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attorneygeneral.gov
· 2026-01-22
Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday reported major law enforcement achievements in his first year, including the seizure of 539 illegal firearms and over 56 million fentanyl doses worth an estimated $58 million. The office also launched new initiatives to protect seniors from financial abuse and expanded efforts against organized retail crime. Residents can protect themselves by staying vigilant against scams targeting older adults and being aware of the growing threats posed by illegal drugs and firearms in their communities.
losgatan.com
· 2026-01-22
A 62-year-old Gilroy woman was sentenced to one year in county jail for embezzling over $100,000 from her employer, a century-old family winery, where she worked as an administrative assistant with access to bank accounts and credit cards. She used her position to fraudulently open credit cards and wrote fake checks, spending more than $60,000 at a casino while concealing her theft by hiding bank statements and changing email passwords. To protect yourself, be cautious about granting financial access to employees, regularly monitor bank statements and credit accounts, and implement checks and balances that require multiple people to authorize transactions.
arnoldporter.com
· 2026-01-22
The Trump administration announced plans in January 2026 to create a new DOJ division focused on fighting fraud affecting government programs, businesses, and citizens, led by a presidentially appointed Assistant Attorney General reporting directly to the White House. However, officials have provided conflicting details about the division's structure, resources, and how it will avoid duplicating existing DOJ fraud enforcement efforts, leaving significant questions unanswered. While the administration emphasized recent prosecutions of immigrants accused of benefit fraud in Minnesota, consumers should remain vigilant about fraud targeting them directly and report suspected fraud to the FTC or their local law enforcement.
valleybreeze.com
· 2026-01-22
# Elder Fraud Presentation Summary
Hope Library in Scituate is hosting a free presentation on Tuesday, January 27th at 2 p.m. led by the Office of the Attorney General's Elder Abuse Unit, aimed at educating older adults about fraud schemes, scams, identity theft, and abuse they commonly face. The event will cover current scam trends and provide information about resources to help protect seniors from becoming victims. Interested attendees can visit hopelibraryri.org or call 401-821-7910 for more details.
harder.house.gov
· 2026-01-22
Representatives Josh Harder and Brian Fitzpatrick introduced bipartisan legislation called the Stop SCAMS Act to combat organized cybercrime by creating an FBI-led government task force that coordinates efforts across agencies like the FBI, FTC, and CFPB. The legislation aims to reduce scams targeting working families and seniors who lose significant savings to sophisticated criminal schemes including robocalls and fraud. The bill has received endorsement from AARP and seeks to improve government response through unified strategy and accountability to prevent and prosecute scammers more effectively.
lawrenceks.gov
· 2026-01-22
A Lawrence widow nearly fell victim to a sophisticated scam when hackers tried to gain access to her life savings, but an anonymous "Gray Hat Hacker" known as Deyoclub monitored the fraud operation from the inside, tracked down her son, and alerted him in time to stop the transfers and secure her accounts. The hacker, who infiltrates overseas fraud rings to disrupt their operations, had become motivated to fight scams after a close friend fell victim to a romance scam. The incident highlights how vigilant family members and cybersecurity experts can work together to prevent fraud, though victims are generally advised to contact local law enforcement and trusted financial institutions directly rather than relying on outside hackers.
knsiradio.com
· 2026-01-22
Minnesota has enacted a new law effective January 1st that strengthens legal protections for older adults who fall victim to scams or financial exploitation by family members or trusted individuals. The law allows vulnerable adults or their representatives to obtain orders of protection that can freeze accounts and cut off contact with perpetrators, giving courts and banks the authority to stop fraud faster than previously possible. Older adults should be aware of this resource if they experience financial scams or suspect exploitation, and financial professionals are now protected when reporting suspected crimes involving vulnerable populations.
lvpnews.com
· 2026-01-22
A 25-year-old man from New Jersey was sentenced to up to 3 years in prison for defrauding a 74-year-old Whitehall resident out of over $500,000 in gold and $91,000 in cash through an elaborate scam involving fake PayPal alerts and threats of arrest. The perpetrator used various pretexts—claiming payment errors and demanding cryptocurrency, gold, or cash—to manipulate the elderly victim into withdrawing retirement funds and purchasing gold bars, which he then collected in person. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected payment alerts via email, never send money via cryptocurrency or gift cards based on unsolicited calls, and verify suspicious claims by directly contacting your bank or PayPal using official phone numbers rather than numbers provided by the caller.
mk.co.kr
· 2026-01-22
# Article Summary
South Korean police are repatriating 73 fraud suspects from Cambodia—the largest single-case repatriation on record—who stole approximately 48.6 billion won (roughly $37 million USD) from nearly 900 victims in South Korea and Cambodia. The suspects used various schemes including romance scams with deepfake technology, fake investment fraud targeting retirees, and hostage-taking extortion, with some criminals even undergoing plastic surgery to evade capture.
**Actionable advice for potential victims:** Be extremely cautious of online romantic partners, especially those asking for money or investment opportunities; verify investment advisors' credentials independently; and report suspicious activity to local authorities immediately, as international cooperation can lead to arrests and asset recovery.
catcountry1073.com
· 2026-01-21
A Texas couple has been sentenced to prison for operating a romance scam that targeted elderly people, including at least one victim from New Jersey, by creating fake dating profiles and convincing victims to send money under false pretenses (such as claiming they needed to pay taxes on gold in Ghana). Felix Clark received five years in prison for wire fraud and conspiracy, having admitted to losses totaling over $501,000, while his girlfriend Esther Amppiaw received 18 months for operating an unlicensed money transmitter business. Elderly people should be cautious of online dating profiles from strangers who quickly profess romantic interest or ask for money, especially those claiming to need funds for international transactions or emergencies.
keloland.com
· 2026-01-21
Scammers are increasingly targeting South Dakota residents, particularly elderly people, by posing as government officials or businesses and directing victims to deposit money into cryptocurrency terminals where the funds disappear. A state senator and AARP are now pushing legislation that would require cryptocurrency kiosk operators to be licensed, implement daily and monthly transaction limits, and be responsible for refunding missing money. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contacts claiming financial emergencies and never move money into cryptocurrency based on such requests.
berkshireeagle.com
· 2026-01-21
A 23-year-old South Boston man pleaded guilty to defrauding a 75-year-old North Adams resident of $420,000 through a scheme that falsely claimed federal officials were protecting the victim's money. The scam targeted a senior citizen who was particularly vulnerable to the fraudster's claims of government involvement. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls or messages claiming federal agencies are safeguarding your funds, verify any such claims directly with official government agencies, and never send money based on these types of requests.
fox29.com
· 2026-01-21
# Tax Scam Summary
During tax season, scammers impersonate the IRS to steal money and personal information from taxpayers by making false promises of refunds, threatening arrest, or creating fake official-looking messages designed to pressure quick action. To protect yourself, remember that the IRS typically contacts people first by mail through the postal service—not by unsolicited phone calls, emails, or texts—and watch out for red flags like promises of large refunds, urgent payment demands, threats of arrest, and suspicious website links with misspelled addresses. If you receive a suspicious tax message, verify it by checking the IRS website directly or searching for the specific notice rather than clicking any links provided.
973espn.com
· 2026-01-21
# Romance Scam Summary
A Texas man and woman have been sentenced to prison for operating romance scams that targeted elderly people, including victims from New Jersey, by posing as romantic interests online and tricking them into sending money under false pretexts like paying taxes on nonexistent gold in Ghana. Felix Clark received five years in prison and admitted to facilitating over $500,000 in losses, while his girlfriend Esther Amppiaw received 18 months for helping transfer the stolen funds. To protect yourself, be cautious of online dating profiles from people who quickly profess love or ask for money, especially for overseas fees or emergencies, and verify identities through video calls before sharing any financial information.
herald.wales
· 2026-01-21
Romance scams are targeting Welsh people ahead of Valentine's Day and Dydd Santes Dwynwen, with scammers exploiting the Welsh language and cultural trust to deceive victims—over £11 million was lost to scams in 2025, with an average loss of £17,785 per person. The Money and Pensions Service is urging people to stay vigilant and remember that scammers can operate in any language, including Welsh, and that being scammed is not something to feel ashamed about. If targeted, victims should report the fraud and seek free, confidential support through MoneyHelper or Report Fraud rather than suffering in silence.
digitaljournal.com
· 2026-01-21
# Fraud Alert Summary
Finance Complaint List, a consumer protection organization, is warning of a global surge in sophisticated online scams targeting investors and everyday consumers through social media, messaging apps, and fake investment platforms. Common scams include fraudulent AI-trading bots promising guaranteed returns, romance scams that escalate to fake investment pitches, and cloned legitimate financial websites designed to steal deposits. The organization urges victims to report scams immediately through official regulatory channels or FinanceComplaintList.com, and advises consumers to verify platform legitimacy before investing, be skeptical of guaranteed returns, and watch for red flags like withdrawal restrictions or requests for "unlock fees."
theglobeandmail.com
· 2026-01-21
An 87-year-old Toronto retiree nearly lost $3,000 to a convincing "bank investigation" scam where a fraudster posed as an official and instructed her to withdraw cash, claiming her account had been compromised. Canadian seniors are increasingly targeted by cyberscams, with research showing that one in three Canadians fell victim to fake-job or CRA refund scams over a three-month period last summer. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls asking you to withdraw money or keep conversations secret, and alert bank staff or cashiers if you suspect fraud—in this case, a pharmacy cashier's intervention saved the victim from losing her money.
meathlive.net
· 2026-01-21
A woman in County Louth lost €2,000 to a Facebook scam promising unrealistic returns of €200,000 on a €10,000 investment, with the perpetrator claiming to offer Covid-related payments. Emmanuel Oweibe was charged with defrauding the victim, and while he partially compensated her with €2,000 and apologized in court, the judge expressed concern about how frequently these scams are occurring. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited messages offering guaranteed high returns on investments and never send money to strangers online, especially through social media platforms.
pembroke-today.co.uk
· 2026-01-21
Romance scams are surging in Wales, with over £11 million reported lost in 2025 and an average loss of £17,785 per victim, particularly ahead of Dydd Santes Dwynwen and Valentine's Day. Scammers operate in any language, including Welsh, exploiting the perceived trustworthiness of Welsh speakers and accents to target victims. Those affected are urged to seek free, confidential support through MoneyHelper and report crimes to Report Fraud, without shame, as victims have been targeted by criminals rather than at fault.
mezha.net
· 2026-01-20
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating whether Minnesota political figures, including Governor Tim Walz and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, received campaign contributions obtained through fraud schemes involving elderly care facilities and charitable organizations. So far, the FBI has found no evidence of campaign violations, though the investigation remains ongoing and has drawn scrutiny as potentially politically motivated. Voters and donors should be cautious about campaign contributions and report any suspicious fundraising activity to election authorities.
aol.com
· 2026-01-20
Scammers are targeting older Americans with increasingly sophisticated "grandparent scams" that combine personal data, emotional manipulation, and sometimes AI voice technology to impersonate family members in fake emergencies. A grandfather nearly wired his life savings after receiving a convincing call claiming his grandson needed bail money, complete with real details like the grandson's name and recent move. To protect yourself, fraud experts recommend asking the caller a question only your real family member would know—scammers typically hang up when challenged this way—and always verify emergencies by calling another trusted family member directly before sending money.
wrangellsentinel.com
· 2026-01-20
A 25-year-old man was sentenced to a year in jail for his role in an elaborate phone scam that defrauded a Petersburg elderly resident of $129,000, with a third suspect still at large. The scammer impersonated a government agent and convinced the victim that her identity had been stolen, persuading her to wire money in multiple transfers. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited calls from people claiming to be government officials asking for money, never wire funds based on such calls, and verify any claims by contacting official agencies directly through known phone numbers.
bbc.com
· 2026-01-20
A Cambodian businessman named Kuong Li has been arrested following a 2023 BBC investigation into online scam operations in Southeast Asia, where he was accused of running a compound that trafficked and exploited workers forced to conduct romance and financial scams targeting victims in Europe and the United States. The arrest is part of a broader crackdown on organized online fraud, with charges including human trafficking, fraud, and money laundering related to operations dating back to 2019. People seeking employment overseas should be cautious of job offers that seem too good to be true, verify opportunities through legitimate channels, and contact authorities if they suspect trafficking or exploitation.
the-independent.com
· 2026-01-20
A South Korean woman in her 30s was arrested for stabbing a man in his 40s during their first in-person meeting after connecting on a dating app, leaving him with injuries to his arm and face that are not life-threatening. The incident highlights growing safety concerns around dating apps in South Korea, where romance scams have surged to over 1,500 cases annually, causing financial losses exceeding $7 million. Users should exercise caution when meeting online contacts in person, meet in public places, inform trusted contacts of their whereabouts, and be alert to suspicious behavior or requests for money.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2026-01-20
Millions of people turn to Reddit for help when facing cyberattacks, fraud, and account compromises because they lack the technical knowledge to handle these threats on their own. The threat landscape is rapidly evolving with faster, more automated attacks powered by AI, including sophisticated phishing, voice cloning, and text-message scams that cost victims globally around €850 million annually. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited messages and emails, verify requests through official channels before sharing information, use strong unique passwords, and consider seeking help from official support channels rather than relying on strangers online.
statetimes.in
· 2026-01-20
# Cyber Scam Summary
An elderly couple in Srinagar lost their lifetime savings of 48 lakh rupees to a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters posing as CBI and telecom authority officials convinced them through WhatsApp video calls that they were under criminal investigation and threatened immediate arrest and asset seizure. The scammers used forged government documents, psychological pressure, and isolation tactics (forbidding contact with family or police) to coerce the victims into transferring money over several days. To protect yourself, verify government agency contact through official channels rather than responding to unsolicited calls, know that real authorities won't demand money transfers or threaten arrest over the phone, and report suspicious communications to police immediately instead of engaging further with the caller.
wrdw.com
· 2026-01-19
# Scams Rising Across the U.S.
Americans receive approximately 2.5 million scam and robocalls monthly, with scammers increasingly impersonating law enforcement to threaten arrest or demand payment via gift cards and wire transfers. In the Augusta area alone, ten of 22 counties have reported rising scam activity since November, including impersonations of local agencies like North Augusta Public Safety and major companies like Amazon and Georgia Power. To protect yourself, never provide personal information or payment to callers claiming to be law enforcement, verify suspicious calls by contacting the agency directly, and register your phone number on the Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call list to reduce scam call volume.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-01-19
A 74-year-old terminally ill cancer patient in British Columbia lost $1,500 in a scam while attempting to buy a used camper van from a stranger, hoping to take one final camping trip with his grandson before he dies. The man, who is living in a hospice on a minimal pension, was approached by someone who showed him the vehicle and claimed to sell it, but the transaction turned out to be fraudulent. For anyone buying used vehicles or items from strangers, experts recommend meeting in safe public locations, verifying ownership documentation, and considering using escrow services or payment methods that offer buyer protection rather than cash transactions.
newtelegraphng.com
· 2026-01-19
An EFCC operative testified in court that over 600 Nigerian youths were trained and recruited into a sophisticated cyber fraud network involving cryptocurrency investment scams, romance scams, and money laundering, leading to the arrest of 792 people in December 2024. The trial centers on Friday Audu, who allegedly coordinated this international scam operation through a shell company called Genting International Ltd that posed as a gaming business while facilitating criminal activities. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities (especially cryptocurrency), romantic advances from online contacts, and verify the legitimacy of companies before sending money or personal information.
nbcsandiego.com
· 2026-01-19
A San Diego man pleaded guilty to his role in an international scam that defrauded over 500 elderly victims of more than $42 million since mid-2021, using fake tech support pop-ups and fake refund schemes to trick people into sending money. Victor Lee Marion, who operated the money laundering operation through his barbershop, transferred millions overseas to co-conspirators in India, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates while recruiting others into the scheme. Seniors should be cautious of unsolicited tech support pop-ups, never share personal information or send money to resolve computer issues, and verify refunds directly with their banks rather than responding to unexpected notifications.
wkrn.com
· 2026-01-19
Two California residents, Auriona Lewis and Tatiyanna Foster, were arrested for using counterfeit $100 bills at approximately a dozen In-N-Out Burger locations across Los Angeles and Orange counties over several months. The scheme involved making small purchases with fake bills and pocketing the legitimate change—for example, buying a $5.92 burger to receive real currency in return. Customers and businesses should inspect cash carefully for signs of counterfeiting, report suspicious transactions to police immediately, and be aware that counterfeit money schemes can cause real financial harm to local restaurants and employees.
komu.com
· 2026-01-19
# Fraud Alert Summary
The Cole County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a scam where callers impersonate deputies and claim victims have arrest warrants, demanding payment over the phone. Law enforcement will never contact you by phone about warrants or ask for payment, so if you receive such a call, hang up and independently contact your local sheriff's office using an official number to verify. If you've been targeted by this scam, contact the Cole County Sheriff's Office at 573-634-9160.
foxnews.com
· 2026-01-18
A Texas couple, Christopher and Raquelle Judge, pleaded guilty to defrauding dozens of homeowners out of nearly $5 million by posing as legitimate home renovation contractors on social media between 2020 and 2023. They lured customers with below-market bids but never completed the promised renovation projects, leaving homes unfinished and generating hundreds of building code violations. To protect yourself, verify contractors' credentials and licenses independently, avoid paying large upfront fees, and get detailed written contracts before any work begins.
whio.com
· 2026-01-18
Scammers in Centerville are calling bank customers while impersonating fraud investigators, asking them to share one-time authentication codes that give criminals access to drain their accounts. The scammers spoof legitimate bank numbers or use toll-free numbers that are difficult to identify as fraudulent. To protect yourself, hang up on unsolicited calls and contact your bank directly using the number on your card or statement—never share authentication codes with anyone who calls you.
wsaz.com
· 2026-01-18
Scammers are impersonating U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement in a widespread fraud scheme, calling or texting victims to demand immediate payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or Bitcoin by threatening arrest for missed court dates or jury duty. These fraudsters often send fake court documents and may pressure victims not to tell family members. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate law enforcement will never call demanding money—if you receive such a call, hang up and call 911 directly to verify any claims.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-01-18
A "pig butchering" scam exploited Joe Novak, a 51-year-old father who lost $280,000 after a fake woman befriended him on Facebook, built emotional trust over months, and then convinced him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes that promised high returns. These sophisticated scams target vulnerable people by establishing romantic connections before pivoting to financial requests, leaving victims emotionally devastated and financially ruined. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic connections from strangers online, never invest money based on advice from people you've only met digitally, and verify investment opportunities through official, independent sources before committing any funds.
rvtravel.com
· 2026-01-18
RVers are particularly vulnerable to scams because they frequently travel between states, use public Wi-Fi, and are isolated while traveling, making them targets for increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes including fake job offers, recovery scams targeting previous victims, government impersonation scams, and romance scams. To protect themselves, RVers should avoid unsolicited job offers requesting upfront payments or gift cards, never pay fees to recover stolen funds (legitimate agencies don't charge upfront), hang up on callers claiming to be government officials demanding immediate payment, and be cautious of online relationships that eventually request money. The key advice is to verify any unexpected contact through official channels, never send money to unknown parties, and remain skeptical of urgent payment demands regardless of who claims to be calling.
chicagotribune.com
· 2026-01-18
An elderly Palos Hills resident lost $788,000 in a phone scam involving cryptocurrency and other methods, part of a troubling trend of high-value fraud targeting seniors in the south suburbs. A second victim in the same area lost $19,000 when a scammer impersonated a Chase Bank representative, and similar schemes have cost other residents hundreds of thousands of dollars through fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scams targeting older adults for amounts exceeding $100,000 have increased nearly sevenfold since 2020, making it critical for seniors and their families to verify any unsolicited financial requests directly with their banks using official phone numbers and to be skeptical of pressure to quickly transfer money or invest in cryptocurrency.
goldrushcam.com
· 2026-01-18
A Chinese national named Zhao Wang pleaded guilty to orchestrating a $27 million fraud scheme that targeted approximately 2,000 elderly Americans through fake technical support calls, bank impersonation, and refund scams. The scammers used unsolicited calls and pop-up ads to direct victims to India-based call centers, where they used social engineering and remote access software to trick victims into sending their own money via wire transfers or cash in the mail. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact about refunds or technical problems, never grant remote access to your computer to unknown callers, and verify any refund claims directly with companies using official contact information.
goldrushcam.com
· 2026-01-18
A Sacramento man named Jaswant Singh Gill pleaded guilty to wire fraud after stealing approximately $777,470 from an investor through a fake investment scheme between May 2024 and June 2025. Instead of investing the money as promised, Gill used the stolen funds for personal expenses like restaurant dinners, luxury items, and a personal driver while falsely reassuring the victim that their investment was growing. To protect yourself from similar schemes, verify that investment firms are legitimate and registered, be skeptical of guaranteed high returns, and never send money to unverified investment opportunities.
wavy.com
· 2026-01-17
A Virginia Beach man, Dion Lamont Camp, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for defrauding romantic partners—particularly Navy servicemembers with good credit—through an identity theft and auto loan scheme that netted over $1.7 million in fraudulent loans for luxury cars between 2020 and 2022. Victims were manipulated into romantic relationships, then had their identities stolen and credit used without consent, leaving them to spend years rebuilding their financial lives while Camp defaulted on over $100,000 in child support for his 22 children. If you have good credit and are dating someone new, be cautious about sharing personal financial information, monitor your credit reports regularly, and watch for unexpected loan applications or credit inquiries in your name.
inkl.com
· 2026-01-17
Fraud detection systems flag certain online purchases as "risky," particularly for people over 50, because scammers frequently target this age group—common red flags include buying expensive electronics, cryptocurrency, or luxury items from unfamiliar websites or in unusual quantities. To avoid these delays and protect yourself from actual scams, use verified retailers and trusted payment platforms like PayPal or Apple Pay, and verify investment platforms through official sources like FINRA before depositing money.
kashmirlife.net
· 2026-01-17
An elderly couple in Srinagar lost Rs 48 lakh after scammers posing as CBI and TRAI officials convinced them they were under "digital arrest" for financial fraud, subjecting them to psychological intimidation and continuous video surveillance until they transferred the money. Authorities emphasize that "digital arrest" is not a real legal process and warn that such scams disproportionately target senior citizens, particularly those living alone. People should immediately report suspicious calls to the cyber helpline 1930, never share banking details with callers claiming to be officials, and always verify claims directly through official channels.
goldrushcam.com
· 2026-01-17
Victor Marion, the leader of a San Diego-based money laundering operation, pleaded guilty to his role in an international fraud scheme that defrauded over 500 elderly Americans of more than $42 million. The scam operated from call centers in Dubai and India, using fake technical support pop-ups to trick victims into sending money, then exploiting them further with fake refund schemes that appeared to show large overages on their computers. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited technical support pop-ups, never allow remote access to your computer from unsolicited callers, and verify any refunds through official company websites or phone numbers rather than responding to unexpected messages.
atholdailynews.com
· 2026-01-17
# Fraud Case Summary
An Idaho woman accused of helping steal $338,000 from the town of Orange through fraudulent invoices claims she was actually a victim of a romance scam, according to her attorney. Jennifer Grasmick, 51, allegedly deposited and transferred funds to cryptocurrency as a favor to someone she believed was a romantic interest online, without realizing the money came from fraudulent sources. Her attorney argues she never personally benefited from the scheme and that a proper investigation would reveal she was manipulated by foreign scammers, not a willing participant in the town's theft.
cointribune.com
· 2026-01-17
Cryptocurrency scams reached an unprecedented $17 billion in losses in 2025, driven by criminals using AI tools like deepfakes and automated messaging to create more convincing frauds at scale, with average losses per victim jumping 253% to $2,764. Scammers are leveraging AI-generated fake videos, impersonations of government officials and authority figures, and language models to build trust quickly and target thousands of victims simultaneously, with AI-enabled scams now accounting for over 70% of the largest crypto fraud operations. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited messages asking for crypto payments—especially those with videos or claims from officials—and verify any requests through official channels directly rather than through contact information provided in the message.
13newsnow.com
· 2026-01-16
# Virginia Beach Man Sentenced for $1.7M Fraud Scheme
A Virginia Beach man, Dion Lamont Camp, was sentenced to 45 years in prison for orchestrating a scheme that defrauded over $1.7 million from romantic partners, credit unions, auto dealers, and other victims through identity theft and fraudulent loans. Camp targeted women with good credit and jobs, manipulating them into romantic relationships to obtain fraudulent auto loans and credit cards, while also stealing personal information from strangers to apply for loans and rentals. To protect yourself, be cautious about sharing personal information early in relationships, monitor your credit reports regularly, and verify any unexpected loan or credit card applications in your name.
mcall.com
· 2026-01-16
# Fraud Scam Summary
A 25-year-old New Jersey man was sentenced to 12-36 months in prison after stealing over $500,000 in gold and $91,000 in cash from a 74-year-old Lehigh County resident through an elaborate scam involving fake PayPal fraud claims and threats of arrest. The perpetrator convinced the victim to withdraw funds from his IRA and purchase gold by repeatedly claiming there were account errors and threatening jail time if payments weren't made via cryptocurrency and cash. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited calls or emails requesting large sums of money, especially in untraceable forms like cryptocurrency or gold, and verify any financial claims directly with official company channels rather than through provided contact information.
iapp.org
· 2026-01-16
# Article Summary
AI-powered fraud targeting seniors—including voice-cloned calls and AI-generated images—increased 14% in 2024, with people over 60 being particularly vulnerable to romance and financial scams. Opt-Inspire, a nonprofit founded by privacy professional Lexi Lutz, has trained over 750 volunteers to educate seniors through interactive presentations on recognizing common fraud tactics like phishing, tech support scams, and impersonation schemes. Key protective steps seniors should take include remaining skeptical of urgent requests, never sharing personal information unsolicited, and learning to identify red flags such as offers that sound too good to be true.
cbs8.com
· 2026-01-16
A San Diego man pleaded guilty to laundering millions of dollars stolen through an international scam that defrauded over 500 elderly victims of more than $40 million since mid-2021. The scheme, operating from India, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates, used fake tech support pop-ups to trick victims into purchasing unnecessary services or convinced them they'd been over-refunded and needed to return money to scammers. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited tech support pop-ups, never purchase services from unexpected tech support contacts, and verify any refund claims by contacting companies directly through official channels.