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in General Elder Fraud
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Quincy Mayor Tom Koch proposed adding a "senior fraud and scam liaison" position to the city's Department of Elder Services with a $90,000 annual salary as part of his proposed $455.8 million fiscal 2026 budget. The city council's finance committee approved $36 million in overall spending increases, though the new position drew questions from multiple councilors during budget hearings.
lompocrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Julie Ann Darrah, a 52-year-old former financial advisor from Santa Maria, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for stealing over $2 million from at least nine elderly clients between 2016 and 2023. Darrah exploited her clients' trust by positioning herself as a caretaker figure, then used her position at Vivid Financial Management Inc. to liquidate their assets for personal use, leaving some victims unable to afford end-of-life care. She was ordered to pay $7 million in restitution and is banned from selling securities.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains why retirees are targeted for financial fraud and describes common scams affecting older adults. Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with victims aged 80+ reporting average losses of $1,450—nearly three times higher than younger victims. The piece identifies key vulnerabilities (accumulated wealth, lower tech familiarity, trusting nature, social isolation) and provides warning signs and protection strategies for imposter scams (posing as IRS, Medicare, Social Security) and tech support scams, emphasizing awareness as the primary defense against financial fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Investment advisor Julie Anne Darrah of Santa Maria was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison for stealing approximately $2.25 million from elderly clients between November 2016 and July 2023 by obtaining control of their assets and liquidating them without consent. Darrah exploited her clients' trust—often portraying herself as a caring daughter figure—to convince them to sign documents granting her power of attorney and trustee status, then transferred funds to her own accounts to purchase properties and luxury vehicles, leaving some victims unable to pay for end-of-life care. Additionally, a Minnesota-based investment firm that acquired Darrah's company incurred $5.4 million in losses
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
On May 12, 2025, the DOJ's Criminal Division issued a memorandum recalibrating white-collar crime enforcement around three principles: Focus (targeting the most urgent threats), Fairness (prioritizing individual accountability while providing clearer guidance for cooperating companies), and Efficiency (streamlining investigations). The DOJ identified 10 priority enforcement areas, including healthcare fraud, elder fraud, investment fraud, securities fraud, money laundering, and trade violations, signaling a targeted approach to white-collar crimes that harm public finances, investors, and national security.
ksby.com
· 2025-12-08
Julie Darrah, a Santa Maria investment advisor, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for stealing approximately $2.25 million from elderly clients of her advisory firm between 2016 and 2023. Darrah manipulated vulnerable elderly clients by gaining their trust, convincing them to authorize fund transfers from their accounts into her own, and then used the stolen money for personal purchases including properties and luxury vehicles, leaving some victims unable to afford end-of-life care. She was also ordered to repay $2.4 million in restitution and a Minnesota investment firm lost over $5 million after acquiring her company based on false representations.
wokingnewsandmail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, dating scams cost UK victims £271.4 million across 21,976 reports, with Surrey residents accounting for 481 cases and losses totaling £4.9 million (averaging £10,218 per victim). Reports increased 17% in 2024-25 to 8,122 cases, with women losing nearly twice as much per incident as men despite fewer reports, and some victims losing over £500,000 each.
kingsbridge-today.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Dating scams cost UK victims over £271 million between April 2022 and April 2025, with Devon & Cornwall among the hardest-hit regions, where victims lost over £7 million at an average of £9,060 per case. Men reported the most incidents (10,634) but women and transgender victims suffered significantly higher average losses at £16,370 and £27,234 respectively, with the average victim age increasing from 47 to 49 years old across the period. Fraudsters exploit victims' desire for companionship through manipulation and social engineering, causing not only financial but severe psychological and emotional harm.
theforester.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between 2022/23 and 2024/25, dating scams cost UK victims over £271 million, with 328 reports from Gloucestershire residents alone resulting in collective losses of £2.6 million (averaging £7,943 per victim). Men reported more incidents but women suffered higher average losses per case (£16,370 vs. lower male average), with victims' average age increasing from 47 to 49 over the period, and victims often experiencing significant psychological and emotional trauma beyond financial loss.
cheshire-live.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, UK residents lost over £271 million to dating scams, with 21,976 reported cases, including 399 Cheshire victims who collectively lost £4.36 million (averaging £10,917 per person). Reports increased 17% in the latest financial year to 8,122 cases, with losses reaching £102.2 million, and women experiencing significantly higher average losses (£16,370) compared to men (£9,289), while some individual victims lost over £500,000.
elderlawanswers.com
· 2025-12-08
A phishing scam is targeting Social Security beneficiaries with emails impersonating the Social Security Administration (SSA), tricking recipients into downloading fake Social Security statements that actually contain malware. Once downloaded, the ScreenConnect software gives hackers remote access to victims' computers and sensitive information such as bank account credentials and personal data used for identity theft. Older adults are particularly vulnerable, with Americans aged 60 and older reporting $3.4 billion in total fraud losses in 2023, and recipients should avoid downloading email attachments and verify that legitimate SSA communications come from .gov email addresses.
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Crypto ATM Fraud Targeting Seniors**
Senator Dick Durbin proposed an amendment to the GENIUS Act (cryptocurrency regulation legislation) aimed at preventing crypto ATM scams that disproportionately target elderly Americans. According to FTC data, consumer losses from crypto ATM fraud increased nearly tenfold from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million in 2023, with the FBI receiving nearly 2,700 complaints from individuals aged 60 and older in 2023 alone—more than all other age groups combined. Durbin's amendment seeks to add transaction protections and require greater transparency from crypto ATM operators, mirr
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida hosted an elder fraud prevention forum on May 15, 2025, in partnership with AARP and multiple law enforcement agencies to educate seniors about common scams including investment fraud, lottery fraud, and inheritance schemes. The program featured local law enforcement examples and resources, with information available through the Justice Department's Elder Justice Initiative and multiple reporting channels including the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
northplattebulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Lincoln woman lost more than $14,000 in a "smishing" scam (fraudulent text messages), according to Lincoln Police. The article highlights this incident as a notable case of elder fraud that received limited public attention in Nebraska.
pioneerpublishers.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over age 60 reported billions in losses to four main types of elder fraud: tech support/government impersonation scams, investment fraud ($1.2 billion in reported losses), romance/confidence schemes ($357 million), and cryptocurrency scams ($1.1 billion). The article advises seniors to recognize these scams, consider having a trusted caregiver or companion to screen communications and spot red flags, and to report suspected fraud immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and their bank.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers defrauded seniors of $4.8 billion, prompting the Mentor Police Department to increase anti-scam prevention workshops at senior centers and assisted living facilities across Ohio during Older Ohioans Month. Senior Jack Hines nearly fell victim to a phishing email but became an advocate after attending an awareness workshop, now helping educate peers about recognizing scams targeting vulnerable older adults, particularly those experiencing loneliness.
bridgemi.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan residents, particularly in the west, have received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Michigan Department of Transportation and toll companies like E-Z Pass, pressuring them to pay fake outstanding toll balances through malicious links to steal personal and financial information. The scam has spread nationwide with 60,000 complaints reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2024, originating from various area codes including overseas servers, making prosecution difficult. Residents should ignore these texts, never click embedded links, and verify toll obligations directly through official websites or by contacting MDOT at 517-241-2400, as legitimate toll bills in Michigan are sent by mail only.
yourharlow.com
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, dating scams cost UK victims over £271 million across 21,976 reported cases, with Essex residents accounting for 549 reports and £5.5 million in losses at an average of £10,142 per victim. The scams showed a concerning 17% year-on-year increase in reports, with women and transgender victims suffering disproportionately higher average losses (£16,370 and £27,234 respectively) despite fewer reports than men, and some victims losing as much as £500,000 or more.
wktn.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Bob Latta hosted a "Stopping Senior Scams Workshop" on May 30 in Perrysburg, Ohio, featuring speakers from the FTC and IRS Taxpayer Advocate to educate seniors about common scams and fraud prevention. The event highlighted the growing threat of robocalls, with Ohioans receiving 1.7 billion such calls in 2018 and Americans losing $9.5 billion to robocall scams in 2016, prompting discussion of legislation like the STOP Robocalls Act to give agencies and companies tools to block fraudulent calls.
thesuburban.com
· 2025-12-08
A Côte-St-Luc senior had his Rolex watch valued at $20,000-$25,000 stolen on May 11 in a distraction theft scam involving strangers who asked for directions while an accomplice posed as a person seeking a blessing for her dying father's watch, then replaced his real watch with a fake one. Police confirmed this type of jewelry theft targeting elderly residents has occurred multiple times across the city, with limited success in catching perpetrators due to lack of evidence and the rapid nature of the crimes. Authorities recommend traveling in groups, concealing valuable jewelry, and refusing gifts from strangers as preventive measures.
kpq.com
· 2025-12-08
Two women, Leah Maria Wedgeworth (34) and April Marie Tomisser (43), were charged with first-degree theft, identity theft, and forgery for stealing thousands of dollars from an 87-year-old blind and bed-ridden man in Ellensburg, Washington in 2023. Wedgeworth withdrew at least $6,014 from the victim's bank account using fraudulent means, while Tomisser, a caregiver employed for only 11 hours, made multiple unauthorized withdrawals for personal expenses; both face enhanced felony charges due to the victim's vulnerable adult status and have pleaded not guilty with trials scheduled for August 4
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Bedford resident fell victim to a computer fraud scam on May 9 after receiving a fake virus alert threatening legal consequences for alleged child pornography on their device, prompting them to mail $17,500 in cash to Pennsylvania. Quick action by Bedford police officers, who tracked the UPS package and coordinated with a Pennsylvania police department, allowed investigators to intercept the payment before delivery and return the full amount to the victim.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A Northeast Ohio senior named Jack Hines nearly fell victim to a phishing email scam but used the experience to become an advocate for elder fraud prevention in his community. The Mentor Police Department has launched anti-scam workshops at senior centers across the city, responding to a 22% increase in fraud complaints from older adults in Ohio and the FBI's report that seniors lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024. Hines now works as an awareness ambassador at his local senior center, helping peers recognize and avoid common scams targeting vulnerable seniors.
chadronradio.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Nebraska woman lost over $14,000 in a "smishing" (text message scam), exemplifying a growing crisis where Americans aged 60+ lost $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, averaging $83,000 per case. Social isolation significantly increases seniors' vulnerability to fraud, as those with limited in-person contact are more likely to conduct transactions online and engage with scammers. The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance recommends preventing financial exploitation through regular contact with older relatives, educating seniors about common fraud tactics, and reporting suspected fraud to authorities through their "Make Cents Make Sense" initiative.
gottheimer.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
Four bipartisan bills led by U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer advanced from the House Financial Services Committee in May 2025, with a focus on protecting seniors and supporting small businesses. The Senior Security Act specifically aims to combat financial scams targeting seniors by establishing a federal Senior Investor Task Force within the SEC to strengthen investor protections. The other three bills address small business support and retirement plan access for nonprofit and education sector workers.
tmj4.com
· 2025-12-08
Tony Lupo, an Oak Creek senior, fell victim to multiple scams including fake prize notifications and fraudulent calls claiming to involve his Social Security and Medicare benefits. Milwaukee County authorities report three prevalent phone scam tactics targeting residents: fake arrest warrants, missed jury duty claims, and Social Security impersonation scams. AARP hosted a community Scam Jam event featuring expert speakers and resources to educate residents on recognizing and reporting scams, with law enforcement emphasizing the importance of verifying suspicious calls through official agency contact numbers before providing any personal information.
wgel.com
· 2025-12-08
A St. Louis man, Alen Saric, was sentenced to 87 months in federal prison for his role in a vehicle sale scam that defrauded victims across four Illinois counties from 2018 to 2023 using fake cashier's checks to purchase vehicles on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, with the scheme totaling $1.7 million and involving the theft and resale of vehicles before victims discovered the fraud. The case highlights growing concerns about elder fraud, with financial institutions urging seniors to verify cashier's checks directly with banks, avoid acting under pressure, and consult trusted individuals before completing transactions with strangers online.
delawarebusinessnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Rakeshkumar Patel, 36, of Flushing, NY, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims nationwide of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. Patel and co-conspirators impersonated federal agents over the phone, falsely claiming victims' identities were compromised and involved in federal investigations, then convinced them to liquidate savings and transfer cash or gold to couriers posing as agents. Patel faces more than five years in federal prison upon sentencing.
caixinglobal.com
· 2025-12-08
Shanghai and Hangzhou authorities launched criminal investigations into Shanyuhai, a high-end eldercare company, for suspected illegal collection of public deposits after payouts stopped in March 2025. The company marketed membership-based senior living and a leasing platform (Maizi Leasing) promising annual returns up to 12%, with at least one investor depositing over 1 million yuan, but the financial scheme collapsed and top executives were detained in mid-April 2025. The fraud is part of a broader pattern of collapse in China's "wellness living" sector, following similar failures by companies like YanYang Group.
sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia's National Council on Aging reported that people aged over 60 lost $3.4 billion worldwide to financial elder abuse in 2023, with victims often unable to recoup their losses. To raise awareness on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), Macedon Ranges Council and the Kindness to Elders Institute screened the film "Thelma"—about a grandmother scammed out of $10,000—followed by a discussion with actor Ian Rooney and finance expert Bob Nixon on protecting finances against fraud.
wealthmanagement.com
· 2025-12-08
Julie Anne Darrah, a former Wealth Enhancement financial advisor, was sentenced to over 10 years in prison for stealing approximately $2.25 million from elderly clients between 2016 and 2023, including some receiving end-of-life care. Darrah gained her victims' trust by positioning herself as a caretaker "like a daughter," then obtained power of attorney and trustee access to liquidate their securities and transfer funds to accounts she controlled, spending the money on personal expenses, luxury cars, and restaurants. Some victims were left unable to afford care facility costs, and a federal judge ordered her to pay over $2.4 million in restitution plus interest.
oag.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two caregivers at an unlicensed San Jose care home were charged with felony elder abuse, dependent adult abuse, and filing a false claim after allegedly housing residents in biohazardous conditions, leaving medical issues untreated, while fraudulently collecting Medi-Cal in-home support service payments. The California Department of Justice's Division of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse filed the charges following a complaint referral from the California Department of Social Services.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Rakeshkumar Patel, a 36-year-old Indian national living illegally in the U.S., pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. Patel and co-conspirators posed as federal agents over the phone, convincing victims their identities were compromised and their accounts under investigation, then instructed them to withdraw life savings and convert them to cash or gold bars, which Patel and other couriers collected in person. Patel faces more than five years in federal prison at sentencing.
turnto10.com
· 2025-12-08
Artificial intelligence-powered voice-cloning technology is making grandparent scams increasingly convincing, allowing scammers to impersonate family members using just one minute of audio from social media. A Canadian call center operation arrested in 2024 stole $21 million from Americans over three years by using AI-cloned voices combined with phone spoofing and money mules to collect cash, claiming victims' relatives needed bail money. Experts recommend asking security questions only family members could answer and establishing family code words to protect against these evolving scams.
media.srpnet.com
· 2025-12-08
SRP (Salt River Project) and AARP issued a joint warning about utility scams targeting older adults, particularly around the Memorial Day weekend, noting that Arizona has the highest fraud rate against seniors in the country at 289 cases per 100,000. Common scams include fake payment websites, phishing texts/emails impersonating utility companies, and fraudsters posing as utility workers, all designed to create urgency and pressure immediate payment. Customers should protect themselves by calling SRP directly to verify account status, avoiding suspicious links and unusual payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency), and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a sophisticated scam involving AI-generated text and voice messages impersonating senior U.S. government officials, targeting current and former federal and state officials and their contacts. Scammers use realistic voice cloning and malicious links designed to steal login credentials and personal information, which could then be used to impersonate victims and target other officials or their associates. The FBI advises verifying sender identity through independent contact, scrutinizing details for subtle alterations, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive information with unverified contacts.
droitwichstandard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between 2022/23 and 2024/25, dating scams cost UK residents over £271 million across 21,976 reported cases, with West Mercia residents losing a collective £3,857,217 (averaging £12,206 per victim). Reports to Action Fraud increased 17% in 2024/25 to 8,122 cases with £102.2 million in losses, with women and transgender victims experiencing disproportionately higher per-case losses (£16,370 and £27,234 respectively) despite fewer reports than men, and victims averaging 49 years old.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Tom Grauburger of Lakin, Kansas lost $30,000 to a sophisticated tech support scam that used fear tactics and constant phone monitoring to manipulate him over three weeks. The scammers posed as Microsoft Defender and the FTC, falsely claiming illegal activity was occurring on his computer and demanding cash sent to Boston as "proof of assets," while threatening him with a fake non-disclosure agreement to prevent him from telling family members. His bank ultimately prevented a larger loss by flagging a $100,000+ wire transfer attempt to his retirement fund, but Grauburger and his family are still fighting to recover the initial $30,000.
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old retired urban planner named Brian Ketcham lost significant money to romance scammers on the dating website Dream Singles, communicating with profiles of women (primarily one named "Vasilisa") who likely did not exist in real life. After his death in 2024, his children discovered hundreds of printed chat transcripts and documented evidence of the scheme, which required him to purchase credits for each message sent to the fake profiles. The article explores how his initial skepticism gradually eroded as the scammers built emotional connections with him, ultimately resulting in financial loss before his death.
connecticut.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
Chase Bank, Eisenhower Senior Center, and Bridgeport police held an educational seminar to help seniors recognize and prevent scams and fraud, which disproportionately target older adults due to their age and assets. Key warning signs include unsolicited requests for sensitive information delivered urgently and scammers using emotional manipulation to create fear or excitement. Recommended protective measures include setting up credit monitoring and account alerts, verifying caller identity by contacting the organization directly, and reporting suspected fraud without shame.
easyreadernews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Type:** Grandparent scam using AI voice mimicry and emergency impersonation
**What Happened:** Kayla Smith's grandmother lost $4,000 after receiving a call claiming her son was held hostage and demanding Target gift cards; the caller used AI or similar technology to mimic her son's voice, exploiting her maternal concern. Inspired by this incident and her grandparents' subsequent experiences with other scams, high school student Kayla Smith created SeniorSafe, an educational awareness program to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud targeting their population.
**Key Findings:** Seniors lost $4.9 billion to sc
oysterbaytown.com
· 2025-12-08
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino partnered to host an educational seminar on June 9th to help seniors and caregivers recognize and combat fraud schemes. The seminar covered common scam tactics, identification strategies, personal information protection, and fraud reporting resources, targeting seniors who face heightened vulnerability due to limited technology familiarity, loneliness, and other risk factors.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
On May 12, 2025, the DOJ released its white-collar crime enforcement priorities for the current administration, identifying 10 high-impact corporate crime areas for investigation and prosecution. Elder securities fraud is explicitly highlighted as a top priority alongside healthcare fraud, trade fraud, money laundering, and crimes linked to terrorism. Companies operating in these sectors should expect increased federal oversight and compliance requirements, particularly those involved in healthcare, international trade, and financial services.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
On May 12, 2025, the DOJ's Criminal Division announced a new white-collar corporate enforcement plan prioritizing ten "high-impact areas," including elder fraud schemes involving variable interest entities, investment fraud targeting individuals, and Ponzi schemes. The plan offers clearer incentives for companies to self-disclose misconduct and cooperate with investigators, with assurances that proper self-disclosures will result in criminal prosecution declinations. Elder fraud is explicitly listed as a priority area for DOJ investigation and prosecution.
brooklyneagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez hosted an Older Americans Month event in Canarsie on May 20, 2025, with over 100 seniors in attendance to raise awareness about scams, fraud, and elder abuse targeting seniors. Presenters from the DA's office discussed various scam types including phone/text scams, cryptocurrency fraud, grandson scams, gift card schemes, and deed theft, while noting that the office had taken down over 300 fraudulent websites in the previous 18 months and assisted thousands of scam victims. The event provided resources and encouraged seniors to report abuse and fraud without shame, emphasizing that scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics and that victims should contact
mintz.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses shifts in the Trump administration's white-collar enforcement priorities as of 2025, not elder fraud or scams affecting seniors. The DOJ has deprioritized enforcement in several areas including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (paused for 180 days), environmental litigation, and certain cryptocurrency regulations, while indicating it will focus on fraud involving cartels and transnational criminal organizations. This content is outside the scope of elder fraud research and is not relevant to the Elderus database.
indicanews.com
· 2025-12-08
Rakeshkumar Patel, 36, from Flushing, New York, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in a scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of over $2 million. The scam targeted senior citizens across multiple states, including Delaware, and resulted in federal charges accepted by U.S. District Judge Richard G. Andrews.
decorahnews.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this content as it does not contain an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The text appears to be a collection of website interface elements (error messages, navigation options, photo editing tools) and unrelated article headlines about farming policy and sports. To create an appropriate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the actual article content about fraud or elder abuse.
wgmd.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Flushing, New York man pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scam that defrauded elderly victims of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. The scheme involved fraudsters posing as federal agents who convinced victims their identities had been compromised, then instructed them to liquidate life savings and convert funds to cash or gold bars, which couriers like the defendant collected from victims' homes. The defendant faces more than five years in federal prison at sentencing.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam expert discusses the rising threat of elder fraud, noting that nearly 4 million people have reported scams with average losses of $19,000, with criminals increasingly using AI and voice spoofing technology to impersonate grandchildren and celebrities. Key protective measures recommended include securing mailboxes, installing video doorbells, regularly monitoring financial statements, enabling two-factor verification on accounts, using biometric identification on smartphones, and establishing secret passcodes with family members to verify identities during unexpected calls.