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thepaypers.com
· 2026-08-12
Cryptocurrency fraud has evolved from a niche problem into a mainstream threat affecting banks, payment providers, and ecommerce platforms, with organized operations running "pig butchering" romance and investment scams from industrial compounds in Southeast Asia targeting victims globally for an estimated USD 18–37 billion in losses in 2023 alone. Common crypto scam types include romance/investment schemes, phishing attacks that steal wallet credentials, fake investment platforms using Ponzi structures, and insider threats from employees with privileged access to digital assets. Financial institutions and regulators must understand how these professionally-run, script-based fraud operations work to identify them earlier in the transaction chain rather than after funds are lost.
dailypost.ng
· 2026-08-12
Artificial intelligence is enabling 55% of cybercrimes across Africa, with losses surging from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million in 2025, according to INTERPOL's African Cyberthreat Assessment Report. AI-facilitated scams include credential harvesting, phishing, and the use of AI-generated digital personas to bypass biometric systems and commit mobile money fraud, business email compromise, and romance scams. INTERPOL warns that fragmented cybercrime legislation and low AI readiness among African law enforcement agencies, combined with poor inter-agency data sharing between banks and authorities, are hampering efforts to combat this industrialized, transnational criminal ecosystem.
haveagonews.com.au
· 2026-08-12
Scammers are increasingly targeting older Western Australians through gift card fraud, using tactics including romance scams where fraudsters build false relationships before requesting money, and impersonation scams where they pose as employers, government agencies, or business executives to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards. Notable cases include a woman who lost $17,000 to a fake CEO email, another who lost $77,000 to a romance scam, and a man in his 70s who lost $50,000 in similar schemes. Legitimate organizations never request payment via gift cards, and consumers should verify requests in person while retailers are encouraged to watch for unusual purchases and alert staff to coaching tactics scammers use to circumvent warnings
united24media.com
· 2026-08-12
Telegram's over one billion users and limited moderation make it an increasingly popular platform for scammers who create fake channels impersonating legitimate companies and public figures, send phishing messages designed to steal login credentials and personal information, and promote cryptocurrency investment scams promising guaranteed returns or orchestrating "pump-and-dump" schemes. The article outlines how fraudsters exploit the platform's accessibility and lack of account verification to target millions of potential victims globally, and provides guidance on recognizing these common scams to protect users from financial loss and account compromise.
bu.edu
· 2026-08-12
Boston University Police Department offers safety recommendations for students, including traveling in groups, using secure bike locks and storage, locking residence doors and windows, avoiding unattended property, and verifying rideshare vehicles before entering. The guidance emphasizes personal awareness, neighborhood vigilance, and utilizing campus resources like bike registration to prevent theft and protect against crime both on and off campus.
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.
issafrica.org
· 2026-08-12
Cybercriminals in Cameroon and Chad are targeting young jobseekers with fake employment offers via WhatsApp and Facebook, using advance-fee fraud schemes that steal victims' savings and sometimes lead to trafficking for forced labor or sexual exploitation. The scams exploit rapid digital expansion and economic vulnerability in regions with weak law enforcement, outdated cybercrime laws, and limited social media platform accountability. These frauds are increasingly linked to conflict-driven displacement and irregular migration networks in Central Africa.
hoodline.com
· 2026-08-12
A 71-year-old Lorain woman lost $30,000 in a tech support scam where a fraudster posing as a Microsoft representative convinced her that federal investigators needed to move her money to a secure account to protect it from hackers and criminal activity. The scammer stayed on the phone while she withdrew the cash from her bank and instructed her to hand it over in a shoebox to a stranger in a Kohl's parking lot, where an Asian man in his early 20s collected the money and disappeared. The woman did not realize she was being robbed until after the exchange, as the scammer had coached her throughout the entire process to make her believe he was helping protect her accounts.
en.cibercuba.com
· 2026-08-12
Cuban journalist Alexis Boentes nearly fell victim to a phone scam when he called what appeared to be MSC Cruise customer service after finding the number through a Google search, but the scammers used his legitimate reservation details to pressure him into sharing credit card information for alleged unpaid charges. Boentes avoided losing money by hanging up and calling the cruise company directly through their official website the next day, discovering the initial number was fraudulent. He warned others to always verify phone numbers through official websites rather than Google searches, as similar scams target cruise lines, airlines, and utility companies.
ncoa.org
· 2026-08-12
Older Americans aged 60 and over filed over 201,000 fraud complaints in 2025 with losses exceeding $7.7 billion—a 37% increase from the previous year—as scammers increasingly target seniors through phone calls, texts, emails, and social media impersonating banks and government agencies. Sherman J., a 67-year-old, avoided losing money by trusting his instincts when a caller claiming to be from his bank requested sensitive information, and later found support through a community scam awareness workshop at his local senior center. Community-based prevention programs are helping older adults recognize common scams including romance fraud, fake lottery winnings, and contractor fraud, while newer AI
smh.com.au
· 2026-08-12
AI-generated scam emails impersonating prestigious publishers, editors, and media figures are targeting authors internationally with fake publishing deals and promotional opportunities. Scammers use AI to create convincing, detailed emails that reference authors' work and professional credentials before eventually requesting payment for services. The Australian Society of Authors has reported a significant surge in these "pig butchering" style scams, with some writers receiving multiple fraudulent emails daily.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-08-12
Cybercriminals are launching phishing campaigns targeting hotel employees by impersonating prospective guests and Booking.com notifications to trick staff into clicking malicious links that steal credentials or deliver malware. Two primary attack vectors have been identified: emails posing as guests unable to complete online reservations and fake Booking.com notifications requesting guest information, with the largest numbers of targeted hotels located in the UK, Switzerland, Vietnam, Italy, Ireland, and the United States. The attacks exploit normal hotel operations by using convincing but deceptive requests about reservations, invoices, accessibility needs, and dietary restrictions to lower employee suspicion before directing them to malicious webpages.
aol.com
· 2026-08-12
A Southern California renter lost over $2,500 to a fake rental listing scam after a fraudster copied photos and video from a real property listing, posed as the landlord, and collected a deposit via Zelle before disappearing. Fake rental scams have surged significantly, with the FBI receiving 12,368 real estate fraud complaints in 2025 (up from 9,359 in 2024) resulting in losses exceeding $275 million, with scammers exploiting renters' urgency by stealing existing listings and using professional photos, videos, and AI-generated documents to appear legitimate.
newsnationnow.com
· 2026-08-11
A jury duty scam is spreading nationwide where callers impersonate law enforcement and claim victims missed jury duty summons, demanding immediate payment of thousands of dollars to avoid arrest. The scammers use psychological tactics including empathetic tones, incremental compliance requests, and personal information obtained through spyware to pressure victims into paying via wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or retail stores. Reported losses include $25,000 in Florida and $2,000 in Ohio, with police warning that legitimate courts never demand immediate payment by phone, text, email, cryptocurrency, or gift cards.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2026-08-11
AI-enabled cybercrime across Africa doubled losses from $192 million in 2024 to $484 million in 2025, with Nigeria facing particular threats from ransomware (5,822 detections in 2025), business email compromise, and romance scams. According to INTERPOL's report, AI now facilitates 55% of reported African cybercrimes by automating attacks and making them harder to detect, while 72% of surveyed African countries reported the presence of scam centers. The report urges stronger legislation, law enforcement AI training, and international collaboration to combat the industrialized, borderless cybercrime ecosystem that exploits mobile money platforms and social media to defraud
punchng.com
· 2026-08-11
An Interpol report warns that artificial intelligence is being used in 55% of cybercrimes across Africa, with Nigeria, South Africa, South Sudan, and Namibia being the most affected countries between January 2024 and September 2025. AI-enabled crimes include deepfakes, romance scams, ransomware attacks targeting healthcare and utilities, and Business Email Compromise (BEC) schemes, with Nigerian cybercriminals routing illicit proceeds through crypto exchanges and money-laundering operations. Nigeria accounted for $92 billion of the $205 billion in cryptocurrency transactions during this period, with attackers using generative AI, machine learning, and voice cloning to scale attacks and evade detection
newsgram.com
· 2026-08-11
A 23-year-old man in Delhi lost Rs 1.46 lakh to a romance scam on the dating app Grindr in March 2024, after a person posing as "Dr Harry Robot" from the US convinced him to wire money for supposed travel and customs expenses. The investigation traced the scam to a 22-year-old Nigerian woman trained by an Indian coach to impersonate romantic interests and immigration officials, with the wider syndicate allegedly defrauding at least seven victims of approximately Rs 94 lakh. This modern variant of the classic "Nigerian prince" scam exploits loneliness and desire for connection rather than greed, making it particularly difficult for victims
suffolktimes.timesreview.com
· 2026-08-11
A Southold woman lost nearly $7,000 in a grandson scam where callers falsely claimed her grandson needed bail money for a DWI arrest, with a courier collecting the cash from her home. Jonathan Manuel, 37, of Paterson, New Jersey, was arrested and charged with third-degree grand larceny after police recovered the $6,720 from his vehicle. The same day, town officials also warned residents about fraudulent emails impersonating the Zoning Board of Appeals and requesting payment through suspicious links.
gvnews.com
· 2026-08-11
The article is an opinion piece about language and communication in discussing scams, using a fictional Simpsons episode where Grampa Simpson falls victim to a grandparent scam where scammers demand $10,000. The piece emphasizes the importance of avoiding shame-based language when speaking to scam victims, featuring commentary from R.O.S.E. Resources, a community organization that educates the public about elder fraud.
patch.com
· 2026-08-11
A New Canaan resident fell victim to a phishing scam after receiving a text message claiming to be from Apple about a suspicious $847.92 charge on their account. The victim called the fake support number and handed over cash to someone posing as an officer, who claimed payment was necessary to recover funds owed. Police warn residents to verify suspicious messages by contacting Apple directly or local authorities rather than calling numbers in unsolicited texts.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-08-11
Criminals are operating fake ticket websites targeting tourists in Barcelona and Catalonia, impersonating legitimate portals for attractions like Sagrada Família and Montserrat as well as major concert events. Victims lose money for tickets that don't exist and risk exposing personal and banking information to fraudsters who use convincing lookalike websites, social media ads, and phishing emails to appear legitimate. Spanish authorities recommend purchasing tickets only through official channels and verified websites to avoid these scams.
ottumwaradio.com
· 2026-08-11
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and Meta launched a joint public awareness campaign to combat romance, investment, and tech support scams that target Iowans on social media platforms, with educational materials distributed at the Iowa State Fair in August. Americans lost nearly $16 billion to online fraud last year, and Iowa's Attorney General's office receives thousands of complaints annually from scam victims, often targeted by international criminals. The partnership includes law enforcement training and Meta's commitment to identify and remove fraudulent accounts and content.
peninsuladailynews.com
· 2026-08-10
A financial scam prevention seminar in Sequim, Washington on July 27 educated seniors about fraud tactics used against them, with law enforcement officials warning that Clallam County residents have lost millions of dollars to scams involving impersonation of government agents, gold and Bitcoin conversion, and identity theft. The presenters emphasized that prevention is critical because victims are extremely difficult to recover losses for, citing cases where residents lost hundreds of thousands of dollars and one 83-year-old woman lost her house after being scammed. The officials recommended seniors use locking mailboxes, monitor bank statements monthly, and obtain free annual credit reports to protect themselves.
singjupost.com
· 2026-08-10
This transcript from an August 2026 FBI interview does not contain information about elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or fraud cases suitable for an elder fraud research database. The content focuses on FBI Director Kash Patel discussing World Cup security operations, counter-drone systems, and mentions Operation Blackout only in passing without substantive details about scam victims or fraud amounts.
koreapost.com
· 2026-08-10
South Korean financial authorities conducted an anti-phishing campaign at Busan Sea Festival warning the public about sophisticated voice-phishing scams that use deceptive text messages impersonating wedding invitations, parcel deliveries, and fine notices to trick victims into installing malicious apps. Voice-phishing losses in South Korea surged 56.1% year-over-year to 1.133 trillion won between January and November 2025, though recent government intervention measures have reduced cases and losses by 35.3% over seven consecutive months. Authorities express concern that criminals may be shifting tactics to newer scams on social media and messaging platforms rather than being deterred entirely.
stories.td.com
· 2026-08-10
Fraud losses reached $16 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with rising scams involving fake celebrity endorsements, cryptocurrency schemes, and QR code fraud. Criminals are increasingly using stolen celebrity images on social media to lure victims into bogus investment schemes and pressuring people, particularly seniors, to send money through cryptocurrency ATMs where funds are nearly impossible to recover. Experts recommend verifying information sources directly, remaining skeptical of social media claims, and openly discussing fraud experiences to help others recognize warning signs.
valawyersweekly.com
· 2026-08-10
A Waltham, Massachusetts attorney and at least 20 other lawyers were targeted in a scam where perpetrators posed as clients, requested legal services, then asked the attorneys to hold large sums of money in escrow before pressuring them to quickly disburse the funds to third parties. The scammers deposited fraudulent checks (averaging $100,000 payouts, with one victim losing over $500,000) that initially appeared to clear but were later reversed by the banks, leaving the attorneys responsible for replacing the missing funds from their personal accounts and client trust accounts.
turnto23.com
· 2026-08-10
Bakersfield residents are experiencing multiple scams, with investment fraud being the costliest, involving scammers building trust via text or social media before directing victims to fake cryptocurrency or gold trading platforms. Online purchase scams featuring counterfeit products and home improvement upfront payment schemes are also prevalent and taking significant amounts of money. The Better Business Bureau advises checking businesses at bbb.org, avoiding urgent links, and being wary of high-pressure sales tactics demanding immediate payment.
nltimes.nl
· 2026-08-10
Vacation rental scams on Booking.com have surged dramatically, with phishing reports jumping from 162 in the second half of 2025 to 957 in the first half of 2026, and damages rising to over 82,000 euros. Fraudsters hack landlord accounts or create fake listings using copied photos and information, then direct victims to fraudulent payment websites or demand additional fees upon arrival. Victims like Hans Hooijer in Cape Town and multiple families in Portugal lost hundreds to thousands of euros before discovering their bookings were not legitimate.
bssnews.net
· 2026-08-10
Scammers are exploiting the release of Christopher Nolan's film "Odyssey" by creating fake streaming websites that promise free access to the movie in multiple languages. These sites use fake reviews and prompt users to register with personal information and banking details under the guise of a "free trial," leading to credential theft and potential financial losses. Kaspersky recommends users verify website authenticity, use official streaming services, enable multi-factor authentication, and monitor accounts for suspicious activity to protect themselves from these phishing scams.
community.triblive.com
· 2026-08-10
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday warned of a rising "government imposter scam" where callers use number spoofing to impersonate county sheriff's offices and demand immediate payment via phone for bail or bonds, claiming arrest warrants have been issued. Scammers pressure victims to pay through untraceable methods like gift cards, Bitcoin, or cash withdrawals, exploiting the urgency created by false legal threats. Legitimate law enforcement never demands immediate phone payments, and residents are urged to hang up, independently verify information, and report suspicious calls to the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office.
rte.ie
· 2026-08-10
Recruitment scams are rising in Ireland, with criminals using legitimate company branding, conducting fake video interviews, and then requesting personal information, bank details, or upfront payments under the guise of onboarding. The scams are particularly effective because they mimic the entire genuine hiring process—application, interview, and job offer—making fraudulent requests feel like normal employment procedures. Job applicants are vulnerable because they typically authenticate employers through weak methods like logos and email signatures, while legitimate employers have multiple verification tools available.
scworld.com
· 2026-08-10
"Pig butchering" scams are long-con frauds where criminals build trust relationships with victims over days or weeks through social media, email, or text before manipulating them into sending money for fake job opportunities, cryptocurrency investments, or romantic schemes. Researchers used AI to study over 1,000 of these scams, revealing that scammers employ deep personalization, stolen photos, and platform switching to extract trust before requesting payment. Thousands of people lose millions of dollars annually to these scams, which often involve low-level scammers operating in Southeast Asian locations under coercive conditions.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-08-10
Deepfakes are increasingly used in fraud schemes, with scammers employing AI voice cloning and facial manipulation to impersonate celebrities, executives, and relatives to steal money. A mother in Hillsborough County lost $15,000 when scammers cloned her daughter's voice to fake a car crash, and fraudsters in San Francisco attempted a fake bail call scam. The article provides guidance on detecting deepfakes by verifying the video source, checking for lip-sync errors, and using detection tools, as 37% of consumers now identify deepfake videos as a top concern with AI-powered scams.
mbiz.heraldcorp.com
· 2026-08-09
A business owner fell victim to a "no-show scam" after receiving a call from someone impersonating a city hall employee requesting he purchase vehicle radios and wire payment to a designated account; the promised commission never materialized. No-show scams, where fraudsters impersonate government or public institution officials to pressure victims into proxy purchases, have surged dramatically, with 1,376 cases reported in South Korea between June and October, representing 37% of all phishing fraud reported during that period. The government warns that legitimate public institution employees never solicit contracts or financial transactions via personal mobile phones.
theguardian.com
· 2026-08-09
Scammers are operating fake streaming websites offering free access to the newly released film "The Odyssey" to trick users into providing their bank details and personal information. Victims who submit their information risk malware infections, account theft, and future phishing attacks, with the fraudulent sites using fake reviews and multilingual versions to appear legitimate. Experts recommend only accessing content through official streaming services and immediately contacting banks and authorities if defrauded.
fingerlakesdailynews.com
· 2026-08-09
New York State Police warn of a growing scam targeting older adults in which fraudsters build trust through unsolicited contact, then convince victims to purchase cryptocurrency or gold bars that are handed over to couriers or shipped away, often resulting in loss of life savings. The scams typically begin with fake investment opportunities on fraudulent websites showing high returns, and victims are instructed to keep transactions secret from family and banks. Police stress that legitimate financial institutions and government agencies never ask people to purchase gold, transfer cryptocurrency, or hand assets to couriers.
makeuseof.com
· 2026-08-09
QR code scams, known as "quishing," have affected 26 million Americans, with attacks increasing 146% to 18.7 million detections by March 2026, as scammers hide malicious links behind QR codes to redirect victims to phishing sites where they steal sensitive information. The scams exploit the fact that 73% of Americans scan QR codes without verification, often leading to credential theft or unauthorized account access through spoofed websites and bypass of authentication systems. Users can protect themselves by checking for out-of-place QR codes, verifying domain names for misspellings before scanning, and using hardware security keys instead of relying on passwords or two-factor authentication alone
pressdemocrat.com
· 2026-08-09
A Mexican farmworker in Sonoma County lost approximately $18,000 to an elaborate immigration scam involving fake attorneys and a fraudulent online hearing with an imposter judge posing as a U.S. consular official. According to the Federal Trade Commission and ProPublica reporting, immigrants have lost $94 million over the past five years to such scams, with complaints doubling in recent years as desperation increases amid stricter immigration enforcement policies.
nypost.com
· 2026-08-09
Scammers defrauded the city of Pittsburg, California of $913,000 meant for a recreation center construction project by posing as the builder company Discovery Builders and impersonating a city employee through a spoofed email address containing a subtle alteration. The fraudsters hacked the assistant city manager's email to convince finance staff to update banking information, then moved the stolen funds through multiple accounts with help from unwitting accomplices, including an Illinois man who converted $217,000 to cryptocurrency. The city recovered approximately $696,000 with FBI assistance, but faces an estimated $100,000 loss after accounting for insurance coverage of the remaining missing funds.
ppc.land
· 2026-08-09
Gen Z professionals lose money to employment scams at five times the rate of Baby Boomers—21% versus 4%—according to LinkedIn survey data, with Gen Z also showing higher vulnerability across multiple stages of job searching despite expressing greater confidence in their ability to spot scams. The research reveals that 90% of reported scam messages attempt to move conversations to private channels, often in the first message, and identifies work-from-home and entry-level positions as primary targets. Gen Z's increased susceptibility is partly attributed to market pressures, with 32% of Gen Z ignoring warning signs due to limited job options compared to 8% of Baby Boomers.
aol.com
· 2026-08-09
The author describes various scams he and acquaintances have recently encountered, including impersonation calls from "bank fraud prevention," fake emails from compromised friend accounts requesting gift cards, a fraudulent Facebook estate sale post, counterfeit checks, and text messages with malicious links. He warns readers against clicking unknown links, scanning suspicious QR codes (quishing), and providing personal information via email or text, noting that highly educated people are often overconfident in their ability to detect fraud.
aol.com
· 2026-08-08
Adults age 60 and older filed over 201,000 scam complaints in 2025, experiencing losses exceeding $7.7 billion, representing a 37% increase in complaints and 59% increase in losses compared to 2024. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent scams using AI voice-cloning technology (such as the case of an 86-year-old who lost $6,000) and romance scams involving AI-generated content (one victim lost over $81,000 and her home). The article recommends awareness, consulting trusted contacts before acting on suspicious requests, and understanding warning signs such as pressure to act immediately, requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency,
foxnews.com
· 2026-08-08
Two men, Chu Lin and Xiean Cheng, were arrested in Washington, D.C., after posing as federal agents to scam an 85-year-old victim into purchasing over $200,000 in gold bars. The scammers contacted the victim by email and phone claiming his bank funds were in jeopardy and could only be secured by buying gold, but a vigilant gold dealer recognized the scheme and alerted authorities. Both men were charged with second-degree financial fraud when they arrived at the victim's home to collect the gold bars.
whec.com
· 2026-08-08
State Police in New York are warning older adults about a sophisticated scam involving fake cryptocurrency investments and gold purchases, where scammers build trust through unsolicited online contact before convincing victims to withdraw cash or buy gold bars, which are then handed to couriers or shipped away and rarely recovered. The scammers use increasingly advanced tactics, falsely promising high returns on investments or cryptocurrency conversions. Victims are advised to stop contact with suspected scammers, report to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and contact their financial institutions.
heraldextra.com
· 2026-08-08
This article explains how to recognize and protect yourself from financial scams by identifying common warning signs rather than specific fraud types. Key red flags include scammers creating urgency to rush decisions, requesting sensitive information like passwords or account numbers, demanding unusual payment methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, and exploiting emotions through fabricated scenarios. The article emphasizes that taking time to verify requests through trusted contact information and asking logical questions about why information is needed are effective prevention strategies.
somervillema.gov
· 2026-08-08
Permit applicants in Somerville received fraudulent emails impersonating the City of Somerville and requesting payment, despite using official logos, correct titles, and real staff names. The scam emails contained telltale signs including urgent payment demands, non-official payment methods, links to fake domains with misspelled URLs, and unauthorized invoice requests. The City is alerting residents to verify communications directly with the city and avoid clicking links or making payments based on unsolicited emails.
mpdc.dc.gov
· 2026-08-08
Two men posing as federal agents were arrested after attempting to scam an 85-year-old victim out of over $200,000 by claiming his bank funds were at risk and convincing him to purchase gold bars. The scam was thwarted when a gold dealer alerted authorities, leading to the arrest of 50-year-old Chu Lin and 42-year-old Xiean Cheng when they arrived at the victim's home to collect the bars. Both suspects were charged with Second Degree Financial Fraud.
hoodline.com
· 2026-08-08
An 85-year-old Washington, D.C. man was targeted in a fraud scheme designed to steal over $200,000 in gold bars after scammers posing as federal agents convinced him his bank account was at risk. The plot was thwarted when a vigilant gold dealer recognized the fraudulent pattern and alerted law enforcement, leading to the arrest of two suspects, Chu Lin and Xiean Cheng, when they arrived to collect the gold. Both suspects face second-degree financial fraud charges, with potential for enhanced penalties due to the victim's age.
aol.com
· 2026-08-08
Scammers targeting seniors across multiple states, including New York, have stolen over $100 million in the past two years using a gold bar scheme that begins with fake pop-up messages claiming financial compromise, followed by impersonators posing as law enforcement who direct victims to purchase gold bars or coins as "protection" for their accounts. Victims are instructed to keep the scam secret and then hand over the gold to couriers, with one notable case involving an 85-year-old man in Washington DC who was targeted for $200,000 before a gold dealer recognized the scheme and alerted authorities. New York's attorney general is warning the public not to call numbers in unsolicited messages, grant remote computer