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in Government Impersonation
wccbcharlotte.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, noting that victims often suffer substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted "Fraud Bingo" education sessions at senior centers to teach older adults about fraudster tactics and encourage reporting to help identify trends and recover stolen funds.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Donald Franklin Huegel, a California resident, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded two elderly Arizona victims of nearly $400,000 combined. Operating for two years, Huegel funneled money from victims who were contacted by scammers posing as romantic interests online (using fake profiles "Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and later threatened with identity theft claims to extract additional payments. Huegel was convicted of fraudulent schemes, illegal enterprise, money laundering, and theft, with restitution to be determined at a future hearing.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel re-issued an alert in April 2024 warning small and midsized business owners about tax scams targeting entrepreneurs during tax season, including W-2 phishing schemes, fraudulent Employer Identification Number websites, and IRS imposter calls demanding immediate payment. Scammers use threats of legal action, fake tax bills, and refund promises to deceive business owners and employees, putting company data and finances at serious risk. The AG recommends businesses implement security protocols, train employees to recognize scams, and report suspected fraud to the IRS, FTC, or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wibc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating U.S. Marshals Service officials and law enforcement are making phone calls claiming victims' identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then instructing them to withdraw money and purchase gift cards under the false promise of opening new bank accounts and providing new social security numbers. The FBI and USMS warn that these fraudulent calls have been reported nationally and in northern Indiana, often targeting elderly victims who lose thousands of dollars; authorities urge recipients to hang up, report the calls to the FTC, and contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 if victimized.
wowo.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are warning of a surge in sophisticated phone scams where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials, using real badge numbers, officer names, and spoofed government phone numbers to appear credible. Victims in the Northern District of Indiana and across the nation have been deceived into withdrawing cash, purchasing gift cards, and transferring funds under false claims that their identities were stolen or bank accounts compromised, with losses reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Authorities urge victims to report incidents to the FBI and FTC, and remind the public never to share financial information with unsolicited callers or send money to anyone claiming to be law enforcement.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Canadian man, Patrice Runner, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for operating a psychic mass-mailing fraud scheme that defrauded over 1.3 million victims—primarily elderly and vulnerable Americans—of more than $175 million between 1994 and 2014. The scheme involved sending fraudulent letters falsely attributed to psychics Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin, promising wealth and happiness in exchange for fees, then bombarding victims who paid with dozens of follow-up letters requesting additional payments. Runner, who operated through shell companies in Canada and Hong Kong while living in multiple countries, was extradited from Spain in 2020 to face federal charges of mail
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in North Carolina warned the public about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, particularly around Tax Day. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors used an interactive "Fraud Bingo" educational tool at a senior center to help older adults, caregivers, and community workers recognize fraud tactics and report suspicious activity to help recover stolen funds and identify emerging
cnhi.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes programming and social activities at the 127 Senior Center in Crossville, highlighting their Friday morning gatherings that include bingo, meetings, and entertainment. Members Linda Kondrach and Lynda Ennis raised awareness about common scams targeting seniors, specifically warning about fraudulent computer messages and telephone scams where callers record victims saying "yes." The center also hosts weekly Thursday evening live music events open to the community.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning the public about a nationwide "smishing" scam targeting toll road users, with over 2,000 complaints received since early March across at least three states, including Texas. These fraudulent text messages falsely claim recipients owe unpaid tolls and include links impersonating legitimate state toll services, designed to trick people into sharing personal and financial information. The FBI recommends verifying toll accounts through official websites, contacting legitimate customer service numbers, and filing complaints with the IC3 if targeted.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
A reformed Nigerian scammer who stole over $70,000 through romance and tax-related fraud now works for Social Catfish to combat similar schemes, as government impersonation scams surge nationwide. California experienced record losses of $88.3 million in 2023, with the FBI reporting $394 million lost to government impersonation scams overall—a 63% increase from 2022. The five most prevalent tax-related scams targeting victims include Turbo Tax phishing, fake accountant schemes, IRS spoofing calls, unclaimed refund emails, and fraudulent Employee Retention Credit promotions.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies six scams targeting Costco members: fake Costco websites mimicking the real site, phishing emails/texts offering fake giveaways or membership renewals, fraudulent reimbursement texts requesting banking details, delivery scams impersonating postal services, and fake job offers with unusually high pay or upfront fees. The article advises members to verify URLs and sender addresses, navigate directly to Costco.com rather than clicking suspicious links, and call Costco directly about any concerns instead of responding to unsolicited communications.
newstopicnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes disproportionately targeting older adults, which cause substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted educational "Fraud Bingo" sessions at senior centers to help older adults recognize scam tactics and encourage fraud reporting to authorities.
iredellfreenews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina is warning residents about IRS imposter scams and other fraud schemes that disproportionately target older adults, with the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report noting that individuals 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses—the highest among all age groups. Common scams include government impersonation (IRS, SSA, sheriff's office), tech support scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, and non-delivery schemes, with authorities emphasizing that reporting fraud helps recover stolen funds and identify emerging criminal trends.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
A Senate report reveals that retirees across multiple states have been targeted by scams resulting in both significant financial losses and substantial IRS tax bills, with victims unable to deduct theft losses under current tax law. The report profiles cases such as a Pennsylvania retiree who lost $765,000 to a cryptocurrency scam and subsequently faced a $220,000 tax bill, highlighting how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act narrowed the theft loss deduction for individuals to only federally declared disasters. Senator Bob Casey calls for reversing these tax limitations to protect fraud victims from bearing additional tax burdens on their stolen retirement savings.
which.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An Age UK survey found that nearly 4.9 million people over 50 fear answering the phone due to scam risks, with 2.8 million also anxious about opening their doors, leading some to withdraw from society by avoiding the internet, smartphones, or going outside. Analysis of ONS data indicates approximately four people over 50 are scammed every minute, with older adults particularly vulnerable to doorstep scams (90% of victims aged 65+), postal scams (average victim age 75), and phone scams involving impersonation and number spoofing technology. Age UK recommends five prevention steps: stop and avoid on-the-spot decisions, check credentials,
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Over $300 million was lost last year to IRS impersonation scams, in which fraudsters use spoofing technology to spoof caller IDs and threaten victims with arrest to pressure them into sending money via gift cards or revealing personal information. The IRS rarely initiates contact by phone—it communicates through mailed letters—so recipients should hang up on such calls and be cautious of phishing emails claiming to be from the IRS or tax software companies. The best defense is to avoid clicking links in suspicious emails and to contact the IRS directly through www.IRS.gov if questions arise.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax impersonation scams cost Americans over $300 million last year, with thousands of victims receiving threatening phone calls from individuals posing as IRS agents who use spoofing technology and demand immediate payment via gift cards or personal information. The IRS rarely initiates contact by phone and instead communicates through mailed or certified letters, making unsolicited calls a clear indicator of fraud. To protect yourself, hang up on suspicious calls, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails, and contact the IRS directly through www.IRS.gov if you have concerns about your account.
ktvq.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Billings resident received a fraudulent Medicare impersonation call from someone claiming to be with Medicare who possessed his personal information including date of birth and address. The scammer was exposed when the caller provided an incorrect date for when Kunnemann received his Medicare card, prompting him to verify with the legitimate Medicare hotline and confirm it was a scam. Kunnemann's warning emphasizes that Medicare and other government agencies will not initiate calls requesting personal information unless the agency has been breached or the recipient contacted them first.
nbcdfw.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has received over 2,000 complaints since March 2024 from at least three states about smishing scams impersonating toll collection services, with fraudsters sending text messages claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls of around $12.51 and directing them to fake websites to steal personal and financial information. The agency advises recipients to verify toll amounts through official websites, file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, and secure their financial accounts if they clicked any links or provided information.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, a free service staffed by over 160 trained volunteers nationwide, responds to approximately 150 calls daily from fraud victims seeking support and guidance. A caller named Becky lost $16,000 in a PayPal impostor scam after clicking a malicious link in a phishing email, and volunteer Dan Smith helped her understand next steps including malware removal and account security measures. The helpline, which has operated for a decade, provides victims with crime reporting assistance, financial counseling referrals, and emotional support during what are often devastating financial losses.
wbez.org
· 2025-12-08
Older adults collectively lose $28.3 billion annually to scams and financial exploitation, with particularly severe consequences since retired individuals cannot recoup these losses. Victims often fail to report fraud due to embarrassment or, in cases of abuse by trusted individuals, fear of damaging relationships or involving the criminal justice system. The article provides practical prevention strategies including using caller ID, avoiding pressure to act quickly on financial requests, verifying sender identity before clicking links, consulting with lawyers or financial advisors, and reporting suspected exploitation to banks or Adult Protective Services.
banking.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senators Brown and Reed urged the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citi to strengthen protections against wire fraud and provide data on fraudulent transactions at their institutions. Wire fraud causes significant financial harm to consumers—often wiping out savings during major purchases—and consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with bank transfers being the most common fraud payment method. The senators called on banks to improve fraud prevention, monitor unauthorized transactions more proactively, and reimburse customers when they fail to prevent fraud.
thesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old California man was arrested for his role in a government-imposter gold bar scam that defrauded an elderly Leisure World resident of over $700,000 in Montgomery County, Maryland. The scammer impersonated FTC and FBI officials, falsely claiming the victim was an identity theft victim requiring protective measures, and instructed her to purchase gold bars from an online retailer; the victim wired approximately $788,000 in two transactions and handed over the gold bars to couriers in parking lots before realizing the theft. This represents one of a dozen similar incidents reported in Montgomery County over six months, targeting vulnerable seniors in the community.
kob.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax scammers impersonate IRS agents via spoofed phone calls and phishing emails, threatening victims with jail time for unpaid taxes and demanding payment via gift cards. Over $300 million was lost to government impersonation scams last year, with losses jumping $150 million between 2022 and 2023. The IRS never contacts people by phone, email, or social media—legitimate contact comes only by postal mail, often certified—so recipients should hang up on callers and delete suspicious emails without opening links.
thetomahawk.com
· 2025-12-08
The Johnson County Senior Center hosted a presentation on property fraud awareness, highlighting that Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, with imposter scams accounting for $2.7 billion of that total. Seller impersonation schemes—where scammers create fake deeds to sell property they don't own—were recognized as the "Scam of the Year" and have been reported across the U.S., including in nearby Nashville, Tennessee. The senior center aims to educate and protect its members by providing fraud resources and regularly hosting informational presentations on scams and other elder-related services.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lose millions of dollars annually to wire transfer fraud scams, with the Senate Banking Committee reporting over $10 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2023. The committee is pressing JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo to provide reimbursement and strengthen security measures, though banks argue they are generally exempt from reimbursing wire transfer losses under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. Individual victims profiled—including Jennifer Davis ($25,000), Andrew Semesjuk ($15,000), and Nikki Kelly ($48,000)—reported being denied reimbursement by Chase despite being deceived into authorizing the transfers.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Zelle, a peer-to-peer payment service owned by major U.S. banks and launched in 2017, has experienced hundreds of millions of dollars in consumer losses due to fraud since its inception. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against Early Warning Services (Zelle's operator) in December alleging the platform failed to safeguard against fraud, with scammers exploiting the service's instant, irreversible transfers and minimal verification requirements through social engineering tactics like phishing and impersonation of banks and utilities. Protection strategies include avoiding responses to unsolicited messages and verifying requests independently by calling official bank numbers.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers known as "Yahoo Boys," primarily based in Nigeria, are increasingly using deepfake and face-swapping technology in real-time video calls to impersonate fake romantic partners and defraud victims of thousands of dollars each. The FBI reports over $650 million was lost to romance fraud last year, with the scammers openly sharing their techniques and recruiting accomplices across Telegram and social media platforms. These experienced con artists, who have evolved their tactics as AI technology has improved, operate in loosely organized clusters without formal leadership structure and show little fear of consequences.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sir Maejor Page, 35, of Toledo, was convicted of wire fraud and money laundering after creating a fraudulent Facebook-based charity called "Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta" and soliciting donations under false pretenses. Page used donor contributions—intended for social justice causes—to purchase personal items including a house and furniture, even after the organization's tax-exempt status was dissolved in 2019. The jury found him guilty following a six-day trial, though sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 70-year-old Carlsbad retiree was defrauded of $1.335 million over several months by a multinational scam operation that began with a fake pop-up warning about a hacked computer. The scammers, posing as tech support, bank, and government employees, manipulated the victim into purchasing Bitcoin and gold bars under the false premise of securing her assets, with perpetrator Xilin Sun arrested in February 2024 during a controlled FBI delivery attempt when he was caught receiving a package meant to contain $100,000 in gold.
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Athens residents were victimized by telephone scams in early April: a 69-year-old senior woman lost her complete savings of $20,000 after being impersonated by a caller claiming to be from Vystar Credit Union who instructed her to withdraw cash and transfer it via a bitcoin machine, and an 18-year-old teenager lost $3,500 after receiving calls impersonating Wells Fargo and FBI officials who convinced him to purchase gift cards and send pictures of them. Both victims reported the incidents to Athens-Clarke police, though the woman stated there was no way to recover her funds.
thedesertreview.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Raul Ruiz, in partnership with the Federal Trade Commission, Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, hosted a Senior Fraud Workshop on April 24, 2024, in El Centro, California to educate seniors about recognizing and avoiding scams. The workshop covered identity theft, Medicare fraud, and other schemes targeting seniors, with experts providing practical advice on warning signs and steps for reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement.
waka.com
· 2025-12-08
Tax impersonation scams cost Americans over $300 million last year, with thousands of victims targeted by callers posing as IRS agents who threaten arrest and demand payment via gift cards or personal information. Scammers use caller ID spoofing technology and fear-based tactics to pressure victims, though the IRS confirms it rarely initiates contact by phone and instead communicates through mailed or certified letters. The best defense is to hang up on suspicious calls, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails claiming to be from the IRS or tax software companies, and verify tax matters directly through IRS.gov.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has warned the public about a "smishing" scam affecting Peach Pass toll road users across multiple states, in which scammers send text messages impersonating toll collection services and demanding payment through fraudulent links. Since early March, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has received over 2,000 reports of the scam, which uses varying phone numbers and spoofed toll service names to trick recipients. The FBI advises recipients to file complaints, verify charges through official toll authority websites, and monitor financial accounts if they clicked any links or provided personal information.
vindy.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP identifies four emerging scams to watch for in 2024: check cooking (using software to digitally alter stolen checks rather than chemical washing), voiceprint scams (using deepfake technology to impersonate victims' voices for financial fraud), delayed-action sweepstakes scams (collecting personal information for identity theft that may be exploited gradually), and virtual celebrity scams (exploiting fans' connection to online celebrity presence). Prevention strategies include using safer payment methods, avoiding phone calls from unknown numbers, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
thestatehousefile.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not related to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It covers Indiana state political appointments, utility rate decisions, and reproductive health policy matters. It does not contain content relevant to the Elderus elder fraud research database.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The Metropolitan Police contacted 25,000 UK residents via text and email on April 18 after shutting down "Labhost," an online platform used by over 2,000 criminals since 2021 to create phishing websites impersonating banks, healthcare providers, and postal services. Around 70,000 people in the UK fell victim to the scams, having their card numbers, PINs, and passwords stolen before the operation was dismantled. Recipients of the police notification should verify its authenticity, change passwords on sensitive accounts, monitor for suspicious activity, and report any confirmed fraud to Action Fraud or their bank immediately.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating Medicare and conducting a growing phone scam targeting Medicare beneficiaries, falsely claiming to issue new cards and requesting verification of Medicare numbers and personal information. Victims report receiving numerous unsolicited calls daily, with scammers using professional tactics and detailed personal information to build trust. Medicare clarifies that it does not call beneficiaries, already has their information, and completed distribution of new Medicare cards by January 2019; the public should report suspected fraud to the California Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-613-7080.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Government impostor scams targeting Social Security impersonation caused victims to report nearly $617 million in theft in 2023, according to the Federal Trade Commission. Criminals use emotional manipulation—such as fear about suspended numbers or excitement about benefit increases—to bypass victims' logical thinking and extract money or sensitive information. Victims should hang up on unsolicited Social Security calls and verify contact by looking up official agency numbers at ssa.gov/locator, then report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old former Army service member, was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for running a romance scam in which he impersonated military officials, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars. One victim, a recently divorced woman, lost at least $100,000 to Frimpong's scheme using the alias "Tom Tanner." Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and disproportionately target older adults and vulnerable populations, sometimes depleting life savings, retirement funds, and inheritances.
tulsaworld.com
· 2025-12-08
Arvest Bank offered financial literacy guidance to help people avoid fraud scams, emphasizing the importance of spotting potential fraud and managing money wisely. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people reported losing $10 billion to scams in 2023—$1 billion more than 2022—with a median loss of $300 per person, while Oklahoma residents reported $29.8 million in total fraud losses with a median loss of $430 per person. The article highlighted imposter scams as the top fraud category in 2023, accounting for $2.6 billion in losses, and recommended steps such as avoiding suspicious links, contacting official business numbers directly, and researching before
news4sanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of a text message scam targeting drivers nationwide, where scammers impersonate toll agencies and claim unpaid balances with threatening late fees. Victims receive texts with malicious links leading to fraudulent websites mimicking legitimate transportation agencies like TXTtag. The FBI recommends recipients delete such messages and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Laura Kowal, a widowed healthcare executive, lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scammer operating under the name "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through months of calls and emails before pressuring her into fraudulent investments and coercing her to help defraud other victims; she was found dead in the Mississippi River. The FBI and Justice Department reported over 64,000 American romance scam victims in 2023 (with experts believing the true number is significantly higher due to underreporting), with financial losses ballooning from $500 million in 2019 to $1.14 billion in
boredpanda.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines common online and phone scams while providing prevention advice from SafeWise safety expert Rebecca Edwards. Key recommendations include not answering unknown calls, changing passwords every six months, avoiding suspicious links and unreviewed websites, and recognizing common schemes like extended warranty calls, fake giveaways, and ticket scams. According to Gallup data, 8% of Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with Edwards attributing the rise in scams to increased internet reliance, weak law enforcement consequences, and online anonymity that embolden fraudsters.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
On April 16, Massachusetts' Attorney General issued an advisory notice clarifying that AI developers, suppliers, and users must comply with consumer protection laws (Chapter 93A) to avoid "unfair and deceptive" practices. The advisory identified specific violations including false advertising of AI quality, supplying defective systems, misrepresenting reliability or safety, breach of warranty, and using AI-generated deceptive content such as deepfakes or voice cloning for fraud. The guidance reinforces that consumers are protected against AI-related harms including bias, lack of transparency, and data privacy issues under existing Massachusetts and federal consumer protection statutes.
latintimes.com
· 2025-12-08
From June 2022 to June 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) recorded 155,415 suspicious Elder Financial Exploitation (EFE) filings totaling $27 billion, affecting victims across racial and ethnic groups. Elder financial crimes fall into two categories: elder theft (misappropriation by trusted individuals) and elder scams (deceptive transfers to strangers), with the latter predominating through schemes like tech support scams and romance scams that exploit cognitive decline, loneliness, and social engineering tactics. Victims—79.7% White, 9.5% Hispanic, and
local12.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Colerain Township Police warn of a wave of impersonation scams targeting elderly residents in Greater Cincinnati, where callers pose as loved ones in danger to extort money, often using personal information gleaned from social media. To protect yourself, avoid answering calls from unknown area codes, verify the caller's identity by asking personal questions, independently contact the alleged person in distress, and never send money or gift cards. Victims should report suspected fraud to the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Elder Justice Unit.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Army service member Sanda G. Frimpong, 33, was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for operating a romance scam in which he impersonated military officials, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims of hundreds of thousands of dollars, with at least one victim losing over $100,000 in cashier's checks. Frimpong was ordered to pay substantial restitution to his victims as part of a sentence that highlights the broader problem of romance scams, which cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and often target vulnerable populations including elderly individuals and military veterans.
kxoradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz is hosting a senior fraud awareness workshop on Wednesday in El Centro with representatives from the Federal Trade Commission, Social Security Administration, IRS, and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program. The workshop will educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding common scams including identity theft and Medicare fraud, while providing guidance on steps to take if they suspect they are victims of fraud.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old Army service member stationed at Fort Bragg, was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for operating a romance scam in which he impersonated military officials, diplomats, and romantic interests to defraud victims. Frimpong used aliases and tricked at least one victim into sending $100,000 in cashier's checks following a recent divorce, and was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in restitution. Romance scams cost American victims $1.3 billion in 2022, often targeting older adults and military veterans who lose retirement savings and life insurance to these schemes.