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Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated schemes—including AI-generated scams, cryptocurrency theft, and robocalls—to target senior citizens, with losses exceeding $4.8 billion for Americans over 60 in the past year alone. The sheriff emphasized that victims often don't report scams due to shame and fear, and highlighted emerging threats including HOA fraud targeting elderly homeowners in South Florida. Law enforcement officials stressed the importance of rapid reporting to increase chances of recovering stolen funds and prosecuting criminals before they disappear and reinvent their schemes.

In 2023, older adults lost nearly $62 billion to scams and fraud out of an estimated $158 billion stolen overall, according to the FTC, with victims suffering devastating consequences including loss of homes and significant health/emotional impacts. The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline received over 100,000 calls in 2024 from scam targets, with notable cases including a Florida man defrauded of $400,000 from a home sale and another victim losing $650,000 to a romance scam. Scams have become increasingly sophisticated through artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and social media, prompting AARP to urge lawmakers to strengthen frau

A U.S. Senate Aging Committee report found that seniors lost over $4.8 billion to fraud and scams last year, with Senator Rick Scott warning the actual figure may be higher due to underreporting. Miami-Dade County leaders highlighted rising scams including condo/HOA fraud and cybercrime, with one case involving a man in his 60s losing $400,000 to cybercrime, and cautioned that artificial intelligence is increasing scam sophistication. Authorities urged seniors to avoid sharing personal information over the phone and report suspected fraud to law enforcement immediately.

U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who chairs the Committee on Aging, held a roundtable in Florida to address a "growing threat" of elder fraud targeting seniors through increasingly sophisticated schemes including grandparent scams, fraudulent investments, and government imposter emails, often originating from foreign call centers. Stakeholders reported that seniors lose significant sums—including one case where a victim lost over $400,000—and often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment, while Medicare fraud alone costs tens of billions through false billing. The roundtable emphasized that awareness, prevention, stronger penalties, and coordinated efforts among banks, government, and law enforcement are essential to combat what is described as a "national crisis" an

A transnational elder fraud ring based in the Dominican Republic was disrupted after a two-year investigation resulting in nine arrests and four additional charges, with 13 suspects identified in total. The scheme defrauded over 400 victims (average age 84) of more than $5 million across Massachusetts, Florida, California, Maryland, and New York by using bilingual callers posing as distressed grandchildren in accidents or legal trouble, followed by a "closer" impersonating an attorney, then a "runner" collecting cash via rideshare services. Alleged ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia and associates face charges including conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering,

Thirteen Dominican Republic citizens have been charged with operating a sophisticated grandparent scam that defrauded approximately 400 U.S. seniors out of $5 million by posing as their grandchildren in distress and repeatedly extracting money from victims. The victims, averaging 84 years old and located across Massachusetts, California, New York, Florida, and Maryland, were targeted with calls claiming emergencies such as car accidents or arrests, with fraudsters sometimes contacting the same victims multiple times. Nine suspects are in custody while four remain at-large, each facing conspiracy charges for mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering with potential sentences up to 20 years in prison.

In 2024, fraud against Americans over 60 resulted in $4.8 billion in reported losses nationally, with Florida alone accounting for nearly $400 million stolen from seniors aged 60 and older, prompting a U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging field hearing in Miami-Dade County. AARP Florida testified that criminals increasingly use sophisticated transnational networks, stolen data, AI, and cryptocurrency to exploit seniors, citing cases like a man in his sixties who lost over $400,000 to cybercriminals and faced homelessness. The hearing highlighted proposed legislation including the STOP Scammers Act and GUARD Act aimed at freezing scam networks

Scammers posing as grandchildren are targeting elderly individuals by claiming emergencies (car accidents, arrests, etc.) and requesting urgent money transfers; thirteen Dominican Republic nationals were recently charged with defrauding approximately 400 U.S. grandparents of nearly $5 million across Massachusetts, California, New York, Florida, and Maryland. To protect themselves, grandparents should verify callers' identities through personal questions or video calls, avoid sharing financial information over the phone, and refrain from sending money immediately even if the caller claims to be a distressed family member.

An 84-year-old Florida man was hospitalized in August after his daughter, Pamela Reynolds, left him immobilized in a recliner for two months, resulting in severe neglect including open sores, infection, and maggots. Reynolds was charged with elder neglect and held on $10,000 bond, while her father recovered in the hospital from his injuries. The case highlights Florida's broader elder care crisis, where inadequate state funding, in-home care costs averaging $3,000 monthly, and a statewide waitlist of over 100,000 seniors create conditions where neglect and abuse can occur unchecked.

Miami-Dade County Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz testified before a U.S. Senate committee that scammers are using increasingly sophisticated schemes—including AI-generated scams, cryptocurrency theft, and robocalls—to target seniors, with those over 60 losing $4.8 billion in 2023 alone and individuals aged 50-59 losing an additional $2.5 billion. The sheriff noted that most victims do not report crimes due to shame and fear, and highlighted emerging threats including condo and homeowner association fraud that particularly affects elderly homeowners in South Florida. Sen. Rick Scott introduced legislation to provide law enforcement with advanced tools to combat financial exploitation

Florida residents lost tens of millions of dollars to romance scams in the past year, according to FTC data. Carol West, a local woman, lost $60,000 in just six weeks after falling victim to one of these schemes, sharing her experience with News 6.

Christine Joan Echohawk, 54, of Pawnee, pleaded guilty to five felony charges for laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) in Florida, Utah, and Texas between September and December 2024. One victim sold her house to send $600,000 to the scammer; Echohawk received the funds through various accounts, converted them to cryptocurrency, and sent payments to an unidentified accomplice using the alias "Maurice Dinero." She was sentenced to 62 years in prison (8 years to serve, 54 suspended) and ordered to pay $621,750 in

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An 85-year-old South Florida woman and her neighbor were defrauded by a father-and-son team posing as driveway repair contractors who used unsolicited door-to-door solicitation to collect $4,000 and $950 respectively, then failed to complete the work, disconnected their phone, and provided false business information. After media investigation and legal pressure, both victims received full restitution, though the perpetrators denied wrongdoing and such recoveries are rare in contractor fraud cases.

A Chattanooga man lost $254,000 in a romance scam after meeting a scammer on a dating app who promised marriage and a life in Florida; he quit his job, sold his home, and showed up at the airport only to discover the ticket didn't exist and his accounts were emptied. Hamilton County investigators recovered $159,987.69 from the scammer's accounts. In a separate case, detectives recovered the full $54,000 stolen from another victim who was targeted by someone impersonating a U.S. Department of the Treasury representative demanding payment via cashier's check and gift cards.

A Deltona couple, Lindsey Russo and Michael Rios, lost approximately $3,654 to a rental scam after finding a house listing online and communicating with a fraudster posing as the property owner "Jack," who collected multiple deposits and rental payments before disappearing. The scam devastated the engaged couple who were expecting a baby and hoping to establish roots in Florida. According to the Better Business Bureau, the incident highlights the importance of meeting landlords in person and verifying legitimacy before sending money to unknown parties.

A Florida retiree lost approximately $90,000 in retirement savings to a romance scam and cryptocurrency scam over five years, forcing him to take out a home equity line of credit and accumulate debt. His daughter Sarah sought advice on how to help her father while protecting her own family's finances, with experts emphasizing the need for boundaries and compassionate communication. The case underscores a broader crisis: Americans aged 60 and older reported $4.88 billion in fraud losses in 2024, a 43% increase from 2023, with impersonation scams increasingly targeting older adults' life savings.

Sarah's widowed father lost $80,000-$90,000 in retirement savings to a romance scam and additional cryptocurrency scams over five years, forcing him to take out a home equity line of credit to cover the losses. The case highlighted the importance of setting financial boundaries within families and approaching victims with empathy rather than judgment to encourage them to seek help. According to the FBI, Americans aged 60 and older reported $4.88 billion in fraud losses in 2024—a 43% increase from 2023—with the FTC warning that impersonation scams are increasingly targeting older adults' life savings.

Logan Morrison, a certified nursing assistant at Dayspring Senior Living LLC in Hilliard, Florida, was arrested on August 28, 2025, for one count of abuse of a disabled adult after allegedly grabbing and shoving a disabled resident to the ground. The arrest was made by the Attorney General's Medicaid Fraud Control Unit with assistance from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.

Arizona is projected to lose over $4 billion to financial fraud in 2024, with the state ranking 11th nationally in fraud rates at 1,459 cases per 100,000 residents, according to a Common Sense Institute report. Common fraud types affecting Arizonans include grandparent scams, romance scams, gift card scams, skimming, and forgery, with experts noting that only about 14% of fraud is reported to authorities. Researchers recommend that families help protect older adults—who are at higher risk due to lower technological familiarity—by teaching them to verify sources before sharing financial information online.

Florida ranks second nationally in romance scam losses, with victims losing over $70 million annually to catfishing schemes where scammers build emotional trust before requesting money for emergencies or investments. The state's large retiree population, social isolation, and prevalence of online dating platforms create ideal conditions for predators who often pose as military personnel or overseas businesspeople and are frequently based internationally, particularly in Nigeria. While Florida lacks a specific anti-catfishing statute, perpetrators can be prosecuted under existing fraud, identity theft, and cyberstalking laws, and victims are advised to report incidents to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center and verify online identities before sending money.

A Cape Coral resident fell victim to a text message scam impersonating the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, claiming he owed $6.69 for a toll violation and threatening license revocation. Over 12,000 similar government impersonation scams were reported in Florida this year, resulting in losses exceeding $26 million. Authorities advise verifying such messages by contacting toll agencies directly, avoiding clicking links or sharing financial information, and reporting suspicious messages to the Federal Trade Commission.

A 59-year-old caregiver, Mónica Orta, was arrested in Doral, Florida on charges of economic exploitation, credit card fraud, identity theft, and organized fraud against an 86-year-old elderly client; the victim discovered fraudulent charges at Macy's and Nordstrom totaling hundreds of dollars, plus a missing $2,500 ring, with surveillance video confirming Orta used the victim's cards at multiple stores. Orta, who had an extensive criminal history of theft dating to 2004, had been employed as the victim's caregiver since July 2025 at a private community in Doral. The case

Georgia ranks 7th nationally for senior fraud losses, with older residents losing an estimated $1.57 million per 100,000 people in 2024, while seniors across the U.S. reported $4.8 billion in fraud losses total. The most common scams targeting older adults include imposter scams, shopping fraud, and high-stakes crypto and romance schemes, with individual crypto and romance fraud cases averaging over $108,000 in losses. Experts recommend families discuss scams with elderly relatives, watch for pressure tactics and unusual payment requests, and report suspicious activity to protect the state's 1.7 million residents over 60.

The Justice Department filed a civil forfeiture complaint against $868,247 in Tether cryptocurrency that was allegedly stolen through investment scams operated by the LME Crypto Group, which impersonated the London Metal Exchange and defrauded at least four victims across DC, Texas, Illinois, and Florida between September 2022 and February 2025. The scheme involved criminals establishing trust through misdirected text messages, then directing victims to fake investment platforms that displayed false profits before locking victims out of their accounts and stealing their funds, with one victim losing $1.3 million and another losing $30,000. The FBI recovered and is forfeiting the laundered cryptocurrency funds that were transferred through

A 70-year-old Port Richey, Florida man lost approximately $22,000 to a romance scam involving an AI-generated woman named "Bonnie" who claimed to be working in Australia; the scammers were traced to Nigeria and used Facebook messages and videos to build trust before convincing him to take out loans, wire money, and send Bitcoin. Cruz now faces potential bankruptcy and the risk of losing his home as his bank demands repayment, though he is sharing his story to warn other seniors. The case highlights Florida's ranking as the second-highest state for elder fraud in 2023, with only one in five victims reporting such crimes and a 40% increase in reports over the past

A 70-year-old Port Richey, Florida man lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam involving an AI-generated persona named "Bonnie" that originated from Nigeria; the scammer convinced him to take out loans, wire money, and send Bitcoin, leaving him facing a $22,000 bank debt and potential bankruptcy with his home at risk. Cruz, a retired firefighter and police officer, attributed his vulnerability to loneliness after losing all his family members, and now advocates warning other seniors to trust their instincts when something feels wrong. Florida ranks second nationally in elder fraud cases, with only one in five victims reporting the crime and a 40% increase in reports over the past five

A 70-year-old Port Richey, Florida man lost tens of thousands of dollars to a romance scam involving an AI-generated woman named "Bonnie" who claimed to be in Australia; the scammers, traced to Nigeria, convinced him to take out loans, wire money, and send Bitcoin, leaving him facing a $22,000 bank debt and potential bankruptcy and loss of his home. The victim, a retired firefighter and police officer, is now advocating for other seniors to recognize warning signs, noting that Florida ranks second nationally in elder fraud cases, with only one in five victims reporting the crime.

An elderly Bradenton woman initially believed she was being targeted by a scam when law firms and private investigators contacted her about unclaimed funds, but Detective Jim Curulla of the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit discovered she legitimately had $108,000 in unclaimed stock dividends from an employer she worked for over 30 years prior. After verifying the funds through Florida's Unclaimed Property database and assisting her with the claim paperwork, the woman successfully received a check for $108,000 and received transportation to the bank to deposit it safely.

An 88-year-old Florida woman discovered $108,000 in unclaimed stock options from a company where she worked 30 years earlier after becoming suspicious of solicitation letters from lawyers and private investigators offering to help claim the money for a fee. She contacted the Bradenton Police Department's elder fraud division, which verified the funds through the Florida Department of Financial Services and helped her complete the paperwork to claim the money directly without paying intermediaries. The case highlights how scammers exploit unclaimed property schemes while also demonstrating the importance of consulting trusted sources before acting on unsolicited financial offers.

An elderly Bradenton woman who feared she was being scammed after receiving solicitations about unclaimed funds contacted local police and was assisted by Detective Jim Curulla of the senior fraud division. Curulla verified the funds were legitimate through the Florida Department of Financial Services database and helped the woman recover over $100,000 in unclaimed property, then accompanied her to deposit the check.

A 70-year-old Volusia County woman lost nearly $60,000 to a romance/charity scam in which suspect Cory Woodall falsely claimed funds were needed to help a wounded military dog and bring a retired Army general back to the United States. Woodall, extradited from North Carolina, used the money to purchase personal items including a 2023 Hyundai, trailer, and lawn mower, with half sent in cash. He faces charges of organized scheme to defraud and grand theft, was booked without bond, and the victim plans to pursue court restitution.

A Port Richey, Florida senior lost $47,000 in an AI-powered romance scam after being deceived by a fake Facebook profile using deepfake videos of a person named "Bonnie Fleck" who claimed to need funds for work in Australia; the scammer, traced to Nigeria, used computer-generated video chats to build trust before convincing the victim to wire cash and send Bitcoin. The victim now faces an additional $22,000 bank liability and risks losing his home, and the case highlights Florida's growing senior fraud problem, with reports reaching 9,000 yearly and increasing 40% since 2019.

A Bradenton, Florida senior citizen contacted the Elder Fraud Unit after receiving calls from law firms and private investigators, initially suspecting a scam, but Detective Jim Curulla determined she was legitimately owed over $100,000 in unclaimed stock dividends from an employer she worked for more than 30 years prior. The detective assisted Barbara in filing the necessary paperwork and accompanied her to safely deposit her check on September 3. The Bradenton Police Department recommends Florida residents check the state's treasure hunt website (fltreasurehunt.gov) to discover if they have unclaimed funds.

A Florida man, Charles Henry Williams, was arrested following a 5-month multi-state cyber investigation for running an online timeshare scam that defrauded an elderly Georgia couple of over $1 million across four years, with additional victims identified during the investigation. Williams was charged with Theft by Deception and Exploitation of an Elder Person and arrested on August 29, 2025, to face charges in Coweta County. The investigation involved coordination between the GBI, Georgia Attorney General's Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Florida law enforcement agencies.

Florida residents lost $243.1 million to romance scams and confidence fraud between 2021-2024, ranking ninth nationally in per-capita losses at $11 per person, with 2021 being the worst year at $70.5 million in reported losses. Romance scams involve criminals using fake online profiles and emotional manipulation to build trust with victims before fabricating crises and requesting money, often isolating victims from their support networks. North Dakota experienced the highest per-capita losses at $21 per person despite its smaller population, while California had the largest total losses at $555.1 million.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Cory Woodall, was arrested for organized fraud and grand theft after spending $30,000 from a romance scam victim, 70-year-old Carol West, who lost a total of $60,000 over six weeks to scammers impersonating a retired Army general on Facebook. Woodall admitted to spending the stolen money on a 2023 Hyundai Kona and other purchases, claiming he intended to "scam the scammer," though he denied being the person chatting with West online. According to the FTC, Florida residents reported nearly 3,400 romance scams last year, resulting in

A 63-year-old Florida man was arrested in August 2025 after a five-month investigation into a four-year timeshare resale scam that defrauded an elderly Georgia couple of over $1 million. Charles Henry Williams faced charges including Theft by Deception and Exploitation of an Elder Person, and authorities identified additional victims across multiple states, suggesting a broader fraud scheme. Law enforcement urges seniors and families to verify financial requests and remain vigilant against online fraud schemes targeting vulnerable elderly individuals.

A 63-year-old Florida man, Charles Henry Williams, was arrested in connection with a multi-year timeshare resale scam that defrauded an elderly Georgia couple of over $1 million. The scheme targeted vulnerable seniors across multiple states, with the primary victims deceived into making payments for fraudulent property transactions over four years before the fraud was discovered. Williams faces charges including Theft by Deception and Exploitation of an Elder Person, and law enforcement urges seniors and their families to verify financial requests and remain alert to similar schemes.

A Florida grandmother lost $60,000 in a romance scam after being deceived by fraudsters posing as a retired Army general online. One suspect allegedly pocketed $30,000 of the stolen funds to purchase a Hyundai Kona, and the victim later confronted him in person, though he claimed to be "scamming the scammer."

Ana María Núñez, a 68-year-old woman with at least 16 prior fraud convictions, is on trial for defrauding a 78-year-old terminally ill woman in Doral of over $430,000 by posing as her daughter and obtaining power of attorney to transfer the victim's home and savings. Núñez and her son allegedly exploited the victim as her health declined from cancer; she faces multiple additional pending charges for other scams dating back to at least 1996, including a $105,000 investment fraud and another elderly victim scheme yielding $437,107. Authorities suspect the actual number of victims exceeds those documente

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a commemorative piece celebrating National Police Woman Day and honoring female law enforcement officers in Florida and the DeLand Police Department. This content does not fit the Elderus database scope and should not be summarized for inclusion.

Four men were arrested in Miami-Dade County for staging car accidents to collect insurance payouts, with the scheme discovered at an intersection in northwest Miami-Dade. The suspects face charges including insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit organized crime, and filing false police reports, with bail set between $500 and $2,500. Experts warn that staged accident schemes are a growing problem in South Florida that drive up insurance premiums for legitimate drivers and recommend uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as protection.

From 2023 to 2024, Orange and Osceola Counties, Florida experienced a 14% increase in scams targeting seniors, prompting State Attorney Monique Worrell to issue a public warning. The two primary scam types are romance scams—where perpetrators build online relationships and request money for emergencies or travel—and law enforcement impersonation scams claiming outstanding warrants or bail requirements. Worrell emphasized that prevention is critical since many scammers operate overseas and are difficult to prosecute, advising seniors to avoid sending cash or gift cards to unknown individuals, verify suspicious emails through search engines, and pause when confronted with urgent requests.

Eight individuals from Georgia, Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, and Western New York were arrested for participating in elder fraud schemes that defrauded over 139 victims nationwide of more than $11 million in actual and attempted fraud. The suspects employed various tactics including romance fraud, customer support scams, impersonation of federal employees, retirement account hacking, counterfeit checks, and identity theft. The arrests were made by the "Save Our Seniors" task force, a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, with one of the arrested individuals, Estermarie Jones, being from Rochester.

Eight people from across the U.S. were arrested and charged with defrauding 139 seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, counterfeit checks, gold bar schemes, account hacking, and identity theft. The defendants, operating in New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and New York, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, with sentences carrying up to 15-30 years in prison. The arrests were facilitated by Save Our Seniors, a working group of federal, state, and local authorities formed to collaborate on elder fraud investigations.

Scams are increasing in frequency and complexity, with consumers losing over $12.5 billion to fraud last year—a 25% increase from the previous year. Common scams include fake investment opportunities promising unrealistic returns, government impersonation schemes (particularly jury duty scams), and toll violation text messages; victims should watch for red flags like requests for secrecy, pressure to act quickly, and payment through peer-to-peer apps. The Better Business Bureau recommends reporting suspected scams to BBB.org and law enforcement, researching businesses before hiring them, and verifying legitimacy through official channels rather than unsolicited contact.

Eight individuals from New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and New York were arrested and charged with defrauding 139 seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, counterfeit checks, gold bar schemes, account hacking, and identity theft. The defendants, including Dhruv Patel who defrauded at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft carrying sentences of up to 15-30 years in prison. The arrests were coordinated through Save Our Seniors, a working group formed in April to combat elder fraud across state lines.

Eight individuals across the U.S. were arrested and charged with defrauding 139 seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, counterfeit checks, gold bar schemes, account hacking, and identity theft. The defendants, operating from New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and Rochester, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, carrying sentences of up to 15-30 years in prison. The arrests were facilitated by Save Our Seniors, a collaborative task force of federal, state, and local authorities formed to investigate elder fraud cases.

A 53-year-old accounting contractor for Elder Solutions, a geriatric care management company in Florida, was arrested and charged with 42 counts of fraud and exploitation involving elderly clients, including first-degree grand theft of over $100,000 and multiple counts of forgery and fraudulent use of credit cards. Ammie Padilla, who had power of attorney over at least one victim and managed funds for elderly clients, appeared in bond court where she was ordered to wear a GPS monitor, avoid contact with witnesses and the elderly, and post $210,000 bond. The investigation by the Broward County Sheriff's Office resulted in her removal from her position at the care management firm.