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in Scam Awareness
columbiamagazine.com
Romance scammers operating on dating apps and social media platforms defrauded Americans of over $1 billion in 2023 and at least that much in 2024, with one notable victim being a 72-year-old widower named Gary who lost $50,000 to a scammer posing as a woman named Nasha. Scammers use tactics including requests for money for travel or investments, pressure for gift cards, and AI-generated photos to impersonate real people and celebrities. The U.S. Secret Service recommends avoiding financial transactions with people you've never met in person and being wary of red flags such as urgent money requests, pressure for gifts, an
cointelegraph.com
Seniors are increasingly targeted in cryptocurrency scams because scammers view them as wealthy, trusting, and less technologically savvy, exploiting the irreversible nature of crypto transactions and victims' reluctance to report fraud. The FTC reports growing losses from crypto investment fraud, romance scams, and government impersonation, with seniors in Beaufort County, South Carolina alone losing over $3.1 million in 2024, while sophisticated schemes using AI voice cloning and fake websites are becoming more prevalent. Examples include British pensioners losing hundreds of thousands to romance fraud operations in Cambodia, Minnesota crypto ATM scams that cost over $189 million in 2023, and government impersonation
lsj.com.au
Transnational organized crime groups operating "scam factories" in Southeast Asian countries (Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia) force trafficked workers into sophisticated multilingual fraud operations targeting international victims. Between January 2024 and February 2025, Australia lost $384.2 million to scams, with investment scams causing the largest losses ($225.7 million), while over 300,000 people are estimated to be forced laborers in scam operations across the Mekong region, generating approximately $43.8 billion annually for criminal enterprises. These operations employ advanced technologies including deepfakes and AI language models to impersonate authority figures and craft convincing fraud scripts.
ibsintelligence.com
UK fraud losses remained at £1.17 billion in 2024, with 70% of authorised push payment fraud cases originating online through social media and messaging platforms. Investment and romance scams are surging despite fewer reported cases, with victims often losing life savings to sophisticated social engineering tactics that bypass bank warnings. Experts warn that fraudsters are evolving tactics—particularly toward remote purchase fraud—and call for a unified national strategy involving banks, law enforcement, and technology providers to address fraud, which now represents 40% of all UK crime.
the420.in
In 2024, the UK experienced £12,332 crore in reported fraud losses, with banks blocking even greater unauthorized attempts, yet emerging threats like remote access scams, social engineering, and platform-enabled fraud continue to outpace defenses. Seventy percent of authorized push payment scams originated online, while investment fraud and romance scams increasingly target victims through social media and polished digital ads, often exploiting emotional manipulation or false financial promises. Experts warn that fraud now represents 40% of all UK crime, yet the fragmented regulatory approach places disproportionate responsibility on banks rather than holding tech platforms, telcos, and other enablers accountable, necessitating a unified national strategy
cnet.com
Cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods—including AI-powered technology—to conduct online scams, with reported fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in the previous year, a 25% increase. Google's report identifies five trending scams: customer support impersonation, malvertising (fake ads spreading malware), fake travel websites, package-tracking phishing, and toll road scams, and emphasizes that many people remain uninformed about recognizing these fraud tactics. The report recommends verifying contact information directly with companies, downloading software only from legitimate sources, being skeptical of unrealistic deals, and avoiding clicking links in unsolicited messages.
fox5atlanta.com
Scammers are targeting Georgia drivers with threatening text messages impersonating the "Georgia State Department of Motor Vehicles," claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets that must be paid immediately to avoid license suspension or prosecution, with links leading to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and driver's license information. The Georgia Department of Driver Services clarified that they never contact customers via text to request payment or confidential information, and notes that the "Department of Motor Vehicles" does not exist in Georgia—a key red flag that such messages are fraudulent. Residents are advised to delete such messages immediately and verify ticket or license status through the official DDS website at dds.georgia.gov.
bendbulletin.com
Text scams create false urgency to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and entering sensitive information; one SELCO member recently fell victim to a phishing text impersonating the bank, entering her credentials on a fake site before fraudulent activity was caught and prevented. While reported text scams decreased slightly in 2024, losses increased more than fivefold since 2020, indicating scammers are becoming more effective, with common schemes including fake security alerts from banks and major companies, fake delivery notifications, and fraudulent job offers. The article advises consumers to avoid clicking suspicious links, verify senders, use phone spam filters, and remember that legitimate financial institutions never request passwords or account numbers via text.
wgal.com
Scammers are sending unsolicited text messages impersonating legitimate job websites like Indeed, offering unrealistic wages ($300-$900 per day for minimal work) to lure victims into providing personal information including Social Security numbers for identity theft. These fraudulent messages direct recipients to untraceable messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram and lack legitimate company details, making them easily identifiable as scams. Consumers should recognize that legitimate employers never initiate job contact via text and offers that sound too good to be true are red flags for fraud.
foxbusiness.com
Retail return fraud cost retailers approximately $101 billion of the $743 billion in total returns in 2023, with scams including "wardrobing" (returning used clothing), empty box schemes, and "bricking" (removing key components from electronics before return). Retailers face the challenge of implementing fraud detection systems while maintaining lenient return policies that influence purchasing decisions, particularly among younger consumers. Companies are increasingly investing in data analytics and end-to-end return management systems to identify suspicious patterns and verify item condition before processing refunds.
wistv.com
A rise in phone scams impersonating law enforcement has been reported in South Carolina's Midlands region, with scammers using spoofed caller IDs, real deputy names, and personal information to convince victims they owe fines for missing court dates or jury duty. Two victims—a doctor and a homeowner—nearly lost $3,000 each before recognizing the fraud, with the scammer in the first case threatening medical board reporting to create urgency. Law enforcement advises that legitimate agencies never request payment by phone or online and urges people to verify calls independently rather than trusting caller ID or acting under pressure.
wgrz.com
Chautauqua County DMV is warning residents about phishing text messages falsely claiming to be from the New York DMV, demanding immediate payment for traffic fines and threatening vehicle registration suspension. Phishing scams have doubled since 2022 and are among the top three scams reported to the Better Business Bureau, affecting people across all age groups with some victims losing over $1,000. To protect themselves, residents should avoid clicking suspicious links, verify messages directly with their local DMV, check for spelling errors and suspicious web addresses, and never share personal information via text or email.
plansponsor.com
In 2023, U.S. financial fraud losses reached $10 billion (up 14% from 2022), with investment scams accounting for $4.6 billion of that total and representing the fastest-growing fraud category at 21% year-over-year growth. The article provides plan sponsors and participants with resources and tools to identify vulnerable individuals, detect cognitive decline, and report financial fraud to protect retirement plan assets.
kclyradio.com
Kansas state agencies—the Department of Insurance, Department for Children and Families, and Department for Aging and Disability Services—are partnering to host World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events from June 9–13 and June 20, 2025, featuring presentations on recognizing and preventing financial scams targeting older adults. The initiative aims to educate Kansas communities about elder exploitation, with resources available through multiple state agencies and hotlines for reporting suspected investment fraud.
pa.gov
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple free educational events throughout June 2024 aimed at seniors, service providers, and the general public to help them avoid scams, detect fraud, and prevent identity theft. Events include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO" and "$camJam" held at senior centers and community locations across Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvanians encouraged to report scams via 1-866-PACOMPLAINT or pa.gov/consumer.
patch.com
Alameda County's Adult and Aging Services is hosting a "Scam Jam" event on June 16th to help older adults protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated digital scams targeting seniors. The free community event at the San Leandro Senior Community Center will feature expert presenters from state agencies, consumer protection organizations, and high school students whose family members were scam victims. Older adults 60 and over can register via QR code or by calling (510) 577-3463 to learn how to recognize and prevent elder fraud.
malwarebytes.com
Toll fee smishing scams—fraudulent text messages claiming users owe payment for tolls—have surged in waves since 2024, with the FBI and FTC issuing warnings and state DMVs in New York, Florida, and California recently alerting residents to the threat. In April 2025 alone, Americans received 19.2 billion spam texts, and text-based fraud attempts generated approximately $470 million in criminal revenue according to the FTC's 2024 data. The article advises consumers to verify sender phone numbers and domain names, check official toll agency websites, avoid engaging with messages, use mobile security features, and report suspicious texts to the FBI's Internet Crime
moneyweek.com
In 2024, fraudsters stole £144.4 million through investment fraud in the UK—a 34% increase from 2023—despite a 24% reduction in the number of cases, indicating victims are losing larger amounts per scam. Investment fraud involves criminals convincing victims to invest in fictitious funds or fake opportunities (cryptocurrencies, property, commodities, etc.), often amplified through AI deepfaking on social media. Overall UK fraud losses reached £1.17 billion across 3.31 million confirmed cases in 2024, with unauthorised fraud (particularly card fraud and remote purchase fraud) being the most prevalent type.
bernama.com
A 75-year-old company director in Perak, Malaysia lost over RM1.47 million in an online trading scam that began in April when he received a call from an unidentified woman offering him a partnership opportunity. The victim was persuaded to download an app called SHV Shop and was promised 30% commissions on purchases, but deposited funds across six different bank accounts from April to May without receiving any returns. The case is under investigation for fraud under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
thatslife.com.au
John Young, a 71-year-old from Geelong, Victoria, lost over $500,000 of his life savings to a sophisticated investment scam that falsely used TV personality Eddie McGuire's image and promised returns of $1,000 per day. Over several months, Young deposited increasingly large amounts—eventually including his superannuation—after seeing initial "returns" of 60 percent on his first $300 investment, encouraged by a fraudulent broker named Edgar claiming to be based in London. When Young attempted to withdraw $200,000 in July 2024 to fund the next phase of his dream home construction, the bank confirmed the entire scheme was fraudulent,
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Oliver Wright, a 23-year-old HGV driver from Warrington, died by suicide in December 2022, years after being scammed out of £10,000 at age 18 through an online financial scheme that promised quick profits. His mother attributes the scam's significant impact on Oliver's mental health—including shame and stress over losing money he had worked hard to save—as a contributing factor to his tragic death, though he had appeared to recover in the months before his passing.
prospect.org
This opinion piece argues that the rollback of federal enforcement against white-collar crime and corporate misconduct during the Trump administration creates conditions for widespread fraud and scams. With consumer protection agencies defunded or disabled, enforcement actions dropped, and corporate executives pardoned, the article warns that dishonest businesses now have a competitive advantage over honest ones, creating particular vulnerability in sectors like healthcare, higher education, and consumer lending where people are desperate for services or financing.
blog.google
Google's threat advisory identifies four evolving scam trends in 2024: customer support scams using fake phone numbers and social engineering, malvertising targeting sophisticated users with valuable assets like crypto wallets, fake travel websites exploiting vacation bookings with counterfeit hotel sites, and package tracking scams impersonating delivery companies to collect fraudulent fees. The advisory comes as global fraud losses reached $1 trillion in 2024 and U.S. fraud reports increased 25% year-over-year, highlighting scammers' ability to evolve tactics and exploit user vulnerabilities despite growing awareness.
zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
Scammers impersonate legitimate customer service for airlines, banks, retailers, and other companies by posting fake support numbers and accounts online, particularly targeting frustrated consumers posting complaints on social media platforms. Amazon reported a 33% increase in customer service impersonation scams between December 2024 and February, with criminals using fake accounts to direct victims to malicious links, request personal information, or demand payment via gift cards. Consumer watchdogs advise against posting complaints publicly online and warn that red flags include requests for upfront payment, gift card payments, or claims of fraud investigations.
wtvr.com
Scammers are spoofing the Richmond SPCA's phone number to target owners of missing pets, claiming they've found an injured pet and demanding immediate wire payment via Zelle or Venmo. The scammers obtain victims' contact information from social media posts about lost pets and exploit their emotional vulnerability, though the Richmond SPCA reported four targeted calls with no actual money lost. The SPCA advises victims to hang up and call the organization directly to verify claims, and to file police reports if targeted.
welivesecurity.com
Docusign, a widely-used digital document signing platform with over 1 billion users, has become a target for cybercriminals who send phishing emails impersonating the service to steal login credentials and financial information. These scams typically trick victims into clicking on fake "review document" buttons or scanning QR codes that lead to spoofed login pages, with recent incidents including fake invoice schemes, refund scams, and impersonation of suppliers and government agencies. To protect against Docusign phishing, users should verify destination URLs, look for security codes in legitimate emails, avoid clicking attachments in initial emails, and watch for spelling errors and mismatched sender information.
wtap.com
The Parkersburg Police Department reported a significant rise in bitcoin scams using tactics such as phishing, romance scams, and fake law enforcement threats claiming outstanding warrants. Once victims send money to bitcoin machines, the funds are transferred overseas to criminals with no possibility of recovery. The department advises against sharing financial information with unknown contacts, investing based on online advice, and emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement will never request bitcoin payments for fines.
patch.com
The Fremont Police Department reported a rise in medical impersonation scams where callers pretend to be healthcare providers and demand immediate payment or sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and insurance details from residents. Scammers use tactics like spoofed phone numbers, medical terminology, threats of arrest or coverage termination, and requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to appear legitimate. Residents are advised to be cautious of unexpected medical calls and recognize red flags such as pressure to act quickly or demands for personal data.
wgauradio.com
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are recognized as major cybersecurity threats in 2025, with scammers increasingly using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and automation to deceive victims at scale. Adults 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), particularly falling victim to phishing/spoofing and tech support scams, while investment fraud caused $6.57 billion and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion in total losses. The article emphasizes that while classic scam methods like phishing and business email compromise remain dominant, AI technology is making
wsoctv.com
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are among the top cybersecurity threats of 2025, with scammers now using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and AI automation to make deception more convincing and targeted than ever. Adults aged 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), with phishing/spoofing and tech support scams hitting this demographic hardest, while investment fraud alone caused $6.57 billion in losses and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals and organizations should employ straightforward defense strategies including
hindustantimes.com
The Chinese embassy in Dhaka warned citizens against "buying foreign wives" through marriage scams and trafficking networks, noting that social media matchmaking offers often lead to financial losses and human trafficking. A surplus of 35 million unmarried men in China—caused by the legacy of the one-child policy—has driven demand for foreign brides, particularly from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Russia, fueling criminal networks that traffic women under the guise of arranged marriages. Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have issued their own warnings, with authorities threatening arrests for involvement in cross-border marriage trafficking, while Human Rights Watch has documented risks of sexual slavery for Pakistani women and girls trafficked to China.
pennwatch.org
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is conducting educational outreach events throughout June 2024 to help seniors, service providers, and the general public recognize and avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft. The programs include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO," "$camJam" (featuring law enforcement and state agency experts), senior expos, and sessions on common scam tactics, offered at various locations across Pennsylvania at no cost to attendees.
yourvalley.net
Benevilla hosted a free "Fraud Prevention for Seniors" workshop led by Dan Pressler of NeighborCare on June 5 in Sun City, designed to help older adults recognize and avoid common scams targeting them. The session provided practical guidance on spotting red flags in financial and phone scams, protecting personal and financial information, and taking steps if fraudulent activity is suspected.
wham1180.iheart.com
The New York State DMV issued an alert about phishing scams using fraudulent text messages falsely claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension, with over 170 cases reported across upstate New York regions in 2024. These scams attempt to steal personal information or install malicious software by impersonating the DMV, which does not send unsolicited text messages requesting personal data. Residents are advised to delete suspicious messages immediately and report incidents to the DMV or the Federal Trade Commission.
firststateupdate.com
A New York man pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role in a nationwide elder fraud scheme that defrauded victims of over $2.1 million between May 2023 and May 2024. The scheme involved posing as federal agents to convince elderly victims that their identities were compromised, then instructing them to liquidate savings and convert funds into cash or gold bars, which the conspirators collected in person. Rakeshkumar Patel, 36, was arrested near Millsboro, Delaware in May 2024 and faces more than five years in federal prison upon sentencing.
cslea.com
A San Diego dermatologist was charged with 22 felony counts of healthcare insurance fraud and Medi-Cal fraud totaling $1,386,995 for billing Medi-Cal for services never rendered, including false claims for light therapy treatments on up to 233 patients daily. The investigation revealed the dermatologist falsely billed for identical or comparable services, with most patients receiving non-medical lamp treatments rather than legitimate medical care. The case was prosecuted by the California Attorney General's office with assistance from the FBI, California Department of Healthcare Services, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
The digital arrest scam is a sophisticated fraud tactic where scammers impersonate police officers via spoofed phone numbers to accuse victims of crimes and demand immediate payment or banking information under threat of arrest. The scam exploits psychological manipulation through fear, urgency, and perceived authority, and has successfully targeted thousands of people including tech-savvy and educated individuals who fall victim due to panic and confusion created by high-pressure tactics and fake police station backdrops. Authorities recommend victims verify caller identity independently and never share personal or financial information over unsolicited calls.
thegazette.com
An Iowa AARP Fraud Watch Network educator warns that artificial intelligence has made scams significantly easier and cheaper to execute, with seniors disproportionately targeted due to perceived lower technology skills, social isolation, and accumulated wealth. In 2024, over $12.5 billion was lost to scams and fraudulent activities across the nation, with people aged 70 and older reporting the largest dollar losses per incident. Key prevention strategies include never trusting unsolicited messages, verifying information through independent trusted sources, avoiding opening attachments or links from unknown senders, and recognizing that scams typically follow a three-part pattern designed to manipulate emotions before requesting personal information.
htxt.co.za
Scammers used a fake Spotify renewal email to trick victims into revealing their login credentials, employing familiar brand names and false urgency claims (account deletion threat on May 26, 2025) as bait. The phishing email contained multiple red flags including incorrect company locations, non-functional links, and a malicious URL disguised as a legitimate renewal button, which could compromise financial information stored in accounts and signal to criminals that the target is susceptible to further fraud. Victims who click such links risk password theft, malware infection, and compromise of other online accounts if passwords are reused.
dailyhodl.com
A college student lost $5,050 in life savings to scammers who impersonated Bank of America employees via text and phone call, convincing her to authorize a wire transfer. Bank of America refused to reimburse the victim, citing federal law that limits reimbursement to unauthorized transactions, though the victim had authorized the payment under false pretenses. The bank stated that recovery attempts from the receiving bank were unsuccessful as the funds had already been moved.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
A 60-year-old retired man from Hyderabad lost 1.6 lakh rupees in a sextortion scam after being tricked into a nude video call with a fraudster posing as an acquaintance on WhatsApp. The scammer then threatened to post the intimate footage on social media and extorted multiple payments from the victim between May 17-22. Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have registered a case and are tracing the money trail to the accused's bank account.
businesstoday.in
The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh issued an advisory warning citizens against cross-border marriage scams and trafficking, noting that illegal matchmaking services and "buying foreign wives" through deception are proliferating via social media platforms and can result in serious legal consequences including human trafficking charges. The warning stems from increasing cases where Chinese nationals enter exploitative marriages in Bangladesh and Bangladeshi women are trafficked to China under the guise of matrimony, driven by China's severe gender imbalance of approximately 30 million unmarried men. Bangladesh enforces strict anti-trafficking laws with penalties ranging from seven years to life imprisonment or death, and the embassy urged victims to report scams immediately to authorities.
ca.news.yahoo.com
The Chinese embassy in Bangladesh warned citizens against participating in cross-border marriage schemes after reports of widespread marriage scams and human trafficking targeting Chinese men seeking foreign brides. China's surplus of approximately 35 million unmarried men, driven by decades of gender-skewed policies and declining marriage rates, has fueled demand for international matchmaking services, leading criminal networks to traffic women and girls from South and Southeast Asia (particularly Bangladesh and Pakistan) under the false pretense of marriage. The embassy cautioned that those involved in illegal cross-border marriages could face trafficking charges, while experts highlighted the economic pressures on rural Chinese men who struggle to afford traditional marriage costs.
indiatoday.in
The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh warned its citizens against illegal cross-border marriage schemes and deceptive online dating content used to facilitate bride trafficking. Criminal networks have been orchestrating fraudulent marriages to sell Bangladeshi women to Chinese men, exploiting China's gender imbalance and shortage of marriage prospects, with violators facing serious legal consequences including human trafficking charges and imprisonment in both countries.
livemint.com
The Chinese embassy in Bangladesh issued a warning to its nationals against participating in matchmaking scams and "buying foreign wives," cautioning them to avoid illegal matchmaking agents and online romance scams involving cross-border dating content on social media platforms. The advisory emphasized that under Chinese law, cross-border marriage matchmaking services are prohibited, and individuals engaging in such activities face legal consequences, while those arrested in Bangladesh for cross-border marriages may face human trafficking charges with severe penalties including imprisonment or death. The embassy urged citizens to report suspected online romance scams to Chinese public security authorities immediately.
leaderlive.co.uk
Between April 2022 and March 2025, 386 romance scam cases in North Wales resulted in collective losses of £2.39 million, with an average loss of £8,457 per victim, as reported by Action Fraud. Across Wales, England, and Northern Ireland during this period, romance scammers stole £271.4 million from over 19,500 victims, with women and transgender individuals suffering disproportionately higher average losses despite reporting fewer cases. The data reflects a 17 percent increase in romance fraud reports in 2024/25, with scammers targeting victims through fake romantic relationships and manipulating them into sending money.
journee-mondiale.com
Seniors lost $3.4 billion to financial scams in 2023, with projections approaching $5 billion by 2025, as scammers increasingly employ AI-powered tactics including voice cloning and deepfakes to impersonate family members and financial advisors. Criminal schemes now commonly target vulnerable retirees through urgent money transfer requests, fake family emergencies, and cryptocurrency demands that are nearly impossible to recover. Protective measures include establishing trusted family financial guardians, recognizing red flags such as pressure for secrecy and unrealistic investment promises, and maintaining regular communication with seniors to prevent exploitation.
emerj.com
Financial institutions face mounting operational costs and resource challenges in combating cybercrime, which surged to 859,532 complaints and $16.6 billion in losses in 2024 according to the FBI. Effective fraud prevention requires sophisticated technology and stronger public-private collaboration between banks and law enforcement, as current anti-money laundering efforts are hindered by poor information-sharing and unclear coordination frameworks. The article emphasizes that banks must adopt holistic, data-driven approaches to suspicious activity detection while governments and regulators improve alignment to reduce conflicting compliance expectations.
mondaq.com
This article does not relate to elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It discusses the U.S. Department of Justice's 2025 white-collar crime enforcement strategy, focusing on trade violations, tariff evasion, sanctions evasion, and export controls—primarily targeting Chinese imports and activities. This content is outside the scope of the Elderus elder fraud research database.
moneysense.ca
Older adults in Canada are particularly vulnerable to fraud and identity theft due to their politeness and trust, making them targets for emergency scams, grandparent scams, and deepfake impersonations that create urgency and fear. Common tactics include fake bank calls claiming accounts will be closed, messages from supposed relatives in distress requesting money, fake obituaries with donation links, and attempts to harvest personal information like social insurance numbers. Experts recommend seniors understand they have the right to end conversations, verify requests independently through official channels, and recognize that fraudsters constantly evolve their tactics using new technologies.