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in Financial Crime
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old Philadelphia tech professional lost $450,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam after being wooed for months on a dating app by someone posing as a French wine trader using deepfake videos and sophisticated manipulation tactics. The fraudster gained her trust through romantic attention, then convinced her to invest in cryptocurrency through a fake trading app, with initial fake gains encouraging larger investments including her retirement funds and loans. The scam, run by Southeast Asian crime syndicates, has caused billions in losses across the US with little recourse for victims to recover their money.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Noel Chimezuru Agoha, age 40, of Baltimore, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for orchestrating business email compromise (BEC) and romance scams that defrauded victims of over $1.5 million between 2015 and 2018. Operating with co-conspirators, Agoha used fraudulent emails impersonating business contacts and fake dating profiles to trick victims into transferring funds to drop accounts he controlled, personally obtaining approximately $111,242 in BEC proceeds and over $1 million in dating scam proceeds, and was ordered to pay $1 million in restitution.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Phantom Hacker" scam has cost Marylanders millions of dollars through a multi-layered scheme where scammers pose as government officials (CIA, FBI, Treasury, etc.) and convince victims their identities have been stolen and accounts compromised. Victims are instructed to withdraw large sums of cash or purchase precious metals to "protect" their assets, which are then handed over to couriers; between May and December 2023, the FBI's IC3 received reports of over $55 million in losses nationwide, including $3.8 million from 7 Maryland victims, with one individual losing over $2 million.
abc6.com
· 2025-12-08
Five individuals were convicted and sentenced for operating a Nigerian-based conspiracy that defrauded elderly U.S. citizens across multiple states of over $1.7 million through romance scams, fake sweepstakes, and fraudulent rental schemes. The defendants used fake romantic relationships and false promises to manipulate victims into sending money, and each was ordered to pay approximately $455,750 in restitution with several facing deportation after serving their prison terms.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five foreign nationals, including Dotun Olawale Alonge (sentenced to 18 months in federal prison), were convicted for laundering over $1.7 million in proceeds from a Nigeria-based conspiracy that defrauded elderly U.S. citizens through romance scams, sweepstakes fraud, and rental property schemes. Victims were instructed to wire money or send cash to addresses in Rhode Island controlled by the defendants, who then moved the funds through multiple banks and businesses before sending most proceeds to Nigeria. The defendants have been ordered to pay approximately $455,750 in restitution to identified victims, with several facing deportation after their sentences.
netnewsledger.com
· 2025-12-08
The Thunder Bay Police Service warned of persistent grandparent scams targeting seniors in the community, with one victim losing $3,000 after receiving a call from someone impersonating a lawyer representing her grandson who allegedly needed bail money. The scam typically involves fraudsters calling from private numbers, sometimes playing background voices to create credibility, and requesting urgent fund transfers via email or gift cards. The police recommend protective measures including hanging up on suspicious calls, independently verifying claims with family members, being alert to pressure tactics, reporting suspicious activity, and staying informed through resources like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
gmanetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
A 37-year-old Philadelphia tech professional lost $450,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam involving a fake online suitor who used deepfake videos and sophisticated social engineering to build romantic trust before directing her to a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment app. The scammer, operating from Southeast Asia as part of an organized crime syndicate, convinced the victim to invest her savings and retirement funds by showing fake profitable trades and gradually escalating pressure to invest more. This type of romance-based cryptocurrency fraud has resulted in billions of dollars in losses across the United States with minimal victim recovery options.
m9.news
· 2025-12-08
Shreya Datta, a 37-year-old Indian-American tech professional in Philadelphia, lost $450,000 to a sophisticated "pig butchering" romance scam in which a fraudster posing as a French wine trader named Ancel used deepfake videos and emotional manipulation on the dating app Hinge to lure her into a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme. The scammer requested increasing investments and ultimately asked for a "tax" when Datta attempted to withdraw profits, revealing the fraud. Dating scams accounted for over $3.5 billion in losses in 2023, and victims often experience significant emotional distress compounded by social stigma and shame that disc
golocalprov.com
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian-based conspiracy defrauded elderly U.S. citizens of over $1.7 million through multiple scam methods, including romance scams on dating sites, fake sweepstakes claims, and rental property fraud. Dotun Olawale Alonge, the fifth defendant convicted in the case, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison for money laundering; he and four other convicted co-conspirators were ordered to pay approximately $455,750 in joint restitution to victims, with one fugitive still at large.
pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple educational presentations throughout March 2024 to help seniors and the public protect themselves from financial fraud and identity theft. Topics include recognizing elder financial abuse (which is the #1 reported issue to Adult Protective Services), avoiding identity theft, cybersecurity best practices, investment fraud awareness, and common scam tactics, with sessions offered both in-person and virtually across the state.
latestly.com
· 2025-12-08
A 40-year-old man from Jajpur, Odisha, lost Rs 53,000 to an online fake lottery scam after receiving text messages claiming he had won Rs 1 lakh and requesting processing fees and GST payments; the fraudsters then gained access to his bank account through a shared link and debited an additional amount. The victim filed a police complaint, and authorities registered a case against unidentified fraudsters while warning the public to verify lottery claims and avoid sharing banking details with unknown contacts.
dojmt.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Montana Department of Justice's Office of Consumer Protection is warning of a cryptocurrency scam targeting PPP loan recipients, in which fraudsters impersonate law enforcement and threaten arrest for unpaid loans to extort victims into sending money via bitcoin ATMs. Scammers exploit publicly available PPP loan data and confusion about loan forgiveness, using threats and forged documents to coerce victims into irretrievable cryptocurrency transfers. The agency advises that legitimate government agencies never demand payment over the phone and urges victims to report attempts to authorities.
local10.com
· 2025-12-08
The Broward Sheriff's Office warned the public about an impersonation scam in which callers falsely claim to represent local police departments and demand money to place arrest warrants on hold. A woman in her 20s nearly fell victim after receiving a spoofed call claiming she missed jury duty and owed thousands in bond money, with the caller instructing her to withdraw funds via a pharmacy kiosk; she avoided the scam after a family member exposed it. While this victim escaped financial loss, seniors have accounted for $13 million in losses to similar scams in Miami-Dade County alone, with authorities reporting 650 instances over the past year and urging the public to report
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
Investigators traced nearly $100 million in cryptocurrency payments to a criminal scam compound in Myanmar (KK Park) operating pig butchering romance scams and worker trafficking ransoms over less than two years. Two cryptocurrency addresses linked to a Chinese front company received $24.2 million from known scam wallets and additional funds from ransoms, with families often extorted for $30,000+ to secure trafficked workers' release. The investigation reveals how romance scams and ransom extortion are interconnected operations generating significant profits for organized crime syndicates in Southeast Asia.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Philadelphia tech professional named Shreya Datta lost approximately $450,000 in savings and retirement funds to a "pig butchering" romance scam, in which a man posing as a French wine trader named "Ancel" built trust over months using deepfake videos and manipulated screenshots before convincing her to invest in cryptocurrency through a fraudulent trading app. The scammer used emotional manipulation, gifts, and fabricated investment profits to gradually increase her investment until she attempted withdrawal and discovered the scheme; the FBI reported that over 40,000 people lost more than $3.5 billion to dating scams in 2023.
orilliamatters.com
· 2025-12-08
The Huronia West Ontario Provincial Police arrested two individuals (ages 24 and 25) in late February after investigating a grandparent scam in which a suspect impersonated a police officer and falsely told a victim their grandson was in jail, demanding money for legal fees; the suspect visited the victim's home three times to collect cash before police intervened on the third visit. Both suspects were charged with fraud over $5,000, with the 24-year-old also charged with resisting a peace officer. The OPP provided guidance on protecting against emergency/grandparent scams, emphasizing verification of callers through independent contact information and warning that legitimate law enforcement will never request payment by
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Virginia's House Bill 692 passed unanimously in both chambers in February 2024, requiring financial institutions to train employees to identify and report elder financial exploitation, establish trusted contact procedures, and develop detection guidelines. The bill was championed by advocate Janine Williamson, whose uncle retired Navy Commander Larry Cook lost $3.6 million through international wire fraud scams that financial institution employees failed to detect or report, prompting her negligence lawsuit against Wells Fargo and Navy Federal Credit Union.
healthjournalism.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud schemes—including grandparent scams, romance scams, and government impersonation scams—have become increasingly sophisticated through AI technology like deepfake videos and robocalls, making them difficult to distinguish from legitimate communications. In 2022 alone, approximately 88,000 people aged 60 and older lost $3.1 billion to fraud, with victims over 70 losing an average of nearly $42,000; scammers typically exploit emotions rather than intelligence, and experts advise victims and their families to watch for financial requests as the key indicator of fraud. The AARP Fraud Watch Network received nearly 100,000 calls last year from victims of all
wcti12.com
· 2025-12-08
Carteret County, North Carolina is experiencing a surge in elder scams involving cryptocurrency and phone-based fraud, including impersonation of law enforcement, fake bail/accident schemes, and romance scams. County officials warn against sending money to unknown contacts claiming legal authority, investing in cryptocurrency without research, clicking suspicious links, and falling victim to online relationship scams, while noting that cryptocurrency and gift cards are preferred by scammers because they are difficult for law enforcement to trace. Residents are advised to verify suspicious claims with local law enforcement before sending any funds.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jack Connor Ridall, 29, of Miami, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for operating an investment fraud scheme through three shell companies (Stratcapital LLC, Guss Capital LLC, and Guss Actium Manager LLC) that defrauded at least three victims of approximately $735,000. Ridall misrepresented his investing experience, the safety of investments, and how funds would be used, then misappropriated the money for personal luxury purchases and fraudulent family transfers while providing forged attorney letters and audit reports to victims claiming high returns. Ridall pleaded guilty to wire fraud in November 2023.
punekarnews.in
· 2025-12-08
Between December 2022 and February 2024, a 35-year-old investor in Pune lost Rs 1.3 crore (approximately $156,000 USD) in a stock market investment scam perpetrated by two accused individuals who promised returns but refused to repay the principal amount. The suspects, aged 23 and 24, gained the victim's trust and directed funds to bank accounts associated with We Task Academy and Aspire Enterprises, paying only partial interest (Rs 41.65 lakh) before disappearing with the remaining amount. The Wakad Police Station registered a case and are investigating the fraud.
chainalysis.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams ("pig butchering scams") generated over $700 million in reported losses to Americans in 2022, with scammers building fake relationships and coercing victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency and fiat investments before disappearing. Beyond victimizing romance scam targets, criminal gangs operating compounds in Myanmar and Southeast Asia have kidnapped and trafficked individuals forced to work 12+ hour days executing these scams, with gangs also collecting ransoms from victims' families in cryptocurrency, effectively mixing scam proceeds with extortion payments.
newindianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2018, India's Rajya Sabha Committee on Government Assurances summoned banking officials and CBI representatives to provide testimony on major financial scams affecting the Indian banking sector. As of March 2018, bank fraud cases exceeded Rs 1,000 crore across multiple institutions, with 292 cases under CBI investigation involving 44 prominent banks including SBI, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank, with some cases implicating bank officers themselves. The parliamentary inquiry aimed to ensure accountability and address the systemic fraud issues that had compromised public sector and private banks nationwide.
steinbachonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Steinbach RCMP responded to four grandparent scam incidents in two days, with two victims losing money. Scammers called elderly residents impersonating relatives in legal trouble and requesting bail money, which victims were instructed to hand over to couriers at their homes. Police advise recipients to hang up, verify the story by calling the alleged family member, never share personal information, and establish a family safety word to prevent falling victim to this fraud.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are exploiting the confusion surrounding multiple medical bills from different providers following hospital visits, using counterfeit letterheads and logos to target victims with fraudulent invoices. Experts recommend verifying bills match insurance claims and explanation of benefits, obtaining prior authorizations and cost estimates upfront, and never paying bills without verification, as scammers often target small amounts to avoid detection and frequently operate offshore where prosecution is costly.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Real) pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy related to romance scams targeting elderly Americans dating back to 2013. She knowingly received stolen funds from vulnerable victims and was arrested abroad; she faces up to five years in prison and must forfeit and pay restitution of approximately $2.16 million.
marketplace.org
· 2025-12-08
Financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to an elaborate scam in which fraudsters impersonated Federal Trade Commission and CIA officials; she withdrew the cash from her Bank of America account before realizing the scheme later that day. Banks have limited tools to prevent such scams, with policies varying by institution—some tellers may offer alternatives like cashier's checks or wire transfers, while others simply warn customers—and the FTC reported consumers lost $8.8 billion to scams in 2022, a 30% increase from the previous year.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A YouTuber operating the "ScamSandwich" channel poses as an elderly widow to expose and disrupt online scammers, gaining over 90,000 subscribers since January 2023. By gaining remote access to scammers' computers, he reveals their locations (primarily in India and West Africa), deploys disruptive viruses, and publicly humiliates them on camera, sometimes prompting expressions of remorse and reports to authorities. While his videos provide entertainment and awareness, they highlight the serious problem of elder fraud, with Americans over 60 losing billions of dollars annually to scams.
punekarnews.in
· 2025-12-08
A couple in Pune's Wakad area lost Rs 35 lakhs 35 thousand between January 29 and February 17, 2024, after being lured through social media advertisements into a fake share market investment scheme. The fraudsters created a deceptive WhatsApp group and counterfeit mobile app to convince the victims to invest, then prevented them from withdrawing funds and refused to return their money or promised profits. Five individuals have been identified in the case, and Wakad Police are investigating the incident.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office partnered with Winchester and Waltham Police Departments to host financial fraud awareness seminars for older adults, featuring presentations from federal prosecutors, the IRS, and U.S. Postal Service on common scams and protective measures. According to FBI data, victims over 60 experienced an 84% increase in losses from 2021 to 2022, totaling over $3 billion, with nearly 5,500 victims losing more than $100,000 each to schemes including tech support, romance, and sweepstakes scams.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP Connecticut is launching a new educational series to address the growing complexity of scams targeting older adults, with 400 different scam types reported in 2022. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to have more financial resources, and losses can range from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with emotional and psychological impacts extending beyond financial harm. The free online series will cover topics including artificial intelligence and voice cloning scams, with a Connecticut man recently indicted for defrauding Wisconsin seniors of $200,000 through grandparent impersonation scams.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A YouTube content creator operating under the pseudonym "Neld Harris" poses as an elderly, tech-illiterate widow to infiltrate and expose scam operations targeting vulnerable seniors. Through his ScamSandwich channel, which has garnered over 8 million views since launching in January 2023, he lures scammers into elaborate traps, takes control of their computers, and publicly reveals their identities, locations, and tactics. This "scambaiting" effort addresses a significant problem: the AARP reports Americans over 60 lose $28.3 billion annually to scams, with only 1 in 10 cases reported to authorities.
gbcghanaonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Real) pleaded guilty to money laundering in connection with romance scams targeting vulnerable elderly Americans dating back to 2013. She faces up to five years in prison and has agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of $2,164,758.41. The criminal conspiracy specifically targeted older Americans through fake online romantic relationships to steal their money.
gnnliberia.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Reall) pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive stolen money in a $2 million romance scam targeting older Americans, where she controlled bank accounts that received fraudulent funds obtained through fake romantic identities. She agreed to forfeit and make restitution of $2,164,758.41 and faces up to five years in prison upon sentencing by U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty. The scam, which exploited vulnerable elderly victims through false pretenses including fake gold transport payments and FBI investigation claims, resulted in her extradition from the United Kingdom in May 2023.
gna.org.gh
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Real) pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive stolen money from romance scams targeting elderly Americans from 2013 onward. She agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of $2,164,758.41 and faces up to five years in prison, with sentencing scheduled before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
fox13seattle.com
· 2025-12-08
Brian Davie, a former Wells Fargo branch manager in Battle Ground, Washington, was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison after stealing $1,279,840 from elderly and vulnerable customers between March 2014 and June 2019 through unauthorized withdrawals, transfers, and checks. One victim lost $566,000 from her retirement accounts, and Wells Fargo partially reimbursed victims while a federal judge will determine additional restitution amounts. Law enforcement and fraud prevention experts urge victims to report incidents immediately to banks and law enforcement, and recommend seniors use online banking, set up account alerts, and monitor transactions to prevent similar exploitation.
acamstoday.org
· 2025-12-08
FinCEN issued an advisory in June 2022 highlighting the rising trend of elder financial exploitation (EFE), noting that at least 10% of older adults in the U.S. are affected annually, with losses exceeding $3 billion as of 2019. Common EFE schemes include government imposter scams, romance scams, emergency scams, lottery scams, and tech support scams, though most cases go unreported due to fear, embarrassment, and lack of resources. Financial institutions and analysts are encouraged to identify red flag indicators of suspicious activity and report potential cases of elder financial exploitation.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A major telemarketing scam targeting American timeshare owners, operated by Mexico's Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), has defrauded thousands of victims—many elderly—of hundreds of millions of dollars over the past decade. The scheme, which began in Puerto Vallarta and expanded to Cancún and other resort areas, uses fake offers to buy timeshares at inflated prices, then extracts fees for taxes and other costs that are never refunded; one victim lost nearly $1.8 million across multiple transactions. U.S. government officials believe the cartel now profits more from timeshare fraud than drug trafficking, though the operation remains difficult to prosecut
okcfox.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Piedmont, Oklahoma woman lost approximately $52,000 in a phone scam where callers impersonated Social Security Administration officials and a local police officer, claiming her accounts were compromised and convincing her to withdraw cash for a man who collected it in person. The victim is now facing financial hardship including potential inability to pay rent and nursing home expenses for her husband, and authorities are investigating the case while she seeks public assistance through a GoFundMe page.
steinbachonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior in Steinbach, Manitoba lost a substantial amount of money in a Grandparent Scam on Wednesday, where a fraudster called pretending to be a relative in jail and requesting bail money, then arranged in-person cash pickup at the victim's home. Police received two complaints that day and report fraudsters have obtained victims' addresses in the area; if successful, scammers typically call back demanding additional money. Authorities recommend seniors hang up on suspicious calls, verify with family members, establish a family safety word, and report all suspected fraud to police and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content as requested. The text provided is only a navigation menu and list of section headers from a news website (WHIO-TV), not an article or transcript about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide the actual article content about a specific fraud, scam, or elder abuse incident.
citinewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage (known as Hajia4Real) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money from romance scams targeting older Americans and agreed to pay over $4.3 million in total restitution and forfeiture ($2.16 million to victims and $2.16 million to U.S. authorities). Montrage was arrested abroad and knowingly laundered proceeds stolen from vulnerable elderly victims through fake romantic relationships, with sentencing to follow before U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.
gbcghanaonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Social media influencer Hajia4Real (Mona Faiz Montrage), a 31-year-old from Ghana, pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive stolen money derived from romance scams targeting older, single Americans between 2013 and 2019. She agreed to forfeit and provide restitution of $2,164,758.41 and faces a maximum five-year prison sentence for this count, though she was originally charged with multiple fraud and money laundering offenses carrying up to 20-year sentences. According to prosecutors, she received funds through bank accounts she controlled that victims were tricked into sending via false pretenses involving gold transport payments, fake FBI investigations
africanews.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian socialite Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Reall) pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive stolen money in a $2 million romance scam targeting older Americans, and agreed to forfeit and make restitution of $2,164,758.41. She was extradited from the United Kingdom in May 2023 and faced charges for her role in an operation that used fake identities and various pretenses—including false gold transport and fake FBI investigation claims—to defraud vulnerable elderly victims.
fox28savannah.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida couple, Monique C. Clarke and Jon-Michael Hudson, were indicted for operating a lottery scam that defrauded 51 elderly victims of over $6.6 million between October 2020 and January 2021. The scheme involved calling victims claiming they won lottery prizes, then pressuring them to pay upfront fees for taxes and shipping, with money mules depositing the victims' checks and forwarding cash to the conspirators; Clarke allegedly received over $500,000 and used part of it to purchase a Mercedes-Benz in Jamaica. Both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted.
caribbeannationalweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
On February 1st, a federal grand jury indicted Jamaican nationals Monique C. Clarke and Jon-Michael Hudson for money laundering conspiracy related to a lottery scam that defrauded 51 elderly U.S. victims of over $6.6 million between October 2020 and January 2021. The defendants allegedly posed as lottery winners and coerced victims to pay various fees through money mules, with Clarke receiving over $500,000 in proceeds, which she partially used to purchase a $150,000 Mercedes Benz. Both defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted, as part of the Biden administration's broader crackdown on
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Latron Earl Williams, 24, of Miami was arrested and indicted on February 21 on charges of bank fraud and aggravated identity theft after fraudulently obtaining personal information from approximately 50 bank account holders nationwide between April 2022 and March 2023. Using stolen identifiable information, debit card numbers, and bank account details, Williams illegally accessed victims' accounts and orchestrated over $2 million in fraudulent wire transfers into accounts he controlled, with accomplices withdrawing the funds to conceal his involvement. If convicted, Williams faces up to 30 years in prison per bank fraud count, plus a mandatory minimum two-year consecutive sentence for aggravated identity theft
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old woman named Johnna Hannah was accused of stealing over $50,000 from elderly patients at Countryside Health Center in Buchanan, Georgia, where she managed patient accounts. Hannah faced more than 70 counts of fraud and elder abuse for exploiting her position of trust to commit the theft.
tryondailybulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old woman named Donna lost $34,000 in a romance scam after seven months of communication with someone she met on a dating site who promised to buy a house with her but disappeared after receiving her money. The article highlights that the FTC reported over $10 billion in losses from scams last year, with elderly individuals particularly vulnerable to sweetheart scams, fake prize winnings, grandparent scams, contractor fraud, and phishing emails. The article recommends protective measures including frequent password changes, two-factor authentication, monthly credit monitoring, antivirus software, limiting personal information on social media, and recognizing red flags like pressure to send money immediately.
messengernews.net
· 2025-12-08
Iowans lost nearly $30 million to fraud in 2022, with older adults disproportionately targeted because they tend to have more assets, may be less tech-savvy, and are more trusting. People ages 70-79 lost an average of $43,000 per scam incident, though many cases go unreported due to victim embarrassment and fear. Common red flags include promises of something free, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information or money transfers, vague details, and unsolicited contact.