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in Robocall / Phone Scam
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors lost $4.8 billion to scammers, part of a total $16.6 billion in U.S. fraud losses representing a 33% increase from 2023, according to an FBI report. Investment scams were the leading fraud type affecting seniors, with $6 billion lost across 47,919 complaints, followed by business email compromise scams ($2 billion) and technology support scams ($1 billion). The FBI noted these figures likely underrepresent actual losses due to victim underreporting and emphasized that each number represents a real person whose financial security and trust were compromised.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP's Fraud Watch Network provides comprehensive support for fraud victims, recognizing that scams cause both financial and emotional harm including shame and isolation. The organization offers a helpline (877-908-3360) with trained fraud specialists, plus free peer-facilitated support groups called ReST (Resilience, Strength, and Time) where victims can connect with others and receive emotional guidance to aid recovery.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide explores the intersection of fraud and mental health, examining how the prevalence of scams—which cost Americans over $12 billion in 2024—creates psychological stress and constant vigilance in daily life. The article discusses how exposure to fraud, whether direct or indirect, can lead to anxiety, distrust, and destabilizing uncertainty, particularly as scammers increasingly use deceptive text messages, emails, and phone calls to target victims through romance scams, impersonation schemes, and fake job offers. The piece emphasizes the importance of protecting one's digital identity and provides strategies for managing the mental health impacts of living in an environment where fraudulent threats are pervasive and often difficult to distinguish
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A man named Eman lost 500 AUD to a romance scam in which a woman he met online posed as a romantic interest, then directed him to a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment platform showing fake returns before blocking him. According to Scamwatch Australia, romance scams resulted in over $23.5 million in losses in a single year, with scammers using emotional manipulation to gradually increase victims' investments in fake platforms. Beyond financial loss, psychologists note these scams cause significant damage to victims' self-worth, trust, and emotional stability; victims can report such incidents to the ACCC, Australian Cyber Security Hotline (1300 292 371), local police, an
home.barclays
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams increased 20 percent in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024, with the majority originating on social media and dating platforms. Victims aged 61 or older were particularly vulnerable, losing an average of £19,000 per scam in 2024, more than triple the overall average of £8,000. Scammers typically build trust quickly before requesting money through fake emergencies, travel costs, or medical expenses, often using emotional manipulation and artificial intelligence to impersonate celebrities or create false urgency.
wyomingnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wyoming woman fell victim to a catfish scam after being signed up on a dating site by a family member, where she was contacted by multiple fraudulent profiles posing as widowed professionals with children in boarding school. One scammer, posing as a man from California, built her trust over months through text messages and gifts before manufacturing a crisis to solicit financial help, resulting in her sending "more money than she could afford" before discovering the fraud. The FTC estimates that half of dating site profiles are linked to scammers, and victims often remain silent due to embarrassment, leading to significant underreporting of these crimes.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes warned job seekers to be alert for employment scams, which typically involve fake job postings on websites, social media, and direct contact via phone, email, or text that request personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details before interviews. The scams often feature unrealistic promises of high-paying jobs with minimal qualifications or remote work opportunities, and may impersonate legitimate employers by replicating logos and using established job boards. Mayes advised job seekers to research employers before sharing information, request in-person interviews, never pay upfront fees, and avoid sending financial or banking details before officially starting a position.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, seniors lost $4.8 billion to scams, part of a total $16.6 billion in fraud losses across the United States—a 33% increase from 2023. The FBI identified investment scams as a major threat, resulting in nearly $6 billion in losses, alongside business email compromise scams ($2 billion) and technology support scams (over $1 billion). Officials noted that actual losses may be higher due to underreporting from embarrassed victims.
finra.org
· 2025-12-08
Pump-and-dump schemes are long-standing financial scams where fraudsters accumulate low-priced "penny stocks," artificially inflate their price through promotional tactics (including social media campaigns and encrypted messaging), then sell their shares at the peak, causing prices to collapse and leaving other investors with losses. These schemes exploit fear of missing out (FOMO) and take advantage of low-priced stocks with limited public information and illiquid markets where fraudsters can control available shares. Investors can protect themselves by avoiding unsolicited investment advice from strangers and being cautious of social media investment advertisements.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Pump-and-dump stock schemes, which have existed for centuries, involve fraudsters accumulating low-priced "penny stocks," artificially inflating their value through misleading promotional campaigns (via email, social media, or encrypted messaging), and then selling their shares at the peak, leaving other investors unable to sell as prices collapse. These schemes exploit fear of missing out (FOMO) and take advantage of low-priced stocks with minimal public information and limited trading liquidity. Investors can protect themselves by avoiding unsolicited investment advice from strangers and being cautious of social media investment promotions.
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI in Miami warned of an increase in phone scams targeting South Florida residents in which callers impersonate federal officers and demand victims wire or mail money for fake "settlements" or law enforcement investigations. In 2024, Florida residents reported 1,579 impersonation scams resulting in over $12 million in losses; the FBI advises recipients to hang up immediately and report such calls to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
**Gold Bar Scam**
Scammers impersonating government officials convince senior citizens to withdraw their life savings and purchase gold bars, then pose as couriers to steal the gold and disappear. The FBI reported victims lost $219 million to gold bar scams in 2024, with increasing incidents reported in 2025, as record-high gold prices and gold's reputation as a trustworthy investment make it an attractive target for criminals who exploit the difficulty of tracing the precious metal.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
Prince George's County police reported approximately $1 million in scams from county residents in a single year, with recent arrests including a case where a victim lost $700,000 and another who lost $40,000 after being deceived by pop-up warnings and impersonators claiming to be from Microsoft, banks, and federal agencies. The scammers used phony employee numbers and convincing rhetoric to build trust, isolating victims by instructing them not to discuss the situation or search for information about scams. Police advise victims to recognize red flags—unsolicited requests for money, passwords, or personal information, and manufactured urgency—and to verify claims by contacting banks directly or calling law
abccolumbia.com
· 2025-12-08
South Carolina seniors over 60 were disproportionately targeted by cybercriminals in 2024, with 2,295 victims losing over $58.5 million according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report—accounting for more than a third of the state's total $146 million in reported cyber losses. The most costly scams targeting seniors included tech support scams, government impersonation schemes, and investment fraud, each resulting in nearly $10 million in losses, while confidence/romance scams accounted for approximately $3 million. Business email compromises and investment fraud were among the most prevalent cyber crimes statewide, with losses totaling $40.8 million and $
citizen.co.za
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old woman in Kempton Park was defrauded when a woman posing as a Foschini employee in a fake uniform and name tag convinced her to hand over her handbag by offering a discount, then disappeared with the bag containing cosmetics, a phone, bank cards, and ID. The victim's father reports this is part of a troubling trend, with similar scams occurring at nearby stores like Edgars, and warns shoppers never to hand over bags to anyone regardless of how convincing they appear, while calling for stronger retail security measures.
rnz.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
New Zealand's Banking Association updated its code of practice requiring banks to implement pre-transaction warnings, 24/7 reporting channels, and name-verification services, with potential reimbursement up to $500,000 for inadequately protected scam victims. Consumer advocate Janine Starks criticized the changes as insufficient compared to UK protections, citing concerns about inconsistent bank implementation and a clause denying protection after three scams, while the Banking Ombudsman received 949 cases last year with average losses of $80,000. The new measures take effect at the end of November across 13 retail banks.
mustsharenews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 20-year-old Singaporean TikToker was scammed out of approximately $5,000 (S$4,977) by someone impersonating her boss via phone call, exploiting her role as a personal assistant who regularly handled money transfers. Despite lodging a police report within 20 minutes, she has little chance of recovery as banks cannot force scammers to return funds without their approval. The case highlights the rising trend of impersonation scams in Singapore, where S$7.2 million was lost to such scams in just the first two months of the year.
coingeek.com
· 2025-12-08
A Brazilian judge sentenced Joel Ferreira de Souza to 128 years in prison for laundering proceeds from the Braiscompany Ponzi scheme, which defrauded approximately 20,000 investors of around $190 million between 2020-2023. Simultaneously, the U.S. SEC charged Ramil Palafox with operating a fraudulent crypto and foreign exchange scheme called PGI Global that raised $198 million from investors worldwide, with Palafox misappropriating over $57 million for personal luxury purchases while using remaining funds to pay earlier investors in a Ponzi-like structure.
ktbs.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, over 859,000 Americans reported internet scams to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, resulting in $16.6 billion in losses—a 33% increase from the previous year. Investment scams caused the largest losses at $6.5 billion, while seniors aged 60+ lost $2.5 billion, with tech support scams being particularly devastating for this group at nearly $1 billion. The report emphasizes that awareness and caution—avoiding suspicious links, refusing remote access requests, and verifying urgent requests—are essential defenses against these schemes.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Indian national Hardik Jayantilal Patel, living illegally in the US, was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison for orchestrating a telemarketing scam that defrauded senior citizens of $3.2 million between March and November 2019. Patel and his network of "runners" impersonated US government officials, threatening victims with fake investigations and demanding cash payments, which the runners then collected and laundered. Patel was ordered to pay $3.2 million in restitution to 85 identified victims and faces removal from the country following his sentence.
broadbandbreakfast.com
· 2025-12-08
As broadband adoption among adults 65+ reaches 90%, older adults with significant wealth holdings are increasingly targeted by scammers exploiting online platforms. In 2024, the FTC reported $12.5 billion in consumer losses to scams and fraud nationally, with global losses exceeding $1 trillion, making fund recovery nearly impossible due to money laundering complexities. The article advises older adults to pause before responding to unsolicited communications, verify requests by contacting relatives directly, and avoid "too good to be true" offers, particularly fake employment and quick-cash schemes, while recognizing that scammers now use spoofing, phishing, and AI-generated voice/video imp
cryptopolitan.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and above lost $4.8 billion to cybercrime in 2024, a 43% increase year-over-year, with 7,500 seniors losing $100,000 or more each—more than any other age group, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to limited digital literacy, isolation, substantial savings, and advanced, personalized scams; cryptocurrency investment schemes ("pig butchering") alone accounted for $2.8 billion in losses. The article argues that existing U.S. regulations fail to address digital threats adequately, unlike European programs, and calls for systemic reform including real-time fraud detection
cyberscoop.com
· 2025-12-08
The bipartisan GUARD Act proposes to equip federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement with federal grant funding and advanced technological tools—including blockchain tracing capabilities—to investigate financial fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans. The legislation responds to a 46% surge in financial fraud complaints from people over 60 in 2024, which resulted in over $4.8 billion in losses, with particular concern about emerging scams like pig butchering and SMS phishing targeting toll road violations.
silive.com
· 2025-12-08
Between December 2023 and February 2025, the FBI received over 100 reports of scammers impersonating the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to target previous fraud victims with promises of fund recovery. The scammers use fake social media profiles, emails, phone calls, and messaging apps to gain access to victims' sensitive financial information, resulting in repeated victimization. The FBI advises that IC3 will never directly contact individuals through these channels, and people should never send money or share personal information with unknown contacts.
explorejeffersonpa.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating State Troopers and court officials are calling Pennsylvania residents and threatening arrest for missed jury duty or contempt of court, demanding immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The imposters use spoofed caller IDs, fake case numbers, and victims' personal information to appear credible. Pennsylvania State Police warn that legitimate government agencies never request payment through untraceable methods or personal financial information over the phone, and urge residents to hang up immediately and contact local police if targeted.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate loved ones in emergency scams, with deepfakes becoming so advanced that even experts struggle to detect them. A Consumer Reports investigation found that four of six popular voice cloning apps lack meaningful safeguards to prevent unauthorized voice replication, and no federal laws currently prohibit this practice. Experts recommend protecting yourself by enabling two-factor authentication on financial accounts, being skeptical of unexpected calls or messages requesting personal information, and maintaining healthy skepticism of anything heard online.
housebeautiful.com
· 2025-12-08
An "upgrade scam" targets Facebook Marketplace sellers by convincing them that a fake payment is pending until they pay to "upgrade" their Venmo or Zelle account—a nonexistent service. Scammers send fraudulent emails impersonating payment platforms, asking sellers to pay fees or refunds before the buyer has actually sent any money, resulting in financial loss for the seller. To avoid this scam, sellers should verify payments directly in their accounts before sending items, ignore pushy buyers, and be skeptical of unsolicited upgrade requests, as legitimate payment platforms process transfers within minutes and have no such upgrade options.
wbng.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI estimates over 250,000 Americans lost more than $16 billion to scams in 2024, with adults over 60 accounting for nearly $5 billion of those losses. Law enforcement officials note that scammers have become increasingly sophisticated, using data mining and personalized tactics to target victims, and emphasize that people should avoid answering unknown calls, verify contact information independently, and promptly report suspicious activity to banks and family members to prevent further damage.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using "wrong number" text messages, often AI-assisted, to identify active phone numbers and build relationships with potential victims for future financial exploitation. In 2024, consumers lost $470 million to text message scams—five times higher than 2020—with scammers targeting life savings and retirement accounts through prolonged "pig butchering" schemes that exploit people's psychological need for connection. One in four Americans has received these deceptive texts, and experts advise not engaging with suspicious messages, as scammers use data dumps combined with AI to create highly believable, personalized scams.
visayandailystar.com
· 2025-12-08
Asian crime syndicates operating multibillion-dollar cyberscam networks have expanded globally from Southeast Asia to South America and Africa despite regional law enforcement raids, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. These organized groups operate scam farms housing thousands of trafficked workers generating tens of billions in annual profits, with the U.S. alone reporting $5.6 billion in losses to cryptocurrency and romance scams in 2023, disproportionately affecting elderly and vulnerable victims. As Southeast Asian governments intensify crackdowns, the syndicates have adapted by exploiting weak governance and corruption to relocate operations, demonstrating the difficulty of containing what officials describe as a global criminal enterprise.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
This is a news roundup covering multiple security and privacy topics. Key points related to fraud include: cybercriminals stole a record $16.6 billion from US entities in 2024 (a 33% increase from 2023), with phishing, spoofing, extortion, investment scams, and business email compromise being the leading crime types; Google's new end-to-end encrypted email feature for Workspace accounts may create new phishing opportunities through fake invitation scams; and various government privacy and security incidents were reported.
levittownnow.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters impersonating Microsoft and her bank claimed she had been hacked and threatened arrest, attempting to manipulate her into withdrawing cash to purchase cryptocurrency. The scam exploited heightened emotions and urgency, tactics that have become more effective with AI advancement and access to personal data on the dark web. According to the FTC, Americans lost between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to financial scams in 2023-2024, with cryptocurrency transfers and digital payment methods making these crimes particularly difficult to trace and recover from.
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and above lost $4.8 billion to cybercrime in 2024, a 43% increase year-over-year, with 7,500 seniors each losing $100,000 or more—more than any other age group according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to digital literacy gaps, isolation, financial assets, and trust in institutions that scammers impersonate, with cryptocurrency scams (especially "pig butchering" romance cons) and tech support fraud being especially profitable schemes. The article argues that current regulatory and institutional responses are fragmented and inadequate, placing fraud prevention burden on individuals rather than treating elder cybercrime
financial-planning.com
· 2025-12-08
A Government Accountability Office study found that fragmented federal oversight and lack of coordination among 13+ agencies hampers efforts to combat scams that cost Americans "large sums" including entire life savings. The report identified massive underreporting—only 5-15% of victims report scams—and recommended 16 actions including establishing a government-wide strategy, universal definition, and comprehensive estimate of scam losses to improve consumer protection efforts.
ktar.com
· 2025-12-08
"Smishing" (SMS phishing) scams involve criminals sending vague text messages from spoofed numbers to lists of phone numbers obtained through data breaches or random generation, with the goal of getting recipients to respond and confirm their number is active. Once a response is received, scammers build rapport through casual conversation before pivoting to requests for money, investment opportunities, malware links, or personal information for account hijacking. The safest defense is to not respond to suspicious texts, block and report them, and recognize that these carefully crafted messages exploit high SMS open rates (98%) and response rates (45%) to identify and manipulate vulnerable targets.
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
A veterinarian in Deer Park, Ohio lost $2,000 to an elaborate jury duty scam in which a caller impersonated a Hamilton County Sheriff's Office official, claiming she had missed jury duty and owed a fine. The scammer isolated his victim by instructing her to use her mobile phone, visit Walmart, and use provided barcodes to transfer money from her debit card through the store's money services. Legitimate court summons arrive by mail, not phone calls, and red flags include demands for payment via retail stores, pressure to keep calls secret, and requests to move to personal devices.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Police in Fermanagh and Omagh warned of a "fake new bank card" scam in which fraudsters impersonated bank officials, convinced victims their accounts were compromised, and instructed them to enter card details into a fraudulent card reader, resulting in large unauthorized withdrawals. The warning also noted related fraud cases including bogus tradesmen on social media and WhatsApp impersonation scams, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited financial requests regardless of source and to report incidents to police and their banks immediately.
expressandstar.com
· 2025-12-08
A Barclays report found that romance scams increased 20% year-over-year, with victims losing an average of £8,000, rising to £19,000 for those aged 61 and over. In these scams, perpetrators pose as romantic interests to build trust and solicit money from victims. The article discusses both the benefits and risks of online dating apps in 2025, highlighting romance fraud as a significant threat to users, particularly older adults.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wisconsin woman lost $80,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam after discovering it on Facebook and being lured by promises of rapid returns; she initially invested $30,000, saw her balance apparently double, invested additional funds, and ultimately paid an extra $30,000 in fraudulent "taxes and fees" before realizing the investment dashboard was fake. The scam exemplifies the growing sophistication of crypto fraud in the U.S., where Americans lost $1.4 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2024, with police indicating recovery of the funds is unlikely.
fraudsmart.ie
· 2025-12-08
FraudSMART is alerting consumers to a sophisticated text and phone scam impersonating banks, where scammers send messages appearing within genuine banking threads and pose as bank security departments to extract personal and financial information or authorization codes that grant account access. The scam often includes urgency tactics, requests to delete banking apps, or claims of delayed login details to prevent victims from monitoring their accounts while fraudsters transfer funds. Consumers should never respond to unsolicited bank communications, should verify contacts using numbers on their bank cards, and should immediately contact their bank and report incidents to authorities if targeted.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used artificial intelligence to create sophisticated fake websites for nonexistent investment and mining companies, including elaborate details like fake board member profiles, company policies, and financial documents that fooled even a professional fraud analyst. A cyber risk expert notes that AI has made scams harder to detect because it can now generate convincing fake images, websites, policies, and financial reports, while traditional verification methods like checking comments and likes can also be AI-generated. The general public now requires support from multiple experts in finance, technology, and cybersecurity to adequately verify online information and protect themselves from these AI-enhanced scams.
ksisradio.com
· 2025-12-08
St. Louis County Police issued an alert about a text message scam impersonating Apple ID security notifications, claiming unauthorized purchases were made and requesting users to verify their account. The scam attempts to steal personal and payment information, with potential for identity theft and financial loss. Police recommend contacting local law enforcement if victimized, and advise recipients to avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts and instead visit Apple's official website directly to check account activity.
404media.co
· 2025-12-08
A romance scam involving a deepfake technology was documented, in which a fraudster used real-time facial manipulation software to impersonate an older white man during a video call with an elderly woman, building rapport through compliments and offers of protection in an apparent attempt to manipulate her into sending money. The scam demonstrates how artificial intelligence can enhance traditional romance fraud tactics by creating convincing fake video identities that are difficult for victims to detect during live interactions.
marieclaire.com.au
· 2025-12-08
**Online Romance Scam Leading to Drug Smuggling Conviction**
In January 2023, 58-year-old Donna Nelson, an Aboriginal community leader from Western Australia, was arrested at Tokyo customs after carrying two kilograms of methamphetamine in a suitcase she believed belonged to "Kelly," a man she had been in an online romantic relationship with for two years via a dating website. Nelson claims she fell victim to a calculated romance scam designed to lure her to Japan under false pretenses, but her legal defense was unsuccessful and she was sentenced to six years in prison in December 2024. Her five daughters are now fighting for her release, maintaining her innoc
coingeek.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. House lawmakers introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act on April 21 to combat "pig butchering" scams and financial fraud targeting older Americans, particularly through online and investment schemes. The legislation would equip federal, state, and local law enforcement with blockchain technology tools to trace and prosecute scammers, addressing a crisis in which Americans reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024 (a 25% increase year-over-year), with older adults suffering disproportionately higher losses—including pig butchering schemes that accounted for 33.2% of digital asset scam revenue in 2024.
actraottawa.ca
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common scams targeting aspiring performers by talent agencies, modeling scouts, and workshop providers who charge excessive upfront fees, guarantee work falsely, or require students to purchase services from affiliated providers. Legitimate talent agents operate on industry-standard commission (15% plus GST on actual work procured) and do not charge sign-up fees, guarantee employment, or pressure clients into workshops or photography services. The article advises performers to research credentials, avoid "one-stop shop" providers that offer both training and casting services, and never sign agreements under pressure or without independent advice.
landline.media
· 2025-12-08
Scam emails impersonating WEX or Fleet One fuel card providers targeted Truckers Advantage fuel card holders, instructing recipients to click links and enter login credentials to prevent account closure. OOIDA confirmed these fraudulent messages were not sent by the company or its partners and advised recipients to delete them immediately, while WEX reiterated it never requests sensitive account information via unsolicited communications. The article provides guidance on avoiding phishing scams, including avoiding clicking email links, verifying contact numbers independently, and using multi-factor authentication.
fox9.com
· 2025-12-08
Texting scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with common schemes including fake unpaid toll notices, prize offers, student loan assistance, and AI-generated celebrity videos (such as Kevin Costner impersonations) that request money. Minnesota ranks 12th nationally for impostor scams with a median loss of $800 per victim, and experts advise recognizing red flags such as urgent requests, unknown senders, international numbers, and requests for gift cards or remote computer access, noting that legitimate government agencies and the FBI never ask for payment via gift cards.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP educational article provides guidance on recognizing and avoiding common scams targeting consumers. Key fraud tactics covered include sweepstakes scams requiring upfront payment or personal information, fake checks used to exploit processing delays, fake QR codes directing victims to phishing sites, and cybercriminals stealing personal data. The article recommends protective measures such as creating strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping software updated, pausing before responding to urgent communications, and verifying checks through banks before acting on funds.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Barbara Trickle, 80, of Las Vegas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a prize notice scam from 2012 to February 2018 that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly, of over $15 million. Trickle and her co-conspirators mailed fraudulent notices claiming victims had won cash prizes and would receive them upon paying $20-$50 fees; victims instead received worthless reports or trinkets and were subsequently inundated with additional fraudulent mailings. The scheme was shut down following a U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigation and court order.