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in Robocall / Phone Scam
wamnnews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Dr. Andrew Miller highlights the growing vulnerability of elderly people to increasingly sophisticated online and AI-powered scams, including deepfake videos and audio that can impersonate known individuals. He recommends that families establish legal protections such as enduring power of attorney, guardianship documents, and advance care directives while elderly relatives retain capacity, and maintain tight controls over financial accounts and data sharing to prevent fraud affecting both finances and healthcare services like fraudulent Medicare claims.
lincolnparishjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
This article by law enforcement veteran Wesley Harris contrasts traditional in-person scams targeting seniors—such as the "found money" handkerchief scheme, driveway paving fraud, and fake bank examiner con—with modern technology-based fraud that operates remotely via text messages, phishing links, and compromised payment cards. Harris illustrates how contemporary scams are more difficult to combat because criminals operate from abroad and are largely beyond law enforcement reach, while noting that victims often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment. The article advises consumers to scrutinize suspicious messages for red flags before clicking links or providing personal financial information.
amac.us
· 2025-12-08
Older Americans are increasingly targeted by fraud schemes, with seniors losing over $3.4 billion in 2023—an average of $33,915 per victim—according to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report. Many of these scams, including impersonation schemes and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency frauds, are allegedly coordinated or tolerated by the Chinese Communist Party, with recent indictments in Ohio and California involving Chinese nationals charged with defrauding elderly victims out of thousands to millions of dollars. Experts emphasize that only 10-15 percent of senior fraud victims report their losses, suggesting the actual problem is far larger than reported figures indicate
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Two UK men, Raymondip Bedi and Patrick Mavanga, were sentenced to a combined 12 years in prison for operating a cryptocurrency fraud scheme between 2017 and 2019 that defrauded victims of over $2 million. The pair posed as financial advisers, cold-called inexperienced investors, and directed them to fake cryptocurrency websites through companies CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP, causing severe financial and emotional harm to victims, some of whom lost their life savings. The case highlights the challenges in enforcing crypto regulations, as the prosecution took years to complete due to FCA case backlogs.
thezebra.org
· 2025-12-08
A high school student named Wesley Driscoll, inspired by his personal experience with a phone scam, founded Silver Guard Seniors to help protect elderly citizens from fraud. The organization is hosting a free scam-prevention event on July 26 in Alexandria, Virginia, featuring former FBI agent John Schwartz and other experts who will educate seniors about recognizing common schemes like romance scams and refund fraud, while addressing the shame and secrecy that often surrounds elder financial abuse.
news9.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines common cybercrime threats targeting consumers, including romance scams on social media and fraudulent text messages about unpaid tolls, and emphasizes protective measures such as installing software updates, using strong authentication methods, and avoiding personal transactions on public Wi-Fi. According to recent data, U.S. consumers received 18.9 billion robocalls in 2025 and lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with text message scams alone accounting for $470 million in losses.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A UK survey of 1,000 adults found that 60% have had to help elderly relatives stay safe online, with 41% believing their older loved ones could be duped by scammers. The study revealed that 26% of older Brits have encountered scams and 21% have been victims of financial fraud, with common unsafe practices including clicking dubious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), and using simple passwords (51%). Experts emphasize that digital safety education and family conversations about cyber threats are essential to protecting vulnerable seniors from evolving online scams.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A UK poll of 1,000 respondents found that 41% of those with older loved ones believe they would fall for a scam if targeted, with 26% of older Brits having already experienced a scam and 21% falling victim to financial fraud. Common risky online behaviors among seniors include clicking suspicious links (68%), answering unknown calls (60%), oversharing personal information (55%), using weak passwords (51%), and poor password management practices such as writing them down or reusing them across accounts. Experts emphasize that online safety education and intergenerational conversations about cyber security are critical to protecting vulnerable older adults from increasingly sophisticated threats.
signalscv.com
· 2025-12-08
Ehis Lawrence Akhimie, a 41-year-old Nigerian national, pleaded guilty to operating a transnational inheritance fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 elderly and vulnerable Americans of more than $6 million. The scheme involved sending personalized letters falsely claiming to represent Spanish banks and promising nonexistent inheritances, then convincing victims to send upfront fees for taxes and delivery costs through a network of U.S.-based intermediaries. Akhimie faces a maximum 20-year prison sentence, and the case highlights the broader crisis of elder fraud in the U.S., with 147,127 complaints totaling $4.
ohsers.org
· 2025-12-08
Text message scams are surging, with scammers using "wrong number" texts and fake toll/parking fee alerts to build trust with victims and steal money or personal information. AI-assisted targeting tailors messages by area code and uses social media to identify vulnerable targets, with losses reaching $470 million in 2024—a five-fold increase since 2020. The best defense is not responding to texts from unknown numbers, as any response confirms the phone number is active and can lead to relationship-building tactics, investment solicitation, or account takeover attempts.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
A 56-year-old Michigan woman lost $400 after clicking on a fraudulent Geico phone number in Google search results and unknowingly calling scammers who impersonated the insurance company. The fraudsters obtained her driver's license, VIN, and Social Security number, then instructed her to make a payment via Xfinity using a fake Google Docs form. The victim discovered the scam when she contacted the real Geico and learned no legitimate policy had been created; her bank refunded the $400 pending investigation, though scammers also attempted to contact her adult sons for their personal information.
pcmag.com
· 2025-12-08
Amazon warned customers of a surge in phishing scams ahead of Prime Day (July 8-11), where fraudsters send fake emails claiming Prime membership renewals or requesting purchase verification, attempting to steal login credentials and banking information through fake Amazon login pages. Scammers also use phone calls and spam emails offering fake early deals that redirect users to fraudulent sites, and Amazon emphasized it never requests payment via phone or email outside its official app, website, or stores. Customers can verify legitimate Amazon communications by checking for the Amazon smile logo in email headers and reporting suspected scams to the company.
macaudailytimes.com.mo
· 2025-12-08
A 69-year-old woman was arrested for money laundering after receiving approximately MOP3 million in fraudulent funds through her personal bank account for a "pig butchering" romance scam operation. Two local victims lost MOP1.3 million and MOP700,000 respectively after being deceived by an online romantic partner into investing in a fraudulent scheme promising high returns. Police report eight total victims of this scam since July, with combined losses exceeding MOP3.56 million, and warn the public to verify investment opportunities and exercise caution in online relationships.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Adults over 60 lost over $4.9 billion to scams in 2024, with impersonation, romance, tech support, and emerging "grandparent scams" using AI voice cloning being the most common threats. The article provides six protective practices: avoid unknown calls/texts, never share personal information with unsolicited callers, recognize urgency and emotional manipulation tactics, and refrain from sending money to unknown contacts via any payment method.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
A Montreal woman lost $14,510 to a bank investigator scam where fraudsters spoofed an RBC phone number and convinced her to make account changes while logged into her banking app, claiming to protect her from fraud; RBC initially denied her refund claim, stating she was responsible because she actively participated in the transactions. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported 677 victims of this scam in the first half of 2024 with $11.7 million in losses—nearly double the previous year—while Montreal police identified at least 220 RBC customers victimized with estimated losses of $1.5 million.
pa.gov
· 2025-12-08
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed SB 649 into law, establishing third-degree felony charges for using artificial intelligence to create non-consensual deepfakes or voice clones to defraud or harm residents. The law specifically targets AI-generated scams affecting older adults, such as fake grandchild voice impersonations used to extort money, with Pennsylvania's Department of Aging reporting nearly 18,500 financial exploitation cases in FY 2023-24—nearly double the number since 2017. This legislation strengthens protections for Pennsylvania's fifth-largest older adult population by giving law enforcement new tools to prosecute AI-driven fraud schemes.
kjzz.org
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency ATM scams are increasingly targeting older adults, with scammers using phone calls, social media, and text messages to direct victims to deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs via fraudulent QR codes under the pretense of protecting funds or making investments. Scammers now operate as organized criminal networks rather than isolated actors, with reported losses ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars per victim—including cases of a woman losing $700,000 and another losing $200,000. A particularly sophisticated variation called "pig butchering" begins as romance scams on social media before morphing into cryptocurrency investment schemes designed to extract all available funds from victims.
nzherald.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
As AI advances, traditional scam detection methods like spotting poor spelling and grammar are no longer reliable, according to cybersecurity experts. An Avast survey of 1,001 New Zealand adults found that while 74% worry about older loved ones falling victim to scams and 84% have warned them about online threats, only 53% of seniors actually change their behavior—with common vulnerabilities including writing passwords on paper (44%) and ignoring advice about suspicious links. The most prevalent scams targeting older adults are tech support scams, phishing, and fake invoices, with phone calls remaining a primary entry point for fraud.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Ohio woman with no criminal history, Ann Mayers, robbed a credit union at gunpoint in April 2024 after losing her life savings to an online scam in which a fraudster posing as a U.S. Customs official convinced her to send thousands of dollars; she also borrowed $65,000 from a friend to cover what she believed were legitimate fees. Mayers was arrested within two hours, confessed immediately, and was sentenced to 4–5.5 years in prison after pleading guilty, highlighting how financial fraud can drive vulnerable individuals to desperate and criminal actions.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, fraud cost Americans an estimated $158.3 billion according to the FTC—equivalent to $434 million daily—with consistent year-over-year increases in reported fraud incidents. Recognizing this crisis, policymakers and organizations including AARP and the Aspen Institute are developing a national fraud strategy, while the newly launched National Elder Fraud Coordination Center aims to investigate and prosecute fraud criminals using organized crime investigative techniques. The article emphasizes that individuals can help combat fraud by reporting scams and educating others to prevent victimization.
gillibrand.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, American consumers lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud, with older adults losing a record $4.8 billion, according to FBI data. Senators Gillibrand and Warren called for a Government Accountability Office investigation into how recent federal budget cuts—including the elimination of 90% of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's staff—have impaired the government's ability to protect seniors from scams and implement recommended inter-agency coordination measures. The senators cited testimony from fraud victims whose losses resulted in devastating financial and health consequences.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Fraud theft in the United States reached an estimated $158.3 billion in 2023, equivalent to $434 million daily, according to the Federal Trade Commission. In response to the escalating fraud crisis, new initiatives are emerging, including the Aspen Institute's national fraud strategy (with AARP involvement) and the April launch of the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center, which applies organized crime investigation techniques to build cases against fraud perpetrators. The article emphasizes that individuals play a crucial role by reporting suspected scams and sharing information about fraud schemes to protect potential victims.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
PG&E has issued a warning about a widespread impersonation scam targeting Bay Area customers, with over 2,500 reports this year in which callers threaten immediate power shutoff for unpaid bills and spoof caller ID to appear legitimate. Approximately 250 victims have lost an average of $900 by providing debit card or Zelle payments to scammers, with the highest concentrations of reports in the East Bay (971 cases) and North Bay (662 cases). PG&E advises customers to hang up on such calls, take time to verify through official channels, and report suspected scams to their tip line at 833-500-SCAM.
mcafee.com
· 2025-12-08
UK concert and festival ticket fraud resulted in losses exceeding £1.6 million in 2024, more than double the previous year, with approximately 3,700 reports to Action Fraud—nearly half originating from social media platforms. Oasis Live '25 reunion tour tickets became a prime target for fraudsters, accounting for roughly 70% of reported concert ticket fraud cases from August 2024 onward, with victims losing an average of £436 (up to £1,000 in some cases). Scammers exploit high demand, limited supply, and emotional urgency by creating fake ticketing websites, posting counterfeit tickets on social media, and selling duplicate digital tickets
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 level—according to the Federal Trade Commission. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages offering commission-based tasks like rating videos or liking images; victims see fake earnings accumulate in an app before being asked to deposit their own money (often in cryptocurrency) to withdraw funds they never actually earned. Vulnerable targets include job-seekers new to the workforce, people re-entering employment, and immigrants, with only about 5% of victims reporting their losses to authorities.
selectcommitteeontheccp.house.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. House lawmakers sent a bipartisan letter to Google CEO commending the company's efforts to combat scams linked to Chinese Communist Party entities that drain billions from Americans annually, particularly "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams and tech support schemes that target vulnerable seniors. The letter requests information on Google's technologies to block malicious ads, browser-based scams, and AI-driven detection capabilities, noting that these transnational criminal operations caused an estimated $10 billion in crypto fraud losses in 2024 alone.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Scammers pose as utility companies during summer months, threatening to shut off electric service due to unpaid bills and demanding immediate payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or mobile payment apps to exploit consumers' need for air conditioning. Legitimate utility companies do not threaten immediate shutoffs without notice or request unusual payment methods; consumers should verify any such claims by contacting their utility directly using the phone number on their bill. Those who suspect utility scams can contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360 for assistance.
nbcwashington.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting work-seekers, particularly through text or WhatsApp messages promising easy online tasks like "product boosting," have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020. Scammers build trust before directing victims to deposit money (often cryptocurrency) to access fake earnings that appear in apps, resulting in complete financial loss. The scams disproportionately target job-seekers new to the market, homemakers re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, exploiting economic vulnerability through offers of remote work with no interviews and immediate start dates.
unionrayo.com
· 2025-12-08
Match Group is rolling out a facial recognition feature called Face Check on Tinder, currently being tested in California, which requires users to submit a video selfie to verify their identity and receive a blue checkmark indicating authenticity. The feature uses facial scanning technology to prevent catfishing and romance scams—which have caused millions in losses to dating app users—by comparing video footage to profile photos and detecting duplicate accounts; encrypted facial maps are retained while videos are deleted. Face Check has already been successfully tested in Canada and Colombia, reducing fraudulent accounts and improving user confidence in profile authenticity.
hollywoodreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old woman in the rural South lost approximately $100,000 in bitcoin to scammers impersonating actor Kevin Costner over several months, luring her with romantic messages and promises of a production company job before standing her up at a hotel meeting. The scam is part of a larger billion-dollar celebrity impersonation scheme that exploits lonely victims through AI-generated deepfakes, fake messaging accounts, and social media, prompting Hollywood to pursue legislation like the "No Fakes Act" to protect artists' likenesses and voices from unauthorized use.
nwestiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams involve criminals creating fake personas on dating sites and social media to build false relationships and extract money from victims through emotional manipulation and fabricated emergencies. The Federal Trade Commission estimates approximately 64,000 Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023, with seniors—particularly widowed and divorced individuals—being frequent targets. Red flags include refusal to meet in person or video call, rapid escalation of romantic declarations, requests to move to private messaging platforms, and endless excuses for financial assistance, with some victims also being coerced into becoming "money mules" for money laundering schemes.
fox43.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior living resident in Silver Spring Township, Pennsylvania was targeted by a scam in which a man impersonating an FBI agent demanded $27,000 in cash to prevent her arrest. A relative recognized the fraud and alerted police, who arrested a 39-year-old suspect at the victim's home before the money was handed over; the suspect was charged with theft by deception and criminal conspiracy. Authorities are investigating similar incidents in coordination with federal agencies and remind the public that legitimate law enforcement never demands cash or gift cards over the phone.
local21news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 39-year-old man was arrested in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania after impersonating an FBI agent to scam a senior citizen out of $27,000 in cash on July 8. The victim was convinced to withdraw the money after the suspect demanded payment to avoid arrest, but her son recognized the scam and called police, who intercepted the call and made the arrest. The suspect faces felony charges for theft by deception and conspiracy.
capeargus.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals deliberately target adults 65 and older through socio-economic crimes like romance fraud, fake investments, and phishing, exploiting age-based stereotypes and vulnerabilities such as memory issues, social isolation, and limited digital confidence. A research study by Dr. Suleman Lazarus and colleagues emphasizes that recognizing "ageism in cybercrime"—where older adults are purposefully targeted because they are perceived as easier to deceive—is essential to building effective defenses. Better awareness, clearer guidance, and stronger support systems are needed to protect older adults online, as the issue stems not from lack of money but from lack of confidence navigating digital financial systems.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
The RCMP arrested Gareth West, 38, on July 4 in Quebec, alleging he was the ringleader of a grandparent scam that defrauded American seniors of $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. West and 24 other Canadians operated call centers near Montreal, impersonating grandchildren in distress and lawyers to convince elderly victims in 40+ U.S. states to send bail money, which was then transferred to Canada via cash delivery and cryptocurrency. West faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted and is being held pending possible extradition to the United States.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans lost over $12.5 billion to scams, with seniors accounting for $4.8 billion in losses, prompting Senators Kirsten Gillibrand and Elizabeth Warren to request a Government Accountability Office investigation into staffing cuts at federal consumer protection agencies including the CFPB, FTC, and FBI. The senators argue that the Trump administration's actions—including firing approximately 90% of CFPB employees and implementing the Department of Government Efficiency—have severely undermined fraud prevention efforts at a time when they are most needed. The GAO has been asked to assess how these cuts have impacted the government's ability to implement fraud prevention recommendations and protect
amityvillerecord.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with the percentage of victims who lost money jumping from 27% to 38% according to FTC data. While seniors are frequently targeted through "elder fraud," financial scams affect consumers of all ages across the internet and smartphone platforms. The FTC recommends verifying requests before sharing money or personal information, avoiding wire transfers and unsolicited payments, using credit cards for stronger fraud protection, and never trusting unverified caller IDs or sharing sensitive information in response to unexpected contact.
jec.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Maggie Hassan announced a major Joint Economic Committee initiative to combat financial scams, which cost the global economy $1 trillion in 2024—surpassing the drug trade. The effort includes an issue brief and public survey to document scam experiences, with particular focus on protecting seniors aged 60+, who lose an average of $80,000 per victim, four times the national average. Upcoming investigations will examine vulnerabilities in payment platforms, spam communications, and the emerging threat of AI-enabled fraud.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 total—according to the Federal Trade Commission. Scammers typically contact victims via text or WhatsApp, build trust, and eventually ask for cryptocurrency deposits to complete fake "tasks" like rating videos or liking products, after which victims lose their real money while the promised earnings never materialize. The scams primarily target vulnerable populations including new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, and the FTC advises ignoring unsolicited job messages and never paying money upfront to secure employment.
fdic.gov
· 2025-12-08
Financial exploitation costs seniors an estimated $27 billion annually and can occur through theft by family members, caregivers, or scammers. Key prevention strategies include monitoring bank and credit accounts regularly, protecting personal financial information, carefully selecting powers of attorney, reviewing credit reports, taking time with major financial decisions, and remaining alert to common scams like grandparent fraud and fake check schemes. Additional protections include registering with the Do Not Call Registry, avoiding unsolicited deposit requests, and limiting personal information shared on social media.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Fake agent phone scams are sweeping across the United States, with scammers impersonating federal agencies like the FBI and US Marshals using caller ID spoofing to demand immediate payment via untraceable methods like gift cards or cryptocurrency, claiming victims have frozen Social Security numbers, jailed relatives, or missed jury duty summons. Victims across numerous states have lost thousands of dollars, with some scammers even appearing in person, and the threat is escalating as text-based "smishing" attacks surge and experts warn of potential AI voice cloning tactics. To protect yourself, hang up immediately on such calls, never pay via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and remember that legitimate government agencies never demand payment
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams promising easy online work have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the 2020 losses—according to the FTC. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages offering "product boosting" or task-based work that displays fake earnings until victims are pressured to deposit their own money (often in cryptocurrency) to withdraw non-existent profits. Vulnerable targets include job-seekers new to the market, re-entering workers, and immigrants, and the FTC advises never paying upfront for work and ignoring unsolicited job offers via text.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this article as requested because the transcript does not contain information about the scam mentioned in the title. The provided text is a news broadcast that covers weather, traffic, storms, flooding, and unrelated incidents, but does not include any content about the senior scam arrest referenced in the headline. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the actual article content about the $27,000 scam attempt.
oswegocountytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Senators Gillibrand and Warren demanded that the Trump administration explain how federal budget cuts to agencies like the CFPB, FBI, FTC, and Federal Reserve will impact elder fraud protection, following a GAO report recommending enhanced inter-agency coordination against scams. American consumers lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with older adults alone losing a record $4.8 billion, yet the administration fired approximately 1,500 CFPB employees (90% of staff) and reduced personnel at other protective agencies.
local21news.com
· 2025-12-08
A Cumberland County, Pennsylvania senior was nearly defrauded of $27,000 after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating an FBI agent who demanded cash payment to avoid arrest. The victim withdrew the money as instructed, but her son recognized the scam and alerted police, who arrested a 39-year-old man attempting to collect the payment and charged him with theft by deception and conspiracy. The FBI and ICE are investigating similar incidents in the area.
wdet.org
· 2025-12-08
Chase Bank partnered with the Detroit Police Department to conduct financial wellness workshops for metro Detroit seniors in summer 2025, addressing a significant fraud problem in the region. Michigan residents lost over $200 million to fraud in 2024, with adults 60 and older filing the most fraud complaints and averaging $83,000 in losses per victim; the most common scams impersonate government agencies like the IRS, Medicare, and Social Security. Chase's workshops aim to educate seniors on recognizing warning signs and provide resources for financial protection, while noting that over 40% of scammers targeting seniors are adult children or people known to the victims.
wypr.org
· 2025-12-08
One in ten seniors experience elder abuse, and Baltimore County officials report growing concerns about artificial intelligence being weaponized against older adults through deepfakes, voice cloning, and AI-generated scams that are increasingly difficult to detect. While deceptive tactics existed before AI, the technology makes fraud faster, cheaper, and more convincing than ever before, with seniors urged to verify information through official sources, confirm callers' identities, and report suspicious messages. Resources like AARP's free hotline and educational classes are available to help seniors protect themselves from these evolving threats.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Richmond RCMP warns the public about a growing threat of investment scams that have cost residents millions of dollars, highlighting three common tactics: promises of high returns with little risk, offers of exclusive "insider information," and high-pressure time-limited offers. Scammers use various channels including social media, dating apps, and phone calls to build trust before presenting fraudulent schemes, and a recent variation involves imposters posing as bank employees to steal debit cards. Victims are urged to report suspected fraud to police immediately and contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501 to help track scam patterns.
tribune.com.pk
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfakes and fabricated social media accounts to impersonate celebrities like Keanu Reeves and Kevin Costner in romance scams targeting vulnerable seniors. A 73-year-old victim named Margaret lost over $100,000 in bitcoin to a fake Kevin Costner impersonator before discovering the deception when she traveled to meet him. According to the FBI, Americans lost $672 million to such scams in 2024, with seniors as the primary victims, and experts note these psychologically manipulative schemes are increasingly "industrialized" with some perpetrators themselves being victims of human trafficking forced to work in cyber-fraud operations.
pulsetasmania.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Victims of romance and investment scams deposited over $2.5 million into cryptocurrency ATMs across Tasmania, with individual losses averaging $165,000 and one victim losing more than $750,000. The majority of victims were around 65 years old and were targeted through fake relationships or schemes promising 30-40% returns, with scammers using phone calls, social media, and encrypted messaging to manipulate, threaten, and intimidate victims into making deposits. Police warn that crypto ATM deposits are nearly impossible to recover once sent, and the Australian government is implementing deposit limits of $5,000 per transaction to help prevent such scams.