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nzherald.co.nz
A coordinated scam operating in Wellington, New Zealand targeted at least 17 victims, primarily elderly people, who were deceived by callers posing as police officers claiming to need help catching dishonest bank or gold exchange employees. Victims were instructed to withdraw cash or purchase gold as "evidence," then had the money or gold collected by couriers posing as police, resulting in losses totaling several hundred thousand dollars. A 26-year-old was arrested with large amounts of suspected proceeds in his possession, though police believe the operation is coordinated by offshore criminals directing local couriers and warn the scam will likely continue.
siliconvalley.com
Five Chinese nationals in California and Nevada conspired with India-based fraudsters to defraud over 2,000 elderly Americans of more than $27 million between 2021 and 2023 using tech support scams, government impersonation, and refund schemes. The defendants lured victims through pop-up ads and unsolicited calls to phony Indian call centers, then used remote access software to gain computer control and convince victims to send cash via wire transfer or express mail to businesses like CVS, which the defendants retrieved using fake IDs before laundering funds through cryptocurrency. Four of the five defendants were arrested during coordinated raids in Nevada and Los Angeles County in connection with the federal in
patch.com
Two Napa residents, Ronnie Curtis Baker and Kimberly Mallory, were charged with elder abuse and mortgage fraud for allegedly stealing approximately $900,000 from an 80-year-old Marin County man through a scheme in which Baker posed as a licensed contractor and Mallory posed as a notary public. Baker faces up to 23 years in prison and Mallory up to 9 years, with both potentially owing fines double the amount stolen; Baker has six prior felony convictions for forgery and fraud.
timesofsandiego.com
Five Chinese nationals were arrested in a coordinated operation for allegedly operating a multinational fraud ring that targeted over 2,000 seniors across the U.S. from 2021 to mid-2024, resulting in losses exceeding $27 million. The defendants used unsolicited pop-up ads, emails, and phone calls to direct victims to scam call centers in India, where they impersonated technical support and government officials, installed remote access software on victims' computers, and convinced them to send money via wire transfers or cash packages to addresses in Southern California and Nevada. The defendants allegedly picked up packages containing cash from CVS locations using fake IDs as part of an international money laundering operation for an Indian sc
pinkvilla.com
A 74-year-old woman, Diane Field, sued reality TV star Vicki Gunvalson and her business partner Ali Hashemian, alleging financial elder abuse and fraud related to life insurance and annuity products sold through Gunvalson's insurance firm. Field claimed she was misled into believing a $300,000 life insurance policy was a one-time payment when it was actually an annual obligation, allegedly targeting her $6 million net worth. Gunvalson's attorney denied all allegations, asserting she is a professional insurance broker with 34 years of experience who followed Field's instructions and did not engage in fraud or elder abuse.
justice.gov
Five U.S.-based defendants were charged with money laundering conspiracy for facilitating a foreign sextortion scheme in which Nigerian nationals posed as young women online to extort sexually explicit images from teenage boys and young men, then blackmailed victims for money. The defendants controlled bank accounts receiving victim funds, kept 20% as commission, and converted the remainder to bitcoin for transfer to Nigerian co-conspirators, laundering at least $178,658 in proceeds—including funds from 17-year-old Jordan DeMay of Michigan, whose death resulted from the scheme.
startribune.com
A 70-year-old Minnesota woman, Gayle J. Ferngren, was sentenced to 1¾ years in prison for her role in a global fraud scheme that victimized over $1.8 million from people across the country through romance fraud and pandemic aid scams. Ferngren was initially targeted by scammers posing as a romantic interest in 2016, but eventually became a knowing participant who transferred stolen funds to co-conspirators in Egypt, South Africa, and other locations. She was ordered to repay $1.76 million to victims and serve 100 hours of community service.
wilx.com
Five U.S. men from Georgia and Alabama were charged with money laundering conspiracy for facilitating a sextortion scheme that resulted in the suicide of 16-year-old Marquette resident Jordan DeMay. The defendants allegedly received approximately $179,000 from victims, converted funds to bitcoin, and transferred the money to Nigerian co-conspirators, with DeMay sending $300 to one defendant hours before his death. The case involves over 100 sextortion victims and represents a major breakthrough in the two-year investigation into the criminal ring.
deadlinedetroit.com
Five men from Georgia and Alabama were charged with laundering at least $178,658 for a Nigerian sextortion scheme that targeted over 100 victims, including 17-year-old Jordan DeMay of Michigan, who died by suicide after being blackmailed for $300. The Nigerian scammers posed as females on Instagram, coerced victims into sending nude images, then extorted money by threatening to share the photos with contacts. The U.S. money launderers received victims' funds through cash applications, kept approximately 20 percent, converted the remainder to bitcoin, and funneled it to the Nigerian perpetrators.
al.com
Five men from Alabama and Georgia were arrested on federal money laundering charges for their role in an online sextortion scheme that targeted over 100 teenage boys and young men. The defendants controlled financial accounts used to launder at least $178,658 in extortion proceeds, converting funds to bitcoin and sending them to Nigerian co-conspirators; the scheme resulted in the death of 17-year-old Jordan DeMay from Michigan in November 2022.
miaminewtimes.com
Florida ranks second nationally for fraud incidents with 1,589 cases per 100,000 residents, according to FTC data from April 2023 to March 2024, with scammers taking $171 million from state residents in just the first quarter of 2024. The most common fraud schemes include impostor fraud, online shopping scams, and prize/investment fraud, with romance scams particularly targeting elderly residents in high-senior-population areas like South Florida. A Miami woman was recently arrested for operating a 15-year romance scam that defrauded more than a dozen elderly men of $7 million.
rlsmedia.com
On July 31st, Detective Kimberly McColligan of the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office led an elder fraud awareness seminar at the Dr. Martin Luther King Community Center in Newtonville, educating seniors about current financial scams, fraud identification, and reporting resources. The presentation was part of the ACPO's proactive effort to combat the millions of identity theft and fraud incidents reported nationally each year, with seniors comprising a significant portion of victims. The ACPO offers additional fraud awareness presentations and provided contact information for seniors seeking to report fraud or request community presentations.
coloradocommunitymedia.com
On July 30, a Lunch and Learn event in Commerce City educated approximately 60 seniors about financial fraud, featuring Sarah Domke, a senior deputy district attorney specializing in financial crimes, who discussed common scams including phone and computer fraud, romance scams, fake warranty schemes, and threats of legal action. Domke outlined six hallmarks of scams—unsolicited contact, promises of money, requests for personal information, upfront payment demands, wire transfers or gift card payments, and emotional manipulation—and advised attendees on warning signs and protection strategies. The event highlighted that older adults are particularly vulnerable to financial fraud and provided practical awareness to help seniors recognize and avoid becoming victims.
sandiegouniontribune.com
Five Chinese nationals in California and Nevada conspired with India-based fraudsters to defraud more than 2,000 elderly Americans of over $27 million between 2021 and 2023 through pop-up ads, phishing emails, and phone calls that led victims to phony call centers where scammers impersonated bankers and government officials and gained remote access to their computers. The victims sent cash and wire transfers to real businesses like CVS Pharmacy where the defendants picked up packages using fake IDs, then laundered the money through cryptocurrency transactions with their India-based co-conspirators. Four defendants were arrested during coordinated raids in Nevada and Los Angeles County; the fifth was
sgvtribune.com
A multinational fraud ring involving five defendants from Southern California and Nevada targeted approximately 2,000 elderly people across the United States, defrauding them of more than $27 million between 2021 and 2023. The scammers used unsolicited pop-ups, emails, and phone calls to lure victims to call centers in India, then gained remote access to their computers and impersonated technical support, government, and bank officials to trick victims into sending money via wire transfer or express mail. The defendants allegedly laundered the stolen funds through cryptocurrency to co-conspirators in India, with four arrested in Los Angeles and Las Vegas in April and one arrested previously.
justice.gov
Five Chinese nationals were indicted for operating a multinational fraud ring that scammed over 2,000 seniors out of more than $27 million between 2021 and 2023. The defendants used unsolicited pop-up ads, emails, and phone calls to direct victims to scam call centers in India, then employed social engineering and remote access software to convince victims to send money via wire transfer or express mail packages to Southern California and Nevada addresses, which the defendants picked up using fake identities and laundered through cryptocurrency. Law enforcement arrested four defendants in a coordinated operation in July 2024, while the fifth was arrested in April 2024.
claytodayonline.com
In 2023, banks reported over $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity, with FBI reports indicating average losses exceeding $33,000 per case. Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and voice-cloning technology to impersonate trusted contacts and exploit elders through tactics that create urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offer unrealistic rewards (investment, romance, lottery scams). The article recommends pausing when pressured, verifying identities through independent channels, and consulting trusted third parties before making financial decisions.
wsoctv.com
Andrea Brawley, 46, of Conover, North Carolina, was sentenced to four years in prison for stealing over $300,000 from an elderly couple between August 2016 and January 2023 by exploiting her role as their financial manager. Brawley forged retirement distribution forms, drained their accounts, caused the foreclosure of their home, and isolated the victims from family by confiscating their phones and impersonating them. She was ordered to pay $628,174 in restitution and received three years of supervised release following her prison sentence.
finchannel.com
Three Maryland and Ohio men were indicted for operating a technical support scam that defrauded over 1,000 victims, many of them seniors, of at least $3.5 million. The defendants used pop-up warnings, unsolicited calls, and fake search results to convince victims their computers were compromised and required immediate paid repairs from fraudulent "support companies." Each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
aol.com
The FBI received more than 147,000 reports of scams and fraud targeting Americans ages 60 and older in 2024, with reported losses exceeding $100,000 more than tripling since 2020. Seniors are targeted because they control over 60% of the nation's wealth, and scammers use sophisticated impersonation, phishing, vishing, and smishing tactics to steal personal and financial information. The article advises awareness of these common scam types and recommends working with financial advisors to identify and protect against fraudulent schemes.
theguardian.com
This is an educational article about fraud vulnerability and evolving scam tactics. The author recounts her personal experience being scammed out of a $2,000 apartment deposit on Craigslist in New York City, which she eventually recovered, and notes that the perpetrator later escalated to defrauding multiple victims of thousands of dollars before being imprisoned. The piece emphasizes that anyone—including young people, journalists, and financial experts—can fall victim to scams, and warns that artificial intelligence is enabling increasingly sophisticated fraud methods, including voice cloning and deepfake video technology, citing examples such as a finance worker being defrauded of $25 million through AI-manipulated video conferencing
consumer.ftc.gov
Rental listing scams target military families and others relocating by stealing legitimate property listings or creating fake ones, then pressuring victims to pay deposits and fees before disappearing with the money. To avoid these scams, renters should verify listings on official rental company websites, search for duplicate listings under different owner names, pay by credit card for protection, and never pay for properties they haven't seen in person or owners they haven't met. A recent case in Bedford resulted in a victim losing money when she paid a scammer posing as a landlord, and the scammer was found to have over 10 felonies for similar fraud.
wtop.com
Prince George's County police reported a surge in tech support scams, with over 20 incidents reported in 2024 resulting in nearly $574,000 in losses compared to 13 scams totaling $287,000 in the same period last year. Scammers use malware pop-ups to gain remote access to victims' devices, extract banking information from browsing history, then impersonate Social Security Administration or bank officials to convince victims to withdraw large sums of cash. Police warn that artificial intelligence is making scam communications more sophisticated and urged victims to report incidents rather than remain silent due to embarrassment.
justice.gov
Four individuals pleaded guilty to federal charges for operating an international mail and wire fraud scheme originating in Nigeria that targeted elderly and vulnerable U.S. victims for years across West Michigan and throughout the country. The defendants created fake online personas posing as romantic interests, business partners, and loan providers to defraud victims, who lost retirement savings, took home loans, and suffered financial distress; the money was funneled through bank accounts and money transfer services before being sent overseas or used to purchase vehicles for export to Nigeria. Fatai Okunola also pleaded guilty to money laundering and making false statements on his naturalization application, while Ijeoma Adeola pleaded guilty to mispr
baltimoresun.com
Three Maryland men were indicted for their alleged roles in a technical support scam that defrauded victims of at least $3.5 million, underscoring a broader elder fraud problem in the region. The case highlights the prevalence of tech support schemes targeting vulnerable populations, particularly seniors.
tristatealert.com
Three Maryland and Ohio men were indicted on July 31, 2024, for operating a technical support scam that defrauded over 1,000 victims, many of them older adults, of at least $3.5 million by convincing them their computers were infected or vulnerable and required immediate paid repairs. Victims were targeted through unsolicited pop-ups, phone calls, or fake technical support websites that posed as legitimate companies. The defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted on wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud charges.
thedailyrecord.com
**Summary:**
Three men—Amit Ahuja and Kapil Gulati from Maryland, and Priyanshu Walia from Ohio—were indicted on 11 counts of wire fraud for operating a tech support scam that defrauded over 1,000 seniors of at least $3.5 million between April 2017 and November 2021. The scheme used fake pop-ups, spoofed websites mimicking legitimate companies like Microsoft and Amazon, and unsolicited calls to convince victims their computers were infected and required paid repair services, with defendants creating fake shell companies to conceal their identities and making repeat fraudulent charges. Each defendant faces up to 20
tampafp.com
Four individuals pleaded guilty to federal charges for operating a Nigeria-based international mail and wire fraud scheme that targeted elderly and vulnerable victims through fake online identities posing as romantic interests, buyers/sellers, and loan officers. The defendants used social media, text messages, and phone calls to convince victims to send money, with some victims losing retirement savings or taking out home loans as a result. All four defendants face sentencing on January 14, 2025, with potential prison time and restitution orders.
justice.gov
Amowie Kelvin Imatitikua, a 37-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty on July 26, 2024 to bank fraud, bank fraud conspiracy, and money laundering conspiracy for operating an online fraud scheme that netted over $400,000 between 2019 and 2021. Imatitikua opened fraudulent bank accounts using fake identities and foreign passports to receive proceeds from pandemic relief fraud, romance scams, and other online schemes perpetrated by co-conspirators. His sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2024, with potential penalties including up to 30 years in prison and forfeiture of fraudulent proceeds
mondaq.com
Romance fraud is rapidly rising globally, with UK banks reporting 20% increases in cases, predominantly targeting women (43% more victims than men) through dating apps and social media platforms. Fraudsters build trust over time before manipulating victims into sending money via cryptocurrency, which they believed was irretrievable; however, recent legal developments have enabled courts to freeze and potentially recover stolen cryptocurrency through blockchain-based legal orders. Victims should recognize warning signs including reluctance to video call, fake profiles, sudden requests for money, and excuses preventing in-person meetings, and should report cases despite feelings of embarrassment.
foxbaltimore.com
Three men—Amit Ahuja, Kapil Gupta, and Priyanshu Walia—were indicted for operating a tech support scam that defrauded over 1,000 victims, many of them elderly, of at least $3.5 million by falsely claiming their computers were compromised and requiring payment for repairs. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison on conspiracy to commit wire fraud and related charges.
justice.gov
Three men from Maryland and Ohio were indicted for operating a $3.5 million technical support scam that defrauded over 1,000 victims, many of whom were older adults. The defendants used pop-up windows, unsolicited calls, and fake online listings to convince victims their computers had serious security issues requiring immediate payment for repair services. If convicted, each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud conspiracy and related charges.
cleveland.com
An 80-year-old Medina County woman was scammed out of over $100,000 after being contacted by someone claiming she had won $8 million from Publisher's Clearing House and instructed to send money for taxes. Thanks to coordinated efforts by the Medina County Scam Squad, FBI, U.S. Postal Service, and local police, the package containing two cashier's checks was intercepted en route to New York City and the victim's money was recovered; defendant Raldane A. Cunningham was charged with two counts of telecommunication fraud and ordered to post a $50,000 bond. The Medina County Scam Squad adv
siliconvalley.com
Two suspects—Ronnie Curtis Baker, 58, and Kimberley Marie Mallory, 52—were charged with defrauding an 80-year-old Greenbrae resident of approximately $250,000 in a mortgage fraud scheme occurring in 2022 and 2023. Baker, posing as a licensed contractor, stole the victim's identity to obtain a fraudulent loan against the victim's home and laundered roughly $230,000 through business accounts for personal purchases and property acquisition, while Mallory, a notary public, allegedly aided in the crimes. Baker faces up to 23 years in prison on 12 counts including
tribtoday.com
**Elder Fraud Awareness Event**: The Warren-Trumbull County Public Library will host an FBI-led presentation on elder fraud at 6 p.m. Thursday, covering current fraud schemes, protection strategies, and victim support resources available to residents, families, and communities.
dallasnews.com
Kelly Mitchell, 58, had her Facebook account hacked and used to promote a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme through fake images and religious messaging—a tactic combining impersonation and "pig butchering" scams where criminals pose as trusted contacts to solicit ongoing investments. According to FTC data, cryptocurrency scams cost Americans $1.41 billion across 47,537 reports in 2023, with experts recommending basic security measures like two-factor authentication and strong passwords as essential protection against these increasingly common social media fraud attacks.
unionleader.com
More than 400 New Hampshire residents age 60 and older lost over $11 million to scams in 2023, with tech support fraud being the most common type and romance scams causing the highest financial losses. Seniors are disproportionately targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, while scammers increasingly use online tactics like phishing and email scams targeting Baby Boomers with computer skills. Experts attribute the rise in elder fraud to increased online activity that exposes personal information, scammers' use of impersonation and research tactics, and significant underreporting due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
unionleader.com
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60 and older lost more than $11 million to fraud in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own their homes, making them attractive victims for scammers who pose as bankers, government agents, IT experts, and romantic partners. Tech support scams are the most common form of elder fraud, while romance and confidence scams result in the largest financial losses, though experts note these crimes are vastly underreported due to victims' shame and embarrassment.
cbsnews.com
A 52-year-old Maryland man was charged with operating a "Gold Bar Scam" that defrauded a 74-year-old Bethesda victim of over $1 million between May and June. The scam involved sending official-looking FTC lawsuit letters, then posing as an attorney who convinced the victim to convert his assets into gold eight separate times. Investigators believe this is part of a larger scheme affecting multiple elderly victims across Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Virginia.
courier-journal.com
Juan Carlos Arcena Cabrera, a New York resident, was sentenced to two years and two months in federal prison for defrauding a Kentucky senior of $59,000 through a "grandparent scam" in which he posed as the victim's grandson claiming an emergency need for money. Cabrera, who pleaded guilty to targeting multiple victims over years, coordinated with others to fabricate scenarios such as car accidents or legal troubles, then repeatedly contacted victims impersonating attorneys and professionals to extract additional funds. The case is part of a national trend of grandparent scams that the U.S. Justice Department has prioritized, with some scammers using voice-cloning technology to increase authent
moneyweek.com
Barclays reported a 139% increase in romance scam losses during May and June compared to the previous two months, with men averaging £3,500 in losses and women £8,900 per incident. Romance scammers create fake online profiles on dating apps and social media to build false romantic relationships before requesting money for claimed emergencies. To protect against these scams, people should verify online profiles through reverse image searches, ask probing questions, never send money to online-only contacts, and report suspicious accounts immediately.
timesnownews.com
A mechanical engineer from Visakhapatnam lost Rs 28 lakh to an organized romance scam gang operating from Telangana, who created fake dating profiles, built emotional trust, and manipulated the victim into transferring money while threatening to release compromising photos. The article advises protection strategies including identity verification through reverse image searches, caution against rapid relationship escalation, safeguarding personal information, recognizing red flags like money requests and avoided video calls, and reporting suspicious profiles to platforms and authorities.
du.edu
The Paul Freeman Financial Security Program at the University of Denver expanded the Colorado Older Adults Financial Justice Coalition to combat elder financial fraud, which costs older Americans over $20 billion annually. The coalition brings together state agencies, advocacy organizations, and researchers to develop prevention tools and frameworks that address the complex relationship between cognitive health, financial decision-making, and vulnerability to exploitation. The team is creating a financial vulnerability scale and training programs for frontline workers to identify and protect at-risk individuals across the lifespan.
marinij.com
Two suspects, Ronnie Curtis Baker and Kimberley Marie Mallory, were charged with defrauding an 80-year-old Greenbrae resident through a mortgage fraud scheme in 2022-2023, with Baker falsely posing as a licensed contractor to steal the victim's identity and obtain a $250,000 fraudulent loan against the victim's home. Baker laundered approximately $230,000 through business accounts for personal use and property purchases, while Mallory, a notary public, allegedly aided in the scheme; Baker faces up to 23 years in prison if convicted, while Mallory faces up to nine years.
unionleader.com
More than 100,000 Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with two-thirds being seniors; in New Hampshire alone, over 400 residents aged 60+ lost more than $11 million to scams in 2023. Seniors are targeted because they are often polite, trusting, financially stable, and own homes, making them attractive to scammers who use impersonation tactics (posing as bankers, government agents, IT experts, romantic partners, and relatives) and increasingly sophisticated online methods like phishing and email scams. Tech support scams were the most common type nationally, while romance and confidence scams caused the highest losses in New Hampshire
gantnews.com
In 2023, banks reported over $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity, with FBI reports indicating average losses exceeding $33,000 per case, driven partly by advanced AI technologies like voice cloning that enable realistic impersonation. Common scams targeting elders employ two main strategies: creating urgency (tech support, government imposter, grandparent scams) or offering attractive opportunities (investment, romance, lottery scams). Protective measures include pausing when rushed, verifying identities through independent channels before acting, avoiding nontraditional payment methods, and consulting trusted confidants about unusual requests.
indeonline.com
Jury duty scams remain persistent threats that use spoofed caller ID, personal information verification, and intimidating claims of missed court dates or arrest warrants to pressure victims into paying thousands of dollars via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers may also use variations involving malware-infected email attachments or identity theft, with one recent victim losing $1,000 before recognizing the fraud. To protect themselves, people should verify court summons through official postal mail only, independently confirm any judicial claims by contacting official court numbers, ignore urgent pressure tactics, avoid untraceable payment methods, and consult trusted contacts before responding to suspicious communications.
aljazeera.com
In October 2021, La Awng was trafficked from Myanmar into a cyber-scamming operation in Laukkai run by Chinese criminal networks, where he was forced to conduct "pig butchering" romance scams targeting foreign victims into fake cryptocurrency investments. The Southeast Asian scam industry has expanded dramatically since the COVID-19 pandemic, with criminal syndicates generating approximately $64 billion annually in online fraud by 2023, employing hundreds of thousands of workers from over 60 countries held in prison-like conditions with threats of physical abuse and torture. La Awng's case exemplifies how vulnerable workers are deceived into trafficking situations through fraudulent job offers,
thestar.com.my
**Summary:**
Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, chairman of the Alliance For A Safe Community, advocates for maintaining over-the-counter bank transactions for senior citizens to enhance financial security and prevent fraud, citing that many elderly individuals lack digital literacy and face age-related challenges with technology. His statement was prompted by recent incidents in which scammers posing as helpful strangers stole over RM100,000 from elderly people at ATM machines by switching their cards and stealing PIN numbers. Lee argues that banks should provide in-person assistance and alternative transaction methods for seniors to prevent social isolation and ensure equitable access to essential banking services.