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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
asgam.com
· 2026-08-19
Cambodia's government revoked licenses for 20 casinos and suspended 29 others as part of a crackdown on technology-based scam networks operating from the country, shutting down 605 of 751 identified scam locations. Between July 2025 and July 2026, authorities prosecuted 4,147 suspects from 27 nationalities involved in organized criminal scam operations, including cryptocurrency investment fraud, romance scams, and illegal online lending schemes targeting both domestic and international victims. The crackdown, though demonstrating government commitment to combating online fraud, has severely impacted Cambodia's tourism industry, with international visitor numbers declining by 47.8% in the first five months of
moneymag.com.au
· 2026-08-19
In the first half of 2026, Australians reported $157 million in scam-related losses across 91,767 reports, down from $210 million the previous year, according to the National Anti-Scam Centre. Scammers are increasingly exploiting emotions like loneliness, greed, and impatience while using new technologies like AI to create more convincing messages, and they're adapting tactics to target Australians during vulnerable times such as tax season and periods of high online shopping activity. Common current scams include fake delivery notifications designed to steal login credentials and impersonation schemes where scammers pose as trusted organizations or family members to extract money or personal information.
kwhi.com
· 2026-08-19
The Austin County Sheriff's Office is warning residents of an impersonation scam where callers claiming to be police officers or court clerks demand immediate payment via cash or cryptocurrency to resolve fabricated arrest warrants for missed jury duty, unpaid traffic tickets, or federal charges. Legitimate law enforcement never demands instant payment over the phone, and victims should hang up, verify the claim through official channels, and report any contact to authorities.
wtae.com
· 2026-08-19
North Huntingdon Township police are investigating a scam where callers impersonated law enforcement, claiming victims had missed court dates and arrest warrants were issued, then demanded cryptocurrency payments via Bitcoin. Four victims reported the scam in August 2026, with callers keeping them on the phone while instructing them to withdraw funds and scan QR codes, some receiving AI-generated fake warrant documents. Police stressed that legitimate law enforcement agencies never demand payment for fines or warrants through cryptocurrency or kiosks.
thediplomat.com
· 2026-08-19
Paul, a 50-year-old Nigerian, was trafficked into forced labor at a Cambodian online scam compound after seeking an admin job, where he was beaten, tortured, and forced into criminal work alongside hundreds of thousands of others. During a December 2025 Thai military airstrike on the scam hub in Choam where he was held, Paul survived by sheltering in a concrete drain while the casino and surrounding buildings were bombed repeatedly. Cambodia's scam industry, worth approximately half the country's GDP, became a target of military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which the Thai military framed as a "war against scammers" while Cambodia's ruling elites exploited the crackdown
wbrc.com
· 2026-08-19
An Alabama teacher lost approximately $9,000 after scammers impersonated Wells Fargo's fraud department via text and phone, convincing her to transfer money to what she believed was a secure account. The scam involved a fake debit card appearing in her Apple Wallet, and Wells Fargo has denied her fraud claim despite the incident being reported to police and the FDIC. The victim is warning others to be suspicious of unsolicited calls from banks and to verify requests independently rather than responding to pressure from callers claiming to represent financial institutions.
azfamily.com
· 2026-08-19
Rental scams are surging in rural Arizona communities, with fraudsters copying legitimate property listings from websites like Zillow and reposting them on social media at artificially low prices, often with convincing fake background and credit check forms. The scams, which target vulnerable populations including older adults and out-of-state relocators, have resulted in situations where multiple victims have arrived at properties with cash and checks ready to move in. Police warn renters to avoid sending money to unseen landlords and advise victims to contact the Social Security Administration and credit bureaus immediately if personal information was compromised.
wcpo.com
· 2026-08-19
A heating and cooling technician lost $15,000 after receiving a fraudulent phone call impersonating his bank's fraud department; the scammer obtained verification codes and accessed his account. Bank impersonation scams are surging, with the FTC reporting consumers lost $3.5 billion to impostor scams last year, and scammers increasingly using AI to make calls more convincing. Experts advise people to be suspicious of unsolicited calls and watch for red flags like urgency, pressure, and requests to keep the contact secret.
patch.com
· 2026-08-19
About 23 South Orange seniors attended a fraud prevention presentation organized by Communities First Initiative and TD Bank, where they learned to recognize and protect themselves from scams targeting older adults through phone calls, emails, and impersonation of government agencies and relatives. According to FBI data, elder fraud losses reached $3.4 billion in 2023, with reported losses totaling $1.6 billion from January through May 2024. The presentation emphasized the importance of pausing to verify unexpected requests and never sharing personal information or money based on claims of urgency.
blackenterprise.com
· 2026-08-19
Americans 60 and older reported more than 200,000 elder fraud complaints to the FBI in 2025, resulting in nearly $8 billion in losses, with scammers increasingly using AI technology to identify vulnerable victims through obituaries, create personalized scripts, and generate deepfakes. The growing threat particularly impacts the "sandwich generation" caring for both children and aging parents, with experts noting that actual losses are likely higher due to significant underreporting driven by victim shame and delay in disclosure. One widow lost over $7,000 after scammers falsely claimed her late husband owed taxes and threatened her inheritance.
patch.com
· 2026-08-19
This article announces a free educational seminar featuring AARP educator Dave Sapenaro discussing common scams, fraud tactics, and warning signs, with a focus on how fraudsters build trust and exploit seniors through social media and psychological manipulation. The seminar will include a firsthand account from a family member whose elderly relative fell victim to an elaborate financial exploitation scheme involving psychological manipulation, financial fraud, tax issues, and law enforcement involvement. The event is designed to help attendees recognize scam warning signs and learn protective measures for themselves and their loved ones.
patch.com
· 2026-08-19
About 23 South Orange seniors attended a fraud prevention presentation organized by Communities First Initiative and TD Bank, learning to recognize and protect themselves from scams impersonating government agencies, financial institutions, and relatives. According to FBI data cited at the event, elder fraud losses reached $3.4 billion in 2023, with reported losses hitting $1.6 billion in just the first five months of 2024. Speakers advised residents to verify unexpected requests for money or personal information before responding.
streamlinefeed.co.ke
· 2026-08-19
Seniors face mounting cybercrime threats, with individuals aged 60 and over losing an estimated $4.8 billion to internet fraud annually in the United States alone, through tactics including tech support scams, sweetheart scams, and malvertising. Cybercriminals exploit older adults' unfamiliarity with technology, social isolation, and accumulated wealth, while regulatory efforts primarily focus on protecting minors rather than elderly populations. Experts call for platform accountability, targeted legislation, and aggressive fraud detection systems to protect vulnerable seniors as digital adoption accelerates globally.
aol.com
· 2026-08-19
A heating and cooling technician lost $15,000 after scammers impersonating his bank's fraud department called him, sent a verification code, and convinced him his account was locked. The FTC reports that bank impersonation scams are surging, with consumers losing $3.5 billion to impostor scams last year, and AI is making these schemes increasingly difficult to detect. Banks advise never sharing verification codes, never moving money to "protect" it, and hanging up to call your bank directly using the number on your card rather than trusting caller ID.
hoodline.com
· 2026-08-19
Elderly residents in Oconee County, Georgia recovered stolen cryptocurrency after falling victim to a scam where fraudsters posing as FTC agents used fake bank breach warnings to trick victims into withdrawing cash and depositing it into crypto kiosks while keeping them on the phone. Law enforcement from multiple agencies traced the stolen funds through digital wallets and froze them at a centralized crypto exchange before they could be liquidated, making this recovery unusually successful in a crime category where losses are normally irreversible. The case highlights the effectiveness of new Georgia legislation (House Bill 945) that established daily transaction limits, fee caps, and mandatory refund procedures for crypto kiosk operators, with significant penalties for non-compliance.
abc.net.au
· 2026-08-19
The Sapphire Network, a decentralized international investment fraud operation headquartered in Israel and linked to Israeli national Shefi Goldberg, has defrauded over 4,000 Australians of hundreds of millions of dollars since 2021 through fake news articles and false AI-assisted trading platforms. Victims like Rodger (who lost $125,000) and Toby (who lost over $500,000) were lured by cloned ABC News websites and fake financial professionals who used psychological manipulation and fake trading dashboards to trap victims before disappearing with their funds. The scam network operates through dozens of companies and call centers across Israel, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Cyprus, and
ground.news
· 2026-08-19
An elderly man from Sicamous was defrauded of several thousand dollars in a gift card scam after receiving a phone call from someone impersonating an Apple representative who claimed his phone had been hacked. The scammer convinced the victim he needed to purchase several thousand dollars in Apple gift cards to resolve the alleged security issue. The RCMP was notified on August 14 when the victim reported the fraud.
herald-review.com
· 2026-08-19
Soyland Access to Independent Living (SAIL) is hosting a workshop in Shelbyville to educate participants about social media, communication, sweetheart, and texting scams. The article outlines common online scam types including phishing, romance scams, advance-fee fraud, and formjacking, explaining how scammers use social engineering and deception to steal personal information and money from victims.
ageuk.org.uk
· 2026-08-19
AI-enabled scams are increasingly using voice cloning, deepfake videos, and fake profiles to deceive people into sending money or sharing personal information. Common scams include impersonation calls from supposed relatives or trusted organizations requesting urgent money transfers, fake celebrity endorsements promoting investment schemes or products, and romance scams using AI-generated photos and manipulated video calls. Victims can protect themselves by verifying callers through independent contact methods, checking regulatory registers before investing, and being cautious of unsolicited requests for money or urgent financial action.
ageuk.org.uk
· 2026-08-19
AI-enabled scams are increasingly used by fraudsters to impersonate trusted individuals and organizations, including voice cloning of family members or officials requesting urgent money transfers, deepfake videos of celebrities promoting fake investments and products, and AI-generated profile photos in romance scams. Age UK advises consumers to verify callers through independent contact, check financial firms on the FCA Register before investing, and avoid sending money to people they haven't met in person, noting that legitimate banks and officials will never request money transfers to "safe accounts" or demand immediate action based on threats to finances.
staysafeonline.org
· 2026-08-19
Social media account takeovers occur when cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to accounts through phishing, password reuse, data breaches, or malware, allowing them to send scam messages, steal personal information, or impersonate the user to defraud contacts. Criminals may also create fake "cloned" profiles using publicly available information to impersonate users and scam friends and family through fake investment schemes or romance scams. Protection involves using unique, strong passwords, enabling multifactor authentication, and avoiding clicking links in unsolicited messages about account problems.
mikebolhuis.co.za
· 2026-08-19
During South Africa's 2026 tax season, cybercriminals have escalated SARS impersonation scams targeting millions of taxpayers through phishing emails, SMS messages, voice calls, and profile hijacking to steal personal information and redirect tax refunds. Victims lose significant sums—including one 68-year-old who lost his entire R37,000 refund when fraudsters hijacked his eFiling profile and redirected it to a fraudulent account. These sophisticated scams, increasingly enhanced by AI-generated content, exploit tax season urgency to extract banking details and login credentials, causing widespread financial hardship and eroding public trust in SARS and financial institutions.
audacy.com
· 2026-08-19
Scammers are impersonating government agencies like the FTC via phone calls, claiming victims' phone numbers are under investigation for criminal activity and threatening legal action to pressure them into acting quickly. The fraudsters attempt to obtain personal information and money by directing victims to click links, respond to texts, or call special hotlines. The Better Business Bureau advises hanging up on such calls and never sharing sensitive information with strangers.
unionleader.com
· 2026-08-19
A Manchester couple fell victim to a government impersonation scam in March 2025 where scammers posing as a financial institution and FBI agent convinced the wife to deposit $3,900 in cryptocurrency at a bitcoin ATM as part of a fake "parallel transaction." The scam, which exploits fear and urgency through spoofed phone numbers, has affected 148 victims in New Hampshire with approximately $1.68 million in losses and $797 million nationwide in 2025. The FBI warns that it never calls citizens demanding payment and advises people to hang up, verify by calling the organization directly, and never send money via prepaid cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency ATMs.
usatoday.com
· 2026-08-18
Artificial intelligence is enabling scammers to target elderly people at scale, with fraudsters using AI to scour obituaries, research vulnerabilities, and create convincing deepfakes to impersonate trusted figures. The FBI reported over 200,000 cyber crime complaints from victims 60 and older in 2025, totaling nearly $8 billion in losses, with cases like a widow scammed out of $7,000 through false tax evasion claims and an elderly woman whose identity was stolen by her paid caregiver. Adult children are increasingly taking control of their aging parents' finances and communications to prevent fraud, adding emotional and financial strain to already-overwhelmed caregivers in the sandwich generation.
ksat.com
· 2026-08-18
The FBI's San Antonio Division reports that elder fraud targeting people age 60 and older resulted in over 200,000 complaints and $7.5 billion in losses last year, with common scams including impersonation of law enforcement, the IRS, and government agencies. Older adults are frequently targeted because they may have accumulated wealth, are more likely to engage with strangers, and often fall victim to repeated scams. The FBI recommends victims hang up and independently verify claims, treat cryptocurrency and gift card requests as red flags, and promptly report fraud to their bank, local law enforcement, or the FBI.
newsantaana.com
· 2026-08-18
Irvine Police arrested 41-year-old Dong Wang in connection with an "accidental deposit" bank impostor scam targeting elderly victims, after he was caught retrieving a package containing $9,000 sent by an out-of-state senior citizen at a vacant rental property. Wang, found carrying over $30,000 in cash, was booked at Orange County Jail and faces felony charges for elderly financial exploitation. The scam involved fraudsters calling victims impersonating bank representatives and directing them to mail back funds allegedly deposited in error.
nj1015.com
· 2026-08-18
An Ocean County senior citizen was scammed out of $50,000 after receiving a fake Microsoft pop-up warning that directed her to call a fraudulent number, where scammers impersonating Microsoft and Wells Fargo employees convinced her to mail a cashier's check. When the scammers attempted to collect an additional $30,000 via courier, 24-year-old Gurdutt Singh of South Richmond, New York was arrested at the victim's home and charged with conspiracy to commit theft by deception and money laundering.
aol.com
· 2026-08-18
AI-powered scams targeting elderly Americans have surged, with scammers using artificial intelligence to research victims through obituaries, craft personalized fraud schemes, and create deepfakes to increase success rates. In 2025, seniors 60 and older reported over 200,000 cyber crime complaints totaling nearly $8 billion in losses, with one widow losing $7,000 after scammers claimed her late husband had hidden tax records. Adult children increasingly must act as financial gatekeepers for aging parents, screening communications and managing accounts, adding significant emotional and financial strain to the sandwich generation already caring for both children and aging parents.
kucoin.com
· 2026-08-18
An 80-year-old Hong Kong man lost over HK$5 million in a cryptocurrency investment scam after downloading a fake "Trust Wallet" app from a fraudulent pop-up ad in June 2024. Scammers posing as customer service representatives convinced him to exchange bank withdrawals for ETH cryptocurrency and transfer it to their wallets over 1.5 months, with the victim only discovering the fraud when he could no longer access funds or reach the fake service team.
kqed.org
· 2026-08-18
A San Francisco resident lost $18,000 in an elaborate rental scam where a fraudster posed as the landlord of a Duboce Triangle apartment listed on Craigslist, even directing the victim to the legitimate open house to appear credible before requesting wire payment for first, last month's rent, and a security deposit. Experts note that while the scam was unusually sophisticated and the victim took reasonable precautions, renters can protect themselves by recognizing that legitimate landlords cannot charge more than two months' rent upfront under California law and by verifying communications directly with confirmed property owners.
patch.com
· 2026-08-17
Newtown Township Police Chief John Hearn warned residents about widespread fraud schemes targeting seniors and the general public, including impersonation scams, utility bill fraud, check washing, and fake lottery calls, emphasizing that many schemes originate overseas. The chief urged residents to monitor financial accounts, verify callers claiming to be from banks or government agencies, and report unauthorized transactions, noting that losses have been significant. Police also cautioned against storing valuables in vehicles and recommended residents educate neighbors about these evolving scams.
abc.net.au
· 2026-08-17
Scammers are using AI-generated deepfake videos featuring well-known Australians to promote fake investment schemes, with these scams costing Australians over $800 million in 2025. Australia's corporate watchdog (ASIC) reported nearly 20,000 scams taken offline in the last 12 months, a 182% increase from the previous year, with the deepfakes being difficult for people to detect as they mimic legitimate news interviews and endorsements. To protect themselves, consumers are advised to verify that investments have an Australian financial services licence through ASIC's MoneySmart website before investing.
aol.com
· 2026-08-17
Since August 1, scammers have stolen more than $1.2 million from 17 confirmed cases involving Ramsey County seniors aged 61-78, with individual losses ranging from $700 to $800,000. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office is urging residents to protect their financial information, hang up on suspicious calls, and report fraudulent activity to law enforcement immediately. Local authorities are hosting an educational event with credit union representatives to help seniors identify and prevent fraud schemes.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-08-17
The White House has authorized vetted private companies to conduct offensive cyber operations against transnational criminal networks operating pig butchering scams, which cost American victims billions of dollars annually. Under federal DOJ and DHS supervision, these firms—which must post at least $1 million bonds—can now actively surveil and disrupt criminal infrastructure rather than passively monitor it, marking a shift from traditional defensive enforcement to preemptive disruption. Pig butchering scams typically originate from Southeast Asian criminal enterprises that use romance and fake investment schemes to defraud victims, often laundering proceeds through cryptocurrency platforms.
verafiles.org
· 2026-08-17
The author, a veteran journalist, narrowly avoided a credit card scam when she recognized a suspicious request for her CVV after clicking a link about expiring credit card points. A 2025 study found that 77% of Filipinos encountered scams in the previous 12 months with an average of 239 scam encounters per person yearly, resulting in estimated losses of ₱280 billion, with investment scams and digital wallet theft being the most common methods primarily occurring on Facebook and Telegram.
bitdefender.com
· 2026-08-17
Australian authorities are warning of AI-driven investment scams impersonating high-profile public figures like politicians and business leaders, with reports to Scamwatch involving these impersonations associated with $7.4 million in losses during the 2026 financial year. Scammers use deepfake videos, fake websites, and fabricated news articles to create an entire "web of deception" that makes fraudulent investments appear legitimate, and victims are often contacted by scripted callers posing as brokers who may make small payments to build trust before victims lose their money to overseas criminals. ASIC warns that simple online searches are no longer sufficient to verify investment opportunities, as scammers now construct convincing fake
wdrb.com
· 2026-08-17
Following severe storms and flooding that killed 7 people across Indiana, the state's attorney general warned of door-to-door contractor scams targeting affected homeowners. Fraudsters falsely claim FEMA will pay for storm damage repairs and pressure victims to sign contracts immediately, sometimes promising to waive insurance deductibles, which is illegal under Indiana law. Residents are urged to demand written contracts with specific details, verify contractor legitimacy, and report suspected scams to the Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.
reformer.com
· 2026-08-17
During back-to-school season, con artists exploit students and parents through various scams including fraudulent online deals promoted on social media, fake scholarship and housing offers, and romance scams targeting college students. Victims risk losing money and personal information, particularly first-time college students who are emotionally vulnerable and unfamiliar with common scam tactics. The article advises verifying deals directly with retailers, being cautious with social media connections, checking landlord and employer legitimacy, and recognizing red flags in online relationships such as requests for money or inability to meet in person.
krdo.com
· 2026-08-17
In 2024, the FTC documented over 6 million fraud and consumer complaints across the United States, with Americans losing a record $15.9 billion to fraud in 2025—a 25% increase from the prior year. Florida, Georgia, and Delaware reported the highest fraud rates per capita, while South Dakota and North Dakota had the lowest, with imposter scams being the most commonly reported fraud type nationwide, accounting for over $3.5 billion in losses. Younger adults report more frequent fraud victimization, though older adults typically lose larger amounts per incident as scammers target their retirement savings.
scmp.com
· 2026-08-16
Hong Kong police arrested 17 people, including 12 Malaysian "runners," and seized HK$3.67 million in a crackdown on a phone scam syndicate that defrauded 22 victims of HK$2.5 million between June and August. The scam used "guess who I am" tactics where perpetrators impersonated relatives or friends claiming emergencies, while foreign runners collected cash directly from victims at designated locations. Police recovered HK$200,000 for one victim who remained unaware of the fraud even after handing over the money.
hernandosun.com
· 2026-08-16
Scammers are impersonating the Hernando County Sheriff's Office by calling victims with spoofed phone numbers, claiming they missed jury duty or a court date and demanding payment over the phone to resolve alleged warrants or obtain verification codes. The HCSO clarified that it never requires phone payments to settle warrants, resolve jury-duty issues, or obtain codes, and urges recipients to hang up on such calls.
salisburypost.com
· 2026-08-16
A veterans advocate in Rowan County, North Carolina is organizing an August 29 educational forum to help elderly residents recognize and avoid fraud scams, including phone, construction, and door-to-door schemes. The initiative was inspired by cases Hardin encountered, including an 80-year-old woman who lost over $100,000 after being pressured to sell her car and furniture. Local law enforcement and officials will participate in the forum to educate residents on fraud prevention tactics and provide resources.
thestar.com.my
· 2026-08-16
AI is increasingly enabling scammers to conduct sophisticated love scams by generating personalized, emotionally manipulative communications that create fake intimacy with victims, making them feel genuinely understood and cared for. Red flags include rapid relationship escalation, avoidance of in-person meetings, inconsistent stories, and eventual requests for money or sensitive information, typically following a pattern of love-bombing, emotional dependency, manufactured crises, and financial requests. Experts recommend verifying identities through multiple channels, avoiding oversharing on social media, and refusing to engage with suspicious communications rather than relying on video calls or visual confirmation as proof of authenticity.
osagenews.org
· 2026-08-16
Osage County and Osage Nation officials are warning residents about hundreds of electronic scams reported between 2021 and 2025, including government imposter scams, online shopping fraud, lottery scams, and romance schemes. Sheriff Bart Perrier reports frequent calls from residents impersonating deputies demanding payment for missed jury duty, while Police Chief Nicholas Williams documented a particularly devastating romance scam involving an Osage elder who lost all his financial resources before his death. Both agencies are conducting public outreach to educate residents that legitimate officials never request payments or personal information by phone, text, or email.
timesofsandiego.com
· 2026-08-16
Elder fraud accounts for approximately $130 million in annual losses in San Diego alone and is rising, while younger demographics are targeted most frequently overall despite receiving less publicity. The article outlines practical prevention strategies including avoiding suspicious emails and imposters, questioning unusual payment requests (especially cryptocurrency or gift cards), and utilizing mobile banking security features. Learning to identify and respond to digital fraud has become essential for financial security across all age groups.
dailykos.com
· 2026-08-16
A network of fraudulent Democratic PACs, orchestrated by consulting firm Mothership Strategies, extracted approximately $282 million from donors during the 2024 election cycle while delivering only $11 million to actual Democratic campaigns, with data showing that for every dollar donated—often by elderly and small-dollar donors—98 cents went to consultants and operational costs rather than campaigns. The scam involved high-pressure fundraising tactics through texts and emails from PACs with names like "Progressive Turnout" and "Stop Republicans," with one example, Retired Dems 2024 PAC, raising $10.6 million but keeping $6.5 million in profit while delivering minimal benefit to the
10news.com
· 2026-08-16
This article is a biography of Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter Austin Grabish and does not describe a specific scam or fraud case. The article highlights his journalistic career and various investigations he has conducted, including reporting on a phone hacking scam and a burial-at-sea business fraud, but provides no detailed information about specific victims, dollar amounts, or fraud schemes to summarize.
cnet.com
· 2026-08-16
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated emails to target authors and other professionals with personalized phishing messages that impersonate legitimate book clubs, services, and authority figures, exploiting natural language processing to bypass spam filters by personalizing content and delaying suspicious requests until victims are invested. AI-powered scams have made fraud more efficient and convincing through deepfakes, multi-step attacks using legitimate platforms, and social engineering tactics that exploit trust and urgency, potentially leading to financial loss, identity theft, and extortion. Experts recommend pausing before clicking links or sharing information and confirming the legitimacy of senders, as these AI scams are harder to detect than traditional fraud attempts.
fool.com
· 2026-08-15
In 2025, online scams cost older Americans $7.748 billion, with investment fraud accounting for at least $3.5 billion in losses, alongside $1 billion in tech support scams and $584 million in romance scams. The House passed the Financial Exploitation Prevention Act in June 2026 to allow financial companies to temporarily halt securities redemptions for up to 15 days when financial abuse of seniors or vulnerable adults is suspected. Currently, 33 states have laws protecting seniors from banking-related fraud, but the federal bill would extend similar protections to investment accounts.