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news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, 58, pleaded not guilty after being indicted on multiple felony charges including elder exploitation, identity fraud, and mortgage fraud related to her relationship with a 96-year-old constituent whose bank accounts and properties she controlled. According to civil court filings and law enforcement, Hill allegedly drained approximately $100,000 from the elderly woman's accounts between 2021 and the present to fund personal expenses including home renovations, clothing, cosmetic surgery, and a Miami hotel stay, while also using the victim's resources to purchase property. Hill faces up to 180 years in prison if convicted on all counts and has been ordered to cease contact with the victim's homes an
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, 58, pleaded not guilty to multiple felony charges including elder exploitation, identity fraud, mortgage fraud, and scheming to defraud after being indicted by a grand jury for allegedly exploiting a 96-year-old constituent. According to civil court filings, Hill gained power of attorney over the elderly woman starting in 2021 and allegedly drained approximately $100,000 from her bank accounts to fund home renovations, personal expenses, and a house purchase, while living in one of the victim's properties. If convicted on all charges, Hill faces up to 180 years in prison.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Carla Magaly Alcedo Mendoza, a 43-year-old from Lima, Peru, was extradited to the United States to face federal charges for operating call center fraud schemes from 2013 to 2018 that targeted Spanish-speaking Americans. Alcedo and her co-conspirators falsely posed as representatives of universities and government agencies, luring victims with promises of financial assistance for English language programs, then extorted them by demanding payment for fabricated fees and threatening legal action or arrest. This marks the fourteenth arrest and tenth extradition in the investigation; if convicted on all 18 counts, Alcedo faces up to 20 years in prison per count.
witn.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, imposter scams remain the most commonly reported fraud category, with emerging threats including AI scams, synthetic identity fraud, and fake charity schemes. One Pitt County resident lost over $12,000 after scammers posed as Microsoft support and convinced her to call a fraudulent number, highlighting how scammers use fear tactics to manipulate victims. Experts recommend staying calm when receiving suspicious emails or calls, avoiding clicking links or calling provided numbers, and contacting legitimate technology professionals for verification.
dauphin.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
On March 28th, Swatara Township Police Department partnered with PSECU and multiple law enforcement agencies to host a Senior Fraud Forum at the PSECU building in Harrisburg, PA, where over 200 seniors attended in-person or online to learn about preventing fraud targeting older adults. Law enforcement specialists from Dauphin County, including Detective Chris Seiler and representatives from state police, the PA Attorney General's Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspector's office, conducted panel discussions to address seniors' questions about scams and fraud prevention strategies. The forum was designed to combat the significant increases in fraud cases against seniors that have occurred in recent years.
theadvocate.com
· 2025-12-08
On March 18, representatives from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office Financial Crimes Division presented to the GFWC Lagniappe Club about senior financial scams, providing awareness and educational information to help protect elderly community members from fraud.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational resource outlines common investment scams including Ponzi schemes, boiler room scams, pump-and-dump schemes, advance fee fraud, crypto scams, and affinity fraud that exploit trust within specific communities. Key red flags to avoid include guaranteed returns, artificial urgency, unclear information, unsolicited offers, and promises that seem too good to be true. Consumers are advised to conduct independent research, request verified financial statements, and report suspected scams to authorities.
clarechampion.ie
· 2025-12-08
This Irish awareness article highlights the rising sophistication of financial scams and provides protective measures for potential victims. Key scam types targeting young people include money muling (using personal bank accounts to launder stolen funds, which carries criminal penalties), ticket fraud for sold-out events, and phishing schemes, with victims losing €8.6 million in the first half of 2023. The article advises protecting finances through strong passwords, two-factor authentication, vigilance against unsolicited contact, and using only official vendors for ticket purchases.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Highlands County business and a related construction company fell victim to an elaborate $60,725 fraud scheme involving email hacking and romance scam elements. Taufiq Kailani, 47, was arrested in March after a multi-year FDLE investigation; he hacked into one company's email to send fraudulent wire instructions while simultaneously convincing an elderly woman to open a bank account and withdraw the stolen funds as part of a romance scam. The money was subsequently sent overseas and remains unrecovered, highlighting the importance of verifying financial requests through direct phone contact rather than relying on email alone.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Valerie of Illinois lost nearly $100,000 in a PayPal phishing scam that began with fraudulent billing emails in January 2023. After calling a number in the suspicious emails, a scammer convinced her to download remote access software, then manipulated her account to make it appear he had deposited $100,000 while actually stealing that amount from her savings. She eventually received a full refund in February after local news coverage prompted Blue Ridge Bank to assist, though her initial fraud report from Chase Bank had been declined.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 47-year-old woman in Trichy was defrauded of 8.6 lakh rupees by online scammers who lured her through a social media clickbait offering fake stock market investment opportunities. After clicking the link and making an online payment in March, the scammers ceased communication and the victim realized she had been deceived, prompting her to file a complaint with the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal. Trichy city cybercrime police initiated an investigation into the case.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A 22-year-old man named Zhi Gao was sentenced to two years of probation for his role in defrauding a 65-year-old San Diego woman of over $200,000 in life savings through a multi-stage scam. The scam began with a fake Microsoft pop-up message on her computer, escalated to fraudulent Chase Bank calls claiming account fraud, and resulted in the victim making multiple cash withdrawals of $20,000-$30,000 that she handed to couriers; Gao was arrested during a sting operation while attempting to collect a final $30,000 payment, and has paid $30,000 in restitution
morningjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating U.S. Marshals, court officers, and law enforcement officials are calling victims claiming they owe fines for identity theft, missed jury duty, or civil violations, then pressuring them to pay immediately via cash deposits to bitcoin ATMs to avoid arrest. The scammers use spoofed government phone numbers, real badge numbers, and actual official names to appear credible. The U.S. Marshals Service clarified that it never demands payment by phone or requests financial information, and victims should report such calls to local law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission.
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
A husband and wife from Burlington County, New Jersey (Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu), along with a third codefendant, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and unlawful money-transmitting charges for their roles in a romance fraud scheme that defrauded over 100 victims of more than $4.5 million between October 2016 and May 2020. The conspirators, some based in Nigeria, posed as romantic interests on dating sites, built relationships with victims, and requested money for fake emergencies, which they then spent on personal expenses or transferred to overseas accounts without paying taxes.
ici.radio-canada.ca
· 2025-12-08
Richmond, B.C. RCMP warned of a surge in romance-investment scams that cost victims over $16 million in 2023, with 87 reported cases that year and another 12 cases totaling nearly $500,000 in losses between January and March 2024. Scammers groom victims through dating websites and social media over weeks or months, building trust before convincing them to invest in fraudulent schemes, often involving cryptocurrencies and fake investment returns. Police also issued a warning about a "speeding ticket" text scam designed to steal personal and financial information by directing victims to a fake website mimicking the government's legitimate PayBC payment portal.
tampabay.com
· 2025-12-08
Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill was indicted on charges of elder exploitation, identity fraud, mortgage fraud, and scheming to defraud after allegedly abusing her power of attorney over a 96-year-old constituent to drain approximately $100,000 from the woman's bank accounts between 2021 and the investigation period, using the funds for personal expenses including home renovations, cosmetic surgery, and luxury items. Hill faced three counts of elder exploitation, two counts of identity fraud, and single counts of mortgage fraud and scheming to defraud of at least $50,000, and was held on a $40,000 bond. The city indicated that if suspended by the governor, a special election would be hel
newsdaytonabeach.com
· 2025-12-08
Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, 63, was arrested for allegedly exploiting a 96-year-old woman in her district by withdrawing over $100,000 from the victim's savings account for personal use. Hill was charged with three counts of exploitation of the elderly, two counts of fraud, and one count each of mortgage fraud and scheme to defraud, with a temporary protective injunction issued to sever contact between Hill and the victim. A former aide of Hill's served as a whistleblower after being terminated for raising concerns about the commissioner's misconduct.
wmfe.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested on charges of elderly abuse and fraud, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The article also includes information on elder fraud prevention resources, including AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline (1-877-908-3360), and covers additional Orlando-area news regarding anti-squatting legislation and a community celebration of Mister Rogers' legacy.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Pinellas County man was arrested and charged with two counts of felony exploitation of elderly or disabled adults after stealing approximately $69,300 from two vulnerable victims he was close to by gaining access to their bank accounts and using the funds for personal expenses, including a house down payment. The victims were evicted from assisted living facilities as a result of depleted funds and forced to move in with the defendant in the home he purchased with their money. The case highlights a broader problem in Florida, where over 8,100 fraud reports involving seniors aged 60+ were filed in the past year, resulting in losses exceeding $290 million.
wkow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Dane County Sheriff's Office reports that artificial intelligence is being increasingly used in "Grandparent Scams," where scammers use AI-generated voice recordings created from online videos to impersonate grandchildren in distress and convince seniors to send money. The scam has become more convincing and effective at stealing thousands of dollars from vulnerable elderly victims. Authorities recommend tightening social media privacy settings, hanging up and independently calling family members to verify claims, and reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement.
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
Three New Jersey residents—married couple Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, plus Oluwaseyi Fatolu—pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam from 2016 to 2020 that defrauded over 100 victims of $4.5 million. The defendants posed as romantic interests on dating sites and social media to convince victims to send money for fictitious emergencies, with funds wired to U.S. bank accounts, mailed as checks, or transferred overseas to accomplices in Nigeria and Turkey, while the defendants spent proceeds on personal expenses and cash withdrawals.
summitdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
The Summit County Sheriff's Office warned residents of ongoing telephone fraud schemes in which callers impersonate law enforcement and claim victims have outstanding warrants or missed jury duty, demanding payment via prepaid credit cards or gift cards. The Sheriff's Office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement will never call to demand electronic payments and advised residents to hang up on suspicious calls and verify caller identity by independently calling non-emergency dispatch.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Richmond, B.C. RCMP warned of a significant rise in romance investment scams in 2023, with 87 reported cases resulting in over $16 million in losses, continuing into 2024 with 12 cases and nearly $500,000 lost in just three months. These "long-con" scams involve fraudsters grooming victims through dating websites and social media over weeks or months, building trust before convincing them to invest in fake schemes often involving cryptocurrencies and displaying fabricated returns. The RCMP also warned of a separate "speeding ticket" phishing scam using text messages with fake government websites designed to steal personal and financial information.
nj.com
· 2025-12-08
A New Jersey married couple, Martins Friday Inalegwu (35) and Steincy Mathieu (27), admitted to stealing at least $4.5 million from over 100 victims through an online romance scam operating from October 2016 to May 2020, using dating websites and social media to build fake relationships before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. The perpetrators received funds via wire transfers, checks, Western Union, MoneyGram, and international bank accounts in Turkey and Nigeria, and also failed to pay taxes on the stolen money. Inalegwu pleaded guilty to money transmitting violations and tax evasion, while Mathieu
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2023 and March 2024, Richmond, B.C. RCMP reported 99 romance scam cases totaling over $16 million in losses, with scammers using dating websites and social media to build trust with victims over weeks or months before convincing them to invest in fraudulent schemes, often involving cryptocurrencies. The article also warns of a separate "speeding ticket scam" where fake text messages direct victims to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and financial information by impersonating official government traffic violation notices.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Reall) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money from romance scams targeting older Americans, facing up to five years in prison and ordered to forfeit and pay restitution of $2,164,758.41. The scams victimized elderly Americans through fraudulent romantic relationships that resulted in financial theft. Montrage was arrested abroad and her case was prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice's Southern District of New York.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Former licensed insurance agent Brett E. Lovett was found guilty of 29 felony counts including grand theft, elder abuse, and money laundering for defrauding at least nine victims, including senior citizens, of approximately $1.2 million between 2011 and 2016. Lovett befriended vulnerable victims at places of worship and through a legal aid business, then misappropriated their money intended for nonexistent investments or financial management by using powers of attorney and promissory notes. This conviction followed a prior 2007 CFTC case in which Lovett was ordered to pay over $675,000 in restitution for commodity futures fraud, penalties he never
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Angel Giancarlo Bellido Cosio and Angel Eugenio Bances Chaponan, both Peruvian citizens, were indicted on federal charges of credit card fraud and identity theft for operating a distraction theft scheme at Trader Joe's and other retail stores across the United States. The defendants rented vehicles using fraudulent passports, stole wallets from victims, and then used the stolen credit and debit cards to purchase electronic devices and other merchandise. Both men were arrested on March 13, 2024, and face up to 10 years imprisonment for access device fraud plus a mandatory 2-year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Jo O'Brien lost her $500,000 divorce settlement after being deceived by scammers who impersonated AMP employees through a fake comparison website and convinced her to transfer funds into what she believed was her own investment account but was actually controlled by a fraudulent shell company called Supercheap Security. Over $1.3 million from multiple victims was funneled through a NAB bank account, and O'Brien alleges the bank was slow to freeze the account even after she reported the fraud, allowing an additional $275,000 to be transferred overseas. The account operator, Hassan Mehdi, was arrested attempting to leave Australia but charges were later dropped, with the case highlighting vulner
ktemnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece provides five key scam prevention tips for Texas residents: legitimate prizes do not require upfront payment; real law enforcement will not threaten arrest or deportation by phone to collect debts; legitimate businesses allow time for decision-making rather than pressuring immediate commitment; scammers use untraceable payment methods like wire transfers and gift cards; and government agencies will never call unsolicited to request sensitive personal information. The advice emphasizes recognizing pressure tactics, verifying caller identity, and avoiding irreversible payment methods as primary safeguards against common fraud schemes.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Loan fraud is surging as financial pressures from inflation and rising costs push vulnerable populations to seek credit, with scammers exploiting this desperation through various schemes. Common tactics include advance-fee fraud (requesting upfront payments for loans that never materialize), student loan forgiveness scams, phishing for personal information, and malicious loan apps—with victims in the UK losing an average of £255 ($323) per incident. Those most at risk are young people, seniors, low-income households, and individuals with poor credit scores who are targeted because they're most likely to be desperate for quick funding.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are a sophisticated investment fraud scheme in which scammers create fake online identities to build trust with victims before stealing their money, often through fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. The scams use social engineering, AI-generated content, and emotional manipulation to exploit victims' vulnerabilities, with billions of dollars in global losses reported. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited messages, verify financial advice independently, and immediately report any suspected scam to your bank and law enforcement.
vancouversun.com
· 2025-12-08
Richmond RCMP reported a significant rise in romance-investment scams in 2023, with victims losing over $16 million across 87 reported cases, and an additional 12 cases reported in early 2024 resulting in nearly $500,000 in losses. These "long-con scams" involve criminals grooming victims over weeks or months through dating websites and social media, building trust before convincing them to invest in fraudulent schemes, often involving cryptocurrencies and fake investment returns. Police advise the public to be skeptical of unsolicited romantic contacts, especially from attractive profiles, and note that legitimate romantic interests should not involve requests for money.
nationalpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Richmond, B.C. residents lost over $16 million to romance-investment scams in 2023, with 87 reported cases involving criminals who groomed victims over weeks or months through dating websites and social media before convincing them to invest in fraudulent schemes, typically involving cryptocurrencies. Police noted an alarming continuation of the trend with 12 additional cases reported in early 2024 resulting in nearly $500,000 in losses, and suspect actual victim numbers are higher due to underreporting stemming from embarrassment or fear. Authorities advise the public to be skeptical of unsolicited romantic contacts, especially from unusually attractive profiles or strangers promising investment returns.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three men—Blade Bai, Bowen Hu, and Tairan Shi—were sentenced to 15, 10, and 8 years in prison respectively for laundering gift card fraud proceeds between June 2019 and November 2020. The defendants acquired over 5,000 Target gift card numbers (typically valued at $500 each) from a Chinese fraud ring called "Magic Lamp," then used runners to quickly liquidate the cards by purchasing high-value electronics, targeting mostly elderly victims who had been deceived by telephone scammers posing as government officials or tech support personnel. The scheme involved a transnational network designed to prevent Target from reimburs
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three Los Angeles County men were sentenced to federal prison (15, 10, and 8 years respectively) for laundering gift cards stolen from telephone scam victims, acquiring over 5,000 Target gift card numbers from a Chinese fraud operation called "Magic Lamp" and using runners to quickly liquidate them at retail stores. The scheme targeted mostly older adults between June 2019 and November 2020, with victims defrauded through impersonation scams by government officials and tech support, and the defendants ordered to pay restitution totaling $194,387.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
John Sapienza, 60, of the Bronx was sentenced to 38 months in prison for aggravated identity theft and attempted bank fraud, along with co-defendant Tyshawn Wilson, who received 44 months. Between January 6-11, 2023, the pair travelled to multiple bank locations in New York and Kentucky attempting to withdraw funds from customer accounts using counterfeit IDs bearing Sapienza's photograph with victims' identifying information, until their arrest by Fort Thomas Police on January 11, 2023.
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Indian nationals, Anil Mangukia, 39, and Yash Navadia, 25, were indicted on money laundering conspiracy charges for their roles in an elder fraud courier scam targeting older Americans, including a victim in Warren, Ohio. The defendants and coconspirators stole more than $127,000 and attempted to steal an additional $650,000 by posing as bank employees and government agents, falsely claiming victims' accounts were compromised and instructing them to transfer money, purchase gold, or meet in person to hand over cash and valuables. The perpetrators employed multiple deception tactics including cryptocurrency transfers, direct bank transfers, and physical courier exchanges of
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), a violent Mexican drug cartel, orchestrated a sophisticated timeshare scam that defrauded Americans of approximately $40 million in 2022, with victims including many elderly citizens who lost their life savings. The scheme, which evolved from Puerto Vallarta to popular tourist destinations like Cancun, involved multiple layers of deception including high-pressure sales tactics, upfront fees, and fake recovery lawyers making restitution promises over years-long periods. The FBI received over 600 complaints with losses of $39.6 million in 2022, prompting federal sanctions against the cartel's network and a multi-agency
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG) orchestrated a sophisticated timeshare scam that defrauded Americans of approximately $40 million in 2022, with many elderly victims losing their life savings. The scheme, originating in Puerto Vallarta and expanding to tourist destinations like Cancun, involved high-pressure sales tactics, upfront fees, and years-long follow-up scams posing as recovery lawyers—one victim alone lost nearly $1.8 million through 99 wire transfers. The U.S. Treasury and FBI responded with sanctions and warnings starting in 2023, freezing assets and restricting dealings with identified companies and fugitives involve
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), a Mexican drug cartel, orchestrated a sophisticated timeshare fraud scheme that defrauded Americans of approximately $40 million in 2022 alone, with the scam now estimated to steal hundreds of millions annually. The operation targeted elderly U.S. citizens, using high-pressure tactics to collect upfront fees for timeshare sales, then became evasive; scammers later posed as lawyers offering false restitution to keep victims engaged through repeated wire transfers. The FBI received over 600 complaints in 2022, and the U.S. Treasury imposed multiple rounds of sanctions against cartel members and Mexican companies involve
hawaiipolice.com
· 2025-12-08
The Hawai'i Police Department issued a warning after receiving multiple reports of scammers calling Big Island residents while impersonating police officers or court officials using spoofed caller ID numbers displaying HPD phone numbers. The fraudsters claim victims have outstanding warrants and attempt to extract personal information or payments, though legitimate HPD officers never request such information or money over the phone. Residents are advised to verify caller identity through official channels, refuse to share personal details, remain skeptical of urgent threats, and contact police dispatch at (808) 935-3311 to verify suspicious calls.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three New Jersey residents pleaded guilty to operating a romance fraud scheme from 2016 to 2020 that defrauded over 100 victims of millions of dollars. Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, along with co-conspirator Oluwaseyi Fatolu, worked with accomplices in Nigeria to pose as romantic partners on dating sites, convincing victims to send money while evading taxes on their illegal proceeds. The defendants face charges including unlawful money transmitting, tax evasion, and conspiracy related to the multi-million dollar scheme.
floridadaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Taufiq Mohammed Kailani of Daytona Beach was arrested for using a business email imposter scam to defraud two construction companies of $60,725 by posing as an employee and sending a counterfeit bank letter to trick one company into wiring funds. Kailani exploited an elderly victim he met through a romance scam to open a fraudulent bank account and withdraw the stolen money, which the victim unwittingly facilitated. He was charged with organized fraud, fraudulent use of personal identification information, and money laundering, with bail set at $1.5 million.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old woman lost $60,000 in a wire fraud scam when she received a fraudulent email impersonating her title company to send a down payment for a home purchase in Memphis, Tennessee in January 2023. Scammers had hacked the title company's system to obtain property details and mimic the agent's communication style, making the fake email appear legitimate until she noticed a misspelled realtor's name an hour after wiring the funds. Although the Secret Service eventually recovered her money, she missed out on the property purchase, highlighting the increasingly sophisticated nature of wire transfer fraud targeting real estate transactions.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Allegheny County Sheriff's Office reported an increase in phone scams over a 10-day period targeting medical and education professionals. Scammers impersonated legal authorities, claiming victims missed jury duty or court testimony and threatened arrest unless they paid fines via gift cards or payment apps. Authorities identified requests for gift card or app-based payments as a red flag indicator of fraudulent calls and urged victims to report them to the sheriff's office.
blogto.com
· 2025-12-08
Toronto residents are experiencing a surge in scams targeting seniors and vulnerable citizens, including fraudulent speeding ticket texts, rental listing scams (with victims losing up to $3,600), 407 ETR toll highway payment scams via text message, and grandparent scams that have defrauded over 200 Toronto victims of more than $1 million since 2021. Recent cases include an 87-year-old who lost $10,000 when scammers falsely claimed her grandson needed bail money for drug possession charges, highlighting how fraudsters exploit urgency and trust in authorities to manipulate victims.
cybershack.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old tech-savvy reader named John fell victim to an online scam after clicking on a fake ad-blocker offer, compromising his credit card and personal information; scammers made several fraudulent purchases within 24 hours before he took corrective action. The article outlines common online scam types—including email phishing, SMS fraud, malware/ransomware, and fake websites—and provides protective measures such as using clean email addresses, running malware detection software, maintaining backups, and remaining skeptical of unsolicited offers. The key message is that online scams affect people across all technical skill levels, and awareness combined with proactive security practices can help
sundayworld.com
· 2025-12-08
The Black Axe gang, a West African organized crime network with approximately 1,100 members in Ireland, has amassed a fortune primarily through cyber fraud rather than drug trafficking. The gang specializes in investment scams, romance fraud, and Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes, with 226 Irish victims of investment fraud losing an average of €40,000-€50,000 each in the past year, while €7 million has been stolen through romance fraud targeting vulnerable women over the past five years. Irish law enforcement has made over 377 arrests as of last June and continues weekly operations under Operation Skein, which contributes to Interpol's international Operation
thirteen.org
· 2025-12-08
FBI and IRS special agents visited the Pemberton Senior Center in Browns Mills to warn seniors about increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes targeting their age group. The agents provided education on common fraud tactics and prevention strategies to help seniors protect themselves from these growing threats.