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justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three New Jersey residents pleaded guilty to operating a romance fraud scheme from 2016 to 2020 that defrauded over 100 victims of millions of dollars. Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, along with co-conspirator Oluwaseyi Fatolu, worked with accomplices in Nigeria to pose as romantic partners on dating sites, convincing victims to send money while evading taxes on their illegal proceeds. The defendants face charges including unlawful money transmitting, tax evasion, and conspiracy related to the multi-million dollar scheme.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article provides guidance on identifying common cyber scams and protecting oneself online. It identifies six prevalent scam types targeting all age groups—including phishing, sweepstakes, investment, lawsuit/tax, romance, and tech support scams—and recommends seven safety practices such as using strong passwords, updating devices, and exercising skepticism toward unsolicited offers. The piece emphasizes that cybercrime is a rising threat and encourages reporting suspicious emails to CISA.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-08
The Botetourt County Sheriff's Office warned residents about traveling door-to-door home improvement scams involving driveway paving, sealing, and barn roof painting, typically perpetrated by groups from South Carolina and Georgia who target elderly homeowners with diluted, poor-quality materials and low prices. The scammers often work in groups to distract homeowners while stealing valuables, and investigators recommend only hiring contractors you know or have researched, verifying solicitor permits, and never allowing unsupervised access to your home.
knoxpages.com
· 2025-12-08
Ohio residents lost over $150 million to financial scams in 2023, with identity theft, imposter fraud, and online shopping scams being the most prevalent types, according to state authorities. Ohio ranked 12th nationally for identity theft cases in 2023, with younger residents at risk through social media exploitation and seniors vulnerable due to larger financial holdings. Law enforcement recommends reviewing financial statements regularly, avoiding unsolicited requests for payment via gift cards or prepaid cards, and remembering that legitimate government agencies do not solicit personal information via email.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
A senior citizen in midtown Toronto fell victim to an alleged door-to-door roofing scam where two men initially quoted $4,700 in repairs, then claimed to discover extensive damage and demanded $80,000-$150,000, eventually abandoning the job after he couldn't produce the cash. The scammers left his roof with a large hole that caused significant water damage to his home during a subsequent rainstorm, with the damage requiring costly repairs even though no money was extracted from the victim.
ksnblocal4.com
· 2025-12-08
Right at Home, a home health care service in Nebraska, is warning families about common scams targeting older adults, particularly government impersonation scams (IRS, Social Security, Medicare) and charity fraud. The company advises vulnerable seniors to verify suspicious mailings with family members, be cautious of charity solicitations on social media, and allow trusted individuals to monitor bank statements, while noting that their caregivers are trained to identify and help prevent elder fraud.
delcotimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article contains three community news items, with the elder fraud-related segment focusing on a presentation by Detective Brian Layton of the Delaware County Criminal Investigative Unit to the Villagers of Newtown Square on March 21, where he discussed elder fraud and was accompanied by two Villanova University forensic accounting students to provide information on the topic. The article does not provide specific details about the fraud cases discussed or advice given during the presentation.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), a Mexican drug cartel, orchestrated a sophisticated timeshare fraud scheme that defrauded Americans of approximately $40 million in 2022 alone, with the scam now estimated to steal hundreds of millions annually. The operation targeted elderly U.S. citizens, using high-pressure tactics to collect upfront fees for timeshare sales, then became evasive; scammers later posed as lawyers offering false restitution to keep victims engaged through repeated wire transfers. The FBI received over 600 complaints in 2022, and the U.S. Treasury imposed multiple rounds of sanctions against cartel members and Mexican companies involve
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
The Jalisco New Generation cartel (CJNG), a violent Mexican drug cartel, orchestrated a sophisticated timeshare scam that defrauded Americans of approximately $40 million in 2022, with victims including many elderly citizens who lost their life savings. The scheme, which evolved from Puerto Vallarta to popular tourist destinations like Cancun, involved multiple layers of deception including high-pressure sales tactics, upfront fees, and fake recovery lawyers making restitution promises over years-long periods. The FBI received over 600 complaints with losses of $39.6 million in 2022, prompting federal sanctions against the cartel's network and a multi-agency
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
Two Indian nationals, Anil Mangukia, 39, and Yash Navadia, 25, were indicted on money laundering conspiracy charges for their roles in an elder fraud courier scam targeting older Americans, including a victim in Warren, Ohio. The defendants and coconspirators stole more than $127,000 and attempted to steal an additional $650,000 by posing as bank employees and government agents, falsely claiming victims' accounts were compromised and instructing them to transfer money, purchase gold, or meet in person to hand over cash and valuables. The perpetrators employed multiple deception tactics including cryptocurrency transfers, direct bank transfers, and physical courier exchanges of
blog.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP is backing the bipartisan Casualty Loss Deduction Restoration Act to provide tax relief for fraud victims who face unexpected tax liabilities on stolen funds withdrawn from tax-preferred accounts like 401(k)s. The proposed legislation would allow victims to retroactively deduct up to $50,000 in fraud losses, addressing the "double injury" of losing money to criminals and then owing taxes on those losses. Fraud costs Americans $10 billion annually, and this bill aims to provide relief to past victims unable to recover their stolen funds.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three Los Angeles County men were sentenced to federal prison (15, 10, and 8 years respectively) for laundering gift cards stolen from telephone scam victims, acquiring over 5,000 Target gift card numbers from a Chinese fraud operation called "Magic Lamp" and using runners to quickly liquidate them at retail stores. The scheme targeted mostly older adults between June 2019 and November 2020, with victims defrauded through impersonation scams by government officials and tech support, and the defendants ordered to pay restitution totaling $194,387.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Three men—Blade Bai, Bowen Hu, and Tairan Shi—were sentenced to 15, 10, and 8 years in prison respectively for laundering gift card fraud proceeds between June 2019 and November 2020. The defendants acquired over 5,000 Target gift card numbers (typically valued at $500 each) from a Chinese fraud ring called "Magic Lamp," then used runners to quickly liquidate the cards by purchasing high-value electronics, targeting mostly elderly victims who had been deceived by telephone scammers posing as government officials or tech support personnel. The scheme involved a transnational network designed to prevent Target from reimburs
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are a sophisticated investment fraud scheme in which scammers create fake online identities to build trust with victims before stealing their money, often through fraudulent cryptocurrency investments. The scams use social engineering, AI-generated content, and emotional manipulation to exploit victims' vulnerabilities, with billions of dollars in global losses reported. To protect yourself, ignore unsolicited messages, verify financial advice independently, and immediately report any suspected scam to your bank and law enforcement.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophia, the wife of a retired army officer, fell victim to an online impersonation scam when seeking a refund for spoiled milk purchased through a grocery platform. After contacting a fraudster posing as customer service, she was manipulated into sharing her UPI PIN and unknowingly transferred funds to the scammer's account, resulting in a direct debit from her bank. The case has been registered with local police under the Information Technology Act, with authorities working to trace the perpetrator and recover the funds.
mha.gov.sg
· 2025-12-08
Singapore's scam problem affected over 46,600 victims in the prior year, with losses totaling approximately $650 million—averaging $14,000 per victim and affecting more than 100 people daily. Contrary to common assumptions about elderly vulnerability, nearly 75% of scam victims were under age 50, with 92% of losses driven by social engineering and deception tactics that manipulate victims into authorizing fraudulent transfers. Government agencies, banks, and telecommunications companies are collaborating through measures including the Anti-Scam Command (which froze over 19,600 accounts and recovered $100 million in 2023) and the ACT public awareness campaign to enhance vigil
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Loan fraud is surging as financial pressures from inflation and rising costs push vulnerable populations to seek credit, with scammers exploiting this desperation through various schemes. Common tactics include advance-fee fraud (requesting upfront payments for loans that never materialize), student loan forgiveness scams, phishing for personal information, and malicious loan apps—with victims in the UK losing an average of £255 ($323) per incident. Those most at risk are young people, seniors, low-income households, and individuals with poor credit scores who are targeted because they're most likely to be desperate for quick funding.
wset.com
· 2025-12-08
Member One Federal Credit Union provides guidance on protecting elderly loved ones from scams and fraud, offering tools and resources to help families recognize and respond to fraudulent activity. The organization emphasizes the importance of education and support systems to prevent seniors from becoming victims of financial exploitation.
financialregnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal authorities (CFTC, FINRA, and NASAA) issued a joint warning about precious metals investment scams targeting seniors, where fraudulent dealers tout gold and silver as "safe investments" while charging excessive markups, commissions, and fees that prevent investors from profiting. Scammers specifically target retirees and those near retirement by encouraging retirement account rollovers, using fake celebrity endorsements, high-pressure sales tactics, and fake self-directed IRA custodians to steal funds. In September 2020, federal and state authorities filed a civil enforcement action against two precious metals dealers for an alleged $185 million fraudulent scheme targeting elderly people nationwide.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Bengaluru woman lost Rs 77,000 in a refund scam after receiving spoiled milk from an online grocery platform on March 18, 2024. She contacted a fraudulent customer service number and was instructed to transfer money via PhonePe using a provided UPI ID, believing she would receive a refund; instead, her account was debited. The woman reported the incident to police, who are working to freeze the scammer's account under the Information Technology Act.
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
During election season, scammers exploit increased political communications by impersonating legitimate candidates and political action committees to solicit donations from voters, with particular targeting of older Americans. The Better Business Bureau and AARP warn against providing personal information via unsolicited emails, texts, and phone calls, and advise verifying organizations through trusted sources before donating. Suspicious activity can be reported to the BBB's Scam Tracker or the FBI.
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
A virtual kidnapping scam targeted businessman Kevin David after scammers used his daughter's voice (obtained via social media) to convince him she had been kidnapped and demand $5,000. The scam was thwarted when a co-worker called the daughter directly and confirmed she was safely at school, but David noted the voice replication was convincing enough that he believed his daughter was in danger. Experts warn that scammers increasingly use social media posts and AI to impersonate victims, and recommend families establish code words to verify emergencies and avoid posting travel details online.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
Former licensed insurance agent Brett E. Lovett was found guilty of 29 felony counts including grand theft, elder abuse, and money laundering for defrauding at least nine victims, including senior citizens, of approximately $1.2 million between 2011 and 2016. Lovett befriended vulnerable victims at places of worship and through a legal aid business, then misappropriated their money intended for nonexistent investments or financial management by using powers of attorney and promissory notes. This conviction followed a prior 2007 CFTC case in which Lovett was ordered to pay over $675,000 in restitution for commodity futures fraud, penalties he never
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian social media influencer Mona Faiz Montrage (Hajia4Reall) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to receive stolen money from romance scams targeting older Americans, facing up to five years in prison and ordered to forfeit and pay restitution of $2,164,758.41. The scams victimized elderly Americans through fraudulent romantic relationships that resulted in financial theft. Montrage was arrested abroad and her case was prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice's Southern District of New York.
nj.com
· 2025-12-08
A New Jersey married couple, Martins Friday Inalegwu (35) and Steincy Mathieu (27), admitted to stealing at least $4.5 million from over 100 victims through an online romance scam operating from October 2016 to May 2020, using dating websites and social media to build fake relationships before requesting money for fabricated emergencies. The perpetrators received funds via wire transfers, checks, Western Union, MoneyGram, and international bank accounts in Turkey and Nigeria, and also failed to pay taxes on the stolen money. Inalegwu pleaded guilty to money transmitting violations and tax evasion, while Mathieu
bai.org
· 2025-12-08
Visa's Spring 2024 Threats Report reveals that while the number of individual scam reports decreased from June to December 2023, total monetary losses increased, indicating fraudsters are executing more effective and costly schemes. Emerging scams include "pig butchering" (fake cryptocurrency investment schemes targeting 10% of surveyed adults), inheritance scams (affecting 15% of adults), and triangulation fraud (costing merchants up to $1 billion monthly), with fraudsters increasingly leveraging generative AI and other technologies to create more convincing campaigns. Organizational threats are also escalating, including a 300% increase in ransomware cases and an 83% rise in purchase return authorization frau
nbcphiladelphia.com
· 2025-12-08
Three New Jersey residents—married couple Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu, plus Oluwaseyi Fatolu—pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam from 2016 to 2020 that defrauded over 100 victims of $4.5 million. The defendants posed as romantic interests on dating sites and social media to convince victims to send money for fictitious emergencies, with funds wired to U.S. bank accounts, mailed as checks, or transferred overseas to accomplices in Nigeria and Turkey, while the defendants spent proceeds on personal expenses and cash withdrawals.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational piece about retirement abroad for seniors, not about fraud or elder abuse. The author argues that elderly people are treated with greater respect and offered more legal benefits and discounts in many countries overseas compared to the United States, citing examples from Latin America (Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica) where seniors receive 10-50% discounts on healthcare, transportation, and other services, plus favorable retirement visa programs. The piece emphasizes that international living allows seniors to remain integrated in family and community life rather than being isolated in nursing homes, as is common in the U.S.
**Note:** This article does not contain information relevant to the Elderus elder fraud database, as it does not document any
wkow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Dane County Sheriff's Office reports that artificial intelligence is being increasingly used in "Grandparent Scams," where scammers use AI-generated voice recordings created from online videos to impersonate grandchildren in distress and convince seniors to send money. The scam has become more convincing and effective at stealing thousands of dollars from vulnerable elderly victims. Authorities recommend tightening social media privacy settings, hanging up and independently calling family members to verify claims, and reporting suspected scams to local law enforcement.
thesuburban.com
· 2025-12-08
A series of robberies targeting seniors in West Island grocery store parking lots involve two-person teams who distract victims by claiming they dropped change, then steal purses, wallets, and phones from the passenger side while the victim is engaged. Incidents have been reported in multiple locations including Pointe-Claire and Kirkland, prompting a local seniors residence to hold educational conferences on safety measures such as parking near entrances, requesting store employee assistance, keeping valuables on person, and reporting suspicious activity immediately to police.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
A 26-year-old Pinellas County man was arrested and charged with two counts of felony exploitation of elderly or disabled adults after stealing approximately $69,300 from two vulnerable victims he was close to by gaining access to their bank accounts and using the funds for personal expenses, including a house down payment. The victims were evicted from assisted living facilities as a result of depleted funds and forced to move in with the defendant in the home he purchased with their money. The case highlights a broader problem in Florida, where over 8,100 fraud reports involving seniors aged 60+ were filed in the past year, resulting in losses exceeding $290 million.
insidethemagic.net
· 2025-12-08
Scammers posing as Disneyland Resort employees are targeting senior citizens through text messages offering work-from-home jobs with $2,000-$4,000 monthly income and $30-$75 interview payments. These "pig butchering scams" use fake personas to gain trust before manipulating victims into fraudulent investments and payments, exploiting seniors' potential digital illiteracy and the scam's stated age range of 23-80 years old. Reddit users identified red flags including poor grammar, inconsistent fonts, and the fact that legitimate Disney HR would never impose age caps on employment.
channel3000.com
· 2025-12-08
The Dane County Sheriff's Office is warning seniors about AI-powered "Grandparents scams," where criminals use artificial intelligence to clone a grandchild's voice from online videos and convince elderly victims their relative needs emergency financial help. To protect themselves, seniors should limit social media sharing, use strict privacy settings, and verify emergency calls by hanging up and contacting family members directly.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
Cyber fraud incidents are escalating in Pune, with 110 victims losing ₹18 crore in January and February alone. A 28-year-old armed forces officer posted at the National Defence Academy lost ₹57 lakh in an online share trading scam after fraudsters impersonating a bank's securities platform lured him with promised returns and then demanded exorbitant commissions to withdraw funds. Police report that fraudsters use social media, fake trading apps, and websites to attract victims with promises of quick profits, initially providing small returns to build trust before preventing withdrawals or demanding excessive fees.
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
A Lincoln couple, ages 86 and 89, lost $23,000 to a grandparent impersonation scam in which callers claimed to be their grandson and his lawyer, demanding bail money for a fake accident and citation. The victims withdrew cash and gave it to a courier before realizing the deception the following day and contacting police. Lincoln Police recommend that families discuss impersonation scams with elderly relatives and always verify the identity of callers claiming to be family members or legal/financial representatives.
wmfe.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill was arrested on charges of elderly abuse and fraud, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The article also includes information on elder fraud prevention resources, including AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline (1-877-908-3360), and covers additional Orlando-area news regarding anti-squatting legislation and a community celebration of Mister Rogers' legacy.
newsdaytonabeach.com
· 2025-12-08
Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill, 63, was arrested for allegedly exploiting a 96-year-old woman in her district by withdrawing over $100,000 from the victim's savings account for personal use. Hill was charged with three counts of exploitation of the elderly, two counts of fraud, and one count each of mortgage fraud and scheme to defraud, with a temporary protective injunction issued to sever contact between Hill and the victim. A former aide of Hill's served as a whistleblower after being terminated for raising concerns about the commissioner's misconduct.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill was indicted on charges of elder abuse and fraud for allegedly exploiting 96-year-old constituent Annie Mae Curtis from April 2021 to March 2024. Hill fraudulently obtained power of attorney over Curtis and stole over $100,000 from her savings to purchase property, renovate a home, and pay for personal luxuries including cosmetic surgery, while Curtis lived in poor conditions. The investigation, triggered by a former aide, revealed Hill gained access to Curtis through her position as commissioner but the charges pertain to her actions as a private citizen rather than in her official capacity.
thedailybeast.com
· 2025-12-08
Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill was indicted on charges including three counts of first-degree elder abuse, fraud, and mortgage fraud totaling over $100,000 for financially exploiting a 96-year-old constituent, Annie Mae Curtis, between April 2021 and March 2024. Hill fraudulently obtained power of attorney over Curtis and used stolen funds exceeding $100,000 to purchase a $400,000 house, renovate Curtis's own home, and pay for personal luxuries, while Curtis lived in poor conditions. The investigation, initiated by a former aide, found no other victims, and authorities stated the crimes were committed in Hill's personal capacity rather than her official role as commissioner.
tampafp.com
· 2025-12-08
A husband and wife from Burlington County, New Jersey (Martins Friday Inalegwu and Steincy Mathieu), along with a third codefendant, pleaded guilty to tax evasion and unlawful money-transmitting charges for their roles in a romance fraud scheme that defrauded over 100 victims of more than $4.5 million between October 2016 and May 2020. The conspirators, some based in Nigeria, posed as romantic interests on dating sites, built relationships with victims, and requested money for fake emergencies, which they then spent on personal expenses or transferred to overseas accounts without paying taxes.
courierpostonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Burlington County residents pleaded guilty to operating a romance scam that defrauded over 100 victims of more than $4.5 million between 2016 and 2020, with defendants Martins Friday Inalegwu, Steincy Mathieu, and Oluwaseyi Fatolu using fake online dating profiles to solicit money under false pretenses. One victim, desperate to maintain her fraudulent relationship, embezzled millions from her employer after exhausting her savings, retirement account, and maxing out credit cards. Most funds were transferred internationally to Nigeria, Turkey, and other countries, with victims losing anywhere from thousands to $100,000
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of text message scams where fraudsters spoof bank phone numbers and convince victims to transfer money to "secure" accounts for protection. One victim, Kelsey Herrett, lost nearly $2,000 after responding to a fake Wells Fargo alert and being guided through account transfers by a scammer who impersonated a bank agent; bank accounts offer less fraud protection than credit cards, and victims typically cannot recover funds they voluntarily transfer. The FTC reported $330 million in losses to text message scams in the previous year, and experts advise never responding to unknown numbers and always verifying urgent requests by calling trusted contacts.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
New Jersey residents lost $441.2 million to scams in 2023, a 55% increase from 2022, making the state the fifth-highest in total losses nationwide, according to an FBI report. Over 12,000 New Jersey victims fell prey to various scams including phishing, tech support fraud, and personal data breaches, with seniors accounting for more than half of tech scam losses, particularly those ages 60 and older who lost $3.4 billion nationally.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A 22-year-old man named Zhi Gao was sentenced to two years of probation for his role in defrauding a 65-year-old San Diego woman of over $200,000 in life savings through a multi-stage scam. The scam began with a fake Microsoft pop-up message on her computer, escalated to fraudulent Chase Bank calls claiming account fraud, and resulted in the victim making multiple cash withdrawals of $20,000-$30,000 that she handed to couriers; Gao was arrested during a sting operation while attempting to collect a final $30,000 payment, and has paid $30,000 in restitution
townsvillebulletin.com.au
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you sharing this, but the content provided is primarily a paywall/subscription interface rather than the actual article text. The only substantive information available is the headline, which indicates that vulnerable elderly residents in Townsville were scammed out of approximately $750,000 (the headline says "almost $1 million" in the preview text) in 2023, with three specific areas identified as being particularly targeted by scammers. To provide a complete summary for the Elderus database, I would need access to the full article content describing the specific scam types, victim details, and outcomes.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old Michigan woman lost approximately $700,000 over several months after being deceived by a scammer posing as a Federal Trade Commission lawyer who claimed she had won a $3.5 million sweepstakes prize and a new car, but needed to send money upfront to secure the winnings. The victim purchased expensive jewelry and wired checks to the fraudster until a friend convinced her the scheme was illegitimate and urged her to contact police, prompting an investigation by Troy Police Department. The case underscores common sweepstakes scam tactics and highlights the importance of recognizing red flags such as unsolicited prize claims, requests for upfront payment, and impersonation
london.ctvnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you providing this article, but the content you've shared appears to be a webpage header/navigation menu rather than the actual article text about the grandparent scam in London, Ontario. The title indicates there's a story about a senior who successfully resisted fraudsters twice, but the body content is missing—it only shows shopping and product recommendation links.
To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, could you please share the actual article text? Once you do, I'll create a 2-3 sentence summary covering what happened, the scam type, and the outcome.
dglobe.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior LinkAge Line, through the Minnesota Area Agency on Aging, is hosting a virtual fraud prevention class on April 9 to educate older adults about rising scams that increasingly target seniors. The class will cover fraud detection, prevention strategies, and reporting procedures to help protect personal information and safety.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Secaucus police arrested a husband-and-wife team, Hakeem Lee (30) and Majda Hodzic-Lee (42), for operating a Publishers Clearing House lottery scam that defrauded elderly and other victims across the United States of over $2.2 million during 2023. The couple told victims they had won prizes but needed to send cash, money orders, or gift cards upfront for taxes and fees; police traced $1.1 million through their personal and business bank accounts and seized banking documents, computers, and cell phones during a search of their home. Both were charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit theft by deception, and conspiracy
fox47.com
· 2025-12-08
The Dane County Sheriff's Office warns senior citizens about an AI-enabled "Grandparents scam" where criminals use deepfake technology to impersonate grandchildren in distress and request emergency money. To protect themselves, seniors should restrict social media privacy settings to prevent scammers from obtaining video material, and should hang up suspicious calls and contact family members directly to verify claims.