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the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This curated cybercrime report highlights multiple fraud threats affecting vulnerable populations globally. Notable cases include a Karnataka senior citizen rescued from a digital arrest scam through interstate police coordination, a Himachal Pradesh bank losing ₹11 crore to hackers, and a Panchkula resident losing ₹3.5 lakh in an online trading investment scam initiated via fraudulent Facebook contact. The report also documents emerging cybercriminal techniques including fileless malware delivery, sophisticated DDoS attacks, and large-scale cryptocurrency theft operations, underscoring the need for enhanced digital security awareness and swift law enforcement response to protect citizens from evolving fraud schemes.
mobileidworld.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI issued an alert in April 2025 about malicious actors using AI-generated voice and text messages to impersonate senior U.S. officials in smishing and vishing attacks targeting government officials and their contacts. Scammers can create nearly indistinguishable voice replications from just seconds of audio and send malicious links under false pretenses, with compromised accounts potentially enabling further fraud against additional officials and associates. The FBI recommends verifying caller identities, examining contact information for inconsistencies, avoiding sharing sensitive information with unknown contacts, and organizations implementing multi-factor authentication and voice biometric systems to detect synthetic speech.
dig.watch
· 2025-12-08
Since April, cybercriminals have used deepfake voice and video technology to impersonate senior US government officials and tech executives in phishing campaigns targeting current and former federal officials, attempting to steal passwords and sensitive data through fake calls and messages. The FBI warns that compromised accounts can be weaponized to target others in victims' networks and recommends verification of identities, avoiding unsolicited links, multifactor authentication, and scrutiny of media for inconsistencies. A separate incident involved deepfake impersonation of Polygon co-founder Sandeep Nailwal and colleagues via Zoom to trick crypto users into installing malicious scripts.
hackread.com
· 2025-12-08
Since April 2025, the FBI has warned of a sophisticated campaign using AI-generated voice and text messages to impersonate senior US officials and deceive their contacts through "vishing" and "smishing" techniques. Perpetrators attempt to gain access to victims' personal accounts by sending malicious links disguised as secure messaging platforms, with the goal of stealing credentials, installing malware, or conducting further social engineering attacks to extort information or funds. The FBI cautions that compromised accounts could create a cascading effect, allowing attackers to target multiple officials and associates, and emphasizes that unsolicited messages claiming to originate from government officials should not be assumed authentic.
carsonnow.org
· 2025-12-08
Romance and friendship scams rank among the top three riskiest scams in 2024, with victims reporting a median loss of $6,099 after scammers build trust over weeks or months before requesting money or personal information. Phishing scams are also rising in sophistication, using personalized emails and texts enhanced by artificial intelligence to trick victims into revealing sensitive information or granting computer access. The article provides warning signs for both scam types and directs victims to the BBB Scam Survival Toolkit and Scam Tracker for reporting and recovery resources.
973espn.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement agencies in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are warning residents about six prevalent scams: Facebook marketplace scams offering cheap duct cleaning or car detailing that harvest personal information; jury duty scams impersonating authorities and requesting driver's license or passport numbers; "brushing" scams involving unsolicited packages with malicious QR codes designed to access phone data; Medicaid/Medicare impersonation scams attempting to steal Social Security numbers and personal information; fake law enforcement scams threatening arrest and demanding bond payments; and additional schemes targeting victims through phone calls, emails, and in-person contact. The advisory emphasizes avoiding contact with suspicious offers, never scanning unknown QR codes, hanging up on callers imp
en.cibercuba.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cuban woman in Brazil exposed a phishing scam involving fake messages claiming unpaid package fees from Correios (Brazilian postal service) that redirected to fraudulent payment pages. Multiple users on social media, predominantly Cubans and Venezuelans in Brazil, confirmed receiving similar messages, with some admitting they had already paid the fake fees. Experts recommend verifying package status directly through the official Correios website using tracking codes and never clicking links or sharing personal information from unsolicited messages.
local12.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate your request, but I don't have the actual article content to summarize. You've provided the webpage layout and navigation elements, but not the body text of the article itself.
To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide:
- The full article text or transcript
- Key details about the scam (what the calls offered, how many people were affected, dollar amounts, etc.)
- Any quotes or specific information about the fraud scheme
Once you share the article content, I'll provide a concise 2-3 sentence summary focusing on what happened, who was affected, the scam type, and any relevant outcomes.
mynorthwest.com
· 2025-12-08
Over $1 million was stolen from Clallam County residents in 2025 through scams impacting at least three victims, with one losing $862,000 in gold bars, in schemes where fraudsters impersonated Amazon, FTC, and Social Security Administration officials. The scams primarily targeted seniors by falsely claiming their identities were used for crimes, then pressuring victims to surrender cash, gold, and device access. Two suspects have been arrested, and authorities warn residents to reject unsolicited calls from purported government or tech officials and verify requests directly with banks or law enforcement.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Clallam County residents lost over $1 million in 2025 to impersonation scams where fraudsters posed as Amazon, FTC, and Social Security Administration officials, with one victim losing $862,000 in gold bars. Victims were told their identities were used for crimes and pressured to provide cash, gold, and device access; two suspects have been arrested and additional victims from Clallam, Jefferson, and neighboring counties are coming forward. Authorities advise residents to reject unsolicited calls from government or tech companies, verify requests with banks or law enforcement, and never share cash, valuables, or personal information with strangers.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The New York Statewide Senior Action Council warned of a spreading Medicare scam involving medical identity theft, where criminals obtain seniors' confidential medical information to fraudulently bill for services and supplies. The alert comes as the FTC reports identity theft has risen since late 2023, with thousands of Americans—particularly older adults—falling victim annually; authorities advise seniors never to share Medicare or Social Security numbers with unsolicited callers and to verify suspicious claims directly with Medicare (1-800-Medicare) or their doctors.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains why retirees are targeted for financial fraud and describes common scams affecting older adults. Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, with victims aged 80+ reporting average losses of $1,450—nearly three times higher than younger victims. The piece identifies key vulnerabilities (accumulated wealth, lower tech familiarity, trusting nature, social isolation) and provides warning signs and protection strategies for imposter scams (posing as IRS, Medicare, Social Security) and tech support scams, emphasizing awareness as the primary defense against financial fraud.
japantimes.co.jp
· 2025-12-08
Beth Hyland, a Michigan administrative assistant, was targeted by a romance scam artist who posed as a Frenchman named "Richard" on Tinder, using deepfake videos during Skype calls and stolen photos to deceive her. The scammer manipulated her emotionally by presenting himself as a potential romantic partner while employing AI-generated deepfakes, which are difficult to detect without specialized tools.
coloradosun.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes the evolution of financial scams targeting vulnerable individuals, including romance scams, impersonation scams, and AI-generated voice fraud. Scammers operate in organized international compounds and employ psychological manipulation tactics to isolate victims and extract maximum money, increasingly directing victims to withdraw cash and transfer funds through cryptocurrency ATMs, which offer scammers near-irreversible transactions. Law enforcement emphasizes that victims should verify suspicious communications with trusted contacts and know that legitimate police will never request money via phone, computer, or cryptocurrency.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
A North Carolina resident received a terrifying scam call spoofing her mother's phone number in which a man claimed to be holding her mother hostage and demanded immediate payment via PayPal. The victim became suspicious when the scammer demanded she not call police and couldn't provide proof of her mother's location, ultimately refusing to send money and calling 911 to confirm her mother's safety. The incident highlights how scammers exploit emotional connections and personal data to manipulate victims, and authorities recommend hanging up immediately, verifying the person's safety through direct contact, and reporting such calls to police.
newscentermaine.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered voice cloning technology is enabling scammers to create convincing replicas of trusted individuals to perpetrate fraud, with common schemes including family emergency scams targeting relatives and "vishing" attacks on businesses (one case involving a quarter-million dollar theft). Since AI voices are now difficult to distinguish from real ones by ear alone, experts recommend focusing on suspicious situations rather than voice authenticity, verifying callers through independent contact methods, and establishing family verification codes to confirm identity during unexpected calls requesting money.
wisbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
College students face multiple scams during back-to-school season, including phishing emails impersonating school financial departments that trick students into revealing login credentials and personal information. The Better Business Bureau warns students to be vigilant against common schemes such as fake credit card offers, fraudulent apartment rentals, scholarship scams, ID theft, online shopping fraud, and test preparation blackmail scams that exploit their vulnerability as they prepare for the new academic year.
wokingnewsandmail.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, dating scams cost UK victims £271.4 million across 21,976 reports, with Surrey residents accounting for 481 cases and losses totaling £4.9 million (averaging £10,218 per victim). Reports increased 17% in 2024-25 to 8,122 cases, with women losing nearly twice as much per incident as men despite fewer reports, and some victims losing over £500,000 each.
kingsbridge-today.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Dating scams cost UK victims over £271 million between April 2022 and April 2025, with Devon & Cornwall among the hardest-hit regions, where victims lost over £7 million at an average of £9,060 per case. Men reported the most incidents (10,634) but women and transgender victims suffered significantly higher average losses at £16,370 and £27,234 respectively, with the average victim age increasing from 47 to 49 years old across the period. Fraudsters exploit victims' desire for companionship through manipulation and social engineering, causing not only financial but severe psychological and emotional harm.
theforester.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between 2022/23 and 2024/25, dating scams cost UK victims over £271 million, with 328 reports from Gloucestershire residents alone resulting in collective losses of £2.6 million (averaging £7,943 per victim). Men reported more incidents but women suffered higher average losses per case (£16,370 vs. lower male average), with victims' average age increasing from 47 to 49 over the period, and victims often experiencing significant psychological and emotional trauma beyond financial loss.
cheshire-live.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, UK residents lost over £271 million to dating scams, with 21,976 reported cases, including 399 Cheshire victims who collectively lost £4.36 million (averaging £10,917 per person). Reports increased 17% in the latest financial year to 8,122 cases, with losses reaching £102.2 million, and women experiencing significantly higher average losses (£16,370) compared to men (£9,289), while some individual victims lost over £500,000.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Florida woman lost $160,000 to a scammer who used AI technology to impersonate actor Keanu Reeves over a two-and-a-half-year period. The scammer gained her trust through video calls and phone conversations using deepfake technology, then convinced her he needed money for legal troubles and froze assets, leading her to take out a home equity loan and sell her car to send cryptocurrency. This case reflects a broader trend of AI-enabled celebrity imposter scams, with the FTC reporting over 64,000 romance scams in 2023 causing $1.14 billion in losses, and research showing 33% of people contacted by fake celebrities
deeside.com
· 2025-12-08
North Wales Police reported a surge in romance scams, receiving 11 cases in a single week involving victims who were manipulated through fake social media profiles and dating websites into sending money or gift cards to fraudsters posing as romantic interests. The scammers build emotional trust before making financial requests, with gift cards being particularly attractive to criminals due to their untraceable and easily redeemable nature. Police advised the public to verify identities, avoid sending money to people they haven't met in person, and report suspicions to Action Fraud.
spectrumnews1.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering," a financial grooming scam where perpetrators build trust over months before soliciting investments (often in cryptocurrency), has resulted in victims losing thousands to millions of dollars, with investment scam losses increasing from $3.3 billion in 2022 to $4.5 billion in 2023. One Kentucky victim lost $1.7 million in assets after being manipulated into selling her home and liquidating retirement accounts. AARP recommends victims research investments, ignore unsolicited messages, use reverse image searches, and work with certified financial advisers to protect themselves from these schemes.
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Crypto ATM Fraud Targeting Seniors**
Senator Dick Durbin proposed an amendment to the GENIUS Act (cryptocurrency regulation legislation) aimed at preventing crypto ATM scams that disproportionately target elderly Americans. According to FTC data, consumer losses from crypto ATM fraud increased nearly tenfold from $12 million in 2020 to $114 million in 2023, with the FBI receiving nearly 2,700 complaints from individuals aged 60 and older in 2023 alone—more than all other age groups combined. Durbin's amendment seeks to add transaction protections and require greater transparency from crypto ATM operators, mirr
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Florida hosted an elder fraud prevention forum on May 15, 2025, in partnership with AARP and multiple law enforcement agencies to educate seniors about common scams including investment fraud, lottery fraud, and inheritance schemes. The program featured local law enforcement examples and resources, with information available through the Justice Department's Elder Justice Initiative and multiple reporting channels including the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-372-8311.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers defrauded seniors of $4.8 billion, prompting the Mentor Police Department to increase anti-scam prevention workshops at senior centers and assisted living facilities across Ohio during Older Ohioans Month. Senior Jack Hines nearly fell victim to a phishing email but became an advocate after attending an awareness workshop, now helping educate peers about recognizing scams targeting vulnerable older adults, particularly those experiencing loneliness.
governor.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
Governor Hochul issued a consumer alert warning NBA fans purchasing tickets to the New York Knicks' Eastern Conference Finals games at Madison Square Garden to avoid ticket scams, which surge during high-demand sporting events. The New York Department of State's Division of Consumer Protection provided tips to prevent fraud, including purchasing only from official venues and trusted sources, avoiding online marketplaces and street scalpers, and verifying seller legitimacy before completing transactions.
bridgemi.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan residents, particularly in the west, have received fraudulent text messages impersonating the Michigan Department of Transportation and toll companies like E-Z Pass, pressuring them to pay fake outstanding toll balances through malicious links to steal personal and financial information. The scam has spread nationwide with 60,000 complaints reported to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2024, originating from various area codes including overseas servers, making prosecution difficult. Residents should ignore these texts, never click embedded links, and verify toll obligations directly through official websites or by contacting MDOT at 517-241-2400, as legitimate toll bills in Michigan are sent by mail only.
unionrayo.com
· 2025-12-08
consumerfed.org
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $16 billion to online scams in the past year, with seniors accounting for nearly $5 billion of that total, according to FBI statistics. Losses increased 33% from the previous year, driven by surges in tech support scams (58% increase), extortion (91% increase), phishing (273% increase), and identity theft (38% increase). The report found that generative AI tools—including text, image, voice, and video generation—are enabling scammers to create more convincing and personalized fraud schemes at scale, while underregulated data brokers, payment platforms, and communication tools continue to facilitate scams across multiple points in the fraud pipeline.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
SuperCard X is an Android malware distributed via fake bank text messages that uses NFC relay technology to remotely copy card data and conduct unauthorized contactless payments or ATM withdrawals without requiring the physical card or PIN. Victims are tricked into installing a fraudulent security app through social engineering, where attackers impersonate bank representatives and instruct them to tap their card against the infected phone. The malware operates as a Malware-as-a-Service model, targets any cardholder regardless of bank, and remains difficult to detect due to minimal permissions and stealthy design.
vincennespbs.org
· 2025-12-08
Following weekend storms in Indiana, officials warn residents to watch for contractor scams targeting disaster recovery, where fraudsters pose as repair or cleanup services, collect down payments, and either disappear or deliver poor work. The Indiana Attorney General advises verifying contractor credentials, avoiding upfront full payments or payment via gift cards and cryptocurrency, and being cautious of FEMA impersonators requesting fees and donation fraud schemes. Suspected scams can be reported to the Indiana Consumer Protection Division at indianaconsumer.com or 800-382-5516.
en.cibercuba.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cuban woman on TikTok exposed a common advance-fee scam where a fraudster posed as an art client offering to pay $1,000 for a portrait, with the victim expected to receive $300 and send back $700 for materials—a scheme designed to use bounced checks to defraud victims. The scammer operates multiple social media profiles and uses variations of this tactic for jobs, study materials, and vehicle sales; multiple other users reported falling victim or nearly falling victim to similar schemes, with losses ranging up to $8,000. The incident highlights the prevalence of social engineering fraud targeting Spanish-speaking communities across multiple platforms and countries.
yourharlow.com
· 2025-12-08
Between April 2022 and March 2025, dating scams cost UK victims over £271 million across 21,976 reported cases, with Essex residents accounting for 549 reports and £5.5 million in losses at an average of £10,142 per victim. The scams showed a concerning 17% year-on-year increase in reports, with women and transgender victims suffering disproportionately higher average losses (£16,370 and £27,234 respectively) despite fewer reports than men, and some victims losing as much as £500,000 or more.
wktn.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Bob Latta hosted a "Stopping Senior Scams Workshop" on May 30 in Perrysburg, Ohio, featuring speakers from the FTC and IRS Taxpayer Advocate to educate seniors about common scams and fraud prevention. The event highlighted the growing threat of robocalls, with Ohioans receiving 1.7 billion such calls in 2018 and Americans losing $9.5 billion to robocall scams in 2016, prompting discussion of legislation like the STOP Robocalls Act to give agencies and companies tools to block fraudulent calls.
thesuburban.com
· 2025-12-08
A Côte-St-Luc senior had his Rolex watch valued at $20,000-$25,000 stolen on May 11 in a distraction theft scam involving strangers who asked for directions while an accomplice posed as a person seeking a blessing for her dying father's watch, then replaced his real watch with a fake one. Police confirmed this type of jewelry theft targeting elderly residents has occurred multiple times across the city, with limited success in catching perpetrators due to lack of evidence and the rapid nature of the crimes. Authorities recommend traveling in groups, concealing valuable jewelry, and refusing gifts from strangers as preventive measures.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old Bedford resident fell victim to a computer fraud scam on May 9 after receiving a fake virus alert threatening legal consequences for alleged child pornography on their device, prompting them to mail $17,500 in cash to Pennsylvania. Quick action by Bedford police officers, who tracked the UPS package and coordinated with a Pennsylvania police department, allowed investigators to intercept the payment before delivery and return the full amount to the victim.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A Northeast Ohio senior named Jack Hines nearly fell victim to a phishing email scam but used the experience to become an advocate for elder fraud prevention in his community. The Mentor Police Department has launched anti-scam workshops at senior centers across the city, responding to a 22% increase in fraud complaints from older adults in Ohio and the FBI's report that seniors lost $4.8 billion to scams in 2024. Hines now works as an awareness ambassador at his local senior center, helping peers recognize and avoid common scams targeting vulnerable seniors.
tmj4.com
· 2025-12-08
Tony Lupo, an Oak Creek senior, fell victim to multiple scams including fake prize notifications and fraudulent calls claiming to involve his Social Security and Medicare benefits. Milwaukee County authorities report three prevalent phone scam tactics targeting residents: fake arrest warrants, missed jury duty claims, and Social Security impersonation scams. AARP hosted a community Scam Jam event featuring expert speakers and resources to educate residents on recognizing and reporting scams, with law enforcement emphasizing the importance of verifying suspicious calls through official agency contact numbers before providing any personal information.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Rakeshkumar Patel, a 36-year-old Indian national living illegally in the U.S., pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. Patel and co-conspirators posed as federal agents over the phone, convincing victims their identities were compromised and their accounts under investigation, then instructed them to withdraw life savings and convert them to cash or gold bars, which Patel and other couriers collected in person. Patel faces more than five years in federal prison at sentencing.
turnto10.com
· 2025-12-08
Artificial intelligence-powered voice-cloning technology is making grandparent scams increasingly convincing, allowing scammers to impersonate family members using just one minute of audio from social media. A Canadian call center operation arrested in 2024 stole $21 million from Americans over three years by using AI-cloned voices combined with phone spoofing and money mules to collect cash, claiming victims' relatives needed bail money. Experts recommend asking security questions only family members could answer and establishing family code words to protect against these evolving scams.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns of a scam involving robocalls claiming recipients have been pre-approved for an unspecified offer and requesting they press a number to verify personal details. Victims report receiving 5-20 calls daily from different numbers using identical messaging, with callers attempting to extract sensitive information if called back. The FTC advises hanging up without engaging, avoiding pressing numbers to unsubscribe, and using call-blocking features rather than providing personal information to unknown callers.
thenews-gazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Between May 1 and May 15, Lexington Police received reports of multiple scams including someone impersonating the Planning Commission chair, a fake lost cat emergency surgery scheme, a deputy sheriff impersonation demanding $400 in gift cards for jury duty non-appearance, an EBT card fraud, and a Publisher's Clearinghouse scam that defrauded a Rockbridge County resident of over $4,200. Police Chief Angela Greene advised residents not to provide personal or financial information to unsolicited contacts, never to purchase gift cards for fines or legal matters, and to independently verify emergency claims involving loved ones or pets.
wkyc.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumers reported losing $470 million last year to text message scams, according to FTC data. A viewer received fraudulent texts impersonating Facebook, claiming account suspension and requesting personal information to verify ownership—a common phishing tactic that uses urgency and threats to family members to manipulate victims. The Better Business Bureau advises ignoring unsolicited texts from unknown numbers and using reverse image searches to verify suspicious content before responding.
media.srpnet.com
· 2025-12-08
SRP (Salt River Project) and AARP issued a joint warning about utility scams targeting older adults, particularly around the Memorial Day weekend, noting that Arizona has the highest fraud rate against seniors in the country at 289 cases per 100,000. Common scams include fake payment websites, phishing texts/emails impersonating utility companies, and fraudsters posing as utility workers, all designed to create urgency and pressure immediate payment. Customers should protect themselves by calling SRP directly to verify account status, avoiding suspicious links and unusual payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency), and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a sophisticated scam involving AI-generated text and voice messages impersonating senior U.S. government officials, targeting current and former federal and state officials and their contacts. Scammers use realistic voice cloning and malicious links designed to steal login credentials and personal information, which could then be used to impersonate victims and target other officials or their associates. The FBI advises verifying sender identity through independent contact, scrutinizing details for subtle alterations, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive information with unverified contacts.
wellingtonadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Between February and April 2025, a Guelph-Eramosa resident lost more than $80,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with an unidentified individual who repeatedly requested money via e-transfers and cryptocurrency under false pretenses. The scammer used a fake profile with stolen photos and fabricated backstory to build trust, then exploited the victim's emotions to extract funds. Police warn residents to be alert to common romance scam indicators, including reluctance to meet in person and claims of fictitious emergencies requiring financial assistance.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Tom Grauburger of Lakin, Kansas lost $30,000 to a sophisticated tech support scam that used fear tactics and constant phone monitoring to manipulate him over three weeks. The scammers posed as Microsoft Defender and the FTC, falsely claiming illegal activity was occurring on his computer and demanding cash sent to Boston as "proof of assets," while threatening him with a fake non-disclosure agreement to prevent him from telling family members. His bank ultimately prevented a larger loss by flagging a $100,000+ wire transfer attempt to his retirement fund, but Grauburger and his family are still fighting to recover the initial $30,000.
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old retired urban planner named Brian Ketcham lost significant money to romance scammers on the dating website Dream Singles, communicating with profiles of women (primarily one named "Vasilisa") who likely did not exist in real life. After his death in 2024, his children discovered hundreds of printed chat transcripts and documented evidence of the scheme, which required him to purchase credits for each message sent to the fake profiles. The article explores how his initial skepticism gradually eroded as the scammers built emotional connections with him, ultimately resulting in financial loss before his death.