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secretservice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering is a billion-dollar cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme where scammers build trust with victims—often through fake romantic relationships on dating apps or unsolicited social media contact—and convince them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency projects that promise high returns. Victims are gradually encouraged to transfer increasing amounts of money until they suffer financial ruin, with the scammer disappearing once substantial funds have been obtained. To protect yourself, avoid unsolicited investment advice from online contacts, verify investment legitimacy through regulatory authorities, never share personal financial information with people you haven't met in person, and be suspicious of projects with guaranteed high returns or romantic interests who refuse to meet in person or appear on video calls.
press-herald.com
· 2025-12-08
A call forwarding scam targets banking customers by impersonating financial institutions and tricking victims into activating call forwarding codes (*72 or *401) that redirect incoming calls to scammers, who then intercept sensitive account information. To protect against this increasingly common fraud, consumers should never enter forwarding codes on unsolicited calls, avoid sharing account information over the phone, verify caller identity independently, monitor accounts for suspicious activity, and hang up and call their bank directly using trusted contact information when something seems suspicious.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued guidance on avoiding emergency repair scams during extreme cold weather, warning that fraudsters exploit urgent situations like burst pipes and broken furnaces to deceive homeowners. The advisory recommends verifying contractor credentials, obtaining multiple written estimates, checking references and online reviews, and avoiding payment demands upfront or in cash before hiring any professional. Victims of repair scams can file complaints with the Michigan Attorney General's office through multiple channels.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Following Southern California wildfires, the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation warns consumers to avoid scams targeting disaster victims, particularly deed-transfer foreclosure schemes, intentional default fraud, and advance-fee loan modification scams. The DFPI advises homeowners to contact their mortgage servicer directly or a HUD-certified counselor for legitimate relief options, and urges all consumers to verify company licensing before borrowing or investing. Residents can report complaints to the DFPI at dfpi.ca.gov or call 866-275-2677.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that phishing emails using urgent language like "act fast" are increasingly common red flags for scams, particularly those impersonating disaster relief charities or celebrities to solicit donations—with over 4,500 complaints reporting $96 million in losses to fraudulent charities and relief campaigns in 2024. The agency advises recipients to avoid clicking links or opening attachments from unknown senders, verify URLs and email addresses for errors, and never provide usernames or passwords to unsolicited messages. AI-powered scams are making fraud more sophisticated and believable, including romance schemes and impersonation scams that have cost victims thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
pandasecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
A French woman, Anne, lost approximately $850,000 in an 18-month romance scam in which a cybercriminal impersonated Brad Pitt and his mother on Instagram, using AI-generated fake images to build an emotional relationship and eventually convince her to fund fake medical and legal expenses. After discovering the deception when the real Brad Pitt appeared at the 2024 Venice Film Festival, Anne reported the crime and shared her story publicly to raise awareness, but subsequently suffered severe cyberbullying and depression. The case highlights the prevalence of romance scams, which cost victims over a billion dollars in 2023, and demonstrates how fraudsters exploit emotional vulnerability and celebrity admiration to manipulate
sierradailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An Alturas resident fell victim to a sophisticated Publishers Clearing House (PCH) sweepstakes scam after receiving a fraudulent letter claiming he had won $750,000 and instructing him to deposit an enclosed check to cover processing fees. Once the victim deposited the fake check, scammers gained access to his bank account and withdrew funds before the check's fraudulent nature was discovered. Authorities warn residents to never deposit unsolicited checks, verify prize claims directly with organizations, and report suspicious communications to the FTC and local law enforcement.
substack.com
· 2025-12-08
A Twitter/X account holder was compromised after falling for a phishing scam involving a fake copyright infringement notice email that mimicked official platform communications. The attacker gained access by trick the user into logging through a fraudulent form, then locked them out by adding themselves as a delegate account manager—a feature that persists even after password changes and two-factor authentication is disabled. The victim was unable to regain control despite attempting platform support, which provided only automated responses and could not resolve the issue due to the delegation exploit.
etedge-insights.com
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old technology professional in Bengaluru lost ₹2.8 crore to a sophisticated "free gift" scam in which a fraudster posed as a bank representative and delivered a smartphone preloaded with malicious software and a cloning app. After the victim inserted his SIM card, scammers gained remote access to his device, altered his bank account's registered mobile number, and siphoned funds from his fixed deposits. The article advises protecting against such scams by verifying unsolicited offers through official channels, inspecting unexpected devices before use, enabling two-factor authentication, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The American Bankers Association Foundation launched its 2025 financial education campaigns as part of a three-year commitment to reach five million Americans, celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary. The Foundation's four national initiatives—Teach Children to Save, Get Smart About Credit, Safe Banking for Seniors, and Lights, Camera, Save!—provide free resources to banks and their employees, with new content for 2025 including updated materials on fraud prevention, cryptocurrency investment scams, money mule scams, and check fraud. Since 2023, nearly 40,000 bank volunteers from 1,115 banks have reached 1.7 million people through these programs.
newsbug.info
· 2025-12-08
Oak Grove Christian Retirement Village hosted an educational program featuring DeMotte police officials who presented information on elder financial abuse, which affects over 13% of American seniors annually and costs victims more than $3 billion yearly. The presentation covered eleven common scam types targeting seniors—including grandparent scams, charity fraud, phishing, and tax scams—while noting that victims aged 80-89, particularly women and those living alone, are most vulnerable, and that only 1 in 44 incidents are reported due to embarrassment and fear of losing independence. Attendees learned protective strategies such as verifying requests before sending money, monitoring financial statements, and reporting scams to the FTC or calling
wfsb.com
· 2025-12-08
"Brushing" scams involve criminals sending unsolicited packages to consumers' addresses, often with QR codes that may contain malware or lead to personal information theft, while also using the shipment to write fake reviews under the recipient's name. The Better Business Bureau warns that consumers should avoid scanning QR codes on unexpected packages and report unordered items through Amazon's "report unsolicited packages" feature to prevent fraudsters from creating fake reviews that mislead other shoppers.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are sending text messages to people across the United States claiming they owe money for unpaid tolls, attempting to trick victims into revealing their banking information. Authorities have issued a warning about this scam as part of broader efforts to alert the public to fraudulent toll-related schemes.
nbc-2.com
· 2025-12-08
Florida drivers are being targeted by a phishing scam via text message impersonating SunPass, the state's electronic toll collection system, which falsely claims unpaid tolls are due by January 21, 2025, and threatens late fees and legal action to pressure recipients into clicking a malicious link. The scam is designed to steal personal information or money, and SunPass does not typically send unsolicited text payment demands; recipients should ignore the link and instead verify account information directly through the official SunPass website or customer service. Those who receive the fraudulent message should report it to their mobile carrier, the FTC, or Florida's Attorney General.
eagletimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as Eversource energy company representatives are targeting customers in New Hampshire with threats to disconnect power unless they make immediate payments, using scare tactics to pressure victims into handing over money or personal information. Eversource and local police warn that the company never demands instant payment over the phone, requests gift cards or prepaid cards, or asks for personal information in unsolicited communications. Residents are advised to hang up on suspicious callers, verify requests through official company channels, and report incidents to local police.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns of four common tax season scams: tax identity theft through phishing and data breaches, email phishing impersonating the IRS, IRS impersonation via spoofed phone calls demanding payment under threats of arrest, and fraudulent "ghost" tax preparers who charge high fees and disappear. According to the IRS, taxpayers lost $5.5 billion to tax scams and fraud in 2023, and the BBB recommends verifying businesses, using personal accounts for deposits, and filing early to protect against these schemes.
lamilano.it
· 2025-12-08
The Municipality of Bari approved the "Prevention of Fraud against the Elderly 2025" project, funded by the Ministry of the Interior with €60,532, to protect the over-65 population (approximately 75,000 residents) from scams via phone, in-person, and online. The initiative includes the "I won't fall for it" awareness campaign, a network of "Security Sentinels" for listening and support, and information distribution through community centers, banks, and other local organizations.
stomp.straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Two elderly victims lost a combined $5.9 million ($1 million and $4.9 million) in December 2024 to scammers who impersonated overseas police officers in a multi-step scheme involving fake telecom officials, forged documents, and local cash mules. The scammers convinced victims their phone numbers were involved in criminal activity abroad, then posed as foreign law enforcement to pressure them into withdrawing cash for "safekeeping." Singapore police clarified that foreign law enforcement cannot conduct investigations in Singapore and that local police never request cash withdrawals or send identification card images for verification.
weare.sa.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
A scam website called "The Seniors Assistant" fraudulently charges South Australian seniors a fee to apply for the legitimate SA Seniors Card, which is always provided free by the government. Victims should immediately contact their bank and report the fraud to Scamwatch and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, while seniors are advised to verify they are using the official website (www.seniorscard.sa.gov.au) before applying.
columbusjewishnews.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you providing this text, but this content is not relevant to the Elderus fraud research database. The article excerpt contains a legal dismissal, nonprofit fundraising advice, and an obituary—none of which involve scams, fraud, elder abuse, or elder exploitation.
For Elderus summaries, please provide articles or transcripts related to elder fraud schemes (such as romance scams, tech support fraud, investment fraud), financial exploitation, abuse, or scam awareness/prevention advice targeting older adults.
today.westlaw.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old New Jersey woman filed a lawsuit against Athena Bitcoin Inc., a bitcoin ATM operator, alleging the company failed to implement adequate safeguards against impersonation scams targeting seniors. In September 2024, Karen Carew was defrauded by a scammer posing as a Microsoft employee and deposited $39,300 across four Athena ATMs using QR codes; Athena retained $10,060 (over 25%) in fees from the fraudulent transactions. The lawsuit seeks to represent a class of scam victims and alleges the company knowingly facilitated "immediate, untraceable and irreversible" transactions while prof
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Halifax police issued warnings about two suspects involved in multiple "grandparent scams" targeting seniors in the area, where callers impersonated arrested family members and demanded bail money, arranging to collect cash in person or via mail. Police emphasize that law enforcement and court officials never collect bail money at residences and urge seniors to hang up on such calls, avoid providing personal information, and verify caller identity before responding to money requests.
lawsociety.ie
· 2025-12-08
A webinar on financial crime in Ireland's banking sector revealed that fraud sophistication is increasing, particularly psychological scams like romance fraud where criminals create fake identities to exploit victims. Experts highlighted that fraudsters increasingly target consumers directly rather than banks, making money recovery difficult once funds are transferred, and recommended that financial institutions implement better detection systems, educate the public, and foster organizational cultures prioritizing financial crime awareness. The webinar also discussed regulatory challenges, noting that while some funds may be recoverable through card transactions, recovery options are limited for authorized payments made through apps or online banking.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Namibia's former First Lady Monica Geingos issued a public warning after scammers used manipulated videos and fake social media accounts impersonating her to defraud victims into investing in fraudulent forex schemes, with at least one person losing her entire retirement savings. The deepfake and voice-cloning scam has been ongoing for nearly two years and has worsened significantly in recent months, with fake accounts proliferating across TikTok, Instagram, and X using her image and similar-sounding voice to solicit money. Cyber-security experts note this type of celebrity impersonation scam is widespread across Africa and globally, with scammers exploiting the public's trust in well-
studyfinds.org
· 2025-12-08
A French woman in her 50s lost €830,000 ($1.2 million) to scammers posing as actor Brad Pitt using AI-generated fake photos, resulting in her financial ruin and three suicide attempts. The article details how romance fraud operates through a predictable pattern—fake profiles on dating sites, building trust through "love bombing," and escalating money requests—and notes that victims are often highly educated people seeking emotional connection rather than lacking judgment. Research indicates romance fraud affects both men and women globally, with Canadian authorities reporting 420 cases in 2022 resulting in $59 million in losses.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams using AI and deepfake technology are among the most prevalent forms of fraud in 2024, with Floridians reporting approximately 35,000 complaints to the FTC between January and September. Scammers impersonate government officials, celebrities, and tech support representatives to steal money and personal information through spoofed calls, texts, emails, and convincing video calls. The article provides red flags to recognize these scams—such as demands for cryptocurrency payments, unsolicited security alerts, and threats of arrest—and advises victims to report incidents to law enforcement or the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline.
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru-based chartered accountant lost Rs 23.20 lakh in a stock investment scam that used deepfake videos of billionaires Mukesh Ambani, Narayana Murthy, and Sudha Murty to appear legitimate. After encountering the manipulated videos on Facebook in October 2024, the victim provided personal details, registered on a fraudulent website, and made multiple transfers between October and December 2024, only to be denied withdrawal requests and asked for additional payments. Police registered the case in January 2025 and are investigating the money trail and tracing the involved banks.
arynews.tv
· 2025-12-08
A 60-year-old IT expert in Bengaluru lost Rs90 million (approximately Rs28 million according to conversion noted in the article) after falling victim to a free mobile phone scam where he purchased a SIM card to receive a "free" phone that was pre-loaded with malware and spyware. The scammer used the infected device to steal the victim's banking credentials, OTPs, and passwords, then drained his accounts—a fraud he only discovered when his bank called to alert him.
nwmissourinews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating Evergy electric utility have targeted Nodaway County residents since January, calling from cloned numbers and threatening immediate service disconnection unless customers purchase prepaid cards from Walmart to pay bills. Evergy warns that legitimate utility companies never demand immediate payment through gift cards, prepaid cards, or other untraceable methods, and advises customers to verify calls by contacting the company directly and avoiding suspicious links and emails. The scams particularly target vulnerable populations including elderly customers, and victims should report fraud to their bank and the utility company immediately.
kcentv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Temple Police Department is hosting a free Senior Scam Awareness Session on February 5 to educate community members about common scams targeting seniors, including Microsoft scams, IRS tax scams, Social Security/Medicare scams, and phishing schemes that typically request payment via prepaid cards, Bitcoin, or wire transfers. The session provides practical advice such as never sharing financial information with unverified callers, verifying contacts directly with banks, and checking official government websites for scam alerts. The event is open to all community members and aims to increase awareness of prevalent online and phone fraud tactics in Central Texas.
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
A fraudulent website called "The Seniors Assistant" has been scamming seniors in South Australia, Queensland, and Victoria by charging fees for assistance with obtaining a free Seniors Card application, which legitimate government services never request. Authorities warn seniors that official Seniors Card applications are always free and legitimate government websites end in .gov.au, and advise anyone who has paid a scammer to contact their bank and report the incident to Scamwatch immediately.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
KBWB Operations LLC (doing business as Atrium Health and Senior Living) and its former CEO Kevin Breslin pleaded guilty to health care fraud and tax conspiracy for operating 23 skilled nursing facilities in Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Michigan from 2015-2018. The defendants unlawfully diverted Medicare and Medicaid funds intended for resident care to personal expenses and owner distributions, failed to pay vendors and employee insurance premiums, and directed withheld employee taxes not to be paid to the IRS. Breslin faces up to 10 years in prison for health care fraud and five years for tax conspiracy, with both defendants subject to restitution and sentencing scheduled for May 7
ladailypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Los Alamos is launching the S.A.F.E. (Scam Awareness For Elders) initiative, a community-wide effort to combat the rising prevalence of scams targeting elderly residents. The program, supported by a $9,000 grant from the Non-Metro New Mexico Agency on Aging, will provide educational programs, training workshops, and outreach activities, including a kickoff event on January 29 featuring an FBI presentation on scam prevention. Planned activities include a February workshop on romance scams and a monthly book club beginning in March to help older adults recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes.
theregister.com
· 2025-12-08
A six-nation law enforcement coalition (including China, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam) claims progress in dismantling cyber-scam labor camps across Southeast Asia, reporting 70,000 arrests and over 160 people freed in 2024. These camps operate as forced labor schemes where victims are lured with fake job offers in tech support or call centers, have their passports confiscated, and are forced to run scams (particularly romance and tech support schemes) to pay off mounting debts; an estimated 100,000 Chinese citizens have been victimized, with workers from Brazil and other countries also rescued from facilities in Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos,
e.vnexpress.net
· 2025-12-08
A Lafayette, Louisiana woman lost over $60,000 in a romance scam involving deepfake technology on Threads, where a scammer impersonated Elon Musk using AI-generated voice and video in fake video chats. The victim was manipulated into purchasing gift cards at multiple locations and eventually sending thousands of dollars after being promised a Tesla and falsely told a FedEx truck had crashed. Authorities could not recover the funds since they were voluntarily sent, and experts urge people to verify suspicious online relationships and watch for warning signs in loved ones.
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-08
South Florida residents received phishing text messages claiming unpaid toll deadlines and threatening late fees or legal action, with fake links mimicking SunPass (a toll agency) to steal banking information and personal data. The scam targets toll customers nationwide and uses urgency tactics to prevent victims from verifying legitimacy. Authorities advise recipients to avoid clicking links, verify messages through official SunPass channels (786727 number or official email addresses), check accounts directly on sunpass.com, and report suspected scams to their messaging app or by forwarding to 7726.
wsaw.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection outlines key strategies to prevent scams targeting older adults. While people in their 20s report scams most frequently, older adults experience the largest financial losses due to factors including unfamiliarity with technology and age-related cognitive conditions. The article recommends protecting yourself by securing social media privacy, avoiding engagement with scammers, verifying website legitimacy, and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement or DATCP, while emphasizing the importance of supporting scam victims without blame.
wkbw.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Customs and Border Protection issued a warning about two phone scams: one using spoofed Border Patrol numbers claiming the victim is in the country illegally and requesting Social Security numbers and dates of birth, and another involving scammers posing as CBP officers with pre-recorded or live calls claiming a package containing drugs and money was intercepted and requesting banking information. CBP emphasized that the agency does not solicit money or conduct enforcement over the phone, and urged residents to hang up and report such calls to the Federal Trade Commission.
democratandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Customs and Border Protection warned New Yorkers of a rise in two phone scams: one using caller ID spoofing to impersonate Border Patrol agents and claim the recipient is in the country illegally, and another using pre-recorded messages or live callers claiming drugs and money addressed to the victim have been intercepted. Both scams attempt to extract personal identifying information or banking details by pressuring victims. The agency advises residents to hang up immediately, note the caller's number, and report suspected scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Scam calls impersonating HMRC have increased by 84% since December, with fraudsters using automated messages in American-accented voices to threaten taxpayers with legal action and financial penalties ahead of the self-assessment deadline. Victims reported receiving intimidating calls claiming incorrect tax returns or demanding immediate payment, with scammers becoming aggressive when questioned. HMRC has warned the public never to share login details with unsolicited callers and provided red flags to identify fraudulent communications, noting that HMRC will never threaten legal action or arrest via voicemail.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old retired Kerala High Court judge lost over Rs 90 lakh after joining a fraudulent WhatsApp group impersonating Aditya Birla Money, where scammers promised 850% returns on investments and disappeared with his funds. According to the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Indians lost over Rs 120 crore to investment scams in Q1 2024 alone, with over 81,000 fake investment groups operating on WhatsApp. Investment scams typically involve fraudsters building trust through fake credentials, professional-looking platforms, and fabricated success stories, gradually escalating victim investments before vanishing with the funds.
startsat60.com
· 2025-12-08
A fraudulent website (www.theseniorsassistant.com) is scamming older Australians by charging fees for applications to the South Australian Seniors Card, which is always free and never requires financial or banking details. South Australian officials urged seniors to use only the official government website (www.seniorscard.sa.gov.au) and report any suspicious sites to Scamwatch, while those who have already paid are advised to contact their banks immediately.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid toll fees, impersonating legitimate services like FastTrak and EZdriveMA, to trick recipients into clicking links and entering banking or credit card information. Authorities warn that these phishing scams originate internationally (including from the Philippines) and can lead to identity theft and account compromise. To protect themselves, consumers should avoid clicking links in suspicious messages, verify the legitimacy of the sender, and report scam texts to 7726.
malaysia.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Two elderly Singaporeans lost a combined S$5.9 million in December to scammers impersonating overseas police officers who initially posed as telecommunications company officials claiming the victims' phone numbers were linked to criminal activities abroad. The scammers used fake police identification cards and forged documents delivered to victims' homes, then tricked them into withdrawing cash and handing it over to "cash mules" for safekeeping. Singapore police warned that foreign law enforcement cannot direct local residents in investigations and legitimate officers would never request cash withdrawals.
odishabytes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Odisha Crime Branch arrested two individuals from Madhya Pradesh for involvement in digital fraud schemes: Sachin Kolan was arrested for a Rs 1.06-crore digital arrest scam targeting a senior scientist in Bhubaneswar, with Rs 8.82 lakh traced to his account, and Sameer Ali was arrested for defrauding a Cuttack businessman of Rs 2.5 crore through a fake online investment scheme (TECHSTARS PRO) advertised via a WhatsApp group called Ram Investment Academy. The businessman invested Rs 2.58 crore between March and April before the scammers disappeared and demanded additional commissions to
walkermn.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams targeting Americans 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with imposter fraud rising significantly. The article provides seven protective strategies for older adults, including: ignoring unsolicited offers, avoiding suspicious links, being wary of pressure tactics, verifying remote access requests, withholding sensitive information, refusing to send money to unknown individuals, and designating a trusted contact at financial institutions.
mynorthwest.com
· 2025-12-08
Lynnwood Police arrested a 41-year-old man in California in December for allegedly stealing over $600,000 from retired victims through an impersonation scam involving fake calls from a 1-800 number posing as a U.S. Treasury Agent demanding payment. The suspect was extradited to Washington and charged with first-degree theft and first-degree criminal impersonation. Police emphasized that legitimate federal agencies never call demanding money and urged the public to hang up on such calls and report them immediately.
thefinanser.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article examines the growing scope of global fraud and scams, which cost an estimated $6 trillion annually worldwide—with businesses losing 5% of revenues and UK consumers losing £1.17 billion in 2023 alone. The piece highlights how technology and AI-generated deepfakes are enabling criminals to become more sophisticated, exemplified by a French woman who lost €775,000 (her entire divorce settlement) to a romance scam impersonating Brad Pitt using fake hospital photos and emotional manipulation. The article underscores the central challenge of digital identity: despite multiple security layers, criminals continue to exploit victims through convincing deception, with experts acknowledging they can
slguardian.org
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting new investors are rising, including pump-and-dump schemes on meme coins, romance scams (causing $185 million in losses from 2021-2022), and fraudulent investment schemes promising unrealistic returns ($575 million in losses). Protection strategies include never sending crypto to strangers, verifying contact sources before engagement, and avoiding blackmail attempts, as cryptocurrency transactions are irreversible.
dimsumdaily.hk
· 2025-12-08
An elderly man in Macao lost over HK$370,000 in an online romance scam between August 2021 and November 2022, after developing a relationship with someone posing as a Chinese American soldier and later being contacted by someone claiming to be an Indonesian lawyer. The victim was initially defrauded of HK$200,000, then lost an additional HK$25,000 in courier fees and HK$148,000 in purported legal costs when promised refunds fell through. Local law enforcement reported the case on January 24, 2025, with the investigation ongoing.