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in Scam Awareness
island.lk
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Sri Lanka are sending fraudulent text messages and making phone calls claiming to offer cash prizes, gifts, discounts, or job opportunities to trick victims into sharing personal information that could lead to financial fraud or identity theft. The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team urges the public to verify authenticity of such claims, avoid engaging with suspicious messages, and report fraudulent activity to authorities.
island.lk
· 2025-12-08
Sri Lanka's Computer Emergency Response Team warned the public about fraudulent text messages and phone calls falsely offering money, gifts, prizes, discounts, and job opportunities designed to trick victims into sharing personal information that could lead to financial fraud or identity theft. The agency urged recipients to verify authenticity and avoid engaging with suspicious messages, and encouraged reporting of fraudulent activity.
(Note: The second article about University of Peradeniya flooding is not elder fraud-related and falls outside the scope of Elderus database summarization.)
pasadenanow.com
· 2025-12-08
**Disaster Recovery Insurance Scam Alert**
Following the Eaton Fire, city officials warned homeowners of increased scam targeting through unsolicited door-to-door visits, phone calls, and emails, with scammers impersonating insurance adjusters and exploiting vulnerable disaster victims. The California Department of Insurance advises survivors to verify adjuster credentials through their official website, carefully review contracts, and understand fee structures before signing any agreements. Residents can report suspected scams by calling (626) 744-4241.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old Bengaluru man lost Rs 2.8 crore in November-December 2024 after scammers posing as Citibank representatives contacted him via WhatsApp and sent him a free Redmi smartphone and SIM card, claiming he needed to update his phone number to activate a credit card. Once the victim set up the compromised device and entered his banking details, pre-installed malware allowed the fraudsters to clone his sensitive information, bypass security measures, and transfer the funds without authorization. The article advises never trusting unsolicited device offers, avoiding sharing banking details with unknown callers, being cautious of WhatsApp communications from
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This article outlines seven AI-powered scams that are becoming increasingly difficult to detect: voice cloning, deepfake impersonation, investment fraud, phishing, romance scams, and others. The article explains how scammers use AI technology to create convincing fake voices, videos, and messages to manipulate victims into sending money, revealing personal data, or clicking malicious links. It provides practical prevention tips for each scam type, including verifying caller identities with security questions, scrutinizing video quality and facial movements in deepfakes, verifying investment advisors, and avoiding suspicious links and downloads.
chinadailyhk.com
· 2025-12-08
Hong Kong authorities are implementing anti-fraud measures targeting mainland students after an 18-year-old University of Hong Kong student lost HK$9.2 million ($1.18 million) to phone scammers posing as government officials in a money laundering scheme. New requirements include mandatory fraud prevention questionnaires for mainland students applying to study in Hong Kong, anti-scam lectures, and educational kits, with over 60 HKU students having lost more than HK$60 million to various scams recently. Multiple Hong Kong universities have adopted mandatory anti-fraud quizzes and questionnaires, with early results showing reduced fraud victimization rates among students who
koamnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
**Online Romance Scams Warning (January 20, 2025)**
The Better Business Bureau issued a warning to consumers about online romance scams. The alert advises awareness of this fraud scheme, though the article excerpt provided does not contain specific details about affected victims, dollar amounts, or particular incidents.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A French woman named Anne lost $850,000 to a romance scammer who used AI-generated deepfake images of Brad Pitt to pose as the actor on Facebook Messenger beginning in 2023. The scammer initially pretended to be Pitt's mother, then Pitt himself, and manipulated Anne with promises of love and marriage while requesting money for fabricated financial troubles and cancer treatment, ultimately leading her to divorce her millionaire husband. Experts warn that AI-enabled romance scams are increasingly common and effective because they target emotional vulnerabilities rather than logical reasoning, with victims often overlooking red flags in their desire for companionship and connection.
mainstreetdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the IRS reported $5.5 billion in losses to tax fraud schemes, with criminals exploiting online tax filing through various scams including tax avoidance promises, refund fraud, IRS impersonation threats, filing support fraud, social media schemes, and recovery scams targeting previous victims. The IRS advises taxpayers to file early, create verified accounts with Identity Protection PINs, wait for official mail before responding to any IRS communications, and practice strong cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive information from increasingly sophisticated AI-enhanced scams.
ccn.com
· 2025-12-08
Memecoin farm scams exploit investor excitement and FOMO by using deceptive tactics such as fake success stories, inflated metrics, bogus celebrity endorsements, and rug pulls to attract victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. Scammers target inexperienced investors through pressure tactics, fake private investment groups, and rebranded failed projects, often resulting in devastating financial losses. Users can protect themselves by recognizing warning signs including unrealistic profit promises, lack of security audits, opaque operations, and artificial urgency.
cityofpasadena.net
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:** Disaster victims are at risk of fraud from scammers posing as contractors, adjusters, or repair workers who contact them via door-to-door visits, phone calls, or emails. Survivors should verify any adjuster's credentials through the California Department of Insurance website, carefully review contracts, and understand fee structures before signing, with a dedicated hotline (626-744-4241) available to report suspected fraud.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
An uptick in jury duty scams has been reported across multiple U.S. locations, where scammers impersonate court officials or police officers and threaten victims with fines or arrest for allegedly missing jury duty, demanding immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers. Incidents have been documented in Elkhart County, Indiana and Hopkinsville, Kentucky, with authorities emphasizing that legitimate courts communicate about jury duty through official mail only and never solicit payments or personal information by phone or email. Citizens should verify caller claims independently, avoid immediate payments, and report suspicious calls to local law enforcement or the court clerk's office.
manchesterjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Vermont's Attorney General reported 3,533 scam reports in 2024, with "Computer Tech Support" scams leading at nearly 30% of reports—a position it has held for four consecutive years—followed by identity theft and law enforcement imposter scams. Email extortion scams made a concerning return after a four-year absence, now featuring screen-captured images of victims' homes to increase pressure for compliance. The state is strengthening consumer protection by merging its scam alert system with Vermont's existing emergency alert infrastructure, which will reach approximately 72,000 users and offer real-time notifications to help residents identify and avoid fraud.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over $9.1 billion in tax fraud and financial crimes in 2024, with scams expected to peak during the 2025 tax-filing season. Common tactics include scammers impersonating IRS agents or tax preparers to claim taxpayers owe additional taxes or are due larger refunds, with threats of arrest or requests for bank details to steal information. Retired taxpayers and those nearing retirement are frequent targets, and experts recommend taking time to verify communications and avoiding pressure from scammers rather than responding immediately.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Chris Pielli and the Housing Authority of Chester County hosted an educational "Scam Jam" program featuring experts from law enforcement and banking agencies to inform residents about common fraud schemes targeting seniors. The program highlighted various scams including grandparent scams using emotional manipulation and AI voice mimicry, elder financial abuse by caregivers, romance scams, and phishing schemes like fake EZ Pass notifications, emphasizing that scammers exploit social media information and that even intelligent people can be deceived.
edmondlifeandleisure.com
· 2025-12-08
**Title:** Get Ready for Scams in the Digital Age
Adults aged 60 and older reported over 100,000 complaints to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center in 2023, resulting in losses exceeding $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022. Common scams targeting seniors include phishing, Medicare and health insurance fraud, and tech support scams. Protection strategies include staying skeptical of unexpected communications, avoiding sharing personal information online, monitoring finances for unauthorized activity, and reporting suspected fraud immediately to relevant authorities including the FTC, Medicare, or financial institutions.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance fraud—where scammers impersonate celebrities or create fake identities to build trust with victims before demanding money—is a rapidly growing crime, with the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau reporting 8,792 cases and losses exceeding £94.7 million in the past year. A notable case involved a 53-year-old French woman defrauded of £700,000 over 18 months by someone posing as Brad Pitt, with fraudsters typically spending about a year building trust before requesting funds through pretexts like medical emergencies or investment opportunities. Authorities note that romance fraud is heavily under-reported due to victim shame, though early reporting without alert
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
A 78-year-old Auckland man lost nearly $50,000 in a romance scam after being contacted by a woman who promised financial gains through cryptocurrency trading investments. The scammer built trust over six months through online messaging and occasional video calls, making false promises to visit and guaranteeing investment returns, before convincing the victim to transfer funds via crypto machines to evade bank detection. The victim made initial profits on a few trades but ultimately lost approximately $133,000 USD in a single failed transaction, with New Zealand authorities unable to recover the funds.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 53-year-old French woman lost €830,000 to Nigerian scammers who used AI-generated photos to impersonate actor Brad Pitt and convince her they were in a romantic relationship, claiming the actor needed money for medical treatment. The case highlights how Nigerian internet fraudsters, known as "Yahoo Boys," are adopting AI and deepfake technology to conduct romance scams, a tactic experts warn could significantly increase the effectiveness and prevalence of such fraud schemes.
koamnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warned people to watch for romance scams during Valentine's Day, noting that scammers use online dating and social media platforms to target people seeking romantic relationships; regional BBB director Pamela Hernandez advised consumers to be aware of red flags when interacting with potential romantic partners online.
wccbcharlotte.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Catfish released a list of the 100 most commonly used fake photos in romance scams ahead of Valentine's Day 2025, based on analysis of 1.5 million reverse image searches. Romance scams cost Americans $1.14 billion in 2023, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes; North Carolina saw 453 victims lose $16.8 million in 2023. The company recommends verifying identities through reverse image searches, avoiding sending money to online contacts, using video chats, and being wary of rapid declarations of love or claims involving military service or overseas living.
olathereporter.com
· 2025-12-08
Russell Rahm, 54, of Olathe, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his central role in what prosecutors describe as the largest elder fraud conspiracy in U.S. history, involving over 60 defendants and 100,000 victims who were defrauded of more than $300 million over 24 years through telemarketing scams. As owner and CEO of Kansas-based companies including Subscription Ink Co. and Millennium Marketing, Rahm orchestrated fraudulent magazine sales schemes using deceptive scripts targeting vulnerable and elderly consumers, personally collecting approximately $103 million from victims; he has been ordered to pay $110 million in restitution. The
tcpalm.com
· 2025-12-08
Two individuals were arrested as "couriers" in gold bar scams that defrauded at least three Indian River Shores residents of nearly $2 million in early 2024. The scams involved fake government officials calling victims and instructing them to purchase gold bars, which couriers then collected in person; one 77-year-old woman lost $156,000 across two separate meetings, handing over gold bars worth approximately $72,904 and $83,000. Rakeshbhai Harshadbhai Patel, 35, was arrested in January 2025, and Syed Makki, 36, was arrested in Colorado and awaits ext
newsbug.info
· 2025-12-08
Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational presentation by DeMotte police on January 8 covering elder financial abuse, which costs seniors over $3 billion annually with more than 13% of American elders victimized yearly. The presentation outlined eleven common scam types targeting seniors (including grandparent scams, charity fraud, identity theft, and tech support scams), noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women living alone, face the highest risk and that underreporting remains severe due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Key protective measures include monthly financial monitoring, verifying requests by calling contacts directly, reporting fraud to the FTC, and consulting trusted advisors before financial decisions.
10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ohio woman lost nearly $5,000 in a "mule scam" after being hired by fraudulent company "Skyline Deliveries" to print shipping labels and return packages for promised monthly payments that were never deposited. The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio warns job seekers applying for remote work to watch for red flags such as upfront payment requests and vague job responsibilities, as scammers use these employment schemes to recruit people to unknowingly transport stolen merchandise.
sooleader.com
· 2025-12-08
The Michigan State Police Alpena Post issued a warning about rising online and phone scams, noting that the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received 880,418 complaints with losses exceeding $12.5 billion in 2023. Common scams reported locally include computer antivirus pop-up scams requesting financial information or remote access, and threatening extortion emails demanding payment via bitcoin or gift cards. The MSP advised citizens never to make payments through cash apps or gift cards to unknown sources, never share banking information over the phone, and never click links in suspicious emails.
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
Following California wildfires, the Better Business Bureau warns of donation scams targeting well-meaning donors who want to help disaster victims. To protect themselves, donors should research charities for specific details about their aid efforts, verify organizations through official websites, and watch for red flags such as vague language and AI-generated images on charity sites.
weau.com
· 2025-12-08
Local banks in Eau Claire, Wisconsin are warning consumers about QR code scams, where fraudsters place fake sticker overlays on legitimate codes or create counterfeit codes that direct users to malicious websites. Banks advise consumers to inspect QR codes for stickers, verify the destination link before clicking, avoid sharing personal information with unknown sources, and contact their banker if suspicious activity occurs. Business owners are encouraged to regularly review and update their QR codes to ensure they direct to correct websites.
gilavalleycentral.net
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the IRS reported $5.5 billion in losses to tax fraud schemes, with criminals employing increasingly sophisticated tactics including tax avoidance scams, refund fraud, impersonation of IRS officials, fake filing support, social media schemes, and recovery scams targeting previous victims. The IRS advises taxpayers to file early, establish verified IRS accounts with Identity Protection PINs, wait for official mail-based communication, use strong cyber hygiene practices, and report any suspected fraud to protect against these evolving threats.
army.mil
· 2025-12-08
A fraudulent event was falsely advertised as a Fort Stewart small business conference scheduled for August 2025, with scammers requesting participation fees. The Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) cautioned that they do not charge fees for legitimate small business events and advised verifying event authenticity through official MICC channels, social media, and sam.gov announcements.
mainlinemedianews.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Chris Pielli and the Housing Authority of Chester County hosted a "Scam Jam" educational program featuring experts from state and local law enforcement to help residents identify and avoid fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly seniors. The program covered multiple scam types including grandparent scams using emotional triggers, caregiver fraud involving isolated victims, romance scams, and impersonation schemes that exploit technology and social media information.
ricemedia.co
· 2025-12-08
A 24-year-old Singaporean student and part-time videographer named Leo lost approximately $1,000 to a job scam that promised quick cash for watching and liking TikTok videos. The scam began with small legitimate-seeming payments of $30-$50, but escalated into repeated demands for "admin fees" ranging from $20 to $350, ultimately leaving Leo unable to recover owed payments when he questioned the scheme. The incident exemplifies a broader pattern of job scams targeting financially struggling Singaporeans seeking side income, exploiting their vulnerability during economic hardship and leaving victims dealing with financial loss, shame, and psychological distress.
wnyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A Glenmont man's Facebook account was hacked during the holidays, and scammers used it to post fake Buffalo Bills season ticket listings. A Slingerlands woman, believing she was messaging her Facebook friend, sent $880 total through Apple Cash and bank transfer ($380, $500, and $300 for supposed parking and transfer fees) before becoming suspicious when the Bills box office confirmed they don't charge transfer fees. The victim filed a police report and is disputing the charges with her bank, while the account owner reported the incident to the FTC and New York Attorney General's Office.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Beauty expert Molly fell victim to a sophisticated Amazon account scam in which a caller impersonating an Amazon fraud team member placed multiple iPhone 16 orders in her basket to establish credibility, then requested a one-time verification code to "close" her account—a tactic designed to gain unauthorized access. After the scammer hung up mid-call, the fraudulent orders disappeared, forcing Molly to cancel all her bank cards and change her passwords as a precaution. The incident highlights how scammers can manipulate even security-conscious individuals by exploiting trust and urgency, prompting wider awareness among social media users who shared similar experiences.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Winkler Police Report documented three fraud incidents during the holiday season: a male resident lost money to an online investment scam after downloading a fraudulent app and providing sensitive personal information; an elderly woman was targeted in a grandparent scam where a caller claimed to be her grandson needing bail money and fraudulently accessed her bank account; and another male victim sent multiple payments to a scammer posing as a lawyer who promised to recover funds from a fraudulently opened Bitcoin account. Police advised victims to report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, contact their banks, and protect their personal information to prevent further losses.
seacoastonline.com
· 2025-12-08
In Hampton, residents lost approximately $1 million to phone, email, text, and social media scams over a 13-month period ending January 2025, with many involving cryptocurrency. Police Chief Alex Reno noted that reported losses likely represent only a fraction of actual fraud losses, as victims often do not report incidents due to embarrassment.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency ATM scams are rising, with criminals exploiting poorly regulated "crypto kiosks" to steal hundreds of millions of dollars annually by tricking victims into depositing cash via fraudulent QR codes. In 2023, the FBI recorded over 5,500 crypto kiosk complaints totaling $189 million in losses, with North Dakota alone losing more than $6 million. North Dakota House Bill 1447, which passed both chambers and awaits the governor's signature, would establish consumer protections including operator licensing, daily transaction limits, fraud warnings, fee disclosures, and transaction receipts to help prevent these crimes and aid law enforcement investigations.
fosters.com
· 2025-12-08
Hampton residents lost nearly $1 million to phone, email, text, and social media scams over 13 months, with many involving cryptocurrency, according to Hampton Police Chief Alex Reno—though he notes this represents only reported cases. One particularly devastating case involved a "pig butchering scheme" where a resident lost $480,000 after a scammer built trust through social media before introducing a fraudulent investment opportunity. The Hampton Police Department has become New Hampshire's first law enforcement agency to open a Coinbase account to potentially freeze and recover stolen cryptocurrency, and the chief urges residents to contact police before sending money rather than after they've been victimized.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
hoodline.com
· 2025-12-08
Kaua'i County's Agency on Elderly Affairs organized an educational event on February 12 featuring Kupuna Alert Partners to teach seniors about fraud and scam prevention, including Medicare fraud, identity theft, securities fraud, and prescription drug misuse. The free community event included presentations and resource tables from multiple government agencies, with pre-registration encouraged and accessibility accommodations available upon request.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Seniors in Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia are being targeted by a fake Seniors Card scam operating through the fraudulent website www.theseniorsassistant.com, which illegally charges fees for free government services. The article also highlights other concurrent scams, including a letterbox cash collection scheme and a romance scam where an 81-year-old woman lost over $50,000 to an online fraudster after taking out a loan against her home.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this content. What you've shared appears to be a navigation menu or directory structure from a banking association website (likely the American Bankers Association), listing topic categories, conferences, training programs, and committees. It does not contain an article or narrative about a specific scam, fraud case, or elder abuse incident that would be suitable for the Elderus database.
To assist you, please provide an actual article or transcript describing a fraud case, scam, or elder abuse situation.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The American Bankers Association Foundation and U.S. Postal Inspection Service released educational infographics on money mule scams and check fraud, which have been rising in recent years. Money mule scams involve criminals using others' bank accounts to launder illegal funds, often recruited through fake job postings and online platforms, while check fraud targets businesses through stolen, altered, or counterfeit checks. Both organizations provided consumer and business protection recommendations, including monitoring accounts, avoiding unofficial money transfers, limiting access to sensitive information, and using bank fraud prevention services.
kcrg.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot summarize this content for the Elderus database, as this appears to be a news feed or bulletin board containing general community announcements (football coaching, Christmas events, library programs, and a senior living facility open house) rather than an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. Please provide an article relevant to elder fraud, scams, or abuse for summarization.
gmanetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) warns that Filipino victims of romance scams are expected to increase during February, with up to 15 people falling victim daily, as scammers exploit the emotional nature and financial stability of Filipinos through fake online relationships before requesting money. A case study features "Juliet," a former overseas worker who was targeted by someone posing as a Norwegian man who extracted personal information and attempted to pressure her into borrowing money from her employer. The CICC advises people to watch for red flags including overly perfect profile pictures, refusal to video call, requests for money or investments, and long-distance relationships with foreign
citybeat.com
· 2025-12-08
Pamela Moore, a 66-year-old grandmother with no prior criminal record, was sentenced to 24 months in prison in August 2024 for money laundering related to online romance scams. Between 2020 and 2023, Moore's bank accounts received over $8 million in criminally derived funds from romance scammers nationwide, and she personally converted approximately $1.7 million to Bitcoin at the scammers' direction. Moore herself had initially lost six figures to the same scammers after becoming emotionally vulnerable following her husband's death in 2015, eventually being manipulated into laundering their illicit proceeds through a fraudulent shell company.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 70,000 people reported romance scams to the FTC in 2022, losing a total of $1.3 billion with an average loss of $4,400. A notable case involved a French woman who lost €830,000 ($865,000) to a scammer impersonating Brad Pitt over an 18-month period, who used AI-generated images of the actor in a hospital to convince her he needed money for cancer treatment. The article advises families to watch for warning signs like sudden mood changes or secretive behavior in loved ones, and recommends approaching suspected victims with gentle questions rather than accusations, as confrontation can actually strengthen the scammer's control over
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
A French woman in her 50s named Anne lost €830,000 ($1.2 million) to romance scammers who impersonated Brad Pitt using AI-generated fake photos, resulting in three suicide attempts and public harassment after her story aired on French television. Romance fraud is an emotional manipulation scam where fraudsters build trust through fake online relationships before soliciting money, often targeting highly educated individuals and affecting both men and women equally. Research shows victims are not lacking in judgment but rather psychologically vulnerable people seeking emotional connection, making them susceptible to the predictable scam pattern of initial contact, platform switching, excuses to avoid meetings, trust-building through "love bombing," and escalating
cxtoday.com
· 2025-12-08
A CloudSek study found that Zendesk's free trial offering is vulnerable to abuse by scammers who create fake brand-impersonating subdomains to conduct phishing attacks and "pig butchering" investment scams. The research identified several cases over six months where Zendesk clients were targeted by fraudulent domains, demonstrating how attackers could exploit the platform's lack of email verification to deceive employees into clicking malicious links or revealing sensitive data. The report recommends blacklisting unverified Zendesk instances, using detection tools to identify suspicious subdomains, and implementing employee phishing awareness training to mitigate the risk.
coinbase.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with reported losses tripling between 2020 and 2023 to reach over $220 million in the first half of 2024. Common red flags include unsolicited job offers, requests for upfront payments, overpayment schemes involving fake checks, and cryptocurrency payment requests, with "task scams" accounting for nearly 40% of job scam reports in 2024. To protect yourself, verify employer credentials through official channels, avoid sharing sensitive information, use reputable job boards, and report suspicious activity to authorities like the FTC.