Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 26,669 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
9,965 results
in General Elder Fraud
scmp.com
· 2026-08-16
Hong Kong police arrested 17 people, including 12 Malaysian "runners," and seized HK$3.67 million in a crackdown on a phone scam syndicate that defrauded 22 victims of HK$2.5 million between June and August. The scam used "guess who I am" tactics where perpetrators impersonated relatives or friends claiming emergencies, while foreign runners collected cash directly from victims at designated locations. Police recovered HK$200,000 for one victim who remained unaware of the fraud even after handing over the money.
salisburypost.com
· 2026-08-16
A veterans advocate in Rowan County, North Carolina is organizing an August 29 educational forum to help elderly residents recognize and avoid fraud scams, including phone, construction, and door-to-door schemes. The initiative was inspired by cases Hardin encountered, including an 80-year-old woman who lost over $100,000 after being pressured to sell her car and furniture. Local law enforcement and officials will participate in the forum to educate residents on fraud prevention tactics and provide resources.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2026-08-16
Elder fraud accounts for approximately $130 million in annual losses in San Diego alone and is rising, while younger demographics are targeted most frequently overall despite receiving less publicity. The article outlines practical prevention strategies including avoiding suspicious emails and imposters, questioning unusual payment requests (especially cryptocurrency or gift cards), and utilizing mobile banking security features. Learning to identify and respond to digital fraud has become essential for financial security across all age groups.
dailykos.com
· 2026-08-16
A network of fraudulent Democratic PACs, orchestrated by consulting firm Mothership Strategies, extracted approximately $282 million from donors during the 2024 election cycle while delivering only $11 million to actual Democratic campaigns, with data showing that for every dollar donated—often by elderly and small-dollar donors—98 cents went to consultants and operational costs rather than campaigns. The scam involved high-pressure fundraising tactics through texts and emails from PACs with names like "Progressive Turnout" and "Stop Republicans," with one example, Retired Dems 2024 PAC, raising $10.6 million but keeping $6.5 million in profit while delivering minimal benefit to the
fool.com
· 2026-08-15
In 2025, online scams cost older Americans $7.748 billion, with investment fraud accounting for at least $3.5 billion in losses, alongside $1 billion in tech support scams and $584 million in romance scams. The House passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act in June 2026 to allow financial companies to temporarily halt securities redemptions for up to 15 days when financial abuse of seniors or vulnerable adults is suspected. Currently, 33 states have laws protecting seniors from banking-related fraud, but the federal bill would extend similar protections to investment accounts.
vindy.com
· 2026-08-15
A fraud ring led by Shreyas Baldevbhai Chaudhary, operating from India, defrauded six elderly victims of approximately $5 million through schemes involving fake Microsoft security alerts and impersonation of bank representatives and government officials. Chaudhary was sentenced to 9 years and 2 months in prison and ordered to pay $5.16 million in restitution, while accomplices received lesser sentences; one victim, a 77-year-old Salem man, lost $61,000 before a bank detected fraud and alerted the FBI.
oxfordmail.co.uk
· 2026-08-15
Oxford Information Labs research challenges the assumption that older people are most vulnerable to scams, finding instead that younger people aged 18-29 are significantly targeted, with 81% reporting that situational factors like stress, financial pressure, exhaustion, and major life changes increased their susceptibility. Scammers exploit vulnerable moments rather than targeting specific age groups, with those experiencing divorce, moving homes, gambling problems, or financial difficulties being particularly vulnerable to tailored fraud schemes including urgency-based scams, romance scams, and get-rich-quick schemes. The study emphasizes that vulnerability to fraud is a human condition based on circumstances rather than age or character flaws, and calls for better organizational safeguarding rather than victim-
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-15
An 82-year-old Louisiana man lost $30,000—roughly 40% of his life savings—after scammers impersonated Hancock Whitney Bank's fraud department and convinced him to withdraw cash from his bank. The fraudsters kept him on the phone during the withdrawal, instructed him to place the money in his mailbox, and a suspect in a silver SUV collected it minutes later. The Washington Parish Sheriff's Department is investigating the case but noted recovery may be difficult.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2026-08-15
In 2025, online scams cost older Americans $7.748 billion, with investment fraud accounting for at least $3.5 billion of losses, along with significant losses from tech support ($1 billion), romance ($584 million), and business email scams ($568 million). The House passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act on June 25, 2026, which would allow financial companies to temporarily halt securities redemptions for up to 15 days (plus a potential 10-day extension) when financial abuse of seniors or vulnerable adults is suspected. Currently, 33 states have laws protecting seniors from banking-related fraud, though the proposed federal bill would extend similar protections to investment accounts where such
facebook.com
· 2026-08-15
The Better Business Bureau reports that seniors are among the highest-value targets for romance scams, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics. The article features an expert discussion on romance fraud targeting older adults as part of a series examining aging-related issues.
wfmj.com
· 2026-08-14
Shreyas Baldevbhai Chaudhary, an Indian national, was sentenced to over nine years in prison and ordered to pay $5.16 million in restitution for his role in a multimillion-dollar tech support scam targeting elderly victims. The scheme used fake computer pop-up ads to trick victims into believing their bank accounts were compromised, then pressured them to withdraw cash or buy gold bars, with one Salem victim losing $61,000. The conspiracy defrauded victims across multiple states of more than $4.8 million total.
tuko.co.ke
· 2026-08-14
Babajide Adesayo, a 41-year-old from Georgia, was convicted on 18 criminal counts for operating a transnational money laundering scheme that defrauded elderly Americans of over $2.7 million through romance scams between April 2020 and September 2021. The fraudsters posed as romantic interests, business partners, or friends to gain victims' trust, then fabricated emergencies to solicit wire transfers, which Adesayo laundered through his automotive business accounts and transferred to overseas locations in China, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and elsewhere. Adesayo continued receiving and moving stolen funds even after his initial arrest in June 2024 while on bond
scmp.com
· 2026-08-14
Hong Kong saw investment scam cases decline 15% in the first half of 2026 (from 2,525 to 2,151 cases), but losses remained substantial at HK$1.65 billion as fraudsters impersonated representatives of overseas firms, some of which were fictitious or used AI-generated identities and fake licenses. The largest single case involved a 67-year-old merchant who lost HK$48.79 million in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency investment scam between July 2025 and January 2026.
yahoo.com
· 2026-08-14
Cindy lost her entire $80,000 retirement savings plus an $8,000 penalty to a "pig butchering" scam where criminals gained her trust over weeks before directing her to a fake cryptocurrency investment platform through her hacked friend's account. The article argues that scam victims should not be blamed, as sophisticated criminals use leaked personal data and AI to craft convincing deceptions, and that instead accountability should fall on companies that fail to protect consumer information and on society to reduce shame-based reporting barriers.
thinkchina.sg
· 2026-08-14
Organized fraud rings operating on Chinese dating app Zhilian recruited and trained female chat operators to pose as single young women, manipulating over 7,000 middle-aged and older male users into purchasing virtual gifts through false promises of meeting in person or sharing contact details, resulting in losses exceeding 34 million RMB (US$5 million). The scheme involved fabricated profiles, hidden female locations to enable catfishing, and a "chat-to-earn" business model where operators received commissions on gifts purchased by deceived users. Over 100 defendants have been sentenced following court rulings published in April 2026.
thehimalayantimes.com
· 2026-08-14
Nepal Police registered 20,526 cybercrime complaints in fiscal year 2082/83 (July 2025-July 2026), with Facebook and Messenger misuse accounting for the largest share at 7,123 complaints, followed by TikTok at 6,776. Despite the high volume of complaints, only 161 cases were filed and 155 arrests made, with common fraud schemes including impersonation of bank representatives, fake gift and lottery offers, romance scams, and fraudulent job postings circulated through social media platforms.
foxnews.com
· 2026-08-14
Scammers exploit personal data found on data broker websites to create convincing healthcare and Medicare fraud schemes using QR codes that disguise their malicious destinations. Criminals can place fake QR codes in doctor's offices, pharmacies, and hospitals to trick patients into visiting fraudulent websites and surrendering sensitive information like Medicare numbers, login credentials, and credit card details. Protecting yourself requires both recognizing suspicious QR codes and limiting your personal information available online through data brokers and people-search websites.
wdam.com
· 2026-08-14
A group of retired Southern Pine Electric employees attended a fraud awareness seminar hosted by the Covington County Sheriff's Office, where they learned about phone, computer, and mail scams targeting seniors. The chief deputy emphasized that scammers exploit seniors' trusting nature and use pressure tactics to rush victims into immediate action. No specific fraud cases or dollar amounts were mentioned in the educational presentation.
hometownnewstc.com
· 2026-08-14
A Martin County senior citizen nearly fell victim to a gold bar scam in which he was nearly defrauded of $600,000 after being contacted by someone impersonating a government official who demanded he purchase gold bars for "safekeeping." The scam targets older adults by pressuring them to act immediately and threatening consequences like arrest or loss of funds. Authorities advise victims to verify caller identity independently, consult trusted family or financial advisors before moving large sums, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement.
thebostonpilot.com
· 2026-08-14
This article describes a free educational speaker series for seniors at New Horizons at Marlborough, a not-for-profit senior community, featuring weekly Monday lectures on diverse topics like history, science, and culture. While the article mentions that District Attorney Marian Ryan recently spoke about elder scams and financial fraud prevention at one of these events, the article itself is about the speaker series program and not about any actual fraud or scam incident.
yahoo.com
· 2026-08-14
An elderly Michigan woman attempted to withdraw $385,000 to purchase gold after scammers falsely convinced her that her bank accounts had been compromised, but a alert coin shop owner contacted the FBI when he noticed her distress, preventing the loss. The investigation led to the arrest of 25-year-old Sai K. Puttha on felony charges related to the scheme, which follows an FBI-identified pattern where criminals impersonate financial institutions or government officials to pressure victims into converting savings into precious metals that scammers then steal. Between May and December 2023, similar precious metals conversion scams targeting older adults resulted in over $55 million in reported losses nationally.
press-herald.com
· 2026-08-14
The Columns of Germantown is hosting a free Elder Fraud Prevention Presentation on September 23, featuring a financial advisor and the Webster Parish Sheriff who will educate residents, families, and the public on recognizing scams, protecting finances, and responding to suspicious activity. The event aims to provide practical information as fraud schemes become increasingly sophisticated, with attendance open to all community members at no cost.
aol.com
· 2026-08-14
Since Arizona's Cryptocurrency Kiosk License Fraud Prevention law took effect in September 2025, 35 victims of crypto ATM scams have received full refunds totaling $171,332. The law, enacted in May 2025 as House Bill 2387, requires crypto ATM operators to issue full refunds including all fees to scam victims who report fraudulent transactions to the Attorney General's Office or local law enforcement within 30 days. The law also mandates strict fraud warnings, transaction limits, and blockchain tracing tools to protect vulnerable populations, particularly the elderly, from crypto ATM fraud schemes.
facebook.com
· 2026-08-14
The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office reported that scammers have stolen over $1.2 million from seniors since August 1. The warning highlights the vulnerability of elderly residents to fraud schemes, though some commenters noted that victims extend beyond seniors. Authorities are urging residents and families to be vigilant and increase awareness about common scam tactics targeting vulnerable populations.
kstp.com
· 2026-08-14
Scammers stole more than $1.2 million from seniors in Ramsey County since August 1st, with 17 confirmed cases involving convincing stories and complicated tactics targeting older residents. The sheriff's office suspects multiple scammers or groups are responsible and advises seniors to never share financial information with unknown callers and to hang up and contact trusted contacts or law enforcement if something seems suspicious.
myleaderpaper.com
· 2026-08-14
The Arnold Senior Expo, scheduled for August 19, will offer seniors 50 and older free admission, entertainment, vendors, and educational speakers at the Arnold Eagles Hall. Featured speakers include an Arnold Police Officer who will discuss common senior scams, along with presentations on the expanded farmers market and health opportunities. The event will include bingo, live music, free refreshments, and prizes, with a grand prize of a handcrafted cedar Adirondack chair and Jefferson College season passes.
rhodeislandcurrent.com
· 2026-08-14
This article covers Democratic attorney general candidate Joe Solomon Jr.'s launch of television advertising in Rhode Island's primary race, with spending exceeding $26,000 on local broadcast spots. The article discusses Solomon's campaign positioning around law enforcement and his work protecting seniors from scams and fraud, along with competing candidates' advertising spending and endorsements. No fraud or scam victimization is described—the article merely mentions Solomon's legislative work on elder fraud protection as part of his campaign platform.
wmur.com
· 2026-08-14
A federal jury convicted Georgia man Babajide Adesayo, 41, of money laundering over $2.7 million stolen from elderly victims through romance and online scams between April 2020 and September 2021. Adesayo operated as a "bridge" in a transnational fraud network, receiving stolen funds and transferring them overseas to China, Hong Kong, and Nigeria, including $500,000 from a 67-year-old Concord, New Hampshire woman who believed she was in a romantic relationship with a scammer. He faces 14 to 16 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for November.
cronista.com
· 2026-08-14
Colorado's new ASSET Act, effective August 12, 2026, authorizes banks and credit unions to delay withdrawals for up to 90 days (extendable to 180 days) when employees reasonably suspect a vulnerable adult is experiencing financial exploitation. The law aims to give institutions time to investigate suspicious transactions and notify law enforcement or adult protective services, while protecting institutions and employees from liability for good-faith interventions. Colorado residents age 60 and older reported over $74 million in fraud losses during 2024 across more than 3,100 cases, prompting the protective measure.
douglascountysentinel.com
· 2026-08-14
Babajide Adesayo, a 41-year-old Douglasville man, was convicted of money laundering charges for his role in an online romance scam that defrauded elderly victims of nearly $3 million between April 2020 and September 2021. Scammers posed as friends, business associates, or romantic partners to convince victims to send money, which Adesayo then transferred overseas to China, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and other countries to prevent recovery. Adesayo continued the money laundering operation even after his arrest and indictment, moving over $2.7 million in stolen funds before his bond was revoked in March 2024.
wtop.com
· 2026-08-14
Fraud losses reached a record $15.9 billion in 2025, a 27% increase from the previous year, with criminals increasingly using AI to create sophisticated scams via fake websites, emails, texts, and deepfake audio and video. Investment, romance, crypto, and impostor scams are driving the surge in losses reported to the Federal Trade Commission. Experts recommend being skeptical of all communications, avoiding clicking suspicious links, using credit cards instead of debit cards for purchases, and never paying via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers.
northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
· 2026-08-13
The Northern Beaches Council has launched a new Community Safety Action Plan 2026-2031 designed to make the community safer and more connected through coordinated local initiatives. The plan builds on previous successes including increased awareness campaigns about elder abuse, scams, fraud, and online safety, along with efforts to improve public transport safety and support for marginalized groups. The council will continue addressing community safety through management of public spaces, provision of facilities, and coordination with government agencies and local organizations to respond to evolving safety needs.
dailypost.ng
· 2026-08-13
Babajide Adesayo, a 41-year-old Nigerian residing in Georgia, was convicted by a federal jury of laundering over $2.7 million obtained from romance scam victims between April 2020 and September 2021. The victims, primarily elderly individuals, were deceived by scammers posing as romantic partners or business associates and tricked into sending money for fabricated reasons such as medical expenses and business equipment. Adesayo faces up to 20 years in prison for conspiracy convictions and up to 10 years for each of 16 transactional money-laundering counts, with sentencing scheduled for November 2026.
punchng.com
· 2026-08-13
A 41-year-old Nigerian, Babajide Adesayo, was convicted by a U.S. federal jury of laundering over $2.7 million obtained from romance fraud and online scams targeting elderly victims between April 2020 and September 2021. Adesayo received funds from victims' retirement savings through co-defendant Efemena Igbe's business accounts, then transferred most of the money to overseas accounts in China, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and other countries. He faces up to 20 years imprisonment on conspiracy charges and up to 10 years on each money laundering count, with sentencing scheduled for November 20, 2026.
legit.ng
· 2026-08-13
Babajide Adesayo, 41, of Georgia, was convicted on August 6, 2026, of laundering $2.7 million stolen from elderly victims through romance scams orchestrated between April 2020 and September 2021. Adesayo operated as a central figure in a transnational network that posed as romantic interests and business partners to defraud victims, then rapidly moved the stolen funds through accounts in China, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and other countries to prevent recovery. He faces up to 20 years in prison per conspiracy count and was convicted on 18 charges including money laundering offenses.
giant.fm
· 2026-08-13
Teresa Palmer, a 55-year-old branch manager at Credit Union 1 in Columbus, Indiana, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing $381,400.05 from elderly and vulnerable customers between 2021 and 2022. Palmer exploited her access to customer accounts by forging signatures, making unauthorized withdrawals, and fraudulently issuing cashier's checks, targeting victims including one with dementia who could not monitor their finances. She was ordered to pay full restitution of $381,400.05 to her victims.
ilmattino.it
· 2026-08-13
A 30-year-old man from the Naples area was arrested in Avellino for running a "fake carabiniere" scam targeting elderly victims across six municipalities between May and June 2026. The suspect posed as a law enforcement officer over the phone to convince seniors that relatives had legal problems, then sent accomplices to collect cash, jewelry, and other valuables worth tens of thousands of euros from their homes. Investigation evidence including surveillance footage, phone records, and witness testimony led to his identification and pre-trial detention.
townhall.com
· 2026-08-13
Babajide Adesayo, a Georgia man, was convicted of laundering $2.7 million stolen from elderly victims through romance and online scams between April 2020 and September 2021. Fraudsters posed as romantic partners or business associates to convince elderly victims to send their retirement savings, which Adesayo then transferred overseas to China, Hong Kong, and Nigeria to prevent recovery. Adesayo continued laundering money even after his indictment and arrest, and now faces up to 20 years in prison per conspiracy charge.
aol.com
· 2026-08-13
A 76-year-old Rhode Island woman nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam in which a fraudster posing as a Department of Criminal Investigations officer convinced her to withdraw $250,000 from her Fidelity account and $70,000 in cash from Washington Trust Company, claiming he was investigating her involvement in money laundering. The scam was stopped when a bank manager at Washington Trust recognized suspicious behavior and alerted authorities, protecting the woman's assets. Banks are increasingly training employees through programs like AARP's BankSafe to identify and intervene in elder fraud cases, as Americans age 60 and older lose an estimated $28 billion annually to financial exploitation.
deseret.com
· 2026-08-13
Cindy lost her entire $80,000 life savings plus an $8,000 penalty to a "pig butchering" scam, where criminals gained her trust over weeks before luring her into a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme using a hacked friend's account. The article argues that victim-blaming culture prevents scam reporting and that accountability should instead focus on companies that fail to protect personal data, as sophisticated scams increasingly exploit leaked information and AI technology to deceive vulnerable people.
aol.com
· 2026-08-13
A South Carolina man in Sun City Hilton Head lost over $800,000 in a romance scam that evolved into a cryptocurrency investment fraud scheme spanning approximately one year. The scammers built trust through an online romantic relationship before introducing fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities on fraudulent platforms designed to display fabricated account balances and profits. The scheme employed common tactics including permitting small early withdrawals to establish credibility, then encouraging larger deposits with promises of increasingly lucrative returns before preventing victims from accessing their funds.
hoodline.com
· 2026-08-13
A York County man lost $47,000 to a romance scam where a 27-year-old Bronx resident posed as a grieving widow named "Lara Lafayette" on a dating app for widowed people, claiming she needed money to access an inheritance from her deceased father. The suspect, Abdul Rashid Ibraham, created fraudulent documents and bank certificates to convince the victim to send checks between March and April, before the scheme unraveled when a bank employee reported the suspicious activity. Ibraham faces felony charges including theft by deception and financial exploitation of an older adult, with investigators also discovering he used a stolen identity to open the bank account where the checks were deposited.
yahoo.com
· 2026-08-12
A stolen vehicle recovered in Virginia led authorities to discover gold coins and a gold bar connected to a $2 million fraud scheme targeting elderly victims who were persuaded to purchase gold for scammers. The investigation identified at least one victim in James City County who made multiple payments to the suspects, with approximately $2 million expected to be recovered. The multi-state scheme, involving suspects who transported the gold to New York to be melted down, is believed to extend across Pennsylvania, Illinois, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and New York.
patch.com
· 2026-08-12
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office is hosting telephone town halls focused on scam prevention for seniors in New Baltimore, Michigan, with sessions scheduled for August 26th and September 9th. Residents can register to receive a phone call and participate in discussions about stopping crimes against seniors, with the option to ask questions or listen during the approximately 60-90 minute sessions. No in-person attendance is required.
patch.com
· 2026-08-12
The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office is hosting a telephone town hall on September 9th focused on senior fraud prevention through their SCAMS (Stopping Crimes Against Macomb Seniors) program. Residents can register to receive a phone call and participate in the 60-90 minute discussion with Prosecutor Lucido, either asking questions or listening about scams targeting seniors in the community.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-12
In port-out or SIM-swap attacks, criminals convince wireless carriers to transfer a victim's phone number to a device they control, allowing them to intercept one-time verification codes and gain access to bank accounts, email, and investment accounts. The FBI recorded SIM-swap complaints rising over 400 percent in three years with reported losses exceeding $68 million, with older adults holding large account balances being frequent targets. Protection requires adding a port-out PIN to wireless accounts and using app-based authentication instead of text-based verification codes.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-12
Grandparent scams exploit emotional urgency and family details mined from social media to manipulate retirees into sending tens of thousands of dollars via untraceable methods like wire transfers and gift cards. Scammers now use AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate grandchildren convincingly, and the FBI reported $352 million in AI-related scam losses to victims over 60 in a recent year, with grandparent scams alone accounting for over $5 million in 2025 losses. The most effective defense is to hang up and verify the emergency by contacting the family member directly through a saved phone number before sending any money.
unionleader.com
· 2026-08-12
Scammers steal an estimated $7 billion annually from senior citizens, with those living with dementia facing heightened vulnerability due to cognitive decline affecting memory and judgment. The Alzheimer's Foundation of America recommends the S.A.F.E. approach—solidifying security practices, applying blocking tools, finding monitors for financial activity, and establishing stronger safeguards—to help caregivers protect loved ones with dementia from fraud and identity theft.
gvnews.com
· 2026-08-12
A 67-year-old Green Valley man lost $300,000 to scammers in two separate investment-doubling schemes, taking out a personal loan, refinancing his home, and withdrawing from his retirement account to fund the frauds. The case, documented by the Pima County Sheriff's Department, resulted in the loss of his savings and the breakdown of his marriage.
altoonamirror.com
· 2026-08-12
Pennsylvania Attorney General David Sunday is urging passage of Senate Bill 738, which would allow bank employees to place seven-day holds on transactions suspected of fraud, with possible 15-day extensions by officials. The push comes as older adults in Pennsylvania lost nearly $216 million to online scams in 2025, with investment scams accounting for over $98 million (up 75% from 2024), government impersonation scams at $10.66 million, and romance scams at $20.2 million. Similar fraud-prevention legislation has already been enacted in at least 33 states, including Georgia as of July 1.