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manoa.hawaii.edu
The University of Hawaiʻi Department of Public Safety issued a warning about "financially motivated sextortion," a crime where online predators pose as someone else to coerce victims into creating sexually explicit images or videos, then demand payment or threaten to share the material with the victim's family and friends. Predators typically target victims through social media, dating apps, and gaming platforms by creating fake profiles or hacking legitimate accounts, and may demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Victims are urged to report incidents to law enforcement, block the predator, and avoid paying money, as cooperating with extortionists rarely stops the harassment.
businessinsider.com
Nigerian-based online criminals known as "Yahoo Boys" conduct romance scams that cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with victims—often elderly people targeted for retirement funds and life savings—losing substantial amounts; the scam has become more sophisticated as perpetrators now use AI-generated deepfakes and video calls to impersonate romantic interests and financial officials. A 69-year-old widow lost $39,000 of her life savings, and in Utah alone, victims lost $3.6 million to these scams in 2022, prompting law enforcement to recommend reverse image searches and caution against sending money to people met only online.
bbc.com
A 24-year-old Sri Lankan man named Ravi was trafficked to a scam center in Myanmar under false pretenses of a data entry job, where he and approximately 40 other migrant workers were forced to conduct romance scams targeting wealthy Western men, working up to 22 hours daily and facing torture and sexual violence when they resisted. According to UN estimates from August 2023, over 120,000 people—predominantly Asian men—have been enslaved in Myanmar scam centers that generate billions of dollars for Chinese crime syndicates and armed groups, with romance scams alone accounting for $652 million in losses across 17,000+ US complaints in
mdjonline.com
The North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force, a nonprofit organization of law enforcement and social service professionals, trains investigators and conducts prevention workshops to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation in Georgia. The organization identifies "romance scams" as the most prevalent type of fraud targeting seniors over 65, in which scammers build fake romantic relationships through social media and dating sites to manipulate lonely, isolated older adults into sending money or serving as money mules for laundering schemes. Victims often delay reporting because they are embarrassed by significant losses and reluctant to accept they were deceived, with only about one in 30 victims filing police reports.
readthereporter.com
American Senior Communities partnered with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana to present free educational sessions on avoiding elder fraud, which costs seniors over $5.9 billion annually through scams involving impersonation, romance schemes, and fake investment opportunities. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Eakman will teach seniors how to identify common scams, recover from them, and report fraud to appropriate authorities. The series begins April 22 at The Commons on Meridian assisted living community in Indianapolis.
thestatehousefile.com
This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It covers Indiana state political appointments, utility rate decisions, and reproductive health policy matters. It does not contain content relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.
ksltv.com
A fake lottery scam targeting truckers operated at a Flying J truck stop in Willard, Utah in April 2024, where three men approached drivers claiming they had won the lottery and would double their cash if they withdrew it. Once victims pulled out their money, the suspects would take it and flee, with at least one reported victim losing cash in the incident. Police warn the public to be cautious of unsolicited money-doubling offers at gas stations and truck stops, as these schemes are designed to exploit the generosity victims expect from apparent good Samaritans.
wtop.com
In the past year, 2.5 million Americans lost $10 billion to scams—a $1 billion increase from 2022—with investment scams being the costliest at $4.6 billion despite ranking fourth in frequency, and imposter scams (claiming to be government, banks, or companies) being most common at $2.7 billion in losses. The FTC warns that scammers use increasingly aggressive tactics including promises of guaranteed investment returns, pressure to act quickly, and requests to move money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, while legitimate businesses never unexpectedly contact people asking for money or personal information. Experts estimate these reported figures represent only a
justice.gov
A 70-year-old Carlsbad retiree was defrauded of $1.335 million over several months by a multinational scam operation that began with a fake pop-up warning about a hacked computer. The scammers, posing as tech support, bank, and government employees, manipulated the victim into purchasing Bitcoin and gold bars under the false premise of securing her assets, with perpetrator Xilin Sun arrested in February 2024 during a controlled FBI delivery attempt when he was caught receiving a package meant to contain $100,000 in gold.
frontiersman.com
Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Bureau of Investigations warned residents of two active scams operating statewide: a "Cash for Gold" scheme where perpetrators offer to exchange counterfeit jewelry for cash under the pretense of replacing lost IDs or fixing vehicles, and a "Violin" scam (details not fully specified in excerpt). The Cash for Gold scam has resulted in several confrontational and physical incidents with victims.
moco360.media
A Silver Spring woman lost nearly $800,000 in a gold bar scam after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from the FTC's Office of the Inspector General, instructing her to convert assets to gold for "safekeeping" by the FBI and Treasury Department. Montgomery County police report approximately a dozen similar victims in the past year losing over $5 million total, with only one arrest made—courier Wenhui Sun, 34, who allegedly picked up gold bars from victims; scammers target this method because gold is untraceable and has universal value across countries. The FBI warns that government agencies and legitimate businesses never request citizens purchase gold or precious metals, and urges
thesentinel.com
A 34-year-old California man was arrested for his role in a government-imposter gold bar scam that defrauded an elderly Leisure World resident of over $700,000 in Montgomery County, Maryland. The scammer impersonated FTC and FBI officials, falsely claiming the victim was an identity theft victim requiring protective measures, and instructed her to purchase gold bars from an online retailer; the victim wired approximately $788,000 in two transactions and handed over the gold bars to couriers in parking lots before realizing the theft. This represents one of a dozen similar incidents reported in Montgomery County over six months, targeting vulnerable seniors in the community.
which.co.uk
An Age UK survey found that nearly 4.9 million people over 50 fear answering the phone due to scam risks, with 2.8 million also anxious about opening their doors, leading some to withdraw from society by avoiding the internet, smartphones, or going outside. Analysis of ONS data indicates approximately four people over 50 are scammed every minute, with older adults particularly vulnerable to doorstep scams (90% of victims aged 65+), postal scams (average victim age 75), and phone scams involving impersonation and number spoofing technology. Age UK recommends five prevention steps: stop and avoid on-the-spot decisions, check credentials,
iredellfreenews.com
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina is warning residents about IRS imposter scams and other fraud schemes that disproportionately target older adults, with the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report noting that individuals 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses—the highest among all age groups. Common scams include government impersonation (IRS, SSA, sheriff's office), tech support scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, and non-delivery schemes, with authorities emphasizing that reporting fraud helps recover stolen funds and identify emerging criminal trends.
newstopicnews.com
The U.S. Attorney's Office issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes disproportionately targeting older adults, which cause substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted educational "Fraud Bingo" sessions at senior centers to help older adults recognize scam tactics and encourage fraud reporting to authorities.
news.azpm.org
Kitboga, a computer engineer-turned-Twitch streamer with 1.2 million followers, is a prominent "scam baiter" who poses as vulnerable individuals to waste scammers' time and expose their tactics through livestreamed videos. Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to internet crimes in the past year (a 22% increase from the previous year), yet law enforcement lacks resources to investigate most cases; Kitboga aims to reduce actual victims by keeping fraudsters occupied while educating viewers about common scams like tech support fraud, romance scams, and pig butchering schemes. He was inspired to start scam baiting in 2017 after
cpr.org
Internet scammers targeted over 10,000 Coloradans in the past year, stealing $187.6 million, with investment fraud, business email compromise, and tech support scams causing the largest losses statewide. People 60 and older were the most victimized group and suffered the greatest financial losses, while tech support scams and extortion schemes saw notable increases; nationally, phishing, personal data breaches, and cryptocurrency investment fraud (up 50% in losses) emerged as significant threats.
justice.gov
The U.S. Attorney's Office in North Carolina warned the public about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, particularly around Tax Day. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors used an interactive "Fraud Bingo" educational tool at a senior center to help older adults, caregivers, and community workers recognize fraud tactics and report suspicious activity to help recover stolen funds and identify emerging
npr.org
Kitboga, a software engineer-turned-Twitch streamer with 1.2 million followers, poses as elderly people and other characters to waste scammers' time and expose their tactics, inspired by his grandmother's vulnerability to tech support scams. By documenting his interactions with fraudsters on livestream, he educates viewers about common scams including romance schemes, pig butchering, and gift card fraud, while Americans lose a record $12.5 billion annually to internet crimes. His scam-baiting efforts aim to reduce the number of actual victims by keeping perpetrators occupied and helping people recognize fraud through his educational content.
wccbcharlotte.com
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, noting that victims often suffer substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted "Fraud Bingo" education sessions at senior centers to teach older adults about fraudster tactics and encourage reporting to help identify trends and recover stolen funds.
welivesecurity.com
This article examines cryptocurrency fraud threats, particularly as Bitcoin's value surges and a halving event approaches, attracting both legitimate interest and malicious actors. The main threats include malware like Lumma Stealer and crypto drainers (which stole $59 million and $47 million respectively), phishing scams using spoofed social media accounts and fake investment platforms, and social engineering attacks such as celebrity impersonation schemes. The article advises cryptocurrency users to protect themselves against these unregulated market threats through awareness and digital security practices.
wired.com
Ryan, a self-employed business owner, invested $750 in a Rebel Satoshi memecoin presale in early 2021, attracted by what appeared to be legitimate credentials including a Yahoo Finance press release and credit card payment option. After the token's March launch, the developers changed the terms of token distribution, the price collapsed 65%, and the project pivoted to promoting a different token—all indicators of an exit scam that technical analysis confirmed contained suspicious code designed to benefit the developers. This case exemplifies how scammers exploit FOMO (fear of missing out) in the memecoin market, where presale scams increased fivefold in March 2021 with approximately
mercurynews.com
Thirty-one Marin County residents lost $33 million to online investment scams in 2023, with the FBI's San Francisco territory reporting nearly $400 million in total losses across multiple counties, and nationwide losses reaching $4.5 billion (a 38% increase from the prior year). Scammers typically promise unrealistic returns on "innovative" investments or cryptocurrency schemes, either failing to invest victims' money or investing only a portion while pocketing the rest. The FBI advises victims to report schemes immediately to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, as those involving wire transfers may be recoverable with prompt reporting.
9news.com
Colorado residents lost more than $187 million to cybercriminals in 2023, an increase of nearly $9 million from 2022, with investment fraud ($60 million), business email compromise ($57 million), and tech support scams ($23 million) being the top three fraud types reported in the state. Nationally, seniors were the most victimized age group with over 100,000 complaints totaling more than $3 billion in losses, while those over 60 accounted for more than half of tech support scam losses. The FBI received over 880,000 cybercrime complaints nationwide in 2023 with potential losses exceeding $12.5
opb.org
Kitboga, a Twitch streamer and "scam baiter," poses as vulnerable characters (like an elderly woman named Edna) to waste scammers' time and expose their tactics, preventing them from targeting real victims. With Americans losing a record $12.5 billion to internet crimes in the latest year—a 22% jump from the previous year—Kitboga uses his 1.2 million Twitch followers to educate viewers about common scams including tech support fraud, gift card scams, and "pig butchering" (romance-investment scams involving cryptocurrency). Inspired by his grandmother's vulnerability to scams and a chatbot
the-sun.com
Cybersecurity experts at Trend Micro have identified five prevalent Google Chat scams targeting users: romance scams involving emotional manipulation and requests for money, phishing attempts seeking personal information, fake tech support messages claiming account issues and requesting payment or remote access, fraudulent job offers, and investment scams promising high returns. Users are advised to be skeptical of unsolicited messages offering deals that seem too good to be true, avoid sending money to people known only online, never grant remote access to devices, and verify the identity of anyone requesting information or immediate action.
thaiexaminer.com
Thai police disrupted a transnational call scam network operating across Asia that planned to use Elon Musk's Starlink satellite system to bypass traditional telecommunications networks and conduct fraud operations targeting Thai residents. The operation, believed to be Chinese-controlled and staffed by Burmese, Thai, Lao, and Chinese personnel, was based in the Golden Triangle region near Laos and Cambodia; authorities intercepted a shipment of high-tech communications equipment valued at approximately ฿5.4 million destined for the area. This discovery marks the first time Starlink technology was found being used for criminal purposes in Thailand and comes after reports indicating Thai people are highly susceptible to online
wgal.com
The Better Business Bureau identifies the top 10 scams targeting small businesses, which are attractive to scammers because business owners are often distracted and lack robust cybersecurity support. Common schemes include phony invoices for unordered supplies, stolen identity/brand hijacking through fake websites, directory listing scams, phishing emails, office supply fraud, and vanity award scams (which charge fees for worthless honors). Small business owners should be aware of these tactics to protect themselves from financial losses.
marinij.com
Thirty-one Marin County residents lost $33 million to online investment scams in 2023, according to an FBI report, with the broader San Francisco territory reporting nearly $400 million in losses across multiple counties. The typical scam involves criminals promising unrealistic returns on investments (often cryptocurrency-related) and either failing to invest victim funds or pocketing most of the money, exploiting victims' lack of knowledge about complex financial products. Nationwide, online investment fraud losses reached $4.5 billion in 2023, a 38% increase from the prior year, and the FBI recommends victims file complaints immediately through its Internet Crime Complaint Center, as some funds may be recoverable
punekarnews.in
Eight residents of Wagholi, Pune were defrauded of Rs. 88 lakh 29 thousand in cyber scams over 25 days (March 21–April 12, 2024), with victims targeted through fake online job opportunities and investment schemes conducted via platforms like Telegram. The most recent victim, a 32-year-old, lost Rs. 14 lakh 99 thousand after being promised substantial returns that never materialized, and reported the fraud to police. The incidents highlight a pattern of cybercriminals exploiting residents' desire for quick financial gains despite existing awareness of such crimes.
nzherald.co.nz
Offshore scammers stole approximately $6.7 million from 25 New Zealand victims who shared their stories with the Herald, with only $700,000 recovered, representing part of hundreds of millions stolen annually from Kiwis. The scams involved sophisticated fraudsters posing as investment advisers from major banks (Citibank, HSBC, Macquarie) using fake prospectuses and call-routing software to appear legitimate, while directing victims to deposit money into local "holding accounts" controlled by money mules. Victims—including business owners, retirees, health workers, and a politician—experienced significant emotional trauma and shame, with most complaints to the Banking
techtimes.com
Hong Kong authorities arrested 1,121 people in "Operation AttackPlan," a major crackdown on a cross-border online scam ring linked to 952 fraud cases totaling approximately HK$2.2 billion (US$280 million) in losses. The operation dismantled a money laundering syndicate that had moved over HK$230 million through "stooge accounts" and cryptocurrency purchases, with the syndicate recruiting mainlanders to facilitate illicit fund transfers between Hong Kong and mainland China. The busts come as Hong Kong faces a surge in fraud, with online scams accounting for nearly 68% of cases and authorities urging the public to use detection tools to identify suspicious
justice.gov
Uwemedimo Umoren, a Georgia man, was sentenced to three years in prison for laundering over $8 million in proceeds from a Nigeria-based fraud enterprise that operated from 2016 to 2021. The criminal scheme primarily targeted vulnerable elderly Americans through investment, business email compromise, and romance scams, with at least 17 victims suffering significant financial and emotional harm, including one elderly man whose stress-induced stroke contributed to his death. Umoren was ordered to forfeit $8.23 million and pay $1.24 million in restitution for his role in receiving and laundering the fraud proceeds through shell company bank accounts he controlled.
menafn.com
A hotel owner in Bengaluru lost Rs 48,000 after a man posing as a technician offered to update his Paytm scanner for one rupee; the scammer instead deducted the full amount from the victim's account and fled. The incident underscores a growing "scanner update" fraud targeting shop owners, with authorities warning the public to verify the legitimacy of strangers offering digital services and to avoid granting device access without proper verification.
justice.gov
Between 2018 and 2022, six collegiate track and field athletes at U.S. universities received and transferred over $820,000 in proceeds from Nigerian-based fraud schemes (romance, goods, and military scams) that targeted more than 100 American victims. Aniekeme Etim, a 24-year-old from Georgia, was sentenced to three years of probation, a $74,847.52 fine, and $123,116.50 in restitution for her role as a money conduit, while her co-defendants received prison sentences ranging from 36 to 46 months and remain subject to deportation.
beaconjournal.com
A Tallmadge police sergeant investigated a 2019 online dating scam that defrauded a local woman of $60,000 and uncovered a multi-state money-laundering operation involving victims across Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, and Texas, including one couple who lost $375,000. The investigation led to the arrest of six people in Rhode Island who were processing fraudulent funds through compromised bank accounts and money orders. The FBI reported 19,000 romance scam complaints nationally in 2022 with losses exceeding $739 million, typically targeting women over 40.
justice.gov
Three men were charged with money laundering conspiracy and operating an unlicensed money transmitting business after laundering over $4.5 million in proceeds from business email compromise schemes and romance scams targeting elderly victims between 2020 and 2023. The defendants directed victims to wire funds into bank accounts they controlled, then depleted those accounts through multiple withdrawals and transfers, including to overseas accounts, while keeping a percentage of the fraudulent proceeds. One co-conspirator has already pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
wdam.com
Six collegiate track athletes, including former William Carey University athlete Aniekeme Etim, were prosecuted for operating an unlicensed money transmission business that facilitated overseas fraud schemes between 2018 and 2022. Nigerian-based fraudsters used romance scams, fraudulent goods scams, and military scams to target over 100 U.S. victims, with the athletes receiving and transferring more than $820,000 overseas; Etim received a three-year probation sentence, a $74,847.52 fine, and was ordered to pay $123,116.50 in restitution.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 28-year-old MBA student in Nagpur lost Rs 23 lakh in a cryptocurrency investment scam after a fraudster posing as an investment advisor contacted him via Telegram in November 2023. The scammer initially provided fake returns on a small investment to build trust, then persuaded the student to deposit the full amount, which was never recovered. Police registered a case and launched an investigation under IPC and IT Act provisions.
f-secure.com
This article is an educational resource from F-Secure promoting their scam protection service. It highlights that U.S. citizens lost an estimated $12.5 billion to cybercrime in the previous year (a 12% increase), and provides prevention advice across common scam vectors including phishing emails, SMS "smishing," fake delivery alerts, contact spoofing, and fraudulent online shopping sites. The resource emphasizes that legitimate organizations do not request sensitive information via email or text, and recommends verification through separate trusted channels before responding to suspicious communications.
wdam.com
Six collegiate track and field athletes, including four from William Carey University, were prosecuted for operating an unlicensed money transmission business as part of overseas fraud schemes originating in Nigeria between 2018-2022. The athletes received funds from over 100 victims and transferred more than $820,000 abroad through romance scams, fraudulent goods scams, and military scams; Aniekeme Etim, the last defendant sentenced, received three years probation and was ordered to pay $74,847.52 in fines plus $123,116.50 in restitution. All six defendants face potential deportation and were ordered to make restitution to their respective victims
santander.com
Cybercriminals are using fake news on social media to conduct financial fraud by impersonating banks, executives, and well-known individuals with altered images and fabricated investment opportunities. These fraudulent posts mimic legitimate news websites and banking platforms to trick users into clicking links that steal personal and banking information. Recent scams have falsely claimed to offer investment products endorsed by Santander, using an AI-altered image of an executive to appear credible.
ncwlife.com
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of scam phone calls impersonating deputies who claimed callers owed money for failing to respond to jury duty summons or court dates, attempting to extort payment. The agency warns the public not to give personal information or money to unknown callers over the phone. Cashmere Valley Bank is hosting a free "Scam Prevention" seminar on April 16 to educate the community on fraud prevention strategies.
legalinsurrection.com
Mexican drug cartel CJNG operates a sophisticated timeshare fraud scheme that defrauded Americans of approximately $40 million in 2022, with some estimates suggesting hundreds of millions annually, targeting elderly U.S. citizens and draining many of their life savings. The scam, which originated in Puerto Vallarta and expanded to tourist destinations like Cancun, involves fake escrow companies, shell corporations, and fraudulent sales pitches convincing victims to pay upfront fees under the guise of Mexican business practices, with documented cases of individual losses exceeding $1 million. The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned 40 Mexican companies and seven fugitives connected to the scheme
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a cryptocurrency alert during Financial Literacy Month, warning consumers about investment fraud risks. According to the FTC, over 46,000 people reported losing more than $1 billion to cryptocurrency scams (60 times the 2018 figure), with $575 million involving fraudulent investment schemes that promise unrealistic returns and use fake tracking websites or demand additional "fees" to withdraw funds. The alert advises potential investors to research thoroughly, avoid high-pressure sales tactics, never invest more than they can afford to lose, and be wary of anyone demanding cryptocurrency payments or guaranteeing profits.
azfamily.com
This is an educational podcast series covering consumer protection topics rather than a specific fraud or elder abuse incident. Key episodes address red flags in standard contracts, risks associated with rewards credit cards that can lead to debt, vehicle recalls affecting safety, and credit denial trends affecting consumers. The podcast provides advice on identifying problematic contract clauses, understanding credit card pitfalls, and navigating consumer financial decisions.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This article is not suitable for the Elderus database as it does not concern elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. The content focuses on political accusations and corruption allegations made during an election rally, along with a brief mention of a scholarship scam investigation. Neither topic relates to the exploitation or abuse of elderly individuals.
silicon.co.uk
Google filed a lawsuit against two alleged cryptocurrency scammers based in mainland China and Hong Kong who uploaded 87 fraudulent apps that were downloaded by over 100,000 people, defrauding victims of tens of thousands of dollars each through "pig-butchering" romance scams. The developers used fake cryptocurrency investment apps that promised high returns but prevented withdrawals and demanded additional fees of 10-30 percent, ultimately severing contact once victims' funds were exhausted. Google seeks to block the defendants from accessing its services and claims $75,000 in damages from the investigation.
timesnownews.com
A businessman from Mumbai was defrauded of approximately Rs 3 lakhs after receiving a fake text message directing him to download a malicious app ("vahanpalivahann.apk") to pay pending e-challan traffic fines. The scam works by tricking drivers into installing fake e-challan apps via SMS or WhatsApp links, which grants scammers access to their bank account information and enables fraudulent transactions. Security experts advise against downloading APK files from third-party sources and recommend using apps from official app stores and paid antivirus software for protection.
express.co.uk
Between January 2020 and December 2023, investment fraud cost UK victims more than £2.6 billion across 98,525 cases, with an average loss of £26,773 per victim. Boiler Room fraud and Ponzi schemes were the most prevalent scams, stealing £553 million and £499 million respectively, with 2023 recording the highest number of victims (26,740) losing £527 million that year alone. The FCA recommends vigilance against red flags including unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, and promises of unusually high returns.