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fox13news.com
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran was defrauded of $1.5 million in a multi-state gold bar scheme in which scammers impersonated federal agents, gained his trust over weeks, and manipulated his military patriotism to convince him to transfer his retirement funds. Swetaben Patel, 42, was arrested as an alleged "mule" in the operation, which involved multiple perpetrators across several states and coordinated drop-off locations. The Bradenton Police Department reports that elder fraud cases in their jurisdiction have increased 50% this year, with the FBI noting that Americans 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to
buckscountycouriertimes.com
Crystal Bianca Brito, a 29-year-old health aide at Lutheran Community of Telford personal care home, was charged with 127 felony and misdemeanor charges for stealing debit and credit cards from at least three elderly residents and making over $5,800 in unauthorized purchases between November and January. The victims, aged 79 to 90, had their cards used for in-person and online transactions primarily in the Allentown and Macungie areas, with surveillance footage and testimony from staff confirming Brito's involvement. Brito was arrested in January and is currently free on $50,000 unsecured bail pending a preliminary hearing.
mlive.com
Kari Melissa Morales, a 51-year-old Michigan woman, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for her role in an IRS/FBI impersonation scam targeting at least one victim. Morales and co-conspirators attempted to extort $60,000 by presenting fake FBI arrest warrants and IRS receipts, with Morales carrying a loaded firearm and fraudulent badge during the money exchange; the scheme was discovered when a text meant for the victim was accidentally sent to a Kent County officer. If convicted, Morales faces up to 20 years in prison.
tradingview.com
A cryptocurrency investor lost $71 million in Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) in a May 3 wallet poisoning scam, where an attacker created a near-identical wallet address and the victim mistakenly transferred funds after only checking the first and last characters. The thief unexpectedly returned all $71 million worth of Ether on May 12, possibly after being identified by on-chain security firms investigating the attack and potentially facing legal consequences based on IP analysis linking them to Hong Kong.
ilmattino.it
A woman from Summonte, Italy, posted used furniture for sale online but was defrauded by a fake buyer who posed as an interested purchaser and convinced her to transfer €550 to a prepaid card. The Carabinieri identified and charged a 55-year-old man from Macerata province with fraud following the victim's report. The police issued a warning about this emerging scam targeting online sellers who are deceived into sending money by individuals posing as buyers.
justice.gov
Seven California residents were federally indicted for operating a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting elderly victims nationwide through tech support scams, romance fraud, and imposter schemes, using fraudulent Taiwanese passports and fake immigration documents to open bank accounts that funneled over $7 million in victim cash through money mules. Three additional conspirators—Bowen Chen, Jiacheng Chen, and Vianne Chen—were added to the indictment on May 8, joining four others previously charged, with the largest deposits ($1.3 million, $615,000, and $440,000 respectively) traced to specific defendants. The case was part of a federal Money Mule Initiative that prosecut
justice.gov
Dongyi Guo, a 27-year-old Chinese national, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role as a cash courier in a scheme targeting elderly victims. Guo collected $95,000 in total from a 79-year-old Missouri woman over four days in March after scammers impersonated financial institutions and Social Security representatives, falsely claiming her accounts were compromised. He was arrested on March 7 while attempting to collect an additional $15,000, and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
kbtx.com
The FBI reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing $3.4 billion across 101,000 reported cases, averaging $33,000 per victim. In Texas alone, over 7,000 seniors lost $278 million, with investment scams, government impersonation schemes, and romance scams showing the largest growth; investment scams averaged $270,000 per victim in Texas. The FBI advises seniors to avoid trusting unknown contacts, verify caller identities independently, and report fraud to enable broader conspiracy investigations.
highlandcountypress.com
Brenda Cowden, 55, a senior service provider employee in Hamilton County, was indicted on 10 felony charges for allegedly defrauding a 79-year-old isolated victim by befriending her, obtaining a fraudulent Power of Attorney, and stealing $13,600 while gaining control over $1 million of the victim's assets through unauthorized account modifications. The fraud was discovered when credit union investigators froze the accounts, preventing Cowden from inheriting the victim's entire estate upon her death. Cowden faces up to 61 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
phillyburbs.com
Crystal Bianca Brito, 29, a former health aide at Lutheran Community of Telford personal care home, was charged with 127 felony and misdemeanor charges for allegedly stealing debit and credit cards from at least three elderly residents and making over $5,800 in unauthorized purchases between November and January. The victims—ages 79 and 90—had their cards used for in-person and online transactions in the Allentown and Macungie areas where Brito lives, with surveillance footage and matched transactions linking her to the thefts. Brito is currently free on $50,000 unsecured bail and scheduled for a preliminary hearing.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
Stan Lee's former manager, Keya Morgan, was charged with elder abuse against the Marvel Comics co-creator, facing five counts including false imprisonment, fraud, and forgery. Court documents alleged that Morgan isolated Lee by controlling his Hollywood Hills home, hiring security to keep away family and friends, and moving him to an unfamiliar residence following the death of Lee's wife. Lee died in November at age 95, months after a temporary restraining order was issued against Morgan based on abuse allegations.
krcgtv.com
Three California residents—Bowen Chen (21), Jiacheng Chen (19), and Vianne Chen (41)—were charged in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud senior citizens, including a Missouri couple. The scheme involved creating fake student checking accounts using fraudulent immigration documents to launder money stolen through scams, with the three defendants depositing a combined $2.355 million in illicit funds. The investigation was triggered when a 78-year-old Missouri man nearly fell victim to an extortion scam demanding $88,000 under false pretenses; his suspicions prevented the loss, leading to arrests as part of the Department of Justice's Money Mule Initiative.
baytobaynews.com
Delaware lawmakers unanimously advanced House Bill 317 in May, a consumer protection measure requiring retailers to display warnings about gift card scams at point of sale. Delaware reported 6,742 fraud cases in the prior year with a median loss of $700 per person, with older adults particularly vulnerable—those aged 70-79 lost a median of $800 and those over 80 averaged $1,500 per incident, as scammers increasingly pose as government agencies to trick victims into purchasing gift cards as untraceable payment.
mymotherlode.com
Canada experiences significant fraud across multiple schemes, including identity theft, phone scams impersonating government officials, and mortgage fraud, with Canadian authorities estimating over $30 million lost since 2014 from RCMP impersonation and tech support scams combined. A survey found 34 percent of Canadians have experienced at least one type of fraud, with experts recommending protective measures such as creating unique passwords, screening calls, shredding personal documents, and using licensed professionals for financial transactions. Mortgage fraud has risen dramatically in Canada due to vulnerabilities in the borrowing process that rely heavily on borrower-provided information, making it easy for fraudsters to submit false details about income, employment, or
ca.movies.yahoo.com
A study of 644 older adults in the Chicago area found that 16.4% were vulnerable to government imposter scams, falling for a fictitious Social Security and Medicare benefits fraud attempt by providing personal information or Social Security numbers, while an additional 15.1% engaged but remained skeptical. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that vulnerability to fraud affects many seniors regardless of cognitive status, though those with lower financial literacy and scam awareness were most susceptible. The findings underscore that elder fraud poses significant public health and economic threats, with victimization potentially leading to serious consequences including hospitalization and depression.
nypost.com
A 92-year-old South Carolina woman combated relentless scam callers by responding to their pitches with absurd nonsense—including claims she would be "raptured" and requests for senior discounts—which repeatedly frustrated the scammers into hanging up. Her granddaughter documented these interactions in videos, showcasing how humor and distraction can be an effective defense against fraud attempts, though the article notes that elderly people remain particularly vulnerable to scams, with nearly 70,000 people losing $1.3 billion to romance scams alone in 2022.
taipeitimes.com
Taiwan's Cabinet approved several anti-fraud bills that would impose 3-10 year prison sentences and fines up to NT$30 million for convicted scammers, while requiring foreign online platforms to register with the government and remove fraudulent content or face penalties. The legislation was prompted partly by a viral Facebook post from a woman whose 76-year-old father lost a NT$30 million house after being scammed through a stock group chat, though the article notes that fraud is rising globally, with Taiwanese losing over NT$8.8 billion to fraud in 37,823 reported cases in the prior year. The article emphasizes that combating increasingly sophisticated scams requires not only legal reforms
cbsnews.com
Joseph Tyler and his wife Amelia Tyler were sentenced for operating a tree-trimming scam targeting 50 residents across six Colorado counties, primarily elderly victims over age 80. Joseph Tyler received an eight-year prison sentence and was ordered to repay $23,000 after pleading guilty to two felony theft counts, while Amelia Tyler received three years probation; the couple would solicit tree-trimming work, collect payment by cash or check, and abandon the job after completing minimal work between February 2020 and their arrest in October 2022.
huffpost.com
The "grandparent scam" targets seniors by impersonating grandchildren in emergencies, typically claiming they need bail money after an arrest, with the FBI charging 16 defendants in 2024 for a scheme that defrauded hundreds of older Americans across the Northeast out of millions of dollars. Scammers use personal information found online and increasingly employ AI voice cloning to make calls convincing, but experts recommend victims focus on what is being asked rather than voice recognition, verify bail payment procedures, and question requests to keep secrets from family members.
localnewsmatters.org
The FBI's San Francisco office warned of an escalating cyber threat involving criminals using AI technology to create highly convincing phishing emails, voice clones, and video impersonations to deceive individuals and businesses into revealing sensitive information or approving fraudulent transactions. The bureau noted that AI-enhanced attacks are particularly effective because they feature proper grammar, spelling, and personalized content tailored to specific targets. The FBI recommended that individuals remain vigilant against urgent requests for money or credentials, while businesses should implement technical safeguards, employee training, and multi-factor authentication to combat these sophisticated scams.
freepressjournal.in
A 73-year-old engineering consultant from Grant Road was defrauded of Rs 45,000 after receiving an unsolicited message claiming his gas connection would be disconnected for an unpaid bill. The scammer posed as a gas company employee, convinced the victim to download a malicious link under the pretext of updating bill details, and siphoned the funds from his bank account. Police registered a case under cheating and IT Act provisions as scammers expand from electricity bill fraud to gas connection schemes.
irs.gov
Dolapo Lawal of Baltimore pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating a stolen identity tax refund scheme that defrauded elderly victims of over $3 million. Lawal obtained fraudulent tax refunds using victims' identities, loaded them onto debit cards opened in the victims' names, and withdrew the funds in cash for personal use; law enforcement recovered 24 fraudulent debit cards and over $80,000 in cash from his vehicle in April 2022, and found over 300 additional debit cards during a June 2023 search warrant of his home. Lawal faces a maximum of 10 years in
thezebra.org
Senior Services of Alexandria and the Alexandria Bar Association are hosting Senior Law Day 2024 on June 8 in Alexandria, VA, a free educational event featuring panels on protecting against financial scams, housing and end-of-life decisions, and essential legal documents like wills and powers of attorney. The event highlights that financial fraud affecting older adults totals approximately $3 billion annually, with fraud by known individuals averaging $120,000 in losses per incident, and will include presentations from AARP's fraud prevention director, local law enforcement, and elder-care attorneys.
finance.yahoo.com
A Colorado homebuyer lost nearly $100,000 in down payment savings to a wire transfer scam after receiving a realistic-looking email that appeared to be from his bank requesting the transfer to complete his home purchase; the scammers had gained access to his emails and included accurate account information to make the request seem legitimate. The FBI received over 2,000 wire fraud complaints daily in 2023, with Americans losing $311 million total to wire transfer scams according to the FTC. To protect themselves, homebuyers should verify wire transfer requests by calling their bank directly using a number they find themselves, use secure portals through title companies, and never send funds without direct verbal confirmation from the intende
justice.gov
The U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice announced completion of the Money Mule Initiative, a campaign that disrupted transnational fraud networks by taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate scams targeting Americans, particularly elderly victims of lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams. More than 20 individuals were criminally charged, including cases involving $4.5 million laundered from romance scams targeting elderly victims, a grandparent scam operation using couriers to collect cash from seniors, and a tech support fraud scheme that collected approximately $7 million from elderly victims. The initiative combined criminal prosecutions, warning letters to unknowing participants,
shorenewsnetwork.com
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, an annual campaign that resulted in criminal charges against over 20 individuals and warning letters to approximately 2,970 money mules involved in facilitating fraud schemes. The initiative targeted networks that transmit stolen funds from fraud victims to international fraudsters, with cases including two men accused of laundering $4.5 million from romance scams and business email compromises targeting elderly victims, and five defendants who acted as couriers collecting cash from grandparent scam victims. The agencies emphasized the importance of public education to prevent unknowing individuals from becoming money mules, as many are initially victimized by romance or lottery scams before being manipulated into ass
cryptotimes.io
Forensic Risk Alliance (FRA) was selected by the DOJ to oversee cryptocurrency exchange Binance Holdings Ltd. following its guilty plea to money-laundering and trade sanctions violations, with access to Binance's records and employees to ensure compliance with the plea agreement. The DOJ rejected law firm Sullivan & Cromwell for the role, reportedly due to the firm's prior work with collapsed exchange FTX, though Sullivan & Cromwell remains a candidate for a separate five-year Treasury Department monitorship focused on Binance's suspicious transaction reporting.
cryptotimes.io
A cryptocurrency user lost nearly $68 million in an address poisoning scam but recovered over 96% of the stolen funds after negotiating with the attacker, who agreed to return 22,960 ETH (approximately $65.7 million) in exchange for a 10% fee. The victim's security team identified leads about the attacker's identity, which aided in the negotiation. The incident underscores the importance of verifying wallet addresses before sending cryptocurrency and demonstrates that calm communication can sometimes lead to fund recovery in crypto scams.
cryptotimes.io
Authorities in Austria, Cyprus, and Czech Republic dismantled a cryptocurrency fraud ring that defrauded investors of at least €10 million between December 2017 and February 2018 by promoting a fake initial coin offering (ICO) and non-existent cryptocurrency. The scammers accepted Bitcoin and Ethereum payments while falsely claiming to have proprietary software technology, then shut down all operations after accumulating funds. Six Austrian members were arrested, and authorities seized €500,000 in cryptocurrencies, €250,000 in cash, and luxury assets, though the total number of victims remains undetermined as investigations continue.
kitchener.citynews.ca
Two 18-year-olds from the Greater Toronto Area were arrested in Woolwich Township for operating a "grandparent" scam that targeted seniors by impersonating relatives and requesting financial assistance. The arrests followed police recognition of similarities between two fraud cases in the St. Jacobs area, leading officers to locate and apprehend the suspects. Both individuals were charged with two counts of fraud under $5,000 and are scheduled to appear in court in June.
krforadio.com
A law enforcement impersonation scam has victimized at least five residents in the Rochester, Minnesota area, with losses totaling over $25,000. Scammers spoofed local police and sheriff's office phone numbers to convince victims they owed money for missed court dates or legal violations, demanding payment via bitcoin and instructing victims to meet at the Olmsted County Government Center; two out-of-state men have been charged in connection with one case. Rochester Police emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never calls to collect money and no government agency accepts bitcoin as payment.
justice.gov
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate fraud schemes by transmitting stolen funds to international fraudsters. The operation resulted in approximately 2,970 warning letters to individuals (many unknowingly recruited through romance or lottery scams) and criminal charges against more than 20 individuals knowingly facilitating fraud. The initiative specifically targets schemes that harm vulnerable populations, including older Americans victimized by lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams.
kaaltv.com
A 46-year-old Byron woman lost $1,200 in a fake law enforcement scam when a caller impersonating an Olmsted County Sheriff's Office captain claimed she missed a court date and demanded payment via Bitcoin to avoid arrest. Despite two suspects being arrested in connection with in-person collection schemes, Bitcoin-related scams targeting Olmsted County residents continue, and police emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never solicits payment by phone or accepts cryptocurrency.
bobsullivan.net
Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent text messages to drivers claiming unpaid tolls (typically $12-$13) and threatening $50 late fees, directing victims to fake toll authority websites to steal personal and financial information. The FBI received 2,000 complaints from three states by April, expanding to 12 states by May, with Florida authorities issuing a crackdown due to the state's 700 miles of toll roads. Authorities advise recipients to independently verify toll claims through official channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
justice.gov
Satishkumar Rameshchandra Patel, a 39-year-old Indian national living in Chicago, was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and ordered to pay $631,336.40 in restitution. Patel acted as a money courier for an India-based call center operation that defrauded primarily elderly victims (in their late 60s and 70s) through two schemes: impersonating government officials claiming victims were in legal/financial trouble and demanding payment, and perpetrating tech support scams involving fake computer refunds. Nine victims lost between $9,000 and $375,000 individually through Patel
forbes.com
The IRS's 2024 Dirty Dozen list identifies 12 major tax scams targeting taxpayers, including phishing emails/texts, fraudulent charities, impersonator phone calls, social media scams, dishonest tax preparers, and fraudulent tax credits. The scams particularly target non-English speakers and elderly individuals through threats and false claims. Taxpayers are advised to verify information directly through official IRS channels, use reputable tax professionals, and report suspicious activity to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General.
forbes.com
The IRS 2024 Dirty Dozen list identifies twelve prevalent tax scams targeting taxpayers, including phishing/smishing emails, fraudulent charities, impersonator phone calls threatening arrest, social media misinformation, dishonest tax preparers, and schemes targeting non-English speakers and elderly populations. Key protective measures include verifying charity status through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, remembering that the IRS initiates contact by mail rather than phone, consulting only reputable tax professionals, and setting up IRS accounts directly through official websites. Taxpayers are advised to report suspicious activities to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
nbcwashington.com
The Rockville Volunteer Fire Department lost $220,000 in a fraud scheme where a scammer impersonated their ambulance vendor and redirected the down payment to an overseas account. At least two other fire departments were victimized by the same fraudster around the same time; the department recovered $100,000 through their bank and is pursuing fundraising efforts to replace the lost funds, with Montgomery County police and the FBI investigating.
yahoo.com
Federal authorities warned New Hampshire residents about two phone scams in which fraudsters impersonated law enforcement officers, claiming either that the target failed to respond to a jury duty summons and threatening arrest unless a fine was paid, or alleging criminal charges and demanding bail via virtual currency machines. Officials emphasized that legitimate law enforcement would never contact citizens by phone to collect fines, taxes, or bail money, and urged residents to report such calls to the U.S. District Court in Concord.
cutimes.com
This article is a promotional interview piece rather than a news story about fraud. It features Brian Melter, chief experience officer at Landmark Credit Union, discussing the institution's approach to member experience and fraud prevention, including recognition of National Senior Fraud Awareness Day and National Financial Literacy Month. The piece covers Melter's insights on senior fraud prevention, technology's role in fraud schemes, and financial wellness advice, but does not report on specific fraud cases or incidents.
pymnts.com
Authorized fraud—where scammers manipulate customers into making payments—accounts for 43% of fraudulent transactions reported by financial institutions, with scams representing one-third of these incidents and causing particular harm to customer finances and satisfaction. Common scam tactics include impersonating tech support (63% of FIs reported), utility companies (65%), and the IRS (64%), often targeting vulnerable customers with false promises or trusted-provider deception. Financial institutions employing artificial intelligence or machine learning fraud prevention tools report significantly lower incidence rates of these scams—17-18% less likely to report tech support and IRS imposter scams as major threats compared to institutions without such technology.
aspentimes.com
In 2023, scammers stole $188 million from over 11,000 victims across Colorado, with Summit County experiencing 80 fraud reports so far this year totaling tens of thousands in losses. Common scams include phone and email schemes where fraudsters impersonate law enforcement, the IRS, tech support, or claim urgent family emergencies or warrant arrests. Victims are advised to be suspicious of unsolicited messages offering unrealistic rewards, report suspicious activity to law enforcement, and file complaints with StopFraudColorado.gov or IC3.gov, though most stolen funds are unrecoverable once scammers operate from overseas jurisdictions.
the-sun.com
Dan Michalski from Hawaii lost over $30,000 from his bank account after receiving a spoofed call appearing to be from his bank; the scammer used knowledge of his recent transactions to establish credibility, then tricked him into providing a verification code that allowed unauthorized transfers to Zelle. Though Michalski recovered $10,000, he remains uncompensated for the remaining loss, highlighting how sophisticated caller-spoofing fraud can bypass even verification attempts like checking the phone number online.
punchng.com
A Nigerian man expressed frustration after a Polish bank refused to open an account for his child, citing a blanket policy against Nigerian customers. He attributed the discriminatory policy to reputational damage caused by Nigerian nationals involved in scams and fraud schemes abroad, including documented cases of Nigerians convicted of money laundering, bank fraud, and romance scams in countries like the United States.
thecyberwire.com
This podcast episode discusses job board scams and social engineering tactics targeting job seekers. The hosts highlight techniques scammers use to impersonate legitimate companies and government agencies, including spoofed phone numbers and vague claims about background investigations, and emphasize the importance of verifying caller information independently rather than calling back suspicious numbers directly.
justice.gov
In May 2024, Dolapo Lawal, 33, of Baltimore, Maryland, pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft for orchestrating a stolen identity tax refund scheme targeting elderly victims. Lawal fraudulently obtained over $3 million in tax refunds using elderly victims' identities, loaded the funds onto debit cards opened in their names, and withdrew more than $80,000 in cash at ATMs for personal use, including payments on his Mercedes and credit card debt. Law enforcement recovered approximately 24 fraudulent debit cards with $200,000 in stolen refunds during an April 2022 traffic stop, and later discovere
justice.gov
**Summary:**
Antranette Echols, 57, of Indianapolis pleaded guilty to wire fraud for preparing and submitting falsified COVID-19 relief loan applications on behalf of borrowers, including some in Pennsylvania, while collecting fees for her services. Sentencing is scheduled for August 16, 2024, with potential penalties of up to 40 years in prison and $1 million in fines.
hindustantimes.com
A cryptocurrency trader with wallet "0x1E" lost $68 million in wrapped bitcoin (WBTC) through an address poisoning scam, where a perpetrator replicated the first and last six characters of a legitimate wallet address to trick the victim into sending funds to a fraudulent address. Address poisoning is a sophisticated attack that exploits the similarity of wallet addresses (up to 42 characters long) to deceive users into overlooking differences in the middle characters. The incident was confirmed by security firm Cyvers Alerts.
the-sun.com
A sophisticated property fraud scheme involving Jose Manuel Santiago, Rosson Dwayne Hamilton, and Vernon Lavoie resulted in multiple homes being stolen and sold without owners' knowledge across Virginia, Florida, and North Carolina. The trio created fraudulent bank accounts in homeowners' names, with Lavoie using fake IDs to impersonate owners; one home in Tampa, Florida sold for $65,000 and a U.S. Army veteran lost his house along with military memorabilia and his Jeep. Santiago received three years in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud, Hamilton received one day, and Lavoie received two years and seven months; experts recommend homeowners obtain
event-newsenterprise.com
A Los Alamitos senior citizen was targeted by an internet and phone-based scam where a fraudster posing as PayPal convinced her to withdraw $20,000 in cash and leave it on her porch. Alert Cypress police detected the scheme at a local bank and coordinated with Los Alamitos detectives, who replaced the cash with newspapers and arrested a suspected money mule when he attempted to pick up the bag. The same scam had previously defrauded a Cypress senior citizen of $30,000.