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in Robocall / Phone Scam
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-07
A sophisticated phishing email impersonates PayPal using a spoofed sender address and targets users with claims of a $910.45 unauthorized charge at Kraken.com, urging them to click a link within 24 hours. The scam uses multiple deceptive tactics including suspicious recipient addresses, generic greetings, artificial urgency, and a fake link that actually directs victims to PayPal's legitimate site but initiates adding a secondary user to their account—allowing scammers to issue payments from the victim's account.
patch.com
· 2025-12-07
Two Chinese nationals from Corona, California pleaded guilty to a $16.2 million Apple device fraud scheme in which counterfeit iPhones and iPads were exchanged for genuine devices at Apple stores across Southern California using cloned serial numbers, then resold for profit primarily in China. Yushan Lin and Shuyi Xing, along with four other co-conspirators, exploited Apple's warranty program by visiting multiple retail locations and deceiving the company into replacing counterfeit devices with authentic ones. Additionally, Xing pleaded guilty to laundering over $1 million from elder fraud schemes in a separate money laundering operation.
bctv.org
· 2025-12-07
This is an educational event announcement rather than a news article about a specific scam or fraud case. Here's the summary:
A free educational program on senior fraud protection will be held September 8 from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, presented by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Senior Protection Unit and a Reading-based elder law firm. Attorney David Shallcross will cover scams targeting seniors including tech repair scams and romance fraud, along with protection strategies, while Attorney Rose Kennedy will discuss estate planning and elder law considerations. Registration is required through the Wyoming Public Library website or by phone at 610-374-2385.
northwestgeorgianews.com
· 2025-12-07
The Elder Justice Initiative highlights common financial scams targeting seniors age 60 and older, including Social Security impostor scams (false suspension claims), tech support scams (fake virus/hacking warnings), lottery scams (foreign sweepstakes requiring upfront fees), and romance scams (online dating schemes requesting money). Digital technology has increased seniors' vulnerability to these schemes, which exploit personal information and trust, making elder fraud a recognized threat requiring public education and awareness efforts.
tribunact.com
· 2025-12-07
Jackie Crenshaw, a Connecticut resident, lost nearly $1 million to a cryptocurrency romance scam in which a fraudster built emotional trust to manipulate her into making false investments. She testified before the Connecticut legislature in support of House Bill 6990, which passed and was signed into law, establishing a legal framework for law enforcement to seize virtual currency used in criminal offenses—legislation designed to help recover stolen funds from future victims. Crenshaw's advocacy highlights how romance scams, which exploit emotional connections for financial gain, have become increasingly prevalent, with the FTC estimating true annual fraud losses at $137 billion despite only $9 billion being reported.
koaa.com
· 2025-12-07
**Summary:**
Colorado author Josh Kern lost over $100,000 to a romance and investment scam involving an AI-generated persona who conducted convincing video calls on WhatsApp, then lost an additional $50,000 to a fake recovery scam. FBI Special Agent Eric Burns confirmed that scammers now use AI technology downloaded from the dark web or smartphone apps to disguise their voices and faces during video chats to appear as different people and target vulnerable individuals on dating websites. The FBI recommends meeting people in person before sending money and filing reports through the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center if victimized.
qchron.com
· 2025-12-07
State Sen. Joe Addabbo partnered with computer support company DMS International to provide a technology education class at a senior center in Glendale, focusing on how seniors can identify, avoid, and report common scams. The presentation covered tactics used by scammers impersonating utility companies like Con Edison, and attendees received guidance on verification procedures and reporting resources such as calling 311.
abc10.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers increasingly target seniors through digital platforms, with California consumers reporting over $1.7 billion in fraud losses in 2024, particularly involving identity theft and smartphone scams. Seniors are vulnerable because they are more likely to respond to unsolicited calls and urgent emails, and common tactics include impersonating government agencies or family members to pressure victims into quick payments via gift cards. Experts recommend that seniors never give personal information over the phone, keep antivirus software updated, verify website legitimacy before transactions, and immediately notify law enforcement and financial institutions if targeted, while family and friends can support prevention through regular check-ins and open conversations about fraud.
wcnc.com
· 2025-12-07
In 2023, older Americans lost over $3.4 billion to scams, with the problem escalating in 2024 when individuals over 60 represented the largest group of cybercrime victims in the U.S., losing more than $1 billion since the start of the year through increasingly sophisticated schemes including tech support fraud, romance scams, investment fraud, and government impersonation. Experts recommend seniors protect themselves by never sharing personal information unsolicited, using strong passwords with two-factor authentication, consulting family before financial decisions, and recognizing red flags such as urgent requests for money via gift cards or wire transfers, pressure to act quickly, and threats from callers.
bluewin.ch
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old woman in Japan was defrauded of approximately 5,780 francs in a romance scam where a fraudster posing as an astronaut claimed to be under attack in space and needed money for oxygen. The woman met the scammer online in July, developed emotional feelings for him, and transferred the funds based on his fabricated emergency. Police warn that romance scams use elaborate stories and fake identities to manipulate victims into sending money, and advise people to remain suspicious of online acquaintances requesting funds and to contact authorities if targeted.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-07
A scammer impersonated a pastor at NorthRidge Church in northeast Kansas by sending emails to church members requesting gift card purchases with claims of urgency, though no one fell for the scam due to misspellings in the fraudulent email. The Seneca Police Department warns of this impersonation tactic, noting that Americans lost $1.1 billion to impersonation scams in 2023, with gift card scams being a common method where scammers pose as government officials, tech support, family members, or other trusted sources.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
A Japanese woman on Hokkaido was defrauded of ¥1 million (£5,000) in a romance scam after meeting a fraudster on social media who claimed to be an astronaut under attack on a spaceship in need of oxygen. The article also highlights a separate investment fraud case where an elderly UK man lost £120,000 of his and his wife's life savings to a fake Bitcoin scheme falsely endorsed by financial journalist Martin Lewis, involving manipulative phone contact three times weekly over an extended period.
97x.com
· 2025-12-07
An elderly woman in her 80s from Hokkaido, Japan lost approximately $6,700 after being targeted by a romance scammer who posed as an astronaut claiming his spaceship was under attack and needed money for oxygen. The victim, who lived alone and met the scammer on social media in July, developed emotional attachment through online conversations that made her vulnerable to his fabricated crisis. This case reflects a broader surge in romance scams globally, with the U.S. reporting over 64,000 victims and $1 billion in losses in 2023 alone, prompting authorities to urge the public to avoid sending money to online contacts and report suspicious requests immediately.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
Cecilie Fjellhoy met Simon Leviev (real name Shimon Hayut) on Tinder in 2018, who posed as a wealthy diamond company CEO and convinced her to lend him money for travel expenses over 13 weeks, ultimately stealing £200,000 from her credit card. Leviev defrauded an estimated £7.4 million from numerous women using the same romance scam tactics before being arrested in Greece in 2019 on unrelated charges; he was never prosecuted for the Tinder scheme. Fjellhoy, who experienced severe psychological trauma and required psychiatric care and therapy, has since released a Netflix documentary called "
cosmopolitan.com
· 2025-12-07
Norwegian woman Cecilie Fjellhøy was scammed out of £188,000 by Tinder romance scammer Shimon Hayut (alias Simon Leviev) in a sophisticated fraud involving luxury lifestyle fabrications. After speaking out in Netflix's 2022 documentary *The Tinder Swindler*, Fjellhøy partnered with a private investigator for a new docuseries called *Love Con Revenge* to help other victims of romance scams, which can result in losses exceeding $2 million and severe psychological consequences including depression and suicidal ideation.
countryherald.com
· 2025-12-07
Impersonation scams targeting older adults in Illinois and nationwide have increased more than fourfold since 2020, with losses exceeding $100,000 skyrocketing from $55 million in 2020 to $445 million in 2024, according to FTC data. Scammers impersonate trusted entities like government agencies, banks, and businesses through urgent calls, texts, or emails, pressuring victims to transfer money, move funds to cryptocurrency, or hand over cash by falsely claiming account compromises, criminal ties to Social Security numbers, or hacked computers. The FTC advises consumers to never send money in response to unsolicited communications, verify contacts through
recordcourier.com
· 2025-12-07
The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is hosting a free Senior Scam Seminar on September 18 at the Kahle Community Center in Stateline, designed to educate residents about identifying and preventing fraud targeting seniors. The one-hour session will cover common scam tactics including phone, email, and in-person schemes, warning signs to recognize, and available resources, with Sheriff Dan Coverley noting that fraudulent schemes affecting seniors are on the rise and education is a key defense against fraud.
gilmermirror.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) provides resources and tools to help older adults, caregivers, and families protect themselves from fraud and scams. Key resources include the BBB's Older Adult Resources page for recognizing red flags, ScamTracker for reporting and researching scams, credit monitoring through annualcreditreport.com, and the Do-Not-Call Registry to reduce unsolicited communications. The article also highlights warning signs of elder abuse—including unexplained injuries, financial manipulation, isolation, and declining living standards—and encourages families to use these tools to support safe, informed aging.
bitdefender.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece highlights the rising threat of sophisticated online scams targeting seniors, noting that FTC data shows reports of victims aged 60+ losing $10,000 or more quadrupled between 2020 and 2024. Scammers use impostor schemes impersonating businesses or government agencies, increasingly leveraging AI-generated deepfakes and voice technology, with a notable 2024 case involving 16 defendants charged in a grandparent scam ring that defrauded victims of over $55 million. The article recommends verification through trusted channels, raising awareness of scam tactics, and implementing cybersecurity tools as key defenses against elder fraud.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-07
The Better Business Bureau warns that scammers are increasingly using AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate grandchildren and other loved ones, convincing seniors to send money by claiming emergencies such as accidents, arrests, or medical crises. These "grandparent scams" are becoming more realistic by incorporating personal details gleaned from social media, and scammers can now replicate voices with just seconds of audio. The BBB recommends families establish code words for verification, limit personal information on social media, avoid sending money through untraceable methods like gift cards or payment apps, and contact police if suspicious requests occur or money has already been sent.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are increasingly using fake browser pop-ups and unsolicited phone calls that impersonate Microsoft alerts to trick victims into believing their computers are infected, then attempting to gain remote access to install malware, steal personal information, or demand payment for nonexistent problems. The scam works by displaying full-screen warnings with alarm sounds directing victims to call a number, where scammers convince them to install remote access software and subsequently demand payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards. Individuals should never call numbers from pop-ups, remember that Microsoft will not contact them unsolicited, and should disconnect from the internet or force-restart their device if suspected of being targeted by this scam.
clickondetroit.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers have been contacting Michigan residents by phone and email, impersonating Consumers Energy representatives and threatening service disconnection unless immediate payment is made via prepaid debit cards or gift cards. Consumers Energy clarified that it never demands specific payment methods or requests credit card information over the phone, and customers should hang up and call the official number (800-477-5050) to verify any such contact. Those who suspect they were scammed should report the incident to Consumers Energy or local police depending on whether payment was made.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
AARP is hosting a free telephone town hall on September 4 featuring fraud prevention experts Liz Buser and Staff Sergeant Tara Hardin to educate older adults and caregivers about evolving scam tactics, how to identify red flags, and reporting procedures. The event will cover current fraud trends targeting seniors, response strategies for suspicious communications, available support resources, and practical protection tools from AARP and law enforcement.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece provides strategies to reduce unwanted scammer calls, including registering with the national Do Not Call Registry, hanging up on robocalls without engaging, and utilizing phone features like blocking non-contacts and call-labeling services. The advice emphasizes that while these methods cannot eliminate all scam calls, they can significantly reduce unwanted contact from both scammers and legitimate telemarketers.
today.com
· 2025-12-07
I cannot provide a summary of the Charles Shay article as requested, since the text provided does not contain the actual article content—only a headline and a list of unrelated news segments. However, I can summarize the one fraud-related segment included: NBC's Brian Cheung discusses rising scam emails, texts, and calls, offering protection strategies and scenarios to identify phishing attempts (Sept. 5, 2025).
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Pennsylvania State Police issued a warning about tech support scams in which fraudsters use fake browser pop-ups or unsolicited phone calls claiming the victim's computer is infected, then attempt to gain remote access to install malware, steal personal information, or demand payment for nonexistent problems. The scammers typically display fake Microsoft alerts with siren sounds directing victims to call a number, where they convince targets to install remote access software and subsequently extract money via cryptocurrency or gift cards. Authorities advise never trusting unsolicited contact, not calling numbers from pop-ups, and immediately disconnecting from the internet or restarting the computer if a scam is suspected.
koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
· 2025-12-07
Korean consumers have been defrauded by overseas fake websites impersonating luxury fashion brands like Woo Young-mi and Stussy, offering steep discounts (60-90% off) through social media ads, accepting payments, but failing to deliver products or process refunds. Between January and July 2025, Seoul authorities received 137 reports of such scams, with 93.7% of cases traced to Instagram discount advertisements. The Seoul Metropolitan Government and Korea Consumer Agency recommend verifying official websites, avoiding suspiciously deep discounts, and pursuing chargebacks through credit card issuers within 120-180 days of purchase.
easttexasradio.com
· 2025-12-07
Federal authorities arrested 13 individuals involved in a transnational emergency/grandparent scam operation that defrauded over 400 victims of more than $5 million. The scammers impersonated distressed family members via calls, texts, or social media, claiming arrests, accidents, or emergencies to pressure victims into sending money via payment apps, sometimes even using fake mugshots or voice-cloning technology to enhance credibility. To protect themselves, people should verify urgent requests by contacting family members directly, avoid sending money through untraceable payment methods, and alert police if anyone offers to pick up cash in person.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-07
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Massachusetts arrested 13 individuals involved in a transnational elder fraud scheme that targeted over 400 victims and resulted in more than $5 million in losses. Emergency scams—also called grandparent scams—use fake urgent situations (arrests, accidents, medical emergencies) to pressure victims into sending money via payment apps, often impersonating family members and using personal details found on social media or even voice cloning technology to appear credible. To avoid these scams, victims should resist acting immediately, verify stories by calling family members directly, avoid sending money through payment apps or gift cards without confirmation, and contact police if someone arrives to collect cash.
cullmantribune.com
· 2025-12-07
The Cullman Police Department reported a sharp increase in scams and financial crimes targeting seniors, including sophisticated phone, online, and fraudulent banking schemes. In response, CPD has prioritized fraud awareness through community outreach to senior groups, participation in U.S. Secret Service financial crime meetings, and partnerships with local banks to educate residents on warning signs and protective measures. The department encourages residents to contact their banks immediately and report suspicious activity to law enforcement.
atlantanewsfirst.com
· 2025-12-07
Fulton County launched ACT (Avoid Cyber Threats), a free online cybersecurity training program for seniors, in response to alarming fraud statistics showing that seniors lost approximately $5 billion to internet crimes in 2024, with Georgia ranking 7th nationally for such losses. The program educates seniors on recognizing digital scams including AI voice cloning, government impersonation, and phishing schemes, with the county aiming to train 2,000 seniors and caregivers by year-end. One local resident shared how she fell victim to a scam that resulted in $2,000 being stolen from her account, though her bank helped her recover the funds.
wsfa.com
· 2025-12-07
AARP warns of AI-enabled "grandparent scams" where sophisticated international crime rings use artificial intelligence to replicate grandchildren's voices and call seniors late at night claiming to be in trouble and requesting immediate money. To protect against these scams, AARP recommends establishing a family code word for verification, avoiding calls from unknown numbers, and keeping personal information off the internet.
abc3340.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI warns seniors to remain vigilant against fraud schemes targeting older adults, noting that elder fraud remains a significant problem because criminals exploit vulnerable seniors who may be more trusting and often live alone. The agency recommends protective measures including shredding financial documents, avoiding unsolicited contact, resisting pressure to act quickly, and discussing investments with trusted individuals. Seniors are encouraged to report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or local field offices, as many victims do not report incidents due to shame and can suffer severe financial losses.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers impersonated St. Clair County Sheriff's Office staff by calling or messaging family members of jailed individuals, claiming to offer GPS tether release in exchange for payment via PayPal, Zelle, or Apple Pay. At least one victim lost nearly $1,000 to the scheme, which the sheriff's office emphasized it would never use to collect payments. Residents are urged to verify requests through official channels and report suspected scams to local authorities.
trmlabs.com
· 2025-12-07
This resource is a law enforcement guide for investigating cryptocurrency-enabled scams, which have caused at least $53 billion in losses since 2023, with figures likely underreported due to delayed victim reporting. The guide provides investigators with essential terminology, investigation methodologies, and blockchain forensics techniques to trace fraudulent cryptocurrency transactions and identify the real-world controllers behind pseudonymous addresses. It serves as a practical manual for police and law enforcement professionals to understand and combat crypto-related investment scams, phishing schemes, and other cryptocurrency fraud.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-07
A 59-year-old homemaker in Mattancherry lost ₹2.88 crore in a "virtual arrest" scam in which fraudsters, posing as Mumbai police officers, accused her of money laundering and convinced her she was under "virtual arrest" and subjected to a "virtual trial." The victim transferred the money in multiple installments after being threatened and instructed to keep the matter secret, only discovering the fraud when she sought a police clearance certificate.
soapcentral.com
· 2025-12-07
Cecilie Fjellhøy, a victim of romance scammer Simon Leviev who lost over £200,000, transformed her experience into activism by co-founding LoveSaid and appearing in Netflix's Love Con Revenge alongside investigator Brianne Joseph to expose romance scams and advocate for legal reform. The documentary highlights common romance fraud tactics including love bombing and emotional manipulation while revealing how the legal system often dismisses these crimes as personal disputes rather than serious offenses. Fjellhøy continues raising awareness about emerging threats like deepfake and AI-enabled scams while working to change public perception and policy surrounding romance fraud victimization.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-07
Phishing scam texts are circulating that falsely claim recipients have received parking penalty charge notices (PCNs) and urge them to click a link to pay, with some messages threatening license suspension or court action. Councils across the UK, including Cheshire West and Chester, warn that genuine PCNs are only issued as physical tickets on windscreens or by post, never by text, and legitimate messages include specific details like vehicle registration, time, and location of the offense. To protect yourself, verify the sender through official channels, check for HTTPS URLs and proper spelling, and never click suspicious links or share financial information; if compromised, restart your device, change passwords, and report the
kfiz.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are conducting jury duty avoidance scams using fake government websites to steal personal information and money from targets. The scheme begins with a call or text impersonating law enforcement, directing victims to a fraudulent website that captures Social Security numbers and birthdates, then pressures them to pay via credit card or cryptocurrency ATMs. The article emphasizes that legitimate courts never demand immediate payment or sensitive personal information by phone, and advises victims to verify requests directly with official law enforcement contacts and avoid clicking unsolicited links.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
The Chandigarh Police cyber crime branch arrested 103 cyber criminals and registered 102 FIRs between January and August 2024, recovering Rs. 7.5 crore of approximately Rs. 32.5 crore in frauds involving online trading scams, digital arrests, fake calls, and credit card fraud. Elderly citizens living alone have become primary targets due to lack of technical knowledge, prompting police to launch door-to-door awareness campaigns in senior-heavy residential areas. Authorities emphasize prompt reporting to maximize recovery and advise the public never to share banking details, OTPs, or passwords, and to verify that government agencies will never request money transfers
thesun.my
· 2025-12-07
Modern scam syndicates exploit human psychology through social engineering rather than technical hacking, using fear, urgency, and authority to manipulate victims regardless of education level or professional background. A 28-year-old Malaysian woman lost RM10,000 after scammers impersonated Pos Malaysia and police authorities, pressuring her to disclose personal information and make deposits based on false accusations. Experts emphasize that awareness and questioning authority under pressure, rather than enforcement alone, are critical to combating these psychologically-driven scams that can cause severe financial and emotional consequences.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
A 62-year-old retired government employee in Visakhapatnam lost over Rs 2.5 crore in a digital arrest scam after fraudsters posing as police officials called him claiming his Aadhaar was linked to money laundering and threatened him with arrest warrants. The victim transferred all his savings following the scammers' instructions before discovering the fraud through reading about similar cases and reporting it to cyber crime police. Police note that senior citizens are increasingly targeted in digital arrest scams, with many victims reluctant to report due to shame or lack of awareness.
coconutcreektalk.com
· 2025-12-07
Coconut Creek Police warned residents of a cryptocurrency scam targeting Bitcoin and Coinbase users after a local woman was deceived via text message into surrendering access to her Coinbase account when scammers falsely claimed her password had been changed. The incident is part of a broader trend where criminals contact victims through email, text, or phone calls using urgent language to extract sensitive information. Police advise residents to disregard suspicious messages and never share account details with unsolicited contacts claiming to represent financial or cryptocurrency institutions.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-07
Singapore reported S$456 million in fraud losses during the first half of 2025, a decline from the previous year, though cryptocurrency scams remained a significant concern accounting for S$81.6 million (18% of total losses), with Tether, Bitcoin, and Ethereum being the primary targets. Victims were predominantly aged 30-49 and fell prey to investment scams, job fraud, and phishing schemes, while authorities recovered S$56.7 million in fraudulent funds and prevented S$179 million in potential losses through collaborative efforts.
vice.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old Japanese woman lost $6,800 in a romance scam after meeting a man on social media who claimed to be an astronaut in orbit with an oxygen emergency. The scammer built trust over weeks of messaging before fabricating a crisis requiring immediate financial help, which the victim sent via electronic money because she believed she was saving someone she had romantic feelings for. Romance scams have surged in Japan, with over 20,000 cases recorded in 2024 causing $480 million in losses, predominantly affecting seniors, though people of all ages remain vulnerable.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-07
A 63-year-old Florida man was arrested in August 2025 after a five-month investigation into a four-year timeshare resale scam that defrauded an elderly Georgia couple of over $1 million. Charles Henry Williams faced charges including Theft by Deception and Exploitation of an Elder Person, and authorities identified additional victims across multiple states, suggesting a broader fraud scheme. Law enforcement urges seniors and families to verify financial requests and remain vigilant against online fraud schemes targeting vulnerable elderly individuals.
wusa9.com
· 2025-12-07
The D.C. Attorney General sued Athena Bitcoin ATMs after one victim lost nearly $100,000 in a week to crypto ATM scams, with 93% of all D.C. deposits linked to fraud. Scammers used phone calls impersonating government or bank officials to pressure elderly victims into depositing money into crypto ATMs, which cannot be recovered, while Athena profited from undisclosed fees up to 26% and failed to stop fraudulent transactions despite knowing about them. The investigation found a median loss of $8,000 per scam transaction, with the company accused of violating consumer protection and elder abuse laws.
brookline.news
· 2025-12-07
Two New York men, Amarjot Singh (30) and Jaykumar Raval (20), were arrested in July and charged in September for facilitating a scheme that defrauded a 71-year-old Brookline woman of $45,000 in June. The scam began with a fake Apple Pay alert text, followed by impersonation calls from fake Apple Security and Federal Trade Commission representatives who convinced the victim her accounts had been compromised and instructed her to withdraw cash for pickup by supposed undercover federal agents. Raval is also suspected in connection with nearly $200,000 stolen from elderly women across New York and New Hampshire through similar schemes.
geekspin.co
· 2025-12-07
A 63-year-old Florida man, Charles Henry Williams, was arrested in connection with a multi-year timeshare resale scam that defrauded an elderly Georgia couple of over $1 million. The scheme targeted vulnerable seniors across multiple states, with the primary victims deceived into making payments for fraudulent property transactions over four years before the fraud was discovered. Williams faces charges including Theft by Deception and Exploitation of an Elder Person, and law enforcement urges seniors and their families to verify financial requests and remain alert to similar schemes.
501lifemag.com
· 2025-12-07
The Arkansas Securities Department reports a substantial increase in financial fraud targeting elderly Arkansans, with older Americans nationwide reporting $4.885 billion in losses from 147,127 complaints in 2024, including 1,063 Arkansas victims who lost $27.25 million. Common schemes include social media scams, romance fraud, and "pig butchering" scams that build trust before encouraging cryptocurrency investments, with seniors being targeted due to accumulated savings, higher trust levels, and social isolation. The ASD advises elderly investors to avoid unsolicited investment opportunities claiming guaranteed returns, secrecy, or low risk with high returns, and encourages reporting suspected fraud to 800.981.4