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A 53-year-old accounting contractor for Elder Solutions, a geriatric care management company in Florida, was arrested and charged with 42 counts of fraud and exploitation involving elderly clients, including first-degree grand theft of over $100,000 and multiple counts of forgery and fraudulent use of credit cards. Ammie Padilla, who had power of attorney over at least one victim and managed funds for elderly clients, appeared in bond court where she was ordered to wear a GPS monitor, avoid contact with witnesses and the elderly, and post $210,000 bond. The investigation by the Broward County Sheriff's Office resulted in her removal from her position at the care management firm.

Eight individuals across the U.S. were arrested and charged with defrauding 139 seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, counterfeit checks, gold bar schemes, account hacking, and identity theft. The defendants, operating from New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and Rochester, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, carrying sentences of up to 15-30 years in prison. The arrests were facilitated by Save Our Seniors, a collaborative task force of federal, state, and local authorities formed to investigate elder fraud cases.

Eight individuals from New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and New York were arrested and charged with defrauding 139 seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, counterfeit checks, gold bar schemes, account hacking, and identity theft. The defendants, including Dhruv Patel who defrauded at least 12 victims of over $9.1 million, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft carrying sentences of up to 15-30 years in prison. The arrests were coordinated through Save Our Seniors, a working group formed in April to combat elder fraud across state lines.

Eight people from across the U.S. were arrested and charged with defrauding 139 seniors of over $11 million through romance scams, counterfeit checks, gold bar schemes, account hacking, and identity theft. The defendants, operating in New Jersey, Georgia, Florida, Ohio, and New York, face charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and identity theft, with sentences carrying up to 15-30 years in prison. The arrests were facilitated by Save Our Seniors, a working group of federal, state, and local authorities formed to collaborate on elder fraud investigations.

Eight individuals from Georgia, Ohio, Florida, New Jersey, and Western New York were arrested for participating in elder fraud schemes that defrauded over 139 victims nationwide of more than $11 million in actual and attempted fraud. The suspects employed various tactics including romance fraud, customer support scams, impersonation of federal employees, retirement account hacking, counterfeit checks, and identity theft. The arrests were made by the "Save Our Seniors" task force, a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, with one of the arrested individuals, Estermarie Jones, being from Rochester.

From 2023 to 2024, Orange and Osceola Counties, Florida experienced a 14% increase in scams targeting seniors, prompting State Attorney Monique Worrell to issue a public warning. The two primary scam types are romance scams—where perpetrators build online relationships and request money for emergencies or travel—and law enforcement impersonation scams claiming outstanding warrants or bail requirements. Worrell emphasized that prevention is critical since many scammers operate overseas and are difficult to prosecute, advising seniors to avoid sending cash or gift cards to unknown individuals, verify suspicious emails through search engines, and pause when confronted with urgent requests.

Four men were arrested in Miami-Dade County for staging car accidents to collect insurance payouts, with the scheme discovered at an intersection in northwest Miami-Dade. The suspects face charges including insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit organized crime, and filing false police reports, with bail set between $500 and $2,500. Experts warn that staged accident schemes are a growing problem in South Florida that drive up insurance premiums for legitimate drivers and recommend uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as protection.

This article is not about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a commemorative piece celebrating National Police Woman Day and honoring female law enforcement officers in Florida and the DeLand Police Department. This content does not fit the Elderus database scope and should not be summarized for inclusion.

Ana María Núñez, a 68-year-old woman with at least 16 prior fraud convictions, is on trial for defrauding a 78-year-old terminally ill woman in Doral of over $430,000 by posing as her daughter and obtaining power of attorney to transfer the victim's home and savings. Núñez and her son allegedly exploited the victim as her health declined from cancer; she faces multiple additional pending charges for other scams dating back to at least 1996, including a $105,000 investment fraud and another elderly victim scheme yielding $437,107. Authorities suspect the actual number of victims exceeds those documente

A Florida grandmother lost $60,000 in a romance scam after being deceived by fraudsters posing as a retired Army general online. One suspect allegedly pocketed $30,000 of the stolen funds to purchase a Hyundai Kona, and the victim later confronted him in person, though he claimed to be "scamming the scammer."

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.

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.

A 56-year-old Florida man, Cory Woodall, was arrested for organized fraud and grand theft after spending $30,000 from a romance scam victim, 70-year-old Carol West, who lost a total of $60,000 over six weeks to scammers impersonating a retired Army general on Facebook. Woodall admitted to spending the stolen money on a 2023 Hyundai Kona and other purchases, claiming he intended to "scam the scammer," though he denied being the person chatting with West online. According to the FTC, Florida residents reported nearly 3,400 romance scams last year, resulting in

Florida residents lost $243.1 million to romance scams and confidence fraud between 2021-2024, ranking ninth nationally in per-capita losses at $11 per person, with 2021 being the worst year at $70.5 million in reported losses. Romance scams involve criminals using fake online profiles and emotional manipulation to build trust with victims before fabricating crises and requesting money, often isolating victims from their support networks. North Dakota experienced the highest per-capita losses at $21 per person despite its smaller population, while California had the largest total losses at $555.1 million.

A Florida man, Charles Henry Williams, was arrested following a 5-month multi-state cyber investigation for running an online timeshare scam that defrauded an elderly Georgia couple of over $1 million across four years, with additional victims identified during the investigation. Williams was charged with Theft by Deception and Exploitation of an Elder Person and arrested on August 29, 2025, to face charges in Coweta County. The investigation involved coordination between the GBI, Georgia Attorney General's Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Florida law enforcement agencies.

A Bradenton, Florida senior citizen contacted the Elder Fraud Unit after receiving calls from law firms and private investigators, initially suspecting a scam, but Detective Jim Curulla determined she was legitimately owed over $100,000 in unclaimed stock dividends from an employer she worked for more than 30 years prior. The detective assisted Barbara in filing the necessary paperwork and accompanied her to safely deposit her check on September 3. The Bradenton Police Department recommends Florida residents check the state's treasure hunt website (fltreasurehunt.gov) to discover if they have unclaimed funds.

A Port Richey, Florida senior lost $47,000 in an AI-powered romance scam after being deceived by a fake Facebook profile using deepfake videos of a person named "Bonnie Fleck" who claimed to need funds for work in Australia; the scammer, traced to Nigeria, used computer-generated video chats to build trust before convincing the victim to wire cash and send Bitcoin. The victim now faces an additional $22,000 bank liability and risks losing his home, and the case highlights Florida's growing senior fraud problem, with reports reaching 9,000 yearly and increasing 40% since 2019.

An elderly Bradenton woman who feared she was being scammed after receiving solicitations about unclaimed funds contacted local police and was assisted by Detective Jim Curulla of the senior fraud division. Curulla verified the funds were legitimate through the Florida Department of Financial Services database and helped the woman recover over $100,000 in unclaimed property, then accompanied her to deposit the check.

An 88-year-old Florida woman discovered $108,000 in unclaimed stock options from a company where she worked 30 years earlier after becoming suspicious of solicitation letters from lawyers and private investigators offering to help claim the money for a fee. She contacted the Bradenton Police Department's elder fraud division, which verified the funds through the Florida Department of Financial Services and helped her complete the paperwork to claim the money directly without paying intermediaries. The case highlights how scammers exploit unclaimed property schemes while also demonstrating the importance of consulting trusted sources before acting on unsolicited financial offers.

An elderly Bradenton woman initially believed she was being targeted by a scam when law firms and private investigators contacted her about unclaimed funds, but Detective Jim Curulla of the Bradenton Police Department's Elder Fraud Unit discovered she legitimately had $108,000 in unclaimed stock dividends from an employer she worked for over 30 years prior. After verifying the funds through Florida's Unclaimed Property database and assisting her with the claim paperwork, the woman successfully received a check for $108,000 and received transportation to the bank to deposit it safely.

Florida launched Operation Senior Shield, a free statewide alert system designed to warn seniors about emerging scams targeting their phones, computers, and homes before criminals can exploit them. The program provides education from cybersecurity experts and "ethical hackers" who teach seniors how scammers operate, helping them recognize and avoid common fraud tactics like utility shutoff threats, fake accidents, and insurance scams. Seniors are encouraged to stay informed through community conversations, report suspicious activity, and remember that hanging up on unknown callers is acceptable and may protect their savings.

Florida has launched Operation Senior Shield, a statewide initiative to protect senior citizens from scams and financial exploitation after numerous incidents this year, including cases where elderly victims lost over $100,000 to fake tech support alerts and pop-up scams. The program provides free, real-time scam alerts to families and coordinates cybersecurity experts with law enforcement to combat fraud targeting seniors. Seniors and their families should take advantage of the free alert system and educational resources being offered to learn how to identify and avoid common scams targeting their age group.

Florida ranked 8th among U.S. states for romance scams, with residents losing over $44 million to catfishing schemes in 2025—more than any other top 15 state—with the average victim losing $25,707. The scams disproportionately target older adults aged 60-79, though young adults aged 20-29 are also frequently victimized. To protect yourself, be cautious of online relationships that move quickly to requests for money, verify identities through video calls before deepening connections, and research unfamiliar contacts on social media.

A 70-year-old former police officer and firefighter from Port Richie, Florida lost $47,000 in an AI-generated romance scam after developing an online relationship with a woman named "Bonnie" who claimed to need money for an overseas job. The scammer, traced to Nigeria, used AI-generated images and extracted funds through wire transfers and Bitcoin before the victim discovered the deception. The victim now faces an additional $22,000 debt demand from his bank and warns others about the dangers of romance scams, particularly for lonely individuals seeking connection.

A Cape Coral man fell victim to a text message scam impersonating the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, claiming he owed $6.69 for a toll violation with threats of license revocation. In Florida alone, there have been over 12,000 reports of government impostor scams in the current year totaling more than $26 million in losses. Experts advise verifying communications directly with government agencies through official contact information and never clicking links or providing financial information in unsolicited messages.

Two women in Florida—one from Marion County and another from Hillsborough County—lost $40,000 and $170,000 respectively in a romance scam using AI-generated images and voice of actor Keanu Reeves. The scammers contacted the victims through word games on their phones, built romantic connections, then used deepfake videos and AI-generated voice calls impersonating Reeves to convince them to send money via Bitcoin to accounts in Nigeria, citing reasons like divorce or cancer research. Experts advise never sending money to unknown individuals without verifying their true identity, as victims have extremely low chances of recovering their funds.

Active duty military members in Florida reported 50% higher losses to scammers in 2024 compared to other Americans, affecting approximately 62,000 service members in the state. Scammers primarily target military consumers through online purchases, fake job postings, cryptocurrency investments, home improvements, and vacation deals, exploiting vulnerabilities created by frequent relocations and deployments. Protective measures include avoiding unsolicited links and attachments, being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and using secure payment methods while avoiding cryptocurrency transfers.

Two sushi restaurant owners in Brevard County, Florida were accused of running a tech support scam that victimized elderly people across the country, with victims tricked into purchasing gift cards and wiring money after receiving fake computer warning messages. The investigation, which began in Wisconsin in 2023, resulted in the couple's arrest in late June, with one documented victim being a 76-year-old man who lost $14,300 (through $4,300 in gift cards and a $10,000 wire transfer to California).

Federal authorities warned of a 43% increase in elder fraud victim losses nationwide, with Florida ranking third in both losses and victims. FBI Miami highlighted rising impersonation fraud schemes—including immigration-related scams—that target seniors through phone calls and text messages, exploiting their politeness, desire for companionship, and lower technological literacy.

A widow named Kathy Stevens (pseudonym) lost $500,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man on a dating app who claimed to be an Italian-Australian scuba diver and oil rig worker with properties in Florida and Wisconsin. Over the course of their online relationship, the scammer built trust through daily conversations and a video call before requesting money, exploiting Stevens's loneliness following her husband's death. The case illustrates the vulnerability of grieving seniors to romance fraud schemes that use fabricated personas and emotional manipulation.

Two New York City women paid $3,000 each in 2024 for a cosmetics training course offered by Florida-based influencer "Melanie" through her company The Luxury Inc. Show, but were subsequently ghosted with no course delivery, communication, or refunds. Both victims filed police reports in Miami after months of contact attempts went unanswered, losing a combined $6,000 to what appears to be a course scam promoted through the influencer's social media posts.

A South Florida woman was scammed by a fraudster posing as realtor "Louisa Shakon" on Craigslist and Zillow, who lured her with an unrealistically cheap $850/month studio apartment listing in Fort Lauderdale. The victim, Fatima Hopkins, sent over $1,600 in cash transfers via Zelle after being instructed to pay various "holding" and deposit fees, never meeting the scammer in person. The scam also victimized legitimate local realtors whose identities and listings were being impersonated to conduct the fraud.

An FBI report released in 2024 found that Americans lost $16.6 billion to scams, a 33% increase from 2023, with seniors particularly vulnerable and losing nearly $5 billion of that total. The FBI receives an average of 836,000 cyber fraud reports annually, with victims losing at least $20,000 on average, and California, Texas, and Florida experiencing the highest scam losses.

Seminal County Sheriff's Office in Florida reported a surge in sophisticated scams targeting residents, with one victim, Shirley, receiving multiple fraudulent letters impersonating FedEx and a company called Investment Specialist Incorporated, with bills escalating from $68 to thousands of dollars. Law enforcement noted an increase in scam-related crimes since 2020, as criminals increasingly favor scams over other crimes due to lower risk of identification and arrest. Authorities advise consumers to verify suspicious messages before responding, as scammers often use urgency and official-looking documentation to deceive victims.

Florida residents, particularly seniors, are experiencing widespread scam calls and text messages, including toll balance fraud and unsolicited calls from unknown numbers. According to board-certified elder law attorney Jana McConna, vulnerable seniors—especially those who are isolated, lonely, recently widowed, or experiencing memory issues—are actively being targeted, with scammers exploiting emotional vulnerability and cognitive decline to financially manipulate victims. McConna emphasizes that isolation and loneliness are key risk factors that make seniors susceptible to fraud schemes.

An 85-year-old Florida woman was scammed out of $32,000 after receiving a call from someone impersonating a Publishers Clearing House representative who claimed she had won $1 million; the scammer convinced her she needed to pay taxes upfront to claim the prize. One of the alleged scammers, Shenia Baptist, was extradited to Volusia County and arrested, with the local sheriff personally greeting the victim to demonstrate law enforcement's commitment to protecting seniors from fraud.

A suspect named Shanah Baptist was extradited to Florida after defrauding an 85-year-old woman of $32,000 in a fake sweepstakes scam in June. Baptist and accomplices, including Neelon Brooks, were part of a multi-state fraud ring targeting seniors in Volusia County, with the sheriff emphasizing this represents a growing problem in the community. Baptist denied wrongdoing upon her arrest at Daytona Beach Airport.

Fraudulent text messages impersonating SunPass have resurfaced in South Florida, claiming recipients owe toll payments and threatening legal action, with fake account balances included. These phishing scams attempt to steal personal information like driver's license numbers for identity theft, with hundreds of residents in Martin and Saint Lucie counties reporting receipt of the fraudulent texts. Authorities advise recipients to delete messages without clicking links and contact SunPass directly, while Americans lost over $2 million to similar imposter scams in the previous year.

Authorities in Martin County, Florida are reporting a rising scam targeting elderly residents, in which scammers pose as tech support by displaying fake McAfee virus alerts and convincing victims to grant remote computer access. The scammers then manipulate victims into withdrawing cash from their banks under the false pretense of account security testing, with two known victims losing a combined $57,000 ($40,000 and $17,000 respectively) before couriers collected the cash. Law enforcement advises families to check with elderly loved ones about recent cash withdrawals or money transfers to help identify and investigate cases.

Scammers across the country, including South Florida, are sending sophisticated phishing text messages and emails claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls (often for amounts like $35) and directing them to click links to pay. Experts warn these messages are designed to look legitimate and, if clicked, can allow scammers to steal credit card details, passwords, and device access, with the FBI having received thousands of reports about these resurfacing toll road scams.

Florida's House Bill 3, effective January 1, 2025, requires adult content websites to verify users are 18 or older through ID verification methods to protect minors online. PornHub announced it will block access for Florida residents rather than comply with the ID photo upload requirement, citing disagreement with the state's specific verification approach.

This article is not relevant to elder fraud research. It reports on Florida's House Bill 3, which requires age verification (uploading a photo ID) for adult content websites to protect minors, effective January 1, 2025. PornHub is blocking Florida residents' access rather than comply with the ID verification requirement. **Note:** This piece concerns internet regulation and minors' online safety, not elder fraud, abuse, or scams targeting seniors.

The FBI Miami issued a holiday season warning about the rise of online scams, which increased 22% between 2022 and 2023, with South Florida's online investment fraud losses jumping from $12 million to $300 million. Elderly individuals are particularly targeted for romance fraud, tech support fraud, and impersonation schemes, with AI increasingly used to facilitate scams; charity fraud also peaks during the holidays. The agency advises consumers to be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, as billions of dollars are lost annually to fraud schemes nationwide.

Following Hurricane Milton in Florida, scammers are targeting homeowners seeking repairs for hurricane damage, particularly tree removal and home restoration services. A legitimate tree service company advises residents to carefully vet contractors before hiring them for cleanup and repair work to avoid being defrauded during the post-disaster recovery period.

The Better Business Bureau warns that disaster relief efforts following Hurricanes Milton and Helen have created opportunities for scammers to exploit people's desire to help hurricane victims in Florida and the Southeast. Donors are advised to follow best practices when giving to relief organizations, such as verifying legitimacy, as scammers often capitalize on charitable giving during disaster recovery periods.

**Summary:** During hurricane disasters in Florida and the Southeast, scammers exploit donors' generosity through fraudulent charitable solicitations via email, text messages, phone calls, door-to-door visits, and social media. Former FBI agent Scott Augenbomb advises verifying charities by visiting their official websites directly rather than using links from unsolicited communications, and recommends contacting legitimate sources independently if you cannot verify an organization's authenticity.

Following Hurricane Milton's landfall in Florida, homeowners are warned to research contractors carefully before hiring them for repairs, as out-of-state "fly-by-night" contractors often take cash upfront and disappear without completing work. Red flags include unsolicited door-to-door solicitation, and homeowners should verify contractors are licensed through their county, check online reviews, and hire local, reputable professionals to avoid being scammed during the cleanup and repair process.

Over 65,000 Americans fell victim to romance scams in the last year, losing more than $1 billion collectively, with Florida ranking second nationally in victim count according to the Federal Trade Commission. An Orlando woman named Rebecca D'Antonio lost approximately $5,000+ across multiple transactions after developing an online relationship with someone posing as "Matthew Shawn," who fabricated an emergency overseas requiring financial assistance. The scammer used photos, poetry, and false promises of an in-person meeting to build trust before requesting money for a fabricated crisis.

In the past year, over 65,000 Americans lost more than $1 billion to romance scams, with Florida ranking second in the nation for victim count according to the Federal Trade Commission. An Orlando woman featured in the investigation fell victim after developing an online relationship with someone claiming to be "Matthew," who built trust through pictures, poetry, and personal conversations before requesting money for an overseas emergency when his credit card stopped working in Nigeria.

Volusia County Sheriff's Office partnered with a free community screening of the film "Thelma"—which depicts a 93-year-old grandmother being scammed—to raise awareness about elder fraud, which costs older Americans billions of dollars annually and significantly affects Central Florida seniors. Law enforcement officers provided prevention advice to attendees, emphasizing strategies such as not answering unknown phone numbers, ignoring unfamiliar text messages, and contacting police or trusted neighbors when uncertain.