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focusonafrica.info
· 2026-08-30
Operation Jackal IV, a coordinated international law enforcement effort involving 22 countries, resulted in 58 arrests and the seizure of $2.67 million in assets targeting West African criminal networks including Black Axe, which operate romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and Business Email Compromise schemes. The eight-month investigation across six continents identified 263 additional suspects and disrupted extensive Crime-as-a-Service networks that provide logistical and money laundering support to cybercriminals globally.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2026-08-30
Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, allegedly defrauded 26 women of $1.3 million by posing as a San Francisco 49ers player or wealthy real estate investor on social media, then convincing them to invest in fictitious opportunities with accomplice Taylor Jamie Chan. Love would forge romantic relationships with victims in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California before directing them to fake investments that promised large returns, ultimately blocking them once their money ran out. Both men were arrested in Boise, Idaho and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud.
1news.co.nz
· 2026-08-30
Cambodia's government claims to have completely eliminated online scam compounds that have operated across the country, announcing the eradication at a meeting with foreign diplomats; however, independent anti-trafficking experts and organizations express skepticism, asserting that significant scamming operations and recruitment of foreign workers continue. These scam operations—primarily "romance" and cryptocurrency scams involving thousands of trafficked foreign nationals working under near-slavery conditions—caused an estimated US$88.3 billion to US$114.1 billion in losses globally in 2025, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
timeschronicle.ca
· 2026-08-30
This article addresses rising scam targeting seniors over 55 in Canada, with criminal organizations using sophisticated technology and AI to impersonate trusted entities like the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. MP Helena Konanz is hosting three educational seminars in British Columbia featuring CrimeStoppers and BC Securities experts to teach residents how to identify and protect themselves from common scams such as phishing and impersonation schemes. The article emphasizes that verification and pausing before acting are key defense strategies against increasingly realistic fraudulent messages and websites.
thestarnews.com
· 2026-08-30
Romance scammers in San Diego County are targeting victims by posing as romantic interests and financial mentors, convincing them to invest in foreign currency markets and cryptocurrency through fake platforms. California reported 2,593 romance and confidence scam victims in 2025 with losses exceeding $158.9 million, an increase from 2024's $112.4 million in losses. One victim lost hundreds of thousands of dollars after initially seeing $1,000 in profits on a $5,000 investment through a fraudulent dashboard operated by someone claiming to be a woman in Japan.
pulse.ng
· 2026-08-30
A 35-year-old man was arrested in August 2024 for running a four-year romance and investment scam, posing as a San Francisco 49ers player to defraud 26 women of $1.3 million. He created a fake Instagram presence with photos of rented luxury cars and false bank statements, manipulated online search results to support his fabricated NFL career, and convinced victims to invest in non-existent schemes before disappearing with the funds. An 18-year-old accomplice posed as his financial advisor, and both face wire fraud charges carrying up to 20 years in prison.
emeraldbook.org
· 2026-08-30
Daejon Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were arrested in Boise, Idaho in August 2026 after scamming 26 women out of approximately $1.3 million through romance fraud on dating apps. The pair posed as wealthy NFL players and financial advisors, using fake social media profiles, fabricated banking screenshots, and AI-generated false information to build emotional connections and manipulate victims into transferring money and taking out loans for fake investments. Not a single victim recovered any funds, and the scheme exploited structural vulnerabilities in social media platforms and AI search engines that inadvertently validated their false identities.
spectrumlocalnews.com
· 2026-08-30
Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins discusses resources and initiatives his office provides to help farmers protect themselves from fraud and scams, emphasizing the importance of awareness as the state experiences favorable weather conditions for crops.
theguardian.com
· 2026-08-30
Scammers are impersonating banks and trusted institutions through texts and calls claiming unauthorized payments have been made on victims' accounts, then persuading them to transfer savings or hand over debit cards under the guise of protecting their money. Lloyds Bank reported a 10% increase in fraud losses year-over-year with an average loss of £3,516 per victim, while Santander has seen over £3 million stolen through bank impersonation scams this year with an average loss of £6,000 per victim. Experts advise customers to ignore messages from mobile numbers, hang up and call their bank directly using trusted numbers if suspicious, rather than following numbers provided in unsolicited messages
japantoday.com
· 2026-08-30
Between January and end of July in Fukuoka Prefecture, 1,061 phone-based fraud cases resulted in approximately 6.77 billion yen in losses, with social media investment fraud accounting for 3.24 billion yen of that total. Scammers lure victims through social media with promises of guaranteed profits and principal protection using tactics involving AI automated trading, pre-IPO shares, and limited-time opportunities. Police are urging the public to avoid engaging with such unsolicited offers.
kitchener.citynews.ca
· 2026-08-30
Guelph Police have warned of a banking scam targeting seniors in which callers impersonate bank or credit bureau officials, claiming suspicious account activity, and then request card numbers and PINs. A person then arrives at the victim's home to collect the cards under the pretense of replacement, after which scammers use the stolen information to charge thousands of dollars to victims' accounts. Police advise residents to verify such calls directly with their bank using trusted contact numbers rather than information provided by the caller.
bgdailynews.com
· 2026-08-30
The Bowling Green Police Department is hosting a scam prevention seminar on Thursday featuring law enforcement and FBI professionals to help residents identify fraud red flags and common scam tactics. The seminar comes as local agencies report increased incidents of impersonation scams, including criminals posing as police officers demanding payment via Bitcoin or gift cards for fake fines or warrants, and a recent case where a Glasgow woman lost over $150,000 to a hacking scam.
latintimes.com
· 2026-08-30
AI-powered deepfake scams targeting remittance transfers to Latin America have surged dramatically, with digital identity theft cases climbing 84 percent and account-takeover attempts in Mexico rising 324 percent between 2024 and early 2026. Criminals use AI-cloned voices and deepfake videos to impersonate family members demanding urgent wire transfers, with the FBI reporting over $350 million in AI-linked fraud losses among victims 60 and older in 2025 alone. The scams threaten the $173.7 billion in annual remittances flowing from the U.S. to Latin America, often used by families for essential expenses like rent and medicine.
newsmakerslive.org
· 2026-08-30
A federal jury in Puerto Rico convicted Nigerian national Oluwasegun Baiyewu for his role in a money-laundering conspiracy that processed proceeds from romance scams, pandemic unemployment fraud, and business email compromise schemes targeting elderly and vulnerable Americans between 2020 and 2021. Baiyewu and four co-defendants laundered funds generated from victims across multiple states through hundreds of financial transactions, using some proceeds to purchase vehicles shipped to Nigeria. The case marks the fifth conviction in the conspiracy, with sentencing pending before U.S. District Judge Raúl M. Arias-Marxuach.
english.mathrubhumi.com
· 2026-08-30
In Kerala, 106 people lost approximately Rs 1.25 crore in an online scam involving the NTL Task app, which promised income for reading e-books and referral commissions. Victims were lured through WhatsApp links, charged membership fees ranging from Rs 1,800 to several lakhs, and initially received small payments to build trust before the app became non-functional and withdrawals were blocked. Police have registered an FIR and suspect a larger network with possible UK connections, warning that similar task-based scams are operating across multiple Kerala districts.
hoodline.com
· 2026-08-29
Two Los Angeles men, Sergio Romero and Franklin Florez, have been charged with elder fraud and related felonies after targeting seniors aged 60-80 at ATMs in Lemon Grove and across Southern California by swapping their debit cards for fake ones while watching them enter their PINs. The pair bilked at least five Lemon Grove victims of nearly $6,000, with investigators linking them to approximately 15 similar crimes in San Diego County and an estimated $120,000 in total losses across Southern California, including incidents in Orange, Los Angeles, and potentially other counties.
loudounnow.com
· 2026-08-29
Virginia seniors reported losses exceeding $220 million in 2025, part of a $7.7 billion total in fraud losses among Americans aged 60 and older—a 59 percent increase from the previous year. Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence, particularly voice-cloning technology, to make traditional impersonation and urgency-based schemes more convincing, with AI-related fraud accounting for over $352 million in losses among seniors. The article recommends five protective habits including enabling two-factor authentication, independently verifying urgent callers, establishing family passwords, and automating security updates to combat these evolving threats.
thegardenisland.com
· 2026-08-29
The Legal Aid Society of Hawai'i is hosting a free Kaua'i Elder Law Fair on September 4, 2026, to provide seniors and their families with information on elder abuse, financial scams, and estate planning. The event will feature presentations from AARP elder fraud expert Paul Greenwood, an estate planning attorney, and local social service agencies offering resources and guidance to help kupuna protect themselves from exploitation.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-08-29
New York's Department of State issued a consumer alert warning that AI-powered investment scams cost Americans over $8 billion in 2025, with 144,041 reported victims and a 38% surge in fraud compared to 2024. Scammers use AI-generated deepfakes of celebrities and voice cloning to promote counterfeit cryptocurrency platforms and trading sites that show fake profits before disappearing with victims' money, a tactic known as "pig butchering." The median individual loss reached $10,560, with victims directed to fraudulent platforms mimicking legitimate exchanges, often through social media, dating apps, and email, with particularly high losses occurring through romance-investment fraud schemes.
crypto.news
· 2026-08-29
A 22-country INTERPOL operation arrested 58 suspects and identified 263 additional individuals involved in West African organized crime networks running romance scams, fake cryptocurrency investment schemes, and money laundering operations, resulting in $2.67 million seized. The eight-month Operation Jackal IV targeted criminal groups including Black Axe, with major enforcement actions in South Africa (39 arrests), Argentina (17 arrests), and Romania (11 arrests), dismantling call centers and Crime-as-a-Service networks that defrauded victims globally of approximately €143 million.
kucoin.com
· 2026-08-29
INTERPOL's Jackal IV operation, conducted across 22 countries from November 2025 to June 2026, resulted in 58 arrests and 263 identified suspects targeting online financial crimes including romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and investment schemes. Major actions included South African police seizing $2.67 million from romance and investment scams targeting retirees, Argentine dismantling of a Crime-as-a-Service network with 17 arrests, and Romanian authorities shutting down an investment fraud syndicate. Italian authorities also identified a suspect involved in a €845,000 money laundering operation across Europe.
strabaneweekly.co.uk
· 2026-08-29
Police in Derry City and Strabane issued a warning following a recent report of romance fraud in which a victim lost money to someone they met online. Romance scammers use varying methods to manipulate victims into sending money, causing both financial and emotional harm. Authorities advise people to never send money to individuals they haven't met in person and to recognize that requests for money are a red flag that the relationship is not genuine.
boston.com
· 2026-08-29
Twenty Massachusetts communities have banned cryptocurrency kiosks due to their increasing use in scams where fraudsters direct victims to deposit cash and convert it to crypto, making recovery difficult. Massachusetts residents reported over $6.8 million in crypto kiosk scam losses in 2025, with one case involving a cancer patient losing $5,500, and the state attorney general alleges that more than 80 percent of high-value customers at one major operator's kiosks were involved in scams totaling $10.6 million. All 14 Massachusetts county sheriffs have urged statewide legislation to ban the machines, though the state Senate and House have not yet agreed on the measure.
frejaeid.com
· 2026-08-29
This article explains common online scams targeting Swedish residents, including phishing via email and smishing via SMS, where fraudsters impersonate family members or trusted organizations to trick victims into sharing personal information or sending money. The article emphasizes that scammers exploit urgency and inattention, using deceptive links and spoofed sender addresses that appear legitimate at first glance. It advises readers to verify suspicious messages through independent sources and never click links or use contact information from unsolicited messages.
latrobebulletinnews.com
· 2026-08-29
A 50-year-old Ligonier Township woman operating a craft business allegedly impersonated a district attorney to defraud her son and daughter-in-law of $14,509.67 by claiming she needed money for attorney fees and processing costs related to a fake mortgage investigation. Kelly Jo Husak was charged with two felony theft counts after the couple discovered the scam when they noticed a snuff can in the background of a photo supposedly taken by the DA's office, which was actually photographed in Husak's vehicle. Husak admitted to police that she created the false identity with a friend's help due to financial difficulties after purchasing a home with her family members.
fortworthreport.org
· 2026-08-29
Summer travelers face multiple fraud risks including vacation rental scams where fake property listings collect deposits through peer-to-peer payment apps, "free trip" offers that require unexpected fees, nonexistent charter flights, and counterfeit concert tickets sold on social media. Scammers exploit unfamiliar travel situations by pressuring victims to move transactions off official platforms to avoid fraud protections and refund guarantees. To protect themselves, travelers should book only through official platforms, verify providers through government databases, and avoid peer-to-peer payment methods that cannot be reversed.
brokerdaily.au
· 2026-08-28
Artificial intelligence is enabling increasingly sophisticated scams in Australia, with ASIC removing over 19,400 online scams in FY2026—a 182% increase—including deepfake websites and celebrity impersonations that have cost Australians over $7 million. Investment scams represent the largest fraud category with $837.7 million in losses reported, while overall fraud losses across multiple Australian agencies reached $2.18 billion, with cryptocurrency investment scams and fake investment platforms surging by 30% and 151% respectively. Scammers are exploiting AI to create convincing fake endorsements, spoof websites, and impersonations of government agencies and celebrities to deceive victims into
cyberdaily.au
· 2026-08-28
Between January and June 2026, bank impersonation scams resulted in $3.25 million in losses across 5,262 reported cases in Australia, with phishing accounting for 52 percent of all scam cases. Mortgage brokers have highlighted settlement fraud schemes where scammers impersonate solicitors using nearly identical email addresses to redirect client funds, with one documented case involving an $80,000 loss that took over two years to recover. Experts recommend verifying account details by phone before transferring funds, as many scam victims fail to confirm information due to embarrassment, overconfidence, or not perceiving the need to verify.
kclyradio.com
· 2026-08-28
Kansas residents are being warned about investment fraud schemes including romance scams and "pig-butchering" scams, where scammers use AI-generated photos and scripts to build false relationships or convince victims to repeatedly invest in fake opportunities. According to Kansas's Assistant Commissioner of Insurance, these schemes target people across all communities and age groups, with victims often not realizing they've been defrauded until significant money has been lost. Warning signs include promises of guaranteed returns, requests to use crypto ATMs, and pressure to invest more after initial investments show fake profits on fraudulent websites.
captivasanibel.com
· 2026-08-28
Romance scams have become increasingly sophisticated, with criminals using AI-generated fake profiles, deepfake videos, and voice cloning across social media and dating platforms to build trust before requesting money, personal information, or intimate content. Common schemes include "pig butchering" where scammers pose as investment advisors after months of relationship-building, as well as in-person meetings arranged online that result in theft, extortion, or blackmail. The Sanibel Police Department warns victims to be alert to red flags such as rapid declarations of love, requests for secrecy, demands for money or intimate photos, and pressure to move conversations off dating platforms.
investmentnews.com
· 2026-08-28
Two men were arrested for defrauding over 26 women out of $1.3 million through a romance scam where one posed as a San Francisco 49ers player and the other as his financial advisor, using fake investment accounts and dating apps to gain victims' trust across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Daejon Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, used mobile applications to create fictitious bank and investment balances, convincing victims their money was being invested while some were pressured to take out personal loans; no victims received any returns or account information. The pair were arrested in Boise on August 24 and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud
wired.com
· 2026-08-28
A Chinese woman lost over $100,000 in a romance scam where a fraudster posing as a Microsoft researcher lured her into cryptocurrency investment schemes on Microsoft Teams, with dozens of other victims in China reporting similar losses ranging from $1,500 to $300,000 through the same platform. The scammers instructed victims to download Teams and log in with credentials they provided, then disappeared with their money, leaving victims unable to access chat logs or recover funds. Microsoft has since added warning banners for Teams users in China and discontinued the personal version of the app in the country, while local law enforcement agencies have issued explicit warnings about Teams and similar platforms being used for fraud.
foxnews.com
· 2026-08-28
Daejon Labrayae Love, 35, and Taylor Jamie Chan, 18, were charged with wire fraud conspiracy for allegedly defrauding 26 women out of approximately $1.3 million across Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and California. Love posed as a San Francisco 49ers player using fake videos, custom helmets, and fictitious investment accounts, while Chan posed as his financial advisor to convince victims to send money. Neither Love nor Chan had legitimate NFL employment, and investigators found no identifiable income sources supporting their claimed lavish lifestyle.
thealpinesun.com
· 2026-08-28
Romance scams in San Diego County involve scammers posing as romantic interests who build trust over weeks or months before convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency or foreign currency platforms. California reported 2,593 romance scam victims in 2025 with losses totaling $158.9 million, including one case where a victim lost hundreds of thousands of dollars after initially receiving $1,000 in fake profits on a $5,000 investment. Victims should be wary of online contacts who quickly express romantic feelings, refuse video chat, promise extraordinary investment returns, or encourage secrecy.
news.immigration.gov.tw
· 2026-08-28
Taiwan's 165 Anti-Fraud Hotline has identified five prevalent scams in 2026, including fake investment schemes, AI deepfakes, romance scams, impersonation of police or prosecutors, and phishing messages, with scammers using various deception tactics to gain trust and solicit money or personal information. The hotline advises the public to verify suspicious requests, stay calm when asked to transfer funds or provide sensitive data, and contact 165 for assistance when encountering potential fraud.
kcra.com
· 2026-08-28
Scammers are impersonating MyChart, a patient portal used to communicate with healthcare providers, through fake emails, texts, and websites to steal login credentials and financial information. Two prevalent scams include one that uses fake medical result notifications with malicious links leading to fake sign-in pages that install malware, and another offering free Medicare health kits that collect personal and credit card information. MyChart advises users to verify sender email addresses and website URLs, use official apps or bookmarks instead of clicking links in messages, and immediately reset passwords or contact banks if personal information was compromised.
13abc.com
· 2026-08-28
The article discusses a new scam targeting people in the Toledo, Ohio area, noting that scammers are increasingly using advanced technology to deceive victims. While specific details about the scam type or dollar amounts are not provided in the excerpt, the story emphasizes the importance of public awareness and protective measures against evolving fraud schemes.
abc-7.com
· 2026-08-28
Scammers are impersonating MyChart, a patient health portal, through fraudulent emails, texts, and fake websites to steal login credentials, personal information, and payment data. Two common scams identified include a fake medical results scheme that directs users to a phishing page and attempts to install malware through keyboard commands, and a fake Medicare kit giveaway that collects personal and credit card information under the guise of a free $149 health kit. MyChart advises users to verify sender addresses and website URLs, use official apps or bookmarked sites rather than clicking email links, and report suspicious messages immediately.
newson6.com
· 2026-08-28
A Tulsa woman received a text claiming to be from her bank about a fraudulent $476 transaction, followed by a call from a scammer posing as a bank representative who attempted to convince her to transfer her entire account balance via Apple Pay. Although the scammer had her personal information including the last four digits of her Social Security number, Simmons recognized the fraud before losing money and is warning others to always call their bank directly using a known number rather than responding to unsolicited fraud alerts.
community.triblive.com
· 2026-08-28
Pennsylvania patients using the MyChart patient portal are being targeted by phishing scams impersonating MyChart and offering a fake "MyChart Medicare Kit" reward to trick users into clicking malicious links and revealing passwords and personal information. Scammers are sending fraudulent emails and text messages designed to gain unauthorized access to patients' MyChart accounts and steal their personal data. The Pennsylvania Attorney General warns patients to delete suspicious messages without clicking links, never reply with passwords or verification codes, and contact their medical provider directly through official MyChart channels if unsure.
abcnews.com
· 2026-08-28
Cambodia's government claims it has eliminated all online scam compounds after a major crackdown that investigated 793 suspected locations, raided 624 sites, and detained nearly 30,000 suspects from 39 nationalities between July 2025 and August 2026. These compounds were responsible for estimated losses of $88.3 billion to $114.1 billion in 2025 through romance and cryptocurrency scams, while also engaging in human trafficking of thousands of foreign workers. However, independent anti-trafficking experts remain skeptical of the government's claims, noting credible indicators that significant scamming operations and worker recruitment continue despite reported decreases in trafficking victim reports.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2026-08-28
This article explains why reporting fraud is important and encourages victims to share their experiences with the FTC and others. Reports submitted to the FTC enter the Consumer Sentinel Network, which helps law enforcement identify patterns, build cases, and create public alerts to prevent future victims from falling for the same scams. Sharing scam stories with friends and family also helps them recognize and avoid similar fraud.
attorneygeneral.gov
· 2026-08-28
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning residents about a phishing scam targeting MyChart patient portal users, where scammers send emails and text messages falsely offering a "MyChart Medicare Kit" reward to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and surrendering passwords and personal information. The scam allows hackers to gain unauthorized access to victims' MyChart accounts and steal their data. Pennsylvanians who suspect they've been victimized can file complaints with the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.
wxyz.com
· 2026-08-28
Scammers have been impersonating Blackthorne Social Club, a tattoo shop in Washtenaw County, Michigan, on TikTok by messaging the shop's real clients to request deposits, schedule fake appointments, and collect payments while stealing the shop's photos and videos. The fraudulent activity has been ongoing for weeks and affects multiple businesses across the region. Shop owners are warning customers to verify they are communicating directly with the business before sending money or booking appointments.
gcnews.com.au
· 2026-08-28
Bank of Queensland is warning Australians about increasingly sophisticated scams that use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology, as part of Scams Awareness Week (August 24-28). The bank urges people to pause before sharing personal or banking information, verify unexpected requests, and report suspected scams involving investment, impersonation, romance, phishing, or payment redirection tactics. No specific dollar amounts or individual victims are mentioned in this awareness campaign, which emphasizes that scam targets are not reflections of intelligence but rather victims of highly organized criminals adapting their methods.
hoodline.com
· 2026-08-27
A 65-year-old Miami-Dade man was sentenced to 20 years in prison for exploiting a 94-year-old woman by moving into her home, impersonating her son, and attempting to fraudulently claim ownership of her $600,000 property while draining approximately $20,000 from her bank accounts and redirecting her Social Security benefits. Alejandro Diaz Torriente used forged documents to add himself as a joint tenant on the home and manipulated the vulnerable woman, who had been declared legally incompetent. The case was investigated by Miami-Dade's Elder and Vulnerable Adult Exploitation Task Force following his 2023 arrest.
nypost.com
· 2026-08-27
William Bao Khoa Ly, 26, befriended an 89-year-old man at a McDonald's in Thousand Oaks and gained access to his cell phone PIN, which he used to conduct nearly 91 cryptocurrency transactions totaling approximately $100,000 from the victim's bank account. The victim's bank detected the fraud and recovered over $50,000, and Ly was arrested and charged with felony theft from an elder, grand theft, and unauthorized use of personal identifying information.
foxnews.com
· 2026-08-27
Scammers build target lists months in advance of Medicare Open Enrollment (Oct. 15-Dec. 7) and Social Security COLA announcements to prepare for fraud campaigns in fall, using purchased consumer data to identify vulnerable older Americans. The article details a case where two former Epsilon Data Management employees sold targeted consumer lists to fraudsters who defrauded over 218,000 victims of more than $23.7 million, resulting in Epsilon paying $150 million in penalties and victim compensation. The article urges Americans to protect their data in August to avoid becoming targets for anticipated scams including fake Medicare cards and urgent Social Security warnings.
cryptonews.net
· 2026-08-27
TRM Labs appointed former Monetary Authority of Singapore official Ziqing Ang as Head of Policy for Asia-Pacific to address rising cryptocurrency crime, which reached over $103 billion in adjusted volume in 2025. Investment scams, including pig-butchering schemes, accounted for 62% of fraud inflows last year, with criminal groups increasingly using cryptocurrency and AI-enabled technologies like deepfakes to conduct fraud operations across the region. Ang will work with regulators, policymakers, and law enforcement to develop policy responses as governments create rules for digital assets and artificial intelligence.
crypto.news
· 2026-08-27
This article is not about a scam or fraud incident—it is a news announcement about TRM Labs hiring a former Singapore regulatory official as their Asia-Pacific policy head. The article discusses the appointment and background of Ziqing Ang, as well as TRM Labs' research on cryptocurrency crime trends in the region, including investment scams and AI-enabled fraud, but does not describe an actual fraud case or victim impact.