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michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel highlighted ongoing efforts to combat illegal robocalls during National Consumer Protection Week, noting that Michigan residents filed 32,647 robocall complaints in fiscal year 2024. The Attorney General's office has received over 14,000 robocall complaints since launching its crackdown initiative in 2019 and has taken enforcement action against voice service providers and companies transmitting suspected illegal robocall traffic. The article advises consumers to avoid providing personal information to suspicious callers, be wary of payment requests via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and report suspected fraud immediately.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a consumer alert on "pig butchering" scams during National Consumer Protection Week, describing a sophisticated fraud that combines romance scams with cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting seniors. The scam typically begins with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating apps or social media to build trust with victims before gradually introducing fake investment opportunities in cryptocurrency, often promising unrealistic returns. Nessel and AARP experts recommend consumers avoid sending money to online-only contacts, never share financial information with strangers, and be suspicious of unsolicited investment opportunities, with AARP's ElderWatch program available to help at 800-222-4444.
newsday.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, New Yorkers over 60 lost more than $203 million to scams including sweepstakes, tech support fraud, and government impersonation schemes, with Long Islanders accounting for $38 million of those losses. Governor Kathy Hochul has proposed legislation that would train bank employees, brokers, and financial advisers to recognize elder exploitation and legally empower them to place temporary holds (up to 55 days) on suspicious transactions while law enforcement investigates. The bill, supported by 43 consumer protection groups including AARP, aims to prevent funds from being permanently lost to scammers before fraud can be detected and stopped.
carscoops.com
· 2025-12-08
Revolve CEO Michael Mente lost $5.4 million in 2021 after falling victim to a fake Mercedes-AMG One luxury car sale scam perpetrated by Texas resident Traveon Rogers, who posed as French dealer Jean-Pierre M.R. Clement. Mente discovered the fraud in 2022 when U.S. Department of Homeland Security informed him the payment had been stolen and the dealer didn't exist. Rogers has since faced multiple lawsuits for similar schemes, allegedly defrauding another buyer of $3.19 million in a separate nonexistent AMG One deal, and has been charged with forging contracts and impersonating car deal
punekarnews.in
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are targeting Netflix users with phishing emails that mimic official Netflix communications, warning of suspended accounts and directing users to fake login pages where scammers steal login credentials and financial information. To protect themselves, users should verify sender email addresses, avoid clicking suspicious links, access their accounts directly through Netflix's official website, and never provide passwords or payment details via email.
citizen.digital
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines five common scam tactics used by fraudsters in Kenya: unrealistically cheap offers and links promising wealth, pressure tactics with urgent payment demands, requests for sensitive banking information, poor communication and grammar, and emotional manipulation through hacked social media accounts. A 2022 TransUnion study found that while 80% of Kenyans encountered scam attempts, only 8% actually fell victim, emphasizing the importance of recognizing these warning signs. The article advises vigilance, direct verification with trusted contacts or institutions, and reporting suspicious activity to protect oneself and others from fraud.
collins.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators, including Susan Collins, Rick Scott, and Mark Kelly, designated March 6, 2025 as "National Slam the Scam Day" to raise awareness about financial scams targeting older Americans. One in four people report being scammed, with elder fraud losses exceeding $10 billion in 2023 alone, prompting the senators to emphasize public education, vigilance, and reporting suspicious activities as key prevention strategies.
citinewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghana's Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO) has been investigating at least 107 romance scam cases since 2021, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence to deceive victims, and recovered approximately 2 million Ghana cedis in 2024 alone. EOCO launched a fraud reporting campaign in partnership with the UK's National Crime Agency to combat romance fraud through whistleblower mechanisms and international cooperation, emphasizing the need for cross-border collaboration among law enforcement agencies. The campaign encourages public reporting of suspicious activities to help protect victims from the devastating financial and emotional effects of romance scams.
hbcubuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Over half of dating app users encounter potential scammers, with romance scams causing $1.14 billion in losses in 2023, prompting singles to use background-checking services like Instant Checkmate before meeting matches. The article explains that catfishing and romance fraud have become widespread problems, particularly affecting women under 50 (56% report unwanted explicit content) and men under 50 (63% encounter scammers), making digital due diligence an increasingly common safety practice. Background verification services aggregate public records including criminal histories, address information, and social media profiles to help daters make informed decisions about potential matches.
wfmj.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are using AI-generated fake profiles on dating apps to conduct romance scams targeting cryptocurrency from users. After building a false romantic connection over time, the automated bots request money transfers through cryptocurrency banking sites, with profiles designed to appear believable through realistic photos and conversational abilities. Users are advised to report suspicious profiles to police or dating app support teams and to ignore requests for money, as AI advancement makes prevention training more effective than technological countermeasures.
mylethbridgenow.com
· 2025-12-08
Lethbridge Police warn of romance and relationship scams where fraudsters build trust with victims through fake online profiles on dating sites and social media, then request money under various pretexts. Red flags include excessive flattery ("love bombing"), reluctance to meet in person, claims of working overseas, requests for secrecy, and offers of investment coaching, with victims advised to refuse contact, protect personal information, and avoid sending money to strangers online. Victims are encouraged to report incidents to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (if no financial loss occurred) or to their bank and local police (if money was lost), as reports help prevent future victims even if immediate recovery is unlikely.
blackburn.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act to require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with individuals removed for fraudulent activity, addressing a growing threat to senior citizens. Romance scams cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022, with Tennesseans over 60 losing $43 million in 2023 alone, as scammers target recently widowed or divorced seniors through fake identities and move conversations to private platforms after account deactivation.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
As romance scams targeting seniors surge, a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users if they've communicated with someone banned for fraud. According to the FTC, nearly 70,000 Americans reported romance scam victimization in 2022, with people aged 70 and older experiencing median losses of $9,475, and Tennessee seniors over 60 losing $43 million in 2023. The legislation would be enforced by the FTC and allow state attorneys general to bring civil actions, addressing a growing threat exemplified by cases like Aurora Phelps, who was charged with using dating
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration warned beneficiaries in March 2024 about scammers impersonating SSA representatives through phone, email, text, and social media to steal benefits and personal information using tactics like spoofed caller IDs, fake letterheads, and threats. Between mid-2024, nearly 45% of reported scams involved false claims about suspended Social Security numbers, with victims aged 70-84 losing an average of $11,902 compared to $2,346 for those under 29. The SSA urged citizens to hang up on suspicious contacts and report attempts to its Office of the Inspector General.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple Chicago residents fell victim to a street-based charity donation scam between June 2024 and November 2024, where con artists used emotional stories (such as raising funeral funds or awareness for causes) to gain trust, then charged victims thousands of dollars through Apple Pay and other digital payment methods when they believed they were donating only small amounts. The Illinois attorney general's office received approximately 10 complaints about this scheme, though one victim, Eliazar Rodriguez, was charged $3,000 for a carpet purchase after believing he donated $15, and he eventually recovered his funds after disputing the charge with his bank.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service has issued warnings about rising "smishing" scams—fraudulent text messages impersonating USPS that claim packages are undeliverable due to invalid ZIP codes and direct recipients to malicious links. These scams aim to steal personal information, financial credentials, and Social Security numbers, with Americans losing approximately $8.8 billion to fraud annually. The USPIS advises consumers not to click suspicious links, report messages to 7726 (SPAM), and verify tracking directly through the official USPS website rather than through unsolicited texts.
zdnet.com
· 2025-12-08
A widespread "smishing scam" targeting Americans claims recipients owe unpaid tolls from E-ZPass or similar toll providers, with the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center logging over 60,000 reports; the fraudulent texts originate from Chinese-speaking scammers selling phishing kits on Telegram and aim to steal personal and financial information rather than toll payments. The scam texts typically come from suspicious numbers or +63 Philippine country codes, contain shortened URLs, threatening language about license suspension or fines, and request small payment amounts to appear legitimate. Victims should not click links, report messages as spam, and if they've already entered payment information, immediately contact their bank, credit car
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadian nationals, mostly from Québec, were indicted for operating a "grandparent scam" that defrauded U.S. seniors in 41 states of approximately $21 million starting in summer 2021. The defendants made fraudulent phone calls from Montreal call centers posing as grandchildren or attorneys, claiming relatives needed bail money for arrests, and collected payments from victims' homes before transferring funds to Canada via cash deliveries and cryptocurrency transactions. Twenty-three suspects were arrested in Canada while two remained at large, with organizers facing up to 40 years in prison and other participants facing up to 20 years.
news.wfsu.org
· 2025-12-08
A Florida Senate bill seeks to expand protections for elderly scam victims by allowing legal service of injunctions to anonymous online fraudsters through the platforms where they made contact, rather than requiring traditional certified mail. The measure was prompted by cases like a widow who lost $2.5 million to a romance scammer on a dating app despite family intervention and court orders to freeze assets. In 2023, Americans over 60 lost $3.4 billion to financial exploitation, with such crimes rising 11 percent from 2022.
newschannel9.com
· 2025-12-08
Tennessee seniors lost $43 million to scams in 2023, with an 18% increase from the previous year, largely driven by romance scams on dating apps where fraudsters build trust before requesting money for emergencies or loans. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act to require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity, including the banned member's profile details and fraud warnings. The bill would be enforceable by the FTC and state attorneys general, addressing a national problem where romance scams alone cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
The Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General warned the public about fraudulent emails with the subject line "Claim Benefits!" that impersonate SSA and direct recipients to fake websites designed to steal personal information. Red flags include sender email addresses from "Social Administration" rather than legitimate ".gov" addresses, and SSA will never request personal information or direct users to click links via unsolicited email. Victims should stop engaging with scammers, secure their accounts, and report the fraud to SSA OIG, local law enforcement, the FBI, and the FTC.
bluewin.ch
· 2025-12-08
A Swiss family lost 22,000 francs (including their two daughters' savings accounts) through QR code fraud when a woman was tricked into scanning a malicious code while attempting to sell children's clothes on Facebook Marketplace; a fraudster posing as a Revolut employee directed her to scan the code, which gave criminals access to her e-banking credentials. The bank denied responsibility for compensation, and despite filing a police complaint, authorities were unable to recover the funds that had been transferred abroad. The family went public with their experience to warn others about this sophisticated scam targeting unsuspecting individuals through fake payment assistance.
kxxv.com
· 2025-12-08
A rental scam in Belton, Texas claimed at least one victim who responded to a fraudulent listing with authentic-looking photos and descriptions from a legitimate property management company. Belton Police Department recommends renters verify property management companies directly, avoid third-party payment apps, and report suspicious listings to law enforcement to prevent falling victim to this scheme, which is also occurring in neighboring cities.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly resident in Ashtabula County, Ohio received a call from someone claiming her granddaughter was in jail and needed $17,000 for bail, with a voice in the background purporting to be the granddaughter pleading for help. The victim agreed to pay a reduced amount and was picked up by a Lyft driver to go to the bank, but a bank teller intervened and prevented the withdrawal. The Sheriff's Office urges residents to avoid sharing personal information over the phone and to report suspicious activity to law enforcement or their bank immediately.
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act to protect dating app users, particularly seniors, from romance scams that cost Americans $1.3 billion in 2022 and $43 million to Tennessee seniors over 60 in 2023 alone. The bill requires dating platforms to notify users when they have interacted with someone banned for fraud, addressing a gap where scammers shift conversations to private platforms like WhatsApp to avoid detection. Romance scam losses increased 70% between 2020 and 2022, with median individual losses of $4,400, prompting support from advocacy groups like AARP, though tech companies have raise
agrinews-pubs.com
· 2025-12-08
Medicare fraud exceeded $100 billion in fraudulent claims during one calendar year, with additional losses from identity theft and stolen financial information. Scammers employ multiple tactics to obtain Medicare card numbers and personal information, including impersonating Medicare employees, falsely claiming cards have expired (they don't), offering cheaper coverage, threatening benefit cancellation, and promising refunds or free services. Seniors should never share their Medicare card number or personal information via phone, email, or text, and should report suspected scams immediately to 1-800-MEDICARE.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old retired care worker lost £22,000 to a romance scammer who posed as a widower named "Daniel Peeters" on Match.com over a four-month period from June to November. The fraudster used stolen photographs and fabricated increasingly elaborate stories—including a frozen bank account, a hospital accident, and marriage proposals—to manipulate the victim into making repeated wire transfers. Fortunately, solicitors from the National Fraud Helpline recovered all of the victim's lost funds through a fraud reclaim scheme.
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghana's Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) has raised concerns about rising romance scams in the country, with 107 active cases under investigation since 2021. EOCO recovered approximately 2 million Ghana cedis in 2024 and is partnering with the UK's National Crime Agency and international law enforcement agencies to combat the fraud through improved intelligence sharing and whistleblowing strategies.
wgnsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting seniors on dating apps have escalated significantly, prompting Senator Marsha Blackburn to introduce the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating platforms to notify users about fraudulent accounts they've interacted with. Seniors lost $1.3 billion nationally to romance scams in 2022, with Tennessee residents over 60 alone losing $43 million in 2023—an 18% increase year-over-year—as scammers exploit recently widowed or divorced individuals seeking meaningful connections.
thinkstewartville.com
· 2025-12-08
A man in Shanghai lost over $26,000 in an AI-powered romance scam where he believed he was in a genuine relationship with a woman who was actually a sophisticated artificial intelligence program. The scammers used AI-generated photos and videos, fabricated medical reports and identity documents, and created false scenarios requiring financial assistance to manipulate the victim into transferring approximately 200,000 yuan. The case illustrates the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud and highlights the emotional and financial devastation these scams inflict on victims seeking genuine human connection.
wcyb.com
· 2025-12-08
Tennessee seniors lost $43 million to scams in 2023, with an 18% increase from the previous year, largely driven by romance scams on dating apps where perpetrators build trust before requesting money or financial access. U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users if they've communicated with someone banned for fraudulent activity and include warnings about potential scam attempts. The bill would be enforceable by the FTC and state attorneys general, addressing a nationwide problem in which romance scams alone cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending threatening text messages to Atlanta-area residents impersonating Peach Pass (a toll collection system), demanding payment for unpaid tolls and claiming penalties or legal action will follow. The fake texts include links to fraudulent websites that closely mimic the legitimate Peach Pass site, complete with stolen logos and images, though Peach Pass confirmed it never requests personal or banking information via text. Officials urge recipients not to click links and report that the FTC and FBI are investigating the scheme.
9news.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Denver Field Office warns of a rising cybercrime trend where criminals use free online file converter websites to install malware that steals personal information like Social Security numbers, banking details, and passwords; victims are advised to use built-in tools like "Print to PDF" instead. Colorado authorities also report ongoing "smishing" scams impersonating toll and parking agencies via text message, with Coloradans filing 44,945 fraud reports in 2024 totaling $210.7 million in losses, and experts emphasize that fraud targets people of all backgrounds and education levels.
gothamist.com
· 2025-12-08
New York reported a 44% increase in internet fraud complaints in 2024, with over 3,700 cases, driven by rising account takeover schemes and AI-enabled phishing techniques including synthesized voice calls. Cybersecurity experts attribute the surge to attackers exploiting human vulnerabilities, and recommend consumers use strong multi-factor authentication, separate passwords, and account change notifications to protect themselves.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams targeting older Americans are on the rise, with the FTC reporting nearly 70,000 victims in 2022, with people over 70 suffering median losses of $9,475. Bipartisan lawmakers introduced the Romance Scam Prevention Act, which would require dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity, enforced by the FTC and state attorneys general. The legislation was prompted by cases like that of 43-year-old Aurora Phelps, who met older men on dating sites, drugged them, and stole from their accounts, resulting in at least two deaths and 21 criminal charges against her.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
Imposter scams cost consumers $2.7 billion in 2023, with scammers typically posing as government agencies or trusted companies to demand payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. The FBI is warning of an unusual variant where scammers are mailing letters to business executives claiming to be the Russian ransomware gang BianLian, demanding $250,000-$500,000 in Bitcoin while threatening to release stolen data, though cybersecurity experts confirm no actual data breaches have occurred and the letters lack hallmarks of legitimate ransomware communications.
ksby.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting consumers with fraudulent bridge toll text messages that impersonate legitimate toll agencies and pressure recipients to click links and pay immediately to avoid fines. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns that imposter scams—where fraudsters impersonate family members, relatives, or trusted organizations like PayPal, Amazon, and the USPS—are prevalent in 2024, and experts recommend verifying sources directly, avoiding urgent payment requests, and reporting suspicious messages to the FTC rather than clicking embedded links.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are targeting Apple customers with phishing text messages that falsely claim suspicious purchases or unauthorized account activity, urging recipients to call a fraudulent support number or risk being charged. When victims call the fake support line, scammers impersonate Apple representatives to steal personal information or gain remote access to devices to install spyware and access bank accounts. Users should avoid clicking links or calling numbers in unsolicited messages and instead verify account security directly through official Apple channels or their bank.
abc11.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending fraudulent text messages impersonating toll collection services (E-ZPass, EZDriveMA, FasTrak, and North Carolina Toll Services) to drivers, claiming unpaid tolls and threatening license suspension or increased fines to create urgency. If victims click the links or provide payment information, scammers can install malware on their devices or steal credit card data for fraudulent charges. The FBI and FTC have issued alerts about this scam; victims should verify toll violations directly through official agency websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited texts.
san.com
· 2025-12-08
The FCC issued a consumer alert warning about AI-powered voice cloning scams that impersonate loved ones, often using social media videos to create convincing deepfakes requesting urgent money transfers. These scams exploit fear and pressure tactics—such as fake arrest scenarios and "don't tell anyone" instructions—to bypass victim skepticism, with elder fraud complaints rising 14% in 2023 and 25 Canadian nationals recently charged with using similar schemes across 45 states.
thewesterlysun.com
· 2025-12-08
Senator Victoria Gu, the Rhode Island AARP, and Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha are hosting two community town halls on March 17 in Westerly to educate residents on protecting themselves and their loved ones from scams. The sessions will be held at the Westerly Senior Center (10:30 a.m.–noon) and Westerly Library (6–7:30 p.m.).
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are exploiting Docusign's legitimate email delivery system to send convincing phishing emails impersonating PayPal, bypassing standard email security filters by using fake Gmail addresses and fraudulent Docusign templates to steal login credentials. The attack can be detected by red flags such as PayPal using a Gmail address, documents not requiring signatures, and mismatched recipient addresses; victims can verify authenticity by visiting Docusign.com directly and using the document security code provided in the email. PayPal and security experts recommend users verify all communications directly through official websites rather than clicking email links, and API security monitoring should be improved to prevent such exploits.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman in her 70s in Clark County, Washington was defrauded of over $500,000 in a sophisticated gold scam in which perpetrators impersonated Federal Office of Inspector General officials and convinced her that her social security number was compromised. The scammers pressured her to withdraw funds and purchase gold coins, which they claimed an "undercover agent" would safeguard and return, but the money was never returned. The Clark County Sheriff's Office is investigating this case alongside a similar incident in Portland, Oregon, and authorities believe the crimes may be linked.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A woman in her 70s in Clark County, Washington lost over $500,000 in a gold coin scam after scammers impersonating law enforcement and federal agents convinced her that her social security number was compromised and her money needed to be safeguarded. The scheme operated over several months, ultimately tricking the victim into withdrawing funds and purchasing gold coins that were promised to be returned by an "undercover agent" but never were. Authorities are investigating whether this case is linked to a nearly identical scam in Portland, Oregon involving gold bars, as the pattern of official impersonation and asset protection claims appears consistent across both incidents.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Portland man lost $170,000 in a sophisticated gold bar scam in which he was manipulated into purchasing fake precious metals after receiving a call claiming his social security number had been compromised. The scheme mirrors a similar Clark County case where a victim lost $500,000, and law enforcement reports this type of fraud targeting retirees is on the rise, typically employing high-pressure tactics and false promises of returns. Authorities urge potential investors to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before precious metals purchases, and encourage victims to report suspected scams to local law enforcement or consumer protection agencies.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud and falls outside the scope of Elderus, which focuses on scams and abuse affecting seniors. The piece discusses bot activity on the X platform in general, with some mention of cryptocurrency scams, but does not address elder-specific fraud, elder abuse, or target elderly populations. It would not be appropriate to summarize for this database.
irishmirror.ie
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old retired care worker lost €25,000 to a romance scammer who posed as "Daniel Peeters," a widowed businessman, after they met on Match.com in May. Over four months, the fraudster used romantic gestures, fabricated emergencies (frozen bank accounts, business deals, a taxi accident), and fake documents to manipulate her into sending multiple wire transfers. Fortunately, solicitors from the National Fraud Helpline recovered all of her lost funds through a fraud reclaim scheme.
10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau's 2024 scam tracker report found that crypto-investment scams remain the riskiest fraud type, with a median loss of $5,000, and that romance scams leading to crypto investments are increasingly common in Central Ohio. John Guthman lost $42,000 after meeting a woman on Facebook who convinced him to invest in her fake cryptocurrency business over three weeks, resulting in identity theft and ongoing fraudulent charges. The BBB reports that while overall susceptibility to scams decreased from 2023 to 2024, median dollar losses increased 30%, with people 65 and older experiencing the highest median losses at $160, and over
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
This curated cybercrime news roundup covers multiple fraud incidents globally. Domestic cases include Indian police recovering Rs 1.05 lakh from 10 cyber fraud victims, an engineer losing Rs 1.76 crore to fake investment schemes via WhatsApp, a teacher losing Rs 2.1 lakh in stock market fraud, and a senior citizen defrauded of Rs 47 lakh in online trading schemes. International incidents include the FCC warning seniors about AI-powered "grandparent scams" that cloned voices, Bybit cryptocurrency exchange losing $1.5 billion to hackers exploiting insecure freeware, and law enforcement shutting
sooleader.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert during National Consumer Protection Week about "pig butchering" scams, which combine romance fraud with cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting seniors. The scam operates by criminals building trust with victims through fake online profiles on dating sites and social media, then gradually persuading them to invest in bogus cryptocurrency opportunities through fraudulent websites. Consumers are advised to avoid sending money to online contacts, refrain from sharing financial information with strangers, be skeptical of promises of quick returns, and contact AARP's ElderWatch program at 800-222-4444 for peer counseling if they suspect fraud.