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dailybreeze.com
A Santa Monica software developer lost $740,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam, where a scammer cultivated trust over two months through daily communication before pitching fake cryptocurrency investments. This sophisticated long-con scheme, which originated in China in 2019 and expanded globally during the pandemic, has devastated hundreds or thousands of Californians—some victims have died by suicide after losing family fortunes—with Americans losing $4 billion to cryptocurrency investment scams in 2023, including $1.1 billion from California residents alone.
inews.co.uk
Sarah and her family in Greater Manchester became victims of a honeytrap scam in which fraudsters used fake online profiles to lure men to their home address after the men paid for promised sexual services, resulting in over 30 unwanted visits by male strangers in two months. Despite providing police with video evidence, car registration plates, and a phone number, Greater Manchester Police stated they had insufficient evidence to pursue the case. According to the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, romance and honeytrap scams reported nearly 9,000 cases in 2023 with an 8% year-over-year increase, though experts believe actual cases are significantly underreported due to victim shame.
koreatimes.co.kr
South Korea experienced a surge in mobile spam messages, with 4.128 billion spam texts sent in 2019-2023, including increasing numbers of "smishing" attacks (1,673 reported cases in the most recent year) and romance scams disguised as investment tips and dating opportunities. Losses from smishing jumped 36 times to 14.4 billion won, with scammers using stolen personal information and evolving tactics across text messages, social media platforms like Instagram and Telegram, and messaging apps like Naver Line. Government filtering efforts face practical limitations, and experts recommend users avoid responding to unknown messages while advocating for stronger account authentication processes and regulatory measures to prevent scamm
wired.com
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime issued a report warning that digital scamming in Southeast Asia is rapidly expanding and becoming more sophisticated through the integration of generative AI, deepfakes, and cryptocurrency theft tools. Criminal networks have trafficked approximately 200,000 people into compounds across Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos over the past five years to operate scams, with "pig butchering" investment schemes alone defrauding victims of around $75 billion, while organized crime groups in the region earned an estimated $37 billion last year. These criminal operations are increasingly using AI-generated content, deepfake videos, and automated tools to overcome language barriers and scale their scams globally, low
cnn.com
Following Hurricane Milton's devastation across Florida, scammers are targeting vulnerable survivors through multiple fraud schemes including fake FEMA officials requesting personal information, unlicensed contractors demanding upfront payment, and fraudulent charities and crowdfunding campaigns. Authorities warn victims to verify legitimacy directly with agencies like FEMA (1-800-621-3362), research charities before donating, and avoid contractors who pressure immediate payment or provide evasive answers. The Better Business Bureau and FEMA emphasize that official disaster assistance contacts victims proactively, never solicits sensitive financial data unsolicited, and offers multiple forms of aid beyond the initial $750 emergency assistance.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Nashik city police released an educational video warning citizens about "digital arrest" scams, where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement and threaten callers with arrest while demanding personal information like Aadhaar numbers and bank details, often claiming a drug parcel was found in the victim's name. The police emphasized that digital arrests do not exist and advised recipients to verify caller credentials and contact local police stations or the cybercrime helpline (1939) rather than providing information or transferring money. The alert noted that senior citizens and those less familiar with technology are primary targets of these increasingly common online fraud schemes.
states.aarp.org
In 2023, Florida experienced 151,152 fraud reports resulting in $654.5 million in losses, with imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and prize/sweepstakes scams being the most prevalent. Common examples include IRS and grandparent imposter schemes, fake retail websites, and fraudulent lottery notifications, with victims encouraged to report incidents to local law enforcement, the Florida Attorney General, or national resources like the FBI and FTC.
newsradiori.iheart.com
Rhode Island authorities are warning seniors about AI-powered voice scams that impersonate relatives or acquaintances requesting emergency money. In 2023, Rhode Islanders over 60 lost over $7 million to various scams, prompting state police to advise never sharing personal information with unknown callers.
aol.com
Over 100,000 elderly Americans fell victim to fraud last year, losing more than $3.4 billion, with Rhode Island seniors alone losing approximately $7.4 million. U.S. Senator Jack Reed and partners hosted an awareness event highlighting common elder scams—including tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repair, romance, and family scams—and recommended strategies to avoid them: never volunteer personal information, be skeptical of urgent claims, avoid payments via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and don't hesitate to hang up on suspicious callers. Victims should report scams to local police or the FTC, and seniors can access
local.aarp.org
In 2023, Florida residents reported 151,152 fraud cases resulting in $654.5 million in losses, with imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and prize/sweepstakes scams ranking as the top three most common schemes. Common examples include IRS and grandparent imposter scams, fake retail websites, and false Publishers Clearing House notifications, with the first half of 2024 already showing 71,351 reports and $388.6 million in losses. Multiple state and federal resources are available to help victims and prevent fraud, including the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline (877-908-3360) and the National Elder Frau
justice.gov
Luz Paulino, owner of a Massachusetts tax preparation company, was sentenced to 54 months in prison for using stolen identities to defraud the IRS, a bank, and the Small Business Administration of approximately $2.1 million in COVID-19 relief loans between 2019 and 2021. She filed false tax returns under victims' names to obtain fraudulent refund advance loans and fraudulently applied for SBA disaster loans using stolen identities of businesspeople, using proceeds to wire funds internationally and purchase a vehicle. Paulino fled the United States after being indicted in January 2021 and remained a fugitive for 19 months before being returned by
cp24.com
**Summary:**
Police arrested 24-year-old Jahzion Holness-Edie as part of Project Sharp, a multi-agency investigation into emergency grandparent scams operating across Canada. The ongoing investigation has identified 126 victims (primarily from Ontario) who lost a combined $739,000 after being deceived by callers posing as police or lawyers claiming their grandchildren were in custody and needed bail money. The criminal organization allegedly has ties to Italian organized crime and uses "money mules" to collect payments from seniors.
reed.senate.gov
U.S. Senator Jack Reed partnered with AARP Rhode Island and the Rhode Island State Police to hold an Elder Fraud Prevention Summit addressing the rising threat of scams targeting older adults. According to the FBI, elder fraud complaints rose 14 percent in 2023 with losses exceeding $3.4 billion nationally, including $7.4 million lost by Rhode Islanders over age sixty. The summit emphasized public education, awareness of common scam tactics (tech support, romance, investment, and data breach scams), and the importance of reporting fraud to authorities rather than remaining silent out of embarrassment.
aol.com
An 83-year-old California woman was defrauded of $50,000 in a grandparent scam where fraudsters impersonated her grandson, claiming he needed bail money for a drunk driving accident and subsequent legal charges. The scammers directed her to convert cash to cryptocurrency through a Coinstar machine, and despite warnings from the machine and her bank manager, she made multiple transfers totaling $50,000 to a crypto account—funds that are now unrecoverable due to cryptocurrency's decentralized and anonymous nature. The scam exploited emotional manipulation and artificial urgency, tactics that are particularly effective against older adults, who according to FTC data experienced median fraud losses of
nbcbayarea.com
The FBI warned that cryptocurrency has become a major target for fraud, with California losing over $1 billion to stolen cryptocurrency in 2023, including $260 million in the Bay Area alone. Scammers specifically target elderly and retired investors by pitching fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities and then using intimidation tactics to extract additional funds, with investment fraud identified as the leading cause of crypto-related financial losses. The agency advises investors to be suspicious of unsolicited calls or texts promoting cryptocurrency investments or schemes that seem too good to be true.
justice.gov
A 21-year-old Boston man was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud after serving as a courier in a tech support scam that defrauded a 75-year-old Massachusetts man of approximately $420,000 between June and October 2024. The victim was lured by a fake Microsoft pop-up message, then convinced by a scammer posing as a federal Treasury agent that his identity was involved in money laundering and instructed to withdraw cash in installments and hand it to couriers at his home. The defendant was arrested on October 7, 2024, when he arrived to collect a package from an undercover officer, and admitted to collecting packages for payment at the
asaaseradio.com
Nonso Ekeocha was convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment by a Lagos court for online romance fraud, where he posed as "Ronald Gregory," an American man, on Instagram to solicit money from victims through fake dating scenarios. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission proved he possessed fraudulent documents used for the scam, which he committed in June 2024; he was given the option to pay a N500,000 fine and complete 50 hours of community service instead of serving the prison term.
indiatoday.in
Fraudsters impersonating FedEx courier employees and police officers are conducting an escalating scam across India, wherein victims receive calls claiming a package linked to their Aadhaar number contains illegal drugs, followed by "digital arrest" tactics where victims are coerced into transferring money through fear of legal consequences and threats of leaked videos. FedEx has issued an advisory urging recipients of suspicious calls to avoid sharing personal information and report to authorities, as documented victims have lost substantial sums ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 2.8 crore, with 163 cases registered in Bengaluru alone totaling Rs 5 crore in losses.
newskarnataka.com
A 40-year-old man from Bengaluru lost ₹21 lakh in a romance and investment scam after meeting a woman named Mitra on a dating app in April. Mitra befriended him and convinced him to invest in Forex trading through a fraudulent brokerage, which initially showed returns to gain his trust before communication ceased and funds became irretrievable. The victim filed a police complaint, resulting in charges under the Information Technology Act and BNS section 318 (cheating).
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 75-year-old woman in Mumbai's suburbs lost Rs 21 lakh to an online extortion scam where fraudsters impersonated Delhi Customs and CBI officials and conducted a fake three-day "interrogation" via WhatsApp and video call, threatening her with arrest for alleged involvement with fake passports, drugs, and ATM cards found in an intercepted parcel. The scammers isolated her by instructing her not to tell anyone and sent forged legal documents to coerce her into transferring money, while also pressuring her to mortgage her jewelry and take loans before she sought police verification and discovered the fraud. The Cyber Police registered an FIR against the perpetrators.
abc6.com
Rhode Island authorities, including AARP and state police, warned senior citizens about escalating phone and online scams using artificial intelligence technology to impersonate family members or create false emergencies. In 2023, over 100,000 seniors nationally lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with Rhode Islanders over 60 losing $7.4 million that year. The advisory recommends never sharing personal information with unknown callers, ignoring urgent claims about compromised accounts, and reporting fraud to local police and the FTC.
thenewportbuzz.com
Over 100,000 seniors nationwide reported losing more than $3.4 billion to fraud last year, with Rhode Island residents over 60 losing $7.4 million, increasingly victimized by AI-enabled scams including voice replication and tech support fraud. U.S. Senator Jack Reed partnered with AARP Rhode Island and state police to host a fraud prevention education event offering seniors practical advice: never share personal information with unknown callers, beware of urgent notices, designate trusted contacts, and hang up on suspicious calls demanding immediate payment. Investment scams posed the greatest financial risk to seniors, while tech support scams were the most commonly reported fraud type.
crypto.news
Ohio's newly established Electronic Fraud Investigations unit recovered $130,000 of the $280,000 lost by a 75-year-old Worthington woman who fell victim to a cryptocurrency scam after being tricked into using a Bitcoin ATM via a fake computer alert. While the recovery marked the unit's first success, the perpetrators remain unidentified, illustrating the challenges of prosecuting crypto fraud cases due to rapid fund transfers and the anonymity of cryptocurrency schemes.
kgw.com
Scammers posing as FBI and government agents are conducting an international fraud scheme where they trick seniors into liquidating assets into cash or gold, then arrange in-person pickups by couriers at victims' homes. An 83-year-old Salem man lost $90,000 after being contacted through a computer pop-up, threatened with arrest, and instructed to hand over cash to couriers in his driveway; in the past six months, Oregon victims lost over $3.3 million in at least three documented cases, with law enforcement making arrests through sting operations. The FBI reports this organized scheme involves hundreds of millions of dollars being funneled internationally, with couriers operating across multiple
justice.gov
Three federal agencies (Justice Department, FTC, and CFPB) warned consumers about potential fraud and price gouging schemes that exploit natural disasters and hurricanes. Common scams include fraudulent charities imitating legitimate relief organizations, scammers impersonating government officials demanding personal information or payment, fake disaster recovery businesses, and price gouging on essential goods and services. Consumers are advised to avoid wire transfers, gift cards, payment apps, and cash payments for disaster services, never pay fees to obtain relief, and research contractors thoroughly before hiring.
justice.gov
Raj Vinodchandra Patel, a 34-year-old New Hampshire resident, was sentenced to 51 months in prison for his role in a wire fraud scheme targeting elderly residents. Patel served as a courier for an operation originating from India that used fake pop-up messages and impersonated federal agents to convince victims their Social Security numbers were compromised, then instructed them to purchase gold bullion for "safekeeping"; he was caught on October 7, 2023, when the FBI conducted a sting operation after an Alexandria, Louisiana victim reported the fraud, resulting in an intended loss of approximately $514,000 across multiple victims.
inkl.com
Americans lost a record $10 billion to scams in 2023, with fraud schemes becoming increasingly sophisticated in their execution. Forensic accounting expert Mike McCall highlights gift card scams as a particularly damaging form of elder fraud, where scammers pose as government officials, law enforcement, or family members to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards to pay fines, debts, or emergency expenses. AARP reports that older Americans lose billions annually to such schemes, and McCall emphasizes that no legitimate agency will ever request payment via gift cards.
bostonglobe.com
Wisdom Oghenekaro Onyobeno, a 44-year-old Nigerian man, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for leading a $5.8 million romance scam that targeted vulnerable women in their 60s, 70s, and 80s across the United States. The victims, many widowed and seeking companionship, were deceived by fabricated romantic stories and charm, losing retirement savings, valuables, and in some cases their health and lives, with one Florida widow alone losing over $324,000. Judge John J. McConnell Jr. rejected Onyobeno's pleas for leniency, calling the scheme "
punchng.com
**Summary:**
Nonso Ekeocha was convicted and sentenced to one year imprisonment by Lagos State Special Offences Court for an online romance scam in which he used a fake Instagram profile posing as "Ronald Gregory," an American male, to solicit financial assistance from victims. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested him on June 29, 2024, and recovered fraudulent documents from his phones showing he conducted the scam by sending unsolicited romantic messages to members of the public. The court gave him the option of paying a N500,000 fine or completing 50 hours of community service in lieu of imprisonment.
mirror.co.uk
Maureen Gunn, 66, from East Lothian, Scotland, lost approximately £50,000 in a romance scam involving a fake UN Navy captain she met on Facebook, then stole nearly £15,000 from her 89-year-old mother's bank account to continue funding the scam. As her mother's primary carer with power of attorney, Gunn made unauthorized withdrawals and transfers over three years before family members discovered the theft and contacted police. She pleaded guilty to embezzlement and received a three-year supervision order, 140 hours of community service, and was ordered to repay £14,521.60 at £150
cnbctv18.com
**Digital Arrest Scam Advisory**
On October 27, the Prime Minister's office issued an advisory warning the public about "digital arrest" scams, clarifying that no investigative agency—including the CBI, police, customs, or ED—conducts arrests via phone or video call. These scams involve fraudsters impersonating government officials who claim victims are involved in illegal activity and demand payment of fines or penalties to avoid arrest; notable victims include an NBCC official who lost ₹55 lakh and businessman SP Oswal, 82, who lost ₹7 crore after being held in a state of virtual "arrest" for two days
newsmeter.in
DB Stock Broking, a fraudulent investment scheme operated by Deepankar Barman from Guwahati, defrauded Hyderabad residents of approximately Rs 2 crore by promising extraordinarily high returns (up to 120 percent annually) before ceasing payments in July and the operator fleeing in August 2024. Among the victims was a techie who invested Rs 11 lakh and received no returns, and authorities have registered criminal cases against Barman and associates under breach of trust and cheating charges while investigating the broader Rs 7,000 crore scam across multiple cities.
macombdaily.com
Seniors in Macomb and Oakland counties have access to free workshops and seminars offered throughout October and November 2024 by Gesher Human Services and the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office to help them avoid financial fraud and scams. The programs provide information, resources, and tips on protecting against various forms of elder fraud, including identity theft and caregiver fraud.
womansworld.com
Five individuals were arrested and charged with wire fraud conspiracy after stealing at least $8 million from older victims across ten states through a tech support scam that included gold bar purchases. The scammers contacted elderly victims claiming their financial accounts were compromised and directed them to transfer funds, open new accounts, and purchase gold bars that couriers then collected; one 82-year-old Missouri woman lost approximately $250,000 in the scheme. To protect against such scams, authorities advise victims and their families to report suspicious activity immediately to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
justice.gov
Following Hurricane Helene's September 2026 landfall, U.S. Attorney Dawn N. Ison issued a public safety alert warning against disaster relief fraud schemes targeting hurricane victims and charitable donors through fraudulent emails, social media, websites, phone calls, texts, and door-to-door solicitations. The Justice Department's National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) advises the public to exercise caution before donating and offers a hotline (866-720-5721) and online complaint form for reporting suspected fraudulent activity related to hurricane relief.
livebitcoinnews.com
In April, Indian scammers impersonating Coinbase support stole approximately 15 Bitcoin ($1 million) from an elderly U.S. user through social engineering; blockchain investigator ZachXBT successfully recovered $275,000 of the stolen funds through on-chain analysis and collaboration with authorities. The same scam ring is suspected of stealing over $5 million from multiple victims by laundering funds through Tron's blockchain and cryptocurrency exchanges. The recovery highlights the vulnerability of elderly adults to cryptocurrency fraud, with elderly users being three times more likely to fall victim to crypto scams compared to younger individuals.
justice.gov
Wisdom Oghenekaro Onyobeno, 44, an Atlanta man, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam and money laundering conspiracy that targeted elderly widows and divorcees across Rhode Island and other states, resulting in losses exceeding $5.8 million. Onyobeno and his co-conspirators used dating apps and online games to create false personas—posing as military members, contractors, or government officials—to convince victims to send money for fabricated emergencies, which was then laundered through shell bank accounts and business entities. The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal
providencejournal.com
Wisdom Onyobeno was sentenced to 121 months in prison for orchestrating a romance scam that targeted widowed women, primarily in their 60s and 70s, exploiting their grief, faith, and desire for companionship. The scheme left multiple victims, including a Rhode Island woman, financially devastated and emotionally traumatized. Onyobeno admitted to acting "in greed" while preying on his victims' vulnerability and trust.
abc6.com
Wisdom Oghenekaro Onyobeno, 44, was sentenced to over 10 years in federal prison for leading a romance scam that defrauded elderly widows and divorcees across multiple states of more than $5.8 million. Onyobeno and his conspirators used fake personas on dating apps and online games to build trust with victims, then convinced them to send money through false scenarios involving military emergencies, stranded contractors, or overseas packages, with funds laundered through fraudulent business entities and bank accounts. The case underscores the need for seniors to be cautious about unsolicited financial requests from unknown contacts.
kttn.com
Five individuals were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for operating a tech support scam that defrauded elderly victims of at least $8 million across ten states. The scheme involved scammers posing as computer support representatives, convincing victims their financial accounts were compromised, and persuading them to transfer funds and purchase gold bars, which couriers and handlers then collected; one 82-year-old victim from St. Louis lost approximately $250,000. All five defendants face up to 30 years in prison and $1 million fines, with charges involving wire fraud conspiracy investigated by the FBI and Homeland Security Investigations.
julieroys.com
Dallas-based Gateway Church faces a lawsuit alleging it fraudulently claimed to donate 15% of member tithes to global missions when it actually gave no more than $3 million annually (versus the $15 million it should have given based on ~$100 million annual revenue), with a former CPA whistleblower also reporting $1.5 million in unexplained withdrawals from the global fund that church leadership refused to investigate. The church's elder responded by claiming independent audits by Capin Crouse since 2005 demonstrated proper financial management, but the CPA whistleblower (retired Big 4 partner Allen Shoulders) contradicted this, stating Gateway
theglobeandmail.com
While elder fraud remains prevalent, scammers are increasingly targeting younger social media users through platform-specific schemes including fake brand ambassador programs, cryptocurrency rug-pulls, and account impersonation. The article advises users of all ages to exercise skepticism, verify information through reliable sources, and wait 24 hours before providing money or personal information online to avoid falling victim to these evolving fraud tactics.
christianpost.com
Gateway Church leaders face a class action lawsuit alleging they misappropriated millions in tithes designated for global missions, with the lawsuit claiming the church pledged to allocate 15% of tithes to missions but actually gave away less than $3 million annually while the fund balance grew by approximately $10 million per year. In response, the church announced plans to join the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability and conduct a forensic audit, following mounting pressure for transparency after founder Robert Morris resigned in June due to child sex abuse allegations. The lawsuit names Morris, former executive pastor Tom Lane, founding elder Steve Dulin, and executive global pastor Kevin Grove as defendants.
firstalert4.com
An 82-year-old St. Louis woman was targeted by scammers posing as computer software support who convinced her that her financial accounts were compromised and persuaded her to wire money overseas and purchase approximately $250,000 in gold bars. Federal prosecutors charged five individuals, including 22-year-old Dariona Lambert and 51-year-old Chintankumar Parekh, with wire fraud conspiracy after Lambert was arrested attempting to collect the gold bars from the victim; prosecutors allege the group stole at least $8 million from elderly victims across at least 10 states.
fox10phoenix.com
According to an IPX1031 study, 30% of Americans were scammed in the last 12 months, with victims losing an average of $2,647 over their lifetime. The most common scams are credit card fraud (37%), identity theft (34%), and online shopping scams (32%), though only 56% of victims report incidents to authorities. While 80% of Americans take preventive measures like self-education and stronger passwords, significant gaps remain—including 10% who don't use two-factor authentication and 22% unfamiliar with credit freezes—and 76% express concern about AI advancing fraud tactics.
justice.gov
U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe issued a warning about disaster fraud schemes following Hurricane Helene, urging the public to be vigilant against identity theft, fake charity solicitations, and fraudulent websites targeting hurricane victims and donors. The advisory provides guidelines for safe charitable giving, including donating directly to known organizations, avoiding unsolicited communications, and verifying charity legitimacy, with fraud reports accepted through the National Center for Disaster Fraud hotline at (866) 720-5721 or online at www.justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm.
capecodtimes.com
A 24-year-old New York woman was arrested and charged after allegedly scamming a Marstons Mills resident out of $46,000 in a Social Security fraud scheme where the victim was impersonated by someone claiming to be a DEA agent. The scammer instructed the victim to transfer funds into a "safe" government account to protect them from seizure based on a false claim that their Social Security number was linked to a Texas investigation. Fu fled the country to China in May 2023 but was apprehended at JFK Airport in September 2023 upon attempting to reenter the U.S. and was extradited to Massachusetts.
justice.gov
Five individuals were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for operating a tech support scam that stole at least $8 million from elderly victims across at least ten states. The scheme involved fraudsters falsely claiming victims' bank accounts were compromised and coercing them to transfer funds, sometimes through gold bars purchased by victims and collected by couriers; one 82-year-old St. Louis victim lost approximately $250,000 before law enforcement intercepted a courier attempting pickup. The defendants had differentiated roles as couriers and handlers coordinating the collection and transportation of stolen assets across multiple states.
insurance-edge.net
Former insurance broker Karen Marie Dondanville pleaded guilty to 90 counts including grand theft, insurance fraud, and financial elder abuse for collecting $183,047 in premium payments from 32 victims over eight years while failing to place their insurance coverage, leaving them with over 10,000 collective days without coverage. One victim discovered fraudulent insurance documents after filing a claim and suffered approximately $100,000 in uncovered losses. Dondanville was ordered to pay $335,349 in restitution and faces 33 years in prison if she violates her three-year probation.
11alive.com
**Summary:**
Calvin Darden Jr., a Georgia businessman, was convicted of defrauding former NBA star Dwight Howard of $7 million and former NBA forward Chandler Parsons of $1 million through bogus investment schemes involving the purchase of the WNBA's Atlanta Dream and development of NBA player James Wiseman. Darden spent at least $6.1 million of Howard's money on luxury items including cars, a piano, real estate, and art, and faces 11-14 years in prison at sentencing in early 2025. This conviction marks his second major fraud case, following a 2016 conviction for impersonating his father in an attempte