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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
lawrenceks.gov
· 2026-01-22
A Lawrence widow nearly fell victim to a sophisticated scam when hackers tried to gain access to her life savings, but an anonymous "Gray Hat Hacker" known as Deyoclub monitored the fraud operation from the inside, tracked down her son, and alerted him in time to stop the transfers and secure her accounts. The hacker, who infiltrates overseas fraud rings to disrupt their operations, had become motivated to fight scams after a close friend fell victim to a romance scam. The incident highlights how vigilant family members and cybersecurity experts can work together to prevent fraud, though victims are generally advised to contact local law enforcement and trusted financial institutions directly rather than relying on outside hackers.
punchng.com
· 2026-01-22
Thai police arrested 11 Nigerians and 2 Ivorians who were running an international romance scam operation from a condominium, targeting victims through fake Facebook profiles posing as engineers or professionals. The scam began after a Thai woman reported being defrauded of over two million baht by someone claiming to be a Chinese engineer who built a romantic relationship with her before requesting money transfers. People should be cautious of online romantic relationships with strangers, especially those requesting money or financial assistance, and verify identities through video calls or meeting in person before sending any funds.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-01-22
A wave of fake recruitment emails is circulating during hiring season, impersonating trusted companies like Amazon, Carrefour, and the NHS to trick job seekers into responding by claiming their résumés have been pre-approved and offering quick interviews. These scams, detected globally across multiple languages, target vulnerable job seekers in the US, UK, and Europe by creating urgency and pressuring them to act before they can verify the sender's legitimacy. Job seekers should verify any recruitment communication directly through official company websites or phone numbers, be suspicious of unsolicited job offers that claim immediate approval without an application, and never respond to emails that pressure quick action.
knsiradio.com
· 2026-01-22
Minnesota has enacted a new law effective January 1st that strengthens legal protections for older adults who fall victim to scams or financial exploitation by family members or trusted individuals. The law allows vulnerable adults or their representatives to obtain orders of protection that can freeze accounts and cut off contact with perpetrators, giving courts and banks the authority to stop fraud faster than previously possible. Older adults should be aware of this resource if they experience financial scams or suspect exploitation, and financial professionals are now protected when reporting suspected crimes involving vulnerable populations.
lvpnews.com
· 2026-01-22
A 25-year-old man from New Jersey was sentenced to up to 3 years in prison for defrauding a 74-year-old Whitehall resident out of over $500,000 in gold and $91,000 in cash through an elaborate scam involving fake PayPal alerts and threats of arrest. The perpetrator used various pretexts—claiming payment errors and demanding cryptocurrency, gold, or cash—to manipulate the elderly victim into withdrawing retirement funds and purchasing gold bars, which he then collected in person. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unexpected payment alerts via email, never send money via cryptocurrency or gift cards based on unsolicited calls, and verify suspicious claims by directly contacting your bank or PayPal using official phone numbers rather than numbers provided by the caller.
catcountry1073.com
· 2026-01-21
A Texas couple has been sentenced to prison for operating a romance scam that targeted elderly people, including at least one victim from New Jersey, by creating fake dating profiles and convincing victims to send money under false pretenses (such as claiming they needed to pay taxes on gold in Ghana). Felix Clark received five years in prison for wire fraud and conspiracy, having admitted to losses totaling over $501,000, while his girlfriend Esther Amppiaw received 18 months for operating an unlicensed money transmitter business. Elderly people should be cautious of online dating profiles from strangers who quickly profess romantic interest or ask for money, especially those claiming to need funds for international transactions or emergencies.
news-shield.com
· 2026-01-21
A presentation at a Wisconsin Men's Shed meeting warned senior citizens about online scams while encouraging continued safe internet use. Former Sheriff Chris Fitzgerald shared practical tips including avoiding suspicious links and unsolicited emails, verifying bank contacts directly before sharing information, watching for spelling errors in messages, and enabling two-factor authentication on accounts. If fraud occurs, he advised reporting it immediately to your bank and closing compromised accounts, despite the inconvenience of switching accounts and waiting for new cards.
fox35orlando.com
· 2026-01-21
# Tax Scam Warning
The Better Business Bureau is warning Americans that tax scammers will be especially active during the upcoming 2024 tax season, with fraudsters expected to exploit confusion around new tax deductions and take advantage of stressed taxpayers. Common scams include identity theft through phishing emails and fake tax preparers, IRS impersonation calls demanding immediate payment, and fraudulent websites mimicking official IRS portals—with taxpayers losing $5.5 billion to tax fraud in 2023 alone. To protect yourself, verify any tax preparation services before hiring them, never click links or call numbers in unsolicited emails claiming to be from the IRS, and remember that the real IRS will never demand immediate payment via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2026-01-21
The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers that tax scammers are expected to be especially active this year, with taxpayers losing $5.5 billion to tax fraud in 2023 alone. Common scams include identity theft through phishing emails, fake IRS calls demanding immediate payment, impersonation of tax officials, and fraudulent tax preparation services that promise unusually large refunds. To protect yourself, verify that emails actually come from the IRS (never click suspicious links), remember that the real IRS won't demand immediate wire transfer payments, and research any tax preparation company before hiring them.
kaspersky.com
· 2026-01-21
Artificial intelligence has made phishing scams significantly more dangerous by enabling scammers to create personalized, grammatically correct messages at scale that closely mimic legitimate communications from trusted companies and colleagues. Unlike older phishing attempts riddled with spelling errors, AI-powered scams are harder to detect because they sound natural, reference real events, and can incorporate personal information from social media or data breaches to appear more convincing. To protect yourself, focus on behavioral warning signs like unexpected requests or pressure to act quickly rather than looking for obvious spelling mistakes, and remain skeptical of messages urging immediate action—especially those requesting sensitive information or financial details.
973espn.com
· 2026-01-21
# Romance Scam Summary
A Texas man and woman have been sentenced to prison for operating romance scams that targeted elderly people, including victims from New Jersey, by posing as romantic interests online and tricking them into sending money under false pretexts like paying taxes on nonexistent gold in Ghana. Felix Clark received five years in prison and admitted to facilitating over $500,000 in losses, while his girlfriend Esther Amppiaw received 18 months for helping transfer the stolen funds. To protect yourself, be cautious of online dating profiles from people who quickly profess love or ask for money, especially for overseas fees or emergencies, and verify identities through video calls before sharing any financial information.
herald.wales
· 2026-01-21
Romance scams are targeting Welsh people ahead of Valentine's Day and Dydd Santes Dwynwen, with scammers exploiting the Welsh language and cultural trust to deceive victims—over £11 million was lost to scams in 2025, with an average loss of £17,785 per person. The Money and Pensions Service is urging people to stay vigilant and remember that scammers can operate in any language, including Welsh, and that being scammed is not something to feel ashamed about. If targeted, victims should report the fraud and seek free, confidential support through MoneyHelper or Report Fraud rather than suffering in silence.
digitaljournal.com
· 2026-01-21
# Fraud Alert Summary
Finance Complaint List, a consumer protection organization, is warning of a global surge in sophisticated online scams targeting investors and everyday consumers through social media, messaging apps, and fake investment platforms. Common scams include fraudulent AI-trading bots promising guaranteed returns, romance scams that escalate to fake investment pitches, and cloned legitimate financial websites designed to steal deposits. The organization urges victims to report scams immediately through official regulatory channels or FinanceComplaintList.com, and advises consumers to verify platform legitimacy before investing, be skeptical of guaranteed returns, and watch for red flags like withdrawal restrictions or requests for "unlock fees."
sootoday.com
· 2026-01-21
# Scam Summary
An Ontario senior lost over $10,000 to a highly convincing phone scam where a caller impersonated a government fraud investigator, claimed her cards had been cloned, and eventually convinced her to hand over her debit and credit cards to a person who came to her home. The scammer gained credibility by using the victim's personal information, confirming her address, and citing specific transactions, while also warning her against calling her bank directly. To protect yourself, be suspicious of unsolicited calls claiming fraud has occurred, independently verify by contacting your bank directly using a known phone number, and remember that legitimate authorities will never ask you to hand over your physical cards or sensitive information.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2026-01-21
An 87-year-old Toronto retiree nearly lost $3,000 to a convincing "bank investigation" scam where a fraudster posed as an official and instructed her to withdraw cash, claiming her account had been compromised. Canadian seniors are increasingly targeted by cyberscams, with research showing that one in three Canadians fell victim to fake-job or CRA refund scams over a three-month period last summer. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls asking you to withdraw money or keep conversations secret, and alert bank staff or cashiers if you suspect fraud—in this case, a pharmacy cashier's intervention saved the victim from losing her money.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-01-21
Fraudsters in China are exploiting the DRAM shortage by selling counterfeit or misrepresented graphics cards on second-hand marketplaces, with one scam involving a fake RTX 4080 being sold for just $143.50 (12% of its original $1,199 price). Buyers of used high-end graphics cards are the primary targets, lured by suspiciously cheap prices that seem reasonable due to claimed damage. To protect yourself, be extremely wary of deals that seem too good to be true, verify the exact specifications and condition of used GPUs before purchase, and consider buying from reputable retailers or certified refurbishers rather than second-hand markets.
pembroke-today.co.uk
· 2026-01-21
Romance scams are surging in Wales, with over £11 million reported lost in 2025 and an average loss of £17,785 per victim, particularly ahead of Dydd Santes Dwynwen and Valentine's Day. Scammers operate in any language, including Welsh, exploiting the perceived trustworthiness of Welsh speakers and accents to target victims. Those affected are urged to seek free, confidential support through MoneyHelper and report crimes to Report Fraud, without shame, as victims have been targeted by criminals rather than at fault.
aol.com
· 2026-01-20
Scammers are targeting older Americans with increasingly sophisticated "grandparent scams" that combine personal data, emotional manipulation, and sometimes AI voice technology to impersonate family members in fake emergencies. A grandfather nearly wired his life savings after receiving a convincing call claiming his grandson needed bail money, complete with real details like the grandson's name and recent move. To protect yourself, fraud experts recommend asking the caller a question only your real family member would know—scammers typically hang up when challenged this way—and always verify emergencies by calling another trusted family member directly before sending money.
wrangellsentinel.com
· 2026-01-20
A 25-year-old man was sentenced to a year in jail for his role in an elaborate phone scam that defrauded a Petersburg elderly resident of $129,000, with a third suspect still at large. The scammer impersonated a government agent and convinced the victim that her identity had been stolen, persuading her to wire money in multiple transfers. To protect yourself, be wary of unsolicited calls from people claiming to be government officials asking for money, never wire funds based on such calls, and verify any claims by contacting official agencies directly through known phone numbers.
mycentraloregon.com
· 2026-01-20
# Digital Literacy Effort Targets Scam Prevention for Older Adults
Internet scams cost Americans a record $16.6 billion in 2024, with older adults being particularly vulnerable to fraud that can lead to financial losses and increase isolation by discouraging technology use. Two Oregon nonprofits are promoting digital literacy programs through resources like public libraries and educational comics to help seniors build confidence in using technology safely. Experts recommend verifying the origin of messages by calling senders at official numbers, never feeling pressured to act immediately, and taking time to confirm requests before sharing any personal information.
livenowfox.com
· 2026-01-20
# Tax Season Fraud Warning
The Better Business Bureau is warning taxpayers about scammers targeting people during tax season, particularly with new tax deduction rules expected to increase fraud activity. In 2023, taxpayers lost $5.5 billion to tax scams and fraud, with common schemes including identity theft through phishing emails, fake IRS calls demanding immediate payment, and untrustworthy tax preparers promising unusually large refunds. To protect yourself, verify that communications are from official IRS sources, never click links in unsolicited emails or call numbers provided in them, and research any tax preparation business before hiring them.
prnewswire.com
· 2026-01-20
In Q4 2025, fake advertisements and online shops became the leading cyberthreat, with over 45 million fake shop attacks blocked during the holiday season—a 62% increase from the previous year. Cybercriminals increasingly relied on social media, video feeds, and messaging apps to trick people into completing simple actions like clicking links, scanning QR codes, or entering verification codes, rather than using sophisticated technical exploits. To protect yourself, remain cautious when shopping online or clicking ads on social media, verify shop legitimacy before entering payment information, avoid scanning unfamiliar QR codes, and be suspicious of unsolicited requests for verification codes or device pairing approvals.
usatoday.com
· 2026-01-20
# Payment App Scam Prevention Summary
Payment apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle are convenient for quick money transfers, but they're also vulnerable to scams and fraud. No single app is significantly safer than others—they all offer similar services with different fee structures and user bases, so choosing one depends on your needs and who you're sending money to. To protect yourself, experts recommend using strong passwords, verifying recipient information before sending money, and being cautious of unsolicited payment requests, as funds sent through these apps are often difficult or impossible to recover once transferred.
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2026-01-20
Millions of people turn to Reddit for help when facing cyberattacks, fraud, and account compromises because they lack the technical knowledge to handle these threats on their own. The threat landscape is rapidly evolving with faster, more automated attacks powered by AI, including sophisticated phishing, voice cloning, and text-message scams that cost victims globally around €850 million annually. To protect yourself, be cautious of unsolicited messages and emails, verify requests through official channels before sharing information, use strong unique passwords, and consider seeking help from official support channels rather than relying on strangers online.
statetimes.in
· 2026-01-20
# Cyber Scam Summary
An elderly couple in Srinagar lost their lifetime savings of 48 lakh rupees to a sophisticated "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters posing as CBI and telecom authority officials convinced them through WhatsApp video calls that they were under criminal investigation and threatened immediate arrest and asset seizure. The scammers used forged government documents, psychological pressure, and isolation tactics (forbidding contact with family or police) to coerce the victims into transferring money over several days. To protect yourself, verify government agency contact through official channels rather than responding to unsolicited calls, know that real authorities won't demand money transfers or threaten arrest over the phone, and report suspicious communications to police immediately instead of engaging further with the caller.
wrdw.com
· 2026-01-19
# Scams Rising Across the U.S.
Americans receive approximately 2.5 million scam and robocalls monthly, with scammers increasingly impersonating law enforcement to threaten arrest or demand payment via gift cards and wire transfers. In the Augusta area alone, ten of 22 counties have reported rising scam activity since November, including impersonations of local agencies like North Augusta Public Safety and major companies like Amazon and Georgia Power. To protect yourself, never provide personal information or payment to callers claiming to be law enforcement, verify suspicious calls by contacting the agency directly, and register your phone number on the Federal Trade Commission's Do Not Call list to reduce scam call volume.
waff.com
· 2026-01-19
# GLP-1 Weight Loss Drug Scams Surge with New Year's Resolutions
Scammers are exploiting people's New Year's fitness goals by promoting fake GLP-1 weight loss drugs through phony online ads, text messages, and AI-generated celebrity endorsements, stealing money and personal information from victims who either receive nothing or counterfeit products. The Better Business Bureau is tracking numerous reports of these scams nationwide, with fraudsters targeting people who click links and order from illegitimate websites. To protect yourself, only obtain GLP-1s through a legitimate physician or licensed pharmacy (look for "https" on websites, verify contact information, and remember that prescription medications shouldn't be available for direct online purchase), and use a credit card for disputes if needed.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2026-01-19
A 74-year-old terminally ill cancer patient in British Columbia lost $1,500 in a scam while attempting to buy a used camper van from a stranger, hoping to take one final camping trip with his grandson before he dies. The man, who is living in a hospice on a minimal pension, was approached by someone who showed him the vehicle and claimed to sell it, but the transaction turned out to be fraudulent. For anyone buying used vehicles or items from strangers, experts recommend meeting in safe public locations, verifying ownership documentation, and considering using escrow services or payment methods that offer buyer protection rather than cash transactions.
newtelegraphng.com
· 2026-01-19
An EFCC operative testified in court that over 600 Nigerian youths were trained and recruited into a sophisticated cyber fraud network involving cryptocurrency investment scams, romance scams, and money laundering, leading to the arrest of 792 people in December 2024. The trial centers on Friday Audu, who allegedly coordinated this international scam operation through a shell company called Genting International Ltd that posed as a gaming business while facilitating criminal activities. To protect yourself, be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment opportunities (especially cryptocurrency), romantic advances from online contacts, and verify the legitimacy of companies before sending money or personal information.
komu.com
· 2026-01-19
# Fraud Alert Summary
The Cole County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of a scam where callers impersonate deputies and claim victims have arrest warrants, demanding payment over the phone. Law enforcement will never contact you by phone about warrants or ask for payment, so if you receive such a call, hang up and independently contact your local sheriff's office using an official number to verify. If you've been targeted by this scam, contact the Cole County Sheriff's Office at 573-634-9160.
whio.com
· 2026-01-18
Scammers in Centerville are calling bank customers while impersonating fraud investigators, asking them to share one-time authentication codes that give criminals access to drain their accounts. The scammers spoof legitimate bank numbers or use toll-free numbers that are difficult to identify as fraudulent. To protect yourself, hang up on unsolicited calls and contact your bank directly using the number on your card or statement—never share authentication codes with anyone who calls you.
wsaz.com
· 2026-01-18
Scammers are impersonating U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement in a widespread fraud scheme, calling or texting victims to demand immediate payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or Bitcoin by threatening arrest for missed court dates or jury duty. These fraudsters often send fake court documents and may pressure victims not to tell family members. To protect yourself, remember that legitimate law enforcement will never call demanding money—if you receive such a call, hang up and call 911 directly to verify any claims.
abqjournal.com
· 2026-01-18
# Amazon Refund Scam Warning
Following a $1.5 billion FTC settlement with Amazon over deceptive Prime enrollment practices, eligible customers are receiving refunds of up to $51, but scammers are impersonating Amazon and FTC officials to steal money from people claiming their refunds. The FTC warns that neither Amazon nor the agency will call about refunds, demand money upfront, make threats, or ask for fees to guarantee payments—anyone doing so is a scammer. If you receive a claim notice about an Amazon refund, apply directly through official channels and ignore any callers or messages asking for payment or personal information.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-01-18
A "pig butchering" scam exploited Joe Novak, a 51-year-old father who lost $280,000 after a fake woman befriended him on Facebook, built emotional trust over months, and then convinced him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes that promised high returns. These sophisticated scams target vulnerable people by establishing romantic connections before pivoting to financial requests, leaving victims emotionally devastated and financially ruined. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited romantic connections from strangers online, never invest money based on advice from people you've only met digitally, and verify investment opportunities through official, independent sources before committing any funds.
rvtravel.com
· 2026-01-18
RVers are particularly vulnerable to scams because they frequently travel between states, use public Wi-Fi, and are isolated while traveling, making them targets for increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes including fake job offers, recovery scams targeting previous victims, government impersonation scams, and romance scams. To protect themselves, RVers should avoid unsolicited job offers requesting upfront payments or gift cards, never pay fees to recover stolen funds (legitimate agencies don't charge upfront), hang up on callers claiming to be government officials demanding immediate payment, and be cautious of online relationships that eventually request money. The key advice is to verify any unexpected contact through official channels, never send money to unknown parties, and remain skeptical of urgent payment demands regardless of who claims to be calling.
chicagotribune.com
· 2026-01-18
An elderly Palos Hills resident lost $788,000 in a phone scam involving cryptocurrency and other methods, part of a troubling trend of high-value fraud targeting seniors in the south suburbs. A second victim in the same area lost $19,000 when a scammer impersonated a Chase Bank representative, and similar schemes have cost other residents hundreds of thousands of dollars through fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities. According to the Federal Trade Commission, scams targeting older adults for amounts exceeding $100,000 have increased nearly sevenfold since 2020, making it critical for seniors and their families to verify any unsolicited financial requests directly with their banks using official phone numbers and to be skeptical of pressure to quickly transfer money or invest in cryptocurrency.
savingadvice.com
· 2026-01-18
Scammers are targeting seniors with fake "urgent" messages claiming they'll lose federal tax credits by January 20th, using artificial time pressure to trick people into revealing personal information or paying bogus fees. The actual IRS filing deadline isn't until April 15, 2026, and legitimate tax credits don't vanish from missing a random mid-January cutoff. To protect yourself, ignore pressure to act immediately—contact the IRS directly through their official website or phone number, verify claims with trusted family members, and remember that the IRS typically initiates contact by mail, not unsolicited calls or emails.
the420.in
· 2026-01-18
A retired senior citizen in Navi Mumbai lost over ₹4 crore in an elaborate cyber fraud where scammers impersonated police and investigation officials, using WhatsApp calls and fabricated bank notices to convince him his identity was involved in money laundering and threatening him with arrest if he didn't transfer funds to "secure accounts." The victim eventually realized the deception after noticing suspicious account activity and reported it to authorities. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited calls claiming to be from officials, never transfer money based on threats or alleged legal issues, and verify any such claims directly with official agencies through their known contact numbers rather than responding to the caller.
goldrushcam.com
· 2026-01-18
A Chinese national named Zhao Wang pleaded guilty to orchestrating a $27 million fraud scheme that targeted approximately 2,000 elderly Americans through fake technical support calls, bank impersonation, and refund scams. The scammers used unsolicited calls and pop-up ads to direct victims to India-based call centers, where they used social engineering and remote access software to trick victims into sending their own money via wire transfers or cash in the mail. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited contact about refunds or technical problems, never grant remote access to your computer to unknown callers, and verify any refund claims directly with companies using official contact information.
womansworld.com
· 2026-01-17
Cybersecurity experts warn that AI voice cloning scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and dangerous, allowing criminals to impersonate trusted figures like family members, police officers, and bank employees to manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. These scams use emotional pressure tactics and create artificial urgency, with warning signs including demands to keep the call secret, stay on the line, or pay via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or ATM transfers. To protect yourself, establish a family password that must be provided before responding to urgent requests for money or personal information.
postandcourier.com
· 2026-01-17
Roughly 96 percent of Americans receive scam messages weekly, with fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion nationally in 2024 and growing about 25 percent annually. Scammers increasingly exploit emotional vulnerabilities through sophisticated tactics like romance scams and AI-generated deepfakes, particularly targeting people through online dating and social media platforms. To protect yourself, experts recommend being cautious about sharing personal information with online contacts, verifying identities before any financial transactions, and reporting suspicious messages—especially those requesting money or account access from people you've only met online.
ourquadcities.com
· 2026-01-17
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is warning residents about text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles that threaten to suspend licenses and registrations to trick people into sharing personal or financial information. Illinois residents should never respond to or click links in unsolicited texts claiming to be from the DMV, since the state office only sends appointment reminders via text and never requests personal information through messages. Anyone who receives these scam messages should report them to the Federal Trade Commission to help protect themselves and others.
centralillinoisproud.com
· 2026-01-17
Illinois residents are being targeted by text message scams impersonating the Department of Motor Vehicles, claiming their vehicle registration will be suspended and threatening law enforcement action to pressure them into clicking malicious links or sharing personal information. The Illinois Secretary of State warns that legitimate DMV texts only contain appointment reminders, so residents should never respond to or click links in unsolicited DMV texts. If you receive one of these scam messages, simply delete it and report it to the Federal Trade Commission to help protect yourself and others.
moultrienews.com
· 2026-01-17
Nearly all Americans (96%) receive scam messages weekly, with fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion nationally in 2024 and growing about 25% annually. Scammers increasingly exploit emotions through romance scams and AI-deepfakes, targeting people across all ages and often causing psychological trauma beyond financial losses. To protect yourself, verify the identity of online contacts before sharing personal information or money, be skeptical of requests from people you've only met online, and report suspicious activity to authorities like the AARP Fraud Helpline.
walb.com
· 2026-01-17
The Albany Police Department is warning residents of Dougherty County about an ongoing phone scam where callers create urgency and pressure victims to send money or reveal sensitive information. Residents should be cautious of unsolicited calls and avoid sharing personal details or making payments based on pressure tactics. Anyone who suspects they've encountered a scam can report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
goldrushcam.com
· 2026-01-17
Victor Marion, the leader of a San Diego-based money laundering operation, pleaded guilty to his role in an international fraud scheme that defrauded over 500 elderly Americans of more than $42 million. The scam operated from call centers in Dubai and India, using fake technical support pop-ups to trick victims into sending money, then exploiting them further with fake refund schemes that appeared to show large overages on their computers. To protect yourself, be skeptical of unsolicited technical support pop-ups, never allow remote access to your computer from unsolicited callers, and verify any refunds through official company websites or phone numbers rather than responding to unexpected messages.
atholdailynews.com
· 2026-01-17
# Fraud Case Summary
An Idaho woman accused of helping steal $338,000 from the town of Orange through fraudulent invoices claims she was actually a victim of a romance scam, according to her attorney. Jennifer Grasmick, 51, allegedly deposited and transferred funds to cryptocurrency as a favor to someone she believed was a romantic interest online, without realizing the money came from fraudulent sources. Her attorney argues she never personally benefited from the scheme and that a proper investigation would reveal she was manipulated by foreign scammers, not a willing participant in the town's theft.
bhaskarenglish.in
· 2026-01-17
An elderly man in Ahmedabad lost ₹1.40 crore to a sophisticated share trading scam after downloading a fake trading app that displayed false profits to convince him to invest more money. A woman gained his trust and orchestrated the fraud, with scammers continuing to pressure him for additional payments totaling over ₹2 crore by claiming he had won an IPO allocation. To protect yourself, avoid downloading trading apps from unknown sources, be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities with guaranteed returns, verify apps through official websites or app stores, and never transfer money based on screenshots showing profits.
ktalnews.com
· 2026-01-17
# Grandparent Scam Summary
An elderly Louisiana resident lost over $13,000 in a "grandparent scam" where a caller impersonated her grandson, claiming he was in jail and needed bond money, then a female accomplice posed as a bail bond courier to collect the cash in person. Police warn this scam specifically targets seniors by exploiting family bonds and creating false urgency, and they're appealing to the public to help identify the suspects. Elderly individuals should verify any urgent requests by calling family members directly at known numbers and never give cash to strangers, even if they claim to represent law enforcement or bail bond services.
today.com
· 2026-01-17
Scammers are flooding social media with fake ads for weight-loss drugs and products, including deepfake videos of celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and fake pharmacies selling unapproved medications that may never arrive. The Better Business Bureau warns that millions searching for affordable GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are vulnerable to these scams, with victims reporting losses of hundreds of dollars and non-functional refund processes. To protect yourself, be skeptical of celebrity endorsements for weight-loss products on social media, verify medications through licensed pharmacies only, and check with the FDA before purchasing any weight-loss drug or supplement.