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chicagotribune.com
In 2022, older adults reported losing over $1.6 billion to fraud, with the FTC estimating actual losses may reach $48 billion due to underreporting; investment scams, business impersonation, and tech support scams saw significant year-over-year increases, some exceeding 100%. U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly and colleagues introduced the bipartisan Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, which would require the FTC to create a searchable regional scam database with law enforcement contacts and work with media to distribute fraud information to seniors and caregivers. Senior advocates stress that increasing awareness and understanding sophisticated scam tactics is critical, as isolation and lon
kbtx.com
The FBI reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing $3.4 billion across 101,000 reported cases, averaging $33,000 per victim. In Texas alone, over 7,000 seniors lost $278 million, with investment scams, government impersonation schemes, and romance scams showing the largest growth; investment scams averaged $270,000 per victim in Texas. The FBI advises seniors to avoid trusting unknown contacts, verify caller identities independently, and report fraud to enable broader conspiracy investigations.
publicnewsservice.org
A California man was sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded two elderly Arizona women of hundreds of thousands of dollars. AARP Arizona warns that romance scammers exploit desires for companionship through dating apps and other platforms, with warning signs including premature declarations of love, requests for money, and broken promises to meet in person. Victims should avoid sending money to online contacts, be aware that advancing AI technology makes scams more convincing, and contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network (1-877-908-3360 or AARP.org/fraudwatchnetwork) for free assistance.
cybersecuritynews.com
AhnLab's Mobile Analysis Team uncovered sophisticated romance scams that manipulate victims into investing in cryptocurrency through fake exchanges like "CoinB," which fraudsters falsely associate with legitimate platforms like Coinbase. Scammers use social media to build trust with victims over time, then direct them to fake cryptocurrency apps designed to steal financial information and enable identity theft. The scams exploit language barriers and global reach through translation features in messaging apps, making prevention dependent on verifying exchange legitimacy, avoiding pressure to invest quickly, and maintaining skepticism of unsolicited investment opportunities.
kiowacountypress.net
A California man was recently sentenced to four years in prison for orchestrating romance scams that defrauded two elderly Arizona women of hundreds of thousands of dollars. AARP Arizona warns that romance scammers exploit victims' desire for companionship by professing love early, requesting money for emergencies, and using increasingly sophisticated AI-generated photos and videos, with scams often escalating to fraudulent bank account access. AARP recommends never sending money to online contacts and offers free resources through their Fraud Watch Network (1-877-908-3360 or AARP.org/fraudwatchnetwork) to help people identify and report suspected scams.
manchesterjournal.com
This educational piece explains how romance and relationship scams differ from other crimes and why victims often experience shame rather than sympathy. Scammers target lonely or grieving individuals through social media, slowly building trust over time before repeatedly requesting money for fabricated emergencies or personal crises—making these scams more psychologically damaging than single-incident crimes like robbery. The article advises early intervention by trusted third parties and provides resources including the AARP Consumer Hotline (877-908-3360) for victims seeking help.
nypost.com
A 92-year-old South Carolina woman combated relentless scam callers by responding to their pitches with absurd nonsense—including claims she would be "raptured" and requests for senior discounts—which repeatedly frustrated the scammers into hanging up. Her granddaughter documented these interactions in videos, showcasing how humor and distraction can be an effective defense against fraud attempts, though the article notes that elderly people remain particularly vulnerable to scams, with nearly 70,000 people losing $1.3 billion to romance scams alone in 2022.
au.lifestyle.yahoo.com
AI technology is making romance scams increasingly common and harder to detect in online dating, with artificial intelligence enabling scammers to impersonate real people more convincingly through chatbots and deepfakes. Australians lost over $5.8 million to dating and romance scams in the first three months of 2024, with 27% of dating app users targeted and nearly 40% of those becoming victims. Experts advise vigilance for warning signs including avoidance of video calls, sparse profile images, and rapid relationship progression to protect against these AI-enhanced scams.
businessinsider.com
Hong Kong authorities warned of a scam by groups calling themselves Quantum AI or AI Quantum, which used deepfake videos of Elon Musk to fraudulently promote a fake cryptocurrency trading service across three websites and two Facebook pages. The scammers leveraged AI-generated deepfake technology to convince victims that Musk had developed the service, even conducting video calls with manipulated facial features to impersonate him and enhance credibility. Hong Kong police shut down the operation, though this represents an ongoing trend of deepfake-based fraud; a South Korean woman previously lost $50,000 in a similar Musk deepfake scam in April.
ahwatukee.com
The Better Business Bureau identified the top scams affecting Metro Phoenix residents in March: employment scams where fake employers send fraudulent checks (one victim lost $5,000), online shopping scams featuring artificially low prices and payment app requests (one person lost $1,770 attempting to buy designer bags), and romance scams involving cryptocurrency that have resulted in significant losses (one victim lost $20,000). The article provides warning signs for each scam type and recommends verifying information, using credit cards for online purchases, and consulting trusted contacts before sending money or making investments.
africa.businessinsider.com
Hong Kong authorities warned of a deepfake scam in which a group calling itself Quantum AI or AI Quantum used fabricated videos of Elon Musk to convince investors that he developed their AI-powered cryptocurrency trading service, which was actually a front for virtual asset fraud operated through three websites and two Facebook pages. This is part of a growing trend of scammers using deepfake technology to impersonate celebrities and high-profile figures; a South Korean woman previously lost $50,000 to a similar Musk deepfake scam in April. Hong Kong police shut down the group's online presence after the warning was issued.
justice.gov
The U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice announced completion of the Money Mule Initiative, a campaign that disrupted transnational fraud networks by taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate scams targeting Americans, particularly elderly victims of lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams. More than 20 individuals were criminally charged, including cases involving $4.5 million laundered from romance scams targeting elderly victims, a grandparent scam operation using couriers to collect cash from seniors, and a tech support fraud scheme that collected approximately $7 million from elderly victims. The initiative combined criminal prosecutions, warning letters to unknowing participants,
atlantablackstar.com
Peter Gray from West Yorkshire was sentenced to 56 months in prison after scamming four women he met on Tinder out of £80,000 by photographing their driver's licenses and bank cards without consent, then using their identities to take out loans in their names. The victims, whose loans ranged from £9,000 to over £20,000, reported that Gray's fraud prevented one woman from completing her home purchase and caused significant financial and emotional harm. The case highlights the dangers of romance scams, which according to the FTC result in $1.14 billion in annual losses globally with an average victim loss of $2,000.
wecb.fm
McKala, a woman from Kentucky, was victimized by a romance scam over one year in which a scammer posing as actor Dacre Montgomery convinced her to send approximately 10,000 euros in gift cards while claiming to be in a secret relationship with her. The scammer manipulated McKala emotionally by confessing unhappiness in his own relationship and professing love, eventually convincing her to leave her husband, though they never met in person or spoke by phone. After investigators from the YouTube channel Catfished exposed the deception—including fake checks and stolen photos—McKala shared her story publicly to warn others about the dangers of online romance scams.
shorenewsnetwork.com
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, an annual campaign that resulted in criminal charges against over 20 individuals and warning letters to approximately 2,970 money mules involved in facilitating fraud schemes. The initiative targeted networks that transmit stolen funds from fraud victims to international fraudsters, with cases including two men accused of laundering $4.5 million from romance scams and business email compromises targeting elderly victims, and five defendants who acted as couriers collecting cash from grandparent scam victims. The agencies emphasized the importance of public education to prevent unknowing individuals from becoming money mules, as many are initially victimized by romance or lottery scams before being manipulated into ass
justice.gov
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate fraud schemes by transmitting stolen funds to international fraudsters. The operation resulted in approximately 2,970 warning letters to individuals (many unknowingly recruited through romance or lottery scams) and criminal charges against more than 20 individuals knowingly facilitating fraud. The initiative specifically targets schemes that harm vulnerable populations, including older Americans victimized by lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams.
click2houston.com
This educational article provides guidance on safe online dating practices, identifying red flags (excessive eagerness to meet privately, financial requests, excessive monitoring) and green flags (consistent social profiles, willingness to video call) when evaluating potential matches. The piece highlights that dating scams are particularly prevalent among elderly users, who may be deceived into sending money to romance scammers posing as interested romantic partners, and recommends defensive dating strategies including independent transportation, location sharing with friends, and trusting one's instincts about safety.
claytodayonline.com
Romance scams are at an all-time high, with the FTC reporting that elders are increasingly targeted due to available retirement savings, isolation, and lower tech-savviness; in 2022 alone, these scams resulted in $1.3 billion in losses, more than double the previous year. Scammers create fake profiles on dating and social media apps, build emotional trust through manipulation and "love bombing," then request money via untraceable methods like cryptocurrency or gift cards, sometimes also extorting victims with intimate photos or fake investment schemes. Protection strategies include consulting trusted friends before sending money, requesting video chats, using reverse image searches, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC and FBI.
yahoo.com
This is a BuzzFeed Community call for submissions from people who have experienced various types of scams, including Facebook ticket fraud, romance scams, sextortion, and impersonation schemes where scammers pose as friends or use fake identities to extract money or personal information. The article aims to collect real-life scam stories to raise awareness and help others avoid similar situations.
chronicleonline.com
Romance scams on dating apps have escalated into human trafficking schemes, exemplified by the case of 57-year-old Laura Kowal from Illinois, who was coerced into laundering money for a trafficker and was later found dead. The FBI warned in 2020 that dating apps are being exploited by sex traffickers to recruit victims, including minors, with an estimated 27.3 million people globally trafficked annually generating $150 billion in illegal income. Dating app companies like Match Group have resisted implementing basic safety measures such as background checks and age verification despite documented cases of traffickers using their platforms, prompting calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups for Congressional regulation.
ftadviser.com
UK banks have invested heavily in fraud prevention systems that successfully reduced traditional unauthorized account fraud, but criminals have adapted by shifting to authorised push payment (APP) fraud, where they use social engineering and deepfakes to convince victims to voluntarily transfer funds. Since 2020, Britons have lost over £2.6 billion to investment fraud alone, with APP scams occurring across eight types including investment scams, romance scams, impersonation, and CEO fraud, making detection extremely difficult for financial institutions since these appear as legitimate customer-authorized transactions.
dunyanews.tv
This educational article warns that scammers increasingly use AI chatbots to automate fraud schemes, including romance scams and phishing attacks, making them difficult to distinguish from real people. Readers should watch for three warning signs: impeccable spelling but wooden phrasing, consistently fast response times, and unusually quick detailed replies that suggest no thinking time. The article also advises establishing a "safe word" with loved ones and asking for shared personal memories to detect AI voice clones used in phone scams, particularly when callers request money via cryptocurrency or gift cards.
aspentimes.com
In 2023, scammers stole $188 million from over 11,000 victims across Colorado, with Summit County experiencing 80 fraud reports so far this year totaling tens of thousands in losses. Common scams include phone and email schemes where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement, the IRS, tech support, or claim urgent family emergencies or warrant arrests. Victims are advised to be suspicious of unsolicited messages offering unrealistic rewards, report suspicious activity to law enforcement, and file complaints with StopFraudColorado.gov or IC3.gov, though most stolen funds are unrecoverable once scammers operate from overseas jurisdictions.
the-sun.com
Dan Michalski from Hawaii lost over $30,000 from his bank account after receiving a spoofed call appearing to be from his bank; the scammer used knowledge of his recent transactions to establish credibility, then tricked him into providing a verification code that allowed unauthorized transfers to Zelle. Though Michalski recovered $10,000, he remains uncompensated for the remaining loss, highlighting how sophisticated caller-spoofing fraud can bypass even verification attempts like checking the phone number online.
punchng.com
A Nigerian man expressed frustration after a Polish bank refused to open an account for his child, citing a blanket policy against Nigerian customers. He attributed the discriminatory policy to reputational damage caused by Nigerian nationals involved in scams and fraud schemes abroad, including documented cases of Nigerians convicted of money laundering, bank fraud, and romance scams in countries like the United States.
thecyberwire.com
This podcast episode discusses job board scams and social engineering tactics targeting job seekers. The hosts highlight techniques scammers use to impersonate legitimate companies and government agencies, including spoofed phone numbers and vague claims about background investigations, and emphasize the importance of verifying caller information independently rather than calling back suspicious numbers directly.
jcnews.com
Jeremy Cook, a security officer with Exchange Bank, presented information on financial fraud prevention to seniors at the Jones County Senior Center on April 17, covering common scams including government imposter, grandparent, charity, romance, and technical support scams. Cook advised attendees to ignore unknown callers, never share personal information or send wire transfers, verify charities before donating, and conduct transactions in person when possible, while noting that romance scams alone generated $2.1 billion nationally in 2022. The presentation materials were designed for distribution at churches and other community venues to raise awareness among seniors about financial security threats.
theamericangenius.com
**Title:** Elder Fraud Report 2023: FBI Data on Senior Scams
The FBI's Elder Fraud Report 2023 documents $3.43 billion in losses from 101,068 seniors over 60, averaging $33,915 per victim with an 11% increase from 2022—though actual figures likely exceed these numbers due to underreporting. Tech and customer support scams were most common, while investment scams caused the largest losses at $1.2 billion, with romance, identity theft, and personal data breach scams also prevalent in the top five. Protection strategies include avoiding suspicious links and ads, using only legitimate company websites for contact information
wdbj7.com
The Lynchburg Police Department is warning about romance scammers who manipulate victims—often lonely individuals met on dating apps and social media—into becoming "money mules" that launder proceeds from human trafficking and drug trafficking, sometimes over months or years. Victims who are exploited this way have been prosecuted as criminals in Lynchburg despite being manipulated, with charges potentially reaching felony level depending on amounts involved; last year Virginians lost $205 million to fraud overall. Police advise victims to immediately cut contact with scammers and report to local law enforcement.
local.aarp.org
This AARP podcast episode features romance scam survivor Kate Kleinart discussing how she was deceived by a scammer she met on Facebook who used charm and false affection ("love bombing") to gain her trust before requesting money. Kleinart emphasizes that romance scams can happen to anyone and advises people to trust their instincts and remain vigilant about suspicious online behavior. The episode serves as an educational resource highlighting warning signs of romance scams and encouraging victims to recognize and report such fraudulent schemes.
winnipegfreepress.com
Romance scams ranked sixth in the Better Business Bureau's riskiest scams report, with a median loss of $4,240 per victim—significantly higher than the median loss of $300 for all scams combined. Scammers, known as "catfishers," use fake profiles and fabricated stories to build emotional relationships with victims on dating apps before requesting money, personal information, or assistance under false pretenses. To protect themselves, people should avoid sharing personal information with online dating contacts, verify profile photos through reverse image searches, watch for inconsistencies in stories, and be suspicious of profiles that seem too perfect or excuses preventing in-person meetings.
consumerwide.com
Nigeria is a global center for romance scams, particularly targeting foreign victims, with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reporting 1,129 victims and approximately $14 million in losses in 2021. The EFCC identified rapid growth in cyber-crime among young Nigerians, noting that societal acceptance of these crimes—including parental support of scammers—enables the criminal activity to flourish despite existing laws. Romance scams extend internationally, with documented cases involving Nigerian perpetrators defrauding victims across the US, UK, and Europe, ranging from financial extortion to cases resulting in victim suicides and prison sentences.
wthitv.com
Americans over age 60 are increasingly targeted by sophisticated online scammers who stole $3.4 billion from older Americans in the previous year—an 11% increase from the prior year—with seniors filing over 100,000 complaints to the FBI. Scammers use various schemes including romance scams, investment scams, tech support scams, and cryptocurrency scams, often impersonating legitimate companies or institutions to trick victims into giving away their savings. To protect themselves, older adults should verify unexpected messages, avoid acting under pressure, double-check suspicious requests, and immediately contact trusted contacts or authorities if they suspect fraud.
marcumllp.com
The FBI's 2023 IC3 Elder Fraud Annual Report shows that fraud targeting individuals over age 60 is increasing significantly, with this age group reporting $3.4 billion in losses—an 11% increase from 2022 and more than all other age groups combined. The 101,068 complaints filed by seniors represented a 14% year-over-year increase, with tech support fraud, personal data breaches, and romance scams being the most common crimes, while investment fraud produced the highest individual losses and increased over 400% in two years. The report emphasizes that actual fraud figures are likely higher than reported, as many elderly victims fail to report crimes due to embarrass
dailycourier.com
CBS News's "Anything for Love" series documented romance scams on dating sites and apps that facilitate human trafficking. A 57-year-old widow in Illinois named Laura Kowal was targeted by a trafficker who coerced her into money laundering before she went missing and was found dead. The FBI reports an estimated 27.6 million people are trafficked globally, generating approximately $140 billion annually, with sex traffickers exploiting dating apps to recruit victims—efforts aided by lax security measures on these platforms.
thetimes.co.uk
Peter Gray, 35, defrauded at least four British women he met on Tinder by secretly photographing their driving licences during dates and using them to take out loans totaling approximately £80,000 in their names. Gray was sentenced to 56 months in prison in February, with victims discovering fraudulent loans ranging from £9,000 to £20,000 opened without their consent, and one victim's mortgage being pulled due to unauthorized borrowing in her name. Tinder responded by implementing AI-based fraud detection tools, photo-verification options, and warning features to alert users of potential scams.
scdemocratonline.com
On April 24, the Sullivan County Retired Teachers' Association attended an educational presentation by Jeff Bank security officers on scam prevention. The speakers discussed how scammers use sophisticated technology—including caller ID spoofing, tech support scams, and romance scams targeting older adults—with particular emphasis on "Romance Scams" perpetrated by groups like the "Yahoo Boys/Girls" who send hundreds of messages daily via dating apps and social media impersonating others to build trust before requesting money. The presenters advised against accepting friend requests from unknown individuals and recommended checking new profiles for warning signs such as recent creation dates or minimal activity.
homelandprepnews.com
In 2023, Americans over 60 lost more than $3.4 billion to fraud—an 11 percent increase from 2022—with tech support scams ($600 million), investment fraud ($1.2 billion), and call center schemes ($770 million) being the most costly. California alone reported over 11,000 complaints totaling $620 million in losses, and the FBI noted that some victims were forced to remortgage homes, deplete retirement accounts, or take their own lives due to financial devastation. The FBI recommends seniors verify contact information independently, avoid quick decisions, never share personal information with suspected scammers, and report fraud immediately to law enforcement
losalamosreporter.com
In 2023, 759 New Mexico residents over age 60 lost more than $17.7 million to online fraud, with the costliest schemes being romance scams ($4.9 million), investment scams ($4.6 million), and tech support scams ($3.1 million). The FBI emphasizes that older adults are particularly vulnerable due to financial stability and potential isolation, and urges prevention through awareness and family education, with victims encouraged to report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
businessinsider.com
Peter Gray, a 35-year-old from Yorkshire, UK, was sentenced to 56 months in prison in February for romance fraud against three women he met on Tinder, scamming them out of over $100,000 by stealing their identifying information and taking out loans in their names without consent. The victims reported that Gray used information from their driver's licenses obtained during dates to fraudulently secure loans ranging from $11,000 to $25,000, exploiting their trust through love-bombing tactics. This case reflects broader trends in romance scams, with Americans losing $1.3 billion to such schemes in 2022, up 164% from 2019.
aol.com
In 2021, Illinois residents lost over $19.7 million to romance scams across 591 reported cases, with the FBI noting that similar scams cost the U.S. $739 million in preliminary 2022 losses. The FBI identified common red flags including requests to move communication off dating apps, quickly professed love, isolation from friends and family, canceled visit plans, and requests for money or personal information. The agency advises victims to go slow in online relationships, never send money to people met online, verify photos independently, and report suspected scams to the FBI Springfield office or online.
marshallradio.net
This article is not relevant to elder fraud or elder abuse. It describes a social media user named Becky Holmes who trolls men sending unsolicited explicit photos by pretending to be a dermatologist and fabricating health concerns as a deterrent tactic. This is a general interest piece about online dating behavior and does not involve elder fraud, financial scams, or elder abuse.
tyla.com
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manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Peter Gray, 35, was convicted and sentenced to 56 months in prison in February for defrauding four women of approximately £80,000 through romance scams on Tinder. Rather than directly requesting money, Gray gained victims' trust as a romantic partner, then secretly photographed their identification documents and bank cards to steal their identities and take out loans in their names, with individual victims losing between £9,000 and £20,000. His victims reported feeling intuitive red flags about his behavior, including suspicious gestures like sending flowers to addresses he shouldn't have known and taking unauthorized photos of personal documents.
mirror.co.uk
Peter Gray, a 35-year-old from West Yorkshire, defrauded four women of approximately £80,000 through an atypical romance scam involving identity theft rather than direct financial requests. Meeting victims on Tinder, Gray would gain their trust through love-bombing and gifts, then photograph their personal documents during dates to secretly take out loans and credit in their names, ultimately being sentenced to 56 months in prison in February. His victims reported feeling uneasy about his behavior but were manipulated by his calculated charm, with one woman discovering £9,000 in loans taken out in her name and another losing her mortgage approval when he fraudulently secured a £10,000
digitalinformationworld.com
The FBI reports that cyber scams targeting seniors aged 60 and above caused $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with common schemes including tech support, investment, romance, and cryptocurrency fraud. Elderly victims averaged $34,000 in losses per person, with Florida and California experiencing particularly high losses ($620 million and $181 million respectively), and seniors are less likely to report these crimes due to embarrassment and underreporting. The FBI recommends seniors verify suspicious offers, avoid unknown contacts, and be wary of deals that seem too good to be true.
westerniowatoday.com
An FBI report found that over 100,000 Americans aged 60 and older lost an average of $34,000 each to computer money scams in 2023, totaling more than $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from the previous year. Tech support scams were the most common fraud type, followed by data breaches, romance scams, non-payment schemes, and investment fraud, with over 12,000 victims reporting cryptocurrency was used to facilitate their scams.
the-sun.com
An elderly woman from Sullivan County, Tennessee was defrauded of over $130,000 after scammers used a fake Microsoft pop-up warning to trick her into purchasing Apple gift cards and eventually withdrawing cash from her bank account. The scheme involved multiple contacts claiming to remove illegal content from her computer, and culminated with a man collecting $130,000 in person at her home. A 29-year-old suspect, Hang Zhan, was arrested and charged with theft and financial exploitation of an elderly person, though as of May 2, no funds had been recovered.
ca.style.yahoo.com
Criminals are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes and voice cloning technology to perpetrate scams targeting seniors and families, with one Canadian man using cloned voices to defraud at least eight seniors of $200,000 in three days. Similar "grandparent scams" and fake kidnapping calls claiming children need bail money or ransom are proliferating across the United States, with families losing an average of $11,000 per incident. Experts recommend establishing a family password phrase and verifying callers' identities through independent phone numbers before sending money or sharing personal information.
cw34.com
Florida seniors lost nearly $300 million to scams in 2023, ranking the state second-highest in the nation for elderly fraud, according to FBI data showing over 101,000 seniors filed fraud reports. Tech support scams led the fraud types, though romance scams resulted in the largest individual losses (tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars), with many cases going unreported due to victim shame. Law enforcement warns seniors to avoid answering unknown calls and clarifies that legitimate authorities do not call ahead about warrants or missed jury duty.