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justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage pleaded guilty to conspiring to receive proceeds from romance scams targeting vulnerable older Americans between 2013 and 2019. Montrage, who operated the Instagram account "Hajia4Reall" with 3.4 million followers, received over $2 million in fraudulent funds through bank accounts used by a West African criminal enterprise that deceived victims into believing they were in romantic relationships and sending money under false pretenses. She agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of approximately $2.16 million and faces up to five years in prison at sentencing.
asaaseradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian Instagram influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Real) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money for her role in laundering proceeds from romance scams targeting vulnerable older Americans between 2013 and 2019. She was extradited from the UK and admitted to receiving over $2.1 million stolen from victims through fake romantic relationships, and has agreed to forfeit and pay restitution of $2,164,758.41, facing up to five years in prison.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
In summer 2022, 80-year-old Alice Lin lost over $700,000 of her life savings to a "pig butchering" scam after a fraudster on WeChat convinced her to download a fake cryptocurrency trading app and wire money over a three-week period. Lin sued Chase Bank in January 2024, claiming the bank failed to flag suspicious transaction patterns (seven large wire transfers totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars) and protect vulnerable elderly customers, citing California law that holds institutions liable for assisting fraudulent transactions against seniors. Chase disputes the claim, stating employees asked probing questions and warned Lin of fraud risks before completing the transfers.
markets.businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Rosca Scarlato LLC, a senior investor advocacy law firm, released an educational guide titled "Recognizing and Preventing Elder Financial Abuse" to address the growing problem of financial exploitation targeting elderly Americans, particularly Baby Boomers in retirement. The guide identifies vulnerabilities that make seniors susceptible to fraud—including substantial savings, cognitive decline, and limited investment knowledge—and provides actionable advice for seniors, caregivers, professionals, and local governments to identify red flags and implement protective safeguards.
columbian.com
· 2025-12-08
Brian Davie, a former Wells Fargo branch manager in Battle Ground, was sentenced to 3½ years in federal prison for stealing $1,279,840 from eight customers' accounts between 2014 and 2019 through unauthorized withdrawals, forged cashier's checks, and forged signatures. Davie specifically targeted elderly customers, including those with dementia or limited English proficiency, deliberately avoiding detection by preventing relatives from monitoring the accounts. Wells Fargo reimbursed all victims for their losses, and Davie faces additional restitution to be determined at a future hearing.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
Katie Little of Orlando received a call from someone impersonating an Orange County Sheriff's deputy threatening arrest, but she refused to comply with demands for a money order. However, approximately one hour later, $900 disappeared from her bank account, which Little believes the scammer obtained through voice verification used for fraudulent transfers. The Orange County Sheriff's Office warns that law enforcement and courts never demand money over the phone and advise residents to protect their personal information.
mynbc15.com
· 2025-12-08
A federal grand jury indicted two Jamaica-based individuals, Monique C. Clarke (28) and Jon-Michael Hudson (33), for conspiracy to commit money laundering in a lottery scam that defrauded 51 elderly victims of more than $6.6 million between October 2020 and January 2021. The scheme involved callers falsely claiming victims had won lottery prizes and requesting upfront payments for fees; funds were then funneled through "money mules" who deposited checks and sent cash to the defendants, with Clarke personally receiving over $500,000 and using proceeds to purchase a luxury Mercedes-Benz. Both defendants face up to
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old business manager at Countryside Healthcare in Buchanan, Georgia, Johnna Hannah, was arrested and charged with 78 counts of fraud and elder abuse after stealing over $53,000 from at least 39 patients' accounts between June 2023 and February 2024. Hannah used fraudulent invoices, company checks, debit cards, and mobile banking to drain patient accounts, including those of eight deceased residents; police discovered the scheme after a questionable $880 withdrawal was reported, prompting a forensic audit. She was released on a $50,000 bond, and authorities indicate additional charges are likely pending a second audit.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old former Wells Fargo branch manager in Battle Ground, Washington, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for stealing over $1.2 million from eight elderly and vulnerable customers through unauthorized withdrawals, transfers, and cashier's checks between 2014 and 2019. Davie deliberately targeted seniors with dementia or limited English skills who were less likely to monitor their accounts, with one victim losing more than $566,000 from her retirement accounts. Wells Fargo partially reimbursed victims for their losses, and the court will determine final restitution amounts in March 2024.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Timothy Noble, 35, of Melbourne, Kentucky, was sentenced to 40 months in prison for using counterfeit money to defraud victims on Facebook Marketplace, including passing 41 fake $100 bills to purchase a 2004 Chevrolet Avalanche for $4,700 in April 2022. Law enforcement discovered over 400 counterfeit notes in Noble's possession and evidence of at least three additional attempted fraud schemes using fake currency on the online marketplace in May 2022. Noble must serve 85 percent of his sentence and will face 3 years of supervised probation upon release.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Charlotte Cowles, a financial columnist for New York Magazine's The Cut, lost $50,000 in a sophisticated phone scam that began with a fraudulent Amazon customer service call on October 31, 2023. The scammers used personal details about her family and threats of surveillance to manipulate her over five hours, employing the tactic of "blocking the exits" to prevent her from reaching out to trusted contacts. Cowles publicly defended her story by emphasizing that scam victims come from all walks of life—including financial professionals, doctors, and lawyers—and advised others to identify trusted people to contact and create exit strategies when feeling pressured.
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
Connecticut State Police are investigating multiple "bail scams" in which victims received phone calls falsely claiming a family member was arrested and needed bail money, with a person posing as a bail bondsman collecting cash in person. At least three incidents have been reported in East Haddam and Somers, with police seeking a Black male in his late 20s, approximately 6'3", described as the person of interest. State police warn that bail scams often target seniors but can affect anyone, and advise never providing personal or financial information without verifying the request's legitimacy.
stories.td.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost Canadian victims over $50 million in 2023, with fraudsters building trust over weeks to years before requesting money for emergencies, business ventures, or cryptocurrency investments. While seniors are frequently targeted, anyone—particularly those who are lonely or vulnerable—can fall victim to these scams that occur across dating apps and social media platforms. Key prevention strategies include being cautious of quick professions of love, avoiding in-person meetings, refusing personal information requests, and understanding that sent money is often irretrievable.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Two older Pittsburgh women lost a combined $29,000 in a tech support scam where fraudsters impersonated Apple customer service representatives and convincing them their devices were hacked, pressuring them to purchase Bitcoin at local convenience stores. A 70-year-old victim withdrew $22,000 and a 72-year-old victim purchased $7,000 in Bitcoin after being transferred between scammers posing as Apple and bank fraud specialists. Pittsburgh police are investigating and warn the public that legitimate tech companies never contact customers about device problems or ask them to call numbers or click links, recommending victims report incidents to local police or the FTC.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-08
Nicholas Houston Allen, a 36-year-old Montgomery man, was sentenced to 76 months in prison and ordered to pay nearly $370,000 in restitution for defrauding elderly victims. Allen pleaded guilty to wire fraud after scamming at least five elderly people out of approximately $250,000 between 2020 and 2021 by falsely claiming he needed money for home renovation and other purposes, then using the funds for personal benefit. The United States Secret Service and Alabama Securities Commission investigated the case.
waka.com
· 2025-12-08
Nicholas Houston Allen, a 36-year-old from Montgomery, Alabama, was sentenced to 76 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud targeting elderly victims. Allen defrauded at least five elderly people of approximately $370,000 between 2020 and 2021, including one victim of $250,000 whom he convinced to give money for a home remodel that he falsely claimed to have inherited. The court ordered Allen to pay $369,703.60 in restitution and characterized his conduct as "cruel," warranting a sentence above sentencing guidelines recommendations.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
A 62-year-old man in Haralson County, Georgia was charged with exploitation of an elder person, identity theft, and financial transaction card fraud after investigators discovered he had made unauthorized credit card purchases and transactions in the victim's name without consent. The investigation was initiated in September 2023 following a report from the victim's family, who provided financial records documenting a pattern of fraudulent activity.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 58-year-old Kolkata man lost Rs 20 lakh after enrolling in a free online stock trading course advertised on Facebook, which turned out to be a cyber fraud scheme. The scammers added him to WhatsApp and Telegram groups, provided fake stock tips and a counterfeit certificate, and convinced him to invest through a fraudulent platform called "Zoksa" that falsely showed profits of Rs 1 crore; when he attempted withdrawal, they demanded Rs 13 lakh in taxes before blocking further access. The victim, who needed funds for his and his son's cancer treatment, lost his entire savings and existing stock investments before filing a police complaint
businesstimes.com.sg
· 2025-12-08
Singapore reported a record 46,563 scam cases in 2023, representing a 46.8% increase from 2022, with victims losing S$651.8 million. Job scams were the most prevalent (9,914 cases; S$135.7 million lost), primarily targeting those aged 30-49 through WhatsApp and Telegram offers of work-from-home tasks, while fake friend call scams surged to 6,859 cases (S$23 million lost), disproportionately affecting adults aged 50-64. Contrary to common assumptions, 73% of victims were under age 50, with malware scams
nbc16.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Eugene couple nearly lost $4,500 after scammers posing as a Lane County Sheriff threatened arrest, claiming the husband had ignored a jury duty summons, and directed the wife to deposit cash at a Coinstar machine. A Safeway manager's intervention prevented the transaction, and the couple escaped financial loss. The incident highlights key prevention tactics: verify caller information by contacting law enforcement directly, understand that seniors are exempt from jury duty, and avoid responding to unsolicited calls from unknown numbers.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
**Grandparent Scam Alert from Winkler Police**
Winkler Police Service reports an increasing number of scams over the past five years, with the grandparent scam emerging as a recent variation targeting elderly residents. Scammers pose as grandchildren or their representatives claiming to be in trouble (car accidents, arrests) and requesting money for bail or emergencies, often using spoofed local phone numbers and information gathered from social media to appear credible. Police recommend hanging up, verifying the claim with family members or local police, and contacting the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center if targeted—noting that legitimate police requests differ significantly from scammer tactics.
yaledailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Yale Law School's Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy hosted a panel discussion on February 16 addressing elder fraud and abuse in America, where one in ten Americans over 60 have experienced some form of exploitation. The event featured lawyers, medical experts, and Senator Richard Blumenthal discussing innovative prevention mechanisms, including screening tools, domestic violence initiatives, and financial monitoring apps, while emphasizing the need for bipartisan federal action, stronger nursing home oversight, and AI regulation to protect seniors from online exploitation.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
India's government think tank Niti Aayog proposed comprehensive senior care reforms including reverse mortgage system improvements, tax and GST reforms on senior care products, and increased financial literacy to protect elderly citizens from fraud. The paper addressed four key areas—health, social, financial, and digital inclusion—with recommendations to strengthen geriatric insurance, expand digital access, and involve the private sector in elder care, as India's senior population is projected to grow from 10% to 19.5% by 2050 and the senior care industry is expected to expand significantly from its current $7 billion value.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, approximately 1,899 Android malware scams affected Singaporean victims, resulting in losses of at least S$34.1 million (average S$17,960 per victim). The majority of victims were aged 30-49 and were targeted on Facebook and Instagram through fake service advertisements that prompted them to download malicious apps, which then compromised their banking credentials and enabled unauthorized fund transfers, including CPF savings withdrawals. After authorities and banks implemented anti-malware measures starting in August 2023, cases declined significantly from 933 in Q3 to 279 in Q4.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Singapore reported a record high of 46,563 scam cases with victims losing $651.8 million, marking a 46.8 percent increase in cases from 2022 despite public warnings. Job scams were the most prevalent fraud type, followed by e-commerce scams (which more than doubled), with 73 percent of victims aged below 50, contrary to assumptions that elderly people are most vulnerable. The police attributed most scams to organized criminal groups operating transnationally and noted that 19 scam syndicates were dismantled in 2023 through international cooperation.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The Orange County Sheriff's Department issued a February 2024 awareness advisory warning residents about romance scams and various other fraud schemes, noting that scammers manipulate victims into believing they're in committed relationships to steal money and that criminal tactics evolve constantly. The advisory identified eight common scam types including text phishing, online employment fraud, tech support scams, and impersonation schemes (involving fake tax, utility, warrant, and arrest claims), and advised victims of financial fraud to immediately report incidents to their financial institutions and request new accounts.
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
According to Experian's 2024 fraud report, AI-generated deepfakes, identity theft, and fake charity schemes are among the year's biggest scams targeting consumers and businesses, with nearly 70% of businesses reporting increased fraud losses and over half of consumers feeling more vulnerable to fraud than the previous year. The report identifies five major fraud threats: AI scams and deepfakes, weaker in-person bank identity verification, retail return fraud, synthetic identity fraud, and fake charitable campaigns—with deepfakes particularly empowering fraudsters to conduct more accessible and convincing attacks.
dailydot.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman fell victim to a jury duty scam in which a caller impersonating a sheriff's deputy claimed she had missed jury duty and owed $750 in fines ($375 per misdemeanor), threatening arrest if she didn't pay immediately by phone. The victim stayed on the line for three hours while the scammer answered all her verification questions using information about a real local police station, ultimately pressuring her into nearly paying before she recognized the fraud. Court officials warn that legitimate jury summonses are sent only by U.S. Mail and courts never demand payment by phone, credit card, or wire transfer.
abc13.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are using AI-generated images and deepfake videos to defraud vulnerable victims seeking online relationships, with one man losing nearly $60,000 after being convinced to make an investment by a fake AI woman. Experts recommend detecting AI-generated scammers by asking personalized follow-up questions, looking for unnaturally smooth speech patterns, paying attention to inconsistencies in appearance (too-perfect skin, looping backgrounds), and noting reluctance to engage in real-time video calls or off-the-cuff conversations. If suspicions arise, victims should disengage gradually using vague language rather than directly calling out the scammer, to avoid providing feedback that could help frau
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
A freelance finance writer fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam in which scammers posing as an Amazon employee, FTC official, and CIA agent convinced her to withdraw and hand over $50,000 in cash to a stranger, using threats of arrest warrants and asset freezes to manipulate her into isolation and compliance. Security experts note that professional scammers use sophisticated social engineering tactics—including fear for family safety, appeals to emotion, and knowledge of personal details like Social Security numbers—to override victims' skepticism, and that anyone, regardless of sophistication, can be targeted by such schemes.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Troy grocery store manager was charged with embezzling at least $750,000 from Fresh Thyme Market between July 2022 and November 2023 by manipulating newly installed self-checkout kiosks to which he had access. Trevor Beaver, 31, of Roseville, admitted to the theft after an audit system implemented in October 2023 revealed significant discrepancies in cash deposits, with Beaver having strategically scheduled himself as the sole manager responsible for daily cash handling. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment.
gazettengr.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven defendants across the United States and Nigeria were indicted for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $8 million between March 2018 and June 2019. The scheme involved Nigerian operators creating fake online personas to build trust with victims before requesting money under false pretenses, with many elderly victims losing their life savings and retirement funds. The defendants facilitated money laundering by establishing U.S. bank accounts to collect and distribute fraud proceeds while concealing the funds' destination and the scammers' identities.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven people were indicted on federal charges for operating a romance scam that defrauded victims of approximately $8 million between March 2018 and June 2019. The scheme, primarily operated by a Nigerian group known as the "Yahoo boys," involved creating fake online personas to build trust with victims—many of them elderly—before requesting money under false pretenses; the defendants in the U.S. (located in Texas, Canada, and Nigeria) and a group of "Utah Money Transmitters" facilitated money laundering by opening financial institution accounts to collect victim funds and distribute proceeds to the scammers overseas. Many victims lost their life savings and retirement funds in the scheme.
ncdoj.gov
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams, where criminals pose as government agencies, law enforcement, or companies to threaten victims with arrest or legal consequences, cost Americans $2.7 billion last year. The article provides protective measures against these scams, emphasizing that legitimate government officials never contact people via phone or text demanding money or personal information, and warns that requests for payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency are clear red flags indicating fraud.
kttn.com
· 2025-12-08
Four California men have been indicted for operating a nationwide tech support fraud scheme targeting elderly victims, with Yu-Chieh Huang arrested as a courier after attempting to pick up $88,000 from a Missouri couple who were told their computer contained evidence of a crime. The scam, which operated from 2020 to 2023, involved Liang Jin and Kaiyu Wen directing couriers and recruiting individuals to fraudulently open bank accounts, resulting in approximately $7 million in fraudulent transactions before authorities intervened. One suspect, Kaiyu Wen, remains at large.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Novato police arrested 40-year-old Volodymyr Pipskyy after he allegedly defrauded an elderly resident in a phone scam involving a fake "data breach" that convinced the victim to withdraw large sums of cash. When the victim's family alerted police and detectives learned a pickup was planned, they conducted surveillance and arrested Pipskyy at the victim's home on February 9. Seized electronics linked Pipskyy to scams throughout Northern California, and he is being held without bail on suspicion of conspiracy and theft by pretenses.
scdemocratonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Jeff Bank leaders discussed the rising prevalence of fraud and scams targeting their customers, particularly elderly individuals who are being defrauded of substantial sums of money. The bank has increased staff training on scam detection and conducted community outreach to vulnerable populations, while noting that scams often go undetected until money has already been sent. Common scams include the Microsoft pop-up scam, lottery fee schemes, the "grandma scam" involving emergency situations, and unsolicited requests for money through electronic channels or phone calls.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A 40-year-old man from Roseville was arrested in Novato after scamming an elderly resident by impersonating a data breach investigator and convincing the victim to withdraw large sums of cash. Police staked out the victim's home and arrested Volodymyr Pipskyy on February 9 when he arrived to collect additional money, and evidence suggests he conducted similar scams across Northern California. Pipskyy was booked into Marin County Jail on suspicion of conspiracy and theft by false pretenses and is being held without bail.
vancouver.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Port Moody police reported three "grandparent" scams in a single day in February 2024, resulting in $12,000 in losses, where callers impersonated grandchildren claiming to need money for car repairs or legal fees. Victims were instructed to withdraw cash from banks and meet the suspects in person to exchange money, with police noting an additional incident the previous week where an elderly couple lost $21,000 under similar circumstances. Law enforcement warned that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with scammers using artificial intelligence to alter voices and impersonate family members more convincingly.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Joshua DeWitt, a 38-year-old Fayette County auto dealer, was sentenced to ten months in prison for conspiring with a co-conspirator to fraudulently obtain COVID-19 relief funds by filing false applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Paycheck Protection Program loans, sometimes on behalf of customers whom he told could use the funds to purchase vehicles from his dealership. DeWitt and his partner used the fraudulently obtained pandemic benefits totaling $60,022.50 to pay for vehicles, services, and personal expenses at their used car dealership, RC Auto.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Shavonda Chambers, 43, of New Orleans was charged with wire fraud on February 8, 2024, for submitting false payroll vouchers while administering payroll at a local business to steal money from her employer. She faces up to twenty years imprisonment, fines up to $250,000 or twice the amount of losses to the victim, and mandatory supervised release. The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
In October, the author—a financially literate journalist and New York Times columnist—fell victim to an elaborate impersonation scam that cost her $50,000 in savings. After an initial fraudulent Amazon customer service call, she was transferred to a scammer posing as a federal agent who claimed her identity had been compromised and her home was being monitored, pressuring her to withdraw cash and leave it on the street in a shoebox without telling anyone. The article challenges common stereotypes about scam victims, noting that younger adults are actually 34% more likely to report fraud losses than seniors, and that intelligence, education, and financial literacy provide no protection against sophisticated psychological manipulation tactics.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to an elaborate scam that began with a fake Amazon customer service call in October 2023, escalating through impersonation of FTC and CIA officials who convinced her that her identity had been stolen and she faced arrest warrants. The scammers persuaded her to withdraw cash from her savings account and hand it to an undercover "agent" by creating an increasingly elaborate false narrative with fabricated evidence. Cowles' experience serves as a cautionary tale that fraud targets people across all demographics and education levels, countering the stereotype that only vulnerable populations fall victim to such schemes.
mediaite.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial advice columnist Charlotte Cowles lost $50,000 to a sophisticated impersonation scam that began with a fake Amazon fraud call, escalated through impersonators posing as FTC and CIA agents, and culminated in her handing cash in a shoebox to a stranger outside her Brooklyn home in October 2023. The scammers manipulated her through false claims of arrest warrants, asset seizure, and threats to her family, while instructing her to tell no one and withdraw cash from her bank. Cowles publicly disclosed the scam, acknowledging that the criminals used psychological manipulation—particularly threats involving her son—to exploit her despite her professional expertise in financial matters.
kiro7.com
· 2025-12-08
Rebecca D'Antonio lost $100,000 to a sophisticated romance scam orchestrated by an organized crime ring based in Nigeria, where a scammer posing as a Boston attorney gradually escalated requests for money through emotional manipulation and false emergencies. The FBI receives approximately 19,000 romance scam tips annually, with perpetrators operating like organized businesses using multiple people playing different roles to deceive vulnerable victims, often targeting lonely or divorced women. Experts advise never sending money to someone you haven't met in person and never sharing banking information with online contacts.
middleburgheights.com
· 2025-12-08
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley addressed Middleburg Heights Community Seniors about financial scams targeting elderly residents in Northeast Ohio, providing information on warning signs and protective measures. The presentation included a brochure detailing prominent scams affecting the region's senior population and resources for recognizing elder financial fraud and abuse.
reverejournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Revere police officers Kenan Resic and Pheachey Chhom prevented a $6,500 theft targeting a senior citizen couple through a "grandparent scam" where the perpetrator impersonated their grandson, claimed to be in jail, and requested bail money. The officers successfully identified and apprehended the courier (a hired Lyft driver) and recovered the stolen funds after the elderly couple provided vehicle information and surveillance video. The incident highlights the rising threat of elder fraud in the region, prompting the Suffolk County District Attorney's office to launch the Suffolk County Fraud Fighters program, a multi-agency initiative designed to educate and protect vulnerable residents across Boston,
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Four California men were indicted in a nationwide tech support scam targeting elderly victims, with one serving as a courier collecting cash from victims under false pretenses of criminal prosecution. The scheme defrauded victims of millions of dollars between 2020-2023, including an $88,000 loss from a Missouri couple who became suspicious and alerted police; Yu-Chieh Huang (the courier) has been arrested, Liang Jin and Tsz Yin Kan have been apprehended, and Kaiyu Wen remains at large.
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
A journalist who lost $50,000 to an imposter scam in October shares lessons learned about sophisticated fraud tactics, interviewing victims and experts to understand how scams work. The article explains that anyone can be vulnerable to scams regardless of prior caution, and details how scammers use tactics like spoofed calls from government agencies, appeals to authority, and publicly available personal information to establish credibility and manipulate victims. Key prevention strategies include not answering calls from unknown numbers, recognizing fear-based and opportunity-based scam categories, and understanding that scammers exploit hardwired instincts to trust authority figures.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud, with imposter scams being the most prevalent, affecting nearly 854,000 people and resulting in $2.7 billion in losses at an average of $800 per victim. Imposter scams involve criminals posing as trusted entities (government agencies, companies, relatives, or romantic interests) via email, phone, text, or social media to steal money or personal information, with emerging technologies like AI and voice cloning making these frauds increasingly convincing. Older adults, particularly those 80 and over, experience significantly higher median losses ($1,450) and are particularly vulnerable to "phantom hacker" tech-