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hindustantimes.com
Spanish police arrested five scammers who posed as Brad Pitt and defrauded two women of €325,000 (₹3 crore) through emails and WhatsApp by promising romantic relationships and fake investment opportunities. The criminals identified vulnerable, emotionally fragile victims through social media analysis, building false trust before extracting money; authorities recovered €85,000 and seized evidence including phones, computers, and a diary of deceptive phrases used in the scam. This case reflects a broader trend of celebrity impersonation scams targeting lonely, vulnerable individuals online.
wkbw.com
The Better Business Bureau reports a record surge in phishing scams in 2024, with scam reports doubling between 2022 and 2023, targeting people through text messages (such as fake toll payment demands), extortion emails involving threats to release compromising images unless Bitcoin payment is made, and stolen event tickets from major data breaches like the Ticketmaster hack affecting 500 million users. Experts recommend not engaging with scammers, using app-based authentication with two-factor verification, and reporting suspected scams, noting that cryptocurrency payments are nearly impossible to recover once sent.
candgnews.com
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office is holding educational events in October to help seniors recognize and prevent fraud, including scams involving impersonation of police officers, fake technical support invoices, and AI-generated voice calls from supposed relatives. Free presentations and "S.C.A.M.S." prevention booklets will be available at events on October 9 at Macomb Community College and October 17 at the Sterling Heights Fall Senior Expo, with the office advising seniors to avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers or emailers.
wfmj.com
The FBI arrested 24-year-old Shreyas Baldevbhai Chaudhary in Georgia for his role in a $4.8 million nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting at least six victims across multiple states, including a 77-year-old Salem man who lost approximately $61,000. The scam involved fake tech support pop-ups claiming victims' computers were hacked, followed by pressure to send cash or gold to couriers posing as Microsoft or financial institution representatives. A co-conspirator, Trusha Chaudhary, was also apprehended, and authorities indicate the investigation is ongoing with additional arrests expected.
wfmj.com
The FBI arrested 24-year-old Indian national Shreyas Baldevbhai Chaudhary in Georgia for his role in a $4.8 million nationwide elder fraud scheme targeting at least six victims across multiple states using fake tech support scams. Chaudhary allegedly defrauded a 77-year-old Salem man of approximately $61,000 by convincing him his computer was hacked and pressuring him to send cash to couriers posing as Microsoft or financial institution representatives. The investigation, which also identified co-conspirator Trusha Chaudhary and is ongoing with additional arrests expected, revealed a sophisticated operation that victimized elderly Americans in Ohio, California
lanarkleedstoday.ca
A Smiths Falls law firm fell victim to a phishing scam in July when an employee clicked a malicious email link, allowing scammers to breach the firm's servers and impersonate them to clients. The scammers successfully obtained an undisclosed payment from a client who believed they were paying legitimate legal fees. Smiths Falls Police Service is investigating the incident and has not yet determined whether the perpetrators were local or international.
justice.gov
Afeez Akinloye, a Nigerian citizen, was sentenced to 30 months in prison on September 19, 2024, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud targeting U.S. real estate businesses. Between fall 2016 and summer 2017, Akinloye and co-conspirators hacked email accounts related to real estate transactions and impersonated sellers to request fraudulent wire transfers, using accounts obtained through romance scams; eleven total victims lost $1.85 million with an additional $4.6 million in attempted losses, including two Nebraska victims who lost $52,000. Akinloye was arrested in South Africa in 2022
6abc.com
Fake job offer scams are among the fastest-growing frauds in the U.S., with reports jumping 118% in 2023, and scammers use these schemes to steal identities or money by requesting pre-payment for job expenses or using stolen identities to deceive employers. To protect themselves, job applicants should research positions directly through company websites, be cautious of requests for sensitive information like Social Security numbers, and verify job postings independently, while employers should conduct thorough background checks and conduct face-to-face interviews.
foxnews.com
Americans received over 4.4 billion robocalls in April, with scam calls surging 73% to 710 million, primarily featuring fraudulent tax relief schemes promising to eliminate or make tax debt "non-collectible." These scams target people with tax obligations by requesting upfront fees and personal information while delivering nothing in return. The article recommends protecting oneself through data removal services, screening unknown calls, verifying caller identity, and reporting suspicious calls to authorities.
oneidadispatch.com
The New York State Police warned the public about a nationwide automated sextortion scam in which fraudsters use illegally obtained email addresses and personal information purchased on the dark web to contact victims, threatening to release compromising material unless victims pay extortion fees. The scammers employ intimidation and threats of embarrassment to coerce payments from targets.
lawrencekstimes.com
Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister conducted a community presentation warning residents about common scams after a local family lost $90,000, noting that scammers typically operate outside U.S. jurisdiction making fund recovery nearly impossible. Scammers use emails, phone calls, social media, and mail to target victims by spoofing phone numbers, impersonating government agencies or financial institutions, and creating emotional urgency through threats or too-good-to-be-true offers. Armbrister recommends verifying suspicious calls by hanging up and calling trusted numbers, watching for red flags like immediate threats and AI-enhanced voice spoofing, and never providing personal or banking information to unsolicited callers
wgal.com
A phishing scam text message circulated in York, Pennsylvania, claiming recipients owed parking violation fees (ranging from $4.15 to $35) and directing them to click a malicious link. York City officials warned residents via Facebook that the text was fraudulent and advised anyone receiving suspicious parking-related communications to contact the York City Parking Bureau directly at 717-849-2230 rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
thetimes.com
A buyer lost £615 to a Facebook Marketplace scam when purchasing a second-hand bicycle; the seller requested payment via PayPal's friends and family option (which lacks buyer protection) and never delivered the item or responded to messages. After intervention, PayPal refunded the full amount, and the article warns that scammers increasingly exploit the friends and family payment method to avoid refunds, with Facebook scam losses rising 366% from £7 million in 2020 to £32.6 million in 2022. The advice recommends paying by cash in person when possible, or using protected payment methods like PayPal's standard goods and services option rather than bank
headtopics.com
David Checkley, a romance fraudster, was jailed again after previously defrauding Sharon Shearer, 70, of over £200,000 during a three-year relationship that left her bankrupt and homeless. The article also reports a significant rise in various fraud schemes in the UK, including an 43% increase in banking complaints about denied refunds (8,700 cases between April-June), a 34% surge in purchase scams totaling £85.9 million in 2023, and a 31% increase in romance scam payments reaching £36.5 million—the highest ever recorded. Common scams highlighted include marketplace fraud, fake ticketing schemes,
foxnews.com
A Tennessee man's wife fell victim to a sophisticated scam where thieves posed as bank representatives following a legitimate fraud alert text, tricking her into revealing the answer to her account's security question. Using this information, the scammers disabled notifications, transferred funds between accounts, and set up an ACH withdrawal—though the victim's daily account monitoring allowed her to catch the fraud quickly and recover most funds through her bank and IC3 reporting. The incident illustrates how scammers exploit trust and use security question answers to bypass account protections, and highlights the importance of verifying caller identity and being cautious about sharing personal information even when requests seem legitimate.
pandasecurity.com
**Summary:**
As Amazon Prime Day approaches on October 8-9, scammers are preparing to exploit the shopping rush by targeting consumers through phishing emails, fake Amazon websites, and stolen credential misuse. Common tactics include fraudulent messages claiming Prime subscriptions have been canceled to steal login information, as well as package theft by "porch pirates" taking advantage of increased deliveries. Consumers can protect themselves by using antivirus software, verifying account information directly through Amazon, and using Amazon Lockers for package delivery to avoid theft.
cadillacnews.com
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel met with over 70 senior citizens in Cadillac to educate them about emerging scams, including phishing, smishing, identity theft, grandparent scams, and "pig butchering" scams—a long-term fraud where perpetrators build false relationships with victims via social apps before stealing money or personal information. Nessel highlighted how artificial intelligence is increasingly being used by scammers to create personalized, convincing fraud schemes, including deepfake audio and video to impersonate family members, and directed residents to the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection website for scam information and alerts.
cnet.com
**Credit Card Debt Forgiveness Scams**
As Americans carry record credit card debt (averaging $7,951 per household), scammers are increasingly targeting consumers with fraudulent "debt forgiveness" offers through mail, email, and text messages. Legitimate warning signs of scams include upfront payment demands, use of the word "forgiveness," unsolicited outreach, requests for personal financial information without assessing overall debt, pressure to stop making payments, and high-pressure sales tactics with artificial deadlines. Consumers should be wary of any company promising complete debt elimination, as reputable credit counseling organizations do not charge upfront fees and will work with those unable
cbs8.com
Vista resident Jan Hoops lost approximately $24,000 in a gift card scam after a pop-up alert directed her to call a fake Microsoft number; the scammer convinced her that her accounts had been hacked, instructed her to withdraw cash from her credit union and purchase Lowes gift cards, then obtained the card numbers by having her read them aloud. Employees at both the credit union and store warned Hoops about the scam, but the fraudster kept her on the phone and instructed her not to trust them, ultimately deceiving her into providing the gift card information needed to cash them in. The recommended defense is to hang up on unsolicited calls about account breaches and independently verify concerns
cointelegraph.com
On September 20, hackers compromised the Supreme Court of India's official YouTube channel (217,000+ followers) and rebranded it to promote a Ripple/XRP cryptocurrency scam, featuring a fake livestream with deepfake or impersonated CEO Brad Garlinghouse and phishing links designed to steal cryptocurrency wallet access. YouTube removed the compromised channel for violating Community Guidelines, though the scammers' phishing approach—directing victims to connect wallets and granting hackers full fund access—mirrors similar attacks on high-profile accounts like DidYouKnowGaming and Ben&Ben throughout 2024. These incidents reflect a rising trend of YouTube account breaches used to
indianexpress.com
Since May 2024, Pune cyber police have documented 16 cases of senior citizens defrauded through WhatsApp messages impersonating Maharashtra Natural Gas Ltd (MNGL), resulting in total losses of Rs 1.06 crore. The scam involves fake bill payment notifications that prompt victims to contact a number, where fraudsters manipulate them into downloading remote access applications and sharing banking credentials, ultimately siphoning funds from their accounts. Police classify these as social engineering frauds exploiting elderly people's fears about service disconnection, and have advised MNGL to issue consumer warnings.
livingsnoqualmie.com
The Snoqualmie Police Department is warning residents about a "Pegasus" sextortion scam variation where attackers send threatening emails claiming to possess explicit photos or videos and include personal details like Google Maps photos of victims' homes, demanding ransom payment within 24 hours. Law enforcement advises residents not to respond to or pay these scams and to delete the emails immediately, as the threats are false and information often comes from public sources or past data breaches. The FBI recommends avoiding compromising photos, suspicious email attachments, and leaving webcams exposed to prevent victimization.
fox2detroit.com
Facebook scams for mobile car detailing services are proliferating, typically posted by new group members offering discounts with promises of payment after service and vague contact information to avoid. Red flags include new or backdated profiles, identical wording across multiple posts, no pricing listed, and requests to message directly; similar scams also target consumers through air duct cleaning and false missing person posts that later redirect to phishing links. Users should verify legitimate businesses independently, report suspicious posts to Facebook and the BBB, and check local law enforcement sources before sharing missing person alerts.
courierpostonline.com
Martins Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, a Burlington County couple, were sentenced to prison (80 months and 16 months respectively) for operating a romance scam that defrauded over 100 victims of approximately $4.5 million between 2016 and 2020. The scammers posed as romantic interests on dating websites, targeting vulnerable older adults and others, with one victim—a tourism board finance director—embezzling $2.8 million from her employer to send to the couple. Both defendants were ordered to pay millions in restitution and unpaid taxes.
helsinkitimes.fi
Financial scams in Finland increased significantly in the first half of 2024, with losses totaling 27.5 million euros—nearly 8 million more than the same period in 2023. Phishing scams caused the largest losses at 11.7 million euros, while investment scams more than doubled to 10.9 million euros, though banks managed to block an additional 18.2 million euros in fraudulent transactions. Experts advise caution against scams using urgency tactics and impersonation of officials, and recommend being skeptical of offers that sound too good to be true.
denver7.com
The Wheat Ridge Police Department warned of a cryptocurrency extortion scam circulating through the community in which victims receive emails containing personal information (addresses, photos from Google Maps) and threats of blackmail involving fabricated malware and compromising videos, demanding cryptocurrency payment via Bitcoin QR code. None of the Wheat Ridge residents who received these emails fell victim to the scam, though police emphasized the importance of reporting such attempts to raise community awareness. The scam exploits urgency and fear through false claims, reflecting a broader national problem—Americans lost over $5.5 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with Colorado reporting more than 1,300 fraud cases costing residents $81 million
krebsonsecurity.com
GitHub users received phishing emails spoofed from GitHub's security team directing them to a fake website (github-scanner[.]com) where a malicious CAPTCHA prompt instructed visitors to press keyboard combinations that automatically downloaded Lumma Stealer malware designed to steal stored credentials. While tech-savvy programmers were unlikely to fall for the scam, security researchers warn the same technique could easily deceive less tech-savvy users unfamiliar with Windows command functions like PowerShell.
washingtontimes.com
Bill Whitaker, a 75-year-old, fell victim to a tech support scam that began with a fake software upgrade email; after following the scammer's instructions, approximately $28,000 was drained from his and his wife Susan's accounts, with only $8,000 recovered. The incident illustrates the broader "tsunami of fraud" targeting older Americans, with the FTC reporting over $10 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2023 (actual losses far higher due to underreporting), predominantly perpetrated by overseas criminal syndicates using tactics ranging from fake tech support to AI-cloned voices and romance scams. Experts testifying before Congress
liherald.com
The Town of Oyster Bay partnered with the Nassau County District Attorney's office to combat scams targeting seniors, offering two educational seminars in September 2024 to teach residents about online threats and reporting procedures. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over $230 million was stolen from New Yorkers by scammers in 2024 alone, with seniors being particularly vulnerable to phone and email scams impersonating government agents, banks, or family members, as well as physical theft and technologically sophisticated attacks. The seminars address growing concerns about increasingly complex fraud schemes, including those using artificial intelligence to mimic voices, with some victims losing their entire life savings.
farmers-exchange.net
A 45-year law enforcement investigator specializing in financial crimes against seniors presented fraud prevention advice at an Elkhart County event, identifying seniors as prime targets due to their wealth ($35 trillion combined net worth for those 70+), isolation, and politeness. He outlined common scams including romance, grandparent impersonation, lottery fraud, and computer/payment account schemes, recommending seniors avoid clicking suspicious links, never trust unsolicited callers, watch for red flags like upfront payment demands, and verify references before hiring services. Dietz emphasized that billions of dollars are lost annually to scammers in the region, advising families to establish secret codes and remain vigilant against caller ID
theglobeandmail.com
A March 2024 Interac survey found that nine in 10 Canadians experienced at least one fraud attempt in the past year, with experts warning that AI-enabled scams and upcoming real-time payment systems will increase risks. The most common digital scams targeting Canadians are investment fraud (particularly cryptocurrency schemes responsible for over half of the $309 million in investment fraud losses), imposter fraud targeting financial institutions, and job fraud—often using sophisticated tactics including AI voice mimicry and fake social media profiles. Experts recommend prevention through Interac's "3-S" approach: stop, scrutinize, and speak up.
nbcwashington.com
Maryland State Police warned residents about a sextortion scam in which victims receive threatening emails containing their names, Google Street View photos of their homes, and false claims of spyware installation and pornography viewing, demanding $2,000 in Bitcoin within 24 hours or threatening to expose them to contacts. The scam uses publicly available information to intimidate victims; authorities recommend deleting suspicious emails without clicking links and reporting to local police or the FBI rather than paying.
smh.com.au
This article is an educational guide identifying 25 travel scams that target tourists worldwide. It explains common schemes such as the "pigeon strike" distraction theft, commission-based shop scams involving tour guides, and fake found-item plots where con artists demand rewards for "returning" worthless items. The article advises travelers to be alert but not alarmed, recommends obtaining police reports for expensive losses and filing insurance claims, and suggests that guided tours may offer some protection against scams.
news.gulfbreezenews.com
Scammers targeted Santa Rosa County residents by sending emails containing photographs of their homes obtained from publicly available online mapping services, attempting to extort money through intimidation. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office issued a warning to alert citizens to this scam tactic that exploits freely accessible street-view imagery to create a false sense of vulnerability.
foxnews.com
During election season, scammers exploit voters' emotional investment by creating fake candidate websites and social media accounts, using robocalls with candidates' voices, and sending deceptive donation text messages—all designed to redirect funds from legitimate campaigns to fraudsters. Red flags include poor grammar, pressure for immediate donations, requests for unusual payment methods (wire transfers or prepaid cards), unsolicited personal information requests, and offers of prizes for poll participation. Voters should verify donation authenticity directly through official campaign channels and remain cautious when emotions run high.
upstatetoday.com
Oconee County Sheriff's Office warned residents of two active scams: a cryptocurrency extortion scheme where scammers claim to have installed spyware and threaten to release personal information unless Bitcoin is paid, and an impersonation scam where fraudsters pose as FBI agents claiming victims' information has been compromised and demanding $15,000 in cash. One resident targeted by the FBI impersonation scam avoided financial loss by requesting law enforcement accompaniment to the bank, which the scammer refused.
wbaltv.com
Maryland State Police warned residents of an active scam targeting Gmail accounts in which fraudsters send photos of victims' homes obtained from Google Maps and demand Bitcoin payments, threatening to release personal information if payment is not made. Authorities advised residents to avoid clicking suspicious links, refrain from sharing personal information, and avoid making hasty decisions under pressure from scammers.
etedge-insights.com
India Post impersonation scams are targeting non-tech-savvy citizens in India, with fraudsters posing as postal representatives via SMS and calls to trick victims into sharing personal financial information. A 75-year-old retired person in Hyderabad lost Rs 23.26 lakh after fraudsters claiming to be from India Post and impersonating police officers convinced him to transfer money to a fake RBI account for an alleged undelivered parcel. Authorities warn citizens to verify delivery notifications independently, avoid clicking suspicious links, and report fraudulent communications to protect themselves from these social engineering schemes.
news.abplive.com
Kaspersky reported that over 132,000 young gamers fell victim to cyberattacks in the first half of 2024, a 30 percent increase from the previous six months, with Minecraft, Roblox, and Among Us being the most targeted games due to attacks exploiting mods and unofficial downloads. Common scams included phishing schemes offering exclusive in-game character skins or currency in exchange for login credentials, with attackers increasingly using AI-powered personalized phishing and sophisticated tactics that impersonate legitimate gaming platforms. Kaspersky recommends that parents implement cyber hygiene education, establish clear online safety guidelines, encourage unique passwords, use parental monitoring tools,
cnn.com
Starling Bank warns that fraudsters are using AI technology to clone people's voices from brief audio clips found online, then impersonating them to call friends and family members to request money. A survey of over 3,000 adults found that more than 25% had been targeted by such scams in the past year, with 46% previously unaware the scam existed. The bank recommends establishing a "safe phrase" with loved ones to verify identity during phone calls as a protective measure.
infosecurity-magazine.com
Scammers are conducting sextortion attacks that now include Google Street View images of victims' addresses to intimidate them into paying cryptocurrency fees. The attackers claim to have pornographic evidence and access to Pegasus spyware, using personalized emails with victims' addresses, phone numbers, and automatically-generated street images to imply they have visited or surveilled the target's location. Security researchers warn these attacks are difficult to detect because they use random Gmail addresses and avoid malicious attachments or URLs.
theguardian.com
Scammers are using AI to clone voices from social media videos—requiring only a few seconds of audio—then impersonating victims to deceive their families into sending money. A 2024 Starling Bank survey found that 28% of people had been targeted by AI voice cloning scams in the past year, though 46% were unaware such scams existed, and 8% would likely comply with urgent money requests even if suspicious. Experts recommend establishing safe phrases with loved ones and verifying unexpected calls through independent contact to protect against this increasingly sophisticated fraud.
anz.com.au
ANZ bank provides fraud protection guidelines advising customers to avoid clicking links in unsolicited emails or SMS messages claiming to be from ANZ, and to report suspicious communications directly through the ANZ App or official phone numbers. The guidance emphasizes that legitimate ANZ communications will never request sensitive information like passwords or PINs, and offers multiple channels for customers to report phishing attempts and fraudulent activity 24/7.
anz.com.au
This educational article distinguishes between scams (where criminals manipulate victims into sharing information or money) and fraud (where criminals use stolen information without the victim's involvement), and outlines how to identify suspicious messages. The piece advises that red flags include pressure tactics, mismatched sender email addresses, and offers that seem too good to be true, emphasizing that individuals are the first line of defense against scams through reporting and awareness. In 2023, Australians lost $476 million collectively to scams, making vigilance against suspicious communications critical for protecting personal finances and sensitive information.
toronto.ctvnews.ca
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catholicstand.com
A Comcast email account was hijacked by a hacker for 24 hours, who used it to send scam messages to the account owner's contacts requesting they purchase Amazon gift cards as a supposed emergency gift purchase. The hacker changed the password and added secondary verification methods, making recovery difficult; it took six hours of customer service calls across multiple offshore representatives before the account was restored. The incident mirrors a similar scam the account owner had previously experienced, highlighting vulnerabilities in Comcast's email security and the challenges users face in regaining control of compromised accounts.
whitehallledger.com
This article describes a voice-cloning scam where scammers impersonated a grandfather by mimicking his voice to request bank account information from family members, highlighting how scammers use increasingly sophisticated technology to target victims. The piece reports that Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023 and emphasizes that elderly people are frequently targeted, recommending protective measures such as slowing down before responding to urgent requests, being selective about who accesses financial information, and seeking help from certified financial planners to monitor accounts and recover from fraud.
verywellmind.com
This educational guide examines the psychology behind why people fall for scams, emphasizing that susceptibility is not a matter of intelligence but rather how scammers exploit psychological vulnerabilities. Key findings include that adults aged 35-44 are most likely to be deceived (though older adults remain targeted), those 18-24 lose the most money, and online fraud causes an estimated $2.7 billion in annual losses while also impacting victims' mental health. The article outlines how scammers build trust through impersonation and social engineering, and notes that common scams include phone fraud, phishing, fake job offers, and emergency schemes—increasingly enhanced by AI technology.
hyperallergic.com
Art dealer Wendy Halsted Beard was sentenced to five years and three months in prison for defrauding 43 elderly collectors of approximately $1.6 million through a fine art photography consignment scheme at her Birmingham, Michigan gallery between 2017 and 2022. Beard sold consigned artworks without paying owners their share of proceeds, failed to deliver works to buyers after payment, and returned counterfeit pieces when victims demanded returns—including an original Ansel Adams photograph valued at $625,000 that she sold for $440,000 and kept the difference. A judge ordered Beard to pay over $2 million in restitution, with investigators unable to