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graphic.com.gh
Ghanaian influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Real) was sentenced to one year and one day in prison in June 2024 for her role in a West Africa-based romance fraud scheme operating from 2013 to 2019 that targeted approximately 40 vulnerable older Americans. Montrage and her criminal enterprise used social media, email, and text messages to deceive victims into romantic relationships with fake identities, ultimately defrauding them of over $2 million; she was ordered to pay $1,387,458 in restitution and forfeit $216,475. Her Instagram account had 3.4 million followers
finance.yahoo.com
Wire transfers and large cash transfers are increasingly targeted by online fraudsters and should be conducted in person at bank branches rather than online, according to banking experts and the Federal Trade Commission. Common wire transfer scams include utility shut-off threats, romance scams, prize scams, family emergency scams (including AI voice cloning), and fake check schemes—all of which exploit the irreversible nature of wire transfers to steal money from victims. The FTC recommends never wiring money to anyone you haven't met in person, and emphasizes knowing both the recipient and the reason for the transfer.
theglobeandmail.com
Megan E. Shine of Providence was arraigned in federal court on four counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy for operating fraudulent mail-order sweepstake schemes through shell companies Lucky Dog LLC and Destiny Merchandise LLC. The scheme defrauded elderly and vulnerable individuals out of approximately $10 million by sending personalized letters with forged government seals promising cash prizes and requesting $20-$30 "processing fees" from victims. Shine faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
justice.gov
**Sweepstakes Mail Fraud Scheme**
Meagan E. Shine, 47, of Warwick, Rhode Island, was indicted in June 2024 on four counts of mail fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud for operating deceptive sweepstakes schemes that defrauded seniors and vulnerable individuals across 41 states out of an estimated $10 million. Through businesses including Lucky Dog, LLC and Destiny Merchandise, LLC, Shine sent official-looking mailings falsely claiming recipients had won prizes or were entitled to cash, instructing victims to send $20-$30 processing fees to a Providence PO Box
katu.com
Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for helping operate a "grandparent scam" between 2020 and 2021, in which call center operators in the Dominican Republic posed as grandchildren, lawyers, or court officials to convince elderly victims they needed bail money, with Valdez collecting the cash from victims' homes. The scheme defrauded grandparents of tens of thousands of dollars, and Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The case highlights a broader trend: elder fraud reports to the FBI increased 14% last year, with victims aged 60+ losing over $3.
prnewswire.com
House Bill 692, "Larry's Law," took effect in Virginia on July 1, 2024, requiring financial institutions to train employees to identify and report potential elder financial exploitation and notify seniors' trusted contacts of suspicious activity. The law was named after Larry Cook, a retired Navy commander from Herndon, Virginia, who lost $3.6 million in a phishing scam; his niece and estate administrator, Janine Williamson, advocated for the legislation, which unanimously passed the Virginia General Assembly and aims to strengthen frontline defenses against elder financial fraud.
cbsaustin.com
Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for conspiring with Dominican Republic call center operators between 2020 and 2021 to defraud grandparents by impersonating their grandchildren, lawyers, and court officials claiming bail money was needed. Valdez collected tens of thousands of dollars from victims by picking up cash from their homes after the scammers convinced them to withdraw money, and he faces up to 20 years in prison. The case highlights a broader trend in elder fraud, with reports to the FBI increasing 14% annually and scams targeting seniors 60+ causing over $3.4 billion in losses.
wchstv.com
Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for helping operate a grandparent scam between 2020 and 2021, in which call center operators in the Dominican Republic impersonated grandchildren, lawyers, and court officials to convince senior victims they needed bail money, with Valdez collecting the cash from their homes. The scheme defrauded grandparents of tens of thousands of dollars, and Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine; the FBI reports that scams targeting people over 60 caused over $3.4 billion in losses last year.
states.aarp.org
Ellen Klem and Billie McNeely, working for Oregon's Attorney General's office and Adult Protective Services respectively, are leading efforts to combat rising elder fraud in the state, with recent scams increasingly involving cryptocurrency schemes that are difficult for law enforcement to trace. Elder fraud is growing nationally and particularly threatening to Oregon's aging population, with victims experiencing devastating financial losses and psychological harm that can be life-altering. Their prevention work includes training bankers and law enforcement, educating the public through campaigns like "Just Hang Up!," and providing dedicated prosecution support for complex financial exploitation cases.
cfpublic.org
The U.S. Department of Justice charged 193 people nationwide in a health care fraud crackdown targeting elderly and disabled beneficiaries, including several Central Florida residents. The defendants included individuals who filed bogus medical equipment claims totaling millions in Medicare fraud ($9.3 million and $3.4 million in two cases), a nurse practitioner who illegally prescribed 1.5 million Adderall pills and received $800,000, and a hospital nurse accused of stealing fentanyl from patient IV bags. The cases involved conspiracy to commit health care fraud, illegal drug distribution, and theft of controlled substances from medical facilities.
midmichigannow.com
Victor Valdez, a New York City man, was charged with conspiracy to defraud seniors through a "grandparent scam" in which call center operators in the Dominican Republic impersonated grandchildren claiming to need bail money between 2020 and 2021, with Valdez collecting the cash from victims' homes. The scheme resulted in tens of thousands of dollars in losses, and Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. The case reflects a broader trend: elder fraud reports to the FBI increased 14% annually, with seniors losing over $3.4 billion to scams, many of which go unreported.
ftc.gov
The Federal Trade Commission charged two groups of defendants with operating nationwide unauthorized billing scams that defrauded consumers out of millions of dollars. The defendants advertised "free" CBD and Keto personal care products, then secretly enrolled consumers in unwanted continuity plans and repeatedly charged their bank accounts without consent, while also using shell companies to launder credit card payments. The complaint names six defendants and entities: Harshil Topiwala, Kirtan Patel, and their companies (Legion Media LLC, KP Commerce LLC, Pinnacle Payments LLC), as well as Manindra Garg and Sloan Health Products LLC, with charges including violations of the F
mcdowellnews.com
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to remain vigilant against scams targeting July 4th holiday celebrations, which typically include travel rental fraud, patriotic flag-buying scams, and fireworks purchasing schemes. Common tactics involve fake rental listings that prevent access to booked properties, overpriced flagpole items sold online at below-market prices, and illegitimate fireworks vendors who obtain banking information during transactions. BBB recommends trusting your intuition about deals that seem too good to be true, paying for fireworks with cash at temporary stands, and verifying rental property access before traveling.
justice.gov
Mona Faiz Montrage, a prominent Ghanaian Instagram influencer with 3.4 million followers, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison in June 2024 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money from romance scams. From 2013 to 2019, Montrage received over $2 million in fraudulent funds from approximately 40 vulnerable elderly victims who were deceived into sending money under false pretenses such as gold transport fees and fake FBI investigations. In addition to her prison sentence, she was ordered to forfeit $216,475 and pay restitution of $1,387,458.
bbc.com
Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Montrage ("Mona 4 Real") was sentenced to 12 months and one day in U.S. federal prison for receiving proceeds from romance scams targeting elderly Americans between 2013 and 2019. Montrage, a member of a West African criminal syndicate, received money from approximately 40 romance fraud victims through her bank accounts, totaling over $2 million in fraudulent funds, and was ordered to forfeit $216,475 and pay $1,387,458 in restitution. She pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money and money laundering in February.
occrp.org
Internet fraud losses in the United States exceeded $12.5 billion in the past year, a 22% increase from the previous year, with common scams including identity theft, phishing, romance scams, and investment fraud. INTERPOL's Operation First Light arrested 3,950 suspects and identified 14,643 potential suspects worldwide while intercepting $135 million in cash and seizing assets worth over $120 million. International collaboration has proven effective in combating cybercrime, including one case where coordination between Singapore, Hong Kong, and local banks prevented a 70-year-old victim from losing $281,200 in savings.
ghanaweb.com
Ghanaian actor Big Akwes warned that he would publicly name prominent musicians involved in romance scams if provoked, claiming they use their spouses to defraud foreigners. The warning came amid discussion of socialite Hajia4Real, who pleaded guilty in February 2024 to her role in a $2 million romance scam targeting older Americans and was extradited from the UK to the US; court documents suggest her ex-partner exploited her involvement in the scheme while she feared for her safety and her daughter's.
uk.news.yahoo.com
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse. The provided text is Yahoo's standard cookie and privacy consent notice explaining how the company uses cookies and personal data for website functionality, security, analytics, and advertising purposes. It contains no information relevant to the Elderus fraud research database.
wyff4.com
The FBI warned the public about a sophisticated scam in which fraudsters contact victims by phone or email claiming they failed to report for jury duty and face federal arrest warrants, then demand payment via virtual currency to avoid jail time. The scammers enhance credibility by using actual names of North Carolina law enforcement officers, manipulating caller IDs to appear as government agencies, and sometimes claiming offices are closed due to COVID-19 to discourage in-person payment verification. The FBI emphasized that legitimate arrest warrants are never issued via email or text and never require immediate payment, and recommends victims verify any legal claims directly with law enforcement or courts rather than paying unsolicited demands.
lavalnews.ca
An underage fraudster in Laval was arrested for targeting seniors and other victims through impersonation calls claiming to represent financial institutions, convincing them to write their PINs on debit cards placed in envelopes for supposed courier pickup. The suspect allegedly used the retrieved cards to commit fraud at ATMs and businesses, with police believing up to 30 incidents were connected to the same scheme, and in some cases accomplices posed as bank representatives during multi-party calls to further deceive victims.
news.abplive.com
A Delhi IAS aspirant lost Rs 1.20 lakh in a "café con" dating scam where he was lured to Black Mirror Café by a woman he met on Tinder; she ordered expensive items, staged an emergency exit, and he was threatened into paying an inflated bill. The incident reveals an organized scam ring operating across major Indian cities involving dating app matches, cafés/pubs, and coordinated staff who split proceeds (15% to the woman, 45% to managers, 40% to owners), with many victims reluctant to report due to social stigma around dating app usage. Police arrested the café owner and the woman involved, uncovering similar cases
southfloridareporter.com
In Operation First Light 2024, international police coordinated by Interpol arrested 3,950 people and seized $257 million in assets from online scammers engaged in phishing, investment fraud, fake shopping sites, and romance scams. The operation aims to disrupt transnational organized crime networks at a time when U.S. authorities report consumers lost over $10 billion to online fraud in the previous year.
cxotoday.com
This educational article outlines common financial fraud tactics and prevention strategies, noting that bank frauds in India exceeded 302.5 billion rupees in fiscal year 2023. Key warning signs include unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, unrealistic investment promises, and demands for payment via unconventional methods. The article recommends staying informed about scams, verifying identities before sharing information, using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being cautious with app downloads to protect against fraud.
krcrtv.com
During Elder Abuse Awareness Month, law enforcement in Shasta County, California highlighted the prevalence of financial fraud targeting seniors in the region, with the Redding Police Department reporting approximately 175 cases of elder abuse to their detective division last year. Perpetrators often include family members, caregivers, and neighbors who exploit the trust of elderly victims, making detection and intervention difficult. State lawmakers are advancing SB 278, which would require financial institutions to hold transactions over $5,000 for at least three days when financial abuse is suspected, aimed at preventing scammers from quickly transferring stolen funds offshore or to cryptocurrency accounts where recovery is rare.
chroniclet.com
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forumdaily.com
Arlington, Texas police are investigating at least 20 suspicious deaths at nursing homes operated by Regla Becker, 49, owner of unlicensed Love and Caring for People LLC, who faces charges including abuse, negligence, theft, and fraud. One death has been ruled a homicide after the medical examiner found undescribed drugs (trazodone, tramadol, and mirtazapine) in client Steven Pankratz's body; police are also investigating whether Becker coerced client Karen Walker into signing a will leaving her house to Becker shortly before Walker's death in October 2022. The investigation is complicated by the
examiner-enterprise.com
This article is not relevant to the Elderus fraud research database. It is a community events listing for Bartlesville, Oklahoma, featuring recreational and cultural activities such as farmers markets, museum exhibits, animal attractions, and family entertainment. It contains no information about scams, fraud, elder abuse, or financial exploitation.
nypost.com
A 39-year-old Bronx man, Victor Anthony Valdez, was charged with wire fraud conspiracy for his role as a courier in an international "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly residents of New York and New Jersey of tens of thousands of dollars between August 2020 and 2021. Scammers operating from call centers in the Dominican Republic posed as grandchildren or legal officials, convincing elderly victims their grandchildren had been arrested and needed bail money, then sent Valdez to collect cash from victims' homes. Valdez faces up to 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine if convicted.
tacomaweekly.com
Since April 2022, Washington State's DSHS has tracked a surge in EBT card scams affecting 9,000 SNAP recipients, resulting in $5.5 million in total losses with an average loss of nearly $600 per household. To address this fraud, DSHS has processed over 8,000 claims and replaced $3 million in stolen benefits, while launching a multilingual education campaign translated into 15 languages to help immigrant and refugee communities recognize scam warning signs and protect their EBT card information.
the420.in
A 72-year-old businessman in Mumbai lost Rs 1.38 lakh to cyber fraudsters while attempting to purchase sweets online for Ganesh Chaturthi after finding a fake contact number for a sweet shop through Google search. The scammer used multiple deceptive tactics—claiming orders weren't confirmed, falsely stating transferred amounts were "codes" with no monetary value, and sending a nominal Rs 50 refund to establish credibility—eventually convincing the victim and his 74-year-old friend to transfer additional funds totaling Rs 29,875 and Rs 45,000 respectively. The Oshiwara police registered a case under the Indian Pe
dailyguidenetwork.com
Ghanaian socialite and singer Hajia4Reall (real name Mona Faiz Montrage) was sentenced to one year and a day in a U.S. federal court on June 28, 2024, for her role in romance scams totaling over $2 million. She was arrested in the United Kingdom in November 2022 and extradited to the U.S. in May 2023, where she pleaded guilty to fraud charges that initially carried a potential five-year sentence. Her case highlights the international scope of romance scam operations and law enforcement efforts to prosecute perpetrators.
ghanamusic.com
Mona Faiz Montrage, known as Hajia4real, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for her role in romance scams that defrauded over 40 victims, significantly less than the government's requested 37-46 months. Montrage, arrested in the UK in November 2022 and extradited to the US, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money and operated five foreign bank accounts to launder proceeds from the scams through fictitious business entities.
wwnytv.com
Four people were arrested in Oswego County, New York in June 2024 for attempting to defraud senior citizens through phone scams that would have resulted in $78,000 in losses. In the first incident, a 75-year-old woman received a call claiming she was accused of a crime and needed to pay money; she became suspicious and alerted police, who arrested two suspects from Ontario, Canada at her home. A week later, two Brooklyn residents were arrested after attempting to convince a 72-year-old man that his Cash App account was hacked and he needed to withdraw $38,000, but the victim contacted police before handing over the money.
cnet.com
Americans lost $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with scammers increasingly using sophisticated tactics to steal banking information and money. The article outlines ten common banking scams—including check fraud, phishing, fake websites, automatic withdrawal schemes, and government imposter scams—and provides protective measures such as verifying URLs directly with banks, never clicking unsolicited links, and avoiding upfront fee requests. Knowing these common strategies helps consumers recognize and avoid fraudulent schemes before criminals can access their accounts and funds.
cleveland19.com
More than a dozen residents in Lorain County, Ohio fell victim to phone scammers who spoofed the sheriff's office number and impersonated Captain Robert Vansant, claiming victims had outstanding warrants and demanding bond payments of up to $3,500 via digital payment apps like Venmo or Zelle. The scammers used convincing tactics including legal jargon, gag order claims, and text messages to pressure victims into paying quickly; some victims lost up to $30,000, and even a corrections officer was temporarily deceived. Captain Vansant warned that the sheriff's office never calls to request money and advised residents to verify calls by contacting the office directly.
oig.ssa.gov
Gino Rives, 36, of St. Louis County, was sentenced to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay over $1.1 million in restitution for defrauding the Social Security Administration's disability program and financially exploiting two elderly women. Rives falsely claimed mental health disabilities while concealing employment and assets, fraudulently receiving more than $721,000 since 2021, and obtained vehicles, a house, and over $855,000 in checks from elderly victims through construction fraud and unauthorized use of their financial accounts. Judge Stephen R. Clark also ordered him to return six vehicles and a house to the victims and imposed a $100,000 fine;
justice.gov
Gino Rives, 36, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to 87 months in prison and ordered to repay over $1.1 million for exploiting two elderly women while fraudulently collecting disability benefits from Social Security. Rives falsely claimed mental health disabilities since 2010 while concealing employment and assets, obtaining four vehicles, a house, and over $855,000 in checks and unauthorized debit card charges from his elderly victims, one of whom was moved to a nursing home and left with minimal possessions.
kttn.com
Gino Rives, 36, of St. Louis County, Missouri, was sentenced to seven years in prison for defrauding the Social Security Administration of over $721,000 through false disability claims since 2010 and financially exploiting two elderly women, from whom he obtained over $855,000, four vehicles, a house, and checks for incomplete construction work. The court ordered Rives to repay $1.1 million in restitution, return six vehicles and a house, and pay a $100,000 fine, with additional charges pending against his mother and an accomplice.
ourtownny.com
Nelson Counne, a NYC romance scammer operating under aliases "Nelson Roth" and "Justin Roth," was sentenced to up to eight years in prison after pleading guilty to grand larceny and scheme to defraud charges for stealing $1.8 million from at least five women between 2012 and at least 2014. Counne posed as a wealthy art dealer and promised investment opportunities and financial security to his victims, who he manipulated into providing their savings, credit cards, and bank account access while he used their money to repay earlier victims and maintain his fraudulent persona. The investigation revealed Counne never owned property, a passport, or legitimate wealth—all funds came from
forbes.com
A fraud ring used stolen funds from FBI impersonation and romance scams to purchase approximately $1.4 million in collectible stamps through an auction house, with three Indian buyers acquiring 149 lots using criminal proceeds. The scammers employed a multi-layered scheme where fake government agents convinced victims to send money for "safekeeping," often routing payments through romance fraud victims to obscure the trail before purchasing stamps as a money-laundering vehicle to legitimize the stolen funds. The FBI seized the stamps, though no charges have been filed to date.
therecord.media
International law enforcement from 61 countries conducted Operation First Light, arresting over 3,900 suspects and seizing $257 million in assets obtained through phishing, investment fraud, romance scams, and impersonation scams. The operation identified an additional 14,600 suspects, froze 6,745 bank accounts, and recovered millions for victims, including $3.7 million for an Australian impersonation scam victim and $281,200 saved for a 70-year-old targeted in a tech support scam. Police also rescued 88 youths in Namibia who were forced to conduct scams as part of international criminal networks.
ksltv.com
This educational article highlights that scammers target people of all ages in Utah, with imposter scams (posing as IRS, Social Security, businesses, or charities) being the most common fraud method, accounting for nearly 20% of all scams in the state. While Utah ranks 36th nationally for fraud rates, the article emphasizes that scam risks are rising yearly and warns that once money is lost to fraud, recovery is unlikely. The piece advises readers to stay informed about common scam tactics to protect themselves and their families, particularly during Elder Abuse Awareness Month.
gizmodo.com
In a coordinated international operation called Operation First Light 2024 (March-May 2024), police across 61 countries arrested 3,950 people engaged in online scams including phishing, investment fraud, romance scams, and fake shopping sites, while seizing $257 million in assets and identifying 14,643 additional suspects. The operation recovered $135 million in cash and $2 million in cryptocurrency, plus $120 million in physical assets such as real estate, luxury cars, and jewelry. This global enforcement effort highlights the growing threat of online fraud, with U.S. consumers losing over $10 billion annually, including $76 million lost to
techbullion.com
The IRS has issued a warning about escalating scams targeting seniors, who are particularly vulnerable to impersonation, phishing, spoofing, and lottery scams that exploit trust and create urgency. Common tactics include fraudsters posing as IRS agents via phone, email, or text to threaten legal action or extract personal information and money through gift cards or wire transfers. The IRS recommends seniors verify caller identity before sharing information, report suspicious activity to the IRS and FTC, and stay informed about scam tactics to protect themselves from financial exploitation.
rbcroyalbank.com
**Grandparent/Emergency Scam**
In 2023, the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported the grandparent scam caused $11.3 million in losses, making it one of the top 10 frauds by dollar loss, though actual losses are likely higher due to underreporting. The scam involves fraudsters impersonating a grandchild (often using voice-altering technology or spoofing caller IDs) claiming to be in an emergency—injured, arrested, or in trouble abroad—and urgently requesting money while instructing the senior not to tell anyone. To protect against this highly effective scam that exploits seniors' emotional vulnerability,
shorenewsnetwork.com
An 87-year-old woman in New York was scammed out of $16,900 in a bail bond scheme on Wednesday, when an impostor posing as an attorney claimed her grandson had been arrested for DUI and needed bail money. The suspect met the victim near Fifth Avenue and East 11th Street to collect the cash before fleeing on foot; the victim was unharmed and police are seeking a light-complexioned male suspect, approximately 6 feet tall and 230 lbs, last seen wearing a green baseball hat and white t-shirt.
valleytimes-news.com
Police Chief Denise McCain and representatives from the FBI, Better Business Bureau, and other agencies presented at an East Alabama Regional Planning Commission Summit to educate seniors about fraud targeting older adults. The presentation covered common scams including jury duty imposters, tech support blackmail, grandparent scams using AI-generated voices, lottery scams, and IRS fraud, emphasizing that older adults with good savings and credit are lucrative targets who often delay reporting due to shame or uncertainty about where to report. Key prevention advice included never providing information over the phone, calling loved ones directly to verify requests, and immediately reporting blackmail to police.
wcpo.com
Older adults in Hamilton County, Ohio lost $4 million to scammers in the past year, with 75-year-old Carol Brown receiving up to 25 scam calls daily—a problem so widespread that some seniors avoid answering their phones and miss medical appointments. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost noted that only one in 44 financial crimes against older adults gets reported, often due to seniors' fear of being institutionalized or having their competence questioned, while FBI data shows people 60 and older lost $3.4 billion nationally to scams last year. Experts recommend connecting more with isolated seniors, using phone apps to filter scam calls, and following verification steps such
businessjournaldaily.com
People over age 64 are increasingly targeted by financial scams through social media and other channels, with the most common scams involving investments, romance, and home improvement—including door-to-door home repair schemes following storms. According to AARP, about half of American adults report being victims or targets of financial fraud, and elder financial abuse costs older Americans at least $36.5 billion annually. Warning signs include pressure to act urgently, requests for unusual payment methods (Zelle, Venmo, debit cards), and claims of free or unrealistically cheap services; victims should contact their local police, financial institutions, and report scams to the BBB.
bostonherald.com
A 65-year-old Hingham woman lost $9,500 in a spoofed caller ID scam where a fraudster impersonated police, claimed she had failed to appear in court, and pressured her to immediately pay via Bitcoin or face arrest. The victim withdrew cash and used a Bitcoin ATM at a local grocery store to complete the transaction before realizing the scam when the caller demanded an additional $9,500. Police warn that caller IDs can be spoofed and that legitimate law enforcement will never call to threaten arrest or demand payment over the phone.