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foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that criminals are increasingly using generative AI and deepfakes to exploit victims through 17 common techniques, including voice cloning, fake video calls impersonating authority figures, and phishing emails designed to manipulate people into revealing personal information or transferring funds. These tactics exploit emotional manipulation during crises and use AI-generated content that mimics trusted individuals and public figures. Individuals should remain vigilant by verifying identities through independent contact methods and remaining skeptical of unsolicited urgent requests for money or sensitive information.
vpnranks.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud losses reached $3.4 billion in 2023 with over 101,000 victims aged 60 and older reporting fraud, representing an 11% increase in losses and 14% increase in complaints compared to 2022. Tech support scams are the most commonly reported fraud type affecting seniors, while investment scams cause the highest financial damages at over $1.2 billion. Projections estimate elder fraud losses could rise to $4.47 billion by 2025 with approximately 121,229 victims, underscoring the need for stronger awareness and protective measures.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Cristine Petitfrere, a Florida resident, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for laundering over $2.7 million from romance scams, earning hundreds of thousands in fees while working with a co-conspirator. Romance scams caused Americans $1.14 billion in losses in 2023, with elderly and vulnerable individuals disproportionately affected by both the financial losses and emotional harm.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore passed the Protection from Scams Bill, which grants police powers to issue restriction orders (ROs) that freeze or limit bank account transactions of scam victims who continue sending money to scammers despite warnings from authorities and family. The law applies to both remote scams and in-person cheating cases, with ROs lasting up to 30 days (extendable up to six months) while allowing victims access to funds for essential expenses; safeguards include police consultation with victims and families, and appeals to the Commissioner of Police. Singapore took this action after data showed that from January to September 2024, 86% of scams involved victims willingly transferring money, with cases like a
in.mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
31-year-old YouTuber Ankush Bahuguna lost Rs 2.5 lakhs in a "digital arrest" scam that began with a fake automated call about a cancelled courier delivery. After pressing zero to connect with "customer service," scammers fabricated claims of illegal items in a package allegedly sent by him, then transferred the call to WhatsApp video where an impersonator dressed as a police officer accused him of money laundering and drug trafficking while threatening his family and keeping him under "self-custody" surveillance for 40 hours. Bahuguna was freed from the ordeal only when a concerned friend alerted him to similar cases circulating online.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Johnny Depp warned fans on Instagram that scammers are impersonating him and his team through fake social media and email accounts to solicit money, exploiting AI technology to mimic his appearance and voice. He clarified that he and his team never ask fans for money, personal information, or payment for meetings, calls, or memberships, and shared his official account handles while noting he is not on X, Snapchat, or Discord. This follows similar warnings from other celebrities including Kelly Rowland and Reba McEntire, as scammers frequently use celebrity identities in online fraud schemes targeting fans.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
An 18-year-old student on a social visit pass to Singapore was arrested after being manipulated by scammers into assisting with an impersonation fraud targeting an elderly woman, who lost S$290,000 after being deceived into believing her identity had been misused in China. The teenager herself had been a prior victim of the same scam and was tricked into believing she was helping with official investigations. She now faces potential imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine if convicted of cheating.
bulkorder.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational handout provides guidance on identifying and avoiding rental housing scams and is available in multiple languages (Korean, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Vietnamese). The resource can be ordered free in bulk quantities of 50-200 copies, downloaded and printed for smaller needs, or requested in larger quantities through a submission form.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has issued a warning that criminals are increasingly using generative AI technologies, particularly deepfakes, to exploit individuals through scams. The alert highlights the growing sophistication and accessibility of these tools and emphasizes the need for public vigilance in protecting against potential fraud.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
During tax season, scammers pose as the IRS and tax preparers to steal sensitive documents and money through unsolicited phone calls, emails, and texts demanding immediate payment—a tactic the IRS never uses. Taxpayers can protect themselves by filing taxes early, verifying tax preparer credentials through the Better Business Bureau, and recognizing red flags such as poor grammar, urgent language, and generic greetings. Those who suspect tax identity theft should report the issue to the IRS and FTC and use the FTC's identity theft recovery plan.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Over one-third of U.S. adults who purchased items through social media ads have been defrauded, according to an AARP survey. To protect yourself, avoid clicking ads directly (use official websites instead), research unfamiliar retailers through the Better Business Bureau, and watch for bait-and-switch scams where products are inferior or missing. Report suspected scams to local law enforcement or contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network for assistance.
regtechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Miramar, Florida, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for conspiring to launder over $2.7 million stolen from romance scam victims. She helped funnel money from these schemes to international criminals and kept $203,815.59 for herself, which she was ordered to forfeit as part of her sentence. Romance scams—where fraudsters create fake online personas to deceive victims into sending money—disproportionately affect vulnerable populations including the elderly who lose savings and retirement funds.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP is hosting two virtual webinars on February 12, 2025 (at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. EST) led by an AARP NJ Speakers Bureau volunteer focused on identity protection and online romance scam prevention. Participants will learn an ID protection checklist, actionable security tips, and how to recognize red flags and warning signs of fraud to help secure their personal information online.
cdispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in New Hope became the victim of a romance scam after sending her entire life savings ($20,000) via FedEx to an online boyfriend who did not actually exist. Lowndes County Sheriff Eddie Hawkins highlighted this case while warning the public about multiple prevalent scams, including phone spoofing schemes impersonating the sheriff's office, utility companies, and government agencies, as well as employment, cryptocurrency, lottery, and tech support scams. Hawkins emphasized that scammers are sophisticated professionals and advised victims to hang up and call official numbers directly rather than staying on suspicious calls.
rnz.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Doreen and her husband lost approximately $100,000 in a revictimization scam after being contacted by someone claiming to recover their previous investment losses. The scammer convinced them they had substantial funds ($66,000, $280,000, and $500,000+) locked in accounts that required cryptocurrency payments for taxes and fees to access, and instructed them not to discuss the scheme with anyone—a major red flag. Netsafe officials advise that victims should only work through banks or police for fund recovery, not through third parties, and that revictimization scams targeting prior fraud victims are increasingly common.
gulfcoastnewstoday.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Frances Holk-Jones and the Better Business Bureau are hosting three community educational sessions across south Baldwin County to help residents recognize and avoid scams and learn about available victim resources. The free sessions, held in January 2025 in Lillian, Gulf Shores, and Orange Beach, will feature speakers discussing scam prevention strategies and include a complimentary light lunch for registered attendees.
odt.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Doreen, in her late 70s, lost approximately $100,000 to a recovery scam after initially losing small amounts in previous investment fraud. A scammer called claiming to recover her earlier losses and convinced her and her husband that they had access to accounts containing $66,000, $280,000, and $500,000 in their names, requiring them to pay cryptocurrency fees to unlock these funds. The scammer instructed them not to tell anyone (a major red flag), obtained access to their computer and digital wallet, and continued attempting to extract additional funds even after they cut contact in late December.
weau.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides tax season fraud prevention advice from the Better Business Bureau. Scammers impersonate the IRS and tax preparers to steal sensitive documents and refunds through unsolicited calls, emails, and texts demanding immediate payment—tactics the IRS never uses. Key protective measures include filing taxes early to prevent identity theft, researching tax preparers' credentials through the BBB, and reporting suspected fraud to the IRS or FTC.
themountainmail.com
· 2025-12-08
The Chaffee Sheriff's Office received multiple reports of phishing-style scam calls in which fraudsters impersonated local law enforcement officers using names obtained from social media, claiming victims missed court dates or jury duty and had warrants for their arrest. As of January 2, three residents had reported the scam, with some losing money before authorities could intervene. Sheriff Rohrich advised victims to immediately contact their banks to dispute transactions and to report incidents to the Chaffee County Communications Center.
fox4now.com
· 2025-12-08
A young couple in Lehigh Acres, Florida was scammed out of $2,650 after finding a rental listing on Craigslist and sending payment to a fake landlord who posed as the property owner, provided a lock box code remotely, and sent them a forged lease. The couple moved into the home only to discover a week later they were squatting illegally when the real property manager, Adam Bartomeo, arrived for a showing. Bartomeo's company ultimately waived a month's rent and fees to help the victims, and implemented new security measures including requiring agents to attend all showings and verify tenants' identification rather than distributing lock box codes.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Former TV host David Koch's image was used without permission in a fraudulent investment scam that convinced victim Allison to lose $250,000. The article reports that fake celebrity-endorsed investment advertisements have defrauded over 600,000 Australians as part of a multi-billion-dollar scam industry, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to impersonate celebrities and create fake endorsements. NAB warns that common red flags include unexpected contact, artificially created urgency, and celebrity or expert endorsements, particularly on social media platforms.
kclyradio.com
· 2025-12-08
A Wichita man in his mid-70s lost $15,000 to a multi-agency impersonation scam in which fraudsters posing as Amazon, Social Security Administration, and U.S. Marshals Service officials falsely accused him of money laundering and instructed him to purchase bitcoin as "proof" of innocence. Bank employees intervened before additional funds could be transferred, prompting a police report and FBI notification. Authorities warn that legitimate government agencies and major corporations never contact citizens by phone to claim account compromises or request money transfers.
wect.com
· 2025-12-08
A scammer posing as a New Hanover County Sheriff's deputy targeted multiple victims in North Carolina by calling them about alleged missed jury duty and threatening arrest, demanding $2,000 be paid via a Food Lion kiosk. The victim, Eddie Keith, became suspicious when the caller used his legal name instead of his preferred name and insisted he stay on the phone and not contact an attorney. The New Hanover County Sheriff's Office warns the public that legitimate law enforcement will never demand money over the phone and advises citizens to hang up if calls create urgency or request payment.
rnz.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Doreen, a woman in her late 70s, lost approximately $100,000 in a revictimization scam after initial investment fraud losses. A caller claiming to help recover her previous losses convinced her that dormant investments worth $66,000 to $500,000+ existed in her name, requiring cryptocurrency payments for taxes and fees; she and her husband transferred funds in $20,000 chunks via cryptocurrency exchange and granted the scammer access to their digital wallet. The scammer, who instructed them to hide the scheme from family and others, continued contacting them even after they cut off contact in late December, demonstrating how revictimization scams exploit previous frau
greybullstandard.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams are becoming increasingly frequent, sophisticated, and successful, with law enforcement reporting a notable uptick in impostor scams where criminals pose as government officials or law enforcement to threaten arrest and extort money—one Big Horn County resident lost over $20,000 in such a scheme. Scammers employ phishing techniques to harvest personal information from victims and social media, using these details to make fraudulent requests appear legitimate and to impersonate targets for additional scams. The FBI reported that online fraud complaints doubled from 2019 to 2023 (467,361 to 880,418 complaints) with financial losses exceeding $12.5 billion, and authorities advise
wkbw.com
· 2025-12-08
New York State has introduced legislation that takes effect in February requiring dating apps to notify users if potential matches have been previously banned from the platform, addressing safety concerns in online dating. The measure responds to documented risks, as the Federal Trade Commission reported 70,000 Americans fell victim to romance scams in 2022, with users commonly worried about fake profiles and scammers on dating platforms.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, nearly one in five UK consumers fell victim to scams, with purchase scams averaging £650 in losses and investment scams significantly higher at £15,564 per claim. The top reported scams included fake deliveries, HMRC impersonation, purchase fraud, and romance schemes, with the majority originating on social media platforms where AI-enabled tactics are making scams increasingly difficult to identify. Experts stress that consumers feel overwhelmed by evolving scam methods and call for cross-industry collaboration to combat fraud, while recommending people avoid disclosing personal details, verify company contacts, and resist pressure to make quick decisions.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses romance scams on online dating platforms, where fraudsters create fake profiles to emotionally manipulate victims before requesting money. In 2023, the average romance scam in the UK was worth approximately £30,000, with fraudsters spending weeks or months "grooming" victims before making financial requests, resulting in nearly £6 million in attempted romance scams that year. The article provides warning signs of romance fraud (inconsistent stories, quick professions of love, requests for money) and prevention tips for online daters.
americanbanker.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Type:** Account takeover and wire fraud following inheritance receipt
**What Happened:** An 86-year-old widow received a life insurance check after her husband's death in July. Within days, a fraudster opened two bank accounts using her name and stole the funds by transferring them between the accounts. The theft was discovered on August 11, and the money was eventually recovered with help from the U.S. Secret Service and Palm Beach County Police—a rare outcome, as most victims do not recover stolen funds.
**Key Issue:** The article highlights systemic banking vulnerabilities including inconsistent anti-fraud regulations, lack of document authentication tools to detect forgeries, an
info.bai.org
· 2025-12-08
This resource outlines emerging fraud threats targeting financial institutions in 2025, including deepfakes, voice impersonation, and AI-generated scams, while highlighting the particular vulnerability of elder abuse through familial exploitation and romantic schemes. Banking institutions are advised to implement transaction monitoring, staff training, and proactive fraud controls to mitigate risks and differentiate competitively. The document emphasizes that digital identity verification and secure customer authentication are critical as financial services increasingly move online.
mycouriertribune.com
· 2025-12-08
This article provides cautionary guidance about AI-based scams targeting older adults. Senior writer Matilda Charles warns readers to be vigilant against emerging AI tricks and scams that are becoming increasingly prevalent at the start of 2025. The piece emphasizes the need for seniors to educate themselves on how artificial intelligence is being exploited by scammers to target vulnerable populations.
fredericton.ca
· 2025-12-08
The Fredericton Police Force issued a warning about a rise in scams and fraud complaints, with 11 reports already filed since January 2024 and over 350 instances reported throughout 2024 costing residents more than $500,000. The grandparent scam, where fraudsters impersonate distressed family members requesting urgent money, is identified as particularly targeting elderly residents. The police recommend verifying caller identity, refusing requests for money from anyone claiming to be police, avoiding rushed decisions, and consulting trusted contacts before responding to suspicious communications.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Fortiguard security officer discovered a sophisticated "no-phish" phishing scam that exploits PayPal's legitimate money request feature, using authentic PayPal emails and URLs to direct victims to the real PayPal site where fraudsters submit fake payment requests. The scam bypasses typical warning signs consumers are trained to identify, making it particularly dangerous; in this case, a $2,185.96 payment was requested. Security experts recommend the best defense is bypassing email links entirely and logging directly into financial accounts to verify any transaction requests.
psychologytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Rural Americans face unique vulnerabilities to fraud due to geographic isolation, limited access to resources, and higher concentrations of older adults who report larger financial losses to scams. Rural residents are more reliant on online services for shopping, may turn to online dating platforms due to limited in-person social opportunities, and often encounter barriers to reporting scams including decreased government trust, lack of support services, and social stigma. Scammers exploit these vulnerabilities through various schemes including online shopping fraud, romance scams, and disaster relief impersonation, yet rural fraud trends remain largely undocumented because most consumer protection agencies do not differentiate data by population density.
tribuneindia.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old disbarred Indian-origin South African attorney, Prelyn Mohanlall, was arrested after scamming at least 17 couples by taking advance payments for wedding venues she had no connection to, leaving couples with deserted, non-functional spaces on their wedding days. The fraud spanned multiple provinces and included at least R226,000 in confirmed losses, with Mohallall having a 20-year history of scams and prior fraud convictions. Her attorney has offered full restitution to victims, which may result in reduced jail time or sentencing leniency.
cgsentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns that scams occur year-round through emails, texts, and phone calls, often impersonating legitimate agencies and using threats of penalties or emotional manipulation to extract personal information and payments via gift cards, bitcoin, or money orders. The article advises verifying agency legitimacy by independently looking up contact information, bookmarking official websites, and never sharing passwords or clicking links from suspicious communications. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office specifically clarifies it will not contact residents about jury duty, request phone payments, or accept non-traditional payment methods.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, nearly one in five UK consumers fell victim to scams, with purchase scams averaging £650 in losses while investment scams were significantly costlier at an average of £15,564 per claim. The top reported scam types included fake deliveries, HMRC impersonation, purchase scams, online marketplace fraud, and WhatsApp "Hello Mum" messages, with the majority originating on social media platforms. Experts emphasize that consumers should protect themselves by avoiding disclosure of personal details, verifying company identities, and resisting pressure to make quick decisions or payments.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting generosity during the California Wildfires (which began January 7th and displaced 200,000 people with $135 billion in damages) by posing as legitimate charities and FEMA officials to steal donations and charge fees for disaster assistance. Fraudsters use techniques including caller ID spoofing, AI-generated content, deepfakes, and fake charity websites to appear legitimate, making it difficult for donors to verify authenticity through phone, email, text, or social media contact. To protect themselves, donors should verify charities through Charity Navigator before giving, never provide payment information to unsolicited contacts, and avoid charities that use more than 25
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 awareness article from AARP highlights that 73% of Colorado adults worry about scams and fraud, then outlines six common red flags to recognize fraud attempts, including requests for non-traditional payments, unsolicited contact, demands for personal information, artificial urgency, unrealistic offers, and lack of verifiable contact information. The article encourages individuals to trust their instincts and provides resources including the AARP ElderWatch helpline (800-222-4444) for fraud questions and assistance.
dispatch.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered phishing scams are increasingly difficult to detect as artificial intelligence generates highly personalized fraudulent emails that appear to come from friends or family by analyzing victims' social media activity. Major email platforms like Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail currently lack adequate defenses against these AI-generated attacks. To protect yourself, the FCC recommends using multi-factor authentication, installing auto-updating anti-malware software, backing up data, and reporting suspected phishing emails to the FBI's IC3 database.
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal officials are warning of an increased surge in online "gaming" job scams where victims are deceived into paying fees upfront with the promise of employment earnings, only to lose their money instead. The scams exploit job-seekers looking for work opportunities. Consumer protection tips are available to help people identify and avoid these fraudulent schemes.
ottawa.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Ontario Provincial Police reported that scammers in the east region are using multiple fraud schemes, including a recent case where a business employee was manipulated into withdrawing cash and depositing it into a Bitcoin machine in Peterborough. The top scams targeting the region include cryptocurrency investment fraud ("get rich quick" schemes), bank investigator fraud, romance scams, and identity theft/phishing attacks, with Canadians losing an estimated $638 million to fraud in 2024, though actual losses are likely much higher due to significant underreporting.
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam attempts in Minnesota and globally are escalating, with over $1.03 trillion lost to scammers in 2024, increasingly aided by artificial intelligence that generates convincing phishing emails, fake images, and cloned voices. High-risk scams include imposter schemes (grandparent and romance scams with median losses of $800), government imposter scams ($14,000+ median loss), cryptocurrency scams, employment scams, and task scams (which increased from 5,000 reports in 2023 to 20,000 in the first half of 2024). Scammers exploit recent disasters and events while using AI to intensify existing frau
newsregister.com
· 2025-12-08
This opinion column discusses the widespread problem of consumer fraud in America and globally, noting that the FTC estimated over $10 billion in U.S. consumer fraud in 2024 while worldwide losses exceeded $1.03 trillion. The piece highlights that elderly people are particularly vulnerable due to their trust, but cautions that even cautious individuals can fall victim to increasingly sophisticated scams involving AI deepfakes, impostor schemes, romance fraud, and investment fraud. The author emphasizes that people should be vigilant about sharing personal information, clicking suspicious links, and falling for phishing emails, as scams can cause life-altering financial damage within hours.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
In June 2021, a Toronto woman lost approximately $355,000 in a romance fraud scheme after being befriended on Facebook by a man posing as "Moshe Theodor McNigh" who convinced her to invest in bitcoin through a fraudulent website; the scammer was later identified as Nigerian national Omonkhoa Precious Afure and arrested by Nigerian authorities, resulting in the recovery of $225,000 in December 2021. Romance fraud represents the second-highest-grossing scam type in Canada with $37.2 million in reported losses as of September 2024, characterized by perpetrators grooming vulnerable victims over weeks or months, building trust, an
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 500 Booking.com customers were victimized by a hotel payment scam between June 2023 and September 2024, resulting in losses of at least £370,000. Fraudsters used phishing attacks to hijack hotel accounts on the platform and sent fake messages, emails, and WhatsApps to customers with genuine reservations, requesting credit card details and payments. Action Fraud advised holiday bookers to verify any payment requests directly with Booking.com or hotels and to report suspicious communications to the appropriate authorities.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pueblo man encountered a fake job scam on Facebook advertising remote work for major retailers like Costco and Best Buy, where he earned $96 in a virtual wallet for reviewing products before being told he needed to invest $60-$80 to withdraw his earnings. The incident exemplifies "task scams" identified by the Federal Trade Commission, where fraudsters build trust with small initial payouts before demanding upfront fees with promises of larger returns. Key warning signs of employment scams include unrealistic salaries, vague job descriptions, lack of video interviews, requests for personal information, and demands for upfront fees or unusual payment methods.
standard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Hundreds of Booking.com customers lost at least £370,000 between June 2023 and September 2024 in a hotel payment scam where fraudsters used phishing attacks to hijack hotel accounts and send fake payment requests via messages, emails, and WhatsApp. Over 500 victims received requests for credit card details and payments that appeared to come from legitimate hotels where they had genuine reservations. Action Fraud warned users to verify any unexpected payment requests directly with Booking.com or hotels, and to report suspicious communications to prevent further losses.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
A young couple in Lehigh Acres, Florida was scammed out of $2,650 after finding a rental property listing on Craigslist and sending payment to a fraudulent landlord who provided fake lease documents and remote access to a home via lockbox code. After moving in for a week, the couple was confronted by the legitimate property management company and technically accused of squatting, though the real estate firm ultimately waived their first month's rent and fees after learning they were victims of the scam. The incident highlights the risks of renting through third-party websites and sending money via digital payment apps without proper verification.
wbur.org
· 2025-12-08
Judith Boivin, an 80-year-old Maryland retiree, lost $600,000 of her life savings in an elaborate government impersonation scam in September 2023. Scammers posing as FBI and local police officers convinced her that her Social Security number was being used for drug trafficking and money laundering, then persuaded her to withdraw her retirement funds in cash under the guise of assisting a federal investigation. This case exemplifies a broader trend of sophisticated scams targeting well-meaning Americans, particularly those with caregiving backgrounds and strong civic values.