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hercampus.com
This article is a first-person account from a college student describing her experience with a suspected fraudulent internship opportunity, not a completed elder fraud case. The student was recruited via LinkedIn by a marketing firm with vague credentials, red flags including a LinkedIn profile with no members and communication via text rather than email, and was invited to multiple interview rounds. While the article does not detail financial losses or confirm the scam was completed, it serves as a cautionary tale about job recruitment fraud targeting vulnerable populations—in this case, desperate job-seeking students rather than elders.
justice.gov
**Summary:**
Barbara Trickle, 80, of Las Vegas pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud for operating a prize notice scam from 2012 to February 2018 that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly, of over $15 million. Trickle and her co-conspirators mailed fraudulent notices claiming victims had won cash prizes and would receive them upon paying $20-$50 fees; victims instead received worthless reports or trinkets and were subsequently inundated with additional fraudulent mailings. The scheme was shut down following a U.S. Postal Inspection Service investigation and court order.
justice.gov
Okezie Bonaventure Ogbata, a Nigerian national, was sentenced to 97 months in prison for leading a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming victims had inherited money from deceased overseas relatives and requesting upfront payments for delivery fees and taxes before the funds could be released. The defendants used a network of U.S.-based money mules to collect victim payments, with no victim ever receiving any actual inheritance funds.
reviewjournal.com
An 80-year-old Las Vegas woman, Barbara Trickle, pleaded guilty to organizing a prize notice fraud scheme that defrauded thousands of consumers, predominantly elderly victims, by mailing millions of fraudulent notices claiming they had won cash prizes requiring $20-$50 fees to collect. Operating from 2012 to February 2018, Trickle used her printing and mailing business to produce the notices and stole over $15 million before the scheme was shut down by federal authorities.
timesofsandiego.com
AARP California is launching the San Diego Scam Jam Tour with over 20 free fraud prevention events running May through July across San Diego County, offering education on recognizing common scams, cybersecurity workshops, and document shredding services. The initiative is a collaboration between AARP California, San Diego County, the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force, and Senior Tech Connect, and comes as elder fraud victims in San Diego County lost approximately $100 million in 2023, with nationwide losses reaching $12.5 billion that year.
theapopkavoice.com
In 2023, elder fraud caused more than $3.4 billion in losses nationwide, with the average victim losing nearly $34,000 to scams including tech support schemes, phishing, and fake shopping websites. The Senior Resource Alliance is donating 5,000 downloads of the CyberFence cybersecurity app to Central Florida seniors in 2025 to help protect vulnerable older adults from digital threats while using online services like telehealth and virtual communication.
states.aarp.org
This AARP educational article provides guidance on recognizing and avoiding common scams targeting consumers. Key fraud tactics covered include sweepstakes scams requiring upfront payment or personal information, fake checks used to exploit processing delays, fake QR codes directing victims to phishing sites, and cybercriminals stealing personal data. The article recommends protective measures such as creating strong passwords, enabling multi-factor authentication, keeping software updated, pausing before responding to urgent communications, and verifying checks through banks before acting on funds.
fox9.com
Texting scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with common schemes including fake unpaid toll notices, prize offers, student loan assistance, and AI-generated celebrity videos (such as Kevin Costner impersonations) that request money. Minnesota ranks 12th nationally for impostor scams with a median loss of $800 per victim, and experts advise recognizing red flags such as urgent requests, unknown senders, international numbers, and requests for gift cards or remote computer access, noting that legitimate government agencies and the FBI never ask for payment via gift cards.
azcentral.com
Smishing is a scam tactic in which fraudsters send unsolicited text messages claiming to know the recipient or stating they found their number in an address book, designed to trick victims into responding and potentially compromising personal information. These vague messages are intentional social engineering attempts rather than random mistakes, and awareness of this technique is crucial for protecting oneself from text-based phishing attacks.
presidentialprayerteam.org
In 2024, consumers lost $470 million to text message scams—a fivefold increase from 2020—despite fewer overall scam reports being filed. The most prevalent scams involved fake package delivery notifications, fraudulent job offers requiring upfront payments, and impersonated bank fraud alerts, with perpetrators also using fake toll notices and "wrong number" schemes that escalated into romance or financial scams. The FTC recommends consumers avoid clicking links in unsolicited texts, verify messages through trusted contacts, and report suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) or through their messaging app's reporting features.
wgal.com
Giveaway scams on social media, particularly Facebook, lure older adults with fake offers of discounted merchandise (tools, appliances, toys) from major retailers in exchange for completing surveys. These phishing schemes use fraudulent posts impersonating company employees to trick victims into clicking links and providing personal and credit card information. To protect yourself, verify offers directly with companies through their official websites or phone numbers rather than clicking links in social media posts.
landline.media
Scam emails impersonating WEX or Fleet One fuel card providers targeted Truckers Advantage fuel card holders, instructing recipients to click links and enter login credentials to prevent account closure. OOIDA confirmed these fraudulent messages were not sent by the company or its partners and advised recipients to delete them immediately, while WEX reiterated it never requests sensitive account information via unsolicited communications. The article provides guidance on avoiding phishing scams, including avoiding clicking email links, verifying contact numbers independently, and using multi-factor authentication.
actraottawa.ca
This educational article outlines common scams targeting aspiring performers by talent agencies, modeling scouts, and workshop providers who charge excessive upfront fees, guarantee work falsely, or require students to purchase services from affiliated providers. Legitimate talent agents operate on industry-standard commission (15% plus GST on actual work procured) and do not charge sign-up fees, guarantee employment, or pressure clients into workshops or photography services. The article advises performers to research credentials, avoid "one-stop shop" providers that offer both training and casting services, and never sign agreements under pressure or without independent advice.
ktnv.com
Federal Trade Commission data shows Americans lost $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with adults 70 and older reporting a median loss of $1,000. Seniors are increasingly targeted through phishing emails impersonating banks or the Social Security Administration to steal personal information and Social Security benefits, though many victims avoid reporting due to embarrassment. Officials recommend protecting yourself by monitoring bank statements, shredding documents with personal information, never sharing details via email or phone, and verifying any Social Security Administration communications directly.
coingeek.com
U.S. House lawmakers introduced the bipartisan GUARD Act on April 21 to combat "pig butchering" scams and financial fraud targeting older Americans, particularly through online and investment schemes. The legislation would equip federal, state, and local law enforcement with blockchain technology tools to trace and prosecute scammers, addressing a crisis in which Americans reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses in 2024 (a 25% increase year-over-year), with older adults suffering disproportionately higher losses—including pig butchering schemes that accounted for 33.2% of digital asset scam revenue in 2024.
wbbjtv.com
West Tennessee women lost nearly $50,000 to online romance scams over three weeks, with two victims each losing approximately $24,000 to men claiming to be military personnel who needed money due to financial hardship or restricted bank access abroad. The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers use fabricated "hard luck stories" and stolen social media photos to build trust before requesting money, and advises victims to use reverse image lookups to verify photos and report incidents to the BBB Scam Tracker or FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
marieclaire.com.au
**Online Romance Scam Leading to Drug Smuggling Conviction**
In January 2023, 58-year-old Donna Nelson, an Aboriginal community leader from Western Australia, was arrested at Tokyo customs after carrying two kilograms of methamphetamine in a suitcase she believed belonged to "Kelly," a man she had been in an online romantic relationship with for two years via a dating website. Nelson claims she fell victim to a calculated romance scam designed to lure her to Japan under false pretenses, but her legal defense was unsuccessful and she was sentenced to six years in prison in December 2024. Her five daughters are now fighting for her release, maintaining her innoc
globenewswire.com
This article is a promotional piece for SecretBenefits.com, a sugar dating website, claiming it offers a secure platform with verified profiles, transparent pricing, and fraud prevention measures to protect users from common sugar dating scams. The platform advertises features including identity verification protocols, a flexible credit-based payment system, and enhanced security to distinguish itself from fraudulent dating websites in the sugar dating niche.
hayspost.com
Kyle fell victim to an impersonation scam when a fraudster posing as his bank's fraud department obtained his personal information (social security number and birthdate) by asking identity verification questions while simultaneously using those answers to attempt accessing Kyle's account. Golden Belt Bank's Chief Operations Officer recommends hanging up on unsolicited calls and calling your bank directly using a verified number, and warns of common red flags including pressure for immediate action, requests for secrecy, upfront payment demands, and hard-to-track payment methods like wire transfers or gift cards. Banks will never ask for full debit card numbers, PINs, or online passwords unless you initiate contact, and one-time passcodes shoul
abc.net.au
Scammers used artificial intelligence to create sophisticated fake websites for nonexistent investment and mining companies, including elaborate details like fake board member profiles, company policies, and financial documents that fooled even a professional fraud analyst. A cyber risk expert notes that AI has made scams harder to detect because it can now generate convincing fake images, websites, policies, and financial reports, while traditional verification methods like checking comments and likes can also be AI-generated. The general public now requires support from multiple experts in finance, technology, and cybersecurity to adequately verify online information and protect themselves from these AI-enhanced scams.
fraudsmart.ie
FraudSMART is alerting consumers to a sophisticated text and phone scam impersonating banks, where scammers send messages appearing within genuine banking threads and pose as bank security departments to extract personal and financial information or authorization codes that grant account access. The scam often includes urgency tactics, requests to delete banking apps, or claims of delayed login details to prevent victims from monitoring their accounts while fraudsters transfer funds. Consumers should never respond to unsolicited bank communications, should verify contacts using numbers on their bank cards, and should immediately contact their bank and report incidents to authorities if targeted.
finance.yahoo.com
A Wisconsin woman lost $80,000 to a cryptocurrency investment scam after discovering it on Facebook and being lured by promises of rapid returns; she initially invested $30,000, saw her balance apparently double, invested additional funds, and ultimately paid an extra $30,000 in fraudulent "taxes and fees" before realizing the investment dashboard was fake. The scam exemplifies the growing sophistication of crypto fraud in the U.S., where Americans lost $1.4 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2024, with police indicating recovery of the funds is unlikely.
expressandstar.com
A Barclays report found that romance scams increased 20% year-over-year, with victims losing an average of £8,000, rising to £19,000 for those aged 61 and over. In these scams, perpetrators pose as romantic interests to build trust and solicit money from victims. The article discusses both the benefits and risks of online dating apps in 2025, highlighting romance fraud as a significant threat to users, particularly older adults.
patch.com
The Huntington Public Library announced its May events calendar, which includes a "Senior Scams" educational session scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. The informational presentation will cover common types of senior scams and protective safeguards to help prevent fraud victimization, recognizing that seniors are particularly vulnerable to emotional and financial hardships resulting from such schemes.
westerniowatoday.com
**Summary:** The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that cybercriminals stole a record $16.6 billion from Americans in 2024, a 33% increase from the previous year, with over 850,000 reported scams and fraud cases. Adults age 60 and older were disproportionately affected, with over 80% of victims experiencing financial, data, or identity theft losses.
wcexaminer.com
State Rep. Tina Pickett and Wyoming County District Attorney Joe Peters hosted a free educational seminar on May 9 in Tunkhannock to help residents recognize and avoid scams, particularly targeting seniors. The event featured Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities coordinator George Dillman, who presented information on common scams and included an interactive "Fraud Bingo" game to teach fraud prevention strategies. The seminar was part of an ongoing effort to educate the public as scammers become increasingly aggressive and deceptive.
makeuseof.com
A security editor nearly fell for a sophisticated Netflix phishing scam that used a fake "Update Your Payment Method" email with proper formatting and a spoofed Netflix address, which was especially convincing because the recipient had just experienced Netflix login problems. The scammer's malicious link, disguised as an "Update Now" button, actually directed to a Truth Social domain and was flagged as malicious by eight security vendors on VirusTotal. The article advises readers to inspect email content for red flags, analyze URLs by hovering over links before clicking, and verify suspicious requests by contacting companies directly rather than using links in emails.
uk.news.yahoo.com
Police in Fermanagh and Omagh warned of a "fake new bank card" scam in which fraudsters impersonated bank officials, convinced victims their accounts were compromised, and instructed them to enter card details into a fraudulent card reader, resulting in large unauthorized withdrawals. The warning also noted related fraud cases including bogus tradesmen on social media and WhatsApp impersonation scams, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant against unsolicited financial requests regardless of source and to report incidents to police and their banks immediately.
nbcchicago.com
I appreciate you sharing this, but the content you provided appears to be only the navigation menu and header structure of an NBC Chicago website, not an actual article about fraud or elder abuse.
To provide an Elderus summary, I would need the actual article content, which should include:
- The headline and body text
- Details about the scam or fraud incident
- Information about victims and impact
- Dollar amounts or outcomes
Could you please share the full article text? Once you do, I'll be happy to provide a concise 2-3 sentence summary focused on the key details relevant to elder fraud research.
financial-planning.com
A Government Accountability Office study found that fragmented federal oversight and lack of coordination among 13+ agencies hampers efforts to combat scams that cost Americans "large sums" including entire life savings. The report identified massive underreporting—only 5-15% of victims report scams—and recommended 16 actions including establishing a government-wide strategy, universal definition, and comprehensive estimate of scam losses to improve consumer protection efforts.
mitrade.com
Americans aged 60 and above lost $4.8 billion to cybercrime in 2024, a 43% increase year-over-year, with 7,500 seniors each losing $100,000 or more—more than any other age group according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to digital literacy gaps, isolation, financial assets, and trust in institutions that scammers impersonate, with cryptocurrency scams (especially "pig butchering" romance cons) and tech support fraud being especially profitable schemes. The article argues that current regulatory and institutional responses are fragmented and inadequate, placing fraud prevention burden on individuals rather than treating elder cybercrime
gonorthumberland.ca
A 78-year-old woman in Cobourg lost $300 to an email scam that falsely claimed a family member was hospitalized and needed urgent financial help, which she sent via Amazon gift cards. Cobourg Police Service warns residents to verify emergency messages by contacting family members directly through trusted channels and notes that legitimate organizations rarely request payment in gift cards, while scammers often use emotional language, urgency, poor grammar, and suspicious email addresses. Victims should report fraud to their email provider and law enforcement, or contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
wifr.com
The Better Business Bureau warns homeowners of seasonal lawn and garden scams, particularly those involving upfront payments for services where companies later disappear. The BBB recommends researching businesses on BBB.org before hiring, avoiding high-pressure tactics, obtaining written contracts with detailed terms, staggering payments, and using credit cards rather than cash to protect against fraud.
kvoe.com
The Kansas Turnpike Authority (KTA) is warning drivers about smishing scams impersonating the agency and demanding payment for unpaid tolls via unsolicited text messages with fraudulent payment links. The KTA clarified that it only sends texts to drivers who have voluntarily signed up for alerts through their DriveKS account and does not request payments through text messages. Residents receiving these scam texts are advised to avoid clicking links and instead report the messages to the Internet Crime Complaint Center and Federal Trade Commission.
levittownnow.com
A 69-year-old Philadelphia woman nearly fell victim to a sophisticated tech support scam in which fraudsters impersonating Microsoft and her bank claimed she had been hacked and threatened arrest, attempting to manipulate her into withdrawing cash to purchase cryptocurrency. The scam exploited heightened emotions and urgency, tactics that have become more effective with AI advancement and access to personal data on the dark web. According to the FTC, Americans lost between $23.7 billion and $158.3 billion to financial scams in 2023-2024, with cryptocurrency transfers and digital payment methods making these crimes particularly difficult to trace and recover from.
wired.com
This is a news roundup covering multiple security and privacy topics. Key points related to fraud include: cybercriminals stole a record $16.6 billion from US entities in 2024 (a 33% increase from 2023), with phishing, spoofing, extortion, investment scams, and business email compromise being the leading crime types; Google's new end-to-end encrypted email feature for Workspace accounts may create new phishing opportunities through fake invitation scams; and various government privacy and security incidents were reported.
businessday.ng
A UN Office on Drugs and Crime report warns that Asian-led cybercrime syndicates, facing crackdowns in Southeast Asia, are expanding operations to Africa and Latin America, with Nigeria identified as a major target for romance scams, investment fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes. Law enforcement raids in Nigeria between late 2024 and early 2025 have arrested suspects linked to these East and Southeast Asian groups, as the global scam industry generates an estimated $40 billion annually and increasingly employs AI and deepfakes to evade detection. The report calls for urgent international cooperation, stronger cybersecurity infrastructure, and regional collaboration to combat this growing threat to Nigeria's digital economy and financial systems.
visayandailystar.com
Asian crime syndicates operating multibillion-dollar cyberscam networks have expanded globally from Southeast Asia to South America and Africa despite regional law enforcement raids, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime. These organized groups operate scam farms housing thousands of trafficked workers generating tens of billions in annual profits, with the U.S. alone reporting $5.6 billion in losses to cryptocurrency and romance scams in 2023, disproportionately affecting elderly and vulnerable victims. As Southeast Asian governments intensify crackdowns, the syndicates have adapted by exploiting weak governance and corruption to relocate operations, demonstrating the difficulty of containing what officials describe as a global criminal enterprise.
cnbc.com
Scammers are increasingly using "wrong number" text messages, often AI-assisted, to identify active phone numbers and build relationships with potential victims for future financial exploitation. In 2024, consumers lost $470 million to text message scams—five times higher than 2020—with scammers targeting life savings and retirement accounts through prolonged "pig butchering" schemes that exploit people's psychological need for connection. One in four Americans has received these deceptive texts, and experts advise not engaging with suspicious messages, as scammers use data dumps combined with AI to create highly believable, personalized scams.
nypost.com
Cyber scams cost Americans $16 billion in 2024, a 33% increase from the previous year, with California suffering the largest losses at $2.5 billion, according to FBI data. Elderly people accounted for nearly 30% of total monetary losses, with phishing/spoofing being the most common scam type at approximately 193,000 complaints. The FBI recommends verifying sender information, using strong passwords, avoiding wire transfers and gift card payments, and researching businesses before sharing personal or financial information online.
wbng.com
The FBI estimates over 250,000 Americans lost more than $16 billion to scams in 2024, with adults over 60 accounting for nearly $5 billion of those losses. Law enforcement officials note that scammers have become increasingly sophisticated, using data mining and personalized tactics to target victims, and emphasize that people should avoid answering unknown calls, verify contact information independently, and promptly report suspicious activity to banks and family members to prevent further damage.
housebeautiful.com
An "upgrade scam" targets Facebook Marketplace sellers by convincing them that a fake payment is pending until they pay to "upgrade" their Venmo or Zelle account—a nonexistent service. Scammers send fraudulent emails impersonating payment platforms, asking sellers to pay fees or refunds before the buyer has actually sent any money, resulting in financial loss for the seller. To avoid this scam, sellers should verify payments directly in their accounts before sending items, ignore pushy buyers, and be skeptical of unsolicited upgrade requests, as legitimate payment platforms process transfers within minutes and have no such upgrade options.
6abc.com
Scammers are increasingly using AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate loved ones in emergency scams, with deepfakes becoming so advanced that even experts struggle to detect them. A Consumer Reports investigation found that four of six popular voice cloning apps lack meaningful safeguards to prevent unauthorized voice replication, and no federal laws currently prohibit this practice. Experts recommend protecting yourself by enabling two-factor authentication on financial accounts, being skeptical of unexpected calls or messages requesting personal information, and maintaining healthy skepticism of anything heard online.
explorejeffersonpa.com
Scammers impersonating State Troopers and court officials are calling Pennsylvania residents and threatening arrest for missed jury duty or contempt of court, demanding immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The imposters use spoofed caller IDs, fake case numbers, and victims' personal information to appear credible. Pennsylvania State Police warn that legitimate government agencies never request payment through untraceable methods or personal financial information over the phone, and urge residents to hang up immediately and contact local police if targeted.
silive.com
Between December 2023 and February 2025, the FBI received over 100 reports of scammers impersonating the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to target previous fraud victims with promises of fund recovery. The scammers use fake social media profiles, emails, phone calls, and messaging apps to gain access to victims' sensitive financial information, resulting in repeated victimization. The FBI advises that IC3 will never directly contact individuals through these channels, and people should never send money or share personal information with unknown contacts.
foxbusiness.com
In 2024, online scammers stole a record $16.6 billion, a 33% increase from the previous year, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, which received over 859,500 complaints. People over 60 were hit hardest, accounting for more than 147,100 complaints and $4.8 billion in losses, with investment scams ($6.57 billion), phishing/spoofing (193,400 complaints), and cryptocurrency fraud ($9.3 billion, up 66% year-over-year) among the most prevalent crimes. Cyber-enabled fraud represented 83% of all losses at $13.
thedailyrecord.com
A 75-year-old Maryland resident sued Athena Bitcoin and Genesis Coin in February 2024, alleging the companies knowingly facilitate elder financial abuse by placing ATMs in senior-heavy neighborhoods, charging high fees, and failing to implement fraud-prevention measures. Reynolds lost $13,000 in a tech support scam where she was directed to deposit cash via an Athena ATM using a scammer's QR code. The lawsuit seeks class-action status for Maryland seniors and cites FTC data showing consumers lost over $110 million to Bitcoin ATM scams in 2023, a nearly tenfold increase since 2020.
cryptopolitan.com
Americans aged 60 and above lost $4.8 billion to cybercrime in 2024, a 43% increase year-over-year, with 7,500 seniors losing $100,000 or more each—more than any other age group, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Report. Seniors are particularly vulnerable due to limited digital literacy, isolation, substantial savings, and advanced, personalized scams; cryptocurrency investment schemes ("pig butchering") alone accounted for $2.8 billion in losses. The article argues that existing U.S. regulations fail to address digital threats adequately, unlike European programs, and calls for systemic reform including real-time fraud detection
broadbandbreakfast.com
As broadband adoption among adults 65+ reaches 90%, older adults with significant wealth holdings are increasingly targeted by scammers exploiting online platforms. In 2024, the FTC reported $12.5 billion in consumer losses to scams and fraud nationally, with global losses exceeding $1 trillion, making fund recovery nearly impossible due to money laundering complexities. The article advises older adults to pause before responding to unsolicited communications, verify requests by contacting relatives directly, and avoid "too good to be true" offers, particularly fake employment and quick-cash schemes, while recognizing that scammers now use spoofing, phishing, and AI-generated voice/video imp
the-independent.com
Financial scams targeting older adults are increasingly common and exploit their trust, digital unfamiliarity, and desire for connection. Experts recommend protecting elderly loved ones through open communication about online risks, education on common scam tactics (romance scams, phishing, fake investment offers), establishing family safeguards like passwords to verify caller identity, and encouraging skepticism about unsolicited requests for money or personal information. Teaching seniors to authenticate suspicious messages through alternative contact methods and use verification tools like the Financial Conduct Authority's ScamSmart checker can significantly reduce their vulnerability to fraud.