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in Robocall / Phone Scam
thepaypers.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeted 6,937 GBP average losses in the reported period, down from 8,237 GBP the previous year, with fraudsters using fake profiles on social media and dating apps to build trust before requesting money for emergencies or travel. Men comprised 52% of victims, but women lost significantly more per case (9,083 GBP versus 5,145 GBP for men), while those aged 65-74 suffered the highest average losses at 13,123 GBP, and the 55-64 age group saw cases rise by 49% year-over-year. Financial institutions advise that legitimate relationships do not begin
dnronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Modern scams exploit trust and fear through phishing, vishing, quishing, and tech support schemes, increasingly using AI to create realistic fraudulent communications that pressure victims into quick decisions. Phishing scams trick users into revealing passwords and financial data through fake emails and websites, while tech support scams use scare tactics and remote access requests to steal information and install malware. Protection requires skepticism toward unsolicited contact, verification of sender identities through official channels, multi-factor authentication, and awareness that legitimate companies never request sensitive information via email or unsolicited calls.
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A "smishing" scam impersonating Oregon's DMV has targeted residents with text messages claiming outstanding traffic tickets and threatening license suspension unless immediate payment is made. For those who clicked malicious links, authorities recommend immediately checking financial accounts for fraudulent charges, scanning devices for malware, freezing credit with reporting agencies, and reporting the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or to local law enforcement. The Oregon DMV clarifies it never requests personal information or payment through unsolicited communications.
yahoo.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 amount. Scammers use personalized texts or WhatsApp messages to build trust with job-seekers before directing them to fake platforms where they display fake earnings and demand deposits in cryptocurrency to withdraw non-existent pay. Vulnerable targets include new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, and the FTC advises ignoring unsolicited job offers, never paying to get paid, and being skeptical of positions that promise payment for rating or liking content online.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
A New Orleans bar owner's Facebook account was compromised by scammers who used it to fraudulently sell items like golf carts and trucks to her contacts. The incident illustrates a broader cybersecurity problem: small businesses are targeted and fall victim to cyberattacks at roughly four times the rate of large enterprises, with approximately 20% of affected small and medium-sized businesses forced to close or file for bankruptcy as a result.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Microsoft 365 and Outlook users are being targeted by a phishing scam that injects fake billing alerts directly into calendars via meeting invites, bypassing traditional email filters. The scam uses official-looking payment failure or account suspension notices, sometimes with malicious attachments, and exploits default calendar settings to appear without user interaction, creating urgency and panic. Users should avoid interacting with suspicious calendar events and verify their subscription status independently rather than responding to or deleting invites, as these actions may confirm their email is active to scammers.
opentools.ai
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in China have launched AI voice cloning scams targeting elderly residents by mimicking the voices of relatives to request money over the phone. This emerging fraud trend uses sophisticated technology to create convincing impersonations, posing challenges for law enforcement and raising concerns for families globally.
inquirer.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020. These scams typically begin with personalized texts or WhatsApp messages offering easy remote work (such as liking videos or rating products), display fake earnings on platforms, and ultimately ask victims to deposit their own money in cryptocurrency before disappearing with the funds. Job-seekers new to the workforce, career re-entrants, and immigrants are particularly vulnerable, and experts advise rejecting unsolicited job offers, never paying upfront fees, and being skeptical of positions requiring online ratings without legitimate product use.
consumerbankers.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumer Bankers Association Vice President Brian Fritzsche argues that while banks invest in fraud prevention technologies and coordinate with law enforcement, combating financial fraud and scams requires a broader, coordinated national response involving government agencies, telecommunications providers, social media platforms, and fintech companies. Fritzsche emphasizes that modern fraud schemes are sophisticated criminal enterprises using AI voice cloning, phishing emails, and social media manipulation that extend beyond traditional banking channels, affecting hundreds of thousands of Americans annually with significant financial and psychological impacts, including reported suicidal ideation among identity crime victims.
jec.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Maggie Hassan's Joint Economic Committee announced a major initiative to combat financial scams, which stole an estimated $1 trillion globally in 2024—exceeding the global drug trade. The effort highlights that Americans aged 60 and over lost an average of $80,000 each to scams, and the Committee will launch investigations into scam drivers while collecting public survey data to inform solutions targeting payment platforms, spam communications, and AI-enabled fraud threats.
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Smishing (SMS phishing) scams appear to be increasing as fraudsters use artificial intelligence to craft convincing text messages and exploit data from security breaches, according to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre and Competition Bureau. While reported cases declined from 7,380 in 2022 to 886 in the first half of 2025, experts estimate only 5-10% of victims report incidents, suggesting actual scam volume is much higher; experts warn that AI-generated messages now often lack spelling mistakes that previously helped identify fraud, making smishing harder to detect.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2025, five men operating across multiple countries orchestrated a sophisticated cryptocurrency romance scam that defrauded over 400 American victims of more than $225 million. The scheme began with romantic messages on dating apps, progressed to fake investment tips and trading platforms showing fabricated gains, and culminated in international money laundering through shell companies, fake crypto businesses, and Tether stablecoin transfers routed through Cambodia. The DOJ charged the conspirators and moved to seize the stolen crypto, highlighting how romance scams (also called "pig butchering" scams) represent the most prominent category of crypto fraud, with Americans losing $5.6 billion to crypto scams
vice.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old woman named Margaret lost over $100,000 in bitcoin to a scammer impersonating Kevin Costner in a celebrity romance scam, leaving her husband and checking into a hotel before discovering the deception. Romance scams cost Americans $672 million in 2024, predominantly targeting older women through fake social media accounts impersonating trustworthy male celebrities like Keanu Reeves, Kevin Costner, and Jonathan Roumie, using emotional manipulation, fake family members, and AI-generated voice memos to isolate victims. While some scammers are themselves victims trafficked into Southeast Asian scam compounds, social media platforms like Meta move slowly to
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scam - Montana Case**
A Montana woman identified as Rita lost over $90,000 in an online romance scam in 2024 after being targeted by a scammer posing as a celebrity while she was vulnerable during a divorce. The perpetrator built emotional trust before requesting money via Bitcoin, isolating Rita from her support network until she eventually recognized the deception. Rita's case reflects a broader crisis: Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams in 2023 across 64,000+ reported cases, with victims over 60 suffering $389 million in losses, and Montana alone reporting 44 victims losing $2.2 million
nzz.ch
· 2025-12-08
Professional scammers based in Southeast Asia, particularly in the Philippines, operate organized "pig butchering" romance scams that target lonely men on dating apps, using fake identities and fraudulent cryptocurrency investment schemes to steal entire savings. These industrial-scale fraud centers, which expanded during the COVID-19 pandemic and often involve forced labor, emotionally manipulate victims by building trust through small early profits before extracting large sums. One victim, a 29-year-old Swiss man, lost all his savings within two weeks of matching with a fake profile, illustrating how the scheme exploits emotional vulnerability rather than outright naivety.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
In September 2023, scammers impersonating law enforcement and the FBI targeted 81-year-old Judith Boivin of Maryland by exploiting her well-researched background as a nurse, social worker, and humanitarian to convince her she needed to assist in an FBI operation against a Mexican cartel allegedly using her Social Security number for money laundering. Over three months of twice-daily contact with the fraudsters, who used authentic-sounding case numbers and FBI branding, Boivin transferred nearly $600,000 of her retirement savings before discovering the elaborate scheme was fraudulent.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
Three major U.S. banks—Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America—denied reimbursement claims from customers who lost funds to sophisticated scams, including impersonation fraud ($20,000), phishing and malware attacks, and a taxi fraud scheme ($450). The cases highlight gaps in fraud prevention and reimbursement policies, as banks rely on transaction verification methods that scammers increasingly bypass through social engineering and malware, leaving victims with limited recourse despite clear evidence of fraud.
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
A gold investment scam has resurfaced in Platteville, Wisconsin, targeting elderly residents by impersonating government employees who claim victims have arrest warrants and can settle them by purchasing gold. At least two people have fallen victim to this scheme, which instructs targets to withdraw large sums of money, purchase gold from local dealers, and hand it over to a supposed intermediary who never returns. The Platteville Police Department warns residents to educate elderly family members about this fraud, as scammers use urgency and panic tactics to manipulate vulnerable populations.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-08
A 38-year-old woman from Mehdipatnam lost ₹2 lakh in a cyber scam after receiving a WhatsApp call falsely claiming her brother was detained in Qatar and needed urgent bail money; the scammer created a false sense of urgency to pressure her into multiple bank transfers before she discovered the fabrication. Police advised victims to independently verify distressing claims with family members directly before transferring funds, noting that scammers exploit panic and time pressure to prevent rational decision-making.
cvillerightnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal Trade Commission data estimates fraud theft in the United States reached $158.3 billion in 2023, with imposter scams, romance scams, tech scams, and investment scams being the most common types, typically beginning with phishing attempts via email, text, phone, or QR codes. AARP Virginia warns that AI technology is making scams increasingly convincing, particularly grandparent scams using synthesized voice calls, and recommends victims and witnesses report fraud to local law enforcement or contact AARP's Fraud Watch Network at 1-877-908-3360.
wrdw.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using artificial intelligence to clone the voices of loved ones—often extracted from social media videos or voicemails—and call victims requesting money in urgent situations. According to a McAfee survey, one in four people have experienced or know someone who experienced an AI voice cloning scam, with 77% of victims losing money and 70% unable to distinguish the fake from a real voice. Experts recommend families establish a code word known only to them; if someone cannot provide the code word during an urgent call, victims should hang up and contact the person directly.
longisland.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old Massapequa woman was scammed out of more than $250,000 after calling a number from a fraudulent PayPal email and being convinced to purchase gold coins in three separate transactions, which were picked up from her home each time. Nassau police arrested 49-year-old Siarhei Radyna from Staten Island following an extensive investigation that included email and phone traces. Authorities are urging residents to alert vulnerable family members and neighbors about such scams and to report suspected fraud to the Nassau County Fraud and Forgery Squad.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
A Rockford man received a fraudulent call from someone impersonating a Kent County Sheriff's deputy claiming he had missed federal jury duty and had arrest warrants issued against him. The scammer, who had obtained personal information including the victim's name and address, instructed him to visit the sheriff's office and sign documents, but became suspicious when told he couldn't discuss the matter with others due to a "gag order." The Kent County Sheriff's Office confirmed receiving numerous similar calls and advises residents that legitimate law enforcement will never contact them by phone demanding payment or requesting gift cards or cryptocurrency.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Tampa homeowners Larry and Dreama Bilby discovered criminals attempting to steal their home through a "title piracy" scheme involving a fraudulent quitclaim deed while their house was undergoing repairs after being damaged by a fallen tree. After setting up security cameras and registering for property record alerts, they were notified that Michelle Cherry and Victor Rodriguez had filed a quitclaim deed to transfer ownership of the Bilbys' home without their knowledge. This scam exploits legal documents typically used for legitimate property transfers between family members to fraudulently steal homes from unsuspecting owners.
sidneydailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams targeting elderly residents in Shelby County, Ohio have become increasingly sophisticated, with people age 60 and over losing a combined $3.4 billion to fraud worldwide in 2023 alone. Scammers employ methods including Social Security imposter scams, grandparent schemes (enhanced by AI-generated voices and videos), and fake law enforcement threats to extract personal information and money from victims. Elderly individuals are particularly vulnerable due to accumulated wealth, health-related sensory impairments, and reluctance to report fraud due to embarrassment or fear of losing independence.
wdrb.com
· 2025-12-08
The Bardstown Police Department warned the public about scammers impersonating officers and calling residents to solicit donations for fallen officers using the (859) area code. Victims should not provide personal or financial information to these callers, as the police department confirmed it never solicits money through unsolicited calls.
greeleytribune.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Business job scams are increasing in frequency, with scammers employing a trust-building strategy before exploiting their victims financially. The article advises protective measures to help people identify and avoid falling victim to these schemes.
timesofmalta.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines how modern fraud affects individuals and organizations across all demographics through sophisticated digital tactics including phishing, deepfakes, and romance scams. It emphasizes that cybercriminals use AI, public information, and impersonation to deceive victims, with goals ranging from financial theft to data breaches and ransomware attacks. The article advocates for defense through education, technology investment, personal vigilance, and coordinated efforts across financial institutions, law enforcement, and government to combat the growing threat.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
A diplomatic cable revealed that someone used AI to impersonate U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio by generating deepfake voicemails and text messages to reach high-level officials and foreign ministers, sparking global alerts about AI-enabled fraud. The incident reflects a broader rise in deepfake scams since 2023, with criminals increasingly using tools like "FraudGPT" to efficiently manufacture phishing attacks and other frauds, raising questions about whether law enforcement has adequate tools to combat this evolving threat.
observer.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Fraud has evolved from rare, high-profile crimes into a pervasive problem affecting all age groups, with the UK experiencing 4.1 million fraud incidents in the year ending 2024—a 33% increase from the previous year—and identity fraud alone costing the nation approximately £1.8 billion annually. Contrary to stereotypes, younger people (18-24) are slightly more vulnerable than seniors, likely due to greater online activity, though common fraud types now include identity theft, purchase scams, authorized push payments, and romance scams. Modern criminals exploit technological advantages including malware, cryptocurrencies, AI deepfakes, and organized "scam factories" operating
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
A Houston man lost $20,000 after receiving a phone call from someone posing as a Wells Fargo representative who claimed fraudulent charges were on his account. The scammer provided legitimate transaction details to build credibility, then sent a woman to his home who collected his physical bank card, cut it in half, and drove away with it—leading to over $20,000 in ATM withdrawals within 90 minutes. The incident reflects a rising trend in imposter scams, with the FTC reporting $12.5 billion in total fraud losses in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with imposter scams being the most commonly reported frau
abc57.com
· 2025-12-08
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about scammers impersonating department officials and requesting money via phone and email. The sheriff's department does not solicit funds and never uses third-party payment services like PayPal, Apple Pay, or Western Union; officials advise citizens to verify the identity of any caller before providing personal information or payment.
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, military consumers filed over 200,000 scam reports with the FTC, with 31,833 reporting financial losses totaling $584 million (median loss of $700). Scammers target servicemembers, retirees, and their families through two main housing scams: home loan fraud (impersonating VA officials to demand immediate payment or property transfers) and rental housing fraud (advertising fake properties with military discounts to collect deposits before renters discover the fraud). Consumers are advised to verify all housing-related requests through official channels, avoid unrealistic discounts, tour properties in person, and use legitimate military housing resources like Military By Owner and Homes.mil.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are sending fake emails to Amazon Prime members claiming subscription price increases and directing them to click "cancel" buttons that lead to phishing pages designed to steal login and payment details. Amazon warned its 200+ million global Prime members about the surge in these impersonation scams and advised customers to ignore suspicious emails, verify account status directly through the Amazon app or website, and enable two-step verification for added security.
detroitnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting work-seekers have surged dramatically, with reported losses exceeding $220 million in the first half of 2024—more than triple the losses from 2020—according to the FTC. These scams typically begin with personalized text or WhatsApp messages from fake recruiters offering easy online tasks (like liking videos or rating images) that promise commissions; victims are shown fake earnings tallies before being asked to deposit their own money in cryptocurrency to withdraw their nonexistent pay. The scammers disproportionately target vulnerable populations including new job-seekers, people re-entering the workforce, and immigrants, exploiting economic uncertainty and the appeal of remote work
newsarenaindia.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Punjab are impersonating army personnel to defraud small shopkeepers using fake payment messages and emotional manipulation. In one case, Kamal Singh lost ₹23,400 after receiving a fake payment notification and transferring money back to what he believed was an overpayment by an "army officer," while another shopkeeper, Rajat Khullar, avoided a similar ₹54,000 scam by verifying his account first. Police urge shopkeepers to verify all transactions independently and report suspected fraud immediately, as these schemes increasingly target small business owners unfamiliar with digital fraud tactics.
straitstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore police investigated 536 people for their suspected involvement in scams and unlicensed moneylending activities totaling over $12.2 million in losses during a June 30-July 11 enforcement operation by the Bedok Police Division. Of those under investigation, 391 suspects were linked to more than 2,400 cases including e-commerce, investment, job, rental, and phishing scams, while 145 were implicated in loan scams and unlicensed moneylending involving over $250,000. The operation resulted in 36 arrests, with the suspects ranging in age from 16 to 81 years old.
euronews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used AI voice cloning technology to impersonate U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in messages sent via Signal to foreign ministers, a U.S. governor, and a member of Congress, with authorities investigating whether the fraudster sought to manipulate officials for access to information or accounts. Voice cloning fraud works by capturing a person's speech patterns, accent, and breathing from as little as three seconds of audio—often sourced from social media—to create realistic voice and text message replicas. Experts recommend verifying callers through independent contact methods, avoiding reliance on caller ID, checking for subtle alterations in names or URLs, and limiting personal information shared online to prevent becoming
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
Tasmanian Police uncovered a sophisticated cryptocurrency ATM scam targeting elderly residents, resulting in $1.6 million in losses ($592,000 through crypto ATMs). Scammers manipulated seniors through romance and investment schemes, convincing them to deposit cash into ATMs where it was converted to cryptocurrency and transferred to untraceable wallets. In response, authorities are implementing stricter regulatory measures on crypto ATMs and launching public awareness campaigns, while Detective Sergeant Paul Turner advises victims to verify identities through trusted sources before any financial transactions involving cryptocurrency.
cyprus-mail.com
· 2025-12-08
Since early 2025, Cyprus has experienced a surge in cyber fraud cases, including a Limassol man who lost €56,283 to a cryptocurrency investment scam and a 55-year-old woman who lost €230 to a phishing email impersonating Etsy. Scammers employ sophisticated tactics such as impersonating government officials, creating fake websites, and using urgent messaging with links to fraudulent sites, while exact figures on total reported scams remain unavailable from police. Experts advise the public to recognize warning signs including urgency, spelling errors, requests for personal information, and unfamiliar senders, though vigilance alone provides only partial protection against increasingly professional frau
nar.realtor
· 2025-12-08
More than 60 real estate agents nationwide have lost a combined $15 million in "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams, where fraudsters build trust with agents through social media or text, pose as clients or financial advisors, and gradually coax them into investing on fraudulent crypto platforms before disappearing with the funds. The scams often exploit agents' access to MLS databases and their familiarity with large financial transactions, with victims like Tennessee agent Teri Radcliff losing over $200,000 and a North Carolina agent's family losing $815,000. The perpetrators frequently use deepfakes or video impersonation and withdraw victims' money through fake platforms before requesting additional security
dallasnews.com
· 2025-12-08
This article reflects on how scams have evolved over the past 20 years, using a 2006 book called "Scamorama" as a reference point. The classic Nigerian 419 scam—featuring poorly written letters promising large sums of money in exchange for small fees—was relatively easy to identify and became the subject of "scam baiting," where victims would intentionally waste scammers' time with absurd requests. Today's scams are far more sophisticated, utilizing artificial intelligence to eliminate grammatical errors and leveraging modern technologies like text messaging, social media, and cryptocurrency, making them significantly more difficult to detect and more effective at defrauding victims.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A Detroit-area woman searching Google for a Geico insurance phone number in June 2025 inadvertently called a scammer's line instead of the legitimate company and lost money to the fraudsters. The incident highlights the risk of clicking on spoofed phone numbers that appear in online search results, which scammers use to impersonate legitimate businesses and steal from unsuspecting callers.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Researchers uncovered a large-scale international investment scam operation using 17,000 fake news websites impersonating major outlets like CNN, BBC, and ABC News across 50 countries, with the US being the primary target. The scam operates by buying social media ads featuring local celebrities, directing users to counterfeit news sites that promote fake investment platforms (such as Eclipse Earn and Solara Vynex), collecting personal information, and pressuring victims to deposit money that appears to grow on fraudulent trading platforms before disappearing along with the "friendly advisor" when victims attempt withdrawal. Key protective measures include verifying platform legitimacy through official regulators, avoiding unsolicited links, checking for red flags like
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonate FEMA officials after natural disasters, calling, texting, or visiting people to solicit cash upfront for fake disaster grants, home inspections, or assistance services. FEMA never charges for disaster assistance or requests money, banking information, or personal data, so anyone making such requests is fraudulent. To protect yourself, verify identity through official FEMA badges, avoid responding to unsolicited communications, and contact FEMA directly at 1-800-621-3362 if uncertain about a representative's legitimacy.
staysafeonline.org
· 2025-12-08
Smishing is a text message-based scam where cybercriminals impersonate banks, delivery services, government agencies, or other trusted entities to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, sharing personal information, or downloading malware. Common smishing tactics include fake delivery updates, account alerts, prize giveaways, government impersonations, and job offers that create artificial urgency to bypass critical thinking. To avoid smishing scams, recipients should pause before clicking unfamiliar links, verify unexpected messages directly with the claimed sender, and look for suspicious domain names or grammatical errors in the text.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Baby Boomers are the fastest-growing demographic investing in cryptocurrency, with seniors over 65 increasing from 2% to 8.2% of crypto investors over five years, but experts warn this population is vulnerable to "cryptoscams." Australians lost over $170 million to cryptocurrency scams in 2023, with more than 60% of victims first exposed to crypto through social media; advisors recommend seniors conduct thorough research, seek trusted guidance, avoid high-risk meme coins, and maintain personal control of their cryptocurrency wallets.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated fraudsters in Kerala are targeting elderly pensioners through phone scams impersonating government officials, using stolen personal data (pension details, Aadhaar numbers, nominee information) to build trust before requesting OTPs to access bank accounts. Kerala's Cyber Operations Division reports 2,000-2,500 daily fraud complaints with approximately 125 resulting in cases, causing an estimated loss of ₹1-1.5 crore daily, though 90% of losses are under ₹1 lakh per victim. The Pension Directorate has warned pensioners that legitimate government officials never contact them by phone or online to update life certificates, and victims should report frau
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Massachusetts woman lost approximately $450,000 in a year-long romance scam in which perpetrators impersonated country music star Vince Gill and his daughter, fabricating an emotional story about a false rape accusation to solicit money. Despite warnings from banks, law enforcement, and family members, the victim sent wire transfers, cashier's checks, cash, and took out personal loans and credit card advances before her daughter discovered the fraud on Christmas morning. Authorities emphasize that romance scammers exploit emotional manipulation and social isolation, particularly targeting older adults who are widowed, divorced, or lonely, and recommend that concerned family members ask non-judgmental questions and contact
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chinese actor named Wang Xing was abducted in Thailand and taken to a scam compound in Myanmar in early 2025, sparking widespread concern about fraud operations in Southeast Asia. The incident highlighted the prevalence of "pig butchering" scams—a type of fraud where criminals build fake romantic or financial relationships with victims to manipulate them into large investments, with victims worldwide losing billions of dollars. These scams, typically run by organized crime groups, operate in three stages (hunting, raising, and killing) and can result in devastating financial losses, as exemplified by cases like a Connecticut woman who lost nearly $1 million and a Kansas banker who embezzled $47 million to cover