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igberetvnews.com
Darlington Akporugo, 46, and Jasmin Sood, 35, were arrested on charges of operating an online romance scam that defrauded at least 13 elderly Americans of approximately $3.1 million between 2015 and 2022. The couple, who were engaged to be married in Houston, targeted widowed victims on social media and dating platforms, building trust before convincing them to transfer money to accounts they controlled. Both face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, with Akporugo facing additional charges including aggravated identity theft.
securelist.com
Online marketplace scammers increasingly operate under a "Fraud-as-a-Service" model, targeting message board users through two main schemes: impersonating sellers to deceive buyers, or impersonating buyers to trick sellers into entering payment card details on phishing sites. Scammers strategically target sellers with promoted ads and mobile payment preferences, using convincing conversations to build trust before sending fake payment links that harvest financial information and drain bank accounts.
punchng.com
Darlington Akporugo, 46, and Jasmin Sood, 35, were arrested on charges of operating an online romance scam that defrauded at least 13 elderly Americans of approximately $3.1 million between 2015 and 2022. The couple, who resided in Fulshear, Texas, targeted widowed victims on social media and dating platforms, building trust before coercing them to transfer money to accounts they controlled. Both face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, with Akporugo facing additional charges including aggravated identity theft and fraud related to access devices.
wsbtv.com
Malachi Mullings of Sandy Springs was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for laundering over $4.5 million obtained through romance fraud and business email compromise schemes between 2019 and 2021. Mullings opened 20 fraudulent bank accounts to hide proceeds from scams targeting elderly victims and private companies, using stolen funds to purchase luxury items including a Ferrari bought with $260,000 stolen from an elderly romance fraud victim. He was ordered to pay restitution to victims and serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
ifamagazine.com
In 2023, £1.17 billion was stolen through fraud in the UK (£3.2 million daily), with a notable 50% increase in "authorised payment" scams where victims are tricked into sending money themselves. Romance scams reached record highs at £36.5 million stolen (up 17% year-on-year), with victims typically making an average of 10 payments to the same scammer, while bank reimbursement rates improved to 64p per pound lost. The figures likely underestimate total fraud as many victims, particularly in romance scams, fail to report due to embarrassment and emotional manipulation.
marketrealist.com
Malachi Mullings, 31, from Sandy Springs, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for laundering over $4.5 million stolen through business email compromise (BEC) scams, romance fraud, and healthcare benefits fraud. Mullings opened approximately 20 shell company bank accounts between 2019 and 2021 to launder the proceeds, which he spent on luxury items including a Ferrari purchased with $260,000 fraudulently obtained from an elderly romance scam victim. His criminal network targeted businesses, healthcare programs, and vulnerable elderly individuals across the United States.
ca.style.yahoo.com
Winnipeg and Manitoba experienced a 160% increase in cybercrime reports from 2015 to 2016 (rising from 123 to 321 cases in Winnipeg), significantly exceeding the national average of 34%, though police acknowledge many incidents go unreported due to victim embarrassment. Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and targeting diverse populations—from job seekers and romance scam victims to businesses through "spear phishing" schemes, such as the fraudulent email that cost an Edmonton university $11.8 million. Police advise verifying unusual requests for money or transfers with trusted colleagues and exercising caution when dealing with unknown parties online.
denverpost.com
A scam called "financial sextortion" has become the fastest-growing cybercrime, targeting young men and teenage boys through fake romantic profiles on social media that collect explicit images and demand ransom payments (typically $300-$3,500) via cryptocurrency or gift cards. Between October 2021 and March 2023, the FBI received 13,000 reports of financial sextortion, with the vast majority involving minors, and at least 20 teenagers have died by suicide after being victimized, including 15-year-old Riley Basford in 2021. Scammers, often operating from Nigeria and other countries, use explicit images as leverage to extort
mlive.com
Two members of an international fraud conspiracy targeting senior citizens were sentenced to federal prison: Jmyla Elaine Sha'Taria White received eight years, one month and was ordered to pay $3.2 million in restitution, while McKhaela Katelynn McNamara received four years, three months and $693,073 in restitution. The scheme used fake tech support warnings and fake federal agents to deceive elderly victims into sending money, with one West Michigan resident losing $398,000 and total losses reaching millions of dollars. Victims can report suspected elder fraud at ic3.gov or contact the FBI at 313-965-2323.
clintonherald.com
**Jury Duty/Court Warrant Scam**
Scammers impersonating Clinton County deputies are calling victims claiming they missed a court appearance and have an arrest warrant, demanding immediate payment of $3,000-$6,000 in Bitcoin through nearby kiosks to post bond. This is the top fraud-related call currently reported to law enforcement in Clinton County, with multiple victims caught in recent weeks; scammers spoof Iowa phone numbers, keep victims on the line, and falsely promise refunds if the victim claims they never received a subpoena.
asaaseradio.com
Emmanuel Quamey, a Ghanaian national, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for receiving and laundering approximately $3.8 million stolen from over a dozen vulnerable and elderly U.S. victims through romance scams between September 2019 and March 2023. Quamey personally controlled bank accounts that received $3.3 million in fraud proceeds, which he and co-conspirators then transferred overseas to Ghana. He was ordered to pay $3.3 million in forfeiture and approximately $3.8 million in restitution to victims.
arabnews.pk
The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) launched a new "Account Finder" service to help retail banking customers verify account ownership and reduce risks of unauthorized access, impersonation, and suspicious transactions. The initiative is part of SAMA's broader efforts to combat financial fraud in Saudi Arabia, where a joint study with Interpol identified five major types of fraud affecting Arab countries—including investment scams, business email compromise, romance scams, and sextortion—with fraudulent sites receiving over 137,000 daily visits from potential victims.
9to5mac.com
In 2023, US residents over 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with 87% of losses linked to personal information theft obtained from data brokers. Fraudsters use sophisticated tools and stolen personal data harvested from people-search websites and data brokers to target older Americans with scam calls that lead to financial fraud and identity theft. Removing personal information from data broker databases reduces vulnerability to these targeted scams.
bhamnow.com
A Birmingham FBI agent specializing in financial crimes identified six common scams targeting seniors in Alabama—including lottery/sweepstakes, tech support, romance, grandparent, home improvement, and government impersonation scams—noting that elder fraud is rising in the state and that scammers create artificial urgency to pressure victims into quick decisions. The article advises seniors and their families to secure social media accounts, seek second opinions before acting on urgent requests, and contact law enforcement if targeted, while noting that many victims don't report scams due to shame, embarrassment, or fear of retaliation.
goldrushcam.com
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested in San Diego for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors using a layered scam involving fake tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation. A 63-year-old Poway victim was tricked into withdrawing $28,000 after being told his computer had viruses and his bank account had unauthorized transfers; investigators found evidence Liu had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and $1 million fine.
refinery29.com
This article presents four real scam experiences and lessons learned. The cases include: fake concert ticket fraud ($amount unspecified, victim recovered funds), a camera sale scam ($3,000 loss via fake verification email), a money-flipping scheme involving a former roommate ($350 dispute), and a fake tattoo deposit scam ($200 loss). Common tactics across these incidents include creating artificial urgency, using trusted platforms and social media, impersonation, and exploiting personal relationships—with victims learning to verify legitimacy, act quickly on disputes, and question unusual requests even from seemingly credible sources.
applevalleynewsnow.com
Seniors in the Yakima Valley are increasingly targeted by scammers, with those over 60 reporting over $3.4 billion in losses to the FBI's IC3 in 2023, an 11% increase from the prior year. Common scams include romance schemes (such as a 75-year-old woman who lost $25,000-$30,000 in gift cards to an imposter), grandparent scams, and fake investment schemes promising quick returns in cryptocurrency. Scammers exploit seniors' vulnerabilities including loneliness, cognitive decline, and free time online, with artificial intelligence expected to make future scams more sophisticated and believable.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Southeast Asian cybercrime operations have replaced traditional Indian fraud hotspots, with organized gangs in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos operating "corporate-style" compounds that defrauded Indian victims of Rs 1,775 crore between January-April 2024 through investment scams (Rs 1,420 crore), trading scams (Rs 222 crore), digital arrest scams (Rs 120 crore), and romance scams (Rs 13 crore). Indian nationals are recruited through illegal agents with false job promises, then coerced into perpetrating fraud against fellow citizens via social media and messaging apps, with authorities intervening to save
justice.gov
Jiaci Liu, 34, was arrested and charged in federal court for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors, including a 63-year-old Poway man who lost $28,000 in a layered tech support, bank impersonation, and government impersonation scam. Evidence from Liu's seized cellphone revealed he had collected over $348,000 from multiple victims across Southern California and Phoenix, Arizona in just one week in June 2023. Liu faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud with a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
ca.sports.yahoo.com
Antony Linton Stewart, a 39-year-old Jamaican national, pleaded guilty to conspiring to defraud elderly U.S. victims through a fake lottery scheme in which he falsely told victims they had won and needed to pay taxes on their "winnings." Victims wired hundreds of thousands of dollars to intermediaries in the United States and Jamaica, who forwarded the money to Stewart. Stewart faces up to 20 years in prison for the conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.
pressherald.com
Senators Collins and Sinema introduced a bipartisan resolution designating May 15 as "National Senior Fraud Awareness Day," which passed unanimously, highlighting that seniors lost over $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023—an 11% increase from 2022. A new phone scam targeting Maine residents involves fraudsters impersonating U.S. Marshals through spoofed phone numbers, demanding immediate payment of fines or promising money transfers, using publicly available personal information to appear credible. Federal officials advise seniors never to provide financial information to unknown callers and to report suspected scams to the FBI and FTC.
columbiacommunityconnection.com
From 2022 to 2023, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network reported approximately $27 billion in suspicious activity related to elder financial exploitation, with 80% of all suspicious activity reported by banks involving elder scams. Elder financial exploitation—the unauthorized or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or assets—can be perpetrated by strangers, family members, friends, neighbors, or caregivers using tactics such as government impersonation, fake prizes, tech support scams, and the grandparent scam. The article emphasizes preventive measures including protecting sensitive documents, reviewing credit reports, verifying credentials, and trusting instincts when suspicious activity occurs.
m.independent.ie
Fraudsters are impersonating Neil Whoriskey, a senior official at Ireland's Central Bank, in an email phishing scam requesting money under the pretense of releasing an inheritance, using spoofed email addresses resembling the bank's official domain. This marks the second impersonation of a Central Bank staff member in recent months, following a similar scam in March using the name of the bank's chief information officer. The Central Bank warned the public via social media that the scam is in circulation, though it did not disclose the number of victims or confirm whether authorities have been notified.
justice.gov
Malachi Mullings was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for laundering over $4.5 million obtained through romance fraud scams and business email compromise schemes that targeted elderly victims and companies from 2019 to July 2021. Operating under the fake company name "The Mullings Group LLC," Mullings opened 20 bank accounts to conceal fraud proceeds, including $310,000 diverted from a state Medicaid program and $260,000 obtained from an elderly romance scam victim, which he used to purchase luxury items including a Ferrari. The case was prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice's Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force and involved investigation by
forkast.news
Major technology companies including Coinbase, Meta, Match Group, and others formed "Tech Against Scams," a coalition addressing the rising threat of romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Scammers use fake identities on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before pressuring them into cryptocurrency investments and stealing their funds. The Department of Justice recently exposed a romance scam involving at least $73 million in stolen funds converted to cryptocurrency, prompting the coalition to share threat intelligence, best practices, and consumer education across digital platforms.
therecord.media
Malachi Mullings, a 31-year-old Georgia man, received a 10-year prison sentence for stealing over $3.8 million from a state Medicaid program through business email compromise (BEC) scams, where he impersonated trusted business associates to redirect payments to accounts he controlled, and an additional $260,000 from romance scams. This conviction is part of a broader federal crackdown on BEC schemes, with multiple recent prosecutions securing convictions for laundering millions in stolen funds, as BEC fraud caused nearly $3 billion in reported losses in 2023 alone.
indiatoday.in
Meta has partnered with major cryptocurrency firms (Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple, Gemini) and dating apps like Match Group to launch "Tech Against Scams," a coalition aimed at combating the rising tide of online fraud including romance scams and pig butchering schemes. The initiative will work by sharing threat intelligence and best practices among tech companies to identify and disrupt scam networks, while simultaneously educating users about the risks of online interactions and financial transactions. Romance scams involve fraudsters creating fake identities to establish emotional connections and extract money, while pig butchering scams build trust over time before luring victims into fake investment opportunities.
yahoo.com
Major tech companies including Meta, Match Group, Coinbase, Kraken, Ripple, and Gemini launched the coalition "Tech Against Scams" to combat online fraud across dating apps, social media, and cryptocurrency platforms. Romance scams, social media fraud ($770 million in losses in 2021), investment scams ($3.8 billion in losses in 2022), and "pig butchering" crypto scams have cost consumers billions, prompting these companies to share data and collaborate on detection methods and consumer education to disrupt scammers' activities across multiple platforms.
coindesk.com
Major cryptocurrency exchanges Coinbase and Kraken, along with Meta, Match Group, Ripple, and Gemini, formed the "Tech Against Scams" coalition to combat online fraud schemes, particularly "pig butchering" scams where fraudsters use dating apps and social media to build trust before pitching fake cryptocurrency investment opportunities. U.S. losses from crypto investment scams reached $3.94 billion in 2023, up from $2.57 billion in 2022, prompting the coalition to share threat intelligence and best practices to protect users.
theregister.com
Georgia resident Malachi Mullings received a 10-year prison sentence for laundering $4.5 million in proceeds from business email compromise (BEC) attacks targeting healthcare providers and romance scams targeting individuals, including numerous elderly victims, between 2019 and July 2021. Mullings used multiple bank accounts under his company name to conceal the fraud, purchasing luxury items including a Ferrari with stolen funds; one romance scam victim alone lost $260,000. He pleaded guilty to eight charges including money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering as part of a larger scheme involving nine other suspects across Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia that defrauded state Medicaid programs
finance.yahoo.com
Major technology companies including Coinbase, Match Group, Meta, Ripple, and Gemini formed "Tech Against Scams," a coalition addressing the surge in romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud. Scammers use fake identities on dating apps and social media to build trust with victims before pressuring them into cryptocurrency investments and stealing their funds, with the Department of Justice recently uncovering a single romance scam involving over $73 million in laundered assets. The coalition will share threat intelligence, best practices, and consumer education to combat these increasingly prevalent scams across digital platforms.
cbs12.com
A Miami mother and daughter were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a $500,000 elder fraud scheme in which they stole personal information from elderly clients and used it to fraudulently purchase vehicles and obtain loans. Aisladys Diaz, a home health aide, obtained the identifiable information from two elderly residents under her care and shared it with her daughter Ailensy Buron Diaz and three accomplices, who then used the stolen information to buy over $500,000 in vehicles and apply for credit cards and pandemic relief loans. Aisladys Diaz received a sentence of four years and four months while her daughter received four years in prison, with both subject to three
thecyberexpress.com
Malachi Mullings, 31, from Georgia, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering and conspiracy related to a fraud network that defrauded over $4.5 million from victims through business email compromise attacks, romance scams, and healthcare benefits fraud, including $310,000 diverted from a state Medicaid program and $260,000 from romance scam victims. Mullings was part of a 10-person conspiracy that caused more than $11.1 million in total losses by targeting Medicare, Medicaid programs, private health insurers, and vulnerable individuals. FBI data shows elder fraud complaints increased 14% in 2023
itechpost.com
**Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors have become a billion-dollar problem, with victims over 60 losing $3.4 billion in 2023—including $1.6 billion specifically through cryptocurrency transactions like Bitcoin and Ethereum.** Common fraud schemes include investment scams and romance/tech support impersonation scams that exploit seniors' unfamiliarity with digital assets and manipulate them into sending money via crypto platforms. Companies like Lionsgate Network are working to combat the issue through blockchain forensics and asset recovery, while emphasizing that public awareness and education in senior communities are critical to prevention.
nbcnewyork.com
Former Miss New York Briana Siaca lost $2,000 in seconds after handing her phone to scammers posing as teenagers collecting money for a Bronx basketball team, who used the access to make an unauthorized Zelle transfer. The NYPD's Financial Crimes Task Force reports that at least 87 victims, mostly women, fell for this same scam in 2024, with thieves stealing $35,000 from 15 victims in less than a month by targeting vulnerable individuals in parks near subway lines; notably, Zelle fraud victims have received no reimbursements despite the payment platform's policy allowing reversals in certain imposter scams.
vanhollen.senate.gov
U.S. Senators Van Hollen and Warnock introduced bipartisan legislation, the Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act, to combat financial fraud targeting seniors, who lose approximately $28 billion annually to financial exploitation. The bill would establish a $10 million annual grant program administered by the SEC to fund state regulators' investigation, prosecution, technology, training, and public awareness efforts against senior financial fraud. The legislation is supported by numerous financial industry and consumer protection organizations.
gulflive.com
Florida's seniors lost nearly $300 million to scams in 2023, with the state ranking second nationally for elder fraud complaints. Major schemes included investment fraud ($90 million), tech support scams ($51 million), and romance scams ($40 million), often resulting in devastating consequences such as foreclosed homes and emptied retirement accounts. Nationally, people over 60 lost approximately $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, representing an 11% increase from the previous year.
patch.com
State Representative Jeff Keicher partnered with the Town of Cortland and the Illinois Attorney General's Office to host a free Senior Fraud Protection Event on May 29 at the Cortland Lions Club. Experts from the Attorney General's Office presented information on recognizing scams, stopping targeted fraud, and obtaining assistance for victims of scams or identity theft. The event was designed to educate seniors and their caregivers about protecting themselves from the growing threat of fraud and identity theft in the digital age.
14news.com
The Evansville Police Department warns of a rising trend in rental property scams where fraudsters impersonate property representatives on social media, collect deposits or rent payments from victims, and have no actual authority over the properties. Victims have lost nearly $2,000 each, with minimal chances of recovery, and scammers often use tactics like unusually low prices, pressure for quick wire transfers, and avoidance of in-person meetings. The police advise potential renters to watch for red flags, report suspicious listings to website administrators and the Federal Trade Commission, and contact the Financial Crimes Unit if victimized.
justice.gov
A mother-daughter duo and three co-conspirators were sentenced to federal prison for stealing personal information from two elderly residents in Miami-Dade County and using it to fraudulently purchase over $500,000 in vehicles and obtain credit cards and pandemic relief loans (EIDL and SBA) between May-June 2020. Aisladys Diaz, a home health aide, stole the identities and shared them with her daughter Ailensy Buron Diaz and three others who executed the fraud scheme; sentences ranged from 30 to 52 months in prison with restitution hearings pending.
noozhawk.com
Brett Edward Lovett, a 53-year-old Camarillo man, was convicted in March 2018 of 29 felony counts including investment fraud, elder theft, grand theft, and money laundering for defrauding at least five victims of over $500,000 between 2010 and 2016. Lovett befriended vulnerable individuals, including elderly members of a Carpinteria church, and persuaded them to invest their money with false promises of high returns, leaving some victims homeless and destitute. He faced sentencing in June 2018 with prosecutors requesting over 28 years in prison, following a 15-month investigation by the California Department
aba.com
I cannot summarize this content as it does not contain an article about scams, fraud, or elder abuse. The text appears to be a navigation menu or table of contents from a banking industry website (American Bankers Association), listing various topics, training programs, conferences, and committees related to banking and financial services.
To provide a summary for the Elderus database, please provide an actual article or transcript about a specific scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case.
itechpost.com
**Cryptocurrency scams targeting seniors have become a billion-dollar crisis, with victims over 60 losing $3.4 billion in 2023—including $1.6 billion specifically through cryptocurrency transactions—according to FBI data.** Common schemes include investment fraud, romance scams, and tech support impersonation, where scammers exploit older adults' unfamiliarity with digital assets to pressure them into sending money via crypto platforms. Companies like Lionsgate Network are developing blockchain forensics technology to trace and freeze stolen crypto assets and recover funds through legal channels.
prnewswire.com
Major technology companies including Meta, Coinbase, Match Group, Ripple, Kraken, and Gemini announced the formation of "Tech Against Scams," a coalition aimed at collaborating to prevent and disrupt online fraud schemes such as romance scams, crypto scams, and "pig butchering" scams. The coalition will share threat intelligence, best practices, and consumer education strategies to identify and combat evolving financial scams that target users across multiple platforms. This cross-industry effort addresses the challenge that scammers operate across multiple services, requiring coordinated action that no single company can achieve alone.
techcrunch.com
On Tuesday, major tech companies including Match Group, Meta, and Coinbase launched "Tech Against Scams," a coalition aimed at combating online fraud across dating apps, social media, and cryptocurrency platforms. Romance scams cost users more than any other fraud type as of 2019, while social media scams caused $770 million in losses in 2021 and investment scams exceeded $3.8 billion in losses in 2022; the coalition plans to improve fraud detection, user education, and data-sharing between platforms to address these issues.
ca.sports.yahoo.com
Two Los Angeles retirees, both in their late 70s/early 80s, lost approximately $79,500 and $75,000 respectively to tech support and cryptocurrency scams in early 2024. Neal was duped into allowing remote computer access after a fake software subscription email, while Mrs. K. was tricked by a pop-up virus alert into withdrawing cash and depositing it into bitcoin machines at multiple locations. The article notes that elder fraud is widespread and sophisticated, with the FBI reporting that victims over 60 lost $3.1 billion in 2022, and recommends disconnecting from the internet when encountering suspicious pop-ups and being cautious of uns
sandhillsexpress.com
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Nebraska identified an impersonation scam using U.S. Attorney Susan Lehr's name, image, and title in fraudulent emails requesting payment from victims; several concerned citizens reported receiving the emails, but no financial losses occurred. The office advises recipients to avoid opening attachments or sharing personal information, and to report such emails to the FBI Tip Line and FTC Fraud Line, noting that the U.S. Attorney's Office only collects money for court-ordered restitution in criminal cases.
icij.org
The U.S. Treasury Department released a national illicit finance strategy outlining plans to operationalize its new beneficial ownership database for law enforcement, modernize anti-money laundering policies, and address emerging threats including cryptocurrency "pig butchering scams," ransomware, and real estate money laundering. The strategy identifies regulatory gaps in the financial system and highlights recent enforcement actions, including efforts to seize properties purchased with illicit funds, such as apartments linked to foreign officials and corrupt actors. Treasury aims to improve collaboration between domestic and international partners while developing new secure financial platforms and providing training for regulators to combat evolving financial crimes.
winonapost.com
**Article:** U.S. Department of Justice - Elder Fraud Overview
Millions of elderly Americans lose over $3 billion annually to financial fraud schemes including romance, tech support, grandparent, government impersonation, sweepstakes, home repair, and caregiver scams. Seniors are frequently targeted because they tend to be trusting, have savings and good credit, and are often reluctant to report fraud due to shame or concerns about losing independence. The DOJ recommends protection strategies including recognizing scam attempts, verifying contact information online, resisting pressure to act quickly, avoiding unsolicited offers, never sharing personal information with unverified sources, maintaining updated security
bibbvoice.com
This educational article outlines six major types of financial fraud—check fraud, romance scams, job scams, utility bill scams, investment scams, and QR code scams—that target vulnerable individuals through increasingly sophisticated methods. First US Bank recommends protective measures including account monitoring, positive pay enrollment, social media caution, caller verification, and consulting with financial professionals to combat these threats. The bank emphasizes that victims should never send money to strangers online, verify job offers and investment opportunities, and always use official channels for payments.