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boothbayregister.com
Criminal scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities online, creating realistic videos and fake social media profiles to defraud fans through fraudulent investment opportunities, product endorsements, and ticket sales. Consumers should be skeptical of any personal connection or financial opportunity presented by celebrities on social media, as these are likely scams. AARP recommends reporting suspected scams to the Fraud Watch Network at 877-908-3360 or visiting aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork.
abc7chicago.com
McAfee research reveals a 380% increase in suspicious links targeting back-to-school shoppers this year. The advisory recommends consumers shop only at legitimate retailers with HTTPS security, avoid deals on social media and unsolicited messages, and use caution when sharing personal information online or shopping on public Wi-Fi.
vancouversun.com
Vancouver police are investigating 26 reports of three distinct scams targeting the Chinese Canadian community, resulting in nearly $6 million in losses since January. The scams include: impersonation of Chinese police officers demanding payment to Hong Kong to resolve fake legal troubles, "blessing scams" preying on elderly victims' spiritual beliefs through threats of misfortune unless they surrender cash or jewelry, and fake job postings in traditional Chinese that escalate into romance or investment schemes. Police urge community members to warn vulnerable friends and family and report suspected scam contact to Vancouver police.
aol.com
This educational article identifies 11 common Instagram scams in 2024, with a focus on fake brand accounts and fake follower schemes. The FTC reported that $2.7 billion was lost to social media scams between 2021 and mid-2023, with online shopping scams comprising 44% of fraud reports; scammers use imposter accounts for luxury brands like Gucci and Nike to sell counterfeit goods or steal funds. The article advises users to verify accounts are officially verified, check URLs carefully, and avoid purchasing from sellers offering unrealistic discounts or unusual payment methods, while also warning against buying fake followers or likes as it violates Instagram's terms and harms
thesnaponline.com
This Better Business Bureau alert identifies seven scams targeting college students during the back-to-school season, including phishing emails impersonating school financial departments, fake credit card offers, fraudulent rental listings, identity theft, scholarship scams, online shopping scams, and test preparation blackmail schemes. The BBB recommends students verify offers through official sources, check credit reports regularly, view apartments in person before paying, and research companies on BBB.org before providing personal information or funds. College students should remain vigilant about sharing personal data online and monitor BBB's ScamTracker for reports of current fraud schemes.
forbes.com
**Article Title:** Scott Hermann on AI-Powered Scams
This educational piece identifies the top AI-enabled scams targeting consumers, including deepfakes (AI-generated videos and images impersonating real people) and AI-generated voice phishing (realistic synthetic voices used in fraudulent calls). The article provides protective measures such as verifying unsolicited video calls through trusted channels, approaching shocking online content with skepticism, and being cautious of urgent messages demanding money or personal information.
knoxnews.com
Phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with recent examples including attacks exploiting Microsoft365's "First Contact Safety Tip" feature through CSS manipulation and fake Amazon verification links embedded in Google Drawings graphics that steal personal information. These scams trick users into revealing passwords, credit card numbers, and other sensitive data by impersonating legitimate companies. Victims should verify breach alerts, contact financial institutions to freeze accounts, place fraud alerts with credit bureaus, monitor statements, and change all passwords immediately.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Facebook Marketplace hosts common scams including seller fraud (fake or non-existent listings), buyer fraud (posers with no intent to pay), verification code phishing, and payment/identity theft schemes. Users can protect themselves by verifying identities, meeting in person before payment, using secure payment methods like PayPal, never sharing verification codes or personal information, and reporting suspicious activity. The article emphasizes avoiding unusually low prices, unconventional payment methods, and requests to complete transactions outside Facebook's integrated tools.
finance.yahoo.com
A financial planner identifies four prevalent scams targeting baby boomers: government impersonation scams (which increased 32% last year), voice impersonation scams using AI technology to impersonate family members, phantom hacker scams where fraudsters pose as tech support to gain computer access and steal funds, and email phishing scams that have surged since the COVID-19 pandemic. The FBI reported a 14% increase in complaints and 11% increase in losses from those over 60 in 2023, with boomers particularly vulnerable due to less digital experience and reliance on retirement income that may be targeted by scammers.
theindependent.sg
A Singapore-based commodity firm lost $42.3 million in a July 2024 Business Email Compromise (BEC) scam when fraudsters sent a spoofed email redirecting payment to a fake account in Timor-Leste. INTERPOL's Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism recovered $39 million within one day and led to the recovery of an additional $2 million following the arrest of seven suspects, marking the largest-ever BEC fund recovery. The article also highlights related cybercrime enforcement actions, including the indictment of Cryptonator's founder for processing $1.4 billion in criminal proceeds through cryptocurrency
miragenews.com
ANZ has launched a new scams awareness module within its MoneyMinded financial education program to help over 8,000 accredited coaches educate community members on identifying and preventing scams. The module covers multiple scam types including investment, romance, phishing, remote access, and employment scams through animations, coaching guides, and participant materials. ANZ's fraud prevention systems blocked over $100 million in fraudulent transactions in the 12 months to March 2024.
hamlethub.com
This is an educational event announcement rather than a news report about a specific scam or fraud case. Detective Victoria Ryan of the Ridgefield Police Department will present information to seniors on how to protect themselves from common scams including romance, grandparent, pop-up, phone, email, and text scams, as well as utility scams and local crimes such as mail theft and pickpocketing. The free hybrid event is scheduled for September 10, 2024, and will include information on reporting scams.
1440wrok.com
Illinois residents are receiving phishing text messages and emails falsely claiming to be from the Illinois Tollway, requesting payment for alleged unpaid tolls and attempting to collect personal information for identity theft. The Illinois Tollway has confirmed these messages are scams and advises customers to delete such texts, verify account information directly through the official website or customer service line, and report the phishing attempts to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
itweb.co.za
Authorised payment fraud, including romance and investment scams, is increasing globally through sophisticated scam centres that generate billions in revenue annually, according to LexisNexis Risk Solutions' 2023 Cybercrime Report. Romance scams targeting lonely individuals generated £92.8 million in losses in London alone between 2022-2023, with fraudsters using money mule networks to quickly move stolen funds across multiple accounts before detection. These well-organized scam centres, often located in border regions of Southeast Asia and concealed as legitimate businesses, exploit instant payment systems and emerging technologies like generative AI to conduct fraud at scale.
reviewjournal.com
The Social Security Administration legitimately notified recipients that accounts created before September 18, 2021 must migrate to Login.gov for continued access to online services. However, scammers may send fraudulent emails mimicking this notification with fake websites designed to steal personal information, so seniors should verify they're on the official ssa.gov or ssa.gov/myaccount before updating their accounts, and report suspicious emails to the SSA's fraud hotline at 800-269-0271.
commercialappeal.com
Scammers create fake passport renewal websites that mimic official government sites to trick consumers into paying fees for free services or stealing personal information. The Better Business Bureau and Federal Trade Commission warn consumers to verify they're using the official government website (Travel.State.Gov ending in .gov), avoid paying fees for passport forms or appointments, and be suspicious of requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. One senior citizen lost $89 after unknowingly submitting personal information to a fraudulent site that provided no actual service.
wired.com
A security researcher discovered a massive smishing campaign impersonating the USPS to steal credit card information, tracking down a Chinese-language group operating 1,133 fraudulent domains that collected 438,669 unique credit cards and over 1.2 million pieces of personal information from U.S. victims. The researcher hacked into the scammers' systems, gathered evidence, and provided victim data to USPS investigators and banks to prevent fraudulent charges, though he estimates the actual scale of the operation is significantly larger as the same group has conducted similar scams in multiple countries. The campaign demonstrates the widespread nature of smishing fraud, with some fraudulent websites collecting thousands of victims' personal details
finance.yahoo.com
Financial experts identify seven prevalent money scams targeting Gen Z, including phishing schemes, fake job offers, scholarship scams, online marketplace fraud, student loan forgiveness scams, and "get rich quick" investment schemes. Gen Z faces particular vulnerability due to their digital integration and inexperience with financial matters. Experts recommend verifying legitimacy of offers, avoiding unsolicited links, researching opportunities thoroughly, consulting certified financial advisors, and using strong passwords to protect against fraud.
latimes.com
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is investigating whether banks offering Zelle are adequately protecting customers from scams, with JPMorgan Chase and Wells Fargo disclosing they've been contacted by the regulator. Zelle, which processed $806 billion across 2.9 billion transactions in 2023, is vulnerable to fraud because payments cannot be reversed once sent; while scams represent a small percentage of transactions (0.05% in 2023), the massive transaction volume means hundreds of millions of dollars and tens of thousands of users are affected, and banks currently refuse to reimburse victims who authorize payments to scammers.
news-leader.com
Utility impostor scams involve fraudsters impersonating utility company representatives via phone, email, or in-person visits, claiming customers have overdue bills that must be paid immediately to avoid service shutoff, or requesting home access under the guise of repairs or energy audits. To protect yourself, avoid paying by prepaid card or wire transfer, resist pressure to pay immediately, verify requests by calling your utility company directly using a number from your actual bill, and never allow strangers into your home without a scheduled appointment and valid identification.
fortune.com
Zelle, the payment app owned by major U.S. banks including JPMorgan, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo, faces a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau investigation over fraud vulnerabilities, with Zelle's chief fraud risk manager arguing the app has adequate safeguards while placing responsibility on users, lawmakers, and law enforcement to combat scammers. Between 2019 and 2023, the percentage of reimbursed Zelle fraud claims declined from 62% to 38%, according to Senator Richard Blumenthal, though Zelle reports a 50% decrease in fraud reports from 2022 to 2023 and attributes this partly to its anti
npr.org
Criminal syndicates operating in Southeast Asia (particularly Cambodia and Myanmar) traffic and enslave people to conduct "pig butchering" scams—a fraud scheme where scammers build trust with victims to convince them to invest money before disappearing with their funds. Victims like Billy, a 41-year-old Ethiopian man, are deceived into traveling for fake jobs, then held captive in compounds, beaten, and forced to send scam texts impersonating wealthy individuals to defraud hundreds of people. This multi-billion-dollar cyber fraud industry involves systematic human trafficking, torture, and labor exploitation by organized criminal networks targeting both the scam victims and the enslaved workers forced to perpet
wpxi.com
Elder fraud cases are increasing in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, with a woman in her 70s losing $87,000 to a tech support scam in which fraudsters posed as Apple security personnel, convinced her that her computer and banking information were compromised, and directed her to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin. Police Detective James Degori notes that scammers target elderly individuals because they typically have substantial savings, and the most common scams are phishing, romance, and grandparent schemes originating from outside the country. The Beaver Police Department is conducting community education seminars on fraud awareness at local venues to help prevent these crimes.
yahoo.com
A Beaver County woman in her 70s lost $87,000 in a phishing scam after clicking on a fake Apple security alert that froze her computer and prompted her to call a number where scammers posed as Apple support staff. The fraudsters convinced her that her banking information was compromised and instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it through a Bitcoin machine, falsely claiming it was a federal government-funded recovery program. Detective James Degori notes that elder fraud cases are rising in the area, with phishing, romance, and grandparent scams being most common, and advises seniors to avoid clicking emails, answering unsolicited calls, and sharing personal information.
statista.com
In 2024, U.S. individuals aged 60 and older filed numerous complaints about phishing and personal data breaches, with cryptocurrency crimes showing a significant increase compared to 2023. The data reflects a growing cybercrime threat targeting seniors, tracked by the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
thedrum.com
Age Concern New Zealand and ANZ Bank launched a scam prevention awareness campaign featuring the iconic 1980s TV show CHiPs to educate seniors about fraud protection. The campaign addresses findings that 80% of New Zealanders over 65 believe older people are too trusting and vulnerable to scams, using nostalgia and humor to encourage older adults to reject unsolicited calls, texts, and emails. The initiative includes TV spots, an ANZ Scam Academy website, and educational toolkits distributed through community centers and rest homes across New Zealand.
iharare.com
A 33-year-old Zimbabwean woman, Sherlyn Sims, was convicted in Atlanta for money laundering related to romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded dozens of victims of over US$1.2 million between December 2019 and August 2020. Sims created fake businesses like "Grace Trading, LLC" and opened fraudulent bank accounts where she received stolen funds, which she then quickly transferred internationally, withdrew as cash, or spent. Victims included romance scam targets who were deceived by fake online suitors into sending money—one victim alone lost nearly US$100,000 after being told her "boyfriend" needed bail money
ktul.com
The Wagoner County Sheriff's Office warns of multiple rising scams exploiting social media and artificial intelligence, including fake product listings, romance scams, and deepfake audio/video impersonations that target victims across all ages. Key threats include grandparent scams, charity fraud, peer-to-peer payment app scams, student loan forgiveness schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud, with scammers commonly requesting payment via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency, gift cards, or wire transfers. The sheriff's office recommends protecting oneself by adjusting privacy settings, verifying organizations independently, enabling multi-factor authentication, and avoiding unsolicited requests for money or personal information.
zimlive.com
Sherlyn Sims was convicted of conspiring to launder and laundering over $1.2 million in proceeds from romance fraud scams and business email compromise schemes that targeted vulnerable elderly victims between December 2019 and August 2020. Sims registered sham businesses, opened bank accounts in their names, and quickly transferred the stolen funds internationally, to China, and through cash withdrawals, while evading detection by opening new accounts when banks closed existing ones. One romance fraud victim lost nearly $100,000 after being deceived online, and another lost their home earnest money deposit to Sims's accounts.
markets.financialcontent.com
Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, an increase of $1 billion from 2022, with elderly people frequently targeted due to their presumed savings. Financial professionals recommend three protective strategies: slow down and verify requests before acting, be selective about who accesses sensitive financial information and documents, and seek assistance from certified financial planners who can monitor accounts and help recover from fraud.
wbrc.com
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wpsdlocal6.com
Smishing—text message scams that trick recipients into clicking malicious links or calling scammer numbers—has become increasingly common as cybercriminals shift from robocalls and emails to take advantage of higher text message open rates. Common tactics include fake package delivery notifications, impersonation of trusted brands like Amazon and FedEx, and social engineering to steal login credentials, financial information, or gain remote device access, potentially leading to identity theft and financial loss. Consumers can protect themselves by ignoring unsolicited texts, enabling two-factor authentication, verifying company contact information independently, and reporting suspicious messages to the FTC by forwarding to 7726 (SPAM).
staysafeonline.org
Scammers are exploiting vulnerabilities in EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) cards used for SNAP benefits by tampering with card readers to skim account information, targeting vulnerable government assistance recipients whose cards lack modern security features like EMV chips. The article provides protective measures including shopping at larger retailers with better security, safeguarding PIN information, inspecting card readers for tampering, using online shopping options, monitoring account balances regularly, and reporting suspected fraud to state authorities promptly.
wmtw.com
The Better Business Bureau warns consumers to watch for three back-to-school scams: fake online shopping websites using clickbait ads to steal personal information, phone scams impersonating the College Board requesting payment for test prep materials, and job scams targeting students that involve fake checks and requests to send money back via gift cards or money orders. The advisory recommends verifying website URLs when shopping online, never providing financial information to unsolicited callers, and remembering that legitimate employers will never ask applicants to pay money or send funds before employment begins.
ktvq.com
The Federal Communications Commission warns college students about back-to-school scams that disguise themselves as legitimate fundraisers through cold calls, robocalls, deceptive emails, and text messages, with common schemes including fake scholarship offers, technical support fraud, and roommate/rental scams. The FCC advises students never to provide personally identifiable information like Social Security numbers or banking details over the phone and to monitor financial accounts closely, noting that scammers frequently target students with existing loans throughout the entire school year.
nbcchicago.com
Illinois Tollway customers received phishing text messages from a "438" area code (Montreal) claiming unpaid toll invoices and urging them to click links to settle balances; the scam, first reported in spring 2024 and resurfacing around July 4th and again on Wednesday, targets I-PASS customers. The Illinois Tollway warned drivers to delete suspicious texts, avoid clicking any links, and report them to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center. To protect themselves, customers should verify toll issues directly through the official Illinois Tollway website and watch for red flags like requests for personal information, false urgency, poor grammar, and suspicious sender addresses.
freep.com
A viral Facebook post claiming a missing autistic child named Brandan Cooper has circulated across multiple communities in Canada and the United States, but authorities and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children have identified it as a scam. Scammers use these fake missing child posts to gain shares and engagement, then alter the original post to promote fraudulent schemes such as fake apartment rentals, surveys promising cash prizes, or cryptocurrency investments, unknowingly enlisting people who shared the original post to spread the scam to their networks. To protect against these schemes, people should verify missing child posts only come from official law enforcement agencies or credible news sources before sharing.
lawfaremedia.org
Deputy Assistant Attorney General Arun Rao discusses the Department of Justice's Consumer Protection Branch work, which addresses the growing scale and sophistication of consumer fraud schemes, including elder fraud, that have been enabled by technological advances such as robocalls, texts, emails, and social media. The Consumer Protection Branch brings together criminal and civil cases across federal courts nationwide with nearly 250 staff members and over 100 trial attorneys, partnering with agencies like the FTC, FDA, and CPSC to protect consumer health, safety, economic security, and privacy.
aol.com
TRICARE beneficiaries in the Augusta area are being targeted by phishing scams via text messages claiming to come from Wisconsin Physicians Service (the TRICARE For Life contractor) and threatening coverage expiration due to nonpayment. TRICARE reminded beneficiaries that the agency never contacts them by phone or text requesting payment or personal information, and advised them to report suspicious messages to their TRICARE contractor or the Defense Health Agency's Office of the Inspector General.
thehackernews.com
A Singapore-based commodity firm lost $42.3 million in a business email compromise (BEC) scam in July 2024 when fraudsters impersonated a supplier and redirected a payment to a fake bank account in Timor-Leste; using INTERPOL's Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (I-GRIP) mechanism, authorities recovered $39 million and froze the fraudulent account within one day, with seven suspects arrested and an additional $2 million recovered. The article also covers law enforcement's seizure of the Cryptonator cryptocurrency exchange, which facilitated over 4 million transactions worth $1.4 billion and allegedly enabled money laun
wsbtv.com
Sherlyn Sims, a Zimbabwe national, was found guilty of laundering over $1.2 million obtained through romance fraud and business email compromise schemes, using fake Georgia-registered businesses to collect victim funds before transferring money internationally and to personal accounts. Multiple elderly victims were defrauded through fake online romantic relationships, with one victim sending nearly $100,000 after being deceived, and another losing money intended for a home purchase. Sims faces sentencing in November, while her co-conspirators received prison sentences ranging from five years to later sentencing dates.
justice.gov
Sherlyn Sims was convicted of money laundering and conspiracy related to romance scams and business email compromise schemes that defrauded dozens of victims of over $1.2 million between December 2019 and August 2020. Sims registered sham businesses, including Grace Trading LLC, to open bank accounts where she deposited stolen funds, then quickly transferred the money to foreign countries, withdrew cash, or spent it; victims included elderly individuals and others who lost significant sums, with one romance fraud victim depleting her life savings of nearly $100,000 after being tricked by an online scammer posing as her boyfriend. Sims was sentenced to be determined at a November 2024
news.trendmicro.com
Deepfake technology, powered by AI advances, is increasingly used in fraud schemes targeting individuals and businesses. Criminals employ deepfake videos, face-swapping, and voice cloning to impersonate celebrities, executives, and recruiters in romance scams, job recruitment fraud, and investment schemes, with deepfake content increasing 900% between 2019-2020 and an estimated 26% of small companies and 38% of large companies experiencing deepfake-related fraud in 2023. Notable cases include a Japanese manga artist losing nearly $500,000 USD to a fake video call impersonating actor Mark Ruffalo, while experts warn that by
oklahoman.com
The Social Security Administration sent a legitimate email notifying beneficiaries that they must update their online accounts by transitioning from the old "my Social Security" account to a new Login.gov account if created before September 18, 2021. The article advises users to verify they are visiting the legitimate SSA website (www.ssa.gov/myaccount) and warns of scammers who create fraudulent websites mimicking SSA links to steal personal information, recommending users report suspicious emails to the SSA Office of the Inspector General at 800-269-0271.
deccanchronicle.com
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) warned the public about scams using forged documents with signatures of senior CBI officers and fake warrants to commit fraud via internet, email, and WhatsApp. Criminals also misuse the CBI logo as profile pictures to make extortion calls, particularly on WhatsApp, targeting people for money. The CBI advised the public to remain cautious and report any such fraudulent attempts to local police immediately.
thestatesman.com
Criminals are impersonating Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials by using the agency's logo as display pictures on social media and making calls to extort money from victims. The scammers use fake warrants, summons, and forged documents attributed to CBI officers to convince people they are under investigation and must pay money to resolve the matter. The CBI has advised the public to remain cautious, verify any official communications directly with local authorities, and report suspicious attempts to police immediately.
helpnetsecurity.com
Bolster research identified 24 nation-state threat actor groups (75% from China, Russia, or Iran) conducting AI-fueled phishing campaigns targeting U.S. citizens ahead of the 2024 presidential election, with phishing site hosting nearly doubling compared to 2023 and averaging over 45,000 malicious sites daily in May. Threat actors are exploiting stolen voter data (including databases with over 100,000 records dating back to 2015) sold on the dark web to create counterfeit identification cards for potential identity theft and voter fraud, while also breaching U.S. military and government email accounts to impersonate legitimate officials and extract sensitive
forbes.com
Impersonation scams, where fraudsters mimic trusted entities through phishing and fake websites, caused over $1.1 billion in U.S. consumer losses in 2023, with new malicious sites created every 11 seconds. AI technology has made these scams more sophisticated and harder to detect quickly, though governments, regulators, and companies are responding with stronger enforcement actions, expanded rules like the FTC's updated Impersonation Rule, and consumer education campaigns emphasizing multi-factor authentication and fraud awareness.
states.aarp.org
The Federal Trade Commission reported over $10 billion in losses to fraud and identity theft last year, prompting AARP to advocate for new consumer protections in Minnesota. New legislation now regulates cryptocurrency ATMs with daily transaction limits of $2,000 for new customers and requires operators to post fraud warnings, along with 14-day refund protections for fraud victims. Additional protections were enacted to combat predatory real estate schemes targeting vulnerable homeowners, making long-term exclusive sales contracts unenforceable and allowing victims to pursue court damages or restitution through the Attorney General's office.
kltv.com
Scammers are exploiting missing persons posts on social media, with fraudsters messaging families of missing people offering to help locate them for payment, while also creating fake missing child posts designed to spread malicious links. Alexandra Ashcraft, whose sister Courtney Martin has been missing since last year, raised awareness about these scams by creating an educational Facebook group and highlighting red flags in fake posts, such as improper wording, lack of contact information, and suspicious sources.