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abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
The San Mateo Police Department warned of a scam targeting senior citizens at self-checkout lanes, where fraudsters build rapport with elderly shoppers and persuade them to purchase items, then distract them while adding additional merchandise before fleeing. At least two incidents occurred at a Target location in the Bridgepointe Shopping Center. Experts advise seniors to rehearse responses like "no" or reference trusted contacts, emphasizing that it is acceptable to decline requests from strangers.
wmnf.org
· 2025-12-08
A U.S. Senate Aging Committee report found that seniors lost over $4.8 billion to fraud and scams last year, with Senator Rick Scott warning the actual figure may be higher due to underreporting. Miami-Dade County leaders highlighted rising scams including condo/HOA fraud and cybercrime, with one case involving a man in his 60s losing $400,000 to cybercrime, and cautioned that artificial intelligence is increasing scam sophistication. Authorities urged seniors to avoid sharing personal information over the phone and report suspected fraud to law enforcement immediately.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Four Ghanaian nationals were indicted and three were extradited to the U.S. for their roles in an international criminal organization that stole over $100 million through romance scams targeting vulnerable elderly victims and business email compromise schemes. The defendants, including high-ranking members "Isaac Oduro Boateng" and "Inusah Ahmed" who directed the operation, deceived victims into believing they were in romantic relationships before exploiting their trust to steal money, which was then laundered back to West Africa. Each defendant faces multiple charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and receipt of stolen property, with maximum sentences up to 20 years.
theforester.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are increasingly targeting older singles during summer travel season, with a security specialist warning of a rise in cases as seniors plan August holidays. Scammers build emotional connections with victims over weeks before creating fake emergencies to solicit money transfers, with cases among those aged 65-74 rising 75 percent year-on-year in some UK areas. Experts advise seniors to be cautious of online connections—particularly those refusing video calls—as fraudsters often pose as fellow travelers or locals offering companionship or tour services.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Rep. David Valadao introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act in response to a surge in romance fraud, which scammers use to steal personal information, money, and assets from victims who believe they are in genuine relationships. One victim, Jackie Crenshaw, lost over $1 million after being deceived by a scammer posing as "Brandon Miller," ultimately resulting in a $57,000 IRS bill and preventing her from retiring; AARP reported receiving 100,000 fraud calls in 2024. The proposed legislation would require dating sites to track scammers and notify victims in an effort to combat the growing problem.
algona.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa seniors, particularly those relying on landlines, face persistent scam calls with 85% of landline calls classified as spam or unwanted. According to the FBI's 2022 Elder Fraud Report, 557 seniors over 60 in Iowa lost an average of $500 or more to scams, totaling over $12 million in losses statewide, with common tactics including impersonation calls requesting bank details. The author advocates for increased state and local resources to educate and protect Iowa's approximately 500,000 seniors who still use landlines.
cryptorank.io
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens lost $700 million to imposter scams in 2024, a 362% increase from $122 million in 2020, with scammers posing as bank employees, tech support, or government officials to convince victims to transfer funds for "safety." The FTC received 8,269 reports from Americans aged 60+ who each lost at least $10,000, and high-value losses exceeding $100,000 surged 700% during this period, often depleting entire life savings including retirement accounts. The agency notes actual fraud rates likely exceed these figures due to underreporting by seniors who feel embarrassed or unsure how to file complaints.
edhat.com
· 2025-12-08
Caihong Lei, 34, was charged in Santa Barbara County Superior Court with multiple felonies including conspiracy to commit theft from an elder, attempted theft from an elder, and attempted theft by false pretenses, along with misdemeanor charges of elder abuse, petty theft, and prowling. Lei is accused of perpetrating a fraudulent scheme targeting an elderly victim and is being held on $500,000 bail pending her August 8, 2025 arraignment.
fontanaheraldnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Nathan Dawood, 54, of Burbank, was found guilty of embezzling approximately $2.2 million from an elderly victim's inherited estate and retirement savings by fraudulently transferring funds to his own accounts and convincing the victim to transfer property ownership to companies he controlled. Dawood was convicted on six counts of wire fraud and nine counts of money laundering, with sentencing scheduled for December 8, 2024, where he faces up to 20 years in federal prison per wire fraud count. The FBI investigated the case, which occurred during the second half of 2019 when Dawood initially offered to help the victim manage inherited real estate and retirement accounts.
fox13seattle.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Snohomish County, Washington are conducting increasingly sophisticated fraud by impersonating federal judges, FBI agents, and county sheriff's deputies through forged documents sent via text and email, falsely claiming recipients have outstanding arrest warrants and demanding thousands of dollars in Bitcoin or mobile app payments. The Snohomish County Sheriff's Office reports at least 100 complaints monthly, with many victims—particularly elderly residents—losing significant sums before recognizing the scam. Authorities emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never requests payment digitally, serves warrants via email, or accepts cryptocurrency, and advise victims to hang up immediately and report such contact to local police.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP New York is offering a free educational workshop series titled "The Many Faces of Fraud and Scams: AARP's Roadmap to Awareness and Action" across multiple locations in fall, designed to help older adults and community members recognize fraud red flags, understand scam tactics, and access reporting resources from AARP's Fraud Watch Network. The in-person events, held at various libraries throughout New York, run from 1:00-2:00 p.m. and require no AARP membership to attend.
cbn.com
· 2025-12-08
A new Pew Research report shows that 73% of U.S. adults have fallen victim to online scams, with credit card fraud being most common (48%), followed by non-delivery of purchases (36%), account hacking (29%), and phishing attacks (24%). The $16.6 billion in total losses in 2024 affected individuals significantly, with 57% reporting at least some financial harm. The report challenges stereotypes by showing younger Americans are slightly more likely than seniors to lose money to scams, while AI-enabled cybercrimes are surging 456% year-over-year, making fraud increasingly difficult to detect.
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
**Imposter Scams Targeting Older Americans Surge**
The Federal Trade Commission reported that imposter scams—where criminals pose as representatives from banks, tech companies, or government agencies to convince victims to transfer money—have dramatically increased among adults 60 and older. From 2020 to 2024, reported losses grew from $122 million to $700 million, with 8,269 reports of losses exceeding $10,000 in 2024 alone, representing a 362% increase; some victims lost their entire life savings and retirement accounts. The FTC recommends avoiding such scams by refusing to move money to "protect" it,
independent.com
· 2025-12-08
On August 4, a 77-year-old woman in Goleta nearly lost $30,000 to an elaborate phone scam in which callers impersonating Amazon and Federal Trade Commission agents instructed her to withdraw cash and provide photos of the money. The victim became suspicious due to misspellings in an email, contacted the sheriff's office while still on the call, and deputies arrested Caihong Lei as she retrieved the box of cash from the victim's property. Lei was charged with grand theft by false pretense, conspiracy to commit fraud, and misdemeanor prowling, with bail set at $500,000, while investigators determined whether she was part of a larger scam network.
southernmarylandchronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal Trade Commission data reveals a more than four-fold increase since 2020 in reports from adults 60 and older losing $10,000 or more to impersonation scams, with combined losses exceeding $100,000 jumping from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024. Common tactics include fraudsters posing as government officials, banks, or tech companies to convince victims to transfer funds via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or courier delivery under false pretenses of account protection or legal issues. The FTC reported $12.5 billion in total scam losses nationally in 2024, with older adults accounting for $2.3 billion an
kpbs.org
· 2025-12-08
An 86-year-old San Diego man nearly fell victim to a romance scam when someone posing as a South Korean woman initiated friendly contact via text and later messaging apps, attempting to build trust before likely requesting money. The scam was caught by his daughter before financial loss occurred, but San Diego County seniors lost an average of $30,000 each to scammers in 2024, with over 1,000 cases reported annually—though many victims don't report due to embarrassment and unfamiliarity with technology. Authorities emphasize prevention and education as critical defenses, noting that scammers exploit the increased trust and loneliness that can accompany aging.
miamitimesonline.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senator Rick Scott, who chairs the Committee on Aging, held a roundtable in Florida to address a "growing threat" of elder fraud targeting seniors through increasingly sophisticated schemes including grandparent scams, fraudulent investments, and government imposter emails, often originating from foreign call centers. Stakeholders reported that seniors lose significant sums—including one case where a victim lost over $400,000—and often fail to report crimes due to embarrassment, while Medicare fraud alone costs tens of billions through false billing. The roundtable emphasized that awareness, prevention, stronger penalties, and coordinated efforts among banks, government, and law enforcement are essential to combat what is described as a "national crisis" an
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Between 2020 and 2024, the FTC reported a dramatic surge in imposter scams targeting seniors ages 60 and older, with losses exceeding $100,000 jumping from $55 million to $445 million. These scams typically involve fraudsters contacting victims with warnings about account threats or fraud, then convincing them to transfer money for "protection," often resulting in victims losing their entire life savings. The FTC advises seniors never to transfer money in response to unsolicited calls or messages and to independently verify any claims before acting.
elderlawanswers.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, older adults lost significant amounts to scams, with those in their 70s losing an average of $1,000 compared to $417 for people in their 20s, according to FTC data. Scammers target seniors through phishing schemes impersonating government agencies like the SSA, IRS, and DMV, using fake text messages about unpaid tolls or traffic tickets to create urgency and trick victims into clicking malicious links or providing personal financial information. The FTC recommends verifying suspicious messages by contacting relevant agencies directly (not via links in the message), consulting trusted individuals, and reporting scams through phone reporting tools.
plansponsor.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reports that scams targeting adults over 60 have grown exponentially, with total fraud losses climbing to nearly $700 million in 2024 from $122 million in 2020, and losses exceeding $10,000 increasing eight-fold during this period. Seniors are particularly vulnerable to romance scams and other fraud schemes because they typically have larger retirement savings and are perceived as less technologically sophisticated. Congress introduced legislation to allow penalty-free early withdrawals from qualified retirement plans for fraud victims, while the FTC recommends that seniors avoid sending money to unsolicited callers, verify government officials' identities, and block unwanted calls to protect themselves.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Mumbai man lost approximately Rs 8.7 crore (approximately $1 million USD) over 21 months in a romance scam involving four women who manipulated him through emotional appeals and fake emergencies via Facebook and WhatsApp. The scam encompassed 734 bank transfers and was only discovered when the man requested money from his son; he subsequently suffered an emotional breakdown and was diagnosed with dementia, which may have increased his vulnerability to the fraud. Police suspect all four female identities were created by the same individual or group and have registered a case under cyber fraud investigation.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old man from Mumbai lost approximately Rs 9 crore (approximately $1.08 million USD) to an online romance scam between April 2023 and January 2025, sending money 734 times after being befriended on Facebook by a woman posing as "Sharvi," a divorcee, followed by multiple other female personas (Kavita, Dinaz, and Jasmine) who created increasingly elaborate stories involving illness, financial crises, and threats of suicide. The man, who was later diagnosed with dementia, only discovered the fraud when his son became suspicious after he attempted to borrow additional money; police have since registered an FIR an
fandomwire.com
· 2025-12-08
The PERRY Act (Protecting Elder Realty for Retirement Years Act) proposes a 72-hour cooling-off period for real estate contracts involving seniors over 75, inspired partly by Katy Perry's high-profile disputes with elderly homeowners. The legislation was prompted by broader concerns about elder financial exploitation in real estate—federal data showed over 93,000 fraud complaints from seniors aged 60+ in 2020 with losses exceeding $500 million—and was supported by examples including Perry's disputed $15 million purchase of a Santa Barbara mansion from an 85-year-old disabled veteran and her earlier attempt to purchase a convent from elderly nuns. Though the act
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
This investment newsletter discusses the financial vulnerability of aging populations, noting that 49.2% of seniors have low financial literacy and that the U.S. loses $28 billion annually to elder financial exploitation. The article highlights particular vulnerability among older women and marginalized communities, and recommends that investors address this demographic crisis through allocation to annuity products, AI-powered fraud detection systems, and financial literacy education programs as both a social and financial opportunity.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
The U.S. Treasury Department's FinCEN warned in 2024 that Bitcoin ATM fraud had surged dramatically, with nearly 11,000 complaints and estimated victim losses of $247 million. Elderly individuals were the primary targets of these scams, which also involved money laundering activities through non-compliant crypto ATM operators. FinCEN urged financial institutions to implement proactive detection measures and file suspicious activity reports for transactions exhibiting red flags such as multiple sub-threshold deposits and ATMs lacking proper customer identification requirements.
chimpreports.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian nationals—Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick Van Yeboah—were extradited to the United States in August 2025 and charged with leading a criminal network that stole over $100 million from American victims through romance scams and business email compromise schemes. The defendants, who allegedly targeted elderly Americans with fictitious romantic identities and deceived companies into wire transfers, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, with maximum penalties of 20 years in prison. A fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare, remains at large.
nilepost.co.ug
· 2025-12-08
Four Ghanaian nationals were charged with operating an international fraud ring that defrauded individuals and businesses of over $100 million through romance scams targeting vulnerable elderly victims and business email compromise schemes. Three of the defendants—Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick Van Yeboah—were extradited to the United States and appeared in Manhattan federal court, while a fourth suspect remains at large. All four face multiple federal charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, with potential sentences of up to 20 years in prison per wire fraud count.
thecable.ng
· 2025-12-08
Four Ghanaian nationals were indicted in the U.S. for operating an international fraud ring that defrauded victims of over $100 million through romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly elderly people, and business email compromise attacks. Three of the defendants were extradited to the United States, while one remains at large; they face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, with potential sentences up to 20 years. The stolen proceeds were laundered back to West Africa, with two defendants identified as coordinators of the criminal organization.
wgme.com
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams targeting older Americans have increased exponentially since 2020, with losses among people over 60 jumping from $55 million to $445 million by 2024, according to FTC data. Scammers impersonate trusted government agencies or businesses to convince victims that their money is at risk, then pressure them to transfer funds for "protection," sometimes wiping out entire life savings. The FTC advises consumers to hang up on unsolicited calls making such claims, call the agency or business directly to verify, and block suspicious numbers.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
American seniors lose over $28 billion annually to fraud, with only a fraction reported, according to AARP. Scammers target older adults with convincing "pre-qualified" retirement and annuity offers using personal data purchased from brokers, then request sensitive financial information or direct fund transfers; the FBI reported seniors lost a record $4.8 billion to scams in 2024, with losses often unrecoverable even when fraud is proven. Key protection strategies include verifying credentials through state regulators, being skeptical of unsolicited offers with pressure tactics or guaranteed returns, and never sharing sensitive information via unsolicited communications.
tnonline.com
· 2025-12-08
State Rep. Doyle Heffley and Sen. David Argall are hosting two educational seminars on August 9, 2025, to help senior citizens recognize and protect themselves from fraud. The seminars will take place in Jim Thorpe and Beaver Meadows, Pennsylvania, and will provide attendees with information on current scam tactics and practical prevention strategies.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans aged 60 and above lost a record $700 million to scams according to the FTC, representing a 30% increase from 2023 and a sixfold jump since 2020, with the most severe losses occurring among those defrauded of over $100,000 each. The predominant scams involved criminals impersonating government officials, law enforcement, and major corporations like Microsoft and Amazon, using urgency tactics to pressure victims into transferring funds via Bitcoin ATMs or handing over cash and valuables. The FTC recommends that seniors never send money or share financial information to unverified sources and instead independently verify claims through official contact information
bluewin.ch
· 2025-12-08
In Aargau, Switzerland, police issued an urgent warning after multiple cases of telephone scams in which fraudsters impersonated police officers and pressured victims to withdraw cash as alleged "traps" to catch criminals. Two women lost several thousand francs each after being manipulated into depositing money under cars or throwing it from windows at designated locations. The perpetrators, typically operating from abroad, use various psychological tactics including fabricated stories about burglars, accidents, or suspicious bank activity to extract large sums under pressure, and police recommend public awareness and refusing such demands as the best defense.
chronicle.ng
· 2025-12-08
Four Ghanaian nationals have been indicted in the United States for their roles in an international fraud ring that defrauded victims of over $100 million through romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly elderly people, and business email compromise attacks on companies. Three of the defendants were extradited to the US in August, while one remains at large; they face multiple charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, with potential sentences up to 20 years for some counts. The stolen proceeds were laundered back to West Africa, with the operation coordinated by leaders identified as "chairmen" of the criminal enterprise.
guardian.co.tt
· 2025-12-08
Shiva Bissessar, managing director of Pinaka Consulting Ltd., is advocating for public-private partnerships to combat online scams, which disproportionately affect elderly and youth populations. According to FBI data presented at international conferences in 2024, investment fraud caused over $6.5 billion in losses in the U.S., while phishing remains the most frequently reported crime type, with emerging threats including romance scams and AI-enabled deepfakes. Bissessar noted that Trinidad and Tobago lacks adequate data collection and classification systems to measure the true prevalence of these crimes locally, and calls for stronger coordination between authorities and social media platforms to address online harms.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI announced the extradition of three Ghanaian nationals—Isaac Oduro Boateng, Insuah Ahmed, and Derrick Van Yeboah—from Ghana to the United States on August 7, 2025, for their roles in an international fraud scheme that stole over $100 million from victims. The four members of the criminal organization known as "The Enterprise" targeted vulnerable elderly Americans through romance scams and business email compromise schemes, while a fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare, remains at large.
cedirates.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian nationals—Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick Van Yeboah—were extradited to the United States in August 2025 to face charges in connection with an international fraud ring that stole over $100 million through romance scams targeting elderly victims and business email compromise schemes. The men allegedly led the Ghana-based criminal operation that deceived elderly Americans into false romantic relationships to extract money and also defrauded U.S. companies, with proceeds laundered back to West Africa. Each defendant faces multiple charges including wire fraud conspiracy, wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy, and receipt of stolen money, carrying potential sentences
businessday.ng
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian men—Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick van Yeboah—were extradited to the United States in August to face charges for operating an international fraud scheme that defrauded American victims and businesses of over $100 million. The organization targeted elderly Americans through romance scams and targeted businesses with email compromise schemes, laundering proceeds through Ghana. All three defendants face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and conspiracy, with sentences up to 20 years if convicted.
cutoday.info
· 2025-12-08
Reports of high-value impersonation scams targeting adults 60 and over have surged dramatically since 2020, with losses exceeding $100,000 increasing eight-fold from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024, according to FTC analysis. Scammers impersonating government agencies, banks, or tech companies (including fake FTC agents) trick victims into transferring money by claiming urgent security threats or suspicious account activity, when the funds are actually stolen. The three primary deception tactics involve falsely claiming someone is using the victim's accounts, that their personal information is being used for crimes, or that their computer has security problems.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau reports a rising trend in pet adoption scams involving fake online listings and AI-generated videos designed to deceive potential pet buyers. These scams are particularly harmful as they exploit people's emotional investment in acquiring a pet while also posing physical safety risks when scammers arrange isolated pickups. The BBB recommends verifying sellers through their database, meeting pets in person or via video before payment, using reverse image searches, comparing breed prices, and considering local shelters as alternatives.
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Deepfake technology, powered by AI, poses a growing fraud threat to financial institutions and individuals, with estimates suggesting potential losses of Rs 70,000 crore in India in 2025. Fraudsters use hyper-realistic synthetic videos and cloned voices to impersonate executives or loved ones to authorize fraudulent transactions, with an average loss of $450,000 per business incident globally in 2024. Financial institutions are implementing advanced AI detection, blockchain-based identity verification, and employee training programs to counter deepfake fraud, as traditional KYC and facial recognition methods have become vulnerable to these sophisticated attacks.
inkl.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted through crypto ATM scams using seven common tactics: fake tech support calls, grandparent emergency scams, romance fraud, government impersonation, fake investment schemes, utility bill threats, and QR code tricks. These scams exploit the irreversible nature of cryptocurrency transactions and the emotional vulnerability of older adults through urgency, authority, and personal relationships. The article advises seniors to verify requests independently through official channels, avoid sending cryptocurrency for emergencies or payments, and consult trusted contacts before transferring money.
newskarnataka.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired elderly woman in Mangaluru was defrauded of ₹3.09 crore between January and July 2025 through a "digital arrest" scam, where fraudsters impersonated a postal official and falsely claimed her identity was used to send drugs to China, threatening her with 75 years imprisonment. The victim was coerced into transferring money in multiple instalments under the threat of arrest, with fraudsters maintaining control through intimidation and instructing secrecy. The scam was discovered only when the perpetrators stopped communicating, and police have registered a case under cybercrime laws.
businessday.ng
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian men—Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick van Yeboah—were extradited to the United States and charged with operating an international fraud scheme that defrauded American victims of over $100 million through romance scams targeting elderly individuals and business email compromise schemes targeting companies. The defendants allegedly created fake online identities to build trust with victims before extracting money, with proceeds laundered through various channels back to Ghana; a fourth suspect remains at large. Each defendant faces wire fraud, money laundering, and related charges carrying maximum sentences of 20 years in prison.
fortbendstar.com
· 2025-12-08
Fort Bend County Libraries hosted an educational program titled "The Truth About Scams" on August 15 at their University Branch Library in Sugar Land, designed to educate seniors and family members about fraud prevention. A panel of experts moderated by senior real-estate specialist Liz McNeel covered common scams targeting seniors, psychological manipulation tactics, red flags in communications, identity protection strategies, and reporting procedures.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reported that losses to sophisticated impersonation scams among Americans aged 60 and over have skyrocketed eightfold since 2020, with losses exceeding $100,000 rising from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024. Scammers impersonate banks, government agencies, and tech companies to create false urgency and trick victims into transferring funds, with some older adults losing their entire life savings. The FTC recommends consumers never transfer money based on unsolicited requests, independently verify suspicious calls by hanging up and calling official numbers, and use call-blocking tools to prevent fraudulent contact.
hackread.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Ghanaian men—Isaac Oduro Boateng, Inusah Ahmed, and Derrick Van Yeboah—were extradited to the United States in August 2025 to face charges for their roles in a $100 million fraud scheme involving romance scams targeting vulnerable elderly individuals and business email compromise attacks on companies. The criminals created fake online identities to gain victims' trust and convince them to send money, while also impersonating business executives to trick employees into wiring funds to fraudulent accounts; the stolen money was then laundered through West Africa. A fourth suspect, Patrick Kwame Asare, remains at large, and the defendants face multiple charges including wire frau
govinfosecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Four Ghanaian nationals were extradited to the United States and charged with stealing over $100 million through romance scams and business email compromise (BEC) attacks targeting U.S. victims and organizations from 2016 to May 2023, with particular focus on vulnerable older men and women. The criminals, operating as part of a "sakawa" criminal organization, used fake identities and forged email accounts to trick victims into sending money or laundering stolen funds through shell company bank accounts in the U.S. before funneling proceeds to West Africa; three defendants have been extradited and face up to 75 years in prison, while one remains at large.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Four high-ranking members of a Ghana-based criminal organization were indicted by the US Attorney's Office for stealing over $100 million from victims through romance scams targeting elderly people and business email compromise schemes. Three of the accused were extradited to the US in August 2025 on charges including wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering, while the fourth remains at large; the stolen funds were laundered through West Africa to criminal operatives who directed the broader conspiracy.
latimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A Pew Research Center survey of over 9,000 U.S. adults found that approximately 73% have experienced at least one online scam or attack, with 32% reporting victimization within the past year and 24% tricked into sharing personal information. The most common scams include credit card fraud, online shopping fraud, and ransomware attacks, with newer tactics involving unsolicited calendar invites and multi-factor authentication exploits that direct users to phishing pages or malicious downloads. Cybersecurity experts recommend disabling automatic calendar updates, verifying suspicious invitations directly with trusted contacts, and remaining vigilant against phishing attempts.