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in Romance Scams
theturtleislandnews.com
An individual in Brant County, Ontario fell victim to a romance scam that began on a dating application in April 2024, where a scammer built trust over several weeks before convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency. The victim made multiple transfers to a cryptocurrency account but was unable to recover any funds, as the scammer employed tactics such as changing phone numbers and creating new social media profiles to maintain the deception. The Brant County OPP is warning the public to exercise caution when meeting individuals online and to be skeptical of requests to switch communication platforms or invest in cryptocurrency.
bbc.co.uk
A 53-year-old woman from Norfolk lost £2,408 to a scammer impersonating musician Rag'n'Bone Man on Instagram and Telegram, who lured her in by claiming to be in love with her and pressuring her to pay for a membership card and meeting fees. The scam, which began in May after she commented on the real artist's post, exemplifies the growing problem of celebrity impersonation romance scams, where fraudsters use emotional manipulation and false urgency to extract money from victims.
ksltv.com
The Better Business Bureau Mountain West has launched the Scam Survival Kit, a toolkit designed to help scam victims access recovery resources tailored to their specific type of fraud, including identity theft, romance scams, phishing, and compromised devices. The toolkit provides step-by-step recovery plans for various situations—such as recovering fraudulently transferred funds, securing compromised devices, managing financial hardship, and accessing mental health support—to help survivors feel less isolated and connect them with available assistance.
koaa.com
Colorado Springs police report that scams are increasingly catching seniors due to both the volume of daily attempts and seniors' particular vulnerability to emotional manipulation. Victims lose anywhere from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of dollars, with romance scams proving especially devastating—one woman lost her life by suicide after being defrauded of thousands of dollars monthly by a romance scammer posing as her fiancé. Experts identify key red flags including requests for non-traditional payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency, direct bank transfers) and note that seniors' generation-based tendency to trust authority figures, combined with isolation and loneliness, makes them prime targets for scammers posing as law enforcement, banks, or tech companies.
wlwt.com
Kenton County Sheriff's Office is warning of a phone scam where callers threaten arrest for unpaid fines and claim a judge has issued a "gag order" preventing victims from reporting the call to officials. The scam has affected residents in Northern Kentucky, with one woman recently losing $9,000; law enforcement emphasized they will never call about fines or warrants and never demand payment via cash, check, gift cards, credit cards, or cryptocurrency.
cfpublic.org
Elder fraud is surging nationwide, costing seniors $3.4 billion annually, with investment scams and cryptocurrency schemes driving dramatic increases in losses. The Volusia County Sheriff's Office formed a dedicated financial fraud unit and launched awareness campaigns, including a screening of the movie "Thelma" that depicted a grandparent falling victim to an impersonation scam—a con that mirrors real schemes targeting seniors' trust and assets. In Volusia County alone, seniors lost approximately $4.6 million over the past year, with detectives recovering only $760,000 of the nearly 575 reported fraud cases.
idahocountyfreepress.com
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams—an 11% increase from 2022—with common schemes including romance fraud, fake tech support, cryptocurrency conversion, and investment scams. The Idaho Attorney General and FBI provide educational resources and warning signs (unexpected contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for untraceable payments, demands for secrecy, and too-good-to-be-true offers) to help seniors identify fraud. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to local police, the FTC, FBI's IC3, or U.S. Postal Inspection Service despite shame or embarrassment, as reporting is critical to combating senior fraud.
levittownnow.com
Pennsylvania House Bill 2064, sponsored by State Representative Joe Hogan, passed the House with bipartisan support (152-49 votes) and is headed to the Senate. The legislation aims to protect seniors from financial exploitation by requiring financial institutions and fiduciaries to report suspected abuse, temporarily halt suspicious transactions, and share information with area agencies on aging, while granting them immunity from liability. According to Hogan, tens of thousands of dollars are lost weekly to scams and fraud in Bucks County alone, making this decade-long legislative effort critical to safeguarding seniors' assets.
standard.net
This educational article explains how scammers psychologically manipulate victims by exploiting emotions like greed, fear, and need, and by impersonating trusted authorities to create artificial urgency. The piece outlines key fraudulent tactics including social engineering, building false legitimacy through fake websites and documents, and emotional manipulation, then provides protective strategies such as verifying sources independently, resisting pressure to act quickly, and maintaining healthy skepticism toward unsolicited offers.
marbleheadcurrent.org
Retired teacher Doug Fodeman and his neighbor David Deutsch have operated TheDailyScam.com for 12 years to educate people about fraud prevention, inspired after their sons were targeted by online scammers. According to the Federal Trade Commission, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with prevalent schemes including "pig butchering" text scams, fake package delivery notifications, romance and sextortion scams, and fake banking texts. Fodeman provides free weekly newsletters and resources to help people recognize and avoid these increasingly sophisticated scams.
crypto.news
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia has initiated civil forfeiture proceedings to recover $2.5 million in cryptocurrency seized from a Thailand-based perpetrator of a "pig-butchering" scam targeting American victims. Pig-butchering scams involve fraudsters establishing romantic relationships with victims to gain their trust, then pressuring them to invest in fake cryptocurrency opportunities before disappearing with the funds. U.S. authorities emphasize their commitment to holding scammers accountable and returning seized assets to victims.
pulse.ug
A Ugandan romance scammer operating under the alias "Dr. Kalvin Sofika" defrauded a 53-year-old South African police captain of approximately 600 million Ugandan shillings (R2.9 million) between September 2023 and November 2023 by posing as a medical doctor, building a romantic relationship, and manipulating her into taking out loans, consulting a traditional healer, and ultimately resigning from her position in the South African Police Service (SAPS). The scam highlights the growing sophistication of romance fraud schemes that exploit emotional manipulation and cultural beliefs, with authorities warning the public to exercise due diligence in relationships
ghanaweb.com
Between 2023 and the present, multiple Ghanaians were arrested in the United States for various crimes including romance scams (sakawa), money laundering, and gun smuggling. Notable cases include Abdul Inusah, 32, who was sentenced to two years in prison and ordered to pay $128,000 in restitution for operating romance scams that defrauded victims across multiple states using false personas, and Eric Nana Kofi Ampong Coker, who pleaded guilty to illegally exporting firearms from Maryland to Ghana without proper licensing.
asiatimes.com
Chinese-led "pig butchering" romance scams have stolen billions of dollars from an estimated 300,000 American victims, causing severe financial devastation, emotional trauma, and in extreme cases suicide, according to a US Institute of Peace report. The scams operate from compounds in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos where scammers—many from developing countries—are allegedly imprisoned and tortured by Chinese-run gangs to force their participation in the fraud scheme. The report warns this criminal industry could soon rival fentanyl as a major threat to the United States.
blocktelegraph.io
Since 2020, cryptocurrency scams have caused billions in losses to elderly victims, with crypto investment schemes defrauding victims of over $2 billion in 2022 and $4.6 billion in 2023. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics such as romance scams and impersonation schemes (posing as professors or financial advisors) to build trust before luring victims into fraudulent investments, often freezing accounts when victims attempt withdrawals. The complexity of cryptocurrency transactions and limited law enforcement resources have made fund recovery extremely difficult for victims.
nerdwallet.com
This educational article outlines key strategies for avoiding financial scams, noting that 54% of Americans have experienced scam attempts in the past two years, with 18% losing money (median loss of $325, though 32% lost $1,000 or more). Experts recommend four main protective measures: hanging up and contacting companies directly using verified numbers, enabling multifactor authentication and monitoring accounts weekly, familiarizing yourself with common scam types, and recognizing that anyone—regardless of education or income level—can fall victim to fraud.
punchng.com
Tech entrepreneur Kingsley Inegbedion was arrested and charged by the FBI for orchestrating romance scams and business email compromise schemes between April 2020 and May 2023, working with accomplice Efemena Igbe (still at large) to defraud American citizens using fake corporate entities and laundering funds through multiple accounts. The FBI is seeking restitution of funds and forfeiture of property obtained through the scheme, which involved converting stolen money into cashier's checks and cash withdrawals. The article also highlights similar cases including Nigerian crypto executive Linus Williams arrested for fraud and terrorism funding allegations, and the convictions of scammers Hushpuppi (
justice.gov
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia filed a civil forfeiture action to recover approximately $2.5 million in USDT cryptocurrency seized by the FBI from a perpetrator in Thailand who operated "pig butchering" scams targeting U.S. citizens. Pig butchering schemes involve scammers building trust with victims through online communications before manipulating them into fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes, often extracting multiple payments before victims realize they have been defrauded. The forfeiture action demonstrates law enforcement's commitment to pursuing cryptocurrency-based fraud schemes across international borders and recovering assets to compensate victims.
thewhistler.ng
Nigerian tech entrepreneur Kingsley Inegbedion was arrested by the FBI on a 16-count indictment for his alleged role in a $1.5 million fraud scheme operating from April 2020 to May 2023. Inegbedion and accomplice Efemena Igbe (still at large) operated fake corporate entities to perpetrate romance scams and business email compromise schemes targeting victims. The FBI is seeking full restitution of funds and forfeiture of all property obtained through the fraudulent operation.
tori.ng
Two individuals, Kingsley Inegbedion and Efemena Igbe, were indicted on 16 counts of money laundering and internet fraud for operating romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded American citizens of approximately $1.5 million between April 2020 and May 2023. The defendants posed as legitimate businesses, directed victims to wire money into fraudulent accounts at major banks, and quickly distributed the funds to conceal the scheme; Igbe fled to Nigeria before facing charges while Inegbedion remained to defend himself. The FBI is seeking full restitution and forfeiture of all property obtained through the fraud.
gazettengr.com
The FBI charged Nigerian tech entrepreneur Kingsley Inegbedion and Efemena Igbe with a 16-count indictment for perpetrating romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded American citizens of $1.5 million between April 2020 and May 2023. The defendants created fake corporate entities and directed victims to wire money into fraudulent bank accounts at institutions including HSBC, Citibank, and Navy Federal Credit Union, then quickly transferred funds to conceal the fraud. Igbe fled to Nigeria before charges were filed, while Inegbedion was arrested and remanded in custody; the FBI is seeking full restit
ktnv.com
A 75-year-old Las Vegas widow lost over $1.3 million (including her retirement fund, inheritance, and home valued at $600,000) to a romance scammer who impersonated a German spiritual teacher over more than two years, beginning in 2021 after her husband's death. The scammer, believed to be from Nigeria, used a fake Facebook profile with stolen photos and progressively escalated requests for money, starting with gift cards and culminating in a fake safe transport scheme, leaving Likins without utilities or adequate food. The FTC reported romance scams totaled over $1 billion in losses in 2023, and the real man whose photos were stolen reports at least
tearsheet.co
**Type:** Educational/Industry Insights
Charlie, a fintech company serving Americans 62 and older, is addressing senior financial vulnerabilities through AI-driven fraud protection and personalized banking services. The company offers features like expedited Social Security access, advanced fraud safeguards, competitive deposit rates, and age-optimized design, while exploring additional products such as consumer-friendly home equity solutions and tax-optimized asset decumulation strategies for cash-poor, house-rich retirees. CEO Kevin Nazemi emphasizes the importance of ethical AI implementation and elegant fraud prevention measures—such as their "SpeedBump" 6-hour transaction pause—that protect seniors without creating
therecord.media
Tether froze $29.62 million in stablecoins connected to Huione Guarantee, a Cambodian online marketplace that facilitates cybercriminal operations including pig butchering scams, money laundering, and trafficking-related crimes across Southeast Asia. Researchers documented $11 billion in transactions on the platform over three years, with the freeze occurring at law enforcement's request following investigations linking the marketplace to fraudulent and transnational criminal operations. The action highlights how Tether stablecoins have become the preferred cryptocurrency for regional cybercrime due to their stability and anonymity.
finextra.com
The Payment Services Regulations are shifting fraud prevention responsibility to a 50:50 liability model, requiring banks to enhance detection of Authorized Push Payment (APP) fraud, where customers are tricked into authorizing payments to fraudsters. In 2023, APP fraud resulted in £459.7 million in losses across over 232,000 UK consumers through purchase, romance, investment, and impersonation scams. Banks must transition from monitoring outbound payments to focusing on inbound transaction processing, as receiving banks have better visibility into fraudsters' accounts and can more effectively block or freeze funds in real-time payment systems.
inquirer.com
American consumers lost a record $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with seniors particularly vulnerable, losing over $3.4 billion to romance, grandparent, and technical support scams. While Congress designated May 15 as National Senior Fraud Awareness Day, the editorial argues that symbolic gestures are insufficient and calls for substantial federal funding and coordinated legislation to combat fraud, as current efforts remain disjointed and banking institutions lack adequate support to prevent these crimes.
jamaica-gleaner.com
A Jamaican banking fraud expert called for harsher prison sentences (at least 10 years) for bank employees who steal, citing a case where former National Commercial Bank employee Khadene Thomas stole $74.5 million from three customers but received only a 2-year sentence. The expert also highlighted various fraud schemes affecting the public, including a romance scam where a school vice-principal sent her life savings to an online "fiancé" and attempted to secure a $3 million loan before the bank intervened.
fashionjournal.com.au
This article provides dating safety advice from a dating expert for travelers using dating apps during holidays. The piece covers 11 essential tips for avoiding romance scams, catfishing, and harassment—including not oversharing personal information, verifying matches, avoiding suspicious links, video calling before meeting, and meeting in public places while keeping friends informed of plans.
mk.co.kr
A sophisticated scam operation with call centers in Seoul and Incheon targeted victims of previous investment fraud by posing as government compensation agents, then resold their personal information to accomplices who impersonated securities employees to solicit cryptocurrency purchases, resulting in 5.4 billion won in stolen funds. Investment scams are evolving to circumvent new capital market regulations by operating through encrypted messaging platforms and creating fake trading systems (HTS) that display fabricated profits; one victim lost 250 million won after depositing funds into a fraudulent trading platform, and police arrested nine members of a virtual asset exchange operation that stole 9 billion won from 133 people.
mk.co.kr
A sophisticated investment scam organization operating call centers in Seoul and Incheon targeted previous fraud victims by posing as government compensation agents, then pivoted to selling them worthless cryptocurrency after building trust. The scheme, which stole 5.4 billion won from victims, exemplifies evolving fraud tactics that now include fake trading platforms, purchased victim databases from dark markets, and manipulation through social media channels like Telegram and KakaoTalk to circumvent new financial regulations taking effect in August.
theindependent.sg
Cybersecurity has become a household concern in Singapore as digital device usage increases, with common scams including phishing, tech support fraud, grandparent scams using deepfakes, romance scams, and charity fraud targeting everyday users. Industry expert Vishak Raman recommends adopting strong passwords, two-factor authentication, regular software updates, separate networks for smart devices, and household education to mitigate risks. The advice emphasizes verifying authenticity of communications, never granting remote access to unsolicited callers, and confirming identities before sending money or sharing personal information.
heraldsheets.com
In 2023, cryptocurrency users lost nearly $2 billion to rug pulls, scams, and hacks, with losses exceeding $1.4 billion in the first half of 2024. Common crypto scams include phishing attacks (fake websites and emails stealing login credentials), romance scams (emotional manipulation leading to fraudulent investment requests), impersonation and giveaway scams (fake celebrity endorsements and deepfakes), and investment scams (Ponzi schemes and pump-and-dump schemes). Users can protect themselves by understanding these scam types, remaining alert, and staying informed about threats in the cryptocurrency sector.
yen.com.gh
**Hajia 4Reall Sentenced in Romance Scam Case**
Ghanaian musician Hajia 4Reall received a one-year-and-one-day prison sentence on June 28, 2024, for her involvement in a $2 million romance scam case in the United States. The article documents her dining with friends in the US shortly after her verdict, showing her in good spirits despite the conviction.
forbesindia.com
Fake job offer scams powered by generative AI have surged 118% between 2022 and 2023 in the US, with scammers using AI to create convincing job postings and communications on legitimate platforms like LinkedIn and Indeed to steal jobseekers' personal data. Similar AI-driven fraud tactics are also being employed by romance scammers using deepfake technology to deceive victims during video calls. Jobseekers should verify company details before applying, never share personal information without meeting someone in person, and remain skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
floridapolitics.com
From 2013 to 2015, Evaldas Rimasauskas conducted a Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam by impersonating the vendor Quanta Computer Inc., sending fraudulent invoices to Google and Facebook that totaled over $100 million in payments. Rimasauskas was arrested in 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison, but his scheme has since inspired numerous copycat criminals targeting municipalities and businesses, with recent incidents in Florida resulting in losses exceeding $1 million in at least one case, though some institutions have successfully blocked fraudulent transactions.
centraloregondaily.com
The Oregon Division of Financial Regulation issued a holiday season alert warning consumers about gift card scams, where criminals contact victims via phone, text, email, or social media to trick them into purchasing gift cards and surrendering the card numbers and PIN codes. Common scammer tactics include creating false urgency, impersonating government agencies, tech companies, family members, or utility providers, and remaining on the phone while victims purchase cards to prevent discovery. Consumers are advised to ignore pressure to act quickly, never share gift card numbers or photos, and verify emergency claims by contacting the person directly.
thestar.com.my
Fake job offer scams using generative AI have surged 118% in the US between 2022 and 2023, with scammers creating convincing job ads on platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and ZipRecruiter to steal applicants' personal data. To protect yourself, verify company details before applying, never share personal information (address, Social Security number, bank details) with unverified contacts, and be suspicious of offers that seem too good to be true; scammers are also using AI deepfakes in romance scams to appear authentic during video calls.
technobezz.com
Text message scams, or "smishing" attacks, are rising in sophistication and include fake bank alerts, fake prize notifications, impersonation of friends/family requesting money, and fraudulent delivery notices. These scams exploit urgency and emotional triggers to steal personal information and funds. Protection strategies include never clicking suspicious links or providing sensitive information via text, verifying requests through official channels, enabling two-factor authentication, and contacting companies directly using verified contact information.
yahoo.com
Sebastian Cheleman, a 38-year-old Canadian, was sentenced to over four years in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud as part of an international elder fraud scheme operating between April and June 2023. Cheleman and co-conspirators called elderly victims across the U.S. impersonating their relatives, claiming they had been arrested and demanding bail or legal fees; Cheleman directly received over $380,000 from victims and the scheme attempted to steal approximately $750,000 total, with successful thefts reaching around $460,000 for which he must pay restitution. The fraud targeted numerous victims nationwide, including $138,000 from Central Illinois residents who were in
justice.gov
U.S. and Canadian law enforcement officials met at the 2024 Cross Border Crime Forum to strengthen their partnership on issues including foreign interference, election security, cybercrime, and transnational crime. The Ministers discussed enhancing collaboration on combating malign foreign actors who conduct electoral interference, steal trade secrets, and engage in transnational repression, while also reaffirming commitment to protecting democratic processes and data security. This meeting builds on the "Statement of Partnership to Prevent, Investigate, Prosecute, and Disrupt Cross-Border Crime" signed at the previous year's forum.
elizabethton.com
A 50-year-old man from Brooklyn seeking asylum in the U.S. was arrested and charged with fraud and financial exploitation of a Carter County woman in a tech support scam scheme. The victim was deceived by a fake virus notification that led her to withdraw $30,500 from her bank account and hand the cash to the suspect at her residence. The arrest was aided by photographs and identification information the victim provided to authorities, and investigators coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security after discovering the suspect's temporary visitor status and pending asylum application.
dailyrecord.co.uk
Christopher Harkins, a 37-year-old from Helensburgh, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for defrauding nine women out of over £210,000 through romance scams conducted between 2013 and 2019 across Scotland, including in Stirling. Posing as a successful businessman on dating websites, he gained victims' trust and then claimed his bank account was frozen or requested money for holidays he never booked, leaving them with severe financial and emotional harm. He was also convicted of rape and filming women without consent, and has been added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.
dailyrecord.co.uk
A woman in her 70s from Stirling lost over £3,000 in a banking scam on July 8 when a caller impersonating her bank convinced her to transfer funds to verify account security following suspicious activity. Police warned residents that banks do not initiate contact through cold calls and advised people to hang up and contact their bank directly or police if they suspect fraud.
paymentsjournal.com
Financial advisors play a critical role in protecting affluent clients from rising cyber fraud and scams that target investment and retirement accounts. The article advises advisors to take a proactive approach by educating clients about common scams (particularly romance and wealth management scams), positioning themselves as trusted first contacts for victims, and helping remove the shame that prevents people from reporting fraud. Advisors should also leverage their multi-generational relationships to safeguard both younger and older clients from cyber threats.
standard-freeholder.com
This editorial discusses common online scams affecting people of all ages, including e-transfer fraud (where scammers gain access to bank accounts after sending overpayments), dating site romance scams (where scammers build false relationships to solicit money), credit card theft, cryptocurrency investment schemes, and Facebook account duplication scams. The author emphasizes the need for vigilance when conducting online transactions, dating, and financial dealings, recommending verification of identities, use of secure platforms, and skepticism toward offers that seem too good to be true.
trendmicro.com
In 2023, cryptocurrency-related crimes evolved significantly, with ransomware attacks reaching a record $1 billion in extorted payments despite impacting fewer victims, while money laundering via crypto decreased 29.5% to $22.2 billion and stolen cryptocurrency funds fell 54.3% to $1.7 billion compared to 2022. The shifts reflect criminals adapting methods—increasingly using DeFi protocols and gambling services for laundering—even as crypto platforms and law enforcement improved security and recovery capabilities.
dailyrecord.co.uk
Christopher Harkins, a 37-year-old from Scotland, was sentenced to 12 years in prison for romance scams that defrauded nine women of over £214,000 between 2013 and 2019. He targeted single women on dating websites, posing as a successful businessman and fabricating stories about frozen bank accounts and unbooked holidays to extract money from them. Harkins was also convicted of rape, non-consensual filming, and other sexual offences against 10 victims across multiple Scottish areas.
nippon.com
Between January and April 2024, Japan's National Police Agency reported 2,508 incidents of social media investment fraud resulting in ¥33.4 billion in losses—over six times more incidents and eight times greater losses than the same period in 2023. Scammers used fake celebrity endorsements in social media advertisements to lure victims, then built trust through messaging apps like Line and Instagram before convincing them to invest in fraudulent schemes, with losses ranging from under ¥5 million to over ¥100 million per case. Victims were evenly split between men and women, with those in their sixties most vulnerable (26.9%), primarily transferring funds via
dailyhodl.com
Artur Schaback, co-founder and former director of cryptocurrency marketplace Paxful, pleaded guilty to failing to implement required anti-money laundering and know-your-customer protocols from 2015-2019, which enabled the platform to be used for money laundering, sanctions violations, romance scams, extortion, and fraud. Schaback marketed Paxful as not requiring identity verification, presented fake AML policies to third parties, and failed to file any suspicious activity reports despite knowing users engaged in criminal activity. He faces up to five years in prison at sentencing on November 4th.
theitem.com
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with law enforcement agencies overwhelmed and catching few perpetrators due to limited resources and difficulties investigating crimes that originate overseas. The article highlights the growing crisis as the U.S. population ages and AI technology facilitates fraud, illustrated by cases including an 81-year-old Ohio man who fatally shot an Uber driver after being targeted by a scammer demanding $12,000, and notes that victims rarely recover lost funds and often don't report crimes due to discouragement and shame.