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dailyrecord.co.uk
A Scottish nurse was defrauded of £62,000 by an online scammer impersonating Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice after the fraudster contacted her following a Facebook comment she left on his page. The conman gradually manipulated her into sending £1,500 weekly in vouchers under false pretenses (including fake Strictly passes), then escalated to blackmail and harassment with threatening messages when she refused to continue. The victim reported the case to Police Scotland and Pernice's management, but the fraudster has not been traced, and the ordeal has significantly impacted her mental health and confidence.
yen.com.gh
Ghanaian musician Hajia4Reall pleaded guilty to romance scams totaling over $2 million and was arrested in the UK in November 2022, subsequently extradited to the US for prosecution. In her sentencing plea, she named the father of her daughter as the person who introduced her to the scam scheme and requested a three-month sentence instead of the potential five-year term, citing the impact on her child's welfare. She was prosecuted in the US and faced sentencing after her February 2024 guilty plea.
mk.co.kr
A South Korean victim lost 70 million won to an international romance and investment scam that used AI-generated deepfakes of Elon Musk to establish trust before soliciting cryptocurrency transfers. The "pig slaughter" scam is part of a global criminal operation involving 120,000-220,000 forced workers across Myanmar and Cambodia who perpetrate phishing, romance, investment, and shopping scams targeting victims worldwide, with Chinese authorities blocking $157 billion in fraud since 2021—larger than Ethiopia's GDP.
spectrumnews1.com
Elder fraud cases in the United States increased significantly in 2023, with over 100,000 scam complaints resulting in nearly $3.5 billion in losses—an 11% increase from the prior year. Kentucky residents reported over 900 instances of elderly scams in 2023 totaling $13 million, with 2024 tracking at $12.7 million already. The FBI advises seniors to review financial statements, shred personal documents, avoid clicking unknown links, and contact authorities or trusted family members if contacted by unfamiliar people, as scammers increasingly use tech support schemes, romance fraud, and data breaches.
6abc.com
Philadelphia Corporation for Aging hosted a community awareness event featuring experts and a romance scam survivor who lost $39,000 to an online perpetrator named "Tony." The event highlighted the most common financial exploitation tactics targeting older adults, including gift card and cryptocurrency demands, and emphasized that isolation and emotional manipulation are key vulnerabilities that scammers exploit. Experts advised older adults to be cautious of unsolicited contacts, avoid sharing personal information, and report suspected abuse to PCA's 24/7 helpline at 215-765-9040.
cointelegraph.com
A White Settlement, Texas police officer stopped a scam targeting an elderly woman who had been tricked by a Chase Bank impersonator into withdrawing $40,000 and depositing $23,900 into a Bitcoin ATM machine. The scammer used spoofed caller ID and threats of arrest—tactics common in pig butchering scams—before arranging transportation to a bank and convenience store. Authorities intervened before further losses occurred and are working to recover the deposited funds.
wxxv25.com
The Wiggins Police Department reported an increase in electronic scams targeting community residents, including finance, romance, credit card, and internet fraud schemes conducted via phone calls, emails, and social media. Scammers typically request personal information and demand payment through bank transfers, credit cards, or postal services, though legitimate federal agencies and government entities never solicit money through these channels. Residents are advised to contact the Wiggins Police Department at (601) 928-5444 before responding to suspicious requests or sending money.
panhandlenewsnetwork.com
A U.S. Navy veteran from Charles Town, West Virginia, lost nearly $2 million to his caretaker Sam Bunner, who used a power of attorney to drain the victim's bank, investment accounts, and sell his real estate while exploiting the elderly man's cognitive decline; Bunner received a 10-year federal prison sentence. The opinion piece by U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld outlines common elder fraud schemes in West Virginia, including caretaker theft, romance scams, tech support schemes, and family member theft, and recommends protective measures such as resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding sending money to online contacts, carefully granting power of attorney, using tru
vermontbiz.com
A 2023 analysis of Vermont cybercrimes found that investment scams are the costliest, with victims averaging $162,265 in losses (22 victims, $3.6M total), followed by cryptocurrency wallet scams at $133,133 per victim (28 victims, $3.7M total). Vermont residents reported 708 cybercrimes statewide in 2023, resulting in total losses of approximately $13.6 million, with an average loss of $19,248 per victim across all crime types.
tbrnewsmedia.com
**Type:** Educational Event/Awareness Program
State Senator Anthony Palumbo and Assemblyman Ed Flood are hosting a Senior Scam Prevention Program at Brightview Port Jefferson Senior Living on June 20 to educate seniors and caregivers about fraud prevention. According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, over 101,000 seniors reported fraud with average losses of $33,915 per person, and those over 60 lost $3.4 billion total in 2023, with tech support scams, data breaches, romance scams, and investment scams being the most common types. The program, developed in collaboration with the
the-sun.com
Cybersecurity experts warn that AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Google Gemini pose deception risks to users because their human-like conversational abilities make them more persuasive than traditional websites. Users should adopt new verification behaviors by cross-checking chatbot information across multiple trusted sources rather than relying on a single AI response, as these systems can generate false or misleading information.
lakeonews.com
This article provides an overview of common scams affecting Okeechobee residents, including account hacking, impersonation fraud, and romance scams. A local man reported his Facebook and Instagram accounts were hacked in June, with the perpetrator attempting to solicit money from his contacts, while another victim lost approximately $200 to someone impersonating a bank employee. The article outlines warning signs and protective measures recommended by the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, emphasizing that scammers use urgency, impersonation, and pressure tactics to obtain personal information and money.
cobbcountycourier.com
Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers in 2023, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% that year, though actual losses are likely underreported due to embarrassment and incomplete age data. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be more trusting, have financial assets, and may be less comfortable with technology; tech-support scams are most common, while investment scams cause the largest losses. Prevention through education on identifying scams, reporting crimes, and building awareness is critical to combating this growing epidemic and mitigating its traumatic psychological effects on victims.
midhudsonnews.com
During Elder Abuse Awareness Month in June, Sullivan County officials warned of increased fraud incidents since COVID-19, highlighting common scams including romance scams, lottery schemes, and impersonations of Social Security, the IRS, and banks that pressure victims to send money via prepaid gift cards. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion from January to May 2024 (up nearly $300 million year-over-year), with 2023 reporting $3.4 billion in total losses and a 14 percent increase in elder fraud complaints. Officials advised recognizing warning signs such as isolated elderly individuals engaging in frequent online or phone
mb.com.ph
Scammers increasingly target older adults through deceptive text messages and calls impersonating government agencies, family members, and romantic interests, exploiting the belief that seniors have substantial savings and are less tech-savvy. The article identifies three main fraud types—government impersonation, family-related, and romance scams—and advises seniors to avoid clicking links, sharing personal information, or taking immediate action; instead, they should verify claims directly with banks or family members using known contact numbers. With 9.22 million Filipinos aged 60 and above, educating elders about these scams is critical, as even unreported fraud can be devastating and leave victims in vulnerable financial positions.
weareiowa.com
Elderly Iowans lost over $16 million to scams in the past year, with FBI data showing this is likely underreported and mirrors rising national trends among seniors. Investment scams pose the greatest financial threat to older adults, while newer schemes like phantom hacker scams convince victims to convert assets to precious metals and cash for supposed protection. The FBI advises victims to contact their financial institutions immediately to freeze assets, avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify government officials independently, and report incidents to law enforcement.
emergencyservicestimes.com
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau received nearly 9,000 reports of romance fraud last year totalling £94.7m, representing an 8.4% increase from the previous year, despite romance fraud being significantly underreported. This crime type targets vulnerable individuals who form emotional connections with scammers posing as romantic partners before being manipulated into sending money.
localnewsonly.com
In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the FBI Dallas released findings from the 2023 Elder Fraud Report showing that elder fraud complaints increased 14% with reported losses totaling over $3.4 billion, averaging $33,915 per victim, with Texas accounting for over 7,000 complaints and $278.3 million in losses. Tech support scams were the most commonly reported elder fraud type in 2023, followed by personal data breaches, romance scams, non-payment/non-delivery scams, and investment scams. The FBI identified a formulaic tech support scam pattern where victims' computers are frozen with pop-ups claiming illegal activity, then
justice.gov
On June 15, 2024, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky observed World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting that one in ten people over 60 experiences some form of elder abuse, with an estimated $28.3 billion lost annually to elder fraud scams. In 2023, Kentucky's FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center received 908 complaints from individuals over 60 reporting $12.8 million in losses, more than any other age group combined. The Justice Department brought nearly 300 criminal and civil actions against over 650 defendants in the past year who stole more than $1.5 billion from 2.4
newsday.com
New York State Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about rising romance scams on dating apps and social media, which have surged nationally with victims losing $1.14 billion in 2023—a 1,420% increase from 2016. Long Island resident Connie Rotolo, 71, transferred $475,000 to an online scammer she met on Zoosk in 2020 who posed as an engineer and later claimed to be in danger in the Philippines, leaving her dealing with financial and emotional fallout four years later. The scams typically target vulnerable, lonely individuals and often involve fake romantic connections used to lure victims into fraudulent investments or
emergencyservicestimes.com
The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau received nearly 9,000 romance fraud reports totalling £94.7 million last year, an 8.4 percent increase from the previous year, with victims losing an average of £10,700 each. Romance fraud involves criminals building trust over extended periods (often a year or more) through dating sites and other platforms before manipulating victims into sending money for travel, gifts, loans, or investments, causing significant financial and emotional damage. The report indicates that while nearly half of all age groups are vulnerable, men aged 50-79 and women aged 30-79 report the highest numbers, and authorities emphasize that the crime is likely underreported and encourage victims to come
taipeitimes.com
A man surnamed Hsiao was sentenced to five years in prison by the Miaoli County District Court for operating a romance scam ring that targeted victims in China, defrauding at least one male victim of 1,200 yuan (US$165.38) across 23 incidents. Hsiao recruited young men and women to pose as romantic interests on social media and dating apps, and was convicted of fraud and violating the Organized Crime Prevention Act, with the court emphasizing the serious damage caused to public trust and Taiwan's international reputation.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This educational piece argues that certain zodiac signs—particularly Pisces, Libra, Taurus, Cancer, Leo, and Sagittarius—exhibit personality traits that may make them more vulnerable to online romance scams, such as idealism, desire for harmony, need for stability, nurturing instincts, and adventurous spirits. The article advises that while anyone can be targeted, recognizing these susceptibility patterns can help individuals stay vigilant and protect themselves from romantic fraud online.
webwire.com
Tietoevry Banking's 2023 fraud prevention report analyzed 3.4 billion transactions and prevented NOK 2.7 billion in fraud, with a 90 percent detection rate stopping approximately 70 percent of fraud attempts without customer loss. The report reveals a significant surge in digital fraud methods, including a 70 percent increase in card/account fraud attempts, 300 percent rise in digital wallet fraud, and over 150 percent growth in social engineering attacks, with phishing attempts up 60 percent. Key emerging threats include AI-enabled fraud techniques such as deepfake voice calls, "secure account" fraud, romance scams, and extortion schemes, requiring
cnn.com
Dennis Jones, an 82-year-old Virginia man, lost his entire life savings to a "pig butchering" scam after being groomed online for months by a woman claiming to be named Jessie who convinced him to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency; devastated by financial ruin, he died by suicide before his family could help him recover. Pig butchering scams, run primarily by Chinese criminal gangs operating from Southeast Asia, involve con artists building relationships with victims over months before pressuring them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms, with the FBI estimating these scams stole nearly $4 billion from American victims in the past year alone—a 53% increase from the previous year
theconversation.com
In 2023, Americans age 60 and older lost more than $3 billion to scammers, with elder fraud complaints to the FBI increasing 14% year-over-year, though actual losses are likely much higher due to underreporting and unreported incidents. Older adults are particularly vulnerable because they tend to be more trusting, have accumulated savings and good credit, and may lack familiarity with technology, making them attractive targets for tech-support scams, romance schemes, investment fraud, and call-center operations. Prevention through education on identifying and reporting fraud is critical to mitigating this epidemic's financial and psychological consequences.
spectrumnews1.com
Madeline Sprints fell victim to a parking lot distraction theft scam in Los Angeles where criminals stole three credit cards from her purse and attempted $10,000 in fraudulent charges, prompting her to join the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program to educate other seniors. According to the FBI, adults over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023 (an 11% increase from 2022), with common scams including grandparent scams, romance scams through dating apps, and tech support scams. The FBI recommends never responding to unsolicited contact and reporting scams to local FBI offices or the Internet Crime Complaint Center
wbtv.com
Scammers are targeting smart TV users through fraudulent pop-ups that appear when users attempt to log into streaming services, claiming there is a problem requiring a phone call or website visit to resolve. The Better Business Bureau warns that victims who comply are pressured to pay fees or grant remote access, allowing scammers to steal personal information. Users can protect themselves by verifying fees, typing URLs directly into browsers, researching phone numbers independently, and refusing remote access requests.
theregister.com
A UK health club chain, Total Fitness, exposed over 474,000 images of members and staff through an unprotected, publicly accessible database containing 47.7GB of data, including identity documents, payment card information, and phone numbers. The database was left without password protection, allowing unauthorized access to sensitive personal information of more than 100,000 members and 600 staff across 15 facilities. Total Fitness has since secured the database, notified affected individuals, and reported the breach to the UK's Information Commissioner's Office.
boredpanda.com
A Spanish woman lost approximately €700,000 ($750,000) to scammers posing as actor Keanu Reeves through an AI-generated fake profile that initially built trust through romantic messages on social media. Over multiple interactions, the imposter convinced the victim to make 16 money transfers under the pretense of funding a private jet, computer equipment for John Wick 5 scripts, and Bitcoin investments, forcing her to pawn possessions and borrow money from family. The scam combined romance fraud tactics with false investment promises, exploiting the victim's trust in the fabricated relationship.
taipeitimes.com
Romance scams targeting people seeking relationships online are prevalent in Taiwan, with scammers using fake profiles and trust-building tactics to convince victims to send money. Two documented cases involved a 35-year-old woman who lent NT$1 million (US$30,912) to a man posing as a National Security Bureau employee, and a female teacher who nearly sent NT$5 million to someone claiming to be a businessman—the latter prevented by an alert bank clerk. Authorities advise victims to verify suspicious activity by contacting the 165 anti-fraud hotline or police, and to seek guidance from trusted friends and family before sending money to online romantic interests.
wbko.com
The FBI reports a significant surge in elder fraud, with $1.6 billion in losses from January to May 2024—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023—and warns that 2023 saw elder fraud complaints rise 14% resulting in $3.4 billion in annual losses. Common scams targeting seniors include tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation schemes, which cause financial and psychological harm to vulnerable populations. The FBI recommends victims and potential targets verify unknown contacts, resist urgency tactics, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to local FBI offices or IC3.gov.
justice.gov
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by announcing a partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat fraud targeting older citizens. The agencies will hold a public town hall on June 20, 2024, to educate seniors about recognizing and preventing fraud schemes, including tech support scams, romance scams, and Social Security impostor fraud. The Justice Department emphasizes that awareness and information are key to protecting vulnerable populations from financial, physical, and psychological harm.
sciotopost.com
De-love Kofi Amuzu, 25, of Ohio, was sentenced to 78 months in prison for laundering money from a romance fraud conspiracy targeting elderly victims seeking companionship online. The scheme involved creating fake dating profiles to deceive victims into sending substantial cash, items, and wire transfers totaling over $1.1 million, which Amuzu then transferred to Ghana accounts. Several victims lost so much money they were forced into bankruptcy, and Amuzu has been ordered to pay $835,487.65 in restitution.
cryptopolitan.com
CISA warned of increasing impersonation scams targeting crypto investors, where fraudsters pose as government employees to solicit wire transfers, cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. The FTC simultaneously issued an alert about romance scams involving cryptocurrency, where scammers build emotional relationships with victims before manipulating them into fake crypto investments. Both agencies advise verifying caller identity through official channels and rejecting unsolicited requests for money or personal information, emphasizing that legitimate government agencies never request such payments.
crypto.news
This cryptocurrency market recap covers multiple topics, but is primarily relevant to elder fraud awareness for two scam types: The Federal Trade Commission warned of a surge in romance scams where fraudsters build romantic relationships to defraud victims of cryptocurrency holdings. Additionally, crypto exchange scams affected users through SIM swap attacks (OKX), impersonation fraud targeting $210,000 in losses (fake Binance co-founder), and major exchange breaches ($22 million stolen from Lykke).
newstalkkzrg.com
U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting that one in ten people over 60 experience elder abuse and an estimated $28.3 billion is lost annually to elder fraud scams. The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting elder abusers through various initiatives, including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative, while providing public awareness resources on common schemes such as romance fraud, tech support scams, and Social Security impostor scams. Recent cases include the sentencing of Henry Asomani to 10 years in federal prison for a romance fraud conspiracy that stole over $3 million from more than a dozen victims.
justice.gov
On June 15, 2024, the U.S. District of South Dakota joined national leaders in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, emphasizing that one in ten older Americans are victims of elder abuse annually. The District highlighted ongoing efforts through initiatives like the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative to combat common schemes targeting seniors, including romance scams, tech support fraud, Social Security impostor scams, lottery scams, and IRS impersonation scams.
fox23maine.com
In Maine, nearly 400 seniors over age 60 lost a combined $7.1 million to elder fraud last year, with the FBI attributing the rise to increased romance and investment scams using hard-to-trace payment methods like cryptocurrency. To protect themselves, seniors should be cautious of unsolicited communications, resist pressure to act quickly, never share personal information with unverified sources, and recognize gift cards and bitcoin requests as red flags. Experts note that actual victim numbers are likely higher due to underreporting driven by fear and embarrassment.
newsantaana.com
The FBI reports that elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion from January to May 2024, a nearly $300 million increase from the same period in 2023, with complaints rising 14% annually. Common schemes targeting older adults include tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams (which saw 419% increase in losses from 2021-2023), and government impersonation scams. The FBI recommends seniors verify unfamiliar contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to the FBI or IC3.gov.
becu.org
Elder fraud continues to rise significantly, with older Americans losing over $3.4 billion in 2023 alone—an average of $33,915 per victim and representing an 11% increase in losses from the prior year. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud (where scammers pose as legitimate companies to gain computer access), imposter scams (impersonating government agencies or financial institutions), and romance scams (criminals building fake relationships to extract money). Protective measures include avoiding unsolicited contact, never downloading software from unknown contacts, and never sharing sensitive information or credentials with unverified callers.
aol.com
The FBI reports a significant increase in elder fraud cases, with $1.6 billion in losses from January to May 2024—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023—and notes that Texas alone lost over $278 million in 2023. The most common schemes targeting older adults include tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams, and government impersonation scams, with investment fraud showing the sharpest growth (up 419% in losses from 2021-2023, largely due to cryptocurrency). The FBI emphasizes that seniors should verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and monitor their
abc7news.com
California and San Francisco law enforcement issued warnings about financial fraud targeting seniors, which costs older adults nearly $3 billion annually. Scams include call center fraud, romance schemes, grandparent scams, and AI-enabled impersonations, with particular targeting of ethnic communities like Chinatown through language-based trust exploitation, including a notable $39 million Ponzi scheme. Authorities urge reporting of suspected elder fraud to police, adult protective services, and the California Attorney General's office to help catch perpetrators and prevent future victimization.
postandcourier.com
In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office is promoting fraud awareness to combat the rising tide of financial crimes against seniors. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, phishing, and romance schemes. The IRS employs education, criminal investigations, and public-private partnerships to combat elder fraud, with recent prosecutions including a home health care operator sentenced to 45 months for stealing over $1 million from elderly clients and an investment fraudster sentenced to
justice.gov
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis highlighted the Justice Department's multi-faceted approach to combating elder fraud, including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative that target foreign-based schemes and fraud networks. The office detailed common scams affecting older Americans—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and cited a 2023 federal conviction where a defendant defrauded an elderly widow of approximately $1.2 million by posing as her personal representative and spending her money on luxury items and lottery tickets.
gmtoday.com
The Jackson Police Department's Fraud Prevention Friday post highlights romance scams, which target all age groups and operate through three stages: pretense (the scammer builds fake trust online), problem (the scammer creates an excuse preventing in-person meetings or fabricates a crisis), and pressure (the scammer requests money from the victim). The department recommends citizens educate themselves on romance scams, exercise caution when meeting people online, and references the film "The Tinder Swindler" as a resource for understanding how these scams operate.
punchng.com
The U.S. government announced increased efforts to pursue international scammers targeting American citizens, following a business email compromise scheme that defrauded a U.S. company of approximately $8 billion (N8 billion). Scammers used spoofed emails to redirect payments to fraudulent accounts, with funds transferred to cryptocurrency wallets and banks in multiple countries including Nigeria; U.S. authorities successfully seized approximately $5.3 million held in domestic banks before it could be transferred overseas. The Department of Justice is directing victims of cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams, and business email compromise fraud to report through a dedicated government website to support investigation and recovery efforts.
justice.gov
In observation of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts emphasized its commitment to prosecuting elder fraud and financial exploitation, noting that nearly one in 10 adults aged 60 and older experience some form of elder abuse annually. The office highlighted a recent case where Chukwunonso Umegbo was sentenced to over three years in prison for operating a romance scam that defrauded at least 45 victims of more than $568,000 between 2018 and 2019, including a senior who lost her home, car, and retirement savings. The District of Massachusetts has launched an Elder Justice Out
the-sun.com
86-year-old Sandra Jung of Little Rock, Arkansas lost nearly $10,000 in a tech support scam after seeing a malware pop-up and calling what she believed was Microsoft's official number from a Google search result. The scammer convinced her that an erroneous $15,000 refund (instead of the promised $150) had been deposited and manipulated her into sending back nearly $10,000 to "resolve" the issue. Jung filed a report with the Attorney General's office but is unlikely to recover the funds.
wmtw.com
Seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers using phone calls impersonating banks or relatives to steal personal information and money. According to FBI data, older Americans lost $1.6 billion to fraud from January-May 2024, with Maine victims alone losing $7.2 million in 2023 (397 cases averaging $18,040 per victim). Experts recommend pausing to verify unexpected urgent calls through known phone numbers and educating older adults about common scams, with organizations like Kennebunk Savings partnering with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to provide fraud prevention resources and support.