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verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide examines the psychology behind why people fall for scams, emphasizing that susceptibility is not a matter of intelligence but rather how scammers exploit psychological vulnerabilities. Key findings include that adults aged 35-44 are most likely to be deceived (though older adults remain targeted), those 18-24 lose the most money, and online fraud causes an estimated $2.7 billion in annual losses while also impacting victims' mental health. The article outlines how scammers build trust through impersonation and social engineering, and notes that common scams include phone fraud, phishing, fake job offers, and emergency schemes—increasingly enhanced by AI technology.
nbcboston.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin ATM scams cost victims over $65 million in the first half of 2024, with scammers using government and business impersonation tactics to trick people into depositing cash at these machines. An 83-year-old victim lost $34,000 after a fake Apple security alert directed her to call a number where scammers impersonated her bank's fraud department. The FTC advises people to ignore unsolicited calls and pop-ups, verify company contact information independently, and remember that legitimate businesses never request cash deposits via Bitcoin ATMs or gift cards to resolve account issues.
anz.com.au
· 2025-12-08
This educational article distinguishes between scams (where criminals manipulate victims into sharing information or money) and fraud (where criminals use stolen information without the victim's involvement), and outlines how to identify suspicious messages. The piece advises that red flags include pressure tactics, mismatched sender email addresses, and offers that seem too good to be true, emphasizing that individuals are the first line of defense against scams through reporting and awareness. In 2023, Australians lost $476 million collectively to scams, making vigilance against suspicious communications critical for protecting personal finances and sensitive information.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
HSBC Australia warns older Australians, particularly those aged 55-64 who hold significant wealth, that they are increasingly targeted by scammers, with losses from remote access scams among people over 65 rising 13.3% to $120 million in 2023. Remote access scams typically involve fraudsters calling victims claiming an account or device issue, then requesting they download software that grants the scammer control of their computer and access to banking passwords and one-time security codes. HSBC recommends never granting computer access to unknown parties, avoiding online banking when someone has remote access, refusing to share security codes, keeping antivirus software updated, and verifying bank contact by
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
A March 2024 Interac survey found that nine in 10 Canadians experienced at least one fraud attempt in the past year, with experts warning that AI-enabled scams and upcoming real-time payment systems will increase risks. The most common digital scams targeting Canadians are investment fraud (particularly cryptocurrency schemes responsible for over half of the $309 million in investment fraud losses), imposter fraud targeting financial institutions, and job fraud—often using sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry and fake social media profiles. Experts recommend prevention through Interac's "3-S" approach: stop, scrutinize, and speak up.
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
The Town of Oyster Bay partnered with the Nassau County District Attorney's office to combat scams targeting seniors, offering two educational seminars in September 2024 to teach residents about online threats and reporting procedures. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over $230 million was stolen from New Yorkers by scammers in 2024 alone, with seniors being particularly vulnerable to phone and email scams impersonating government agents, banks, or family members, as well as physical theft and technologically sophisticated attacks. The seminars address growing concerns about increasingly complex fraud schemes, including those using artificial intelligence to mimic voices, with some victims losing their entire life savings.
helsinkitimes.fi
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams in Finland increased significantly in the first half of 2024, with losses totaling 27.5 million euros—nearly 8 million more than the same period in 2023. Phishing scams caused the largest losses at 11.7 million euros, while investment scams more than doubled to 10.9 million euros, though banks managed to block an additional 18.2 million euros in fraudulent transactions. Experts advise caution against scams using urgency tactics and impersonation of officials, and recommend being skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru man named KJ Rao lost Rs 59 lakh in an elaborate online scam involving fraudsters who impersonated police, CBI officials, and a judge to convince him he was under "digital arrest" for money laundering and misuse of Aadhaar details. Using multiple deceptive tactics including fake video calls, fabricated courtroom proceedings, and continuous surveillance via Skype, the scammers pressured Rao to transfer Rs 50 lakh and Rs 9 lakh to separate bank accounts under the pretense of court orders. Rao reported the scam to local police after the scammers abruptly ended contact
b985.fm
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as bank representatives are targeting small business owners in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts by calling victims about suspicious account activity and requesting screen-sharing access to transfer funds. Amy Kelly, owner of TaleSpinStudio in Maine, lost all funds from her business account after falling victim to this scam, which the Federal Trade Commission reports occurred over 1,000 times in Maine in 2023. Despite reporting the incident to police and her bank, recovery efforts were largely unsuccessful.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru man lost Rs 59 lakh in a sophisticated online scam involving fluent English-speaking fraudsters who impersonated police officers, CBI officials, and a judge to convince him he was under "digital arrest" for money laundering and Aadhaar misuse. The scammers used automated calls, WhatsApp video calls, fake courtroom theatrics, and round-the-clock surveillance via Skype to psychologically manipulate the victim into transferring funds across multiple bank accounts before abruptly disconnecting. The victim reported the incident to police after realizing the deception.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-08
Vista resident Jan Hoops lost approximately $24,000 in a gift card scam after a pop-up alert directed her to call a fake Microsoft number; the scammer convinced her that her accounts had been hacked, instructed her to withdraw cash from her credit union and purchase Lowes gift cards, then obtained the card numbers by having her read them aloud. Employees at both the credit union and store warned Hoops about the scam, but the fraudster kept her on the phone and instructed her not to trust them, ultimately deceiving her into providing the gift card information needed to cash them in. The recommended defense is to hang up on unsolicited calls about account breaches and independently verify concerns
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Tennessee man's wife fell victim to a sophisticated scam where thieves posed as bank representatives following a legitimate fraud alert text, tricking her into revealing the answer to her account's security question. Using this information, the scammers disabled notifications, transferred funds between accounts, and set up an ACH withdrawal—though the victim's daily account monitoring allowed her to catch the fraud quickly and recover most funds through her bank and IC3 reporting. The incident illustrates how scammers exploit trust and use security question answers to bypass account protections, and highlights the importance of verifying caller identity and being cautious about sharing personal information even when requests seem legitimate.
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
David Checkley, a romance fraudster, was jailed again after previously defrauding Sharon Shearer, 70, of over £200,000 during a three-year relationship that left her bankrupt and homeless. The article also reports a significant rise in various fraud schemes in the UK, including an 43% increase in banking complaints about denied refunds (8,700 cases between April-June), a 34% surge in purchase scams totaling £85.9 million in 2023, and a 31% increase in romance scam payments reaching £36.5 million—the highest ever recorded. Common scams highlighted include marketplace fraud, fake ticketing schemes,
lawrencekstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister conducted a community presentation warning residents about common scams after a local family lost $90,000, noting that scammers typically operate outside U.S. jurisdiction making fund recovery nearly impossible. Scammers use emails, phone calls, social media, and mail to target victims by spoofing phone numbers, impersonating government agencies or financial institutions, and creating emotional urgency through threats or too-good-to-be-true offers. Armbrister recommends verifying suspicious calls by hanging up and calling trusted numbers, watching for red flags like immediate threats and AI-enhanced voice spoofing, and never providing personal or banking information to unsolicited callers
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Moira Stuart, a 75-year-old BBC News presenter, fell victim to a sophisticated phone scam where fraudsters impersonated her bank and instructed her to transfer money to catch an alleged "inside job" at her branch. A vigilant bank cashier prevented her from losing thousands of pounds by questioning the transaction and alerting the bank's anti-fraud team. Stuart publicly shared her experience to combat the shame surrounding fraud victimization and to raise awareness, noting that nearly three million instances of bank fraud costing £1.2 billion were recorded the previous year, with authorized fraud victims losing an average of nearly £2,000.
bristolpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Journalist Moira Stuart fell victim to a sophisticated bank impersonation scam approximately three years ago in which a caller claimed to be from her bank, alleging fraudulent activity and instructing her to withdraw cash from an alternative branch while remaining on the phone. The scam was thwarted when a vigilant bank teller questioned her actions and advised her it "doesn't sound right," prompting her to report the incident to the bank's anti-fraud team. Stuart has since partnered with BT Group and AbilityNet to educate older adults about common scams including delivery fraud, family impersonation schemes, and bank/email fraud, emphasizing that scammers are sophisticated enough to target
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering crypto scams involve fraudsters building trust with victims through fake identities and relationships on social media platforms like WhatsApp, LinkedIn, and Instagram before directing them to fraudulent cryptocurrency trading platforms and stealing their money. The SEC filed its first enforcement actions against these scams in September 2024, charging eight defendants in connection with fake platforms NanoBit and CoinW6, while the CFTC and other federal agencies have partnered to distribute educational materials warning consumers that these scams cost Americans billions annually. Victims are advised to ignore unsolicited messages from strangers and report suspicious contacts to prevent becoming targets of this rapidly growing fraud scheme.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide examines why scam victims face blame and shame, explaining that psychological biases—including the "just world" belief, hindsight bias, and defensive attribution—cause people to wrongly hold victims responsible for being scammed. The article emphasizes that victim blaming is harmful and counterproductive, noting that scams are increasingly common (the FTC reported $76 million lost to government impersonation scams in 2023, up 90% from 2022) and that anyone can fall victim regardless of intelligence or caution.
massapequapost.com
· 2025-12-08
The Town of Oyster Bay partnered with the Nassau County District Attorney's office to combat an escalating wave of scams targeting seniors, with over $230 million stolen from New Yorkers in 2024 alone. Scammers exploit seniors through telephone and email schemes impersonating government agents, bank officials, or family members to gain access to retirement accounts and savings, while also using methods ranging from mailbox theft to sophisticated malware attacks. The partnership is hosting educational seminars to inform seniors and their families about recognizing and reporting these threats, which have grown increasingly sophisticated, including the use of AI voice-mimicking technology.
boston.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Brooklyn men, Shaoquin Liu, 27, and Shiwang Ning, 33, were arrested in Quincy for allegedly stealing over $120,000 from a senior citizen through a tech support scam involving fake emails and calls impersonating the victim's banks and the FDIC. The suspects remotely accessed the victim's computer, obtained financial information, and convinced the victim to withdraw large cash amounts that were picked up from their home multiple times before the victim grew suspicious and contacted police. Both men were charged with one count of larceny and two counts of fraud.
thecourierexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
More than 50 seniors attended a Scam Jam educational seminar in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, presented by state and local officials to teach fraud prevention and recognition of common scams targeting elders. Presenters highlighted increasingly sophisticated scams including voice cloning via AI, fake tech support calls requesting gift card payments, and impersonation schemes, emphasizing that victims should contact police immediately when suspicious and never provide personal information or payment via non-traditional means like gift cards. A recent local case was cited where timely police contact prevented a $30,000 loss to a potential victim.
patriotledger.com
· 2025-12-08
Quincy police arrested two men from Brooklyn in connection with a tech support scam that defrauded a local senior citizen of over $120,000. The perpetrators used a fake Microsoft notification to lure the victim into calling a number where they impersonated an FDIC employee, convincing the senior to withdraw cash and hand it over to a courier, while simultaneously accessing the victim's computer remotely to obtain financial information and send fraudulent correspondence from government agencies. The victim became suspicious and contacted police; both men were charged with larceny and conspiracy and held on $100,000 bail.
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-08
A Massachusetts senior was defrauded of $120,000 after receiving a fake Microsoft notification directing her to call a number where scammers impersonated FDIC and FBI officials, convincing her to withdraw cash and wrap it in foil for "safekeeping." Two Brooklyn men, Shaoquin Liu and Shiwang Ning, were arrested after attempting to pick up the money and were charged with larceny and conspiracy. The scammers had gained computer access to create fraudulent correspondence from the victim's bank, SSA, and FDIC to support the scheme.
heritagefl.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors have risen sharply, with fraudsters impersonating federal agents and falsely claiming victims' bank accounts are compromised, then pressuring them to deposit money into cryptocurrency ATMs for purported "government protection." The article provides four key preventative measures: verify communications through official government channels, educate yourself on common scammer tactics, use only reputable cryptocurrency exchanges with security features, and exercise caution with cryptocurrency ATMs. Resources like the Orlando Senior Help Desk (407-678-9363) are available to help seniors and families identify potential fraud.
newportdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
Martha's Vineyard Bank reported a series of scams targeting elderly customers in which fraudsters impersonated bank representatives and pressured victims to withdraw large sums of money while instructing them not to discuss the transactions with anyone, including bank staff. The scammers created false urgency by claiming customers' funds were in jeopardy, exploiting seniors' vulnerability to financial fraud. The bank coordinated with the Dukes County Sheriff's Office to alert the community and urged residents to report suspicious activity.
verywellmind.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide explains romance scams, a type of fraud where criminals build fake romantic relationships to extract money from victims. The article outlines common tactics (including catfishing), warning signs, and vulnerable populations targeted by scammers, while noting that the FTC reported $304 million in losses from romance scams in 2020—a 50% increase from 2019. The guide provides advice on protecting oneself and recovering from romance fraud, emphasizing that victims should not be blamed for falling for such schemes.
news.harvard.edu
· 2025-12-08
Online scams cost American consumers $12.5 billion last year, a 22 percent increase, with cybercriminals using sophisticated psychological tactics that can affect anyone regardless of age, intelligence, or education. According to cybersecurity expert Bruce Schneier, scammers' methods are fundamentally unchanged from historical cons, but technology has dramatically increased the scale and speed of attacks through fake social media ads, phishing emails, and AI-generated content. Cryptocurrency has made scams more profitable and harder to prevent because transactions cannot be reversed or monitored by traditional banking safeguards.
thetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Broadcaster Moira Stuart nearly fell victim to an authorized push payment (APP) fraud scam when someone impersonating her bank convinced her to transfer money to a "safe" account, but bank staff intervened and stopped the transaction. APP fraud incidents exceeded 230,000 cases in the most recent year, resulting in £460 million in losses, with fraudsters increasingly using artificial intelligence and evolving tactics including purchase scams, investment schemes, romance scams, and impersonation fraud targeting energy suppliers and tax authorities. Banks are struggling to refund victims, and regulators have capped APP scam refunds at £85,000 starting October 7.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
A West Orange, NJ resident lost nearly $400,000 to a "Norton Scam" that began with a fraudulent email claiming they owed money to Norton Antivirus. The scammers gained remote access to the victim's computer, manipulated the screen to change a $300 payment to $300,000, then directed them to call a fake bank number where additional funds were extracted through wire transfers and gold coin purchases. Detective Ryan Funk identified 33-year-old Jaynesh Patel as a suspect in the investigation.
siliconeer.com
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams—where criminals impersonate trusted businesses or government agencies—are the most common type of fraud reported to the FTC, with 360,000 cases in the first half of 2024 alone resulting in $1.3 billion in losses (median $800 per victim). Losses from government and business impersonation scams have surged dramatically, from $370 million combined in 2020 to over $1.3 billion by 2023, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake urgency, unusual payment methods like Bitcoin ATMs, and threats of arrest or deportation. The FTC's new Impersonation Rule
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
O2, the UK's largest phone network, has issued a scam alert warning customers about fraudulent activity targeting both iPhone and Android users, particularly during the busy pre-Christmas tech launch season. The scams involve criminals posing as O2 representatives to steal personal data, passwords, and bank details by offering too-good-to-be-true deals like steep discounts or free devices, then using the stolen information to fraudulently order phones in victims' names. O2 advises customers to never share sensitive information over phone or text, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report unexpected package deliveries or account changes directly to O2 rather than engaging with the scammers.
fallriverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were arrested and ordered detained for their roles in online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, was charged in a scheme that defrauded a 79-year-old Narragansett man of approximately $165,000 (cash and gold bars) after a pop-up falsely claimed he was under investigation for child pornography and money laundering; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, was charged in a separate scheme where a 72-year-old Tiverton man was defrauded of nearly $200,000 through similar tactics involving a fake FTC agent. Both perpetrators
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Senate's Special Committee On Aging held a hearing on elder financial fraud, featuring testimony from AARP's Kathy Stokes revealing that organized transnational crime rings operate like corporations, using emotional manipulation to bypass victims' logical thinking, and that identity fraud alone cost Americans $43 billion in 2023. Scammers are increasingly using AI to create convincing fake communications, emails, and deepfakes, making tech support scams and bank impostor scams harder to detect, though awareness of common tactics and red flags can help protect vulnerable adults.
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut and Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada face federal charges for orchestrating online scams targeting Rhode Island senior citizens, defrauding victims of approximately $200,000 and $165,000 respectively through fake pop-up messages and impersonation of federal agents. The scammers falsely claimed the victims' identities were compromised and directed them to purchase gold bullion as a means to "secure" their assets, with law enforcement ultimately arresting both suspects during undercover delivery operations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were charged in federal court for operating online scams targeting Rhode Island seniors. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada, defrauded a 79-year-old man of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through a scheme involving fake pop-up warnings and impersonation of federal authorities; Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, defrauded a 72-year-old victim of approximately $363,000 in gold bullion using similar tactics. Both perpetrators were ordered detained and face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy to commit money laundering
newpittsburghcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides guidance on protecting oneself from common scams and fraud. Key advice includes recognizing red flags (urgency, unrealistic offers, suspicious communications), safeguarding personal and account information, and taking preventive steps such as ignoring unrecognized contacts, calling banks directly using verified numbers, avoiding suspicious links, and verifying legitimacy before financial transactions. The article covers major scam types including impersonation of financial institutions, fake retailer accounts, rental fraud, fraudulent tech support, malvertising, and AI-generated "deepfake" impersonations.
futurescot.com
· 2025-12-08
Research in Scotland revealed that 400,000 older people have been targeted by online scams, prompting the Cyber and Fraud Centre to relaunch a safety guide addressing cryptocurrency scams, fake calls/emails, and text message fraud. The Cyber and Fraud Hub has handled approximately £250,000 in cryptocurrency fraud cases across all age groups while preventing around £60,000 from reaching scammers, with older adults identified as particularly vulnerable due to lower technology familiarity and greater trust in unsolicited contacts. The guide recommends that seniors remain cautious of unexpected communications, protect personal information, be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, and discuss finances with trusted individuals.
lawyer-monthly.com
· 2025-12-08
Wire transfer scams cost Americans $343.7 million in 2023, with fraudsters impersonating trusted contacts to redirect payments to their accounts through compromised emails, fake documents, or intercepted communications. Wire transfers are nearly impossible to reverse once processed, making them the scammer's preferred method; one victim lost his entire $900,000 life savings intended for a home down payment when scammers hijacked his email conversation with his real estate agent. Common wire transfer scams include real estate fraud, advance-fee loan schemes, fake checks, family emergency impersonations, rental fraud, tech support scams, and business email compromise attacks.
thewesterlysun.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals, Jirui Liu (22, Canada) and Kush J. Patel (22, Connecticut), were charged with wire fraud and money laundering in separate but similar schemes targeting Rhode Island seniors. Liu's scheme defrauded a 79-year-old victim of $35,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars through fake pop-up warnings about illegal activity, while Patel's scheme extracted approximately $363,090 in gold bullion from another victim using the same tactics; both defendants were arrested when law enforcement arranged controlled deliveries of counterfeit items.
perspectivemedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The UK government proposed legislation extending the window for banks to delay suspicious payments from one business day to up to 72 hours, allowing more time to investigate potential fraud and block high-risk transactions. The measure aims to combat authorized push payment (APP) fraud, romance scams, and purchase scams that cost hundreds of millions of pounds annually, with banks required to compensate customers for any interest or late fees resulting from delays.
dhs.gov
· 2025-12-08
HSI arrested two men in Rhode Island in connection with elder fraud schemes targeting seniors through online pop-up scams. Jirui Liu, 22, of Canada was charged after allegedly defrauding a 79-year-old man of $30,000 in cash and $130,000 in gold bars by impersonating federal authorities and falsely claiming his assets were compromised; a 72-year-old victim lost nearly $200,000 in a similar scheme involving Kush J. Patel, 22, of Connecticut, who posed as an FTC agent directing the victim to purchase and deliver gold bullion.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
The UK Treasury is extending the time banks can delay suspected fraudulent payments from one business day to up to four working days to investigate and prevent scams. This measure aims to combat the estimated £460 million lost to fraud annually in Britain, particularly targeting authorised push payment (APP) scams and romance scams. The policy change is part of a broader government effort to tackle fraud, which accounts for over one-third of all crime in England and Wales.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre data shows fraud losses exceeded $554 million last year, a 40% increase from 2021, with underreporting masking the true scale of the problem. Fraudsters are increasingly using sophisticated technologies, including AI-generated deepfakes and impersonations, to deceive victims across multiple scam types including job scams, which typically involve unsolicited job offers followed by requests for upfront payment for training or uniforms. Financial institutions and individuals can reduce risk through cyber literacy training, skepticism toward offers that sound too good to be true, and verification of job opportunities through official company channels.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals—Darryl Lamont Young and Aqeelah Ngiesha Williams—were indicted for defrauding seriously ill veterans between December 2021 and April 2023. Young, calling from correctional facilities, posed as a VA employee to obtain personal and banking information from patients at medical facilities, which he and Williams then used to steal approximately $8,000 from over 60 victims across more than 30 facilities through 130 fraudulent transactions. Both defendants face charges including conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, carrying potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman named Jane fell victim to a phishing scam when, while emotionally distressed, she received a fraudulent email appearing to be from her bank and unknowingly granted scammers remote access to her smartphone. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, adults over 60 have lost more to tech support scams than all other age groups combined, with some victims remortgaging homes or depleting retirement accounts to cover losses. Wise & Healthy Aging offers a free support group called "Seniors Against Scammers" to help scam victims and provides educational resources and workshops on recognizing and preventing elder fraud and abuse throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
During major retail shopping events like Amazon Prime Day and Target Circle Week, scams targeting consumers surge dramatically, with impersonation scams (phishing), fake customer service calls, and fraudulent shipping notifications being the most common types used to steal personal and financial information. Scammers exploit these busy shopping periods through deceptive emails, sophisticated AI-powered phone calls impersonating Amazon and Apple support, fake package delivery notices, and social media ads promoting products that never arrive, with phishing attempts tripling around Prime Day compared to normal periods. Consumers are advised to verify phone numbers independently, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, and report suspected scams to retailers and law enforcement.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams linked to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are surging in the UK, with Santander UK reporting £3.8 million stolen from customers over six months—a 27 percent increase from the previous period, with average losses of £4,500 per victim. Scammers use stolen images to build emotional relationships with targets across all age groups (18-93) before requesting money through fabricated sob stories about medical expenses or other emergencies. Research shows that 55 percent of people admit to loneliness, and nearly one-third would provide financial support to online romantic partners within six months of knowing them, creating vulnerability to these emotionally manipulative schemes.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
Employment scams ranked among the top five most common fraud schemes in 2023, with median losses exceeding $2,000 per victim, often targeting job seekers through fake job listings via text, email, or phone calls that request personal information like Social Security numbers or bank account details. Common tactics include fraudsters impersonating real companies, sending fraudulent checks for "supplies" then requesting refunds, and pressuring victims into communication on unmonitored platforms like WhatsApp. Job seekers can protect themselves by verifying company contact information, watching for unrealistic job offers, maintaining records of applications, and avoiding sharing personal information until directly confirming employment with the actual company.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A new mandatory bank transfer fraud reimbursement code took effect in the UK, requiring banks to reimburse victims of purchase scams, romance fraud, and investment scams where money was sent via bank transfer. The code protects individuals, small businesses, and charities, with an £85,000 reimbursement limit (covering 99% of claims) and a required refund timeline of 5 business days, though refunds may be denied if the victim was complicit or grossly negligent in the fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five individuals were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for operating a tech support scam that stole at least $8 million from elderly victims across at least ten states. The scheme involved fraudsters falsely claiming victims' bank accounts were compromised and coercing them to transfer funds, sometimes through gold bars purchased by victims and collected by couriers; one 82-year-old St. Louis victim lost approximately $250,000 before law enforcement intercepted a courier attempting pickup. The defendants had differentiated roles as couriers and handlers coordinating the collection and transportation of stolen assets across multiple states.