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A study by PrivacyJournal.net ranked Nevada as the most dangerous state for online dating based on reported romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime per 100,000 residents. Nevada ranked second nationally for romance scam reports and third for fraud reports, making it a higher-risk state for online daters seeking to avoid financial and personal victimization. The analysis identified Vermont as the safest state for online dating, while other risky states included Alaska, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, and South Carolina.

Florida ranks as the 47th safest state for online dating, according to a PrivacyJournal.net study analyzing romance scams, fraud, identity theft, and violent crime per 100,000 residents. The state ranks second-worst nationally for both identity theft and fraud, and seventh-worst for romance scams, though it performs better on violent crime and sex offender statistics. The study identifies Nevada as the most dangerous state and Vermont as the safest, recommending that online daters take common sense precautions regardless of location.

Master Deputy Jeffery Merry Jr. of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office received the AARP Florida Fraud Fighter Award for his extensive work protecting seniors from scams over the past nine years through community education, fraud prevention programming, and legislative advocacy. Merry collaborated on the "Protection of Specified Adults" bill, passed in March, which gives financial institutions tools to pause potentially fraudulent transactions for seniors, while also conducting fraud awareness presentations throughout Hillsborough County and providing community alerts. According to the FTC, Floridians lost $654 million to scams in 2023, with an average victim loss of $600 per incident.

Scammers impersonated the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department using the fake name "Lt. Justin Branberry" in phone calls to extract money from residents across multiple states including Ohio, Arizona, and Florida. At least one victim lost $3,000 (her entire Social Security check) to the scheme, which used professional-sounding language, badge numbers, and case numbers to establish false authority; authorities warn that legitimate sheriff's departments contact people in person or by mail, not by phone.

A Florida-based cybersecurity training company hired a remote software engineer through a standard hiring process, including video interviews and background checks, only to discover the employee was a North Korean cybercriminal using AI deepfake technology to fake his identity and photograph. Within 30 minutes of receiving his company computer, the fake employee attempted to load malware and execute unauthorized programs before being detected and shut down by IT security. The incident demonstrates how AI-enhanced identity fraud is increasingly targeting remote positions at U.S. companies, whether for data theft, espionage, or system disruption, and can affect even cybersecurity professionals.

Florida ranks second nationally for fraud incidents with 1,589 cases per 100,000 residents, according to FTC data from April 2023 to March 2024, with scammers taking $171 million from state residents in just the first quarter of 2024. The most common fraud schemes include impostor fraud, online shopping scams, and prize/investment fraud, with romance scams particularly targeting elderly residents in high-senior-population areas like South Florida. A Miami woman was recently arrested for operating a 15-year romance scam that defrauded more than a dozen elderly men of $7 million.

An 80-year-old Clinton woman named "Sylvia" lost $7,500 in a fake lottery scam that began in late 2023 when scammers called claiming she won a $7.5 million prize and required payment to claim it. The scammers convinced Sylvia to make ten monthly $500 payments via Apple gift cards, then exploited her further by demanding additional fees and recruiting her to cash checks from strangers in Texas and Florida and wire the money to the fraudsters. The scheme eventually unraveled when Sylvia's bank became suspicious of the checks, though by then the scammers had extracted thousands in stolen funds through her account.

An 87-year-old and 82-year-old couple in Miami lost $18,500 in a grandparent scam where a caller impersonated their grandson claiming to be arrested, directing them to send bail money via a Lyft driver who delivered it to the perpetrator. Agustín García Marsán, 38, was arrested and faces multiple charges including elder theft and organized fraud after being linked to similar scams across Florida and North Carolina using fake identities and ride-sharing services to collect money from elderly victims.

Priscilla Presley, 79, filed an elder financial abuse lawsuit on July 18 against four former business associates—Brigitte Kruse, Kevin Fialko, Vahe Sislyan, and Lynn Walker Wright—alleging they orchestrated a scheme to isolate her and fraudulently obtain power of attorney over her finances, resulting in approximately $1 million in losses. The defendants allegedly convinced Presley that her previous advisers were incompetent and tricked her into signing contracts that granted them 80% of her income. Presley is seeking at least $1 million in damages plus attorney's fees and punitive damages, while the defendants have denie

Elder fraud is rising nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with Volusia County reporting $4.6 million in losses over the past year as scammers target older adults through imposter calls, investment fraud, and tech scams. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office created a three-person financial fraud unit and used a screening of the movie "Thelma"—which depicts a grandmother falling victim to an imposter scam—to educate 140+ seniors on fraud awareness and prevention. A 90-year-old attendee avoided a fake son/lawyer scam demanding $10,000 by verifying her son's location, exemplifying the importance of

Two Central Florida residents were arrested for stealing from elderly family members: Jeanette Jones allegedly took up to $50,000 from an elderly relative in Cocoa for unauthorized purchases at retailers like Walmart and Disney, while Steven Newman sent over $330,000 of his elderly family member's retirement funds overseas to Costa Rica after being caught in a Publisher's Clearing House scam cycle. Experts recommend implementing financial oversight with multiple authorized persons monitoring accounts, maintaining open communication about fraud risks, and regularly reviewing statements to detect unauthorized transactions early.

Florida's Senate Bill 556, effective January 1, 2025, authorizes banks to delay suspicious transactions and notify designated contacts when they suspect financial exploitation of seniors (65+) and vulnerable adults, providing legal protection for banks acting in good faith. The law was championed by South Hillsborough residents Jeff Merry and Kim Droege in response to widespread financial fraud, with FBI data showing that over 8,100 Floridians aged 60+ lost nearly $294 million to scams in the prior year. The bipartisan legislation, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on June 28, 2024, aims to give financial institutions tools to intervene before victims suffer losses.

Elder fraud is surging nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes driving dramatic increases in losses. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office formed a dedicated financial fraud unit and launched awareness campaigns, including a screening of the movie "Thelma" that depicted a grandparent falling victim to an impersonation scam—a con that mirrors real schemes targeting seniors' trust and assets. In Volusia County alone, seniors lost approximately $4.6 million over the past year, with detectives recovering only $760,000 of the nearly 575 reported fraud cases.

From 2013 to 2015, Evaldas Rimasauskas conducted a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam by impersonating the vendor Quanta Computer Inc., sending fraudulent invoices to Google and Facebook that totaled over $100 million in payments. Rimasauskas was arrested in 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison, but his scheme has since inspired numerous copycat criminals targeting municipalities and businesses, with recent incidents in Florida resulting in losses exceeding $1 million in at least one case, though some institutions have successfully blocked fraudulent transactions.

A 42-year-old man, Weikai Zhang, was arrested in Florida after attempting to defraud a 74-year-old woman through a phone scam where he convinced her that her bank account was at risk and persuaded her to purchase over 13 pounds of gold (valued at approximately $500,000) for delivery to her home, which he then planned to steal. Law enforcement officers learned of the scheme before the package arrived and apprehended Zhang near the victim's residence, preventing the loss of her life savings.

Law enforcement agencies, the FBI, and the Better Business Bureau in North Central Florida are warning of a significant increase in scam calls and texts, with residents like Jacqueline Johnson experiencing multiple fraud incidents including unauthorized credit cards and cash app fraud. Officials recommend not sharing personal information, verifying caller identities, and spreading awareness about scams to friends and family, as advancing technology enables increasingly sophisticated fraud including voice cloning and impersonation schemes.

Six fraudsters were arrested in Florida for stealing nearly $250,000 from seniors through grandparent scams, in which they posed as lawyers and claimed victims' grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. The perpetrators used courier services and ride-share drivers to collect cash from victims, some of whom were manipulated into making multiple payments totaling up to $54,000 each through elaborate false stories about escalating legal fees and additional charges. The defendants targeted seniors across seven counties and face multiple first-degree felonies including organized scheme to defraud and grand theft.

The U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 people nationwide in a health care fraud crackdown targeting elderly and disabled beneficiaries, including several Central Florida residents. The defendants included individuals who filed bogus medical equipment claims totaling millions in Medicare fraud ($9.3 million and $3.4 million in two cases), a nurse practitioner who illegally prescribed 1.5 million Adderall pills and received $800,000, and a hospital nurse accused of stealing fentanyl from patient IV bags. The cases involved conspiracy to commit health care fraud, illegal drug distribution, and theft of controlled substances from medical facilities.

Rima Nathan, an FSU law professor, received the inaugural AARP Florida Fraud Fighter Award for creating The Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic, which provides legal assistance and education to low-income seniors aged 60 and older. Since its establishment in 2022, the clinic has trained over 30 law students who have completed 16 cases and are working on 20 additional cases while educating hundreds of seniors on living wills, estate planning, and healthcare matters. The clinic is Florida's only legal clinic exclusively focused on elder law and aims to train future lawyers to better serve the state's growing aging population with empathy and understanding.

The Federal Trade Commission charged two groups of defendants with operating nationwide unauthorized billing scams that defrauded consumers out of millions of dollars. The defendants advertised "free" CBD and Keto personal care products, then secretly enrolled consumers in unwanted continuity plans and repeatedly charged their bank accounts without consent, while also using shell companies to launder credit card payments. The complaint names six defendants and entities: Harshil Topiwala, Kirtan Patel, and their companies (Legion Media LLC, KP Commerce LLC, Pinnacle Payments LLC), as well as Manindra Garg and Sloan Health Products LLC, with charges including violations of the F

Florida's new state law protecting consumers from moving scams took effect July 1, requiring movers to register with the state, provide transparent contracts, and disclose registration status in advertising, with enhanced penalties including felony charges for refusing to return household goods. Attorney General Moody's office has taken action against over 18 movers and moving brokers, resulting in approximately $27 million in fines and restitution since 2019, and updated consumer guidance recommends verifying mover licensing, reviewing contracts carefully, and reporting suspected scams to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Rima Nathan, director of Florida State University's Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic, was recognized by AARP Florida as a "Florida Fraud Fighter" for her work combating scams and exploitation targeting older adults and low-income seniors. Under her leadership since 2022, the clinic has recovered nearly $10,000 in predatory fees from solar panel scams, obtained financial relief from unlawful landlord practices, and partnered with the Florida Attorney General's Office to hold exploitative businesses accountable while providing free legal services and educational programming to hundreds of seniors in North Florida.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody and Senator Rick Scott warned seniors at the Villages about impersonation scams targeting older adults, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government officials to steal personal information and money through threats and deception. The scammers pressure victims into immediate payments via gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or wire transfers by claiming fictitious tax liabilities or refunds. Officials advised consumers to recognize that the IRS never demands immediate payment through these methods, never threatens law enforcement involvement, and never requests payment without allowing disputes—and to verify IRS communications directly at 800-829-1040 rather than using caller-provided numbers.

Six fraudsters were arrested in Florida for stealing nearly $250,000 from seniors through "grandparent scams," where they impersonated lawyers claiming grandchildren needed bail money after hitting a pregnant woman with a vehicle. The suspects used emotional manipulation and escalating demands—sometimes contacting victims multiple times with new fee claims—to pressure seniors into sending cash via ride-share couriers, with individual losses ranging from $8,000 to over $54,000. All six suspects face multiple first-degree felony charges including organized scheme to defraud, grand theft, and criminal use of personal identification.

Six individuals were arrested in Florida for operating a "grandparent scam" that defrauded seniors of nearly $250,000. The suspects impersonated lawyers and contacted elderly victims claiming their grandchildren needed bail money for hitting a pregnant woman, then pressured them to send cash via couriers; in some cases, the same victims were contacted multiple times with escalating demands, with individual losses ranging from $8,000 to $54,000. All six suspects face multiple first-degree felonies including organized fraud, grand theft, and criminal identity theft.

Six individuals were arrested in Florida for operating a grandparent scam that defrauded senior citizens of nearly $250,000 across multiple counties. The defendants posed as lawyers or legal representatives claiming victims' grandchildren were arrested and needed bail money, then used couriers (unknowing ride-share drivers) to collect cash from the victims. In some cases, the scammers contacted the same victim multiple times with escalating stories—such as a pregnant woman miscarrying or dying—to extract additional payments, with individual victims losing between $8,000 and $54,000.

Six individuals were charged in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded Florida seniors of more than $250,000, where scammers impersonated attorneys and claimed victims' grandchildren had been arrested in accidents and needed bail money urgently, with victims instructed not to tell anyone due to fake "gag orders." Two victims each lost over $50,000 after being contacted multiple times with escalating stories, and the criminals used unknowing ride-share drivers as couriers to collect cash placed in boxes by the victims. Arrested suspects include Gennesis Castro and Ada Tido, who face charges including organized fraud and criminal use of personal identification.

Two women—Rosanna Lisa Stanley (48, Florida) and Gina Guy (37, New York)—were arrested and charged with defrauding at least 16 elderly victims of over $7 million through romance scams spanning from 2009 to 2024. The defendants gained victims' trust through in-person meetings and online dating platforms, then convinced them to transfer money under false pretenses (fake businesses, organ transplants), which they laundered through shell company accounts and spent on luxury items including vehicles, jewelry, and a boat. Both face charges of wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, each

**Summary:** Scammers are sending phishing text messages claiming to be toll collection services (particularly SunPass from Florida) to trick drivers into paying fake toll violations. Since early March, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received over 2,000 complaints about these messages, which often reference states the recipient never visited and contain malware-infected links. Experts recommend ignoring the texts, verifying toll debts directly through official state agency websites, and blocking the fraudulent numbers.

Rima Nathan, Director of Florida State University's Claude Pepper Elder Law Clinic, was honored as a Florida Fraud Fighter by AARP Florida for her work combating scams targeting seniors and vulnerable populations. Under Nathan's direction, the clinic has recovered nearly $10,000 in predatory solar panel fees and secured financial relief for fixed-income seniors, while providing legal services and education to hundreds of North Florida residents. The recognition highlights the ongoing need for legal aid and community partnerships to address fraud, as Floridians lost $654 million to scams in 2023 alone.

Six fraudsters were accused of stealing nearly $250,000 from Florida seniors across multiple counties through grandparent scams, where they impersonated lawyers claiming victims' grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money. The defendants directed victims to withdraw cash and place it in boxes for pickup by ride-share drivers (unknowingly recruited couriers), with some victims being contacted repeatedly and pressured to send additional funds based on escalating false charges, resulting in individual losses exceeding $50,000. All six defendants faced multiple first-degree felonies including organized fraud and grand theft.

A 91-year-old woman in Newton, North Carolina, lost over $3,000 to credit card fraud after her account information was compromised, possibly during a trip to Florida. Her daughter has spent more than a year unsuccessfully disputing the charges with the credit card company, highlighting a growing trend of scammers targeting seniors for their financial assets. Experts recommend that families monitor their elderly relatives' financial accounts closely and have conversations with older adults about protecting their bank accounts and credit cards.

A 91-year-old woman lost over $3,000 to credit card fraud after her account information was compromised, possibly during a trip to Florida, highlighting a growing trend of seniors targeted by scammers seeking access to retirement accounts and financial credentials. Her daughter spent more than a year unsuccessfully disputing the charges and now advocates for families to monitor elderly relatives' credit card statements and have conversations about financial threats. Cybersecurity experts warn that seniors are deliberately targeted by fraudsters who can quickly max out compromised accounts before victims become aware of unauthorized charges.

Six individuals were arrested by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody's office for operating a grandparent scam that defrauded Florida seniors of nearly $250,000 across multiple counties. The perpetrators impersonated lawyers and claimed grandchildren had been arrested, demanding bail money in cash from victims—in one case, a Palm Bay victim lost over $54,000 after being told of escalating legal fees and medical expenses. The coordinated arrest involved law enforcement agencies from Miami-Dade, Brevard, Lee, Broward, and Orange counties, with the defendants facing multiple felonies including organized scheme to defraud and grand theft.

Florida's Attorney General's office hosted a Cryptocurrency Scams Symposium in The Villages to educate seniors about avoiding fraud while recognizing top Seniors vs. Crime volunteers. The Seniors vs. Crime program recovered over $2.6 million last year alone, assisting more than 9,100 seniors through volunteer efforts, with cumulative recoveries exceeding $10.5 million since 2019. The event honored five regional Super Senior Sleuths and volunteer John McLaughlin, a former law enforcement officer with over 10 years of service helping seniors and solving high-value fraud cases.

Scammers are impersonating the My Safe Florida Home program, a legitimate state initiative offering grants up to $10,000 for storm-resistant home improvements, to defraud homeowners by collecting payment for repairs while falsely claiming applicants are enrolled or eligible. Florida officials warn that criminals have left victims responsible for full repair costs after fraudulently claiming to register them with the program, and recommend residents verify contractor credentials, obtain written estimates, and report suspicious activity to prevent being victimized.

A 79-year-old Central Florida woman missed her husband's funeral in Wisconsin after falling victim to an airline scam while attempting to book a last-minute flight from Orlando-Sanford International Airport. The scam was sophisticated enough to initially deceive the airline itself as well. The woman had to rebook her travel separately after a medical emergency prevented her from joining her family on their originally scheduled June 1 flight to attend her late husband's funeral service.

A 79-year-old Florida woman lost approximately $2,000 to a flight booking scam and was prevented from boarding a flight to her husband's funeral in Wisconsin after scammers posing as an Allegiant Airlines representative charged her card multiple times for a fraudulent ticket. Although Stainer received a fake confirmation code and was able to check in luggage and pass through TSA with a boarding pass, the airline's fraud detection system only flagged the fraudulent third-party purchaser after she arrived at the gate, preventing her from boarding. Allegiant acknowledged the scam occurred when she booked the same day as departure, stating their system would have caught the fraud had the ticket been purchase

A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud when over $3,000 in fraudulent charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement in late 2022, shortly after she vacationed in Florida. Her daughter spent more than a year attempting to dispute the charges with Citibank, but the case was closed due to insufficient information, highlighting challenges elderly fraud victims face in resolving disputes. The incident reflects a broader trend in Massachusetts, where residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors being significantly more vulnerable to online scams, investment fraud, and imposter schemes.

Research from the University of Florida shows that approximately 1 in 6 Americans aged 65+ are vulnerable targets for financial fraud, with the FBI reporting over 90,000 older victims in 2021 alone, resulting in $1.7 billion in losses (a 74% increase from 2020). Psychologists have identified that susceptibility to deception varies by individual factors—including cognitive decline, memory loss, emotional state, and social isolation—as well as the method of deception employed, with those carrying Alzheimer's risk gene variants showing particular vulnerability to phishing and fraud schemes. Financial exploitation, often perpetrated by family members, caregivers, or stran

A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud in late 2022 when over $3,000 in unauthorized charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement after a Florida vacation, though her family's dispute with Citibank was closed due to insufficient information. The case highlights a broader problem: Massachusetts residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults. Experts recommend families monitor elderly parents' financial accounts closely and discuss common scam tactics, including requests for unusual payment methods and pressure to act quickly.

**Not applicable for this database.** This article ranks states for single people based on dating prospects and mental health resources, but does not describe a specific scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case. While it mentions that Florida has heightened risks of catfishing and romance scams generally, it provides no details about actual victims, perpetrators, financial losses, or fraud outcomes relevant to elder fraud documentation.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida's "Protection of Specified Adults" bill into law, which allows banks to delay disbursing funds for up to 15 days if employees suspect seniors aged 65 and older or vulnerable adults are being scammed. Florida seniors reported nearly $300 million in losses from scams, the second-highest in the nation, with cases ranging from phone impersonation schemes to elaborate financial exploitation; the law takes effect in January 2025. Experts recommend protecting against scams by hanging up on suspicious calls, avoiding unverified links, and verifying requests directly with official sources rather than numbers provided by potential scammers.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new Florida law allowing banks to delay withdrawals or transactions for up to 15 days (extendable) if employees suspect a senior citizen or vulnerable adult is being financially exploited. The law addresses concerns that isolated seniors and disabled individuals are targets for financial scams by family members, caregivers, and other unscrupulous individuals who gain access to their substantial assets.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new Florida law that empowers banks to delay withdrawals or transactions for up to 15 days if employees suspect a senior citizen or vulnerable adult is being financially exploited. The law addresses the vulnerability of isolated elderly people and those with disabilities who may be targeted by scammers—including unscrupulous caregivers, family members, or home health aides—seeking access to their substantial assets.

**Summary:** Timothy Bartlett, 69, of Deltona, Florida, was arrested for defrauding a Tampa-area nonprofit organization of $5,000 by falsely posing as a cancer patient named "Sally Holmes" seeking living expense assistance. Investigators discovered Bartlett had perpetrated the same scam against at least four other nonprofits in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee, and Wisconsin that provide financial aid to cancer patients.

Travel scams increase during busy vacation seasons, and consumers can protect themselves by researching typical pricing for their destination, booking directly through official platforms rather than external communications, and avoiding wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency payments that pressure quick decisions. Additional red flags include imposter scams where fraudsters impersonate airline or hotel staff to steal personal information, making it especially important to verify you're on legitimate websites when booking on mobile devices. Suspected travel scams should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission.

Florida enacted a new law allowing banks to delay large withdrawals for up to 15 days if employees suspect seniors or vulnerable adults are being financially exploited, with legal immunity for good-faith delays. Florida seniors lost $294 million to scams in 2023 through various methods including social media, phone calls, and door-to-door fraud, though only 20% of cases are reported. The law, effective January 2024, requires banks to notify account holders and "trusted contacts" and contact law enforcement during the delay period to investigate potential fraud.

A Privacy Journal study analyzing FBI, FTC, and CDC data ranked states by online dating safety risks, including romance scams, identity theft, STIs, violent crime, and registered sex offenders per 100,000 people. South Carolina ranked among the 10 most dangerous states for online dating, alongside Nevada, Alaska, Georgia, and Florida, while Vermont and Maine were identified as safest. The study notes that while dating apps facilitate connections (with 1 in 4 couples meeting online), users should avoid money requests, meet in public locations, and refrain from sharing personal information until after meeting someone in person.

This educational piece highlights World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), which aims to raise global awareness about physical, emotional, and financial exploitation of older adults. AARP and Florida organizations are hosting multiple virtual and in-person events throughout June to educate seniors and caregivers on fraud prevention, scam recognition, and elder protection resources, with information available on the Florida Fraud Resource Page.