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in Tech Support Scam
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Harvard Business School study found that AI-generated phishing emails were as effective as human-created ones, deceiving 60% of participants, while large language models can automate the entire phishing process and reduce scam costs by 95%. Researchers warn that phishing attacks will likely increase drastically in both quality and quantity, though they note that AI tools like Claude can also help detect phishing attempts and recommend defensive strategies such as verifying offers through official company websites.
newschannel5.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating Geek Squad have defrauded consumers of $15 million, with the FTC receiving over 52,000 complaints about this scheme. In one case, Barbara Kraus received a fraudulent bill for antivirus protection and lost $4,000 when she called the number on the fake invoice; the scammer then pressured her to purchase gift cards and provide personal banking information. Authorities advise consumers to hang up if pressured for personal information and to verify requests directly with companies rather than using contact information from unsolicited messages.
cleveland19.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Best Buy/Geek Squad, Amazon, and PayPal were the most frequently impersonated companies in scams, with 52,000, 34,000, and 10,000 reported instances respectively, though Microsoft and Publishers Clearing House impersonation scams caused the highest losses at $60 million and $49 million. Scammers commonly demanded payment through cryptocurrency, bank transfers, PayPal, CashApp, Zelle, and gift cards. The FTC has finalized new rules to strengthen enforcement against scammers impersonating businesses and government agencies, and urges consumers to report suspicious activity.
en.cryptonomist.ch
· 2025-12-08
"Crypto Boy," a Netflix film released in October 2023, dramatizes the true-to-life story of Amir, a boy who lost his life savings and recruited friends and relatives into a cryptocurrency Ponzi scheme after being promised easy returns by a fraudulent investment platform. The film illustrates a widespread problem in the crypto sector, where analysis of 1,450 Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in 2018 identified 271 as suspicious with approximately $1 billion in fraudulent investments. The scam exemplifies how cryptocurrency schemes use promises of quick earnings and pyramid structures to lure vulnerable victims before operators disappear and funds become inaccessible.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, Oklahoma's elderly population lost over $19.4 million to fraud, affecting 790 victims aged 60 and older with an average loss of $24,627 per victim. Investment scams were the costliest fraud type nationally ($404 million), followed by business and romance scams, with online platforms being the most common fraud method for seniors compared to text-based scams.
wbiw.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud incidents rose 14% in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing over $724 million to scams in 2022—more than all other age groups combined. The article identifies five prevalent fraud types targeting seniors: impersonation scams (using AI voice technology), robocalls and phishing, the grandparent scam, sweepstakes scams (costing victims nearly $70 million in 2022), and investment/charity scams (causing $1.2 billion in losses in 2023). Key protective measures include verifying caller identity through alternative channels, hanging up on suspicious calls, confirming situations with family members, and researching
gobankingrates.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines 11 common scams expected in 2025 and protective measures for consumers. Key scams include AI-powered fraud (voice cloning, deepfakes, phishing, and fake job postings), check fraud through digital alteration, debt relief scams, and fake package delivery schemes, with seniors particularly targeted through "grandparent scams." The article advises consumers to verify identities before sharing information, use secure payment methods instead of checks, contact legitimate financial institutions directly, and remain vigilant as scammers use advancing technology to make frauds harder to detect.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office, along with Age-Friendly Mecklenburg and AARP-Charlotte, hosted a Walk for Awareness event on June 15, 2024, to highlight World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and increase community recognition of elder exploitation, neglect, and abuse. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses from online fraud, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, and romance scams being particularly prevalent threats to older adults.
ktbs.com
· 2025-12-08
Colin Evans of Evans Financial discussed four major scams to watch for in 2024: cryptocurrency scams, phishing scams, investment scams, and tech support scams. The segment aired as part of a regular "Your Money" educational series on KPXJ Channel 21, which airs every Tuesday at 3 p.m.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder fraud complaints are rising significantly, with the FBI reporting 101,000 victims who lost $3.4 billion in 2023, though AARP estimates actual losses exceed $28 billion annually due to underreporting driven by victim shame and embarrassment. Common scams targeting seniors include AI voice cloning, romance scams, tech support fraud, impersonations of banks and government agencies, and investment schemes. Key protective measures include establishing code words with family to verify identity, never sending money to unknown contacts, ignoring unsolicited pop-up and email messages, hanging up and calling back known numbers to verify callers, and remembering that legitimate government agencies contact by mail rather than
employeebenefits.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Research from WEALTH at work found that over one-third (34%) of people who lost money to scams in the past year fell victim to multiple scam types. The most common scams involved purchase fraud (27%), investment schemes (19%), impersonation of friends or family (18%), fake bank account compromise claims (18%), and tech support fraud (15%), with other prevalent schemes including romance scams, pension fraud, tax refund scams, and lottery scams.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old man from the American Midwest lost approximately $716,212 (Rs 6 crore) in a "pig butchering" scam that began with a fake LinkedIn profile posing as a young Chinese woman named Violaine Chen. The scammer built a romantic relationship with the victim over time, then manipulated him into investing heavily in a fraudulent trading platform called Fuex, which blocked his withdrawal requests and demanded additional fees until he had exhausted his savings, stocks, mutual funds, and taken out loans. Despite reporting to the FBI, the victim has been unable to recover his lost funds.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Two emerging scams exploit people's willingness to help others: the "borrow your phone" scam, where strangers ask to use your phone and secretly transfer money from payment apps to their accounts (stealing $150-$200 or more), and the "accidental deposit" scam, where scammers claim they mistakenly sent you money via Venmo and request you send it back, potentially involving fraudulent transactions. Experts recommend never handing phones to strangers and verifying overpayment claims directly with payment app customer support rather than trusting unsolicited requests.
broadbandbreakfast.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults' losses to fraud and scams have increased significantly, from $1 billion in 2021 to approximately $1.8 billion in reported losses in 2023, with the FTC estimating actual losses may reach as high as $48 billion when accounting for unreported cases. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to business impersonation scams (especially Amazon impersonation), romance scams, tech support scams, and investment scams involving fake cryptocurrency opportunities. Government agencies, tech companies, and nonprofit organizations are working to combat fraud through education, awareness tools, and new coalitions like Tech Against Scams, while also recognizing the significant mental and emotional health impact on scam
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old man from the US lost approximately $716,212 (Rs 6 crore) in a "pig butchering" romance scam after meeting a scammer posing as a wealthy Chinese woman named Violaine Chen on LinkedIn. The scammer built romantic trust over time, then convinced the victim to invest in a fake trading platform (Fuex) that showed false returns, and blocked withdrawal attempts while demanding additional fees. Despite FBI reporting, the victim was unable to recover his funds and suffered significant emotional and financial consequences.
fintechnews.sg
· 2025-12-08
ASEAN's banking sector has experienced a significant surge in phishing and fraud scams, with over 200 DBS Bank customers in Singapore losing S$446,000 to SMS phishing in early 2024, and OCBC experiencing losses exceeding S$13 million in a 2021-2022 SMS phishing scheme. Singapore's scam and cybercrime cases increased by 49.6% to 50,376 in 2023, driven by rapid digital banking adoption, low digital literacy among elderly customers, and the cross-border nature of scams. Banks are strengthening defenses through biometric verification, AI-driven fraud analytics, and multi-layere
daytondailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elder victim in Kettering, Ohio lost over $36,000 after clicking a phishing email and providing personal information to scammers posing as tech support personnel; she made payments totaling $5,000 by mail, $18,000 in cash, and $1,000 was stolen electronically before police arrested suspect Karan Karan during an attempted in-person money collection. The case exemplifies tech support scams, which the FBI reports were the leading type of elder fraud in 2023, causing victims 60+ over $3.4 billion in losses that year with an average loss of $33,915 per victim.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are surging in metropolitan areas like Delhi and Hyderabad, where scammers use dating apps to lure victims into expensive outings at clubs and cafes, often in collaboration with establishment employees. Victims, predominantly men, are manipulated into paying inflated bills ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 rupees after their dates order expensive drinks and food without contributing, with scammers sometimes leaving before the bill arrives. The article advises victims to verify identities through reverse image searches and video calls, choose their own safe meeting locations, and be cautious of individuals who quickly express strong feelings or request financial information.
fox5ny.com
· 2025-12-08
New York residents lost over $30.2 million to romance scams in 2023, with 819 victims reporting an average loss of $36,931 each, according to a Social Catfish study. Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to conduct convincing video calls while impersonating celebrities or wealthy individuals, often directing victims toward cryptocurrency investments with no recovery options. The study recommends reverse image searches, video chat verification, avoiding rapid declarations of love, and never sending money to online contacts to prevent victimization.
microsoft.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are romance and cryptocurrency fraud schemes where scammers build trust with victims through fake personas on social media or messaging apps before directing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. After the victim deposits money into fake investment apps that show fake profits and allow small withdrawals to build confidence, scammers disappear with the funds. To protect against these scams, victims should verify identities through reverse image searches, maintain privacy, avoid discussing finances with new online contacts, and be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, partnering with federal law enforcement agencies, conducted outreach events at senior centers in advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) to educate older adults about financial fraud and elder abuse. The outreach highlighted prevalent scams targeting seniors including government imposter schemes, tech support fraud, romance scams, grandparent scams, and lottery schemes, while emphasizing that elder abuse remains often overlooked and underreported.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Romance scammers in Indian metro cities create fake identities on dating apps to build emotional connections with victims before luring them to expensive restaurants or clubs where accomplices present inflated bills ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 rupees. To protect themselves, users should verify identities through reverse image searches and video calls, meet in public places of their own choosing, avoid rushing into emotional commitments, and remain cautious about sharing financial information with online contacts they haven't thoroughly vetted.
thetomahawk.com
· 2025-12-08
Tennessee experienced $36.6 million in elderly fraud losses in 2022, affecting 1,462 residents aged 60 or over (averaging $25,012 per victim), with an incident rate of 87.4 victims per 100,000 elderly residents. Nationally, investment scams caused the largest losses to seniors ($404 million), followed by business impostor and romance scams, with online contact methods and bank transfers being the most common fraud channels. Elderly residents aged 60+ were significantly more vulnerable to tech support scams, being 517% more likely to fall victim compared to younger age groups.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $10 billion to scams last year, with organized criminal networks operating from India and Nigeria using US "cash mules" to launder money through untraceable Bitcoin accounts. Seniors with landlines are particularly targeted through various schemes including romance scams (with victims losing up to $2.5 million), fake emergency calls from supposed grandchildren, phishing emails, suspicious text messages, and fake billing notifications. The article advises never sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, texts, or emails, and recommends blocking suspicious contacts, verifying charges directly with banks, and reporting fraud to email service abuse addresses.
theguardian.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes a growing scam involving fraudulent QR codes, where scammers place fake QR codes over legitimate ones—such as on parking meters or in messages—to direct victims to phishing websites designed to steal financial information. The article cites the example of David Birch's sister, who nearly lost money after scanning a malicious QR code at a parking facility but was saved when her bank blocked the fraudulent transactions. The US Federal Trade Commission has issued consumer alerts about QR code scams, which have become increasingly prevalent as the technology spreads and criminals exploit the difficulty in verifying whether codes are legitimate.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers used social engineering tactics to trick a Gooding, Idaho city employee into sending $1,092,519 intended for a wastewater project contractor to the criminals' account instead, by impersonating the contractor and providing fraudulent banking information. The small town of approximately 3,700 residents has not yet recovered the funds, and the Gooding Sheriff's Office and FBI are investigating the case. Recovery of the money is expected to be difficult, as banks and law enforcement typically struggle to retrieve funds diverted to scammers' accounts.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
"Grief harvesting" scams targeting recently bereaved individuals in the UK exploit publicly available social media data and obituaries to conduct identity theft, impersonate funeral homes and charities, and manipulate grieving families emotionally. Fraudsters harvest personal information from deceased individuals' public profiles and social media accounts to send convincing phishing emails, open fraudulent loans or credit cards in the deceased's name, and solicit donations through fake charities. Cybersecurity experts recommend that people plan ahead for data protection after death, verify charity communications, and adjust Facebook privacy settings, as current data protection regulations leave a legal grey area regarding personal data after death.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 19-year-old California man was indicted for stealing over $20,000 from a 74-year-old Kettering woman through a tech support scam that began with a phishing email. The victim was manipulated into mailing cash and transferring funds through multiple interactions before police arrested the suspect during an attempted in-person money exchange. The case highlights the prevalence of tech support scams targeting seniors, which the FBI identified as the most common elder fraud type in 2023, with victims aged 60+ losing an average of $33,915 each.
clareherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Irish police issued a warning about evolving fraud tactics following recent incidents in Clare, including CEO fraud where an employee received a fraudulent email appearing to be from their supervisor requesting voucher purchases, and phone fraud where a victim provided security codes to someone posing as a financial institution representative, resulting in account theft. Police recommend companies implement employee training, clear verification procedures, and mandatory additional confirmation methods such as direct phone calls to senior management to prevent these scams.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scam Warning Signs and Prevention**
Romance scammers employ multiple tactics to defraud victims on dating platforms, with key red flags including premature declarations of love, avoidance of video calls, requests for money or financial information, excuses to delay in-person meetings, and suspiciously tailored profiles. Protection strategies include keeping social media private, using strong passwords, installing anti-virus software, being cautious on public Wi-Fi, and monitoring one's digital footprint for personal information vulnerable to exploitation.
themonroetimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scam reports to the Better Business Bureau nearly doubled in 2023, reaching over 9,000 reports—a record high—with scammers increasingly using text-based (SMS) phishing tactics alongside traditional email and phone-based methods to trick victims into sharing personal information or downloading malicious software. The BBB documented phishing techniques used across multiple scam types including government impersonation, tech support fraud, and cryptocurrency schemes, with victims losing billions of dollars over the past three years. Common red flags include urgent language, requests to confirm financial information, suspicious login alerts, and messages impersonating authority figures or well-known companies.
eyeonannapolis.net
· 2025-12-08
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown warns of increasingly sophisticated imposter scams that use AI-generated voices to mimic trusted figures such as government officials, banks, law enforcement, and family members in order to steal money or personal information. Common scam types include government imposters threatening legal action, family/friend imposters claiming emergencies, and tech support scams, which typically involve unsolicited contact, urgency tactics, requests for sensitive data, or payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency. Consumers can protect themselves by hanging up on suspicious calls, independently verifying caller identity through official contact numbers, never sharing personal information, and reporting suspected scams to the Attorney General, FTC, AARP Fraud Watch Network,
videos.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This appears to be a webpage header/navigation for AARP content rather than a complete article. Based on the available text, it references an AARP Hearing Center video featuring FBI Financial Crimes Section Chief James Barnacle discussing how people can use technology to protect themselves from scams, though the specific advice or recommendations are not provided in the excerpt shown.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated romance scam operation based in the Dubai desert targeted tens of thousands of people through fake text messages and WhatsApp messages, with scammers posing as wealthy Eastern European women and models to lure victims into cryptocurrency investment schemes. An insider named Evan, who took a job at the facility out of desperation, discovered the operation involved a three-stage "pig-butchering scam" where workers messaged 40-50 potential victims daily using stolen photos and video call actors. The syndicate was eventually exposed through the collaboration of an Australian victim (Murray Sargant), a private detective, a YouTube scam-baiter, and Evan himself, who worked from within to help
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau reported that phishing scam reports nearly doubled in 2023, with scammers impersonating legitimate companies via links and messages to trick victims into sharing personal or financial information. Both individuals and businesses have been targeted, with the FBI indicating businesses have lost billions over the past three years. The BBB advises consumers to be cautious of red flags including unsolicited payment requests with embedded links, suspicious activity claims, and generic messages using well-known company logos.
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported an 11% increase in elder fraud losses in 2023 compared to 2022, with people over 60 losing $3.4 billion nationwide and $43 million in Tennessee alone. Common scams targeting seniors include cryptocurrency investments, tech support fraud, business scams, and romance scams, with scammers exploiting older adults' disposable income and lower proficiency with online services. The FBI advises victims to stop sending money, cut off contact with scammers, and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center immediately.
mageenews.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) was recognized by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi to promote awareness of elder fraud and abuse. The Justice Department highlighted common scams targeting seniors—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and emphasized that information and vigilance, along with partnerships between law enforcement and the public, are key to prevention. Resources like the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Senior Scam Alerts are available to help older individuals and families identify and avoid fraudulent activity.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and highlighted that financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, costing older adults an estimated $23 billion annually. The U.S. Attorney's Office has expanded efforts to combat elder fraud through initiatives including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, which targets foreign-based schemes, the Money Mule Initiative to disrupt fraud networks, and Senior Scam Alerts educating the public about common schemes such as Social Security impostor scams, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) by partnering with law enforcement agencies, AARP, Meals on Wheels, and the FBI to combat elder fraud through community education. The office hosted three public outreach events in Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Supply to help seniors recognize signs of financial scams and connect them with resources and support services. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley emphasized that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters and prioritized prosecuting cases involving elderly victims as part of broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
publicnewsservice.org
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and AARP Maryland's PROTECT Week highlight the rising threat of elder financial abuse, with FBI data showing Americans age 60+ lost over $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the prior year. Common fraud schemes targeting seniors include tech support scams, phishing via email and text, and the "grandparents scam"—increasingly sophisticated with AI-generated voice mimicry and caller ID spoofing—with Maryland seniors alone reporting nearly $72 million in losses from nearly 2,000 complaints in 2023. Advocates stress that fraudsters often pose as trusted individuals like caretakers or neighbors
crapo.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams, an 11 percent increase from 2022, prompting Senator Mike Crapo to co-sponsor a unanimously passed Senate Resolution to combat elder fraud. Common scams targeting older Americans include romance schemes, fraudulent tech support, cryptocurrency conversion fraud, and investment scams, with warning signs including unexpected contact with pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, and demands for untraceable payments. The Idaho Attorney General's office and other agencies provide educational resources and encourage seniors to report fraud without shame, noting that scammers are sophisticated and victims should contact law enforcement, their financial institutions, and relevant agencies rather than remaining silent due to
nbclosangeles.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumer protection agencies are warning about a shift in social media scam tactics, where impostors now impersonate major brands like Best Buy's Geek Squad (52,000 reports), Amazon (34,000 reports), and PayPal (10,000 reports) rather than federal agencies to steal money and personal information. Key protective measures include ignoring unsolicited calls, texts, and emails requesting financial or account information; monitoring credit reports regularly; and verifying communications directly with known company phone numbers or websites. Organizations including the FTC, AARP, and Better Business Bureau are providing resources in multiple languages to combat these increasingly sophisticated impersonation scams.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud in late 2022 when over $3,000 in unauthorized charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement after a Florida vacation, though her family's dispute with Citibank was closed due to insufficient information. The case highlights a broader problem: Massachusetts residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults. Experts recommend families monitor elderly parents' financial accounts closely and discuss common scam tactics, including requests for unusual payment methods and pressure to act quickly.
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "Raising awareness about fraud targeting seniors"
The FBI reported seniors lost $3.4 billion in 2023, an 11-percent increase from 2022, through scams including romance fraud, fake tech support, cryptocurrency schemes, and investment fraud. The article outlines six warning signs of scams and provides guidance on prevention measures and reporting channels, including contacting local police, the FTC, FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud when over $3,000 in fraudulent charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement in late 2022, shortly after she vacationed in Florida. Her daughter spent more than a year attempting to dispute the charges with Citibank, but the case was closed due to insufficient information, highlighting challenges elderly fraud victims face in resolving disputes. The incident reflects a broader trend in Massachusetts, where residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors being significantly more vulnerable to online scams, investment fraud, and imposter schemes.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A USA-based businesswoman lost approximately Rs 6 crore (approximately $720,000 USD) in a jewelry scam involving Jaipur jewellers who sold her 9-carat gold instead of 14-carat and moissanite stones instead of diamonds, supported by fraudulent hallmark certificates. One suspect, Nand Kishore, who issued the fake certificates, was arrested, while the primary jewellers Gorav Soni and Rajendra Soni remain at large; the fraud was discovered when the victim had the jewelry authenticated at a USA exhibition and the USA embassy subsequently intervened in the investigation.
carolinajournal.com
· 2025-12-08
North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force held a press conference highlighting the rising epidemic of elder fraud, with statistics showing that approximately 1 in 10 seniors becomes a victim, resulting in $3.1 billion in losses nationwide in 2022 (an 84% increase from 2021), with individual victims losing an average of $40,000. The task force identified five major scam types targeting seniors: sweetheart scams, sweepstakes scams, impostor scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, while warning that scammers increasingly use AI to replicate voices. Victims can report fraud to local authorities, the FBI's Internet Crime
fox61.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, in which fraudsters pose as IRS or other government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers pressure victims into immediate payments via gift cards or wire transfers by threatening arrest or promising false refunds, often using spoofed caller IDs and creating false urgency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls, contacting IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify communications, and remembering that the IRS initiates contact primarily through mail and never demands payment via gift cards or wire transfers.
euronews.com
· 2025-12-08
Deepfakes are being weaponized by cybercriminals and fraudsters faster than anticipated, with politicians representing nearly 40% of targets (primarily for election interference) and celebrities/businesses increasingly victimized in scams worth millions of euros. Trading scams using deepfakes are the most prevalent (35%), followed by retail and gambling, with recent incidents including a €23 million fraudulent transfer and impersonations of public figures like Tom Hanks and Elon Musk to promote investment schemes.
kfvs12.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scam reports doubled in 2023, reaching a record high of over 9,000 cases according to a BBB study, with scammers increasingly using artificial intelligence and chatbots to target victims through text messages and steal personal information. Both individuals and businesses were affected, with businesses alone losing $2.9 billion to these scams in 2023. The BBB warns that phishing links can install malware on devices and urges people to be cautious of unsolicited messages with suspicious links.