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in Robocall / Phone Scam
cbs4local.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam targeting seniors in Washington state has stolen over $7 million, with individual losses ranging up to $870,000, affecting nearly 50 reported cases since February 2024. Scammers impersonate trusted entities (government agencies, banks, tech companies) via phone, email, text, or pop-ups, convincing victims their accounts are compromised and demanding they withdraw cash to purchase gold or place money in boxes for courier pickup. King County prosecutors note these scams exploit trust and fear while being difficult to investigate and prosecute once victims have been compromised.
seehafernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Wisconsin Public Service warns customers to be cautious of phone and door-to-door scammers impersonating utility company employees who threaten service shutoffs and demand immediate payment via prepaid cards or digital payment apps like Venmo. The company advises verifying employee identity through official ID badges, avoiding response to suspicious calls or texts, and being cautious of unusual payment requests. More information is available on their website's scam safety page.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oconee County Sheriff's Office issued a June 2025 scams alert describing two types of fraud: (1) an impersonation scam where callers falsely claiming to be law enforcement officers contacted residents about outstanding warrants, directing victims to purchase gift cards for payment, and (2) business-targeted scams where callers impersonated law enforcement or Department of Revenue officials, instructing employees to remove cash from registers and either place it in envelopes or scan QR codes for fraudulent transfers. No money was lost in the reported incidents, and the Sheriff's Office emphasized that legitimate law enforcement never request payment via gift cards or cash to recall warrants.
indeonline.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers target pet owners who post about lost pets on social media by exploiting their emotional vulnerability and the contact information they share publicly. Con artists monitor these posts to contact distressed pet owners with fake recovery offers or other fraudulent schemes that capitalize on owners' desperation to reunite with their animals.
techradar.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are targeting young adults (16-25) in the UK with fake remote job offers promising £300-£800 daily pay for simple tasks like sharing TikTok videos, using initial small payments from previous victims to create false legitimacy before demanding upfront fees for "training" or "unlocking" higher earnings. According to Norton data, 29% of Brits were targeted by scams in early 2025, with 18% being job-related offers that often function as digital Ponzi schemes and money laundering operations. Job seekers should be alert to red flags including unrealistic pay-for-minimal-effort offers, upfront payment demands, and contact through messaging apps rather
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Hampton, Virginia fell victim to a sophisticated Facebook account takeover scam in which a scammer impersonated her friend, used fake video calls and personal details to gain her trust, and tricked her into sending a recovery code that gave them access to her account. The scammer changed her email and password, locked her out, compromised three Facebook groups she administered, and attempted to purchase $17,000 in bitcoins on her account before she recognized a follow-up scam demanding money. The article provides recovery steps for compromised Facebook accounts and advises victims to report incidents to IC3.gov and Facebook's official support channels rather than third-party support numbers.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 28-year-old Fort Worth teacher lost his entire $32,000 life savings after scammers impersonating Chase Bank representatives convinced him via text and phone calls to transfer his funds to a "secure account." When he reported the incident to Chase Bank, the bank classified it as a scam rather than fraud and returned only $2,000, leaving him unprotected by fraud coverage policies. Leahy is now sharing his experience publicly to warn others about phishing scams, which commonly trick victims into revealing sensitive financial information through impersonation of legitimate institutions.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies common travel scams targeting tourists in popular cities including Riga, Istanbul, Budapest, Bangkok, and Barcelona, with schemes ranging from inflated taxi fares and fake tours to pickpocketing and restaurant surcharges. The article advises travelers to research local scams, use secure payment methods, verify pricing beforehand, and avoid carrying all valuables to protect themselves from scammers who exploit the confusion and crowding typical of tourist environments.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 32-year-old software engineer in Bengaluru lost ₹79.3 lakh in a romance-investment scam that began in February 2025 when he was contacted on a matrimonial website by a woman claiming to be a UK-based professional. Over several months, the fraudster built trust through frequent communication, then introduced him to a fake trading platform and convinced him to make 18 transfers totaling ₹72.3 lakh between March and June, using fake profit statements and fake company representatives to maintain credibility. The victim reported the crime to police on June 23 after the fraudsters demanded additional tax payments and went silent, though authorities indicated recovery prospects are
fisherinvestments.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are employing updated tactics during summer to defraud investors and steal personal information through two primary schemes: a modernized "pump and dump" stock manipulation where fraudsters pose as financial advisers on social media to recruit victims into buying penny stocks (particularly U.S.-listed Chinese companies) before artificially inflating and dumping them; and Social Security fraud involving false benefit applications. The article advises investors to avoid unrealistic get-rich-quick opportunities, base stock decisions on fundamental company analysis rather than tips or hot tips from unverified sources, and ignore unsolicited financial pitches from strangers on social media and messaging apps.
knkx.org
· 2025-12-08
Washington state officials warned residents about a fraud scheme that has stolen millions of dollars, wherein victims receive false notifications claiming their accounts or cards are compromised and are directed to withdraw cash or purchase gold for courier pickup. The scammers exploit gig economy delivery services to collect the items, and authorities advise residents to disregard any unsolicited communications requesting them to click links regarding fraud alerts.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern eCommerce fraud has evolved into a sophisticated, sector-specific operation targeting fashion (chargebacks and return fraud), electronics (fake reviews and SKU manipulation), and beauty retailers (counterfeit goods and return abuse with counterfeit substitutions). Amazon's Counterfeit Crimes Unit reported over $180 million in settlements and judgments from more than 200 civil suits over five years, with 65+ individuals imprisoned, as automated bot-driven scams using AI deepfakes and behavioral testing become increasingly difficult to detect and prevent.
katc.com
· 2025-12-08
A resurfacing text message scam falsely claims recipients owe Louisiana state traffic ticket fees and directs them to click a suspicious link for payment. The Louisiana State Police and governor's office warn that the state Department of Motor Vehicles never collects fees via text message, and law enforcement agencies across the state are actively sharing alerts about this years-old fraud scheme.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
A recent survey found that 96% of Americans are targeted by scams through calls, emails, or texts weekly, with emails being the most common method. Top scams include highway toll/ticket schemes, fake Amazon shipping notifications, and increasingly sophisticated grandparent scams using AI voice cloning to impersonate family members claiming to need money. Experts advise awareness and vigilance as scam tactics continue to evolve with advancing technology.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans are being targeted by scams at unprecedented rates, with 96% receiving fraudulent calls, emails, or texts weekly, according to a CNET report. The most prevalent scams include highway toll/ticket schemes, shipping notification frauds, and the "grandparents scam" where callers impersonate family members claiming to be in trouble and demanding money immediately. Experts warn that rising AI and voice-cloning technology will likely increase these impersonation scams, and recommend remaining vigilant by avoiding responses to unsolicited messages and verifying caller identity.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 2025 national health care fraud takedown resulted in criminal charges against 324 defendants across 50 federal districts for schemes involving over $14.6 billion in alleged fraud, with 19 individuals charged in Florida's Middle District alone for defrauding Medicare and programs serving elderly and disabled beneficiaries. Key defendants included William Balsamo, charged with operating a telemedicine kickback scheme that caused at least $9 million in Medicare losses, and Edward Cannatelli, Robbyn Cannatelli, Thomas Farese, and Virginia Lockett, charged with conspiracy to defraud Medicare through medically unnecessary physician orders generated via telemarketing
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The FTC estimated fraud theft at $158.3 billion in 2023 (approximately $434 million daily), representing a persistent year-over-year increase in criminal activity. While fraud continues to surge, new initiatives such as the Aspen Institute's national fraud strategy and the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center launched in April 2024 aim to coordinate investigations and prosecutions against fraud criminals. Individuals can help combat fraud by reporting scams and educating others about fraud prevention tactics.
ckpolice.com
· 2025-12-08
This document provides guidance on two distinct fraud threats: counterfeit currency and grandparent scams targeting seniors. For counterfeit notes, individuals should stop the transaction, contact police, and verify authenticity by checking security features against known genuine notes. Grandparent scams exploit seniors' concern for family members through urgent phone calls claiming financial emergencies; victims should verify the caller's identity with actual relatives before sending money via untraceable methods like wire transfers or gift cards, and report suspected scams to local police and financial institutions immediately.
news18.com
· 2025-12-08
Dr. Usha Goswami, a retired Indian senior scientist, lost her entire life savings to a "digital arrest" scam in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officials via video call, falsely claiming her Aadhaar number was linked to money laundering and human trafficking. The scammers used fake documents, manipulated videos, and psychological coercion over several days to force her to transfer funds, targeting her as an elderly, educated, law-abiding citizen. The family has reported the case to authorities and is pursuing legal action while raising public awareness about this sophisticated cybercrime targeting vulnerable seniors in India.
thehackernews.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement in Spain, Estonia, France, and the United States dismantled a cryptocurrency investment fraud ring in Operation Borrelli that defrauded over 5,000 victims of €460 million ($540 million) globally, with five suspects arrested in June 2025. The scheme used romance baiting tactics to build trust with victims before directing them to fake crypto platforms, then laundered funds through Hong Kong-based banking networks and multiple international payment gateways. The operation highlights the growing sophistication of transnational cyber fraud, increasingly augmented by artificial intelligence, which authorities warn is outpacing legal systems designed to combat it.
vietnamnews.vn
· 2025-12-08
Vietnamese authorities issued a nationwide alert about a surge in sophisticated online scams, with cybercriminals using methods including fake government/police impersonation, fake investment platforms, romance scams, and phishing schemes. Police dismantled several major fraud networks, most notably a transnational ring operating in Myanmar and the Philippines that defrauded Vietnamese victims of over $76.58 million, resulting in nearly 100 arrests. The Ministry of Public Security is responding by updating laws, sending over 500 million warning SMS messages, and partnering with tech companies to combat the growing cybercrime threat.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article promotes a podcast episode featuring romance scam expert Becky Holmes, who combats scammers through counter-tactics while coordinating with law enforcement. Romance scams ensnare victims through prolonged campaigns of affection on social media, often impersonating celebrities or targeting vulnerable populations like widows and divorcees, with recent research showing 10% of the public have been victims and some losing over $10,000. The episode discusses how AI and video manipulation technology are evolving romance scam tactics, requiring updated protection strategies.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Event:** Kolkata Police organized a cyber awareness session under their Pronam initiative that attracted approximately 500 senior citizens to learn about digital fraud prevention.
**Content & Key Advice:** The session included live demonstrations and Q&A discussions on phishing scams, identity theft, and social engineering tactics. Experts provided practical guidance including: not sharing personal information with strangers, keeping social media profiles locked, verifying email links before clicking, using the helpline number 1930 to report fraud attempts, and recognizing red flags in suspicious calls (such as late-night calls from supposed bank officials).
**Participant Experiences:** Several attendees shared near-miss experiences with sc
islandsweekly.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare scams cost billions annually by targeting older adults through unsolicited calls, texts, and online ads impersonating Medicare or medical providers to obtain Medicare numbers, which scammers then use to fraudulently bill Medicare for services or equipment never received. Victims face risks including denied coverage, identity theft, financial stress, and compromised access to needed healthcare services. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner recommends protecting yourself by never sharing Medicare or Social Security numbers with unsolicited contacts, being skeptical of "free" offers, regularly reviewing statements for suspicious charges, and reporting fraud to 1-800-MEDICARE or your local Senior Medicare Patrol.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity expert Fuad Hamidli is educating New Jersey residents about how scammers manipulate victims by exploiting emotions, impersonating authority figures, and increasingly using AI technology to create fake voices and videos. In 2024, New Jersey consumers reported $321 million in fraud losses, though actual losses are believed to be significantly higher due to underreporting, and scammers employ sophisticated global operations with extensive training in emotional manipulation and behavioral targeting.
dallasobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams—where fraudsters gradually build trust with victims before stealing their money—are rapidly growing across North Texas, with victims losing between $500,000 to $3 million each. Financial counselor Steve Benton has investigated a dozen cases involving seniors who were lured through fake social media profiles and fake crypto apps that displayed false investment gains, with global scammers stealing nearly $64 billion through these schemes in 2023 alone. The scams are difficult to prosecute because funds are moved through unregulated cryptocurrency channels, and many perpetrators operate from labor-trafficking compounds in Southeast Asia where workers are forced to target victims.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
**Missed-delivery scams spoofing UPS are prevalent during summer shopping seasons and peak package delivery times.** Scammers send text messages claiming delivery attempts failed, instructing recipients to reply "Y" to activate clickable malicious links that lead to fake UPS websites designed to harvest personal information (names, addresses, phone numbers, Social Security numbers, and credit card details). Once obtained, criminals use this data for identity theft, unauthorized purchases, or install surveillance software on victims' devices.
wilx.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned consumers of a scam using caller ID spoofing to impersonate the Department of Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division, falsely claiming recipients' accounts would be shut down unless they made immediate payments. The scammers use real department phone numbers to appear legitimate and pressure victims into disclosing personal and financial information. The Attorney General emphasized that the department never calls to demand money or threatens account closures, and urged consumers to report suspicious calls.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
An older Florida couple lost more than $80,000 in a PayPal phishing scam after responding to a fraudulent text message claiming an unauthorized charge on their account, then following the scammers' instructions to wire funds and hand over cash to a courier. The scammers impersonated Norton Security representatives and exploited the victims' confusion about a $50,000 deposit to extract additional payments. This case reflects a broader trend of rising phishing and text message scams, with Americans losing nearly $500 million through text scams in 2024, with seniors over 60 suffering disproportionate losses totaling nearly $5 billion annually.
hartselleenquirer.com
· 2025-12-08
Sweetheart scams and other fraud schemes target vulnerable populations including seniors aged 61+ and young adults aged 13-28, with elderly victims losing an estimated $77.7 billion globally in 2023 alone. Common scams include imposter schemes, online shopping fraud, investment fraud, and phishing attempts via email, text, and phone. Protection strategies include using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, verifying unsolicited contacts, trusting instincts when something feels suspicious, and reporting suspected scams to the FTC.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are impersonating local law enforcement using spoofed caller ID to trick people into paying fake fines for confiscated packages allegedly containing money, drugs, or weapons. The scam requests payment through cash, gift cards, Bitcoin ATMs, or payment apps like Zelle or Venmo. Real police officers never demand immediate payment by these methods to avoid arrest, so recipients should hang up, verify through official police department contacts, and report the call to the FTC.
griffindailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Pradip Parikh, 67, and Alpesh Patel, 40, were convicted for operating an India-based call center scam that defrauded millions of Americans, primarily elderly victims, by impersonating Social Security Administration officials and claiming their Social Security numbers had been compromised. The defendants collected over $1 million from victims through controlled bank accounts, including $600,000 from a 70-year-old New Jersey resident and $300,000 from a recently widowed mother of eight, which they laundered and kept portions of for themselves. Parikh was convicted of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two counts of money laundering, while Patel
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
A Texas man filed a lawsuit against Citibank alleging the bank enabled a $20 million pig butchering scam in which he was defrauded between early 2023 and April 2023. The victim was contacted via Facebook by a scammer posing as a California businesswoman who convinced him to send 43 wire transfers totaling $20 million to fraudulent NFT investment accounts, with $4 million going through a Citibank account for Guju, Inc. The plaintiff argues Citibank failed to exercise due diligence, as the account's actual transaction activity (exceeding $12 million in two weeks) drastically contra
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
INTERPOL issued a warning that organized scam centres have rapidly expanded globally from traditional Southeast Asian bases into Africa, Latin America, and beyond, with criminal groups trafficking thousands of people across borders under false job promises and forcing them to conduct online scams (romance, cryptocurrency, and sextortion schemes) from guarded compounds. Recent enforcement operations including Operation Storm Makers II and Operation Serengeti resulted in over 1,000 arrests and identified nearly 35,000 trafficking and cyber fraud victims, though these criminal networks continue generating billions annually through sophisticated use of AI, cryptocurrency, and other advanced tools. INTERPOL called for increased international cooperation, stronger border controls, public awareness campaigns, and closer coordination between financial
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
A Boston business owner discovered scammers using his company's name and AI-generated profile to post fake job listings on LinkedIn, which attracted over twenty applicants before removal. The article reports that AI-enabled scams have quadrupled in the past year, with fraudsters increasingly using deepfakes and AI-generated content to impersonate businesses, employees, and authority figures—including a case where a finance clerk at engineering firm Arup was deceived into approving over $25 million in fraudulent transfers via a video call with deepfake recreations of colleagues. Businesses across multiple industries are struggling to protect themselves and customers as AI lowers barriers to entry for scammers and makes it harder to
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Connecticut couple received a $111.50 toll fine from the New Jersey Turnpike Authority for travel they never made in their 1966 Mustang, becoming victims of "ghost car fraud"—a scam where criminals steal or duplicate license plates and place them on different vehicles to evade tolls. The couple's appeal was initially denied despite photo evidence showing a modern vehicle (not their classic Mustang) bearing their plates, but the charges were ultimately dismissed after media intervention. This scam is affecting multiple drivers across New York and New Jersey, with victims like Joanne Barbara and Walter Gursky racking up hundreds of dollars in fraudulent tolls and fines.
swlaw.com
· 2025-12-08
Timeshare scams in Los Cabos have become a sophisticated, organized fraud operation linked to Mexican transnational criminal organizations, targeting American and Canadian property owners with false promises of reselling, renting, or investing in timeshares. From 2019 to 2023, nearly 6,000 U.S. citizens reported losses totaling close to $300 million, though the FBI estimates actual losses are significantly higher due to underreporting. Scammers exploit victims through fake escrow accounts impersonating legitimate Mexican banks, fraudulent government correspondence, and high-pressure sales tactics creating artificial urgency to transfer funds to Mexico-based accounts.
tricitiesbusinessnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud. It contains one brief educational section warning seniors about Medicare scams, noting that scammers pose as Medicare representatives to steal personal information and Medicare numbers through calls, texts, door visits, or online ads, and advising that legitimate Medicare will never call unsolicited asking for personal information. The remainder of the article covers unrelated topics: a downtown Kennewick shopping promotion, a new cancer treatment device at a local hospital, and a grant to a meals-on-wheels program.
thenews-gazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion annually to fraud, errors, and abuse, affecting all beneficiaries. The article provides prevention guidance for Medicare beneficiaries, caregivers, and community members, including reviewing Medicare statements for unauthorized charges, monitoring for suspicious medical equipment deliveries, protecting Medicare numbers, and reporting concerns. The Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) offers free education and assistance to help detect and prevent Medicare fraud.
echopress.com
· 2025-12-08
**More than 200 seniors attended the Alexandria Senior Expo on June 26, where law enforcement officials and banking professionals educated attendees on recognizing and preventing phone, internet, and mail-based scams.** The event, hosted by Triad (a partnership of Douglas County Senior Services, Sheriff's Office, and Alexandria Police), featured 30 vendor tables, breakout sessions, and a keynote speaker from the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Attendees shared personal experiences with scams, including a fake utility bill for $53.24, grandson scams, and tech support scams, highlighting the importance of discussing fraud experiences to help others avoid similar victimization.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers monitor business hiring announcements on social media to impersonate new employees' supervisors and request urgent favors, such as purchasing gift cards or sharing financial information, exploiting new hires' eagerness to please. Businesses can protect employees by clearly communicating how they will contact staff, explicitly stating they will never request gift cards, and encouraging employees to verify unexpected messages through known contact numbers. Scammers impersonating businesses may violate the FTC's Impersonation Rule and should be reported to ReportFraud.ftc.gov or IdentityTheft.gov.
pennlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Service is warning Americans about "brushing" scams, where unsolicited packages containing low-value items are sent to real addresses by third-party sellers seeking to create fake verified reviews and boost their ratings. These deliveries signal that personal information—including names, addresses, phone numbers, and payment details—has been compromised and could be used for identity theft, credit fraud, or phishing attacks. The USPS recommends reporting suspicious packages at USPIS.gov, auditing financial accounts, updating passwords, and monitoring credit reports to protect against further exploitation.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
In Q2, cryptocurrency users experienced a rise in sophisticated "psychologically manipulative" scams that shifted from technical hacking to social engineering tactics, according to blockchain security firm SlowMist. Attack methods included malicious browser extensions disguised as security plugins (like "Osiris"), tampered hardware wallets sold via fake lottery offers or social media, and phishing websites cloning legitimate services—with one victim losing $6.5 million from a compromised cold wallet purchased on TikTok. These attacks exploit user anxiety and urgency rather than advanced technical exploits, manipulating victims into revealing sensitive information like private keys and seed phrases.
paloaltoonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Palo Alto police and FBI officials held an educational seminar at Mitchell Park Community Center to help seniors prevent scams, as the nation faced a record $16.6 billion in scam losses in the previous year—a 33% increase. Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, led by Deputy Bob Yee, is expanding fraud prevention seminars throughout the region, teaching participants to identify the five most common senior scams involving impersonation: person-in-need/grandparent scams, financial services fraud, government impersonation, tech support scams, and romance scams. Experts advise seniors to hang up on suspicious callers, verify requests by contacting organizations directly, and remember
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in his 50s lost over $73,500 in a romance scam after meeting a woman on a dating app who convinced him to invest in an unregistered cryptocurrency exchange. Over 46 days, the scammer built emotional trust, had him make multiple investments starting with small amounts that appeared profitable, then disappeared after demanding additional "tax" payments when he refused to send more money. Financial authorities warned that romance scams are particularly effective because victims struggle to refuse requests from people they believe are romantic partners, and urged the public to verify the legal status of any crypto exchanges through proper channels.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Jeffrey Paul Kent, 55, was declared a dangerous offender and sentenced to indefinite imprisonment for a decades-long pattern of romance fraud targeting vulnerable women in Alberta and British Columbia. Over more than 30 years, Kent used fake identities and elaborate deceptions—posing as lawyers, investors, and businessmen—to establish relationships with women and convince them to give him money through phoney investment schemes, ultimately defrauding at least five Edmonton women of more than $175,000 and stealing hundreds of thousands more from other victims over his criminal career. The court found that Kent's "severe psychological damage" to victims through deep deception—rather than physical violence—warranted the dangerous offender designation typically
firstcoastnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Putnam County woman lost over $7,500 and her car to a romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated actor Jason Momoa through Facebook and messaging apps, using AI-generated videos to build trust before requesting money via Bitcoin and CashApp. Romance scams are increasingly costly across Florida, with the FTC reporting over 42,000 reports in 2023 alone resulting in $823 million in nationwide losses, and scammers now employing sophisticated technology including deepfake videos and cloned faces. Experts recommend verifying digital contacts' identities, avoiding sharing personal information, never sending money to unknown individuals, and immediately reporting suspected scams to law enforcement an
lemonde.fr
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian romance scammer named Ben, who previously repaired generators, explains his operation targeting victims thousands of kilometers away by building trust through constant communication and emotional manipulation. Romance scams are described as one of the most widespread online frauds in Nigeria, with perpetrators systematically gaining victims' confidence before exploitation. The scammer details his deliberate tactics of monitoring victims' daily activities and expressing romantic interest to establish the trust necessary for financial fraud.
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Three men from Jharkhand were arrested for operating a phishing and identity theft scam that defrauded a 49-year-old Delhi resident of Rs 10.8 lakh (approximately $13,000 USD) by impersonating a bank and requesting KYC updates via fake links. The sophisticated operation involved spoofed calls, malicious apps to intercept OTPs, and laundering stolen funds through gaming apps and digital wallets using mule accounts and fake SIM cards. Police recovered multiple devices and linked the accused to additional complaints through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Facebook scam targeting holiday-goers used a fake website advertising half-price cabin stays, directing victims to the North York Moors National Park Authority's headquarters in Helmsley using a fabricated address. Multiple tourists fell victim after seeing ads on Facebook, with the genuine cabin's owner reporting the scam had been operating since May and receiving 2-3 complaints weekly. The National Park also warned of a separate QR code scam targeting car park payment systems, where fraudsters placed fake stickers over legitimate signage to redirect users to fraudulent payment pages.