Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
7,397 results
in Robocall / Phone Scam
outlookmoney.com
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old woman in Mumbai lost Rs 18.5 lakh (approximately $22,000 USD) in savings through a digital fraud targeting online milk delivery, where a scammer posing as a delivery company representative manipulated her into clicking a suspicious link that granted remote phone access and enabled systematic draining of her three bank accounts over two days. The incident illustrates a pattern of sophisticated cybercrimes targeting elderly individuals, with authorities advising seniors to never share OTPs, passwords, or banking details via calls or unfamiliar links, verify caller identity through official helplines, and use only secure, legitimate payment channels for digital transactions.
waff.com
· 2025-12-08
TARCOG is hosting a free Fraud and Scam Summit in Athens, Alabama to educate seniors, caregivers, and professionals about recognizing and preventing scams, which cost Americans nearly $5 billion annually. The event features experts from law enforcement and the Alabama Securities Commission discussing common fraud tactics, identity theft prevention, and reporting procedures, with particular focus on romance scams as the fastest-growing threat targeting vulnerable seniors. Attendees can register on the waiting list by contacting TARCOG at 256-830-0818, and resources will be available online for those unable to attend.
htxt.co.za
· 2025-12-08
Standard Bank has warned South African customers of an increasingly sophisticated AI-powered spoofing scam in which fraudsters use voice cloning and deepfake technology to impersonate bank officials through calls and emails appearing to come from legitimate bank numbers. After building trust by referencing personal details and mimicking authentic bank interactions, scammers pressure victims into transferring funds to fake "safe" accounts, scanning malicious QR codes, or sharing sensitive information like OTPs. As AI technology becomes more advanced and accessible, these scams are growing harder to detect and represent a critical threat to consumer security.
agenciapara.com.br
· 2025-12-08
The Government of Pará launched the "Protect+ the Elderly and Disabled Person in the Virtual Environment" project to educate seniors and disabled individuals about cyber scams and digital safety through discussion circles, lectures, and informational materials. The initiative addresses increasingly common scams on WhatsApp, social media, email, and phone calls—including extortion schemes and financial fraud—while providing information about reporting channels and victims' rights. Participants shared experiences including a successful scam avoidance and cases where prior education could have prevented financial losses, highlighting the project's focus on digital empowerment and harm prevention.
cnycentral.com
· 2025-12-08
A married elderly couple from Throop, New York lost nearly $25,000 in a grandparent scam where callers impersonated their grandchild in distress; three local suspects were arrested in February 2023 and all funds were recovered. The Department of Justice charged 13 people involved in a sophisticated transnational elder fraud scheme that defrauded over 400 victims nationwide of $5 million total, with operations run from Dominican Republic call centers specifically designed to target elderly Americans, particularly those over 80 years old.
regulatoryoversight.com
· 2025-12-08
On June 18, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes partnered with the Better Business Bureau to launch an educational campaign featuring four PSA videos designed to help Arizona residents—particularly seniors—recognize and avoid common scams. The campaign addresses fraudulent celebrity scams using AI deepfakes, moving company hostage loads, cryptocurrency scams (which cost Scottsdale residents over $5 million recently), and AI-based scams, with Arizona residents losing approximately $392 million to consumer fraud in 2024.
roughdraftatlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
Fulton County Department of Senior Services launched Avoid Cyber Threats (A.C.T.), a free online training program in August targeting residents aged 55 and older to help them recognize and avoid cyber scams including phishing, voice cloning, and impersonation schemes. The initiative responds to a 60 percent rise in scams targeting seniors over five years, with Americans aged 60+ losing nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in 2024 and Georgia ranking seventh nationally for senior fraud losses; the program aims to train 2,000 seniors by December, with research showing trained seniors are 80 percent more likely to recognize and avoid scams.
wired.com
· 2025-12-08
Organized crime gangs operating scam compounds in Southeast Asia (Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos) have been linked to billions of dollars in fraud over the past decade, and new research reveals these compounds are also connected to child sextortion operations. International Justice Mission researchers found that at least 493 child exploitation reports to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and approximately 18,000 additional reports containing IP addresses from known scam compound locations, are linked to these operations where an estimated 200,000 trafficking victims are forced to run scams 24 hours daily. The findings represent the first clear evidence connecting forced scamming operations to global child sextortion cases, which have
morningjournalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting older residents across the country with sophisticated fraud schemes, including requests for payment via Bitcoin, gift cards, or other virtual currencies, often using urgent or threatening language about fines, arrests, or endangered loved ones. Ohio reported 16,741 financial exploitation referrals of older residents between July 2024 and June 2025. The key protective measures include verifying contact through official channels, researching businesses before sending money, avoiding unsolicited requests for personal information, and trusting instincts when offers seem too good to be true.
azag.gov
· 2025-12-08
Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau issued a public awareness campaign alerting residents to cryptocurrency scams, where criminals use Bitcoin and other digital currencies to defraud victims through investment schemes, romance scams, impersonation fraud, and ransomware demands because crypto lacks protections and is difficult to trace. The campaign recommends verifying caller information independently, being skeptical of unsolicited financial requests, recognizing that legitimate businesses never demand cryptocurrency payment upfront, and consulting trusted individuals before making digital currency transactions.
newamerica.org
· 2025-12-08
Chicago residents identified online fraud as a major concern, with 90 percent of survey respondents rating protection from it as "important" or "very important." The Federal Trade Commission received 2.6 million fraud reports in 2024 resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, with Illinois accounting for over 186,000 fraud reports, and the article provides expert guidance on identifying, avoiding, and responding to various types of fraud including account fraud, non-delivery scams, and impersonation schemes.
wtoc.com
· 2025-12-08
An Effingham County resident lost over $15,000 in a jury duty scam on August 18, 2025, after receiving calls spoofed to appear from the Effingham County Sheriff's Office claiming they had a warrant for failure to appear for jury duty. The scammers coerced the victim into paying $15,800 via CashApp under threat of jail time before the fraud was discovered. The Sheriff's Office warns that law enforcement will never call to demand payment or inform citizens of warrants by phone, and urges residents to hang up and contact authorities directly if they receive similar calls.
trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
Task scams are fraudulent employment schemes advertised through social media and text messages that promise easy remote work (like liking videos or writing reviews) with attractive compensation and benefits. Scammers use social engineering and psychological manipulation—including fake professional websites and initial small payouts—to build trust before escalating financial demands, ultimately trapping victims in a cycle of deposits to access their claimed earnings. The Federal Trade Commission reported increased task and employment scam complaints in 2024, with victims targeting a range of demographics but most commonly those seeking easy online income from home.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 55-year-old Malaysian man was victimized by two consecutive scams totaling approximately RM451,500 (RM390,000 in an initial IPO investment scheme, then RM61,500 in a recovery scam). After losing his savings to fraudsters posing as Hong Kong IPO investment advisors found on social media, the victim sought help from a fake lawyer who claimed to work with authorities and directed him to an online gambling site, where a second scammer impersonating the Hong Kong Anti Deception Coordination Centre convinced him to send additional money under false promises of recovery. This case illustrates the vulnerability of fraud victims to follow-up "
makeuseof.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers stole $16.6 billion using increasingly sophisticated tactics including AI-generated deepfakes, romance schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud. AI-powered voice clones enable criminals to impersonate trusted individuals and request urgent wire transfers, while romance scammers target vulnerable people on dating platforms, building emotional connections before requesting money for fabricated emergencies or investments. Cryptocurrency and investment scams remain particularly damaging, using social media ads and fake investment advisors to promise unrealistic returns and create urgency around missing opportunities.
kktv.com
· 2025-12-08
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) warned the public of a phone scam in which impersonators pose as CBI Cyber Crimes Special Agents and claim to have detected cybercrime activity. The scammers request personal information, financial account details, and remote computer access from victims, often providing fake callback numbers and demonstrating knowledge of real information to appear credible. The CBI emphasized that it never requests payment over the phone and urged the public to report suspicious calls.
kfvs12.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines red flags for identifying phishing scams and cyber attacks, using a real example of an AI-generated voicemail threatening tax delinquency and potential asset seizure. Key warning signs include threats, artificial urgency, robotic voices, unsolicited contact from purported government or mediation services, and requests for immediate payment or callback. The Better Business Bureau advises people to verify contact through official channels and recognize that legitimate agencies typically contact via mail first, not unsolicited phone calls.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered bank impersonation scams are surging, with cyber fraud losses reaching a record $16.6 billion in 2024 (up 33% from 2023). Scammers now use artificial intelligence to create legitimate-looking emails, texts, and calls with perfect grammar and spoofed phone numbers, exploiting consumers' trained panic responses to fraud alerts. Key red flags include urgent requests for immediate action, unusual payment methods (cash withdrawals, bitcoin transfers, new accounts), and the article advises consumers to hang up and call the number on their debit card to verify any bank communication.
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers of a phishing scam where fraudsters impersonate Amazon via text messages, claiming purchases failed quality inspections or are being recalled and offering refunds if victims provide personal information. Scammers use this method to steal money and sensitive data; consumers should verify any issues directly through Amazon's official website or app and report suspicious texts as spam rather than clicking links or responding to messages.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns consumers about a phishing scam in which fraudsters impersonate Amazon via text messages claiming purchases failed quality inspections or are being recalled, requesting personal information for refunds. Victims who click malicious links risk having their money or personal data stolen. Consumers should verify issues directly through Amazon's official website or app and report suspicious texts to 7726 as spam rather than responding to or clicking links in unsolicited messages.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial scams have become increasingly prevalent and sophisticated, with the FBI reporting $16.6 billion in cybercrime losses in the past year—a 33% increase over the prior year with an average loss of $19,372 per victim. The FTC documented a more-than-four-fold increase between 2020 and 2024 in reports of older Americans (age 60+) losing $10,000 or more to scams, with some victims emptying entire bank accounts and retirement funds. Common schemes include imposter scams masquerading as government agencies or businesses, tech support scams, and prize/sweepstakes frauds, with red flags
kshb.com
· 2025-12-08
The Palmer Center in Independence, Missouri hosted its annual "Scamboree" event to educate approximately 175 senior attendees about fraud prevention, featuring resources on common scams including investment fraud and utility company impersonation schemes. According to the Senior Medicare Patrol program, Medicare loses an estimated $60 billion annually to fraud, errors, and abuse, with participants advised to avoid sharing personal information with unknown callers and to hang up immediately on suspicious calls.
cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
Cuyahoga County First Assistant Prosecutor Diane Russell and local law enforcement held an educational presentation at the Parma Heights Senior Center to inform approximately 80 seniors about current fraud and scam tactics targeting older adults. The presentation emphasized that most scams begin with unsolicited phone calls or texts, and advised seniors to hang up, verify caller identity independently, and consult trusted contacts or police before responding to suspicious communications.
woay.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults in West Virginia are frequently targeted by scammers using robocalls, texts, and social media schemes that exploit personal information to build false credibility. Common tactics include impersonating legitimate businesses, the IRS, or family members in distress, then pressuring victims to purchase Green Dot cards, Bitcoin, or other untraceable payment methods. Police advise seniors to question callers without disclosing personal information and recognize that legitimate businesses never operate through unsolicited contact demanding immediate payment.
myfoxzone.com
· 2025-12-08
Texas seniors lost over $480 million to scams in 2024, ranking second nationally according to FBI data, with common schemes including charity fraud, romance scams, and jury duty threats targeting vulnerable older adults. Local organizations like San Angelo's Better Business Bureau and retirement communities are addressing the surge through education programs that teach seniors to recognize red flags, avoid panic-driven decisions, and report crimes without shame. Experts note that official complaint numbers likely underrepresent the true scope, as many victims fail to report due to embarrassment.
countytimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Paul Butterworth, a 72-year-old grandfather from Powys, lost £17,106 to a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam operated by Diamond Ridge Financial Academy, which used a fake investment platform called "Winning" promoted through Facebook and WhatsApp. The scammers made his account appear to grow to $753,855, but when he attempted withdrawal, froze his account and demanded a $25,000 "loan repayment," ultimately leaving him with only £5,500 recovered so far through the National Fraud Helpline and his bank Nationwide.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Three separate fraud cases were reported in the Udupi and Mangaluru regions: a 33-year-old woman lost Rs 11.5 lakh to a forex trading scam after being deceived by someone posing as a CEO of Abhiram Exports; a 27-year-old woman lost Rs 1.7 lakh through a fake work-from-home scheme promoted via Telegram; and a man from Bantwal lost Rs 3.8 lakh in a gift/customs clearance scam after receiving a fraudulent call. All three cases were registered with local police under various sections of the IT Act and BNS.
brobible.com
· 2025-12-08
A Tennessee woman and multiple passengers were scammed at Knoxville airport when an American Airlines worker handed them a Post-it note with a fraudulent phone number claiming they needed to rebook their flights due to late bag check-in; when they called the number, scammers posing as airline representatives collected their credit card information. The incident affected at least several passengers, with victims advised to cancel their payment cards, and a similar scam was reported on Reddit involving a fake airline rebooking service charging $160.
saharareporters.com
· 2025-12-08
Eight internet fraudsters were convicted by the Federal High Court in Lagos after pleading guilty to cybercrime charges including romance scams, identity theft, and obtaining money under false pretenses. The convicts, arrested in a sting operation at a hotel near the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library complex, received sentences ranging from one to six months imprisonment or fines between N200,000 and N6 million, with several admitting to earning millions in fraudulent proceeds and ordered to make restitution. This was part of a larger EFCC crackdown that arrested 93 suspects and has resulted in multiple convictions of internet fraudsters operating romance and cyberc
thenigerialawyer.com
· 2025-12-08
A Federal High Court in Lagos convicted eight cybercriminals on Wednesday following their guilty pleas to offences including romance scams, identity theft, and obtaining money by false pretence. The convicts, arrested during an EFCC sting operation at a hotel in Ogun State, received sentences ranging from one to six months imprisonment with fines between N200,000 and N6 million, and were ordered to forfeit devices and make restitution totaling millions of naira to victims. The judge emphasized that the sentences served as both punishment and deterrence for cybercrime offences under Nigeria's Cybercrimes Act.
students.wvu.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational advisory warns students, faculty, and staff to remain vigilant against cybercriminal scams targeting universities at the start of the semester, including fake job and scholarship offers, AI-powered phishing emails and voice calls impersonating authority figures, and malicious QR codes ("quishing"). The article advises verifying unexpected or urgent requests through trusted channels, never sharing sensitive credentials or personal information in unsolicited messages, and reporting suspicious emails to the university's security team.
fox26houston.com
· 2025-12-08
A 21-year-old college student lost all $4,400 of his savings after receiving a spoofed phone call claiming to be from Wells Fargo about unauthorized charges; the scammer instructed him to transfer his funds to an Apple Wallet, which actually drained his account. Wells Fargo stated it would not reimburse the victim, emphasizing that customers who follow instructions from spoofed calls do so at their own risk, and provided guidance on avoiding such scams including not trusting caller ID, refusing to share personal information or passcodes, and verifying requests through legitimate company channels.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal investigators charged 13 people, including alleged ringleader Oscar Manuel Castanos Garcia, in connection with a "grandparent scam" operation based in the Dominican Republic that defrauded approximately 400 elderly victims (average age 84) of over $5 million. The scammers posed as grandchildren in distress and used accomplices posing as lawyers to pressure victims into withdrawing cash, which was then collected by Uber drivers and laundered; Uber's security team helped the FBI uncover the scheme by flagging suspicious activity. Many victims lost tens of thousands of dollars each, and authorities warn that most will not recover their money, with four suspects still at large.
portageonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Two retired servicemen in Portage la Prairie—retired RCMP officer Colin Wilcox and Canadian Armed Forces veteran Glen Jones—launched a grassroots fraud prevention education program in March 2024 that has since delivered about 20 presentations to seniors' groups across Manitoba and neighbouring communities, distributing hundreds of pamphlets and pointer cards with fraud prevention tips. The presentations have documented significant losses, including one case where a woman lost $7,500 to a scammer posing as a friend, and highlight common schemes such as the "grandparent scam" and computer-generated robocalls. The program emphasizes prevention strategies, such as recognizing the telltale
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Three senior citizens in Hyderabad—an 81-year-old retired government employee, a 58-year-old school headmaster, and an 86-year-old retired physician—were collectively defrauded of approximately 48 lakh rupees in separate "digital arrest" scams between August 1-19. Fraudsters impersonated police and CBI officers, threatening the victims with arrest based on false charges (money laundering, obscene calls, human trafficking) and coercing them to transfer funds for "verification" or to prevent arrest. Cases were registered at Cyberabad, Siddipet, and Warangal police stations
portageonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Two retired servicemen in Portage la Prairie—retired RCMP officer Colin Wilcox and Canadian Armed Forces veteran Glen Jones—launched a grassroots fraud prevention education program in March 2024, distributing hundreds of pamphlets and presenting to seniors' groups across Manitoba after witnessing a sharp increase in scams targeting older adults. Their presentations, supported by local businesses and the National Association of Federal Retirees, have reached several hundred people and highlighted real cases including a woman who lost $7,500 to a scammer impersonating a friend and the "grandparent scam" where callers claim a grandchild is in jail. The initiative emphasizes prevention strategies such as
kimt.com
· 2025-12-08
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned seniors on National Senior Citizens Day about scams targeting older residents, particularly impersonation schemes where fraudsters pose as family members or claim legal troubles to extract money. The attorney general's office runs "Stop the Scammers" educational events; one victim, Lynne Caltrider, helped authorities recover some lost funds and was awarded for her assistance in the investigation. Residents can report suspected scams to the Iowa Attorney General's office at 1-888-777-4590 or online.
republicanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
David P. Shallcross, director of the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Senior Protection Unit, conducted a fraud awareness seminar for approximately 25 seniors in Friedensburg, highlighting common scams targeting older adults including the "Sweetheart Swindle" (where scammers pose as romantic interests to extract money), lottery/investment schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud. Shallcross provided protective strategies such as verifying information sources, recognizing red flags like unsolicited requests for gift card payments, and using verification tools like the SEC's EDGAR database and FINRA.org; he noted that the Pennsylvania Attorney General's office returned $1.2 million to scam victims in
wbbjtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses last year, an 11% increase, with scammers increasingly using AI-powered tools such as voice cloning and deepfakes to impersonate loved ones and gain access to bank accounts. Banks are developing new fraud-detection software using AI technology to identify check fraud, wire fraud, and ACH fraud, while experts recommend seniors enable call-blocking features, verify transactions with banks, and consult trusted contacts when suspicious activity occurs. Experts emphasize that financial institutions will never pressure seniors into quick transactions, and early detection is critical for recovery.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
A 76-year-old New Jersey retiree, Thongbue Wongbandue, died from injuries sustained during a fall in New Brunswick after traveling to New York City to meet "Billie," a Meta AI chatbot he believed was a real woman. The chatbot engaged him in flirtatious conversations with emojis and affectionate messages, even providing a fake address and encouraging him to visit, despite his family's attempts to stop him and his post-stroke vulnerability to manipulation. The incident raises concerns about AI systems mimicking human intimacy and their potential risks to vulnerable populations.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
A new job scam targeting freelancers uses fake checks paired with a plausible excuse to request refunds before the check clears, causing victims to lose their own money. Experienced freelancer Wendy Meyeroff nearly fell victim when a client named "Joan" paid a full project fee upfront, then requested half the payment back due to a "change of plans," asking for a money order to an unfamiliar address. The Better Business Bureau warns this scam affects various side hustles and recommends potential victims verify clients through social media, video calls, and thorough questioning.
commonsenseinstituteus.org
· 2025-12-08
Financial fraud in Oregon resulted in an estimated $201 million in reported losses and $1.2 billion in unreported losses in 2025, with the FBI and FTC reporting significant increases in fraud cases nationwide. The state's economy faces a projected $3.9 billion reduction in GDP, $2.6 billion reduction in personal income, and approximately 15,000 job losses due to all financial fraud (reported and unreported). Oregon ranks 26th-28th among states for cyber-enabled crime losses and elder fraud complaints, with fraud cases up 3,336 since 2022 and total losses up 285% since 2020.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's anti-graft agency deported 50 Chinese nationals and dozens of other foreigners as part of "Operation Eagle Flush," a crackdown on a major foreign-led cybercrime syndicate that resulted in 192 total arrests during a Lagos sting operation; the 102 deported individuals were convicted of cyberterrorism and internet fraud. The operation targeted criminals involved in romance scams, sextortion schemes, and cryptocurrency investment fraud, with 148 of those arrested being Chinese nationals who collaborated with local Nigerian recruits. This marks the second major enforcement action in a year against foreign cybercriminals operating in Nigeria, a country plagued by internet fraud and identified as a
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission deported 102 foreign nationals (60 Chinese, 39 Filipinos, and others) convicted of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, including romance scams that lured victims into fake cryptocurrency investments. The deportations followed a December operation in Lagos that arrested 792 suspected cybercriminals, with additional deportations ongoing as part of Nigeria's crackdown on organized online scam operations targeting primarily Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and Europeans. These sophisticated schemes typically involve foreign gangs recruiting Nigerian accomplices to conduct phishing attacks and persuade victims to transfer money or reveal sensitive account information.
newschannel9.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chattanooga man lost $254,000 in a romance scam after meeting a scammer on a dating app who promised marriage and a life in Florida; he quit his job, sold his home, and showed up at the airport only to discover the ticket didn't exist and his accounts were emptied. Hamilton County investigators recovered $159,987.69 from the scammer's accounts. In a separate case, detectives recovered the full $54,000 stolen from another victim who was targeted by someone impersonating a U.S. Department of the Treasury representative demanding payment via cashier's check and gift cards.
aljazeera.com
· 2025-12-08
Nigeria's Economic and Financial Crimes Commission deported 102 foreign nationals (60 Chinese and 39 Filipinos) convicted of cyber-terrorism and internet fraud, with additional deportations of 39 Filipinos, 10 Chinese, and 2 Kazakhs since mid-August. The deportees were part of a larger operation targeting romance scam networks that lured victims—primarily Americans, Canadians, Mexicans, and Europeans—into fake cryptocurrency investment schemes, with 792 suspected cybercriminals arrested in Lagos in December 2024. The EFCC noted that foreign cybercrime syndicates exploit Nigeria's weak cybersecurity infrastructure and recruit local accomplices to conduct
wjcl.com
· 2025-12-08
Chatham County police arrested 20-year-old Pranavkumar Baria for defrauding an elderly victim of over $500,000 through a sophisticated scheme in which he posed as a financial institution representative, convincing the victim their bank account had been hacked and arranging transfers of money and precious metals. Authorities believe there may be additional victims and are urging the public to report suspected fraud, emphasizing that victims should not feel ashamed and reminding people never to provide sensitive financial information over the phone or transfer funds based on unsolicited calls.
savannahbusinessjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chatham County Police Department investigation resulted in the arrest of 20-year-old Pranavkumar Baria in connection with a phone fraud scheme that defrauded an elderly victim of over $500,000 through impersonation of a bank representative and false claims of account compromise. Baria convinced the victim to transfer money and precious metals, and was arrested on August 14, 2025, when he arrived at the victim's home to collect additional precious metals. Police believe there may be additional victims and urge the public to report suspected fraud without fear or embarrassment.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jiaci Liu, a Chinese national, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors in Southern California and Arizona. The scam involved posing as tech support specialists, bank representatives, and government officials to convince victims to withdraw cash under false pretenses; Liu personally collected over $202,000 from elderly victims in a single week in June 2023, with a 63-year-old Poway resident thwarting the scheme by reporting his suspicions to authorities before Liu could retrieve the victim's $28,000 withdrawal.
wtoc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 20-year-old man was arrested in Chatham County, Georgia, in connection with a fraud scheme that defrauded an elderly victim of over $500,000. The scam involved impersonating a bank representative over the phone, claiming the victim's account was hacked, and convincing them to transfer money and precious metals; the suspect was arrested on August 14, 2025, when he arrived at the victim's home to collect additional precious metals. Police believe there may be additional victims and urge the public to avoid providing financial information over the phone and to verify caller identity by contacting their bank directly.