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kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Kansas Department of Transportation warned of a text messaging scam falsely claiming to be from KDOT or the Kansas Department of Motor Vehicles demanding payment for unpaid traffic tickets. KDOT clarified that it does not collect payments via text message and urged recipients not to click links or share personal information, instead reporting suspicious messages to the FTC or Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wcrz.com
· 2025-12-08
A Michigan couple lost $20,000 in a phishing scam after clicking a malicious link in an email impersonating an antivirus service; scammers then sent a courier to collect cash from their home. Police successfully recovered the stolen funds through quick action and investigation, tracing the scam to a Southeast Michigan residence, though two identified suspects remain unarrested. This recovery is rare, as Michigan saw fraud losses surge to $204 million in 2024 (up from $60 million in 2020), with experts emphasizing the importance of verifying sender identity before responding to communications or sending money.
themortgagepoint.com
· 2025-12-08
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand introduced the Stop the Scammers Act to restore Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) funding that was reduced under President Trump's tax bill, and to authorize the CFPB to financially reward whistleblowers who report financial wrongdoing. The legislation aims to protect seniors from scams and fraud by ensuring the CFPB has adequate resources and incentivizing insiders to expose bad actors in the financial industry. The bill has support from multiple Democratic senators and proposes restoring CFPB funding to 12% of the Federal Reserve's operating budget.
midhudsonnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens in Carmel were scammed out of pensions and savings through gift card fraud, prompting the Sheriff's Department to issue a public warning about the escalating threat. Scammers impersonate trusted entities like government agencies, utilities, or distressed relatives via phone, email, or social media, pressuring victims to purchase gift cards and surrender the card details. The Sheriff urges residents to reject requests for gift card payments, verify requests through official contact information, and report suspected scams immediately to the Sheriff's Office at 845-225-4300.
thecoinrepublic.com
· 2025-12-08
Indian businessman Sahil Arora defrauded crypto investors of over $30 million through more than 200 fake tokens and pump-and-dump schemes between 2017 and 2023, leveraging celebrity endorsements and social media credibility to artificially inflate token prices before selling his holdings at peak value, leaving investors with worthless assets. Arora's schemes included the FDO token promoted by Soulja Boy, the JENNER token with Caitlyn Jenner, and participation in the $9.57 billion Broccoli token fraud, with police arresting him in Dubai in July 2025 and recovering over $20 million.
buzzfeed.com
· 2025-12-08
Millennials are vulnerable to a distinct set of scams despite believing themselves resistant to fraud, including crypto/bitcoin schemes promising quick wealth, multilevel marketing companies, romance scams, fake government websites, sham investment gurus, and algorithmic manipulation through rage bait and influencer culture. Other common vulnerabilities include online sports betting, QR code scams, fake job postings, buy-now-pay-later debt traps, and deceptive fast-fashion shopping platforms like Temu and Shein that misrepresent products or deliver hazardous items.
ca.style.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article compiles millennials' self-reported vulnerabilities to various scams and deceptive practices, including crypto/Bitcoin schemes where victims lose life savings, romance scams, MLM schemes, blackmail emails, fake government websites, and online shopping platforms like Temu and Shein that deliver counterfeit or substandard products. The piece highlights that while millennials believe themselves resistant to traditional scams, they fall victim to rage bait, online gambling, subscription traps, fake investment gurus, QR code scams, and identity theft schemes at notable rates.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating the financial company Wise by posting fake social media ads offering attractive fixed-rate savings accounts (5.55%-5.85% interest) to lure victims into opening genuine Wise accounts, which fraudsters then control by intercepting two-factor authentication codes and virtual card details. Once victims deposit their money, scammers transfer the funds to accounts under their control. Victims of this sophisticated authorised push payment (APP) fraud can recover their losses by contacting their bank or payment provider, reporting the transaction to Wise, and filing a police report, with some victims reportedly recovering over £20,000 each.
inkl.com
· 2025-12-08
"Quishing" scams exploit QR codes by directing unsuspecting users to malicious websites or phishing pages, with 73% of Americans scanning codes without verifying authenticity and over 26 million people directed to malicious sites. Scammers favor this tactic because QR code generators are freely available and codes can be easily placed on stickers, letters, and signage, making execution simple and low-risk. Only 36% of quishing scams are accurately identified and reported, as security experts note QR codes were designed for convenience rather than security, making them an attractive target as traditional phishing defenses improve.
yourthurrock.com
· 2025-12-08
HM Revenue and Customs warns property buyers to avoid tax agents offering to secure Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) repayments by claiming newly purchased properties are non-residential due to needed repairs. A recent Court of Appeal judgment confirmed that properties requiring repairs but retaining dwelling characteristics remain subject to residential SDLT rates, and repayment claims based solely on property condition are invalid, leaving homeowners liable for the full SDLT amount plus penalties and interest. The warning is illustrated by an example where a homebuyer who accepted an agent's repayment claim of £9,250 later owed HMRC that amount plus interest and penalties after a compliance check, while the agent refused to
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Malaysian authorities have warned of a rising trend of AI-generated deepfake voice scams targeting victims by impersonating family members and public figures. Since early 2024, police investigated over 454 cases involving cloned voices requesting urgent money transfers, resulting in approximately RM2.72 million in losses, with scammers also using altered videos of celebrities and political figures to promote fake investment schemes. The scams exploit emotional trust and create false urgency, posing threats to individual safety, media credibility, and national security.
ujs.sd.gov
· 2025-12-08
Court scams involve fraudsters impersonating judicial officials or law enforcement via phone calls, texts, or emails to demand money or personal information by threatening arrest for missed jury duty, court appearances, or unpaid traffic tickets. Courts and law enforcement never demand immediate payment via cryptocurrency or apps, threaten people over the phone, or request sensitive information through electronic communication. Victims should refuse requests, avoid engaging with scammers, verify claims directly with local court offices, and report incidents to local law enforcement, the South Dakota Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, or the Federal Trade Commission.
jsonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsinites are being targeted with phishing text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming items failed quality inspections or are subject to recalls and offering full refunds without returns if recipients click provided links. The FTC issued an alert warning consumers to recognize red flags such as unexpected orders, unfamiliar sender numbers, and suspicious URLs, and to report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) and the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. Those who accidentally engage with scam links should immediately contact their bank and credit card companies, change passwords, and freeze their credit with the three major bureaus.
slate.com
· 2025-12-08
This article documents an investigation into "task scams," a rapidly growing fraud scheme where victims are recruited via text messages with promises of earning $50-$400 daily for minimal work like testing products or rating images online. According to the FTC, task scam reports skyrocketed from 5,000 in 2023 to 20,000 in the first six months of 2024, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in that period alone, though actual losses are believed to be significantly higher since most victims never report the fraud. These scams typically seek personal information or money from victims through fake checks, gift card purchases, or other schemes, despite appearing to offer legitimate remote work
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. This is a cookie consent notice from Yahoo's website explaining how the company uses cookies and personal data for site functionality, security, analytics, and advertising purposes. It does not contain relevant content for the Elderus fraud research database.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide presents 12 tips for recognizing and preventing fraud and scams, which evolve constantly and target both finances and personal data. Key recommendations include verifying unexpected bank contacts through official channels, questioning urgent messages, staying alert to scams tied to current events, regularly monitoring account activity, setting up transaction alerts, using strong passwords, and enabling multifactor authentication. The advice emphasizes that while fraud is prevalent—ranging from phishing calls to credit card theft—proactive vigilance can help individuals sidestep many scams and quickly identify compromised accounts to minimize damage.
buzzfeed.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes a phishing and extortion scam in which victims receive emails containing their home address and photos sourced from Google Maps, along with threats to release alleged compromising videos unless they pay in Bitcoin. The scam exploits personal information obtained from prior data breaches and uses intimidating language to pressure victims into sending money, though scammers typically do not possess actual compromising footage. The article provides protective measures including verifying images against Google Maps, checking email sender legitimacy and authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), avoiding unfamiliar links, and recognizing that scammers often spoof email addresses rather than actually hacking accounts.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old woman in Mumbai lost ₹21 lakh (approximately $25,000 USD) between April and July after being lured by a social media puzzle game advertisement that promised a ₹10 crore prize, with scammers repeatedly demanding various fees under false pretenses before ultimately disappearing. The victim made multiple transfers after receiving fake documents and government clearances, only to be informed the game was discontinued and the prize would not be transferred. Mumbai Police's cyber cell has registered a case under the Information Technology Act and are investigating the digital trail of bank accounts and communications.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
Identity theft and financial scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with AI-generated emails, deepfakes, and voice-cloning technologies making fraudulent communications difficult to distinguish from legitimate ones. In 2024, consumers lost $27.2 billion to identity fraud (a 19% increase from 2023), with older adults suffering median losses of $1,000 compared to $417 for people in their 20s, despite younger people reporting fraud at higher rates. The article advises protecting sensitive personal information and recognizing common scam tactics, particularly impersonation scams, which were the most reported fraud category with losses reaching $789 million in government impersonation schemes alone.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
A UPay analysis of 236 major crypto scam cases revealed losses exceeding $60 billion, with the largest single loss being $40 billion from the Luna Yield collapse. The most prevalent scams included fraudulent trading platforms (112 cases), romance scams (46 cases), pig butchering schemes (39 cases), rug pulls (29 cases), and Ponzi schemes (28 cases). Common tactics involved building fake relationships to lure victims into fraudulent platforms with inflated balances, fake profit displays, hidden withdrawal fees, brand impersonation, and rug pulls where developers disappear after raising funds—with individual victims losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in each
southtexasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting QR codes through various fraud schemes including fake parking meter payments, romance scams with cryptocurrency wallets, phishing attacks, and government impersonation, with codes typically shared via unsolicited messages or posted in public places. To protect themselves, consumers should confirm QR codes before scanning, avoid codes from strangers, be wary of shortened URLs that hide destination links, and check for signs of tampering on posted codes. Victims of QR scams should report incidents to BBB.org/ScamTracker.
cutimes.com
· 2025-12-08
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express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are exploiting the summer holiday season in the UK through sophisticated scams including AI-generated fake travel websites, bogus delivery notifications (parcel scam searches up 400%), and fraudulent accommodation bookings, with victims losing hundreds to thousands of pounds and risking identity theft and account compromise. August is identified as a peak fraud month when people's guards are lowered by holiday distractions, and sharing travel details online—such as boarding passes on social media—further exposes victims to targeted attacks and personal data theft.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency user lost $3.05 million in a sophisticated phishing scam after signing a malicious transaction that granted a scammer long-term wallet access through an ERC-20 token approval; the attacker waited over 458 days until the victim's balance was substantial before executing the theft in August. This incident exemplifies a growing trend of delayed approval-based scams where once users sign approval transactions, the permissions remain active indefinitely unless manually revoked, creating extended vulnerabilities. Security analysts warn that users often lack awareness of active token approvals, and while tools exist to revoke permissions, associated gas fees deter action, leaving victims with limited recourse as blockchain transfers are typically
nltimes.nl
· 2025-12-08
A Dutch survey of over 21,000 adults found that 22 percent have been victims of cybercrime, with phishing being most common but online sales fraud causing the most damage; 51 percent of victims suffered financial losses, and seniors who were victimized lost significantly more money (one in three lost at least 1,000 euros) compared to younger victims. Despite the prevalence of cybercrime, only 36 percent of victims reported incidents to police, and just 12 percent of reports resulted in arrests. The survey revealed that cybercrime affects both younger and older adults equally, though seniors experience greater psychological effects and financial harm, with common scams including dating app romance schemes
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams have surged significantly in recent years, with victims losing over $220 million in the first half of 2024 as scammers impersonate recruiters via text, email, and fake postings on legitimate job sites to steal money and personal information. Experts advise job-seekers to avoid unsolicited offers, never provide sensitive personal data or payment upfront, and be particularly cautious of remote work opportunities promising high pay for minimal effort. The rise of remote work and AI technologies have made these scams easier to execute and harder to trace.
fintech.global
· 2025-12-08
A UK study by Yaspa found that over 40% of fraud victims in the past year recovered no losses, with only 19% retrieving their full amounts—the average loss was £765 with just 34% recovered overall. Men lost significantly more than women (£943 vs. £476 average), and Northern Ireland experienced the highest regional losses at £2,290, while online shopping, fake emails, and Facebook Marketplace were the most common fraud platforms. The research highlights that push payment fraud is particularly difficult to recover from, though emerging AI-powered scams and lack of consumer awareness pose growing threats despite 75% of respondents claiming confidence in identifying fraud.
myeasternshoremd.com
· 2025-12-08
Queen Anne's County Sheriff Gary Hofmann presented a seminar to the Chamber of Commerce outlining common scams targeting businesses and individuals, including phishing emails, stolen credit card fraud, fake invoices, prepaid gift card demands, check washing, and tech support impersonation. He recommended protective measures such as verifying charitable organizations before donating, implementing multi-factor authentication, monitoring accounts with alerts, requiring dual signatures on checks, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. Hofmann emphasized that scammers exploit fear and urgency, so slowing down and validating requests is essential to prevention.
wymt.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to clone victims' voices from social media, voicemails, or brief audio clips, then impersonating those individuals to pressure friends and family members into sending money under the guise of emergencies. Officials recommend verifying the identity of callers through alternative communication methods, being cautious of demanding or pressured requests, and reporting suspected scams to protect others from similar schemes.
cityandstateny.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, payment scams cost Americans over $12.5 billion, with New York reporting nearly 280,000 fraud cases to the FTC—a 25% increase year-over-year. Seniors are particularly targeted through scams involving impersonation of grandchildren, family members, and government agencies (like fake DMV and toll road warnings), sometimes using AI to replicate voices, resulting in victims losing tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. A bipartisan group of senators is proposing the TRAPS Act to establish a federal task force coordinating the Treasury, Justice, FTC, and other agencies to investigate and combat these rapidly escalating payment scams.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns the public about a phishing scam in which scammers send text messages impersonating Amazon, claiming items have failed quality inspections or been recalled and offering full refunds if recipients click a link—but the link is designed to steal money and personal information rather than process refunds. To protect themselves, consumers should avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, verify messages through Amazon's official website or app, report spam texts to 7726, and immediately alert banks and freeze accounts if they believe their information has been compromised.
mynbc15.com
· 2025-12-08
According to a Pew Research Center report, nearly three-quarters of Americans have experienced some form of online scam or attack, with 21% reporting actual financial losses. Common attacks include stolen credit card information (nearly 50%), hacked personal accounts (30%), fraudulent emails or texts leading to information disclosure (25%), and ransomware incidents (10%), with fraudsters increasingly exploiting untraceable payment methods like gift cards and payment apps. The FBI reported $16 billion in losses from cyber-enabled crime in the past year, a 33% increase, though experts note that many scams go unreported due to shame or awareness gaps.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois partnered with the Sparta Senior Center to present a free fraud prevention seminar educating seniors on online and phone scams, including impersonation schemes where fraudsters pose as federal agents to steal money. The presentation, held on August 20, covered common fraud schemes targeting seniors, details on prosecuted federal cases, and practical tips for detecting scams and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement.
boredpanda.com
· 2025-12-08
This article discusses various scams and questionable spending habits that millennials fall victim to, including multilevel marketing schemes, online sports betting, rage bait engagement, fake detox products, and premium food delivery services. The piece compiles Reddit comments from millennials admitting to these scams, though commenters debate whether some items (like detox products and food delivery) are actual scams or simply poor financial decisions and that similar issues affected previous generations.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Two Winnipeg seniors over 80 lost over $10,000 in a grandparent scam in July after receiving calls from someone impersonating their grandson claiming he needed bail money following a car accident. The victims made two transfers at their TD Bank branch over consecutive days, and the bank's investigation concluded it would not refund the money since the cardholders authorized the transfers, though the daughter—a former banker and investigator—contends the tellers failed to question the suspicious transactions. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reports that emergency-based fraud scams resulted in over $819,000 in losses in the first half of 2025 alone, with only 5-10%
sg.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 Payments Canada study found that 13% of Canadians experienced payment fraud over six months, with disproportionately higher rates among newcomers (25%) and younger adults aged 18-34. Cash fraud incidents were nearly three times more common than credit card fraud, driven by counterfeiting, pickpocketing, and scams such as romance schemes and advance fee frauds, though 65% of reported losses under $500 were fully reimbursed by financial institutions.
morningstar.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old man nearly lost $40,000 to a sophisticated FTC impersonation scam that began with a text message about a fraudulent Apple Pay charge, which led him to call fake bank representatives who convinced him he owed money and connected him to supposed FTC officials. His daughter-in-law intervened by explaining that banks don't have direct FTC lines, government agencies contact people by mail (not phone), and fraud liability is capped at $50, successfully stopping him from withdrawing cash for prepaid debit cards. The article highlights that seniors are particularly vulnerable to scams due to cognitive decline and isolation, accounting for over $3 billion in annual losses, an
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
Governor Andy Beshear announced the launch of StopScams.ky.gov, a new website designed to help Kentuckians report scams, learn prevention strategies, and access recovery resources. According to a 2024 FBI report, Kentuckians lose over $74 million annually to online scammers, prompting the state to partner with the Better Business Bureau and AARP to equip residents with tools to identify and avoid fraud. The site emphasizes a "pause, check, and protect" approach and offers scam alerts via email or text, along with free educational "Scam Jam" events throughout the state.
international-adviser.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams are now among the most common consumer scams in the UK, often initiated through phone calls, emails, or social media with promises of guaranteed returns and exclusive opportunities. Common types include fake broker scams using cloned websites and cryptocurrency trading platform scams that show fake returns before freezing withdrawals; red flags include high-pressure tactics, lack of verifiable company addresses, requests for payment to personal accounts or cryptocurrency, and unregulated platforms. The FCA and consumer protection bodies recommend verifying company details on the FCA register, taking time to research independently, and avoiding firms that pressure quick decisions or request unusual payment methods.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes a cybersecurity researcher's discovery of leaked data from North Korean IT worker operations that generate an estimated $250-600 million annually for the regime through remote job fraud schemes. The leaked emails, spreadsheets, and documents reveal how North Korean workers use fake identities and meticulous tracking systems to infiltrate companies globally and funnel earnings back to support weapons development programs. The operation involves dozens of workers organized into groups who systematically apply for tech positions at major companies and freelance platforms while coordinators help cover their digital tracks.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
"Quishing" attacks—phishing scams using QR codes instead of emails or texts—have surged, with malicious QR codes tricking over 26 million people into visiting fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and financial data or install malware. Cybercriminals are placing fake QR codes on payment terminals, parking meters, packages, and other public surfaces, exploiting the fact that 73% of Americans scan codes without verifying their source. To protect yourself, verify the legitimacy of QR code sources before scanning and consider using personal data removal services to prevent scammers from accessing your information.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
FTC reports document a surge in imposter scams targeting retirees, with scammers posing as trusted government agencies and businesses to drain bank accounts and retirement funds through fake security alerts and false criminal accusations. From 2020 to 2024, reports of older adults losing $10,000 or more increased fourfold, while reports of losses exceeding $100,000 increased nearly sevenfold. These scams exploit older adults' vigilance about financial security by creating false urgency through phone calls and fabricated crises, instructing victims to transfer funds, use Bitcoin ATMs, or hand cash to couriers—tactics the real FTC and legitimate companies never use.
fidelity.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how to protect against text-based scams, which fraudsters increasingly use to impersonate financial institutions and lure victims into clicking malicious links that expose personal information. The guide advises recognizing suspicious texts through warning signs like urgent language, unfamiliar numbers, and requests for personal information; not engaging with or replying to suspicious messages; and contacting financial institutions directly through official channels if legitimacy is uncertain.
floridapolitics.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senator Rick Scott held a roundtable in Florida to address the escalating threat of scams and fraud targeting seniors, highlighting common schemes including grandparent scams, fraudulent investments, and government imposter emails. Speakers emphasized that seniors lose significant sums—including one case where a victim lost over $400,000—and that many large-scale operations originate from foreign call centers, constituting a national security concern; they also noted that Medicare fraud alone costs tens of billions of dollars annually through false billing and manipulation of member numbers. The roundtable stressed that awareness, prevention, and stronger legal penalties are essential to combat this crisis, while acknowledging that embarrassment often prevents victims from reporting
thepress.net
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters stole over $12.5 billion from Americans over 55 in 2024, a 25% increase from $10 billion in 2023, according to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Network report. Seniors are targeted due to limited online experience, accumulated wealth, and social isolation, with common scams including grandparent schemes, romance scams, impersonation of government agencies or utilities, tech support fraud, home repair scams, and cryptocurrency schemes. Experts advise that pressure to act quickly is a hallmark of scams, and legitimate government agencies and corporations typically do not contact people via unsolicited text messages or calls demanding immediate payment.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A Northeast Ohio resident nearly fell victim to a jury duty scam after receiving a spoofed call from someone claiming to be a Trumbull County deputy stating he had missed jury duty and had a warrant for his arrest. The scammer instructed him to post bail, and the victim was en route to a bail bondsman with cash when he realized the deception after about two hours on the phone. County authorities warn that this scam is prevalent in the region, with variations including fake websites collecting Social Security numbers and driver's licenses, with victims losing $8,500-$10,000, and advise that legitimate courts only contact residents via U.S. mail and law enforcement never calls about missed court appearances
fortuneindia.com
· 2025-12-08
**Incident:** Cisco fell victim to a vishing (voice phishing) attack on July 24, in which an attacker impersonated a company representative and gained access to a third-party CRM system, exposing basic user profile information including names, addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, and user IDs for an undisclosed number of users. The attacker did not access passwords, confidential data, or proprietary information, and Cisco immediately terminated the actor's access and notified affected users. The article emphasizes that vishing attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI-enhanced voice impersonation and provides protective measures including never sharing personal data over phone calls, verifying
vovworld.vn
· 2025-12-08
Meta's Decode Scam campaign identifies seven prevalent online scams targeting internet users: messaging scams (smishing) using fake links, romance scams building fake relationships to extract money, investment scams promising unrealistic returns, impersonation scams stealing identities, online shopping scams with fake websites, job scams exploiting job seekers, and account hacking scams. The campaign highlights how scammers manipulate victims through trusted channels, emotional connections, or false promises of financial gain and employment opportunities.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers sent fraudulent emails to hotel guests with reservations on the Isle of Barra, impersonating the hotel and requesting bank details to "confirm" bookings from spoofed email addresses. Police Scotland urged accommodation providers and guests to remain vigilant while investigating the incident. The fraud occurred amid broader challenges in the Highlands and Islands region, which recorded 522 fraud offences between April 2024 and March 2025.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Four Ghanaian nationals were indicted and three were extradited to the U.S. for their roles in an international criminal organization that stole over $100 million through romance scams targeting vulnerable elderly victims and business email compromise schemes. The defendants, including high-ranking members "Isaac Oduro Boateng" and "Inusah Ahmed" who directed the operation, deceived victims into believing they were in romantic relationships before exploiting their trust to steal money, which was then laundered back to West Africa. Each defendant faces multiple charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and receipt of stolen property, with maximum sentences up to 20 years.