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in Financial Crime
stripes.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old Army specialist, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for operating romance scams that defrauded vulnerable individuals including widows, widowers, and divorcees of approximately $357,961 over two years while stationed at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Frimpong posed as different people online (including "Catherine White" and "Tom Tanner") to convince victims to wire money under false pretenses involving gold transfers and marriage proposals, and he also conspired to fraudulently collect COVID-19 pandemic unemployment benefits using stolen identities across multiple states. He was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in restitution after pleading guilty to
taskandpurpose.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, an E-4 soldier stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, orchestrated multiple online romance and fraud schemes between December 2019 and February 2022, defrauding victims of thousands of dollars by impersonating romantic interests, military personnel, and officials. One victim lost over $150,000 after being convinced by a fake soldier to send money for gold and diamond transfers, while another victim sent over $7,000 after being targeted with a romance scam involving fake inheritance claims. Frimpong was arrested in 2023, pleaded guilty to three counts of money laundering, and was sentenced to 40 months in
vindy.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP identifies four emerging scams to watch for in 2024: check cooking (using software to digitally alter stolen checks rather than chemical washing), voiceprint scams (using deepfake technology to impersonate victims' voices for financial fraud), delayed-action sweepstakes scams (collecting personal information for identity theft that may be exploited gradually), and virtual celebrity scams (exploiting fans' connection to online celebrity presence). Prevention strategies include using safer payment methods, avoiding phone calls from unknown numbers, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
waka.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax impersonation scams cost Americans over $300 million last year, with thousands of victims targeted by callers posing as IRS agents who threaten arrest and demand payment via gift cards or personal information. Scammers use caller ID spoofing technology and fear-based tactics to pressure victims, though the IRS confirms it rarely initiates contact by phone and instead communicates through mailed or certified letters. The best defense is to hang up on suspicious calls, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails claiming to be from the IRS or tax software companies, and verify tax matters directly through IRS.gov.
community.triblive.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal officials seized four web domains linked to a Russian spoofing service called LabHost that had stolen personal information from over 1 million victims, including two Pittsburgh-area elderly residents who lost $967 and $25 respectively to unauthorized transactions. The LabHost platform created more than 40,000 spoofed websites impersonating legitimate businesses like Amazon, Netflix, and major banks to trick victims into revealing personal and financial information. The domain seizure was coordinated with international law enforcement arrests of dozens of LabHost administrators and customers across 17 countries.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Connie Seddon, a retired radiation technician from Arizona, lost $35,000 to scammers who impersonated McAfee through a phishing email in January. After calling the fraudulent number, the scammer convinced her that money had been incorrectly deposited into her account and instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin machines at gas stations, with the bank teller's concerns dismissed by Seddon's false claim that she was buying a car. Seddon reported the incident to local police, the FBI, and the FTC, though authorities indicated recovery of the funds was unlikely.
fincen.gov
· 2025-12-08
Between June 2022 and June 2023, FinCEN identified 155,415 suspicious activity filings involving elder financial exploitation totaling approximately $27 billion, with approximately 80% involving elder scams (where perpetrators pose as trusted entities to obtain money) and 20% involving elder theft by known individuals. FinCEN's analysis found that account takeover was the most common scam method, adult children were the most frequent theft perpetrators, and perpetrators typically used unsophisticated methods to minimize contact with financial institutions. Financial institutions are encouraged to refer suspected EFE victims to the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) and recommend victims
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial institutions reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation between 2022 and 2023, according to FinCEN's analysis of Bank Secrecy Act reports. The majority of cases involved elder scams with unknown perpetrators (80% of reported activity), particularly account takeovers using unsophisticated methods like password guessing, while elder theft by known perpetrators—most frequently adult children—comprised the remainder. Banks filed 72% of all elder exploitation-related reports, demonstrating their critical role in identifying and preventing such financial abuse.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP highlights that elder financial exploitation is a widespread but underreported issue, citing recent arrests for elder fraud in Alabama. The organization recommends protective measures including completing estate planning early, establishing legal paperwork, and designating a trusted person to consult on financial decisions, while noting that caregivers and close contacts are often the first to notice exploitation.
chicago.suntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Helen Grace Caldwell, a 59-year-old former Citibank wealth adviser in Chicago, was sentenced to 2½ years in prison for defrauding three elderly clients of nearly $1.5 million through a scheme in which she convinced them to invest their life savings in her film production company, Canal Productions, then diverted the funds to personal expenses. Caldwell, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud, told victims their money would fund movie productions and generate profits, but instead transferred hundreds of thousands of dollars to her personal accounts to pay for home renovations, car repairs, and other personal purchases. The judge rejected her plea for probation, stating that probation would be "
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Carlsbad retiree was defrauded of $1.335 million over several months by a multinational scam operation that began with a fake pop-up warning about a hacked computer. The scammers, posing as tech support, bank, and government employees, manipulated the victim into purchasing Bitcoin and gold bars under the false premise of securing her assets, with perpetrator Xilin Sun arrested in February 2024 during a controlled FBI delivery attempt when he was caught receiving a package meant to contain $100,000 in gold.
spotonalabama.com
· 2025-12-08
Five people, including two residents of Moody, Alabama, were charged in an elder fraud scheme, according to a U.S. Attorney announcement in April 2024. The indictment, filed in March, contained twelve counts against the defendants. The article does not provide specific details about the fraud method, victims affected, or dollar amounts involved.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sir Maejor Page, 35, of Toledo, was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering after creating a fraudulent Facebook-based charity called "Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta" and soliciting donations under false pretenses. Page used donor contributions—intended for social justice causes—to purchase personal items including a house and furniture, even after the organization's tax-exempt status was dissolved in 2019. The jury found him guilty following a six-day trial, though sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
nhbr.com
· 2025-12-08
Gift card draining—a scam where fraudsters obtain card codes from retail displays, reseal the packaging, and drain the balance once consumers load money—resulted in $217 million in losses in 2023 as part of a broader $10 billion fraud crisis. States including New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island have enacted laws requiring retailer warnings and employee training, while Maryland recently approved legislation mandating secure packaging to conceal activation information, though retailers and manufacturers have resisted such regulations.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lose millions of dollars annually to wire transfer fraud scams, with the Senate Banking Committee reporting over $10 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2023. The committee is pressing JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo to provide reimbursement and strengthen security measures, though banks argue they are generally exempt from reimbursing wire transfer losses under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. Individual victims profiled—including Jennifer Davis ($25,000), Andrew Semesjuk ($15,000), and Nikki Kelly ($48,000)—reported being denied reimbursement by Chase despite being deceived into authorizing the transfers.
coastalbreezenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Since April 4, 2024, Collier County residents reported nine phone scams in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement and court officials, claiming victims had failed jury duty, had arrest warrants, or owed traffic fines, and demanded $500 to $10,000 via cash or electronic payment apps. Two victims lost money ($1,800 and $3,500 respectively), while a third's attempted $10,000 withdrawal was stopped by a bank employee; scammers used spoofed caller IDs, blocked numbers, and real employee names and badge numbers to appear legitimate. Residents are advised to avoid answering unknown numbers, never provide financial information to strangers
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old active-duty Army servicemember stationed at Fort Bragg, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars from romance scams. Frimpong and co-conspirators impersonated romantic interests, military personnel, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims—including seniors and military veterans—before funneling the illicit proceeds through his bank accounts across state lines and contacts in Ghana. He was ordered to pay substantial restitution to the victims of these elaborate fraud schemes.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Liberty, was sentenced to over three years in prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering related to romance scams. Frimpong impersonated love interests, diplomats, military personnel, and others to deceive victims and steal thousands of dollars, which he laundered through personal bank accounts across state lines and to contacts in Ghana. In addition to his prison sentence, Frimpong was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to his victims.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old Fort Liberty soldier, was sentenced to over three years in prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering for his role in romance scams. Frimpong impersonated love interests, military personnel, and other figures to defraud victims of thousands of dollars, which he laundered through personal bank accounts across state lines and to contacts in Ghana, targeting vulnerable populations including seniors and military veterans. He was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to his victims.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Hertfordshire Police are investigating a romance scam artist operating under the aliases "Stefano Armani" and "Stefano Khalide" who used dating apps to build fake relationships with male victims and defraud them of over £50,000. The suspect, believed to be from London, exploited vulnerable singles by gaining their trust online before manipulating them into sending money under false pretenses. Police are appealing for information from victims or anyone with knowledge of the suspect's whereabouts.
moco360.media
· 2025-12-08
A Silver Spring woman lost nearly $800,000 in a gold bar scam after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from the FTC's Office of the Inspector General, instructing her to convert assets to gold for "safekeeping" by the FBI and Treasury Department. Montgomery County police report approximately a dozen similar victims in the past year losing over $5 million total, with only one arrest made—courier Wenhui Sun, 34, who allegedly picked up gold bars from victims; scammers target this method because gold is untraceable and has universal value across countries. The FBI warns that government agencies and legitimate businesses never request citizens purchase gold or precious metals, and urges
thesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old California man was arrested for his role in a government-imposter gold bar scam that defrauded an elderly Leisure World resident of over $700,000 in Montgomery County, Maryland. The scammer impersonated FTC and FBI officials, falsely claiming the victim was an identity theft victim requiring protective measures, and instructed her to purchase gold bars from an online retailer; the victim wired approximately $788,000 in two transactions and handed over the gold bars to couriers in parking lots before realizing the theft. This represents one of a dozen similar incidents reported in Montgomery County over six months, targeting vulnerable seniors in the community.
banking.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senators Brown and Reed urged the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citi to strengthen protections against wire fraud and provide data on fraudulent transactions at their institutions. Wire fraud causes significant financial harm to consumers—often wiping out savings during major purchases—and consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with bank transfers being the most common fraud payment method. The senators called on banks to improve fraud prevention, monitor unauthorized transactions more proactively, and reimburse customers when they fail to prevent fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five individuals were charged in a coordinated elder fraud scheme spanning from 2020-2022, in which in-home caretakers Mykia Henderson and Cynthia Mixon (mother and daughter), along with accomplices Corey Webb, Whitney Wallace, and Shakira English, defrauded an elderly victim of over $173,000 through unauthorized credit card charges, fraudulent checks, and identity theft using Square and Stripe payment accounts. The defendants face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with potential sentences up to 20 years imprisonment.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
Five people were charged in a central Alabama elder fraud scheme involving multiple forms of financial exploitation. The defendants—including two caretakers, a house cleaner, a hairdresser, and the caretaker's husband—allegedly defrauded an elderly victim of approximately $213,000 between December 2020 and March 2022 through unauthorized credit card charges, forged checks, identity theft, and fraudulent Square account transactions. The defendants face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with maximum penalties of 20 years in prison.
wbez.org
· 2025-12-08
Older adults collectively lose $28.3 billion annually to scams and financial exploitation, with particularly severe consequences since retired individuals cannot recoup these losses. Victims often fail to report fraud due to embarrassment or, in cases of abuse by trusted individuals, fear of damaging relationships or involving the criminal justice system. The article provides practical prevention strategies including using caller ID, avoiding pressure to act quickly on financial requests, verifying sender identity before clicking links, consulting with lawyers or financial advisors, and reporting suspected exploitation to banks or Adult Protective Services.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Over $300 million was lost last year to IRS impersonation scams, in which fraudsters use spoofing technology to spoof caller IDs and threaten victims with arrest to pressure them into sending money via gift cards or revealing personal information. The IRS rarely initiates contact by phone—it communicates through mailed letters—so recipients should hang up on such calls and be cautious of phishing emails claiming to be from the IRS or tax software companies. The best defense is to avoid clicking links in suspicious emails and to contact the IRS directly through www.IRS.gov if questions arise.
moneysense.ca
· 2025-12-08
Young Canadians aged 18-34 are increasingly targeted by phishing scams, with nearly one-third falling victim despite being digitally native. Common schemes include fake boss emails requesting gift card purchases, fake delivery notifications from online shopping, employment scams offering unpaid gig work, and romance scams involving coerced intimate photos, with fraudsters contacting victims via email/text (74%), phone calls (64%), social media (43%), and online dating apps (10%). Cybersecurity experts recommend vigilance against authority figures requesting unusual favors and caution when sharing personal information in response to unsolicited messages.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Ohio man was charged with murder after shooting and killing Uber driver Loletha Hall, 61, on March 25, believing she was working with scammers who had called him claiming to be court officials demanding money for a supposed arrested family member. The scammer had actually ordered the Uber to pick up money from Brock's home, making both Brock and Hall unwitting victims of the same fraud scheme; Brock shot Hall three times when she arrived, and she died from her injuries. Brock was indicted on three counts of murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, facing up to life in prison with a minimum of 15
iredellfreenews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina is warning residents about IRS imposter scams and other fraud schemes that disproportionately target older adults, with the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report noting that individuals 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses—the highest among all age groups. Common scams include government impersonation (IRS, SSA, sheriff's office), tech support scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, and non-delivery schemes, with authorities emphasizing that reporting fraud helps recover stolen funds and identify emerging criminal trends.
newstopicnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes disproportionately targeting older adults, which cause substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted educational "Fraud Bingo" sessions at senior centers to help older adults recognize scam tactics and encourage fraud reporting to authorities.
wimsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are alerting the public to widespread imposter scams in which callers falsely claim to be law enforcement officials, telling victims their identities have been stolen and instructing them to withdraw cash and purchase gift cards—tactics that are entirely fraudulent. The Marshals Service has received daily inquiries from victims nationwide who have lost tens of thousands of dollars, and emphasizes that it never requests money, financial information, or monetary instruments by phone. Victims are urged to report suspected scams to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, or contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
cpr.org
· 2025-12-08
Internet scammers targeted over 10,000 Coloradans in the past year, stealing $187.6 million, with investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams causing the largest losses statewide. People 60 and older were the most victimized group and suffered the greatest financial losses, while tech support scams and extortion schemes saw notable increases; nationally, phishing, personal data breaches, and cryptocurrency investment fraud (up 50% in losses) emerged as significant threats.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies six scams targeting Costco members: fake Costco websites mimicking the real site, phishing emails/texts offering fake giveaways or membership renewals, fraudulent reimbursement texts requesting banking details, delivery scams impersonating postal services, and fake job offers with unusually high pay or upfront fees. The article advises members to verify URLs and sender addresses, navigate directly to Costco.com rather than clicking suspicious links, and call Costco directly about any concerns instead of responding to unsolicited communications.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
A reformed Nigerian scammer who stole over $70,000 through romance and tax-related fraud now works for Social Catfish to combat similar schemes, as government impersonation scams surge nationwide. California experienced record losses of $88.3 million in 2023, with the FBI reporting $394 million lost to government impersonation scams overall—a 63% increase from 2022. The five most prevalent tax-related scams targeting victims include Turbo Tax phishing, fake accountant schemes, IRS spoofing calls, unclaimed refund emails, and fraudulent Employee Retention Credit promotions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Texas man, Oluseun Martins Omole, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for operating a scheme that defrauded thousands of U.S. victims of over $12 million in consumer electronics between February 2018 and March 2023. Working with a Nigerian-based criminal enterprise, Omole received fraudulently obtained goods through romance scams, fake online marketplace listings, and employment scams, then repackaged and shipped them overseas while earning hundreds of thousands in fees. He faces up to 20 years in prison and has agreed to pay restitution and asset forfeiture as part of his plea agreement.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, over 374,000 fraud cases were reported to the UK's Cifas National Fraud Database, with identity theft comprising 64% of incidents (237,000+ cases) and criminals increasingly using AI, deepfakes, and social engineering tactics to steal consumer details and compromise bank accounts. Cifas members prevented £1.8 billion in fraud losses, but warned that economic pressures and account takeover attempts—including sophisticated voice spoofing for security questions—represent growing threats to consumers across banking, finance, insurance, and retail sectors.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in North Carolina warned the public about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, particularly around Tax Day. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors used an interactive "Fraud Bingo" educational tool at a senior center to help older adults, caregivers, and community workers recognize fraud tactics and report suspicious activity to help recover stolen funds and identify emerging
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Canadian man, Patrice Runner, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for operating a psychic mass-mailing fraud scheme that defrauded over 1.3 million victims—primarily elderly and vulnerable Americans—of more than $175 million between 1994 and 2014. The scheme involved sending fraudulent letters falsely attributed to psychics Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin, promising wealth and happiness in exchange for fees, then bombarding victims who paid with dozens of follow-up letters requesting additional payments. Runner, who operated through shell companies in Canada and Hong Kong while living in multiple countries, was extradited from Spain in 2020 to face federal charges of mail
wowo.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are warning of a surge in sophisticated phone scams where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials, using real badge numbers, officer names, and spoofed government phone numbers to appear credible. Victims in the Northern District of Indiana and across the nation have been deceived into withdrawing cash, purchasing gift cards, and transferring funds under false claims that their identities were stolen or bank accounts compromised, with losses reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Authorities urge victims to report incidents to the FBI and FTC, and remind the public never to share financial information with unsolicited callers or send money to anyone claiming to be law enforcement.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel re-issued an alert in April 2024 warning small and midsized business owners about tax scams targeting entrepreneurs during tax season, including W-2 phishing schemes, fraudulent Employer Identification Number websites, and IRS imposter calls demanding immediate payment. Scammers use threats of legal action, fake tax bills, and refund promises to deceive business owners and employees, putting company data and finances at serious risk. The AG recommends businesses implement security protocols, train employees to recognize scams, and report suspected fraud to the IRS, FTC, or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Donald Franklin Huegel, a California resident, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded two elderly Arizona victims of nearly $400,000 combined. Operating for two years, Huegel funneled money from victims who were contacted by scammers posing as romantic interests online (using fake profiles "Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and later threatened with identity theft claims to extract additional payments. Huegel was convicted of fraudulent schemes, illegal enterprise, money laundering, and theft, with restitution to be determined at a future hearing.
wccbcharlotte.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, noting that victims often suffer substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted "Fraud Bingo" education sessions at senior centers to teach older adults about fraudster tactics and encourage reporting to help identify trends and recover stolen funds.
mercurynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirty-one Marin County residents lost $33 million to online investment scams in 2023, with the FBI's San Francisco territory reporting nearly $400 million in total losses across multiple counties, and nationwide losses reaching $4.5 billion (a 38% increase from the prior year). Scammers typically promise unrealistic returns on "innovative" investments or cryptocurrency schemes, either failing to invest victims' money or investing only a portion while pocketing the rest. The FBI advises victims to report schemes immediately to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, as those involving wire transfers may be recoverable with prompt reporting.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
Experts at a Goleta Community Center session identified common scams targeting residents, including fraudulent contacts impersonating utility companies, government agencies, and tech support firms that request payment via wire transfers, Venmo, or bank accounts. The presentation covered various fraud schemes including identity theft, telemarketing, home improvement, and mail fraud, with recommendations to use locked mailboxes and avoid sending gift cards or checks through the mail to prevent financial losses.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned that imposter scams were the top fraud category in 2023, with scammers increasingly posing as IRS agents via phone calls, emails, and social media to demand immediate payment for alleged tax debts and threaten arrest. The IRS clarified that it will never call demanding immediate payment or contact about taxes owed without first mailing a bill, and provided guidance for reporting such scams to the Treasury Inspector General, IRS, and Federal Trade Commission.
thaiexaminer.com
· 2025-12-08
Thai police disrupted a transnational call scam network operating across Asia that planned to use Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system to bypass traditional telecommunications networks and conduct fraud operations targeting Thai residents. The operation, believed to be Chinese-controlled and staffed by Burmese, Thai, Lao, and Chinese personnel, was based in the Golden Triangle region near Laos and Cambodia; authorities intercepted a shipment of high-tech communications equipment valued at approximately ฿5.4 million destined for the area. This discovery marks the first time Starlink technology was found being used for criminal purposes in Thailand and comes after reports indicating Thai people are highly susceptible to online
marinij.com
· 2025-12-08
Thirty-one Marin County residents lost $33 million to online investment scams in 2023, according to an FBI report, with the broader San Francisco territory reporting nearly $400 million in losses across multiple counties. The typical scam involves criminals promising unrealistic returns on investments (often cryptocurrency-related) and either failing to invest victim funds or pocketing most of the money, exploiting victims' lack of knowledge about complex financial products. Nationwide, online investment fraud losses reached $4.5 billion in 2023, a 38% increase from the prior year, and the FBI recommends victims file complaints immediately through its Internet Crime Complaint Center, as some funds may be recoverable
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior in Oceanside, California, was defrauded of $50,000 through a pop-up scam falsely claiming their bank account was compromised; when scammers attempted to collect an additional $40,000, police and the FBI Elder Justice Task Force coordinated with the victim to apprehend 44-year-old Chi Hung Duong, who was arrested and charged with bail set at $200,000. The case highlights the dangers of pop-up scams and courier-based fraud schemes targeting seniors.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scott Blair, a 51-year-old Commonwealth's Attorney in Perry County, Kentucky, was charged with honest services wire fraud for allegedly using his official position from April 2020 to March 2024 to assist criminal defendants in exchange for things of value, including sexual favors and methamphetamine. The FBI, Kentucky Attorney General's Office, and Kentucky State Police conducted the investigation that led to the federal criminal complaint filed on Friday.