstate 40 on June 11, where suspects lured victims into betting games and stole money and jewelry; additionally, a phishing scam involving text messages falsely claiming to be from the Tennessee Department of Vehicles threatened recipients with fines and legal action for unpaid traffic tickets and included malicious links. The scam is part of a multi-state pattern targeting residents in at least 10 states with fraudulent DMV messages demanding payment for unpaid tolls or traffic violations.
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
A Maple Grove woman lost over $450,000 in bitcoin, gift cards, wire transfers, and cash to scammers posing as U.S. government agents between March and April. The suspects initiated contact via unsolicited email in early March, then used WhatsApp to communicate with the victim and falsely claim they needed funds for a federal investigation, promising reimbursement. The case represents at least the second major cryptocurrency theft in Minnesota involving email-based fraud, with suspects remaining at large.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman named Brittany received a spoofed call appearing to be from her sister, in which a man claimed to be holding her hostage and demanded $750 via digital payment apps, threatening violence while playing audio of screaming in the background. When Brittany attempted to send $200 through Cash App, the app's fraud detection flagged the transaction as a scam and automatically refunded it, prompting her to verify her sister's safety and confirm the call was fraudulent. Authorities recommend using code words with family members, avoiding clicking suspicious links that enable account hacking and call spoofing, and reporting such scams to law enforcement.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams cost Americans over $6.5 billion in 2024, with phishing emails and tech support scams adding another $4.1 billion in losses, according to FBI data. This article provides ten expert strategies for protecting investments, including verifying platform legitimacy, recognizing phishing and impersonation tactics, avoiding Ponzi schemes, being cautious of social media/romance scams, conducting thorough research, and identifying fake tech support and recovery scams. The advice emphasizes that as digital fraud becomes increasingly sophisticated, investors must stay vigilant by checking security certifications, verifying credentials directly, and remaining skeptical of unsolicited investment offers promising guaranteed high returns.
menafn.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old Michigan administrative assistant lost $26,000 to a romance scam involving a man posing as a French project manager named "Richard" who used deepfake videos during Skype calls to appear authentic. Over several months, the scammer emotionally manipulated the victim into taking out loans under the pretense of needing legal and translation help in Qatar, then disappeared when confronted. The case highlights the growing threat of AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams, with projections estimating eight million deepfakes will be shared worldwide in 2025, approximately one-fifth of which involve romantic fraud schemes.
jamaica-gleaner.com
· 2025-12-08
Matthew Ejike Nwachukwu, a Nigerian man in Guyana, was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in orchestrating romance and package delivery scams that defrauded multiple Guyanese victims of millions of dollars in 2022. Working as a local accomplice to a German-based mastermind, Nwachukwu coordinated agents to collect money from victims who were lured into fake romantic relationships and told to pay fees to claim valuable packages containing items like diamonds. Authorities continue investigating to apprehend the overseas ringleader and other accomplices involved in the broader scam network.
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old Ohio surgeon lost $1 billion to a romance scam involving a fake Ukrainian model within one month of his wife's death, while in New Delhi, a woman lost Rs 5 lakh ($6,000) when scammers impersonated her phone service provider during a family medical crisis. Globally, seniors lost $4.8 billion to cyber fraud in 2024 (US), with India projected to lose Rs 1.2 lakh crore ($14.4 billion) in 2025, driven by psychological manipulation that exploits neurobiological changes in aging brains, cultural conditioning toward authority and politeness, and widesprea
cbs19news.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens and vulnerable adults across the United States are being targeted at increasing rates by scammers using phone calls, emails, text messages, and artificial intelligence; in 2024, seniors lost nearly $4.9 billion across 147,000 complaints nationally, with Virginia seniors (age 60+) losing over $106.5 million in more than 3,800 reported incidents. Common scams targeting elders include the "Grandparent scam" using AI voice impersonation, text message schemes regarding undelivered packages and unpaid tolls, and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Officials recommend verifying contact information independently, resisting pressure to act quickly, and avoiding payment methods like gift cards
chicago.suntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chicago resident was targeted by scammers posing as AT&T who used social engineering to obtain two-factor authentication codes, gaining access to his account and compromising his sister's phone line within 24 hours. Two-factor authentication scams are increasingly common nationwide, with criminals obtaining victim information through data breaches and phishing, then manipulating the security codes to control accounts and devices. The key defense is to hang up on unsolicited calls claiming account problems and instead contact your bank, carrier, or company directly using known phone numbers, as legitimate companies won't pressure you to provide security codes over the phone.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fraudulent text messages to trick victims into paying fake fees, with popular schemes including the E-ZPass scam (claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license revocation) and DMV scams (impersonating state driver licensing offices). Additional common scams involve fake job offers via text from sites like Indeed with malicious links, and Facebook ads for fake Joann Fabric sales exploiting the retailer's closure.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This article is a compilation of ten cyber crime news summaries curated by the Future Crime Research Foundation. Key cases include: a ₹3.34 crore fraud call center bust in Lucknow where 15 individuals lured youth via fake job ads on WhatsApp and Facebook to run scams targeting 1,000+ people; a Pune woman defrauded of ₹8.4 lakh in a matrimonial scam; a Mumbai man who lost ₹32 lakh in a cryptocurrency romance scam; and a multi-state investment and digital arrest scam network spanning Odisha, Gujarat, and West Bengal. The compilation also covers international
actionnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is urging elderly Americans and their families to be vigilant about elder fraud, particularly ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, highlighting that investment scams, technical support schemes, and romance scams target seniors by exploiting their vulnerability and trust. The Internet Crime Complaint Center reported $4.8 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, with California alone accounting for over $832 million in elder fraud losses. The FBI recommends scrutinizing unsolicited communications, verifying unknown sources, resisting pressure to act quickly, and reporting suspected fraud to local law enforcement or through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over 60 lost nearly $5 billion to online scams in 2024, a 43% increase from 2023, with over 147,000 victims averaging $83,000 in losses each according to FBI data. Major scam types include investment fraud ($1.8 billion), tech support scams ($1 billion), and government impersonation schemes ($200 million), increasingly leveraging AI and deepfakes. The article recommends family members and communities take preventive action through regular personal check-ins, education about common scam tactics, and directing seniors to trusted resources like the FTC and FBI rather than relying solely on technology.
rdrnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The City of Roswell issued a warning after water customers received fraudulent phone calls and text messages from an unknown individual impersonating city officials and demanding payment while attempting to obtain financial information. The scam is part of a broader pattern of impersonation fraud targeting residents, including fake calls about arrest warrants, jury duty, and utility shutoffs, with scammers using caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate and creating urgency to prevent victims from verifying their identity. Authorities recommend hanging up, independently verifying the caller's identity through official websites or phone numbers, and advise seniors to consult trusted relatives before sharing personal information.
9to5mac.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers increasingly use AI tools and deepfakes to impersonate trusted contacts and commit identity theft, potentially resulting in thousands of dollars in fraudulent loans or credit card debt opened in victims' names. The article advises protecting yourself through multiple security measures: use a password manager to create unique passwords for each account, replace old weak passwords (especially for financial services), adopt passkeys where available, and enable two-factor authentication via authenticator apps rather than text messages.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating process servers in phishing calls, claiming victims have non-existent court cases, liens on their homes, or unpaid debts, and threatening immediate legal consequences or arrest. The callers use intimidation tactics and secrecy about details to pressure victims into quick action, often to unknown or blocked numbers. To protect yourself, verify any legal claims directly with courts or official agencies rather than responding to unsolicited calls.
irishexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common scams affecting Irish people and provides warning signs to recognize them. Key scam types include phishing through fake bank alerts, fake competition wins, malicious pop-ups, counterfeit online shopping sites, emotional manipulation scams (including voice cloning and deepfakes), hacked social media accounts, and pressure tactics using urgency. The article advises verifying suspicious messages by contacting organizations directly, checking for personalization in communications, avoiding clicking unfamiliar links, and reporting confirmed scams to local gardaí with supporting documentation.
wbhm.org
· 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Day, officials warned that seniors lost $4.8 billion to financial scams in 2024, with common schemes including romance scams, sweepstakes fraud, impersonation of government agencies and tech support, and family emergency requests. The FBI and IRS recommend seniors avoid sending money to strangers, sharing personal financial information online, and responding to pressure to act quickly or sign unfamiliar documents. Suspected fraud can be reported to the IRS Atlanta Field Office at 470-639-2228 or via email.
jacksonville.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service and Postal Inspection Service warned of rising phishing, smishing, and brushing scams, noting that USPS will never text customers requesting addresses for package delivery. Florida residents lost over $1 billion to internet scams in 2024, and the agencies advise against clicking links in unsolicited messages and recommend reporting suspicious communications to combat mail-related fraud.
privatebank.jpmorgan.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals use social engineering tactics to target elderly individuals who are less familiar with technology and may trust official-looking communications, often isolating victims and creating pressure to share personal information or money. The article illustrates two common scams: a phishing email impersonating a charity that stole Jane's financial details when she donated to a fake disaster relief campaign, and a phone scam where "Amazon" and "FBI" impersonators convinced Gerald to withdraw cash before he recognized the fraud when asked to convert funds to Bitcoin. The best defense against these scams is community support from trusted friends, family, and financial advisors rather than acting alone.
concordmonitor.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational column advises readers to assume all unsolicited emails, texts, and phone calls from organizations are scams, as fraudsters have become highly skilled at impersonating legitimate entities and fabricating personal details. The author highlights common scam tactics including fake DMV/Medicare/bank requests, charity donation schemes, and "grandchild in danger" extortion, while warning that artificial intelligence now enables criminals to create convincing audio and video impersonations of known contacts. The recommended defense is to never transfer money or share sensitive information unless you initiated contact, and instead verify requests by independently looking up official contact information or using a pre-arranged "safe word" with loved ones.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
**Smishing Scams Surge as Mobile Fraud Rises**
Online scams generated $16 billion in 2024, a 33% increase from 2023, with smishing (fraudulent text messages impersonating banks, government agencies, and delivery services) emerging as a prevalent threat. To protect against smishing, individuals should verify sender IDs, never share personal information via text, avoid clicking unsolicited links, enable spam filtering, and take time to pause before responding to urgent requests. Victims should immediately stop communicating with scammers, report the message to their bank and carrier, monitor accounts for unauthorized activity, change passwords, and watch their credit reports for
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercrime scams cost Americans $12.5 billion last year, with sophisticated criminal networks operating from Southeast Asia using psychological manipulation tactics across romance scams, investment fraud, and payment platforms to target vulnerable victims. The article argues that current U.S. law enforcement strategies are inadequate and proposes three solutions: increased investment in specialized cyber crime units, streamlined coordination between federal agencies like the FBI's IC3, and diplomatic pressure against criminal networks operating internationally.
irishexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common scams affecting Irish people and warning signs to watch for, including phishing scams (fake bank alerts and delivery notifications), fake competition wins, malicious pop-ups, counterfeit online shopping sites, emotional manipulation scams (including deepfakes and voice cloning), hacked social media accounts, and high-pressure tactics. The piece advises always verifying suspicious messages by contacting organizations directly, checking for personalization in legitimate communications, ignoring unsolicited alerts, and reporting confirmed scams to local authorities with documentation of emails and account details.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned approximately 150 million iPhone and Android users about a surge in text message scams impersonating state DMVs, which increased over 700% in a single month. The fraudulent messages falsely claim unpaid tolls or fines and direct recipients to click links that install malware or redirect to phishing sites designed to steal credit card and personal information. The FBI urged users to delete these messages immediately without clicking links and report them to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
bigcountrynewsconnection.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI released a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reminder highlighting that elder fraud caused $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, representing a 46% increase in complaints and 43% increase in losses from 2023. Seniors are frequently targeted through investment scams, technical support schemes, romance scams, and money mule schemes because they are often perceived as trusting, financially stable, and less likely to report fraud. The FBI advises seniors to verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement, the FBI's tip line, or
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced a reinvigorated effort to combat transnational elder fraud schemes that cost billions of dollars annually, with several recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases included Troy Murray, who pleaded guilty to selling a database of over 7 million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery scammers, and his son Cutter Murray, who pleaded guilty to money laundering $1.6 million in fraudulent proceeds; other defendants were charged for operating Jamaica-based lottery fraud schemes that defrauded seniors across the country, with one victim losing over $400,
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five members of a transnational organized crime syndicate were sentenced to federal prison in the Eastern District of Texas for defrauding approximately 100 victims of roughly $17 million through multiple schemes including romance scams, business email compromise, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud beginning in January 2017. The defendants, ranging from 32 to 51 years old, received sentences between 9 and 40 years, with sentences totaling nearly 160 years combined. The scheme specifically targeted elderly and vulnerable persons, and the defendants laundered stolen funds through bank accounts and businesses in Africa and Asia.
americancraftbeer.com
· 2025-12-08
In June 2023, a WhatsApp phishing scam targeted UK users with a fake Guinness Father's Day promotion promising a "fridge full of beer" to those who completed a quiz and shared the link with friends or groups. Diageo (Guinness's parent company) publicly debunked the scam, warning users not to click the link or provide personal details, while Meta advised victims to report the incident and update their security settings.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pamela nearly fell victim to a tech support scam after receiving a pop-up warning claiming her computer was locked and her IP was being used on pornographic sites. The scammer impersonated both a Microsoft employee and an FTC official, using fake credentials and pressure tactics to try to extract her full credit card numbers, but Pamela avoided the fraud by verifying the FTC official's identity and refusing to share sensitive information. The article warns against pop-up scams impersonating legitimate companies or government agencies and recommends contacting organizations directly through official channels, using strong unique passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication to protect against such schemes.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to prosecute transnational elder fraud schemes that cost American seniors billions of dollars. Recent prosecutions in the District of Rhode Island include: a British national convicted in a multi-state construction fraud targeting seniors across four states for over $1 million; eight individuals indicted for orchestrating transnational tech support scams that defrauded approximately 300 seniors across 37 states of over $5 million; and two residents charged with grandparent scams that defrauded seniors in Rhode Island and Massachusetts of at least $230,000. The DOJ urged seniors an
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated prosecutorial efforts against transnational and domestic elder fraud schemes that cost seniors billions of dollars annually, highlighting recent cases involving romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. A notable Montana case resulted in the arrest of a man involved in an India-based scheme impersonating U.S. Marshals that defrauded an elderly victim of over $1 million. The DOJ emphasizes the importance of community vigilance, victim restitution efforts, and encourages seniors and their families to contact the free National Elder Fraud Hotline for assistance with
wgrz.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is warning about a significant rise in text message job scams targeting young adults, with fraudsters using unsolicited texts and emails to advertise remote positions with high pay and flexible hours, often impersonating legitimate companies. Employment scams resulted in average losses of $1,500 per victim among ages 18-34 last year and ranked among the top three scams reported to the BBB, with scammers increasingly using AI to create convincing fake offers and sending fraudulent checks. The BBB recommends verifying the legitimacy of job offers, avoiding sending money to unknown contacts, and watching for red flags like unsolicited contact and pressure to act quickly.
firstalert4.com
· 2025-12-08
Thousands of people across the bi-state region received phishing text messages impersonating the Missouri Department of Transportation, threatening fines and prosecution for outstanding traffic tickets and demanding payment via a link. The scam originated from a Philippines-based number (+63 country code) and aimed to steal personal and financial information, though MoDOT does not actually enforce traffic tickets. Authorities advise recipients never to click links, respond, or reply "STOP" to these messages, as doing so can expose victims to cyberattacks or trigger additional spam.
magnoliareporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Five defendants in a transnational organized crime syndicate were sentenced to federal prison (109 to 480 months) for defrauding approximately 100 victims—including elderly persons, companies, and government entities—of roughly $17 million between 2017 and 2025 through online romance scams, business email compromise, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud. The defendants laundered the stolen money through networks of bank accounts in Africa and Asia before being caught by an FBI-led multi-agency investigation in the Eastern District of Texas.
gazettengr.com
· 2025-12-08
Five Nigerian fraudsters were sentenced to a combined 129 years in prison for operating a transnational scam that defrauded at least 100 victims—predominantly elderly—of over $17 million through romance scams, business email compromise schemes, and investment fraud between January 2017 and their arrest. The gang laundered the stolen funds through bank accounts and businesses in Africa and Asia, with some victims losing their life savings and being unable to recover financially.
etedge-insights.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams on dating apps have escalated dramatically, with reported losses topping $1 billion globally in 2024 and a projected rise through 2025. Scammers use emotional manipulation, stolen photos, and increasingly sophisticated AI tools (deepfakes, voice cloning) to build fake relationships and extract money from victims, often through fake investment schemes or fabricated emergencies. The article illustrates this trend through Jay's experience with "Alina" and notes that India has been particularly hard-hit, with 39% of daters encountering scammers and 77% seeing AI-generated photos, while crypto-hybrid romance scams grew nearly 40% year-
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In response to rising scam cases in Metro Detroit, Chase and the Detroit Police Department hosted a workshop for seniors to educate them on common fraud tactics and prevention strategies, coinciding with World Elder Abuse Awareness Month. According to the FBI, individuals 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with Michigan residents alone losing over $206 million to fraud last year, and the average victim losing $35,101. The workshop emphasized the motto "trust but verify" and covered common scams including impersonation, spoofing, phishing, and vishing, recommending that seniors verify contacts, avoid sharing personal information, resist pressure to act quickly, an
smnewsnet.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice announced reinvigorated efforts to combat transnational elder fraud schemes costing billions of dollars, with recent prosecutions targeting romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. Key cases include Troy Murray, who sold a database of over seven million elderly Americans' personal information to Jamaican lottery fraudsters and laundered $1.6 million in proceeds, and Dennis Anderson and Frank Angelori, who brokered lead lists to Jamaica-based scammers from 2015-2020. Individual victims lost significant sums, with one Arizona victim losing over $400,000 to a lottery fraud scheme.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County law enforcement warned seniors about a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters posing as federal officers contact victims via pop-up ads or phishing texts, claiming their finances are compromised and directing them to purchase gold bars and deliver them to fake "couriers" at public locations. Victims are typically deceived into withdrawing their life savings, with recent cases in Montgomery County alone involving losses of nearly $800,000 and $900,000, and authorities note that recovery of stolen funds is nearly impossible. Authorities advise seniors to avoid answering unknown numbers and clicking suspicious pop-up ads.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Medicare fraud costs U.S. taxpayers an estimated $60 billion annually, with recent investigations uncovering widespread schemes including unordered genetic testing kits, phantom billing for medical equipment, and catheter scams affecting individuals across Indiana and beyond. Notable prosecutions include a North Carolina man laundering $3 million in a $100 million DME scam and two Texas residents charged with $359 million in fraudulent genetic testing claims. Seniors should protect themselves by never sharing Medicare numbers with unverified callers, monitoring billing statements for unauthorized charges, and reporting suspicious activity to Medicare, the Senior Medicare Patrol, or the HHS Fraud Hotline.
uchealth.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers stole $3.4 billion from older U.S. adults in 2023, a 14% increase from the previous year, using tactics like romance scams, fake investments, and Medicare fraud that exploit fear and greed. Beyond financial losses, elder fraud causes significant psychological harm including anxiety, shame, depression, and in severe cases, suicidal ideation, requiring individualized mental health interventions such as cognitive behavioral therapy. Older adults are particularly targeted due to their assets, trust in authority, unfamiliarity with technology, and potential cognitive changes that impair fraud recognition.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
A nationwide DMV scam involves cybercriminals texting people claiming they owe fines for traffic violations or unpaid tolls, threatening license revocation or vehicle registration suspension to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or paying money. These phishing scams, reported in Indiana, Ohio, Maine, Texas, and other states, use official-sounding language, fake ordinance codes, and threats of jail time or credit score damage to create urgency, but legitimate DMVs typically only send texts that users have opted into and never request payment or personal information via text.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel, an Indian national on a student visa, was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud at least 25 elderly Americans through phishing scams and impersonation of government officials between July and August 2024. The conspiracy stole hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and gold, with a total intended loss of at least $2.7 million, with Patel personally collecting stolen funds and distributing portions to co-conspirators. Patel was arrested in August 2024 after retrieving a box containing $130,000 from a victim's residence and pleaded guilty in March 2025.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian nationals, including alleged kingpin Isaac Kofi Oduro Boateng, were arrested in June 2025 and face extradition to the United States for a $100 million fraud scheme operating from 2016 to 2023. The syndicate conducted Business Email Compromise (BEC) scams by impersonating company officials through spoofed emails to trick victims into wire transfers, and also ran romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly the elderly, through dating platforms and email. At least one business and eight individuals suffered confirmed losses exceeding $100 million, with the suspects now in Ghanaian police custody pending extradition proceedings.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian businessman Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng and multiple associates have been charged in coordinated U.S. federal prosecutions for operating transnational romance and inheritance scams targeting elderly Americans between 2013 and 2024. Boateng allegedly led a decade-long scheme convincing seniors they could claim gold and jewels if they paid fabricated taxes and fees, while related defendants in Ohio and elsewhere defrauded elderly victims through fake romantic relationships and fraudulent business deals, laundering proceeds to Ghana and other countries. These cases represent part of a broader Department of Justice crackdown on international fraud networks preying on seniors, announced in conjunction with World Elder
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Otaniyen Iduozee, a Nigerian citizen on a student visa, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison for laundering millions of dollars obtained through romance scams targeting vulnerable Americans, primarily elderly and isolated individuals. Iduozee controlled fraudulent bank accounts and funneled victim money through various transactions to Nigeria, playing a central role in the money laundering operation. Upon completing his sentence, he has agreed to be deported from the United States.
fox4news.com
· 2025-12-08
Five Texans were sentenced to federal prison terms ranging from 9 to 40 years for their roles in a transnational fraud scheme that defrauded approximately $17 million from at least 100 victims worldwide, including vulnerable elderly individuals, between January 2017 and the sentencing date in June 2025. The scheme involved multiple fraud types including online romance scams, business email compromises, investor fraud, and unemployment insurance fraud, with proceeds laundered through bank accounts in Africa and Asia. The defendants collectively received nearly 160 years in prison for conspiring to commit wire fraud and money laundering.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
**Phone Scams: Fake DMV and Toll Road Texts**
Consumers are increasingly receiving fraudulent text messages impersonating the DMV or toll road authorities that threaten enforcement action to trick recipients into responding. The article advises those who have already fallen for these scams on steps to take and warns the public not to engage with such messages. These text-based scams capitalize on fear tactics regarding vehicle registration and toll violations to manipulate victims into providing personal information or payments.