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in Tech Support Scam
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 45-year-old woman from Bengaluru lost Rs 18 lakh after receiving a fraudulent scratch card claiming to be from the online shopping website Mesh; she was tricked into paying taxes and documentation fees after being told she had won Rs 15.51 lakh, only to discover the entire scheme was a scam. Scratch card scams typically use fake or rigged cards to lure victims into paying advance fees for non-existent prizes by impersonating legitimate companies and exploiting the victim's belief they must pay taxes or processing costs to claim winnings. To protect yourself, avoid responding to unsolicited scratch cards, verify promotions directly with companies
coe.gatech.edu
· 2025-12-08
Researchers Mingxuan Yao and Brendan Saltaformaggio discovered that Ethereum smart contracts are being exploited by cyber criminals on a significantly larger scale than previously documented. Their findings reveal a widespread vulnerability in blockchain-based systems that criminals are actively exploiting. This research highlights an emerging threat in cryptocurrency fraud affecting digital asset security.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Google announced upcoming AI-powered scam-detection tools for Android phones that use its Gemini AI to alert users in real-time when a phone conversation contains suspicious wording commonly used by scammers, with alerts displaying on-screen and an audio notification to warn users. The feature, still in testing with no official release date, processes audio analysis locally on the device to maintain privacy, and comes as Microsoft announced a similar competing feature, while scammers increasingly use AI-generated voice impersonations of celebrities and public figures to deceive victims. On average, phone users receive approximately 14 spam calls per month, prompting regulators like the FCC to declare AI-generated impersonation calls illegal in an effort to
knopnews2.com
· 2025-12-08
A Stanton County, Nebraska couple lost $100,000 after a pop-up warning appeared on their computer claiming illegal content was present; they were instructed to withdraw the money in gold coins and deliver it to unknown individuals while being told not to contact family or law enforcement. The scam exploited the couple's fear of jail time and relied on social engineering tactics to prevent them from seeking help. The case is being investigated by the Stanton County Sheriff's Office, Nebraska Attorney General's office, and FBI.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Narragansett Police Department is hosting a free public seminar on scam awareness and prevention, scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Maury Loontjens Memorial Library. The seminar will cover common scam types including grandparent, tech support, and romance scams, along with local case studies, prevention tips, and reporting procedures for residents of all ages.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans aged 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from 2022, with Florida ranking second nationally for complaints and reported losses. Florida seniors lost over $90 million to investment schemes, $51.5 million to tech support fraud, and over $40 million to romance scams, with the FBI urging victims to overcome shame and report crimes immediately.
honey.nine.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A cyber security expert warns that AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are enabling increasingly sophisticated romance scams on dating apps—described as "catfishing on steroids"—by allowing scammers to create AI-generated or enhanced photos and personalized messages that are harder to detect. One in four Australian singles surveyed reported being targeted by dating scams, with Australians losing over $40 million to dating app and social media scams in the previous year, particularly affecting people over 55. The article provides detection tips including looking for unrealistic photo features, using reverse image searches, and testing text with AI-detection tools, while noting that dating apps employ varying safety measures such as identity
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranked second nationally for elderly fraud losses in 2023, with seniors over 60 reporting over $180 million in losses across investment schemes ($90 million), tech support scams ($51.5 million), and romance scams ($40 million). Nationally, fraud losses to people over 60 exceeded $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022—affecting at least 101,000 victims with an average loss of $33,915 per person, with some victims forced to sell homes, liquidate retirement accounts, or borrow from family to cover losses.
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
A Stanton County, Nebraska couple lost $100,000 after falling victim to a tech support scam that began with a pop-up warning about illegal material on their computer; they were instructed to withdraw cash, purchase gold coins, and deliver them to scammers while being warned not to contact family or law enforcement. The couple, described as educated and retired, believed the threat of jail time and only reported the fraud after disclosing it to family members. The Stanton County Sheriff's Office and Nebraska Attorney General's office are investigating, and authorities warn that legitimate agencies never demand money under threat of jail or require secrecy.
wflanews.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued a 2023 warning that Florida ranks second nationally for elder fraud losses, with fraudsters using AI voice-mimicking technology to impersonate relatives in tech support and impersonation scams. Florida's elderly residents lost over $90 million to investment schemes and $40 million to romance scams during this period.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven members of a nationwide elder fraud ring—including three California residents charged in May—were indicted on conspiracy charges for defrauding elderly people through tech support scams, fake immigration documents, and fraudulent bank accounts. The scheme collected over $7 million from victims, including an elderly Missouri couple who were threatened with prosecution unless they paid $88,000 after seeing a fake virus pop-up warning. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Money Mule Initiative targeting elder fraud networks.
wflaorlando.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida ranked second nationally for elder fraud losses in 2023, with elderly residents targeted through tech support scams, impersonation schemes using AI-generated voice mimicry, investment fraud ($90+ million), and romance scams ($40+ million), according to FBI findings shared by Special Agent Zacharia Baldwin. Fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence technology to impersonate relatives, making victims believe they are communicating with loved ones.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Annual Report documented a significant surge in financial exploitation of Americans over 60, who reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022. Tech support fraud was the most commonly reported scam type, while investment schemes caused the largest financial losses; Florida ranked second nationally with seniors losing over $90 million to investment scams, $51.5 million to tech support fraud, and $40 million to romance scams. The FBI emphasizes the importance of timely reporting despite victims' reluctance due to shame, and encourages affected individuals to contact local FBI offices or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
caribbeannationalweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans aged 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to financial scams—an 11% increase from 2022—with tech support fraud and investment scams being the most common schemes. Florida ranked second nationally in elder fraud complaints and losses, with seniors there losing over $90 million to investment schemes alone. The FBI emphasizes that victims should report suspected scams immediately despite feelings of shame, as prompt reporting helps authorities address these crimes.
kttn.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven California residents were federally indicted for operating a conspiracy that defrauded elderly Americans nationwide using fraudulent Taiwanese passports, fake bank accounts, and money mules to collect victim funds through tech support scams, romance fraud, and imposter schemes. The scheme generated over $7 million in fraudulent deposits, with individual defendants depositing between $440,000 and $1.3 million into criminal accounts. The case was part of the Money Mule Initiative, which resulted in action against over 3,000 money mule networks in the year of prosecution.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
National Senior Fraud Awareness Day highlights a concerning rise in elder fraud, with FBI reports showing a 14% increase in complaints and $3.4 billion in losses during 2023. Tech support scams are the leading threat, where fraudsters send emails about fake computer charges and trick victims into granting computer and bank account access under the guise of issuing refunds. Protection strategies include resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited contacts, never sharing financial information with unverified sources, and having open conversations with elderly family members about their online and phone interactions.
natlawreview.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice charged 16 defendants in April 2024 for a scam that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans out of millions of dollars using impersonation tactics. In 2023, individuals over 60 reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion from elder fraud—an 11% increase from 2022—with common scams involving investment fraud, tech support impersonation, and government impersonation. To prevent losses, experts recommend regular financial account monitoring, setting wire transfer restrictions, and establishing verbal verification processes before sending money.
wmdt.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, Maryland residents age 60 and older lost $63.6 million to fraud, with online scams being the most common method. Common schemes targeting older adults include grandparent scams (requesting emergency money), romance and investment scams, and impersonation of law enforcement, often facilitated through information gathered on social media. Red flags to watch for include unexpected emails or calls with misspellings, suspicious URLs, and unsolicited requests for money or personal information; protective measures include enabling multi-factor authentication on accounts, verifying caller identity through official channels, and reporting suspected fraud to local law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission.
delawarelive.com
· 2025-12-08
Delaware's elderly population lost over $14 million to fraud in 2022, with 305 victims aged 60 and over suffering average losses of $45,977 each, according to FBI data analyzed by cybersecurity experts. The state recorded 106.6 fraud victims per 100,000 elderly residents, with investment scams, business impostor schemes, and romance scams being the most costly types nationally, while those aged 60 and over were 517% more likely to fall victim to tech support scams than younger adults.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts residents over age 60 lost more than $70 million to fraud in 2022, with 1,653 victims averaging $42,408 in losses per person, according to an analysis of FBI and FTC data by VPNPro. Seniors aged 60 and older were 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults, with investment scams, business imposter scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types. Experts recommend that families discuss fraud prevention with elderly relatives, including warning signs such as requests for unusual payment methods, pressure to act quickly, and unsolicited offers.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
Massachusetts residents over age 60 lost more than $70 million to fraud in 2022, with 1,653 victims averaging $42,408 in losses each, according to VPNPro's analysis of FBI and FTC data. Seniors in the state were 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults, with investment scams, business imposter scams, and romance scams being the most prevalent types. Experts recommend that adult children have conversations with elderly parents about fraud red flags and caution them against providing personal or financial information over the phone or through unusual payment methods.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers on TikTok have been targeting consumers seeking weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy by offering discounted prices without prescriptions, with a joint investigation by Digital Citizens Alliance and Coalition for a Safer Web finding that nearly every transaction examined from February through April was fraudulent. The scammers used fake testimonials and before-and-after photos to lure vulnerable buyers, accepting payments through services like Zelle, PayPal, and Venmo but never delivering products. Researchers warned that victims face multiple harms including financial fraud, counterfeit drugs, or dangerous use of real medications without medical supervision.
money.com
· 2025-12-08
Young job seekers, particularly students seeking remote work, are being targeted in "money mule" scams where fraudsters trick them into transferring stolen money through their bank accounts, digital wallets, or cryptocurrency accounts. These scams often originate from lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams, and unwitting participants can face identity theft and potential criminal charges for money laundering. The Justice Department took action against over 3,000 money mules in the past year, with criminal charges brought against more than 20 serious offenders, including a case involving three people charged for recruiting college students to launder approximately $7 million from elderly tech fraud victims over three years.
abc12.com
· 2025-12-08
McKhaela Katelynn McNamara (28, Flint) and Jmyla Elaine Sha'Taria White (29, Florida) were sentenced to 51 and 97 months in federal prison respectively for operating a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme targeting senior citizens. The scam involved fake virus warnings and compromised bank account alerts designed to trick victims into withdrawing cash and handing it over; one West Michigan victim lost nearly $400,000, and the perpetrators were ordered to pay over $3.8 million combined in restitution.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office has launched an online fraud complaint form to help seniors report suspected scams, which are increasingly targeting older adults through schemes like fake lotteries, tech support scams, and romance/grandparent scams. According to FBI data, seniors over 60 reported $3.4 billion in financial fraud losses in 2023, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. The A.G.'s office urges seniors to protect themselves by avoiding sharing personal information unsolicited, verifying emails before clicking links, and rejecting high-pressure payment requests.
jdsupra.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, elderly Americans lost over $3.4 billion to fraud, with the FBI reporting an 11% increase in elder fraud losses compared to 2022, and the DOJ charging 16 defendants in April 2024 connected to a scam defrauding hundreds of seniors. Common schemes include tech support fraud, government impersonation, and "grandparent scams" where perpetrators use spoofed phone numbers to impersonate distressed relatives or officials, convincing victims to wire money. To mitigate losses, experts recommend regular elder check-ins with financial account monitoring, restricting wire transfers by amount or location, and implementing verbal verification protocols before funds are transferre
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Losses from scams targeting adults age 60 and older reached $3.4 billion last year—an 11% increase from the prior year—with an average loss of $33,915 per victim, according to FBI data. Older adults are frequently targeted through tech support scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams because they often have substantial assets and may be more trusting and less likely to report fraud. Experts recommend protective measures including strong data hygiene practices, using credit cards for online purchases, verifying unsolicited communications directly with trusted sources, establishing account oversight with multiple trusted contacts, and fostering open conversations about scams to reduce shame and encourage reporting.
nerdwallet.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults are increasingly targeted by financial scams, with losses reaching $3.4 billion in the past year—an 11% increase from the previous year, with an average loss of $33,915 per victim. Scammers target this demographic because they typically have savings and assets, are more trusting, and less likely to report fraud, with tech support scams, personal data breaches, and romance scams being most common. Protective measures include adopting basic data hygiene practices (using secure websites, strong passwords, two-factor authentication), verifying unsolicited contacts directly with known sources, establishing multiple trusted contacts to monitor accounts, and reducing stigma around reporting scams.
collins.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Kyrsten Sinema introduced a bipartisan resolution that unanimously passed the Senate to designate May 15, 2024, as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day." According to FBI data, seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023—an 11% increase from 2022—through various schemes including tech support, romance, and cryptocurrency scams. The resolution aims to raise awareness and help protect seniors' savings from increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
tinleypark.org
· 2025-12-08
The Tinley Park Police Department reported an increase in phone and email scams targeting elderly residents, including government impersonation, sweepstakes, robocalls, tech support, and grandparent scams. The advisory recommends seniors protect themselves by avoiding sharing personal information over phone or email, monitoring financial statements, using multifactor authentication, refusing to send money to strangers, and being skeptical of callers claiming to be law enforcement or pressuring immediate action.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old pregnant woman in Navi Mumbai, India lost over Rs 54 lakh (approximately $65,000 USD) in a work-from-home scam between May 7-10, after fraudsters promised payment for rating companies and restaurants but disappeared after she made multiple advance payments. The Navi Mumbai cyber police registered a case against four unidentified individuals under the Indian Penal Code and Information Technology Act, and the incident highlights the dangers of online scams targeting those seeking remote income opportunities. The article advises verifying company legitimacy through research, avoiding unsolicited work-from-home offers on social media, never paying upfront fees, and being skeptical of
tech.hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old woman in Navi Mumbai lost ₹54 lakh in an online investment scam between May 7-10, after being lured with promises of freelance work rating restaurants and subsequently coerced into transferring funds with false assurances of high returns. The victim reported the fraud to cyber police, and a case was registered against four unidentified perpetrators. The incident highlights the importance of verifying job opportunities through established platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed, avoiding unfamiliar links, and refraining from sharing sensitive information with unknown online contacts.
floridatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida opinion piece highlights the prevalence of elder fraud targeting Space Coast seniors, featuring the case of 80-year-old Judy Kirk who nearly fell victim to a tech support scam demanding $25,000. According to FBI data, seniors over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with Florida ranking second nationally; common scams affecting state residents include tech support, investment, romance, gift card, and roofing schemes. The article emphasizes that while Kirk avoided financial loss by sensing something wrong at the last moment, many of her peers were successfully scammed, underscoring the need for elder awareness and vigilance.
idahobusinessreview.com
· 2025-12-08
The Idaho Department of Finance warned the public about a sophisticated precious metals scam targeting primarily senior citizens, in which scammers convince victims their identity or finances have been compromised, then direct them to purchase gold or other precious metals and hand them over to couriers posing as government or financial officials. According to FBI data, victims lost over $55 million to this scam in the last eight months of 2023 alone. The department advises people to distrust requests to purchase physical precious metals for government or business purposes and to report suspected fraud to local authorities and the FBI.
countryherald.com
· 2025-12-08
The Tinley Park Police Department warns of an increase in phone and email scams targeting elderly residents, with common schemes including government impersonation, lottery scams, robocalls, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams. The department recommends protecting personal information, monitoring financial statements, using multifactor authentication, avoiding wire transfers and gift card payments, and being skeptical of urgent demands or threats. Victims should contact local police immediately or report scams to the Federal Trade Commission to preserve evidence.
el-observador.com
· 2025-12-08
A California man was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded two elderly Arizona women of hundreds of thousands of dollars. AARP Arizona warns that romance scammers exploit victims' desire for companionship through dating apps and other platforms, escalating requests from gift cards to bank account access, with warning signs including early declarations of love, emergency money requests, and broken promises to meet in person. Resources like AARP's Fraud Watch Network (1-877-908-3360) provide free assistance, and experts advise never sending money via wire transfer or cryptocurrency to online contacts.
wnem.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old Flint woman was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for her role in an international fraud scheme that targeted senior citizens across multiple states, including Michigan. The scammers used fake tech support warnings to convince victims to call numbers where operators posing as Microsoft or Apple employees intimidated them into transferring money through various methods including wire transfers, cash deliveries, and gift cards. One Michigan victim lost $398,000, and McNamara was ordered to pay over $693,000 in restitution to victims.
tribtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scams targeting American seniors increased 11% with reported losses reaching $3.4 billion, according to the FBI's annual Elder Fraud Report. Tech-support scams were the most common type, while investment scams resulted in the largest financial losses; Ohio ranked eighth nationally in senior scam complaints with losses exceeding $64 million. The article recommends seniors educate themselves about common scams, verify suspicious requests with trusted contacts, and avoid high-pressure situations involving gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
freepressokc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oklahoma Attorney General's Office launched an online senior fraud complaint form to help older Oklahomans report scams, as financial fraud targeting people over 60 reached $3.4 billion nationally in 2023, an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Common schemes include fake lotteries, tech support scams, and impersonation of grandchildren, government officials, or romantic interests. The office advises seniors to protect themselves by avoiding sharing personal information unsolicited, not clicking email links or attachments, being wary of upfront payment demands, and rejecting high-pressure tactics from unknown callers.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Two Florida and Michigan residents were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international fraud conspiracy that defrauded senior citizens of millions of dollars. The scheme involved fake tech support warnings that led victims to surrender cash, wire transfers, and gift cards through various ruses, including impersonation of federal agents and false claims of compromised bank accounts; White was sentenced to 97 months and ordered to pay $3.2 million in restitution, while McNamara received 51 months and must pay $693,073 in restitution. One West Michigan victim lost $398,000 to the conspiracy, which operated with scammers based in India and used U.S.-based oper
michigansthumb.com
· 2025-12-08
McKhaela McNamara (Flint, Michigan) and Jmyla White (Florida) were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in an international wire fraud conspiracy targeting senior citizens across multiple states, with McNamara receiving 51 months and ordered to pay $693,073 in restitution, while White received 97 months and was ordered to pay $3.2 million. The scam began with fake virus warnings on victims' computers, prompting them to call numbers where perpetrators impersonated tech company representatives or federal agents, then convinced victims to withdraw cash, make wire transfers, or purchase gift cards through various ruses involving compromised bank accounts, infected computers, or criminal
vindy.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, scams targeting American seniors increased 11% with reported losses reaching $3.4 billion, according to the FBI's Elder Fraud Report. Tech-support scams were the most common type, while investment scams resulted in the largest financial losses; Ohio ranked eighth nationally for senior scam complaints with residents losing over $64 million. The article advises seniors to educate themselves about scams, avoid high-pressure situations involving payments, and consult trusted family members before sending money.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Deepfake Video Conference Fraud - Arup Engineering Company**
London-based engineering firm Arup lost HK$200 million (approximately $25 million) in January 2024 after an employee was deceived by AI-generated deepfake videos and audio of the company's CFO and other staff members during a video conference, who instructed the employee to execute 15 wire transfers to fraudulent Hong Kong bank accounts. The employee discovered the fraud only after following up with company headquarters, and Hong Kong police classified the case as "obtaining property by deception." Arup confirmed that no internal systems were compromised and business operations were not affected, though
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
Arup, a British multinational engineering firm, lost $25.6 million in January 2024 to a deepfake scam targeting a finance employee in Hong Kong. The victim was deceived by fake video calls impersonating the company's CFO and other officials and authorized 15 transfers totaling 200 million Hong Kong dollars before the fraud was discovered. The incident highlights the increasing sophistication of deepfake technology and cyber threats, with company leadership warning employees to remain vigilant against evolving scamming techniques.
wionews.com
· 2025-12-08
Indian citizens were lured abroad through social media job scams promising high salaries, only to be trafficked into online fraud operations in Cambodia and neighboring countries. A UN report documented over 100,000 people globally trafficked into these scam centers, with victims like a 41-year-old man who was promised $900/month as a data entry operator but was instead imprisoned, had his passport confiscated, and forced to perpetrate internet fraud. Experts attribute the vulnerability to India's lack of employment opportunities for youth, which scammers exploit by dangling lucrative overseas positions on social platforms.
foxsanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas ranks third nationally for elder fraud, with 7,035 complaints from people over 60 resulting in losses exceeding $278 million in 2023, involving scams such as phishing, romance schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud. The article features Dennis and Joy Shockey, an elderly couple who lost nearly $170,000 to a pop-up computer scam and recovered only about one-third through crowdfunding, illustrating how swift action is critical for potential fund recovery. Experts note that elderly Texans are particularly vulnerable targets, with scammers often funneling stolen money through fake accounts near the Mexican border.
localnews8.com
· 2025-12-08
Idaho's Department of Finance is warning residents about an uptick in precious metals scams where fraudsters convince victims their identities or accounts have been compromised, then direct them to purchase gold or precious metals and hand them over to fake couriers posing as government officials or financial professionals. According to the FBI, victims lost over $55 million to these cash and precious metals courier scams during the last eight months of 2023, with seniors being disproportionately targeted. The advisory urges Idahoans to be skeptical of unsolicited requests to purchase precious metals for "protection" and to report suspected scams immediately to authorities.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are increasingly using AI technology to create audio deepfakes by cloning victims' voices from recorded phone calls and online sources, then using these replicas to impersonate the victims and extort money from their family members or conduct romance and investment scams. The sophistication of generative AI systems has made these voice cloning frauds difficult to distinguish from authentic communications, prompting warnings from major banks and government authorities. Experts advise people to be cautious when answering suspicious calls and sharing personal information online, as even brief voice samples can be used to train AI systems to replicate their voices convincingly.
ksal.com
· 2025-12-08
According to 2022 FBI and FTC data analyzed by VPNPro, Kansas experienced $24.4 million in losses to elderly fraud affecting an average of 68.6 victims per 100,000 residents aged 60 and over. Nationally, investment scams caused the largest losses ($404 million), followed by business imposters ($271 million) and romance scams ($240 million), with seniors being 517% more likely to fall victim to tech support scams than younger adults. Online fraud and bank transfers were the most common contact methods and payment methods respectively, resulting in $564 million and $570 million in losses to elderly victims in 2022.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are increasingly using AI chatbots to execute convincing scams against multiple victims simultaneously, but cybersecurity experts have identified detection methods. To identify an AI chatbot rather than a real person, victims should ask about recent events (since older chatbots lack current information), look for repetitive patterns, notice lack of humor and empathy, and watch for requests for financial help or favors that create emotional manipulation. Key warning signs include the scammer pushing for action, impeccable but wooden phrasing, and the claim that only the victim can help resolve a worsening situation.