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10,158 results in Scam Awareness
coinfomania.com · 2025-12-08
A South Korean court sentenced three fraudsters to 4.5, 3.5, and 2.5 years in prison for operating a fake cryptocurrency investment scheme in Busan that defrauded victims of $416,000 by promising unrealistic 30% monthly returns and restricting fund withdrawals. The scammers manipulated investors through false promises, prevented withdrawals to maintain control of funds, and used referral schemes to attract additional victims. South Korean authorities are intensifying efforts to combat cryptocurrency fraud through stricter regulations and increased oversight, while warning investors to be cautious of schemes promising high returns with minimal risk.
irishexaminer.com · 2025-12-08
WhatsApp scams in Ireland surged 65% in the second half of 2024, with victims losing an average of €1,200 each, according to fintech firm Revolut's security report. Ireland ranked second globally for WhatsApp fraud after the UK, with such scams representing 12% of all fraud cases, as criminals exploit the false perception that encrypted messaging platforms provide protection against fraud. Revolut warned that fraudsters are increasingly targeting users through personal channels like community group chats, exploiting the sense of security that comes with direct messaging.
siliconrepublic.com · 2025-12-08
WhatsApp scams in Ireland surged nearly 65% in the second half of 2024, with Ireland ranking second in Europe for such fraud after the UK, and victims losing an average of €1,200 per incident—significantly higher than the €260 average from Facebook scams. Revolut's financial crime analysis attributes the rise to users' false sense of security when contacted by someone with their phone number on encrypted messaging apps, despite end-to-end encryption providing little protection against fraud. The report notes that Meta platforms account for nearly 60% of all scams, with fraudsters increasingly targeting WhatsApp over other social media channels.
breakingnews.ie · 2025-12-08
Irish consumers are increasingly targeted by WhatsApp scams, losing an average of €1,200 per incident, with Ireland ranking second in Europe for such fraud after the UK in 2024. WhatsApp scam cases in Ireland spiked by 65 percent from the first to second half of 2024, representing 12 percent of all fraud cases, as criminals exploit the false sense of security provided by encrypted messaging platforms. Financial institutions warn that encryption does not prevent fraud and urge consumers to remain vigilant against unsolicited WhatsApp messages, even from contacts with legitimate-seeming phone numbers.
hinghamanchor.com · 2025-12-08
A 76-year-old Hingham resident lost $30,000 in a tech support scam after scammers convinced him his bank account was at risk, instructing him to withdraw cash and deposit it into a Bitcoin machine at a gas station under the guise of an "FDIC machine." The resident became suspicious only when the scammer requested an additional $35,000 and arranged for someone to pick up cash at his home, at which point he realized the fraud and contacted his bank. Police warn that scammers typically keep victims on the phone for extended periods while directing them through withdrawal and deposit steps, using fear tactics to prevent victims from verifying information with trusted contacts.
rbcroyalbank.com · 2025-12-08
During Canadian tax season, criminals exploit vulnerable taxpayers through multiple scams including CRA impersonation phone calls demanding immediate payment via untraceable methods, phishing emails and texts with malicious links requesting personal information, fake CRA websites created using AI technology, and fraudulent tax companies that file false returns to steal refunds and data. Protection strategies include validating CRA communications through official channels, monitoring your CRA account, avoiding sharing personal information unsolicited, recognizing threatening language as a red flag, using only registered tax professionals, and refusing to click suspicious links or provide payment through cryptocurrency or gift cards.
pcmag.com · 2025-12-08
Modern scammers increasingly employ generative AI tools, data breaches, and app data collection to target victims through romance scams and online job frauds. If victimized, individuals should immediately change passwords and enable multi-factor authentication, use a password manager for unique credentials, monitor account activity, contact their financial institution's fraud department, and report the incident to law enforcement and agencies like the Internet Crime Complaint Center and Identity Theft Resource Center.
valadao.house.gov · 2025-12-08
Congressmen David Valadao, Brittany Pettersen, Tom Suozzi, and Craig Goldman introduced the bipartisan Romance Scam Prevention Act, which requires online dating platforms to notify users if they have interacted with someone removed from the app for fraudulent activity. Romance scams cost Americans over $1.1 billion in 2023, with scammers using fake identities to manipulate victims into financial exploitation on platforms used by over 60 million Americans.
wdsu.com · 2025-12-08
Beth Highland, a 52-year-old woman, lost $26,000 in a romance scam after meeting a man named "Richard" on a dating app who posed as a construction worker needing help with payments for a project in Qatar. The scammer gained her trust through incremental requests for money, eventually convincing her to send $26,000 in bitcoin for a supposed account unfreezing fee, before she consulted a financial advisor who identified the scheme as classic romance fraud. Her case has prompted legislative attention, with the Romance Scam Prevention Act being introduced to require dating apps to notify users about accounts flagged for fraud, and law enforcement has yet to apprehend the scammer or
knoxtntoday.com · 2025-12-08
**Summary:** Scammers use phone number spoofing to impersonate banks like FirstBank, displaying legitimate bank names and numbers on caller ID to deceive victims. Banks never initiate calls requesting personal information, PINs, or online banking credentials, so recipients should be suspicious of such calls and refer to FCC guidance on identifying spoofing scams.
states.aarp.org · 2025-12-08
In 2024, Michigan residents reported $204 million in fraud losses—a dramatic increase from $60 million in 2020—with an 84-year-old woman losing $40,000 to a man posing as a bank employee serving as one documented case. Scams targeting older adults have diversified to include impersonation, extortion, investment fraud, tech-support schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud, with crypto scams alone affecting Michigan seniors at growing rates (141 instances in 2022 vs. 262 in 2023, with losses rising from $14 million to $24 million). AARP Michigan is responding with fraud prevention education sessions, document sh
Romance Scam Crypto Investment Scam Investment Fraud Tech Support Scam Identity Theft Cryptocurrency Gift Cards Bank Transfer Check/Cashier's Check
states.aarp.org · 2025-12-08
**Fraud Prevention Efforts in Virginia** Fraud losses among Virginia adults 60 and over surged from $25 million in 2020 to $94 million in 2023, prompting AARP Virginia to launch widespread fraud prevention workshops throughout the state. Common scams targeting seniors include tech-support impostor schemes, utility bill fraud, identity theft, and impostor scams, with veterans being 40 percent more likely to lose money when targeted. AARP Virginia is combating this rising threat through community presentations, online workshops, and trained volunteer speakers who educate residents on recognizing and avoiding the latest fraud schemes.
annandaletoday.com · 2025-12-08
A high school student named Arhan Menta founded the Kumar Project, a nonprofit organization, after his grandfather lost money to a remote-access scam, to educate seniors about financial fraud prevention. Through workshops at senior centers and libraries across Northern Virginia, California, Pennsylvania, and Texas, Arhan and his partners have reached over 1,000 seniors with educational programming and recommendations such as sharing account access with trusted relatives to monitor suspicious activity. Arhan is now working with Virginia state legislators to advocate for laws requiring greater financial scam education and bank transparency to protect seniors from exploitation.
states.aarp.org · 2025-12-08
Candice Trees, a 71-year-old Illinois retiree, lost $12,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with a man claiming to work abroad who eventually asked to borrow money. In 2024, over 71,000 Illinois consumers reported fraud cases totaling $318.1 million, prompting AARP Illinois to expand prevention efforts through monthly educational programs and advocacy for stricter cryptocurrency ATM regulations, as losses from crypto-related scams topped $65 million nationally in the first half of 2024 with seniors disproportionately affected.
americanbanker.com · 2025-12-08
Over $12.5 billion in fraud losses were reported, with scams evolving beyond traditional methods to exploit vulnerabilities across telecommunications, social media, and banking through sophisticated tactics like "authorized push payment" fraud. The author argues that fragmented government agencies lack the coordination and resources to effectively combat these crimes, which are often orchestrated by international organized crime groups funding terrorism, human trafficking, and other illicit activities. The proposal calls for establishing a national interagency task force to unify federal efforts, coordinate with the private sector, implement public awareness campaigns, and equip law enforcement with resources to investigate and prosecute scammers targeting vulnerable populations.
ospreyobserver.com · 2025-12-08
This educational piece by an elder law attorney identifies three major scam types targeting seniors: confidence scams (where perpetrators build trust to gain financial access), tech support scams (unsolicited offers to fix computer problems in exchange for payment or personal information), and government impersonation scams (fraudsters posing as IRS, law enforcement, or Social Security officials). The article emphasizes that seniors, particularly isolated "elder orphans" without family support, are especially vulnerable and provides protective advice including verifying agency contacts independently and reporting suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline or FTC.
pcmag.com · 2025-12-08
According to a 2024 Statista study, 90% of US adults aged 65 and older use the internet, making them frequent targets for online scams, particularly in states with older populations like Florida and Texas. The National Council on Aging recommends six protective strategies including listening without judgment, encouraging delayed responses to urgent-sounding messages, and involving anti-fraud organizations and peer networks to help vulnerable seniors recognize and avoid romance scams, crypto schemes, and other fraud.
tech.yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
This educational article presents six tips to help seniors avoid scams, emphasizing the importance of listening without judgment, encouraging delays in responding to urgent requests, and leveraging anti-fraud resources like the FBI, AARP, and local senior centers. The piece notes that 90% of US adults aged 65 and older use the internet, making them targets for scammers who exploit their varying levels of technological comfort and social isolation.
daytondailynews.com · 2025-12-08
This article describes four common scams targeting seniors: Social Security Administration impostor scams that use caller ID spoofing to trick victims into moving money to gift cards; tech support scams where criminals pose as representatives from recognized companies to gain remote device access and obtain banking information; lottery scams where perpetrators impersonate officials and extract fees from supposed foreign lottery winners; and romance scams conducted through dating sites and social media where scammers build relationships to solicit money. These represent a small fraction of the scams seniors face, with detailed information available through the Department of Justice's elder justice resources.
cbsnews.com · 2025-12-08
A Maryland woman lost over $3 million in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, where scammers based in Southeast Asia built trust with her through a Korean messaging app before convincing her to invest in fake crypto platforms that appeared legitimate. The FBI's Baltimore field office warns that this scam is growing, typically targeting victims in their 50s and older, and that victims often lose their entire investments as scammers eventually disappear with all funds, sometimes returning to target the same victims with fake recovery schemes.
greenecountynewsonline.com · 2025-12-08
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird warned residents in 2024 about the state's top 10 complaint categories, with the Consumer Protection Division receiving over 3,900 complaints across 30+ scam types. Notable 2024 trends included significant increases in social media hacking/account locking and imposter scams, particularly schemes directing victims to cryptocurrency ATMs to send money to fraudsters. The top complaints involved auto fraud (623), internet/social media issues (593), imposter scams (376), home improvement fraud (332), and personal goods/services complaints, with the Attorney General's office urging Iowans to verify sellers, avoid prepayment and cryptocurrency
legion.org · 2025-12-08
The VA has released a fraud prevention toolkit highlighting common scams targeting veterans, including postcards falsely promising extra VA benefits or Social Security credits, phishing texts impersonating the IRS or Netflix, and requests for payment via untraceable methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The toolkit advises veterans to never share banking information, verify identities of requesters, avoid suspicious links, use trusted payment methods, and be cautious of social media contact from alleged military connections.
Crypto Investment Scam Phishing Benefits Fraud Scam Awareness Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards
states.aarp.org · 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraud losses reached $12.5 billion (a 25% increase from 2023), with impostor scams leading the surge; email became the primary contact method, and victims lost an average of $800 per impostor scam, with $2.95 billion stolen through gift cards and cryptocurrency. The article warns consumers to avoid fraudulent tax preparers (who demand upfront payment or promise guaranteed returns), Real ID phishing scams posing as government agencies, and fake check schemes where criminals send counterfeit checks that appear to clear before victims send their own money for fraudulent goods or services.
Government Impersonation Phishing Robocall / Phone Scam Scam Awareness Cryptocurrency Gift Cards Check/Cashier's Check
mashable.com · 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies six common online scams and their warning signs: phishing scams (impersonating trusted companies via email/text to steal credentials), investment scams (promising unrealistic returns through unregulated platforms), job offer scams (requesting upfront payments or personal information for fraudulent positions), and tech support scams (using fake alerts to trick users into paying for unnecessary services or granting device access). Key prevention strategies include verifying sender information directly with companies, researching investment opportunities with licensed professionals, being skeptical of unsolicited offers, and avoiding clicking links or granting remote access to unknown parties.
Crypto Investment Scam Investment Fraud Government Impersonation Bank Impersonation Tech Support Scam Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Check/Cashier's Check
sootoday.com · 2025-12-08
The Algoma Ontario Health Team is offering a free, weekly Healthy Aging Education Series running Tuesdays from April 8 to May 20, 2025, at the Rosedale Hub, covering topics including healthy aging, physical activity, nutrition, medication safety, mental health, elder abuse and fraud prevention, and caregiver support. The sessions are open to all interested individuals and are wheelchair accessible, with no registration required.
prnewswire.com · 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania is warning residents aged 50 and older about rising IRS imposter scams during tax season, where criminals pose as IRS agents via phone, email, mail, or in-person contact to steal money and personal information. Government impersonation scams cost Americans over $394 million in 2023, a 63% increase from 2022, with scammers using threats, fake refund claims, and demands for untraceable payments like gift cards or cryptocurrency. To stay safe, residents should verify IRS contact through official channels (irs.gov), remember that the real IRS initiates contact by mail and rarely makes in-person visits, and report suspicious activity to
thesenior.com.au · 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old accountant from NSW lost $2.6 million after clicking a fraudulent Facebook advertisement for a currency trading platform, which led her to borrow money and refinance three properties over three months. Australian Bureau of Statistics data released in 2024 found that card fraud affected 9.9 percent of Australians in 2023-24 (up from 8.7 percent), with 675,300 people engaging with scammers and a net loss of $477 million after reimbursements, though consumer advocates argue the figures underestimate the true scale since many victims with language barriers don't report incidents. Consumer advocates are calling for urgent government
moultonadvertiser.com · 2025-12-08
NARCOG is hosting a Fraud Summit on April 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Moulton Senior Center to educate older adults on protecting themselves from scams, health insurance fraud, and financial exploitation. The event will feature expert speakers from the Better Business Bureau and Alabama Securities Commission, as well as representatives from Senior Medical Patrol and the State Health Insurance Program. Seating is limited and registration is required by calling Julie Campbell at 256-355-4515.
wjactv.com · 2025-12-08
I don't see any article content about scams, fraud, or elder abuse in what you've provided. You've shared only a list of news headlines covering topics like animal abandonment, a memorial sculpture, a fatal fire, and a traffic accident—none of which relate to elder fraud or scams. Please provide the full article text you'd like me to summarize for the Elderus database, and I'll be happy to create a concise summary focused on fraud, scam, or elder abuse details.
chicagotribune.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake text messages claiming unpaid tollway balances to steal personal and financial information through "smishing" (SMS phishing), with Illinois residents particularly targeted at rates higher than the national average. The fraudulent messages impersonate E-ZPass accounts and direct victims to fake websites; authorities warn consumers never to click links or reply to such messages, as the Illinois Tollway uses the I-PASS system instead. Americans lost 25% more money to fraud in the past year compared to 2023, with complaints in Illinois reaching 1,470 per 100,000 residents versus the national average of 1,215 per 100,000.
amp.cnn.com · 2025-12-08
Around 7,000 people were recently released from scam compounds operated by criminal syndicates along the Myanmar-Thailand border, where an estimated 100,000 people remain trapped and forced to conduct romance scams and fraudulent investment schemes targeting victims worldwide, including American citizens, generating billions of dollars in illicit proceeds. The scam operations, run largely by Chinese crime syndicates and ethnic militia groups, are rapidly evolving to use artificial intelligence, deepfakes, cryptocurrency, and other advanced technologies to expand their targeting capabilities and evade law enforcement. Experts warn that a coordinated global response is needed to combat what they describe as an unprecedented and growing cyber threat that shows no signs of slowing despite recent
newsweek.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI seized $8.2 million in cryptocurrency from an international "pig butchering" romance scam investigated by its Cleveland Field Office, which identified over 30 victims whose funds were traced through three cryptocurrency wallets using advanced blockchain analytics. One Cleveland victim alone lost over $650,000 in retirement savings after being deceived into what she believed was a legitimate investment account. The scam—named for how perpetrators "fatten up" victims emotionally before draining their finances—originated in China and typically targets vulnerable individuals through dating apps; seized funds are expected to be used for restitution as the Department of Justice continues investigating additional victims and fraud networks.
daytondailynews.com · 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Kettering woman lost over $50,000 in an imposter scam after calling what she believed was Google's support line; scammers posing as Google and bank employees convinced her that her account was hacked and persuaded her to withdraw cash from multiple bank branches and transfer it to their control. The Dayton metro area saw a 15% increase in consumer fraud complaints to the FTC, reaching an all-time high of 8,820, with imposter scams being among Ohio's top fraud types as consumers reported $12.5 billion in losses nationally in 2024. Authorities recommend never allowing remote device access to strangers and verifying
jdsupra.com · 2025-12-08
The FCC has issued alerts about multiple common scams targeting consumers, including port-out fraud (where scammers use personal information to hijack mobile phone numbers and access financial accounts), grandparent scams (fraudsters impersonating relatives in crisis situations to solicit money), and spoofed mortgage relief calls (criminals posing as lenders to extract fraudulent payments). These scams leverage personal data from social media and cyber theft, use caller ID spoofing, and often request payment through hard-to-trace methods like wire transfers or gift cards.
montclair.edu · 2025-12-08
This educational piece warns that cybercriminals increasingly use AI-powered scams—including voice cloning, deepfake videos, and realistic phishing emails—to deceive victims into sharing sensitive information or money. The article advises readers to verify unexpected requests through alternate channels, remain skeptical of AI-generated content that may contain subtle oddities, enable multi-factor authentication, and report suspicious messages to authorities.
nasdaq.com · 2025-12-08
Smishing—a fraud tactic where scammers send malicious text messages to steal data and money from investors—is growing as a prominent cybersecurity threat because people are more likely to click text links than email links, and scammers exploit mobile device reliance by spoofing phone numbers and evolving tactics to bypass provider protections. To reduce risk, investors should enable multi-factor authentication, avoid responding to unsolicited messages from unknown numbers, pause before acting on urgent requests, independently verify requests through legitimate channels, and delete suspicious messages without opening them.
poughkeepsiejournal.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers are conducting "smishing" attacks—fraudulent text messages impersonating E-ZPass and other toll collection services—claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls and directing them to click malicious links or provide payment information. The FBI warns these spoofed messages target toll road users nationwide with small claimed amounts ($3.95-$12.55) to lower victims' guard, with the actual goal being to steal personal and financial information rather than collect tolls. Users should delete suspicious texts without clicking links, know that E-ZPass never requests payment via text, and report suspected fraud to the Internet Crime Complaint Center while monitoring their accounts if compromised.
ksl.com · 2025-12-08
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) is warning the public about a scam involving fraudulent text messages and phone calls claiming recipients have unpaid toll balances that require immediate payment to avoid legal action. Scammers impersonate UDOT, use fake links appearing to be from utah.gov, and have generated hundreds of inquiries to the agency; UDOT advises recipients not to provide information, block the sender, and contact their bank immediately if they have already paid.
salon.com · 2025-12-08
American consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, the highest amount ever recorded, with fraudsters increasingly using AI to create convincing deepfakes and impersonation scams. Key fraud types include AI-driven impersonation, phishing emails, investment/cryptocurrency scams (which rose to $3.96 billion in losses), tech support scams, and romance scams (which caused $1.14 billion in losses with a median loss of $2,000 per victim). Consumers should watch for red flags such as rushed messages, inconsistencies, and suspicious email addresses to protect themselves from these evolving schemes.
cnn.com · 2025-12-08
Approximately 7,000 people were recently released from scam compounds operated by Chinese crime syndicates and warlords along the Myanmar-Thailand border, where they had been held captive and forced to conduct fraudulent investment schemes and romance scams targeting victims worldwide, including American citizens who lost their life savings. An estimated 100,000 people remain trapped in these facilities, which generate billions of dollars annually; experts warn the industry will quickly rebuild using advanced technologies including AI-generated scripts, deepfakes, cryptocurrency, and malware. A coordinated global response is needed to combat what analysts describe as an unprecedented and rapidly expanding cyber threat that is spreading to Africa, South Asia, the Gulf, and the Pacific
ckom.com · 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old Montreal woman was charged with three counts of fraud over $5,000 for her role in the "grandparent scam," in which she contacted seniors with fabricated emergencies involving family members and collected money from three Saskatoon victims between March 17-20. Additionally, a 54-year-old Saskatoon man was arrested for defrauding three victims of $30,000 total by selling fake tickets to sporting events and travel packages that were never booked or arranged.
abc7ny.com · 2025-12-08
**Summary:** Rockland County officials warned of fake contractors scamming homeowners by impersonating legitimate roofing companies and using scare tactics to convince victims they need urgent structural repairs. At least three homeowners were defrauded of tens of thousands of dollars, including one woman who paid $60,000 for unnecessary roof work and another who signed a $78,000 contract for fraudulent repairs; the scammers even asked victims to write the real company names on checks to appear legitimate.
thetimes.com · 2025-12-08
A victim was contacted via WhatsApp by someone claiming to represent Ticket Center UK who offered a discounted flight to Bangkok; after being redirected to multiple payment methods, the victim transferred £970 to book the ticket, which was never issued. NatWest initially refused to refund the funds but reversed course after investigation, reimbursing £870 (minus a £100 excess) when it confirmed the scammer had no legitimate connection to the travel agency. The article advises travelers to verify agents' legitimacy before payment and use privacy protections like incognito mode when searching for flights online.
Scam Awareness Bank Transfer Check/Cashier's Check
actuarialpost.co.uk · 2025-12-08
A webinar session featured industry experts and Chris Bell from City of London Police discussing pension scam prevention efforts by PSAG and introducing a new fraud reporting service replacing Action Fraud. The session emphasized the importance of reporting suspected pension scams and fraud, and included a Q&A addressing common questions about these issues.
fox4now.com · 2025-12-08
Lee County Sheriff's Office reports a sharp rise in scams, with reported cases increasing from 1,588 in 2022 to 2,401 in 2024, with 60% of victims losing over $10,000. Common scams include impersonation of law enforcement demanding payment via untraceable methods like Bitcoin or gift cards, and wire fraud targeting title companies, with recent cases involving losses of $158,000 to $475,000. The department advises victims to check credit annually, verify caller information, and report suspected fraud, though recovery is difficult when funds are transferred overseas by predominantly non-U.S.-based scammers.
Investment Fraud Law Enforcement Impersonation Phishing Robocall / Phone Scam Deed Theft Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Check/Cashier's Check
brainandlife.org · 2025-12-08
Philip Lehman's 80-year-old mother and 85-year-old stepfather experienced financial mismanagement due to early-stage cognitive impairment, including unpaid bills, missed tax filings, and excessive duplicate online purchases, prompting Lehman to obtain power of attorney and eventually move them to assisted living. A 2022 study found that over 7 million older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia manage their own finances despite difficulty doing so, and Americans 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, with average losses near $34,000 per case. Natural age-related changes in the brain's prefron
abcactionnews.com · 2025-12-08
SAGES Theater is presenting "Phoney Baloney," an educational theatrical production about fraud prevention performed by senior actors, with free shows beginning April 6th at venues across Tampa Bay in partnership with local police departments, consumer protection agencies, and the FBI. The production aims to raise awareness about scams and protect seniors from losing savings to fraud through engaging, empowering storytelling.
news.yahoo.com · 2025-12-08
On March 19, Simi Valley police arrested 21-year-old Ruishan Liu for his alleged role in a "large-scale" financial scam that defrauded an elderly resident of $200,000 by posing as bank representatives and convincing the victim to withdraw and hand over cash under the guise of a bank security measure. Liu was caught during a sting operation when he arrived to collect a decoy package of cash at an undisclosed location. The arrest highlights a growing trend of financial scams targeting vulnerable elderly victims through various methods including cryptocurrency and gift cards.
goldrushcam.com · 2025-12-08
The Fresno Police Department reports a rising surge in impersonation scams targeting elderly residents, wherein fraudsters pose as legal representatives or government officials claiming a family member is in legal trouble and demanding immediate payment via cash pickups or gift cards. Victims are instructed to wire money or purchase gift cards and provide card numbers over the phone, with scammers sometimes arranging in-person cash collection from homes. Authorities advise that legitimate government agencies never demand payment in this manner and recommend verifying claims by contacting family members directly, never using provided phone numbers, and reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement immediately.
caller.com · 2025-12-08
Luis Alfonso Bisono Rodriguez, a 34-year-old Dominican Republic citizen living in Cleveland, was indicted in Pennsylvania for operating a grandparent fraud scheme that defrauded at least five elderly victims (ages up to 91) of approximately $50,000 between June 2024 and January 2025. The scammers posed as victims' relatives and authority figures, convincing seniors to withdraw cash and hand it to unsuspecting rideshare drivers, who transported the envelopes to Ohio where Rodriguez collected and wired the funds to the Dominican Republic. This case reflects a growing trend in which elderly Americans lose an estimated $3.4 billion annually to grandparent sc