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in Robocall / Phone Scam
nz.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old woman from Kent fell victim to a Monzo bank impersonation scam in March 2024 in which a fraudster tricked her into transferring £580 and applying for a £6,000 loan by falsely claiming her account had been compromised. Although Monzo eventually resolved the case in May 2024, the delayed response caused her credit score to plummet from 995 to 637 due to missed loan repayments, and she received £890 in total compensation including refunds and interest reimbursement. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in bank fraud response protocols and the significant financial and emotional impact of impersonation scams
the-independent.com
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old woman from Kent fell victim to a sophisticated Monzo impersonation scam in March 2024 when a fraudster posing as a bank representative convinced her to transfer £580 and apply for a £6,000 loan under false pretenses. After reporting the scam to Monzo, she faced a delayed investigation process that resulted in her credit score dropping from 995 to 637 due to missed loan repayments, leaving her feeling vulnerable and unsupported. The bank eventually resolved the issue in May 2024, closing the fraudulent loan, updating her credit file, and providing £890 in total compensation including refunded interest.
inyourarea.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost UK victims £27 million in the last year, with an average loss of £11,500 per victim, according to Action Fraud's 2024 report. Scammers typically employ tactics including using stolen photos to hide their identity, isolating victims through "love bombing," creating excuses to avoid in-person meetings, and gradually escalating requests for money with promises of repayment. The article outlines five warning signs and protective measures, including verifying identity through video calls, conducting reverse image searches, never sending money to unmet contacts, and seeking advice from trusted friends and family.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
CNET advises fraud victims to report scams to the Federal Trade Commission and FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, even if no money was lost, as these reports help authorities identify trends, educate the public, and build cases against criminals. The FTC received over 3.4 million complaints last year with only 38% involving monetary losses, and victims can also take steps like freezing credit, contacting their bank, or using identity theft protection services to mitigate damage.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraud cost Americans $12.5 billion with a median loss of $1,500 per victim, with many incidents involving imposters posing as banks, retailers, or government agencies. Common scams include fraudulent bank charge texts, arrest threat calls demanding payment to avoid police action, fake USPS or Amazon messages requesting payment details, and official-looking property tax bills targeting recent homebuyers. Consumers should verify suspicious communications by contacting official numbers or agencies directly rather than using contact information from the suspicious message itself.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pittsburgh-area law enforcement leaders warned the public about increasingly sophisticated scams facilitated by technology, including common schemes like "grandparent" scams, fake tech support, and gift card fraud. The officials advised people to pause before acting on suspicious communications, verify information with trusted sources, avoid clicking links, and report all scams regardless of amount, noting that most stolen money is quickly moved out of the country and difficult to recover.
mk.co.kr
· 2025-12-08
Fraud crimes in South Korea have surged dramatically, with "other cyber fraud" types increasing sevenfold from 3.1% to 21.7% of all fraud between 2014 and 2023, while arrest rates for these crimes simultaneously declined to 47.4% in 2023. Emerging scams like "team mission" fraud—which deceives victims into depositing money under the guise of product review jobs—and hybrid scams combining multiple fraud methods are outpacing law enforcement's ability to classify and respond to them. Experts recommend establishing an integrated fraud prevention system with a dedicated "fraud response control tower" involving police, financial authorities, and victim support organizations to detect
bristolpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Nationwide warned that romance scams affected 29% of people seeking partners online, with 51% of those targeted agreeing to send money to someone they hadn't met in person. These scams stole £31.3 million from British victims in 2022, with fraudsters using emotional manipulation to build trust before requesting funds, after which money is rarely recovered. The bank advised protective measures including staying on legitimate dating platforms, avoiding money discussions before meeting in person, researching potential partners' authenticity, and consulting trusted contacts before sending funds.
devonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers defraud victims by building trust-based online relationships and requesting money with emotional manipulation tactics; in 2022, romance scams stole £31.3 million from British victims, with 51% of those asked for money by online contacts agreeing to send it. Once money is sent to scammers, recovery is typically impossible as the fraudster disappears. Nationwide recommends staying on legitimate dating platforms, avoiding financial discussions before meeting in person, researching potential partners' backgrounds, consulting trusted loved ones, and being alert to scripted messaging and investment schemes.
bristolpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeted 29% of people seeking relationships online in the UK, with 51% of those asked actually sending money to fraudsters they had not met in person. According to UK Finance, these scams stole £31.3 million in 2022, with victims unlikely to recover their funds once transferred. Nationwide advises staying on trustworthy dating platforms, avoiding money discussions with unmet contacts, researching potential partners through reverse image searches, and consulting trusted loved ones to identify scammers who use emotional manipulation and generic scripts to exploit victims.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Nationwide Building Society warns that romance scams result in victims rarely recovering their money, with scammers typically disappearing after funds are sent. In 2022, romance fraud cost UK victims £31.3 million, with 29% of online daters reporting being asked for money by someone they haven't met in person, and over half complying with these requests. The institution advises victims to immediately contact their bank with evidence and outlines seven prevention steps, including staying on reputable platforms, avoiding money discussions before meeting in person, conducting background research on potential matches, and consulting trusted friends or family about new relationships.
bristolpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeted 29% of people seeking relationships online in the UK, with 51% of those targeted agreeing to send money to someone they hadn't met in person; these scams stolen £31.3 million from victims in 2022, with fraudsters using emotional manipulation and false pretenses (medical emergencies, travel costs) to build trust before disappearing with the money. Nationwide warns that recovered funds are unlikely and advises victims to contact their bank immediately with evidence, while recommending potential dating app users stay on legitimate platforms, avoid pre-meeting money discussions, verify profiles through reverse image searches, consult trusted friends, and watch for generic script language and investment solicitation tactics.
mix106radio.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated phishing scam targeting Idaho residents has been exploiting vulnerabilities in Google's infrastructure to bypass security systems and appear as legitimate Google emails. The attack, discovered by developer Nick Johnson, uses fraudulent emails designed to trick recipients into sharing sensitive data or downloading malware. Experts recommend using authenticator apps, regularly updating passwords, and forwarding suspicious emails to legitimate support sources like Google Support for verification.
cantonrep.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns new college graduates to be cautious of four main scam types during their transition to post-college life: fake student loan forgiveness programs that charge fees for services, fraudulent tuition collection schemes demanding immediate payment via wire transfer, deceptive job offers promising high pay for remote entry-level positions while requesting personal/banking information or training fees, and fake graduation gifts or scholarships requesting personal information or processing fees. Graduates are advised to understand their actual loan terms, verify communications directly with institutions, research companies before applying for jobs, and be skeptical of unsolicited offers.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warns that tax scams and identity theft threats persist year-round, not just during tax season, highlighting top schemes including phishing attacks, W-2 fraud, fake charities, and new client scams targeting both individuals and businesses. The agency recommends protective measures such as using multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, anti-malware software, and reporting suspicious activity to [email protected], while maintaining secure business information like EINs and remaining cautious of disaster-related fraud schemes.
nkytribune.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from the prior year, with investment scams accounting for $5.7 billion in losses. Adults aged 60+ are particularly vulnerable, having lost $3.4 billion in 2023 alone to scams including tech support, grandparent, and government impersonation schemes. The article recommends consumers verify caller identity by hanging up and calling their bank directly, never share account credentials or one-time access codes, and ignore unsolicited payment requests, as legitimate banks will never ask for such information.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
daijiworld.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old man from Kasargod lost Rs 42.41 lakh after investing in a fraudulent online trading platform on February 29, 2025, with cyber police now investigating the case. The article advises that vigilance is essential to avoid such scams: never share banking details or OTPs, disregard threats of "digital arrest" (which does not exist in Indian law), and report suspected scams to authorities immediately.
scmp.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not contain content relevant to elder fraud or elder abuse. The submission consists of two unrelated pieces: an opinion essay by a student about Japanese ATM withdrawal restrictions as a potential anti-scam measure (which discusses fraud prevention strategy rather than actual fraud cases), and a health ministry report about childhood obesity in Malaysia. Neither discusses actual scams, fraud incidents, or elder abuse cases affecting seniors.
neworleanscitybusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters posed as Norton antivirus, Microsoft, and her bank, threatening her with arrest and claiming hackers had transferred $18,000 to Russian accounts unless she purchased cryptocurrency. She avoided losing money after recalling that a friend had lost $800,000 to a similar scam and hung up the phone. Experts note that artificial intelligence, dark web data access, and lack of federal oversight have made financial scams increasingly believable and effective, with Americans losing between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to such schemes in 2023-2024.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Nicole Yelland fell victim to an elaborate job scam in January involving scammers impersonating a real company's hiring manager, who refused to turn on their camera during a video interview and requested sensitive personal information like her driver's license number. According to the FTC, job and employment-related scams have nearly tripled from 2020 to 2024, with losses increasing from $90 million to $500 million, fueled by AI tools that make it easier for fraudsters to create convincing fake personas and deepfakes. To combat these digital imposter scams, professionals are employing both high-tech solutions (AI detection startups, biometric verification) and low-tech
nebraska.tv
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that cryptocurrency, online, romance, and home improvement scams pose significant risks to older adults, with scammers often impersonating government agencies, banks, or trusted sources through phone calls and spoofing tactics. The FTC cautions that these scammers may initially appear friendly before becoming aggressive and threatening to coerce victims into providing information or money. Consumers are advised to hang up on suspicious calls, independently verify caller identity, and check BBB.org's scam tracker for current fraud reports.
valpo.life
· 2025-12-08
Americans lose $10 billion annually to scams, with older adults being particularly vulnerable due to lower confidence in recognizing fraudulent schemes and varying levels of tech-savviness. Common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud, sweetheart scams (which cost people over 60 nearly $367 million in 2023), imposter scams, advance fee scams, investment scams, gift card scams, emergency wire transfers, and phishing attempts. To protect yourself, understand how scams operate—scammers pose as trusted entities and create urgent situations to pressure you into sharing money or personal information—and avoid clicking unknown links, verify requests by calling institutions directly, and be skeptical of
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
A PYMNTS Intelligence and Featurespace report examining over 10,000 U.S. consumers reveals that scammers increasingly use personalized, sophisticated tactics targeting specific vulnerabilities across generations rather than employing generic approaches. Generation Z faces higher risks from employment and social media fraud, while older generations are disproportionately targeted by fake eCommerce and sweepstakes scams—with baby boomers and seniors experiencing eCommerce fraud at three times the rate of Gen Z. The report emphasizes that financial institutions must implement dynamic defenses, advanced analytics, and consumer training to combat these evolving threats that exploit psychological manipulation and consumer trust.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Warren, Michigan man, Mohammad Gazi, was charged with false pretenses and computer fraud after a senior citizen from Oakland County lost over $40,000 in a tech support scam. The victim received calls from someone impersonating a McAfee Computer Security representative who claimed funds were mistakenly deposited in her account and instructed her to withdraw and hand over cash on three separate occasions; she became suspicious after a fourth contact and alerted police, leading to Gazi's arrest through a sting operation.
crosstimbersgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud—a 25% increase from 2023—with text message scams accounting for $470 million in losses alone. The article provides protective measures against common scams including text/email fraud, Medicare enrollment scams, and impersonation calls, advising consumers to verify requests through official channels, scrutinize sender information, and never provide Social Security numbers to unsolicited callers. Victims should report suspected scams to the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov or 1-877-438-4338.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Former San Diego Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood shared insights on elder fraud at the 8th Annual Fairfax Scam Jam, highlighting why victims often remain silent—including impairment, isolation, shame, loyalty to abusers, fear of losing independence, dependence on caregivers, and retaliation fears. Greenwood advocates for a proactive community approach to fraud prevention, including training notaries to recognize fraud signs, public awareness campaigns, and educating the public about misconceptions such as ageism affecting investigations and the false belief that giving someone money cannot constitute a crime.
hometownstations.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first four months of 2024, elder fraud resulted in an estimated $1.6 billion in losses nationwide, with Ohio reporting a 22% increase in scam complaints year-over-year. Scammers are using increasingly sophisticated methods including deepfakes, voice cloning, and cryptocurrency to target older adults, who are exploited due to perceived vulnerability and are often reluctant to report crimes due to shame or fear. Authorities recommend verifying unfamiliar contacts, establishing family code words, monitoring financial accounts regularly, and resisting high-pressure tactics to prevent fraud.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of an uptick in celebrity-impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as famous figures like Snoop Dogg and Garth Brooks to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency/investment schemes, or merchandise fraud. The AG advised residents to never send money or personal information to online contacts claiming to be celebrities, and to verify requests through official channels before responding.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a warning about increasing celebrity impersonation scams targeting state residents, involving fraudsters posing as celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and military leaders to perpetrate romance scams, cryptocurrency "pig butchering" schemes, and merchandise fraud. Common tactics include creating deepfake audio and videos, using high-pressure tactics and fear appeals, and requesting money, sensitive information, or unusual payment methods. The attorney general advises victims to avoid sending money to online contacts, never share personal or financial information with strangers online, and report suspected scams to Michigan's Consumer Protection Team.
wnem.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning of an uptick in celebrity impersonation scams, where fraudsters pose as celebrities like Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, and Garth Brooks to steal money through romance scams, cryptocurrency schemes, and merchandise fraud. The scams often exploit victims on dating apps and social media by building fake relationships or promoting fake investment opportunities, with scammers using AI to create convincing voice and video impersonations. The AG recommends victims avoid sending money to online contacts, verify caller information independently, and report scams to the Department of Attorney General.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a public advisory warning residents about increasingly common celebrity impersonation scams, in which fraudsters pose as famous figures like Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and Kid Rock to deceive victims into sending money. Common schemes include romance scams (where victims believe they're in relationships with celebrities and send substantial sums), cryptocurrency/investment scams, and merchandise fraud; one notable case involved a French woman who sent over $800,000 to someone impersonating Brad Pitt. Nessel advises never sending money to online contacts, avoiding pressure to rush into relationships, and consulting trusted contacts before engaging with strangers on social media.
fox47news.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of a surge in online scams where perpetrators impersonate celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military/government officials to defraud victims. Common schemes include romance scams, cryptocurrency/pig butchering fraud, merchandise scams, and AI-generated deepfake calls, with scammers using high-pressure tactics and requests for money via untraceable methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. The advisory recommends never sending money to online contacts, verifying identities through official channels, and avoiding sharing personal or financial information with unverified online sources.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers about a rising trend of scams impersonating celebrities (including Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, and Kid Rock) and military leaders to defraud victims. The scams include romance schemes, cryptocurrency/pig butchering investment frauds, and merchandise scams, often using AI-generated deepfakes to appear authentic. Nessel advised consumers never to send money to online contacts claiming to be celebrities, to verify requests through trusted contacts, and to avoid sharing personal or financial information with unverified online sources.
wzzm13.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned of a surge in scams where fraudsters impersonate celebrities like Garth Brooks, Snoop Dogg, and Kid Rock, as well as military officials, to steal money from victims. The scams typically involve romance schemes, cryptocurrency/"pig butchering" investment frauds, and merchandise purchases, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to create convincing audio and video impersonations. The attorney general advised consumers never to send money to online contacts, avoid sharing personal or financial information with strangers, and to be wary of high-pressure tactics, unusual payment requests, and demands for gift cards or cryptocurrency.
sbs.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Australians over $23 million last year, with fraudsters creating fake online identities to build emotional connections and exploit victims for money or personal information. While older adults, widowers, divorcees, migrants, and Indigenous people are frequently targeted, anyone seeking love online can fall victim to increasingly sophisticated scammers. Key warning signs include love bombing, pressure to move off dating platforms, secrecy, avoiding in-person meetings, and requests for money—and protection requires never sharing personal/financial details, avoiding intimate photos, refusing to send money, and recognizing that AI-generated images can fake video verification.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado couple nearly lost $75,000 in a real estate scam when they attempted to purchase a five-acre property in Park County through what appeared to be a legitimate real estate transaction. The scammer had impersonated the actual property owner and worked through a deceived real estate agent via email and phone, but was caught when a title company closer noticed red flags including the seller's unavailability by phone and insistence on using an out-of-state notary. The fraud was prevented before any money changed hands, and the couple is now warning others about seller identity fraud in real estate transactions.
winknews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, elder fraud losses in the United States reached $3.4 billion, with Florida accounting for nearly $300 million and ranking second nationally. Scammers target seniors over 60 through various methods including phishing, tech support, and romance scams, employing sophisticated, professional tactics. The FBI launched an awareness campaign called "Take a Beat" encouraging victims to pause and consult trusted contacts, while emphasizing the importance of reporting all fraud attempts, including unsuccessful ones, to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
dailypress.net
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued consumer alerts about a rising trend of scams impersonating celebrities (Snoop Dogg, Garth Brooks, Kid Rock) and military leaders. The scams include romance fraud, cryptocurrency/pig butchering schemes, merchandise fraud, and AI-generated deepfake audio and video impersonations designed to extract money from victims. The alert advises consumers never to send money or personal information to online contacts claiming to be celebrities or officials, to verify requests through trusted contacts, and to be wary of urgent investment opportunities or requests for banking details.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wisconsin woman lost over $500,000 to a romance scam, the fourth-largest amount lost to such fraud in the U.S., after meeting a man on a dating app who posed as an international oil rig worker and repeatedly requested money for emergencies. According to Nasdaq Verafrin, romance scams cost $3.8 billion globally in 2023, making them among the world's fastest-growing frauds. The victim, who had mortgaged her home and taken loans against her vehicles to send the money over seven months, eventually reported the scam to law enforcement with assistance from the Dane County Sheriff, FBI, and Internet Crime Complaint Center.
caledonenterprise.com
· 2025-12-08
Canadians lost $58 million to romance scams over the past year, with losses expected to rise as scammers now use AI chatbots trained on romantic novels and targets' social media data to create highly personalized, emotionally manipulative fake partners that operate 24/7. These AI-powered scams are significantly more convincing and scalable than traditional romance fraud, as chatbots can instantly generate emotional messages, send voice notes, and gradually manipulate victims into providing financial assistance without requiring human operators to manage multiple victims simultaneously.
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics—including spoofed caller IDs, voice cloning, and impersonation of government agencies and loved ones—to defraud people through unsolicited calls, texts, and emails requesting money or personal information. Older adults are particularly targeted because they tend to be more trusting and willing to "make things right," and fraudsters deliberately create urgency to pressure quick decisions without verification. The FBI reports billions of dollars are stolen annually through fraud, and experts recommend resisting immediate action, consulting trusted contacts, and avoiding clicks on suspicious links rather than falling prey to these schemes.
arstechnica.com
· 2025-12-08
Nicole Yelland fell victim to an elaborate job scam in January and now implements strict verification protocols before meeting unknown contacts, including background checks and video calls with cameras on. Digital imposter scams targeting job seekers have surged significantly, with AI-generated fake personas and deepfake videos making fraudulent impersonation easier; FTC data shows job-related scam reports nearly tripled from 2020 to 2024, with losses increasing from $90 million to $500 million. Criminals are exploiting remote work trends and AI tools to construct convincing fake professional identities on platforms like LinkedIn and video conferencing services.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned in April against a sophisticated medical insurance scam where fraudsters pose as legitimate insurance companies to deceive consumers seeking affordable coverage, resulting in hundreds of victims losing thousands of dollars across the country. Scammers use tactics like claiming to offer time-limited discounts, requiring upfront payments, and misrepresenting coverage, leaving victims with unexpected medical debt when claims are denied—including a Maryland man stuck with a $7,000 emergency surgery bill and over 100 Washington state residents defrauded by a multi-named company. The FBI recommends verifying insurance through state commissioners or the Better Business Bureau, confirming provider acceptance, reviewing fine print carefully, and never paying upfront.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Google is rolling out enhanced scam detection technology in Google Messages to identify fraudulent text messages about unpaid tolls, which have become increasingly prevalent scams affecting Android users. The FBI received approximately 60,000 toll scam complaints last year, and consumers lost $470 million to text scams in 2024, with fake unpaid toll texts nearly quadrupling in early 2024 according to McAfee. The on-device detection system will flag suspicious messages as "likely scams" while also identifying fraud related to cryptocurrency, technical support, and gift cards, helping users avoid sophisticated phishing attempts that use poor grammar, urgent language, suspicious links, and imitated official logos.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Americans reported 2.6 million fraud cases to the FTC in 2024, resulting in $12.5 billion in losses—a $2.5 billion increase from 2023. The article identifies five key warning signs of scams: requests for personal information, unsolicited contact, demands for wire transfers or gift cards, offers that sound too good to be true, and artificial time pressure or emergency claims. Common scams include imposter fraud, online shopping issues, fake job/investment opportunities, lottery schemes, and health care fraud.
turnto10.com
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams cost Americans $470 million in reported losses during 2024, with cybersecurity experts noting that scammers use sophisticated tactics like spoofed numbers and personalized details to deceive even tech-savvy users. Red flags include unsolicited messages with shortened links and artificial urgency, with older adults being particularly vulnerable due to their tendency to respond promptly to communications. Experts recommend warning family members about these evolving scams and avoiding clicking suspicious links in unexpected messages.
cherokeescout.com
· 2025-12-08
A Scam Jam educational event held on April 29 at Murphy First Baptist Church brought together 33 attendees and seven speakers, including representatives from the Cherokee County Sheriff's Office, the N.C. Department of Justice, and a cybersecurity expert, to educate the community about identity theft, email scams, and fraud prevention strategies. The speakers emphasized that seniors are particularly vulnerable to scams due to unfamiliarity with technology and lack of skepticism, and recommended protective measures such as using strong passwords, verifying email sources, avoiding sharing sensitive information electronically, and utilizing credit monitoring services. The event highlighted common warning signs of scams—including urgent requests, unsolicited messages, an
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Mohammad Gazi, 49, of Warren, was charged with defrauding a Waterford Township senior of over $40,000 through a computer security scam in which he posed as a representative and instructed the victim to withdraw and hand over cash in multiple transactions. In a separate case, Vedantkumar Bhupenbhai Patel, 25, of Toledo, was charged with scamming an elderly Macomb County couple out of $50,000 via a fraudulent email claiming they had pending child pornography charges and instructing them to withdraw cash for a supposed U.S. Treasury agent pickup.
beverlyreview.net
· 2025-12-08
Katie Walsh of the Cook County Sheriff's Office warned senior citizens about the "grandparent scam," in which callers impersonate distressed relatives claiming to need emergency money and demand secrecy to prevent rational intervention. Walsh identified multiple scam types targeting people of all ages—including IRS impersonation, romance scams, and fake charities—noting that seniors are vulnerable not due to lack of intelligence but because emotional manipulation disrupts rational thinking. She advised victims to hang up before sharing information, consult trusted contacts, report to police and the Federal Trade Commission, and contact Illinois Adult Protective Services if needed, while emphasizing that recovery options are limited.