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in General Elder Fraud
ohiohouse.gov
· 2026-08-12
Ohio State Rep. Sean Patrick Brennan is warning seniors about increasingly sophisticated phone scams where callers impersonate government agencies, police, banks, and utilities to pressure victims into making immediate payments or revealing personal information. The representative advises seniors to hang up on suspicious calls, verify caller identity independently, and emphasize that legitimate organizations never demand urgent payments over the phone. Victims should contact their financial institution immediately and report incidents to law enforcement and consumer-protection agencies.
upnorthvoice.com
· 2026-08-12
A September 2026 conference in Standish, Michigan will address elder abuse prevention, covering topics including physical and financial abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults. The event will feature speakers on recognizing abuse signs, legal protections like power of attorney and guardianship, Adult Protective Services procedures, and financial safety resources to help protect seniors from scams and fraud.
dallasexpress.com
· 2026-08-12
Teresa Palmer, a 55-year-old former credit union branch manager in Columbus, Indiana, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing over $381,000 from customer accounts between January 2021 and December 2022. Palmer exploited her position to forge customer signatures, issue unauthorized cashier's checks, and conduct hundreds of fraudulent transactions targeting elderly and vulnerable customers, including one with dementia, diverting the stolen funds to personal expenses including gambling. She was ordered to pay $381,400.05 in restitution and serve three years of supervised release.
theindianalawyer.com
· 2026-08-12
Former Centra Credit Union manager Teresa Palmer was sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $381,400 in restitution after pleading guilty to bank fraud for stealing from at least four elderly or financially vulnerable customers between 2021 and 2022. Palmer forged customer signatures on banking documents, made unauthorized cash withdrawals, and fraudulently issued cashier's checks, keeping the proceeds for herself. The credit union discovered the fraud during an internal investigation and terminated Palmer in December 2022.
wishtv.com
· 2026-08-12
Teresa Palmer, a 55-year-old former Credit Union 1 branch manager in Columbus, Indiana, was sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing $381,400.05 from four customer accounts over two years by forging signatures and issuing fraudulent cashier's checks. Palmer deliberately targeted elderly customers and individuals unable to monitor their finances, including one victim with dementia, using stolen funds for personal expenses and gambling. She must pay full restitution of $381,400.05 to her victims.
hoodline.com
· 2026-08-12
A 71-year-old Lorain woman lost $30,000 in a tech support scam where a fraudster posing as a Microsoft representative convinced her that federal investigators needed to move her money to a secure account to protect it from hackers and criminal activity. The scammer stayed on the phone while she withdrew the cash from her bank and instructed her to hand it over in a shoebox to a stranger in a Kohl's parking lot, where an Asian man in his early 20s collected the money and disappeared. The woman did not realize she was being robbed until after the exchange, as the scammer had coached her throughout the entire process to make her believe he was helping protect her accounts.
dailyhodl.com
· 2026-08-12
William Ly, a 26-year-old California man, is accused of draining an 89-year-old retiree's cryptocurrency account of over $97,000 through more than 80 unauthorized transactions over 15 months after befriending the victim at a local seniors' breakfast club and resetting his Coinbase password. Ly was arrested in August 2025 and faces charges of financial elder abuse, grand theft, and identity theft, with authorities suspecting additional victims may exist.
thesenior.com.au
· 2026-08-12
A Canberra resident fell victim to a scam website while attempting to renew her British passport after finding no accessible customer support on the official UK Passport Office site. Frustrated by non-functional helplines and seeking assistance, she was directed to a fraudulent look-alike portal through a Google search that successfully mimicked the official government platform, complete with a responsive chatbot, and she uploaded sensitive documents before realizing the deception. Cybersecurity experts warn that the absence of human customer support on official government channels inadvertently creates opportunities for scammers to exploit anxious applicants searching for legitimate assistance.
ncoa.org
· 2026-08-12
Older Americans aged 60 and over filed over 201,000 fraud complaints in 2025 with losses exceeding $7.7 billion—a 37% increase from the previous year—as scammers increasingly target seniors through phone calls, texts, emails, and social media impersonating banks and government agencies. Sherman J., a 67-year-old, avoided losing money by trusting his instincts when a caller claiming to be from his bank requested sensitive information, and later found support through a community scam awareness workshop at his local senior center. Community-based prevention programs are helping older adults recognize common scams including romance fraud, fake lottery winnings, and contractor fraud, while newer AI
smh.com.au
· 2026-08-12
AI-generated scam emails impersonating prestigious publishers, editors, and media figures are targeting authors internationally with fake publishing deals and promotional opportunities. Scammers use AI to create convincing, detailed emails that reference authors' work and professional credentials before eventually requesting payment for services. The Australian Society of Authors has reported a significant surge in these "pig butchering" style scams, with some writers receiving multiple fraudulent emails daily.
money.com
· 2026-08-12
Fraudsters are impersonating FCC officials via calls and texts, claiming victims' phone numbers are under investigation and demanding money or personal financial information, with the FCC warning that it never contacts people this way. The article also highlights related scams including gold bar schemes targeting seniors (with losses exceeding $100 million in New York alone) and recovery scams that prey on previous fraud victims by promising to return lost money for an upfront fee.
aol.com
· 2026-08-12
A Southern California renter lost over $2,500 to a fake rental listing scam after a fraudster copied photos and video from a real property listing, posed as the landlord, and collected a deposit via Zelle before disappearing. Fake rental scams have surged significantly, with the FBI receiving 12,368 real estate fraud complaints in 2025 (up from 9,359 in 2024) resulting in losses exceeding $275 million, with scammers exploiting renters' urgency by stealing existing listings and using professional photos, videos, and AI-generated documents to appear legitimate.
yahoo.com
· 2026-08-11
Pennsylvania's Attorney General Dave Sunday highlighted that while violent crime rates have fallen to record lows in 2024, law enforcement continues to face significant challenges including a fentanyl crisis (56 million doses seized in 2025) and a surge in elder fraud schemes. A new unit dedicated to combating elder exploitation is already overwhelmed with cases, with scammers using urgency tactics like fake emergency calls claiming relatives need bail money. The state is pursuing legislative measures, including Senate Bill 738, to allow financial institutions to place holds on suspicious withdrawals to protect seniors from fraud.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2026-08-11
A federal jury convicted 41-year-old Babajide Adesayo of Douglasville, Georgia for his role in a transnational romance and business scam that defrauded elderly victims of $2.7 million between April 2020 and September 2021. Adesayo acted as a money launderer for an international network, receiving stolen retirement savings under the guise of an automotive business and then wiring the funds to accounts in China, Hong Kong, and Nigeria. He was found guilty of two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering and 16 counts of transactional money laundering, with sentencing scheduled for November 20.
alachuachronicle.com
· 2026-08-11
Law enforcement from North Central Florida received specialized training on elder abuse and financial exploitation on August 4th, with trainers emphasizing increasingly sophisticated scam tactics including AI-generated voice cloning and spoofed law enforcement threats. The training follows an Alachua County Sheriff's Office alert projecting $8.6 million in local fraud losses for 2026, with residents aged 60 and older accounting for more than half of targeted victims. The multi-jurisdictional initiative brought together detectives, investigators, and prosecutors to develop skills for identifying warning signs, investigating cases, and holding offenders accountable.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-11
Once elder fraud money is wired overseas or converted to cryptocurrency, it is virtually impossible to recover because these transfers are designed to be fast and irreversible, making prevention the only realistic strategy. The key to stopping fraud is recognizing the artificial urgency built into scam scripts—whether involving a fake grandchild, phony government agent, or tech support—since legitimate agencies never demand immediate payment through untraceable channels like wire transfers, gift cards, or crypto. The most effective defense is introducing a delay by consulting a trusted family member or verifying the request through an official number, which dissolves the pressure that makes these scams work.
fincrimecentral.com
· 2026-08-11
Babajide Adesayo, a 41-year-old Georgia resident, was convicted of laundering over $2.7 million stolen from elderly victims of romance fraud and other online schemes between April 2020 and September 2021. Adesayo received the criminal proceeds through business accounts controlled by co-defendant Efemena Igbe, disguised the transfers as vehicle sales, and rapidly moved the funds to overseas accounts in China, Hong Kong, Nigeria, and other jurisdictions. The victims, primarily elderly people deceived by fraudsters posing as romantic partners or business contacts, had been manipulated into sending retirement savings and substantial personal funds based on fabricated emergencies.
keystonenewsroom.com
· 2026-08-11
Pennsylvania law enforcement officials report that while violent crime rates have fallen to record lows, a new elder fraud unit is already overwhelmed with cases targeting the state's large senior population through sophisticated scams such as urgent calls claiming a relative needs bail money. Attorney General Dave Sunday highlighted that Pennsylvania is particularly vulnerable to elder exploitation and advocated for legislation allowing financial institutions to temporarily hold suspicious withdrawals to prevent fraud losses. Additionally, authorities report increasing challenges with fentanyl seizures (56 million doses in 2025) and coordinated retail theft rings linked to trafficking networks operating across all 52 counties.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-11
New Jersey's Stay NJ program will begin paying eligible homeowners age 65 and older up to $6,500 annually in property-tax relief starting in 2026, designed to cover up to half of a qualifying property-tax bill and stack on top of two existing senior relief programs (ANCHOR and Senior Freeze). The program has an income ceiling of $200,000 and requires applicants to own and live in their New Jersey home as a principal residence, with a critical application deadline of November 2, 2026, after which eligible residents forfeit a full year of relief. This consolidated benefit addresses New Jersey's highest-in-the-nation property-tax burden by coordinating three relief programs into
hoodline.com
· 2026-08-11
Babajide Adesayo, a Douglasville man, was convicted on all 18 counts of money laundering after moving over $2.7 million stolen from romance scam victims through a transnational network to accounts in China, Hong Kong, and Nigeria between April 2020 and September 2021. The scammers posed as romantic partners, friends, or business associates to defraud primarily elderly victims of their retirement savings through false stories about business equipment, imprisonment, and medical emergencies. Adesayo faces up to 20 years per conspiracy count and up to 10 years per transactional money laundering count, with sentencing scheduled for November 20.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-11
Scammers are targeting retirees with an "overpayment" scheme where they deposit fake checks or funds that initially appear in victims' accounts, then request the "excess" be returned via untraceable methods like wire transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. The fake deposits bounce days later after victims have already sent real money back, leaving them with depleted savings accounts. The Federal Trade Commission warns this scam is particularly effective because it disarms suspicion by framing the request as an honest mistake requiring a small favor rather than a threatening demand.
gvnews.com
· 2026-08-11
The article is an opinion piece about language and communication in discussing scams, using a fictional Simpsons episode where Grampa Simpson falls victim to a grandparent scam where scammers demand $10,000. The piece emphasizes the importance of avoiding shame-based language when speaking to scam victims, featuring commentary from R.O.S.E. Resources, a community organization that educates the public about elder fraud.
wjcl.com
· 2026-08-11
A Douglasville man was convicted of laundering over $2.7 million stolen from romance scam victims, primarily elderly adults who lost retirement savings between April 2020 and September 2021. Babajide Adesayo helped move victims' funds through a transnational network to China, Hong Kong, and Nigeria by disguising the transactions as vehicle payments from his automotive business. He was convicted on two counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering and 16 counts of transactional money laundering, with sentencing scheduled for November 20.
peninsuladailynews.com
· 2026-08-10
A financial scam prevention seminar in Sequim, Washington on July 27 educated seniors about fraud tactics used against them, with law enforcement officials warning that Clallam County residents have lost millions of dollars to scams involving impersonation of government agents, gold and Bitcoin conversion, and identity theft. The presenters emphasized that prevention is critical because victims are extremely difficult to recover losses for, citing cases where residents lost hundreds of thousands of dollars and one 83-year-old woman lost her house after being scammed. The officials recommended seniors use locking mailboxes, monitor bank statements monthly, and obtain free annual credit reports to protect themselves.
jamaica-gleaner.com
· 2026-08-10
Two Jamaican lottery scammers used used-car dealerships in Jamaica and the US to launder over US$9 million stolen from more than 200 elderly American victims through sweepstakes fraud schemes. Jordan Trought and his co-accused directed victims to deposit funds into accounts associated with their car dealerships, with documented cases showing individual victims losing between US$114,000 and US$450,000 each. Law enforcement officials warn that the largely unregulated used-car industry has become an increasingly attractive money-laundering vehicle for international fraud operations targeting seniors.
stories.td.com
· 2026-08-10
Fraud losses reached $16 billion in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023, with rising scams involving fake celebrity endorsements, cryptocurrency schemes, and QR code fraud. Criminals are increasingly using stolen celebrity images on social media to lure victims into bogus investment schemes and pressuring people, particularly seniors, to send money through cryptocurrency ATMs where funds are nearly impossible to recover. Experts recommend verifying information sources directly, remaining skeptical of social media claims, and openly discussing fraud experiences to help others recognize warning signs.
ksl.com
· 2026-08-10
Internet scams cost Americans over $20 billion last year, with older adults particularly targeted through schemes like fake credit card breach calls and cryptocurrency fraud. Congress and Utah lawmakers are working to combat fraud by improving law enforcement information-sharing, implementing transaction limits on cryptocurrency kiosks, and requiring scam warnings to help people recognize and avoid schemes that prey on emotional reactions. The FBI reported Americans lost more than $11 billion to cryptocurrency scams and nearly $900 million to AI-based scams in 2025.
firstalert4.com
· 2026-08-10
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed House Bill 4911, a bipartisan measure that expands protections for seniors from financial fraud by requiring investment advisers, securities dealers, and financial managers to report suspected abuse. The law mandates the creation of a web-based reporting portal by July 1, 2028, and takes effect July 1, 2027, allowing financial professionals to detect and report fraudulent behavior earlier. The bill passed unanimously in both the Illinois House and Senate and applies to suspicious financial transactions affecting vulnerable populations of all ages.
newtownpanow.com
· 2026-08-10
Multiple fraud incidents were reported in Newtown Township between late July and early August, including credit card fraud, elder fraud involving phone scammers impersonating financial institutions, identity theft resulting in unauthorized firearm purchases, and pop-up scam fraud—all with large monetary losses and ongoing investigations. A Newtown Township resident was specifically targeted by phone scammers posing as their credit union on August 4, and another resident fell victim to coordinated fraud on August 5 involving scammers impersonating their bank and couriers. Additionally, identity theft was reported on August 4 when a credit card was fraudulently opened in a resident's name and used to purchase firearms.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-10
An 86-year-old Manhattan resident with age-related memory loss lost approximately $700,000 to an impostor scam between August 2023 and mid-2024 after scammers convinced her that her accounts had been hacked and instructed her to convert savings into gold bullion. She is suing Bank of America/Merrill Lynch, UBS Financial, and TD Bank, alleging they failed to detect and stop the fraud despite the transfers ($275,000 from Merrill Lynch, $150,000 from TD Bank, $100,000+ from UBS, plus other amounts) drastically departing from her decades-long pattern of never withdrawing more than $5
timesleader.com
· 2026-08-10
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday addressed legislators about crime trends, highlighting that violent crime is generally down but drug offenses are increasing, with his office removing 56.5 million fentanyl doses from streets. He emphasized growing concerns about senior scams, noting Pennsylvania's large elderly population is at high risk, and revealed his office's newly created elder exploitation unit is already overwhelmed with cases. Sunday advocated for legislative action to empower financial institutions to place holds on potentially fraudulent transactions to prevent elder fraud, as stolen money is rarely recovered.
penncapital-star.com
· 2026-08-10
Pennsylvania's Attorney General reported that while violent crime rates have fallen to near record lows, elder fraud remains a growing concern with a newly created unit already overwhelmed with cases targeting the state's large senior population. Common scams include urgent calls claiming a relative is in police custody needing immediate money, exploiting victims' sense of urgency through sophisticated, technology-enabled schemes. State officials are advocating for legislation that would allow financial institutions to place holds on suspicious withdrawals, potentially preventing victims from losing money once transferred to scammers.
yahoo.com
· 2026-08-10
I cannot provide a summary of this article because it does not contain substantive information about elder fraud or scams. The article appears to be a compilation of unrelated news headlines covering topics such as legal proceedings, natural disasters, wildlife, and international events, with no coherent content about fraud targeting seniors.
lexingtoninstitute.org
· 2026-08-10
Matthew Killian, a senior State Department official, warned that Southeast Asia-based criminal networks steal at least $12.5 billion annually from Americans through cyber-enabled fraud schemes including cryptocurrency investment scams, romance scams, impersonation, and sextortion. These transnational criminal organizations also exploit hundreds of thousands of trafficking victims in forced criminality, and the State Department is calling for cooperation with Congress, tech companies, financial institutions, and media to combat these threats.
cbsnews.com
· 2026-08-10
A Douglasville man was convicted of laundering over $2.7 million stolen from victims of romance and online scams between April 2020 and September 2021, with elderly victims losing retirement savings. Babajide Adesayo, 41, helped move the stolen funds through a transnational network to China, Hong Kong, and Nigeria by disguising them as vehicle payments through his automotive business. He faces up to 20 years in prison on conspiracy charges and up to 10 years on each money laundering count, with sentencing scheduled for November 20.
wsbradio.com
· 2026-08-10
An Atlanta man, Babajide Adesayo, was convicted of conspiracy and other federal charges for stealing over $2.7 million from elderly victims through romance fraud and online scams. As a key member of a transnational criminal network, he posed as friends or romantic partners to gain victims' trust, then transferred their retirement savings overseas to China, Hong Kong, and Nigeria to prevent recovery. Adesayo faces up to 20 years in prison per conspiracy count and is scheduled for sentencing on November 20.
newsbreak.com
· 2026-08-09
Devin Ward Elder, CEO of DJE Texas Management Group in San Antonio, pleaded guilty in February 2025 to wire fraud after raising over $69.5 million from approximately 345 investors between January 2023 and March 2025 through false promises about investment returns, risk levels, and his personal participation in 17 real-estate deals. Elder used funds from new investors to make interest payments to existing investors without disclosing the source, and when new capital slowed in March 2025, he halted payments and informed investors that projects would not be completed and substantial losses were likely. The scheme averaged approximately $200,000 per investor, with Elder facing up to 20
clickondetroit.com
· 2026-08-09
A Warren, Michigan woman claims she was scammed by hearing aid provider William Robinson, who sold her two hearing aids for $2,000 and a $200 warranty, then failed to honor service appointments or warranty coverage for a lost device. Robinson, also accused in a similar case involving a 99-year-old Birmingham woman, has been removed from AARP Hearing Solutions by UnitedHealthcare Hearing's provider network and reported to the state licensing board.
fingerlakesdailynews.com
· 2026-08-09
New York State Police warn of a growing scam targeting older adults in which fraudsters build trust through unsolicited contact, then convince victims to purchase cryptocurrency or gold bars that are handed over to couriers or shipped away, often resulting in loss of life savings. The scams typically begin with fake investment opportunities on fraudulent websites showing high returns, and victims are instructed to keep transactions secret from family and banks. Police stress that legitimate financial institutions and government agencies never ask people to purchase gold, transfer cryptocurrency, or hand assets to couriers.
whio.com
· 2026-08-09
The Montgomery County Auditor's Office is warning residents about a scam involving fraudulent online videos claiming older homeowners can apply for a new federal property tax relief program by requesting a "Senior Homeowner Tax Review Request" from their county auditor. No such federal program or form exists, and several Montgomery County property owners have already inquired about it after seeing the misleading video, which has since been removed from YouTube. The auditor's office advises seniors to be cautious of online tax relief promises and to contact their office directly, while noting that legitimate property tax relief may be available through Ohio's existing Homestead Exemption Program.
modernghana.com
· 2026-08-09
In 2026, West African governments intensified arrests of social media influencers, with Ghana and Senegal leading prosecutions primarily for political speech deemed offensive to presidents and government officials. Notable cases include Ghanaian TikTok creator Camilla Alhassan arrested for posts claiming the president sacrificed cows, and three Senegalese creators sentenced to 2-3 months in prison for a political satire video, while Ghana also prosecuted cases involving sexual assault allegations and extradited a personality involved in a romance scam targeting elderly Americans. Human rights organizations have criticized these prosecutions as disproportionate responses to speech that should face non-custodial alternatives.
military.com
· 2026-08-08
Florida's Department of Elder Affairs has issued a warning about scammers creating fake military charities to exploit generous donors supporting veterans and active-duty military members in the state. The scams use emotional appeals on social media, fake fundraising campaigns, and high-pressure tactics requesting payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or payment apps. Citizens are advised to verify charities through legitimate sources before donating and to avoid unusual payment methods.
fox13now.com
· 2026-08-08
Utah lawmakers are working to address fraud targeting elderly residents and retail theft that spans across state lines. The article discusses legislative efforts to combat these crimes, though specific details about particular cases, amounts, or victims are not provided in the excerpt given.
fox13now.com
· 2026-08-08
Utah lawmakers are advancing legislation including the "Combating Organized Retail Crime Act" (CORCA) to address retail theft across state lines, which costs the state nearly $1 billion annually when accounting for security expenses and consumer impact. Congresswoman Celeste Maloy and the Utah Chamber of Commerce are also supporting the "GUARD Act" to provide federal resources to rural police departments to combat fraud targeting elderly residents, with emphasis on prevention since stolen money is difficult to recover once transferred.
kob.com
· 2026-08-08
A caretaker in Albuquerque, New Mexico was arrested for allegedly stealing nearly $6,000 from an elderly bedridden man by using his credit card for personal purchases at retailers like Temu and Bath and Body Works. Gloria Flores denies the charges, claiming she had permission to use the card, but the victim's family says she admitted to taking the money. If convicted, she faces up to three years in prison.
aol.com
· 2026-08-08
Adults age 60 and older filed over 201,000 scam complaints in 2025, experiencing losses exceeding $7.7 billion, representing a 37% increase in complaints and 59% increase in losses compared to 2024. Common scams targeting seniors include grandparent scams using AI voice-cloning technology (such as the case of an 86-year-old who lost $6,000) and romance scams involving AI-generated content (one victim lost over $81,000 and her home). The article recommends awareness, consulting trusted contacts before acting on suspicious requests, and understanding warning signs such as pressure to act immediately, requests for payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency,
whec.com
· 2026-08-08
State Police in New York are warning older adults about a sophisticated scam involving fake cryptocurrency investments and gold purchases, where scammers build trust through unsolicited online contact before convincing victims to withdraw cash or buy gold bars, which are then handed to couriers or shipped away and rarely recovered. The scammers use increasingly advanced tactics, falsely promising high returns on investments or cryptocurrency conversions. Victims are advised to stop contact with suspected scammers, report to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and contact their financial institutions.
ksla.com
· 2026-08-08
Scammers impersonating law enforcement are calling residents across the ArkLaTex region and demanding money to bail out loved ones from jail, with authorities noting these fraudsters are often based overseas and difficult to prosecute locally. The scam causes both financial and emotional harm to victims, particularly seniors, though police can offer limited assistance beyond credit card cancellation and information protection advice. Authorities recommend residents hang up on suspicious calls, verify numbers independently, and never share personal information by phone.
hoodline.com
· 2026-08-08
An 85-year-old Washington, D.C. man was targeted in a fraud scheme designed to steal over $200,000 in gold bars after scammers posing as federal agents convinced him his bank account was at risk. The plot was thwarted when a vigilant gold dealer recognized the fraudulent pattern and alerted law enforcement, leading to the arrest of two suspects, Chu Lin and Xiean Cheng, when they arrived to collect the gold. Both suspects face second-degree financial fraud charges, with potential for enhanced penalties due to the victim's age.
aol.com
· 2026-08-08
William Brenner, 62, of York County, Pennsylvania, is facing federal charges for defrauding an elderly woman out of over $1 million by convincing her and her power of attorney that he would invest the funds in a managed account earning fixed interest over two years. Instead, Brenner allegedly used the money to purchase a commercial property in Kentucky in his own name without authorization and forged documents to support the fraudulent scheme. The U.S. Secret Service is investigating the case.