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jambroadcasting.com
The Dietert Center in Kerrville is offering free scam awareness seminars this week, including an Elder Fraud/Exploitation Seminar on June 24 presented by Texas Partners Bank covering how to identify legitimate bank alerts versus scams, and a Scam Awareness Presentation on June 26 by Kerrville Police Department addressing phishing and other criminal scamming tactics. These educational sessions aim to help community members protect themselves from fraud and exploitation.
12news.com
A Jamaican man, Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie, was extradited to Arizona and charged with wire fraud and money laundering for deceiving an 85-year-old woman in Vail, Arizona into sending nearly $400,000 between 2015 and 2019 through a romance scam involving fake lottery winnings. The FBI reports that online lottery scams targeting seniors in Arizona increased 400% between 2023 and 2024, with such international prosecutions being exceptionally rare. The article notes common scams include "pig butchering" schemes involving cryptocurrency and tech support frauds, and recommends avoiding unknown contacts, urgent messages, an
liherald.com
Nearly 25 seniors at General Douglas MacArthur Village in Hempstead attended a scam awareness workshop presented by the Office of Crime Victim Advocate on June 9, where they learned to recognize and avoid common fraud schemes including romance scams, identity theft, deed theft, and "grandparent scams." The training, which covered tactics like phishing and bogus official calls that create artificial urgency, statistically reduces victimization risk by 80 percent according to studies. The New Greater Hempstead Chamber of Commerce Committee on Aging continues to provide resources and will host another awareness workshop in September.
thebridgechronicle.com
Three separate fraud cases in Pune resulted in combined losses exceeding ₹30 crore: an elderly woman from Bibwewadi lost ₹40 lakh in a share market IPO investment scam, a 39-year-old man from Kothrud lost ₹18 lakh in a similar share trading fraud, and Silver Jubilee Motors Company lost ₹30 crore when former Reliance Commercial Finance officers forged documents to create a false loan against the company's name. Police have registered cases at multiple stations and appeal to citizens to verify investment offers before committing funds.
koreaherald.com
Thai police arrested 21 people (20 South Korean nationals and one Chinese national) operating an online romance scam from a luxury villa in Chon Buri Province after a tip from the South Korean Embassy revealed a kidnapped victim being forced to work for the operation. Officers discovered scripted investment pitch materials and confiscated electronic devices, indicating the group was part of a larger transnational fraud network. All suspects remained in custody facing legal proceedings under Thai law.
wired.com
One month after Telegram banned two major Chinese-language cryptocurrency scam marketplaces (Haowang Guarantee and Xinbi Guarantee) that had facilitated $35 billion in transactions, the black market operations have largely reconstituted themselves on the platform. Smaller competing marketplaces, particularly Tudou Guarantee (which has doubled in size to 289,000 users and now processes approximately $15 million daily), have filled the void left by the bans and continue enabling money laundering for investment scams operating from Southeast Asian compounds that victimize millions worldwide and exploit forced labor. Telegram's enforcement appears ineffective, as the same illicit services—money laundering, stolen
blog.knowbe4.com
According to the FTC's October 2024 report, Americans lost an estimated $158.3 billion to scams in 2023 (approximately $433 million daily), with roughly 21 million U.S. citizens successfully scammed annually after adjusting for significant under-reporting. The top scams include investment fraud (often initiated through fake text messages leading to cryptocurrency schemes), fake job postings on legitimate employment sites, romance scams enhanced by AI deepfakes, tech support scams impersonating major tech companies, and fake vendor schemes.
hellorayo.co.uk
Over the past three years, Essex residents lost more than £5.5 million to romance fraud, with 549 reported cases averaging £10,142 per victim, often targeting vulnerable older adults seeking companionship. One Kent woman lost nearly £100,000 and her home after being deceived by a scammer posing as an American serviceman on social media, and subsequently victimized again by extortion and impersonation scams. Police advise potential victims to avoid sending money to online contacts they haven't met in person, verify profile photos through reverse image searches, limit personal information sharing, and consult trusted friends and family rather than allowing fraudsters to isolate them.
expressandstar.com
Romance fraud cost victims in the West Midlands £2.6 million across 332 reported cases in the past year, part of a UK-wide total exceeding £106 million with a 9% increase in reports. Fraudsters create fake identities and build trust through emotional manipulation before requesting money for emergencies, with the 50-59 age group suffering the largest losses. West Midlands Police are supporting a public awareness campaign to educate victims about common tactics such as "love bombing," avoiding in-person meetings, and isolating targets, while urging affected individuals to report incidents and seek support.
expressandstar.com
Romance fraud caused over £2.6 million in losses across 332 cases in the West Midlands during 2024/25, with victims averaging £11,222 each stolen, as part of a UK-wide total exceeding £106 million. Scammers create fake identities and build trust through "love bombing" before requesting money for fabricated emergencies, with the 50-59 age group suffering the largest aggregate losses (£22.1 million nationally) and female victims particularly vulnerable to prolonged manipulation. West Midlands Police are backing a public awareness campaign urging victims to report the crime and providing guidance on protective measures such as avoiding quick money transfers
finance.yahoo.com
The FBI has filed to seize nearly $680,000 in cryptocurrency from a sophisticated romance scam targeting professionals on LinkedIn and dating apps. Two victims—a Solon, Ohio resident who lost $500,000 and an Arizona woman who lost $63,000—were deceived into investing in cryptocurrency after scammers built trust through social media before moving conversations to encrypted platforms. Investigators traced the stolen funds across blockchain networks, identifying how criminals converted the stolen assets to Tether stablecoin, demonstrating law enforcement's growing ability to track cryptocurrency fraud despite the technology's irreversible transactions and pseudonymous nature.
sanjuanjournal.com
This educational piece from the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner advises Medicare beneficiaries to review their quarterly Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) as a primary defense against health care fraud. The article provides guidance on how to read MSNs effectively, identify red flags such as duplicate charges or unrecognized services, and report suspected fraud through Medicare or local Senior Medicare Patrol offices. Regular MSN review is presented as a critical tool to protect individual benefits while helping safeguard the broader Medicare program against billions in annual fraud losses.
bernama.com
Two men in Penang—a 57-year-old insurance agent and a 73-year-old retired accountant—lost a combined RM2.35 million (approximately RM1.5 million and RM855,001 respectively) to separate online investment fraud schemes. Both victims were lured by social media advertisements promising high investment returns, contacted female suspects via WhatsApp, and made multiple transfers to fraudulent investment applications before discovering they could not withdraw profits or access their funds. Police are investigating both cases under cheating charges and working to identify the fraud syndicate network.
gbnews.com
**Article:** Pension savers at risk of 'worrying scams' as inheritance tax overhaul looms
Pension savers face increased fraud vulnerability as unclear legislation surrounding April 2027 inheritance tax changes on pensions prompts many to hastily withdraw large sums from regulated schemes. Fraudsters are exploiting this uncertainty by targeting worried individuals with fake "IHT-free" investment solutions, with financial experts warning that unprotected withdrawals significantly increase scam risk. Experts recommend savers seek professional guidance before making pension decisions driven by inheritance tax concerns to keep savings protected from fraudulent schemes.
hackread.com
A coordinated cryptocurrency theft operation targeted CoinMarketCap users through a malicious wallet verification pop-up embedded via a compromised homepage doodle image, draining approximately $43,266 from 110 victims using the Inferno Drainer toolkit. The attack used a convincing interface prompt that appeared across multiple pages on the site, tricking users into granting wallet access, with successful hits including stolen tokens like SOL, XRP, and PENGU. CoinMarketCap's security team detected and removed the malicious content, patched vulnerable systems, and confirmed the platform was secure following the incident.
fox34.com
Texas DPS issued a warning about scam calls and texts impersonating law enforcement and government agencies, falsely claiming victims have unpaid fees or active warrants and demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or unsecured web portals. The agency advises that legitimate government agencies only contact citizens about fines through official written mail and recommends verifying any warrant or fee claims directly with local authorities or reporting suspected scams to law enforcement or the FCC.
theglobeandmail.com
Multiple finance professionals, including Bank of Montreal's Brian Belski and economist David Rosenberg, have fallen victim to imposter scams using AI-generated deepfake videos and fake social media accounts to lure investors into WhatsApp groups offering fraudulent investment advice. Rosenberg's firm reported collective losses exceeding $1 million from victims who were convinced to invest in stocks that artificially inflated then plummeted in value. Canadian net losses from social media-initiated investment scams have surged 95 percent since 2021 to $128.4 million annually, with law enforcement and social media platforms struggling to remove fraudulent content quickly enough to prevent harm.
sg.news.yahoo.com
A 32-year-old property agent in Singapore nearly lost a five-figure sum to an impersonation scam in March 2024 when scammers posing as police officers and bank staff convinced her she was under investigation for money laundering and pressured her to transfer funds to a "safety account." A pause prompt on her bank's PayNow app alerting her to confirm the recipient's identity caused her to reconsider, and she hung up before completing the transfer and reported the incident to police. The case illustrates a common tactic in government impersonation scams—using fear, fake credentials, and urgency to manipulate victims—and experts advise disengaging from such
pressenterpriseonline.com
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tech.yahoo.com
Cybercriminals are using sponsored Google ads and a technique called "search parameter injection" to display fake customer support numbers on legitimate websites for major brands including Netflix, Microsoft, Bank of America, PayPal, Apple, Facebook, and HP. When victims call these fraudulent numbers, scammers impersonate company representatives to steal personal data, financial information, or gain remote access to computers. Malwarebytes reports that malvertising incidents in the US increased 41% between July and September 2024, with an estimated 90% of scammers operating from South and Southeast Asian countries.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Chinese-based scam websites are flooding UK social media with fake advertisements for clothing items, impersonating legitimate UK retailers by using AI-generated owner personas, false Trustpilot reviews, and fake "closing down sale" claims. Customers who purchase from these sites receive poor-quality, overpriced items shipped from China warehouses and face difficult refund processes requiring them to pay return shipping costs to China. One victim, Millie Wiltshire-Kelly, successfully recovered her money through a bank chargeback and refused delivery of her order to avoid the scammers retaining both the item and payment.
tradingview.com
A $50 million Telegram-based OTC cryptocurrency scam targeting venture capitalists and crypto investors was exposed in June 2025, involving tokens like SUI, NEAR, and Axelar. The scheme, operated by "Source 1" (identified as Ravindra Kumar, of Indian origin), used a Ponzi structure offering deep discounts on high-profile tokens with vesting periods to build trust before stopping token distributions; despite public warnings from project teams, investors continued participating until the collapse on June 1, 2025, with only $100,000 reportedly recoverable. The scam demonstrates how social hype and initial successful transactions on unregulated platforms can override investor
8days.sg
Ex-Taiwanese singer Wu Xue Fen was targeted by a scammer impersonating Hong Kong singer Alan Tam on Facebook and WeChat. The scammer, who claimed to have met Xue Fen years ago at a concert, gained her trust by promising to help her struggling music career and provide financial assistance after she shared her financial difficulties; the scam was discovered when the impersonator asked her to purchase Apple gift cards and became hostile when she refused. Though Xue Fen avoided financial loss by not complying with the fraudster's requests, the incident occurred during a vulnerable period when she was attempting a music comeback after 20 years away from the industry.
bbc.com
Blackmail and sextortion scams targeting students through dating apps are rising sharply in the UK, with nearly 8,000 reported cases referencing sextortion in 2023 compared to just 23 in 2014. Fraud investigators urge victims not to suffer in silence and recommend victims verify profiles through reverse image searches, consult trusted friends before sharing intimate images, and report cases to authorities. A Nationwide survey found 28% of students had been scammed and 50% worried about becoming victims.
wirralglobe.co.uk
Romance fraud reports rose 9% nationally, with Merseyside Police recording 150 incidents in 2024 resulting in £2.4m in combined losses. People aged 50-59 suffered the highest financial losses at £22.1m nationally, targeted due to greater financial assets and vulnerability during life transitions like divorce or bereavement. Scammers use "love bombing" tactics to build trust and emotional dependence before requesting money; authorities advise victims to verify identities, stay within dating app messaging, and report suspicious activity to Action Fraud or Crimestoppers.
au.pcmag.com
Cybercriminals are using paid search ads and a technique called "search parameter injection" to redirect customers of major brands like Bank of America, Netflix, Microsoft, PayPal, and Apple to legitimate-looking websites where fraudulent support numbers are displayed in the search bar, tricking users into calling scammers who then attempt to steal personal data, financial information, or remote computer access. Malwarebytes reports a 41% increase in such "malvertising" scams in the US between July and September 2024, with an estimated 90% of perpetrators operating from South and Southeast Asian countries. Users can protect themselves by watching for red flags including urgent language, pre-populated text in
newslj.com
This compilation of scam alerts documents multiple phishing and fraud schemes targeting individuals and organizations: a DocuSign phishing scam redirects victims to a Canva site potentially hosting malware like ScreenConnect; a "phantom payment" email uses hidden text to disguise phishing attempts; a fake "healthcare award" scam impersonates selection for professional programs to solicit video calls; and the University of Wyoming reported voicemail phishing emails with deceptive subject lines and non-audio file attachments. The alerts emphasize that mobile scams are increasingly prevalent, with half of US and UK mobile users encountering scams daily, and advise users to verify sender addresses, avoid clicking
ktvz.com
In 2023, Americans lost an estimated $1.14 billion to romance scams, with the FBI reporting 17,910 complaints totaling $672 million in 2024 alone. Romance scammers build fake online relationships on social media and dating platforms to manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or sensitive information, using emotional manipulation ("love bombing") and moving conversations to private messaging apps to avoid detection. These scams disproportionately affect lonely, grieving, or trusting individuals, and victims experience lasting emotional and financial trauma beyond the immediate monetary loss.
dentonrc.com
This educational article presents a quiz-format overview of common elder fraud schemes and prevention strategies, based on insights from a Texas Elder Justice Coalition summit. Key scams covered include romance/pig butchering scams, tech support fraud, impersonation scams using AI, fake lottery schemes, and caregiver theft, with recommendations including reporting to IC3.gov, using family code words, and recognizing warning signs like secretive apps and unusual bank activity.
straitstimes.com
A 32-year-old property agent in Singapore narrowly avoided losing a five-figure sum when a bank app warning message alerted her during a government impersonation scam in March 2024. Scammers posing as police officers and bank staff had spent four hours pressuring her to transfer money to a "secure account" by falsely claiming she was under investigation for money laundering and presenting fake court orders. Singapore experienced $151.3 million in losses to such government official impersonation scams in 2024, with experts advising victims to disengage, verify claims with trusted contacts, and recognize that everyone is susceptible to manipulation tactics employed by scammers.
watfordobserver.co.uk
A Watford resident lost £70,000 in a fake job recruitment scam where fraudsters posing as legitimate recruiters convinced victims to complete tasks via an app, then demanded payment equal to earnings before releasing funds. Seven residents across Hertfordshire were scammed in June 2024, totaling £200,000 in losses. Police advise caution with unsolicited job offers via messaging apps and social media, noting that legitimate recruiters never request upfront fees or deposits.
the420.in
A 60-year-old retired Air Force officer in Noida was defrauded of ₹1 crore in a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam where cybercriminals posing as Mumbai Police and CBI officers kept him isolated via video call for 27 days, gradually coercing him to transfer his savings under the pretense of a money laundering investigation. The scam involved doctored documents, impersonation of senior officials, and psychological manipulation to prevent the victim from contacting anyone, and was only discovered when a relative grew suspicious after being unable to reach him. Noida Police have launched an investigation in collaboration with bank authorities and cyber forensic experts, with preliminary
the420.in
A Panchkula resident lost ₹19 lakh to an online trading scam conducted via WhatsApp, where fraudsters posing as investment consultants lured the victim into a fake trading app that displayed fabricated profits before becoming unresponsive when withdrawal was attempted. Police registered a case under IPC and IT Act sections and launched an investigation into the suspects' phone numbers and bank accounts. Authorities advised the public to verify credentials of financial advisors and avoid transferring large sums based on online promises of unrealistic returns.
yahoo.com
Sandy Hunter fell victim to a text message toll scam in January after receiving a fraudulent text requesting payment for tolls from her cross-country trip; she clicked the link and made a payment, resulting in $300 in unauthorized purchases on her credit card in California. The scam exploited her hurried state and emotional response to the threat of driver's license suspension, demonstrating how toll text scams are currently common in Utah. Hunter and FBI officials at a Scam Jam awareness event in Salt Lake City advised victims to verify sender information (checking country codes), avoid using debit cards for online payments, and take time to review websites carefully before entering payment information.
local10.com
A 66-year-old Miami woman lost approximately $90,000 to a romance scam after connecting emotionally with a scammer online during her divorce, and she is now sharing her story to warn others. Romance scams affected over 7,625 victims older than 60 last year, resulting in $389 million in losses, with scammers typically professing love without meeting in person, isolating victims from family, and requesting money or compromising content. The FBI recommends victims research profiles carefully, go slowly when meeting online contacts, never send money or sensitive information, and be cautious about what personal details they share publicly.
wmtv15news.com
The Federal Trade Commission reported $12.5 billion lost to fraud in 2024, with the Social Security Administration being a top target for imposter scams. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics including mimicked federal logos, fraudulent texts with fake links, and phishing emails requesting document downloads, targeting both younger adults unfamiliar with government operations and older Americans who report larger dollar losses. The SSA Office of Inspector General warns that legitimate government agencies never request payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or precious metals, and urges victims to report suspected scams.
keralakaumudi.com
Singer Amrutha Suresh lost Rs 45,000 to a WhatsApp account takeover scam after a hacker gained access to her cousin's account and impersonated her requesting urgent money transfer. Suresh discovered the fraud when her cousin called to warn her that her WhatsApp had been hacked through a phishing call posing as a courier delivery inquiry; she immediately reported the incident to police, who froze the recipient's account and recovered Rs 124 of the transferred amount.
floridadaily.com
In 2024, Americans reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses, with investment and cryptocurrency scams ranking as the top threat (median loss $5,000), followed by employment scams ($1,500 median loss) and romance scams ($6,099 median loss). Active-duty military members are most vulnerable to scams at 55.5%, while Americans aged 35 and older face the highest risk from investment and cryptocurrency schemes, and social media remains the primary channel for reported financial losses. Though fewer Americans fell victim to scams year-over-year (down 14.6%), median losses increased 30%, indicating that victims are losing significantly larger amounts.
justice.gov
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced increased efforts to combat elder fraud schemes—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandpament scams—that cost victims billions of dollars and deplete life savings. The office employs a two-pronged approach: prosecuting domestic and foreign criminals involved in elder fraud and money laundering, and conducting outreach to law enforcement and community groups on prevention and detection. The National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) provides free support to seniors age 60 and older who have experienced financial fraud, offering victim assessment, reporting assistance,
wsaz.com
Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with the Social Security Administration being a top target for imposter scams that are becoming increasingly sophisticated, including fake logos, fraudulent emails, and malicious links. The Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General reports that while younger adults (29 and under) report scams frequently due to unfamiliarity with how government agencies operate, older adults (70-84 and 85+) report similar numbers of scams but lose significantly larger dollar amounts. Real government agencies never request payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, prepaid cards, or precious metals, and victims should report suspected scams to the SSA's Office of Inspector General.
ruralradio.com
Sheriff Paul Vrbka of York County, Nebraska is directing senior citizens to the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative website (justice.gov/elderjustice) to help them protect themselves against scams. The website provides current information about the latest scam tactics, which scammers continuously update and often deliberately target older people. Sheriff Vrbka emphasizes the resource helps seniors recognize warning signs and avoid becoming victims.
yahoo.com
In 2023, Americans lost an estimated $1.14 billion to romance scams, emotional cons in which scammers build fake online relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or sensitive information. The FBI reported 17,910 romance scam complaints in 2024 totaling $672 million in losses, with scammers increasingly using cryptocurrency for faster, harder-to-trace payments. These scams typically begin on social media (40%) or dating apps (19%), where perpetrators use stolen photos and fake personas to establish emotional trust through "love bombing" before requesting money from vulnerable targets who feel they are helping a romantic partner in crisis.
bankingjournal.aba.com
The Department of Justice seized $225.3 million in cryptocurrency linked to investment scams, marking the largest cryptocurrency seizure in Secret Service history. Over 400 victims lost funds after being deceived into making fraudulent crypto investments through a sophisticated money laundering network. Cryptocurrency investment fraud caused more than $5.8 billion in reported losses in 2024, with law enforcement and banking organizations working to raise public awareness about these scams.
ksl.com
Scam Jam, an educational event held in Sandy, Utah, brought together FBI and AARP experts to educate residents about common fraud schemes including romance, internet, cryptocurrency, and tech support scams. The event featured a personal testimony from Rita, who lost several thousand dollars to a romance scam impersonating a celebrity, emphasizing the importance of reporting fraud despite the emotional and financial toll. Utah reported over 150,000 fraud cases totaling $61 million in losses, with experts stressing that fraud prevention through awareness and recognizing red flags is more effective than recovery efforts.
wxyz.com
The "Remote Job Scam" is resurfacing in metro Detroit with increased frequency, targeting residents through unsolicited text messages offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (such as $800/week for 1-2 hours of work). One victim, Dina Berry, fell for a pharmaceutical company job offer and received a fraudulent $1,700 check before realizing the scam. The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a fresh alert warning of imposters claiming SSA affiliation, advising that legitimate job opportunities come only through USA Jobs, and urging people to watch for red flags including unsolicited contact, requests for personal information, and pressure to
wsbtv.com
Romance scams defraud victims through fake online relationships, with Americans losing an estimated $1.14 billion in 2023 and the FBI reporting $672 million in losses from 17,910 complaints in 2024. Scammers build emotional trust through "love bombing" on social media and dating apps (40% and 19% of cases respectively), then manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or cryptocurrency—with crypto transfers showing the highest median losses. These schemes cause lasting emotional and financial damage to vulnerable individuals seeking companionship, with the real toll likely higher due to underreporting.
asic.gov.au
This page provides information on reporting investment scams through Australian regulatory channels (ACCC's SCAMwatch, the ATO, or ReportCyber) and offers resources for scam reporting via Moneysmart. The majority of the content consists of administrative instructions for various business registration and licensing processes through ASIC's online portals, which is not directly related to investment scams themselves.
wifr.com
The Better Business Bureau and ComEd warn that con artists intensify scams during summer months, exploiting busy vacationers through fake vacation rental listings, fraudulent ticket sales, impostor utility worker calls threatening service disconnection, and door-to-door home repair schemes. Both organizations advise consumers to research companies before engaging with them, never send cash or personal information to unsolicited contacts, verify utility worker identities through official ID badges, and contact companies directly rather than responding to suspicious calls or visits.
wect.com
The FTC reported $12.5 billion lost to fraud in 2024, with the Social Security Administration being a top target for imposter scams. Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, mimicking federal logos and sending fake links and documents to both younger and older adults, though elderly victims (70+) lose significantly larger dollar amounts. Government agencies never request payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or precious metals, and victims should report suspicious activity to the SSA's Office of Inspector General.
wsbradio.com
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta is participating in a national initiative to prosecute perpetrators of elder fraud through cooperation with domestic and international law enforcement agencies. The office employs a two-pronged strategy combining prosecution of offenders with community education and prevention efforts, as these scams—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams—cost seniors billions of dollars annually and often deplete life savings. Victims or those aware of elder fraud can report incidents to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.