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in Scam Awareness
thebridgechronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
A cyber fraud wave in Pune resulted in losses exceeding ₹1.26 crore across multiple scams using fear tactics and false promises. Victims fell prey to work-from-home schemes (₹4.32 lakh loss), arrest threat extortion (₹41.40 lakh), forex trading fraud (₹33.78 lakh), and stock market investment scams (₹49.55 lakh), with fraudsters typically building initial trust through small returns before demanding larger investments.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Online stock trading and investment scams in Odisha increased dramatically, with victims rising from 105 in 2022 to 18,994 in 2023, and 40,270 cases reported through November 2024. Scammers typically contact victims via WhatsApp and Telegram with promises of quick profits, initially providing fake returns to build trust before soliciting larger investments. Experts attribute the surge to victims' greed for quick gains, lack of digital literacy, and insufficient knowledge of cyber security risks.
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
A 33-year-old resident of Thane district, India lost over $25,000 in a cryptocurrency investment scam after being contacted by someone posing as a representative of a crypto investment company who promised high-yield returns. The victim transferred funds between November 8 and December 3 before the scammer became unresponsive when he requested to withdraw his earnings. Police have registered a complaint under the Information Technology Act and are investigating to trace the international phone number used in the fraud.
news9.com
· 2025-12-08
An Enid family lost hundreds of dollars to a phishing scam after receiving a text message falsely claiming to be from Amazon about a hacked account. The scammer engaged family members in phone calls and extracted money from multiple household members, including $91 from the mother's disability funds that she had set aside for Christmas. Police advised the family that legitimate companies typically use mail rather than text messages for account alerts, and recommended watching for signs of overseas scammers such as accents.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Phishing scams remain a persistent threat because cybercriminals exploit human emotions like fear, greed, and urgency rather than attempting direct system hacks, making them low-effort yet highly profitable attacks. The article advises that if you fall for a phishing scam, immediate action is necessary, and warns that AI advancements and continuous testing of new scams will make phishing an increasingly common threat going forward.
autoremarketing.com
· 2025-12-08
Five federal financial regulatory agencies and FinCEN issued guidance to banks, credit unions, and auto finance companies on combatting elder financial exploitation, noting that a FinCEN analysis found approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity linked to elder financial exploitation over a one-year period ending June 2023. The statement recommends risk management practices including employee training, transaction monitoring, establishing trusted contact designations, filing suspicious activity reports, and coordinating with law enforcement and elder fraud prevention networks to identify and prevent exploitation of older adults.
cftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission charged Washington State pastor Francier Obando Pinillo with operating a fraudulent multilevel marketing scheme involving digital assets that defrauded at least 1,515 customers, primarily Spanish-speaking members of his church, of at least $5.9 million. Pinillo falsely claimed to operate an automated cryptocurrency trading platform offering guaranteed monthly profits up to 34.9% while actually misappropriating all customer funds and fabricating account statements; he also operated a Ponzi scheme by using later customers' assets to pay earlier investors. The CFTC is seeking restitution, disgorgement of ill-gotten gains, civil penalties, trading
citizen.co.za
· 2025-12-08
A Ghanaian national posing as a boyfriend scammed a former South African teacher out of R1.8 million in a romance fraud scheme, convincing her to invest in a trucking business in October 2023 before disappearing. The Hawks arrested 33-year-old Mohoto Mangwejana, into whose account the stolen funds were deposited, though the primary perpetrator remains at large. The case highlights the ongoing threat of dating scams and the importance of recognizing red flags such as unsolicited business proposals and reluctance to meet in public or provide identification.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that holiday shopping season increases risk of common scams including non-delivery fraud, non-payment scams, gift card fraud, and fraudulent text messages—with the latter particularly targeting older individuals. A Philadelphia UPS store owner recommends verifying suspicious texts with local businesses and utilizing package holding and secure mailbox services to prevent theft. The FBI advises using strong passwords, verifying website legitimacy, and preferring credit cards over debit cards for online purchases.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-08
New Hampshire's Assistant Attorney General Alexandra Sosnowski warns consumers about holiday shopping scams, particularly those occurring online during the Christmas season. Key recommendations include verifying retailer URLs and checking reviews on trusted sources like the Better Business Bureau before purchasing, monitoring package deliveries to prevent porch theft, avoiding clicking links in unsolicited text messages claiming delivery issues, and purchasing gift cards directly from retailers to avoid tampered cards. The alert emphasizes taking extra time to verify sources and using tracking information directly from retailers rather than through suspicious links.
5newsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2023 holiday season, Arkansas saw a surge in scam reports, with 53 complaints submitted to the Better Business Bureau in one month, including fake Facebook ads for online shopping and "smishing" text messages impersonating USPS requesting personal information. One victim, Lisa Kirkpatrick, lost money on a counterfeit Old Navy ad and was further threatened by scammers claiming that disputing the charge would damage her credit. The USPS Inspection Service launched a "Don't Get Snowed" campaign urging people not to click suspicious links, report messages to authorities, and conduct urgent financial transactions in person rather than via unsolicited online communications.
about.fb.com
· 2025-12-08
Meta launched a global anti-scam awareness campaign ahead of the holiday shopping season, highlighting three prevalent scams disrupted on their platforms: fake gift box giveaways targeting multilingual users, counterfeit holiday decoration sales using AI-generated videos, and fraudulent coupon/gift card schemes requesting personal information. The company introduced new safety tools across WhatsApp, Instagram, and Marketplace to detect and warn users of suspicious accounts and scam-like messaging patterns, while partnering with security experts and researchers to identify and block scammers' websites and accounts.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FBI and FTC received approximately 880,000 cyberfraud complaints, with online scammers stealing $12.5 billion from consumers, and these sophisticated scams are expected to increase in 2024. Utah residents are being targeted by increasingly realistic social media scams, particularly during the holiday season, including fake personalized product ads that deliver poor-quality items or nothing at all, with scammers disappearing after initial contact. Consumer protection officials advise shoppers to be "WISE" consumers by watching for red flags, investigating companies, setting spending boundaries, and examining claims carefully before making purchases.
news9.com
· 2025-12-08
Cleveland County Court Clerk's Office warned residents of a jury duty scam involving fraudsters using fake arrest warrants and demanding payment via phone, email, or in-person visits, with at least one reported case where scammers appeared at someone's door with a fake warrant demanding payment in gift cards. The court clarified that legitimate jury duty communications are only sent by U.S. mail and never request payment, and that no Cleveland County resident has been fined or jailed for missing jury duty under the current clerk. Residents are advised to call 911 if approached in person by suspected scammers and to alert vulnerable loved ones, especially during the holiday season.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Financial abuse costs Australian victims an estimated $5.7 billion annually—exceeding total scam losses by $3 billion—and disproportionately affects older women through coercive control by partners or adult children. A Parliamentary inquiry released 61 recommendations in December to address this underacknowledged form of domestic and elder abuse, including nationally consistent enduring powers of attorney laws, superannuation reforms to prevent abuser access, and banking changes to facilitate victim reporting. Advocare reported that financial abuse represented 37% of their 1,649 calls in 2023, with victims often trapped in long-term relationships with limited financial access and minimal family support.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
"Fraud as a service" is a growing criminal business model where perpetrators offer tools and infrastructure to commit fraud, recruiting unwitting "money mules" to transfer funds through their bank accounts. Financial losses from fraud targeting seniors over 60 have surged from $500 million in 2018 to $3.5 billion in 2023, with schemes also prevalent on social media platforms targeting younger demographics and even infants through synthetic identity fraud. Banks have a critical 72-hour window to recover fraudulent funds before money leaves accounts, and implementing name-matching verification and monitoring for suspicious transaction patterns like unusual velocity or peer-to-peer transfers can help prevent fraud.
montgomeryadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Alabama residents lost $96.4 million to online scams across 5,763 victims, ranking the state 27th nationally for scam susceptibility. The article identifies rising threats including AI-generated deepfakes (which accounted for 39% of national scam losses), look-alike fraudulent websites, and untraceable payment methods like cryptocurrency and gift cards, with scammers predominantly operating overseas where U.S. law cannot reach them and 95.7% of stolen money goes unrecovered.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old North Bay woman lost $20,000 to scammers impersonating Redwood Credit Union and Federal Reserve System employees who convinced her they were protecting her finances and instructed her to withdraw cash and hand it to a fake federal marshal. When the scammers attempted to collect an additional $20,000 the next day, law enforcement was conducting a sting operation and arrested 20-year-old Yung-Wen Kuan, believed to be a courier for an organized fraud ring, on charges of grand theft, elder financial abuse, and conspiracy.
securitybrief.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australians are being warned of twelve categories of holiday season scams as cyber-security experts anticipate increased fraud risk during peak shopping periods, with previous festive seasons resulting in AUD $50 million in losses. Common scams include parcel delivery fraud, reward point exploitation, fake tax refund schemes, marketplace scams, romance scams, and AI-deepfakes, with New South Wales and Victoria reporting the highest state losses at AUD $13 million and AUD $15 million respectively. To protect themselves, consumers should verify URLs, enable two-factor authentication, keep detailed records of transactions, and stay informed through official scam alerts.
ici.radio-canada.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Toronto resident who lost $355,000 in a romance cryptocurrency scam beginning in June 2021 has recovered $225,000 following a three-year international investigation. The victim was deceived by a scammer posing as "Moshe Theodor McNigh" on Facebook who encouraged investment in cryptocurrency through a fraudulent website; a suspect was arrested in Nigeria and Nigerian courts ordered the recovery of funds. The case involved collaboration between Toronto police, Ontario Provincial Police, the RCMP, and Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
amny.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams increase during the holiday season when scammers target vulnerable individuals, particularly older adults, through online dating sites and social media by exploiting feelings of loneliness and generosity. The webinar features experts from Homeland Security Investigations and AARP New York providing tools and knowledge to recognize and avoid romance scams.
ksltv.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, financial scammers increasingly target consumers through sophisticated social media advertisements, with the FBI and FTC reporting approximately 880,000 cyber fraud complaints in 2023 and online scammers stealing $12.5 billion from consumers that year. A prevalent holiday scam involves fake personalized merchandise sellers on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok who take orders but deliver inferior or non-existent products, then become unreachable after complaints. Consumer protection experts recommend practicing "WISE" shopping habits—watching for red flags, investigating companies, setting spending boundaries, and examining claims carefully—to avoid falling victim to these increasingly realistic scams.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Blockchain and cryptocurrency scams are increasingly common and exploit victims through deceptive schemes such as "Pump and Dump" price manipulation, fraudulent Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs), phishing attacks, fake giveaways, and cloned platforms. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact promising easy returns, pressure to act quickly, requests for upfront payment, and suspicious links designed to steal credentials. Understanding these red flags and recognizing common scam tactics can help individuals protect themselves from losing money or digital assets to cryptocurrency fraud.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers about AI-enabled scams during the holiday season, specifically targeting voice cloning fraud where scammers impersonate loved ones in distress to demand money through untraceable payment methods. Nessel recommends establishing family verification phrases, not trusting caller ID, verifying suspicious calls through known numbers, and being wary of unusual payment requests. Victims should report incidents to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission (877-382-4357), their bank, or the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team (877-765-8388).
wusa9.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County's Office of Consumer Protection warned residents about text message phishing scams targeting holiday shoppers, in which scammers impersonate USPS and other mail carriers to trick victims into clicking malicious links that steal personal and financial information. The advisory recommends verifying delivery issues directly with official company websites, avoiding clicking unsolicited links, and reporting suspicious texts to carriers to protect against these schemes that exploit the increased package deliveries during the holiday season.
fox43.com
· 2025-12-08
Montgomery County's Office of Consumer Protection warns residents about SMS phishing scams targeting holiday shoppers, wherein scammers send text messages impersonating USPS or other mail carriers with fraudulent links claiming package delivery issues to steal personal and financial information. To protect themselves, consumers should avoid clicking unsolicited message links, verify delivery issues directly with official company websites, never provide sensitive information via text or email, and report suspicious messages to their carrier by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM).
turnto23.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams impersonating delivery services like USPS are prevalent during the holiday season, with scammers sending text messages with malicious links designed to steal personal information or install malware. The IRS also warns of fraudulent emails falsely claiming tax refunds or bills, while the Better Business Bureau advises consumers to avoid clicking suspicious links and never pay with Bitcoin or gift cards, using bank or credit cards instead. One victim in the Central Virginia area lost $22,000 after being tricked into purchasing Bitcoin, illustrating the serious financial consequences of falling for these scams.
woodlandsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines six strategies for protecting seniors from online threats on social media platforms. According to the FBI, seniors over 60 lost approximately $3.4 billion to online scams in 2023, with average losses of $34,000 per victim, with common threats including phishing scams, romance scams, misinformation, and privacy violations. The recommended protective measures include understanding online risks, promoting digital literacy education, implementing strong security practices (passwords, two-factor authentication), monitoring suspicious activity, and encouraging healthy social media habits.
businessjournalism.org
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 1 in 3 Americans experienced scams in the past year, with consumers reporting over $10 billion in fraud losses to the FTC in 2023—a 14% increase from the previous year. While scammers target all age groups through different methods (younger adults face online shopping and cryptocurrency scams, while older adults are vulnerable to tech support and imposter scams), seniors are particularly lucrative targets due to their collective wealth of $84 trillion. As scammers become increasingly sophisticated using AI-powered techniques like voice cloning, deepfakes, and convincing phishing schemes, awareness and education remain the most effective defenses against fraud.
wbay.com
· 2025-12-08
The Outagamie County Sheriff's Office reported a rise in phone scams targeting elderly victims in the area, with multiple law enforcement agencies collaborating on investigations. Scammers falsely claim that victims' loved ones are in jail or have been in accidents, then pressure them to withdraw $5,000 to $45,000 in cash to be picked up by a fake "courier/bondsman" to post bail. Law enforcement urges residents not to engage with scammers and to report suspected incidents to local authorities.
signalscv.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple U.S. regulatory agencies reported in December that elder financial exploitation costs Americans over $28 billion annually, with over 155,000 cases reported between June 2022 and June 2023 linked to approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity. The FBI documented over 101,000 elder fraud complaints in 2023, with victims over 60 losing an average of $33,915—nearly 270% higher than 2020—primarily through investment scams, business email compromise, romance scams, and government impersonation schemes. Regulatory agencies urged financial institutions to strengthen protections by increasing account oversight, training employees to recognize exploitation, and coordinating with law enforcement and elder
wsiltv.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office warned southern Illinois residents of imposter scams targeting older Americans, where criminals pose as PayPal representatives and fraudulent federal agents to convince victims their accounts are compromised, then pressure them to withdraw savings for "secure custody." Three Chinese nationals face federal wire fraud charges after an elderly couple in Williamson County lost $121,000 in the scam; the suspects were arrested in October when attempting to collect the cash from the victims' residence.
theworld.org
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams and investment fraud schemes increasingly originate from Southeast Asia, with some perpetrators operating under coercion at gunpoint. The article highlights the story of one man who was captured and forced to participate in these scam operations, illustrating how victims of human trafficking are exploited to commit financial fraud against unsuspecting targets worldwide.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old San José man lost $170,000 in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, where scammers posed as investment advisors over Facebook and attempted to extract an additional $348,000 for fraudulent overseas taxes. Two Southern California residents, Liu Hong and Yalin Li, were arrested after law enforcement set up a sting operation at a bank parking lot; the case is notable because the victim realized the fraud while still in contact with the scammers, allowing authorities to intervene. Pig butchering scams cost Americans approximately $1 billion annually and typically involve multiple perpetrators, often including human trafficking victims forced to participate from Southeast Asia.
wmur.com
· 2025-12-08
Two New Hampshire-based suspects, Naxin Wu and Mingdong Chen, reached a plea deal to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of a sophisticated international gift card scheme. The criminal ring obtained gift cards through illegal means including theft, romance scams, and elder fraud, then used them to purchase Apple products for resale overseas, while also returning counterfeit Apple goods to stores for additional cards; a warehouse search uncovered nearly $2 million in fake iPhones and iPads. Wu and Chen each face up to 20 years in prison.
2gb.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit emotional connections to manipulate victims into becoming unwitting drug mules, as exemplified by former Greens candidate Donna Nelson, who received a six-year jail sentence in Japan after being duped into transporting 2kg of methamphetamine by an online romance scammer. Over $201 million was reported lost to romance scams last year, with scammers building trust with vulnerable people over time before requesting money or package transport. To protect against such schemes, individuals should insist on video verification, meet in person in neutral locations, trust their instincts, never send money, and refuse to carry items for others.
abc7chicago.com
· 2025-12-08
During the 2024 holiday shopping season, criminals are targeting consumers through multiple scam methods including phishing emails and texts impersonating retailers, fraudulent social media shopping ads (which use AI-generated imagery to appear legitimate), cloned websites mimicking trusted brands, and gift card theft schemes. The Federal Trade Commission reported consumers lost approximately $217 million to gift card scams in 2023, while experts recommend consumers verify websites directly, use credit cards for disputes, research companies before purchasing, and avoid clicking links in unsolicited communications. Additional threats include charity scams, with authorities advising consumers to independently verify charitable organizations before donating.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Task-based online job scams have surged dramatically, increasing from zero reports in 2020 to approximately 20,000 in the first half of 2024, accounting for nearly 40% of all job scam complaints. These scams typically begin with unsolicited text or WhatsApp messages offering vague online work, build credibility through small initial payouts, then pivot to requesting victims' own money upfront under false promises of higher returns, with cryptocurrency being the preferred payment method and resulting in $41 million in losses in just the first six months of 2024. The FTC advises consumers to ignore generic job recruitment messages, never pay money to receive earned income
salinapost.com
· 2025-12-08
This FTC educational article explains how to identify and avoid phishing scams, which use deceptive emails and text messages impersonating trusted companies or acquaintances to trick recipients into clicking malicious links or downloading attachments. Phishing attempts aim to steal personal information such as Social Security numbers, credit card details, or bank account numbers, or to install malware on devices. The article advises verifying unexpected messages by contacting companies directly through known phone numbers or websites, and confirming surprising invitations with friends through separate communication channels.
fox6now.com
· 2025-12-08
Holiday scams targeting shoppers, donors, and job seekers have increased significantly, with the FBI and Better Business Bureau warning consumers about fraudulent schemes across online shopping, social media, and charitable giving. Key scams include fake retailer ads and non-delivery schemes (which caused $92 million in losses in 2023), social media gift exchanges and puppy sales (totaling $5.6 million in 2024 complaints), fake charities, impostor websites, and seasonal job listings requiring upfront fees. Consumers are advised to verify businesses and charities through official sources, avoid unsolicited links and deals that seem too good to be true, and report suspected fraud to their financial institution an
shu.edu
· 2025-12-08
Smishing—a phishing scam conducted via SMS text messages—is surging among Android and iOS users, with cybercriminals impersonating banks, government agencies, and retailers to steal personal information, trigger identity theft, or install malware. The FBI urges users to avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown numbers and recommends enabling multi-factor authentication, accessing official websites directly, and reporting suspicious texts to carriers. Common smishing tactics include fake bank alerts, false tax refunds, account suspension warnings, fraudulent delivery notices, and unrealistic prize offers.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Chinese-backed organized crime networks are operating a nationwide gift card scam where "mules" shoplift cards from retailers, which are then tampered with and reshelved for unsuspecting consumers to purchase; the proceeds fund illegal activities including fentanyl production, human trafficking, and smuggling. Law enforcement agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations' Project Red Hook, have arrested multiple perpetrators across Texas and beyond, discovering thousands of stolen gift cards worth millions of dollars in single operations.
moco360.media
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Rockville man was sentenced to five years in prison (10 years with suspension) for his role in a gold bar scam targeting a 94-year-old Silver Spring resident who nearly lost approximately $230,000. Mathon posed as a federal agent, convincing the elderly victim that his identity had been stolen and he needed to purchase gold bars for safekeeping, but law enforcement interrupted the scheme with a sting operation that caught Mathon attempting to collect the package. This marks Montgomery County's first conviction in a local gold bar scam case, which prosecutors note involves organized, international criminal networks that specifically target vulnerable elderly victims.
zeenews.india.com
· 2025-12-08
A man from Tripunithura, Kerala lost Rs 4.05 crore after being contacted on WhatsApp by a scammer posing as a financial services representative who persuaded him to download a malicious investment app called "Br-Block Pro." Over two and a half months (September 26 to December 9), the victim made multiple deposits expecting returns, but was denied withdrawal access when attempting to retrieve funds, leading him to report the fraud to cyber police. The scam exemplifies a growing trend in India where fraudsters use WhatsApp to lure victims with fake success stories and promises of guaranteed profits.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
The "digital arrest" scam, which has cost Indians ₹120 crore in the first four months of 2024, involves fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials via phone calls to falsely accuse victims of crimes like money laundering and extort money by threatening immediate "digital arrest"—a term that does not exist in Indian law. The scam targets individuals across all sectors, including professionals, by creating psychological pressure through urgency, threats of isolation, and demands for confidentiality, and can be identified by suspicious unofficial contact numbers, pressure tactics, and threats against disclosure to family members.
1350kman.com
· 2025-12-08
A Dollar Tree employee in Riley County fell victim to a telephone scam on December 10 posing as an asset protection measure, resulting in a loss of approximately $1,200 through theft by deception. The incident occurred at 11:44 PM in the 300 block of Southwind Road, and no arrests have been made.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Ronald Russell fell victim to an online dog adoption scam in Pennsylvania where he paid a deposit via PayPal for a Miniature Pinscher that did not exist, losing a few hundred dollars. The Better Business Bureau reports that pet adoption scams commonly result in losses exceeding $1,000, with scammers demanding additional payments for veterinary care, airport fees, or transit costs via wire transfer or gift cards. Russell advises potential pet adopters to never pay upfront, perform reverse image searches on photos, and complete transactions only in person after seeing the animal.
kroc.com
· 2025-12-08
A fake PayPal invoice scam is circulating in Minnesota, with fraudsters sending official-looking emails claiming payment is owed for unauthorized purchases and threatening account suspension to pressure victims into calling fake customer service numbers or clicking malicious links. The scam exploits holiday season distractions and mimics legitimate PayPal formatting to trick recipients into divulging financial information or compromising their accounts. The article advises verifying claims directly through PayPal's official website/app, avoiding links and phone numbers in suspicious emails, and reporting phishing attempts to PayPal.
newpittsburghcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
americanbanker.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, while overall fraud rates decreased, financial exploitation of seniors emerged as a growing concern for regulators and state authorities seeking to combat it. The year saw notable fraud incidents including a pig butchering scam that contributed to a regional bank's failure and a viral check fraud scheme on Chase Bank, highlighting evolving scam tactics targeting both consumers and financial institutions.