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in General Elder Fraud
ktnv.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors in Henderson, Nevada are being targeted by scammers using calls, emails, and AI-generated voices to steal money, with one woman's mother losing a quarter of her net worth over nearly two years before intervention stopped the fraud. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with seniors particularly vulnerable to employment offers, loan scams, tech support fraud, and AI impersonation calls. Former FBI agent Thomas Quilty recommends seniors establish secret code words with family, limit WiFi connections, use strong passwords, and report fraud without shame to help combat the growing problem.
fox5vegas.com
· 2025-12-08
The Solera Community Center in Henderson hosted a fraud prevention seminar called "Robbery Not Reported" to educate Las Vegas Valley seniors on recognizing and protecting themselves from sophisticated scams involving money theft, identity theft, and data breaches. An attendee shared that he lost $3,000 to a cryptocurrency scam and knew someone who lost $100,000 to a romance scam, emphasizing the importance of community communication and reporting without shame to combat fraud.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau held educational classes during Older Americans Month to teach community members about fraud prevention, with imposter scams and identity theft identified as the most common threats overall, while cryptocurrency investment, romance, and employment scams pose the greatest risk to those 55 and older. The BBB emphasized that technology gives scammers an advantage, particularly against older adults less fluent with digital tools, and offered resources including a Scam Tracker for reporting incidents and a free Scam Survival Toolkit to help victims recover both financially and emotionally from fraud.
washingtontimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn that digital REAL ID scams are targeting immigrants, seniors, and time-pressed individuals as the TSA enforced stricter identification requirements for domestic air travel beginning May 7, 2025. Scammers use fake websites, phishing emails, and text messages impersonating government agencies to steal personal information and financial data, with losses from government imposter scams surging from $171 million in 2023 to $789 million in 2024. Experts emphasize that REAL ID can only be obtained in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles office with original government-issued documents, and legitimate government agencies never request personal information electronically.
steil.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, 2.6 million Americans lost over $12.5 billion to scams, prompting Congressmen Steil, Harder, and Meuser to introduce a bipartisan resolution designating May 8th as National Scam Survivor Day. The resolution aims to reduce stigma around victimization, encourage survivors to share their experiences for awareness, and foster collaboration between government, private sector, and nonprofits to prevent future scams targeting seniors, veterans, and other vulnerable populations.
bryantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article announces an educational event rather than describing a fraud incident. The Edgerton Branch Library will host its annual Senior Citizen's Spring Tea on May 14, featuring a presentation by Williams County Public Library IT Manager Tyson Horton on elder fraud prevention. The session will cover steps seniors can take to protect themselves from being exploited through online and phone scams.
san.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated accounts impersonating people with disabilities on social media to build followings and solicit donations, with at least 30 such accounts identified that often fail to disclose their artificial nature. This fraud trend is part of a broader epidemic in which Americans lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% that year and resulting in $3.4 billion in losses. Experts recommend triple-checking charity legitimacy before donating, staying informed about evolving cyber threats, and securing personal information, while lawmakers push for stronger protections including the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Three individuals were arrested in Douglas County, Nevada in connection with extortion schemes using fraudulent emails impersonating Microsoft or offering unsolicited services, with threats escalating if payment was not made. Junyan Wu (22) and Lirui Diao (21) were arrested on May 2 in Genoa after arriving to collect money from a homeowner, while Quan Fu Ma (45) was arrested on May 7 in Gardnerville under similar circumstances; all three faced charges including extortion, exploitation of the elderly, and conspiracy. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office partnered with the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and other agencies on the joint investigation and is offering a free Senior
chicagocrusader.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 75 seniors and family members attended a Fraud and Scam Prevention Seminar in Chicago on May 6, presented by JPMorgan Chase, the Chicago Police Department, and Chicago Commons, to learn protective strategies against financial fraud targeting older Americans. Illinois residents lost over $324 million to scams in the previous year, with seniors remaining highly vulnerable, and the event educated participants on common tactics including romance fraud, fake IRS calls, tech support scams, and impersonation schemes using the "Four Ps" framework (Pretend, Problem/Prize, Payment, Pressure). Attendees received practical guidance on fraud prevention, including setting up account alerts, using unique passwords, enabling
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
In May 2025, Ohio state agencies raised awareness about the growing problem of scams targeting seniors, with the Ohio Department of Commerce's Division of Securities receiving 302 fraud complaints from older adults in 2024—a 22% increase from the previous year. Deputy Superintendent Rob Rutkowski emphasized that scammers exploit vulnerable populations and advised that awareness is key to breaking the cycle, recommending seniors treat all unsolicited contact via phone or text as potential threats. The Ohio Attorney General's Office and Ohio Department of Aging offer resources to help protect seniors from fraud.
sierradailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Three individuals were arrested in Douglas County for extortion schemes targeting local residents through fraudulent emails impersonating companies like Microsoft, with two suspects apprehended in Genoa on May 2 (Junyan Wu, 22, and Lirui Diao, 21) and a third arrested in Gardnerville Ranchos on May 7 (Quan Fu Ma, 45). All three face charges including extortion, exploitation of the elderly, and conspiracy, with bail ranging from $52,509 to $100,000. The Douglas County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the FBI and other agencies, hosted a free Senior Scam Seminar to educate residents on
katv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old Little Rock man, David Nelson, was arrested for operating a sweepstakes scam that defrauded an Ohio senior citizen of over $89,000. Nelson posed as a Publishers Clearing House employee and convinced the victim she had won $3 million, then persuaded her to send personal checks for taxes before claiming the prize. He faces felony theft charges in Franklin County, Ohio, and is currently awaiting extradition from an Arkansas jail.
aikenstandard.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial crime specialists from SRP Federal Credit Union presented information to the Aiken Senior Men's Club about recognizing and reporting online scams targeting seniors. The presentation covered major scam types including investment scams, imposter scams, and romance scams, noting that reported consumer losses from scams totaled $12.54 billion in 2024, and identified red flags such as unsolicited contact, urgent pressure, requests for personal information, and unconventional payment methods.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scammers stole a record $12.5 billion from consumers in 2024, with text message scams alone accounting for $470 million in losses and phone scams averaging $1,500 per victim. Michigan Legacy Credit Union partnered with Wayne State University's Institute of Gerontology to train employees in fraud prevention, enabling staff to identify and stop scams through careful questioning—such as one incident where a teller prevented a woman from withdrawing $20,000 after confirming her daughter was not actually in jail. The initiative focuses on educating consumers and front-line workers to recognize common impersonation schemes involving government agencies like the IRS, Social Security Administration, and local
12onyourside.com
· 2025-12-08
An FBI report reveals that scams targeting adults 60 and older are increasing rapidly, with over 100,000 complaints filed in 2023 resulting in $3.4 billion in losses nationwide, with Virginia ranking 9th at over $90,000 in fraud losses. Romance scams, cryptocurrency scams, and impostor scams (such as fake bank agent calls) are the most common tactics exploiting older adults who have more time and financial resources. Experts recommend authenticating all communications, not trusting caller ID alone, and educating seniors about fraud prevention strategies.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece highlights the growing problem of senior-targeted scams, particularly romance and grandparent scams, which police departments report receiving complaints about daily. A notable case involved a romance scam where a victim lost over $100,000, though authorities face challenges helping victims who deny being scammed or refuse assistance. Law enforcement agencies are conducting community awareness events to educate seniors on warning signs and prevention tactics for internet-based fraud schemes.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
A Franklin County senior citizen lost nearly $90,000 in a sweepstakes scam after being told she won $3 million from Publishers Clearing House and needed to pay taxes upfront via personal checks sent to Arkansas. David Nelson, 68, of Little Rock was arrested and charged with felony theft in connection with the scheme. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office advised the public to be skeptical of unsolicited calls, avoid sharing personal information, resist pressure for immediate payments, and watch for high-pressure tactics and "free" offers.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Mohammed Asif, a 34-year-old Indian national, was indicted for operating American Labworks LLC, a fraudulent diagnostic testing laboratory in Everett, Washington, that billed Medicare over $8.7 million for COVID-19 and respiratory tests that were never ordered or performed, resulting in $1.1 million in fraudulent payments. Medicare received over 200 complaints from beneficiaries reporting they were billed for tests they never received, with some billing records showing tests billed for deceased individuals or by deceased physicians. Asif was arrested in April 2025 while attempting to board an international flight after withdrawing $260,000 from the company account in May 2
da.sonomacounty.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Elana Cohen-Roth, an 81-year-old retired IRS agent, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison after a jury convicted her of 23 felony counts of financial fraud. Over a seven-year period (2013-2019), Cohen-Roth exploited her professional and personal relationship with an elderly Sonoma County victim to defraud her of approximately $1 million through a Ponzi scheme, promising guaranteed 10% returns on fake real estate investments while using the funds to support her lifestyle and pay earlier investors. The victim, who began with $1 million in investments and her own home, was left financially destit
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Three suspects were arrested and booked into Douglas County Jail for conducting elder fraud and extortion schemes in which they collected money from victims using scam-based tactics. The article does not specify the number of elder victims affected, dollar amounts stolen, or detailed charges against the suspects.
capenews.net
· 2025-12-08
The Cape and Islands District Attorney is requesting $580,000 in state funding to hire additional prosecutors and forensic examiners to combat elder fraud, which has become increasingly prevalent in the region. In 2023-2024, Barnstable County logged 397 elder fraud calls, but only 3.3% resulted in charges against perpetrators. A recent case in Falmouth involved a 79-year-old woman who received a fraudulent Publisher's Clearing House call promising $2,000 plus weekly payments and a car, though she recognized the scam when personal banking information was requested.
nwitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency investment fraud accounted for nearly $4 billion in losses in 2023 (71% of all crypto-related losses), a 53% increase from 2022, with victims often lured through "pig butchering" scams that build trust via dating apps and social media before directing them to fake investment platforms. Criminals exploit cryptocurrency's decentralized nature, irreversible transactions, and AI-enhanced deception tactics—including voice cloning and fake videos—to operate sophisticated call center operations that mimic legitimate businesses. While people aged 30-49 filed the most complaints, victims over 60 suffered the highest losses at over $1.24 billion.
whiznews.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio's Department of Commerce and Department of Aging are raising awareness about the growing number of scams targeting seniors, noting that scammers exploit older adults due to perceived vulnerability and financial stability, while victims often avoid reporting due to shame and fear. Key fraud threats include voice-cloning scams using AI technology, romance scams that exploit emotional connections to steal tens of thousands of dollars, and unsolicited contact attempts. The state recommends seniors avoid responding to unknown contacts, verify identities before sharing information, resist high-pressure tactics, and utilize available resources from the Department of Aging to protect themselves.
hk-now.com
· 2025-12-08
Killingworth's Committee on Aging held a two-hour Scam and Fraud Prevention Program on May 3, 2025, where attorney Don Phillips, legal services representative Erica Basoli, and State Trooper Rick Mulhall educated seniors about common fraud schemes including bank/credit card scams, gift card fraud, home repair scams, romance scams, tech support scams, and fake prize offers. The presenters advised seniors to avoid sharing personal information on social media, resist urgency tactics, report all scams to authorities, and verify legitimacy through official channels, while emphasizing that legitimate businesses should be registered, insured, and provide written contracts.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you sharing this, but this appears to be a technical instruction or app promotion rather than an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse.
To provide a summary for the Elderus database, I would need an actual article or transcript describing a fraudulent scheme, scam, or elder abuse incident. Could you please share the content you'd like summarized?
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
In response to escalating elder fraud losses—$100 million in San Diego last year and $4.8 billion nationally in 2024—the District Attorney's office in Oceanside hosted a fraud prevention seminar for 250 seniors, highlighting common scams including fake court documents, computer pop-ups, and property title theft. Officials discussed new legislative tools to stop suspicious transactions in real time and promoted free monitoring programs, while emphasizing that scams affect people of all education levels and encouraging victims to report incidents to law enforcement and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
oklahoman.com
· 2025-12-08
Cellphone scams targeting seniors are increasing, with scammers exploiting vulnerabilities through various schemes that are difficult to recover from once money is lost. The article emphasizes that awareness and prevention are critical defenses, as seniors have limited recourse options after being defrauded.
klarna.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide from Klarna outlines common fraud and scam types affecting consumers, including phishing, impersonation, fake investment schemes, robocalls, online shopping fraud, job scams, and scams targeting elderly individuals. The article advises protecting personal information by never sharing credentials unsolicited, recognizing red flags such as unexpected urgent requests, untrustworthy websites, and promises that seem too good to be true, and verifying merchant legitimacy through store reviews, return policies, and contact information before making purchases.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Google is deploying its Gemini AI model to detect and warn users of tech support scams and other fraudulent content across Chrome, Search, and Android, marking an escalation in AI-powered anti-scam efforts as bad actors simultaneously use AI to create more convincing fraudulent content. The technology can identify scams in real-time by scanning webpages and understanding language nuance better than previous systems, with Google reporting it now blocks 20 times more problematic pages than before and removed hundreds of millions of scam search results daily in 2024. This defensive use of AI comes as consumers worldwide lost over $1 trillion to scams in the previous year.
jocoreport.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old man in Benson lost $17,000 to a grandparent scam in which scammers impersonated his grandson and then a lawyer, claiming the grandson needed bail and legal fees for a traffic accident. The victim withdrew cash twice and left envelopes outside his home for pickup before realizing his grandson had not been in an accident; the Johnston County Sheriff's Office is investigating the case.
wpsdlocal6.com
· 2025-12-08
Two elderly widows in Graves County, Kentucky lost approximately $320,000 combined to scammers using emotional manipulation tactics, including a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes scam and fake emergency requests. The Graves County Sheriff's Office warns that scammers target vulnerable seniors on social media and through phone calls, using realistic scenarios to convince victims to wire money, and recommends that families have conversations with elderly relatives about recognizing scams and contact law enforcement immediately if suspicious contact occurs.
mauinow.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud exposure in the United States continues to rise for the fifth consecutive year, with over 276 million US adults exposed to cyber threats, primarily through unverified apps and unreliable social media sources, while common vulnerabilities include failure to use multifactor authentication, weak passwords, and responding to unknown contacts. To address this trend, AARP elder fraud expert Paul Greenwood will conduct free public presentations in Maui from May 12-16, including sessions in Lahaina and Pāʻia, to educate consumers on fraud prevention and encourage crime reporting. The AARP Fraud Watch Network offers resources including a helpline (877-908-3360), victim support groups
kpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP California is hosting a free educational event on June 20, 2025, in San Diego featuring experts from law enforcement and elder protection agencies to discuss scams and financial exploitation targeting older adults. The presentation includes speakers from the Elder Justice Task Force, District Attorney's Office, FBI, Adult Protective Services, and Identity Theft Resource Center, and registration is required but AARP membership is not necessary.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired IRS agent, 81-year-old Elana Cohen-Roth, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded a Sonoma County elderly woman of $1 million in life savings between 2013 and 2019. Cohen-Roth, who had gained the victim's trust while preparing her taxes, promised guaranteed 10% returns on bogus investments and used funds from multiple victims to pay off earlier "investors" while financing her own lavish lifestyle. The victim, age 73 at the time the scheme collapsed in 2020, went from owning a home and having $1 million in investments to financial
consumerfinance.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five federal financial regulatory agencies and FinCEN issued guidance to help banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions combat elder financial exploitation, which affected approximately $27 billion in reported suspicious activity over a one-year period ending in June 2023. The statement recommends risk management practices including employee training on recognizing exploitation, establishing trusted contact processes, implementing transaction holds when appropriate, and timely reporting to law enforcement and Adult Protective Services. These measures aim to help supervised institutions identify, prevent, and respond to elder financial exploitation that can cause older adults to lose their life savings and financial security.
southpasadenan.com
· 2025-12-08
The South Pasadena Police Department reports continued ATM fraud targeting seniors, where perpetrators use "shoulder surfing" to obtain victims' PINs, then distract and confuse them to swap debit cards during transactions. The department advises seniors to remain aware of their surroundings at ATMs, block their PIN entry from view, and avoid using ATMs if uncomfortable. The release also warns of organized residential burglaries in the San Gabriel Valley using technology like cameras and Wi-Fi jammers, recommending residents secure homes, use hardwired security systems with battery backup, and maintain an occupied appearance.
safetydetectives.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Google is deploying AI-powered defenses in Chrome to protect users from online scams, including a version of its Gemini Nano model that runs on-device to identify suspicious websites and scams on desktop, and new warnings for suspicious notifications on Android. The Enhanced Protection mode in Safe Browsing now offers an additional layer of protection against both known and emerging scams, while Google's AI efforts across Search have reportedly caught 20 times more scam pages compared to previous methods.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma seniors lost more than $50 million to fraud in 2024, a 66% increase from $22 million in 2023, with nearly 2,000 fraud complaints filed according to FBI reports. Law enforcement emphasizes that education is the primary defense, with studies showing individuals aware of specific scam tactics are 80% less likely to become victims, and recommends people verify and confirm before sharing personal information or conducting financial transactions. Many of these crimes are perpetrated by organized crime rings outside the U.S., making prosecution difficult, but authorities continue to encourage reporting at state and federal levels.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
During Older Americans Month, local libraries in Reno and Sparks are hosting free scam prevention talks presented by the Better Business Bureau to educate seniors about current fraud trends. The BBB emphasizes the importance of scam awareness, noting that $12.5 billion was lost to fraud in the previous year.
sandiegoreader.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP California hosted a free educational event on June 20, 2025, in San Diego featuring expert speakers from law enforcement, protective services, and advocacy organizations to raise awareness about scams and financial exploitation targeting older adults. The presentation, held in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, included representatives from the Elder Justice Task Force, District Attorney's Office, FBI, Adult Protective Services, and the Identity Theft Resource Center.
nkytribune.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year, with investment scams accounting for $5.7 billion in losses. Adults aged 60+ are particularly vulnerable, having lost $3.4 billion in 2023 alone to scams including tech support, grandparent, and government impersonation schemes. The article recommends consumers verify caller identity by hanging up and calling their bank directly, never share account credentials or one-time access codes, and ignore unsolicited payment requests, as legitimate banks will never ask for such information.
daijiworld.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old man from Kasargod lost Rs 42.41 lakh after investing in a fraudulent online trading platform on February 29, 2025, with cyber police now investigating the case. The article advises that vigilance is essential to avoid such scams: never share banking details or OTPs, disregard threats of "digital arrest" (which does not exist in Indian law), and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not contain content relevant to elder fraud or elder abuse. The submission consists of two unrelated pieces: an opinion essay by a student about Japanese ATM withdrawal restrictions as a potential anti-scam measure (which discusses fraud prevention strategy rather than actual fraud cases), and a health ministry report about childhood obesity in Malaysia. Neither discusses actual scams, fraud incidents, or elder abuse cases affecting seniors.
neworleanscitybusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters posed as Norton antivirus, Microsoft, and her bank, threatening her with arrest and claiming hackers had transferred $18,000 to Russian accounts unless she purchased cryptocurrency. She avoided losing money after recalling that a friend had lost $800,000 to a similar scam and hung up the phone. Experts note that artificial intelligence, dark web data access, and lack of federal oversight have made financial scams increasingly believable and effective, with Americans losing between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to such schemes in 2023-2024.
nebraska.tv
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that cryptocurrency, online, romance, and home improvement scams pose significant risks to older adults, with scammers often impersonating government agencies, banks, or trusted sources through phone calls and spoofing tactics. The FTC cautions that these scammers may initially appear friendly before becoming aggressive and threatening to coerce victims into providing information or money. Consumers are advised to hang up on suspicious calls, independently verify caller identity, and check BBB.org's scam tracker for current fraud reports.
valpo.life
· 2025-12-08
Americans lose $10 billion annually to scams, with older adults being particularly vulnerable due to lower confidence in recognizing fraudulent schemes and varying levels of tech-savviness. Common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud, sweetheart scams (which cost people over 60 nearly $367 million in 2023), imposter scams, advance fee scams, investment scams, gift card scams, emergency wire transfers, and phishing attempts. To protect yourself, understand how scams operate—scammers pose as trusted entities and create urgent situations to pressure you into sharing money or personal information—and avoid clicking unknown links, verify requests by calling institutions directly, and be skeptical of
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
A PYMNTS Intelligence and Featurespace report examining over 10,000 U.S. consumers reveals that scammers increasingly use personalized, sophisticated tactics targeting specific vulnerabilities across generations rather than employing generic approaches. Generation Z faces higher risks from employment and social media fraud, while older generations are disproportionately targeted by fake eCommerce and sweepstakes scams—with baby boomers and seniors experiencing eCommerce fraud at three times the rate of Gen Z. The report emphasizes that financial institutions must implement dynamic defenses, advanced analytics, and consumer training to combat these evolving threats that exploit psychological manipulation and consumer trust.
abc3340.com
· 2025-12-08
Taneshia Brown, owner of Bella Wood Senior Living in Jemison, Alabama, was arrested and charged with first-degree financial exploitation of an elderly person after investigators found she conducted unauthorized transactions totaling several thousand dollars from a 76-year-old resident's bank account. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are exploring whether other victims exist at the facility.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old Toledo resident on a student visa, Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel, was charged with defrauding an elderly couple of $50,000 through a fake Treasury Department scam in which he falsely claimed they had fraudulent credit card charges for child pornography and instructed them to withdraw cash for pickup. Police used FLOCK camera systems to identify Patel after he drove from Toledo to Shelby Township to collect the money, which he subsequently transferred to India, and he is under federal investigation for at least two additional scams targeting elderly residents.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Warren, Michigan man, Mohammad Gazi, was charged with false pretenses and computer fraud after a senior citizen from Oakland County lost over $40,000 in a tech support scam. The victim received calls from someone impersonating a McAfee Computer Security representative who claimed funds were mistakenly deposited in her account and instructed her to withdraw and hand over cash on three separate occasions; she became suspicious after a fourth contact and alerted police, leading to Gazi's arrest through a sting operation.