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krocnews.com
Sharon Ann Schmalzriedt, 61, a bookkeeper in Wabasha, Minnesota, pleaded guilty to felony theft after stealing over $3.7 million from her employer between October 2019 and March 2020 to send to an online romance scammer posing as "Erik Lockwood," who claimed he needed funds to access $7 million from work in Dubai. She also stole more than $17,000 from a vulnerable adult in her care, and her actions contributed to her employer's bankruptcy. She is scheduled for sentencing in June with a plea agreement recommending a stayed prison sentence and probation.
irishstar.com
Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, a 39-year-old Massachusetts man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for laundering over $568,000 obtained through romance scams between 2018 and 2019. Using fake identities and fraudulent bank accounts in the Boston area, Umegbo received funds from romance scam victims, withdrew the money in cash, and purchased cashier's checks to obscure the funds' origin. He was arrested in London in April 2022, extradited to the U.S. in February 2023, and ordered to pay $578,954.78 in restitution and forfeiture.
rexburgstandardjournal.com
Madison County residents, particularly those 50 years old and older, have been targeted by a jury duty summons scam where callers impersonating sheriff's office deputies demand payment or attempt to arrange in-person meetings. The Madison County Sheriff's Office clarified that deputies never contact residents by phone regarding warrants, fines, or tickets, and do not accept payment via gift cards or digital payment methods. Other prevalent scams in the area include IRS impersonation, sweepstakes fraud, fake scholarships, and romance scams, all designed to extract money from victims.
nevalleynews.org
Scottsdale Community College hosted a cyber security awareness event featuring speakers from the U.S. Secret Service and Scottsdale Police Department who educated students and community members about online scams, including AI-voice impersonation schemes, cryptocurrency fraud, and romance scams targeting vulnerable populations. The presentation emphasized protective measures such as staying calm during suspicious calls, verifying caller identity through questions only loved ones would know, and strengthening passwords and security practices, noting that seniors and widows are particularly targeted by romance scammers who exploit loneliness and unfamiliarity with social media.
newschannel20.com
The Champaign County Sheriff's Office is launching a senior education initiative in partnership with Edward Jones to address rising fraud, reporting over 200 fraud cases annually in the county alone. The office warns of evolving scams including phone impersonation schemes claiming to be law enforcement demanding payment to avoid arrest, and advises seniors to hang up and independently verify caller identity. A free educational conference addressing phone scams, online fraud, and personal relationship-based scams is scheduled for April 23rd.
legalinsurrection.com
Mexican drug cartel CJNG operates a sophisticated timeshare fraud scheme that defrauded Americans of approximately $40 million in 2022, with some estimates suggesting hundreds of millions annually, targeting elderly U.S. citizens and draining many of their life savings. The scam, which originated in Puerto Vallarta and expanded to tourist destinations like Cancun, involves fake escrow companies, shell corporations, and fraudulent sales pitches convincing victims to pay upfront fees under the guise of Mexican business practices, with documented cases of individual losses exceeding $1 million. The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned 40 Mexican companies and seven fugitives connected to the scheme
aljazeera.com
In Maharashtra, India, a 40-year-old farmer named Ganesh Kale attempted suicide in January 2024 after spending a decade and nearly 40,000 rupees ($490) taking over three dozen government job exams that were compromised by widespread corruption and paper leaks. The exam scams, which allow wealthy applicants to "buy" positions through influence while poor candidates are denied fair opportunities, have devastated aspirants in the agricultural crisis-stricken Marathwada region, where farmers are desperate to escape poverty-level farm incomes averaging only 138 dollars monthly. The fraud—facilitated by private companies contracted to conduct lower-grade government job
mychesco.com
AARP Pennsylvania is launching an educational campaign to combat Social Security fraud, which affected approximately 360,000 people through impersonation scams in 2021. The organization recommends protective measures including robocall-blocking applications, online account monitoring, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities, emphasizing that genuine unsolicited Social Security Administration contact is extremely rare. Victims of these scams face risks including identity theft, financial loss, and long-term challenges accessing credit and services.
azfamily.com
This is an educational podcast series covering consumer protection topics rather than a specific fraud or elder abuse incident. Key episodes address red flags in standard contracts, risks associated with rewards credit cards that can lead to debt, vehicle recalls affecting safety, and credit denial trends affecting consumers. The podcast provides advice on identifying problematic contract clauses, understanding credit card pitfalls, and navigating consumer financial decisions.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This article is not suitable for the Elderus database as it does not concern elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. The content focuses on political accusations and corruption allegations made during an election rally, along with a brief mention of a scholarship scam investigation. Neither topic relates to the exploitation or abuse of elderly individuals.
masslive.com
Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, 39, a former New Bedford resident, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison after pleading guilty to running romance scams between 2018 and 2019 that defrauded victims of over $568,000. Umegbo used fake identities to open bank accounts and receive money from fictitious online relationships, then withdrew the funds in cash, purchased cashier's checks, or spent the money directly, and continued directing victim funds to co-conspirators' accounts even after fleeing to London. He was arrested in London in April 2022, extradited to the U.S.
silicon.co.uk
Google filed a lawsuit against two alleged cryptocurrency scammers based in mainland China and Hong Kong who uploaded 87 fraudulent apps that were downloaded by over 100,000 people, defrauding victims of tens of thousands of dollars each through "pig-butchering" romance scams. The developers used fake cryptocurrency investment apps that promised high returns but prevented withdrawals and demanded additional fees of 10-30 percent, ultimately severing contact once victims' funds were exhausted. Google seeks to block the defendants from accessing its services and claims $75,000 in damages from the investigation.
news4sanantonio.com
An elderly homeowner in Luling, Texas received an unsolicited package of precious metals worth approximately $100,000 after being contacted by a scammer posing as customer support; police intervention prevented the fraudster from collecting the package and led to the arrest of California resident Shalin Amin on money laundering charges. The scam targeted the victim by creating urgency and manipulating them into accepting a shipment they never requested. Authorities recommend avoiding unsolicited precious metals purchases, safeguarding personal information, and reporting suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Elder Justice Hotline.
businessinsider.com
Americans lost over $1 million to online puppy scams in the past year, with the Better Business Bureau receiving thousands of reports primarily from Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, where approximately 80% of sponsored pet advertisements are potentially fraudulent. A North Carolina grandmother lost her life savings when she sent $5,000 in gift cards to a scammer on Facebook Marketplace while attempting to purchase a Yorkshire terrier. The FTC recommends consumers adopt from local shelters, reverse image search photos, request in-person meetings, and avoid unusual payment methods like gift cards, while law enforcement has begun prosecuting perpetrators with felony charges carrying substantial prison sentences.
timesnownews.com
A businessman from Mumbai was defrauded of approximately Rs 3 lakhs after receiving a fake text message directing him to download a malicious app ("vahanpalivahann.apk") to pay pending e-challan traffic fines. The scam works by tricking drivers into installing fake e-challan apps via SMS or WhatsApp links, which grants scammers access to their bank account information and enables fraudulent transactions. Security experts advise against downloading APK files from third-party sources and recommend using apps from official app stores and paid antivirus software for protection.
express.co.uk
Between January 2020 and December 2023, investment fraud cost UK victims more than £2.6 billion across 98,525 cases, with an average loss of £26,773 per victim. Boiler Room fraud and Ponzi schemes were the most prevalent scams, stealing £553 million and £499 million respectively, with 2023 recording the highest number of victims (26,740) losing £527 million that year alone. The FCA recommends vigilance against red flags including unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, and promises of unusually high returns.
boston.com
Chukwunonso Umegbo, a 38-year-old former New Bedford man, was sentenced to over three years in prison for operating a romance scam fraud scheme that defrauded victims of more than $568,000. Umegbo used fake identities and online personas to create fraudulent romantic relationships, then funneled the stolen money through bank accounts under false names, converting it to cash and cashier's checks. He was ordered to pay approximately $578,000 in restitution and forfeiture after his arrest in London in April 2022 and extradition to the U.S. in February 2023.
silive.com
Scammers have stolen tens of millions of dollars in SNAP benefits from EBT cardholders nationwide using card skimming devices placed on payment terminals and phishing scams. To protect themselves, users should inspect card readers for loose or mismatched faceplates, never share their PIN, and utilize the new ConnectEBT app feature that allows them to lock their cards when not in use. New York has approved nearly 12,000 stolen benefit claims and reimbursed over $6.1 million to victims through its benefit recovery program since August 2022.
nola.com
AARP highlights that fraud schemes targeting older Americans persist in the digital age, with scammers continually developing new tactics to impersonate legitimate entities and access personal financial information. The organization provides comprehensive protective measures including securing sensitive documents, monitoring credit reports, using strong passwords, and verifying businesses before sharing personal information. In 2023 alone, Louisiana residents lost nearly $47 million to fraud with identity theft being the most common type, reflecting a broader national problem where known fraud losses reached between $10-43 billion.
express.co.uk
Between January 2020 and December 2023, investment fraud in the UK resulted in £2.6 billion stolen from 98,525 victims, with an average loss of £26,773 per person. Boiler Room fraud and Ponzi schemes were the most common types, accounting for £553 million and £499 million respectively, with 2023 marking the worst year at £527 million lost across 26,740 victims. The FCA advises people to be wary of unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, and promises of unusually high returns as key warning signs of investment scams.
freepressjournal.in
Mumbai Police released guidelines addressing a surge in online investment fraud schemes targeting residents through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where fraudsters pose as trading "experts" and lure victims into fake stock and IPO investment classes via video apps, ultimately freezing their funds and demanding additional payments to release them. Over the past year, police recovered Rs. 8.3 crores from victims and arrested multiple individuals involved in these schemes, with cases continuing to rise. Citizens are advised to verify investment platforms independently, avoid downloading unauthorized applications, refrain from sharing financial information online, and report suspicious activity to Mumbai Police at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
theolivepress.es
Spanish police dismantled a criminal gang operating in Malaga province that defrauded 155 British expats out of approximately €1.8 million through fake timeshare and leisure club schemes. Seven suspects were arrested and €2.5 million was frozen in bank accounts, with the investigation revealing a sophisticated network of companies spanning the UK, Spain, and tax havens; the gang even created a fake legal claims service to further exploit victims seeking refunds.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
In Greater Manchester, 15,623 fraud cases were reported to Action Fraud in the past year, with online shopping/auction fraud being most common (3,100 cases), followed by advance fee fraud (1,500 cases). Notable cases included serial fraudster Cieran McNamara, who manipulated four women into sending over £300,000 through romance scams before being sentenced to seven years in prison, and a separate case where a man defrauded a woman of £50,000 on a widows' dating site. Other scams included pet fraud, concert ticket fraud, and designer goods schemes targeting victims through emotional manipulation and online platforms.
amlintelligence.com
Fraud is the second most common activity among Europe's most threatening criminal networks, with approximately one-fifth of organized crime groups engaging in fraud as their primary criminal activity, according to a Europol report. These criminal networks often strategically diversify into other crime areas alongside their fraud operations.
capenews.net
This educational article discusses aging in place and the rising threat of elder fraud, reporting that seniors age 60+ filed 88,262 fraud complaints in 2022 resulting in $3.1 billion in losses—an 82% increase from 2021. Scammers target older adults due to accumulated savings, daytime availability, lower tech literacy, and potential cognitive vulnerabilities, with the five most common scams being government imposter schemes (Medicare, IRS, Social Security), sweepstakes/lottery fraud, phishing/vishing/smishing, tech support scams, and grandparent scams. The article emphasizes that seniors may underreport scams due to fears
longisland.com
A 94-year-old man in Valley Stream was defrauded of $246,968 in September 2022 after receiving a phone call from someone posing as a Publishers Clearing House representative who claimed he had won a prize but needed to pay taxes first. The victim wrote multiple cashier checks before realizing the scam and contacting police; after an investigation spanning nearly two years, 27-year-old Jamario Smellie of Brooklyn was arrested in April 2024 and charged with Grand Larceny in the second degree.
foxbusiness.com
During tax season, scammers increasingly impersonate the IRS through phishing emails, text messages, and fraudulent communications to trick taxpayers into revealing personal information or clicking malicious links. Identity theft remains a major threat, with scammers using stolen personal data to fraudulently file tax returns in victims' names and claim refunds; the IRS received 294,138 identity theft complaints in 2023, and victims typically wait approximately 19 months for resolution. Taxpayers can protect themselves by being suspicious of unsolicited communications, remembering that the IRS primarily contacts people via mail, independently verifying any requests for personal information, and never clicking links in unsolicited messages.
salemnews.net
Columbiana County Sheriff's Office warns residents of a spoofing scam where criminals impersonate sheriff's deputies using the civil office phone number and real deputies' names, threatening arrest and demanding payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards. Sheriff Brian McLaughlin emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement will never request money for warrants or court dates, and advises residents to hang up and call the sheriff's office directly at 330-424-7255 if they receive such calls. One victim avoided losing money when she encountered the sheriff in person after a scammer directed her not to contact the office.
turnto10.com
Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, 39, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for his role in laundering money from romance scams, having pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering charges. Between 2018 and 2019, Umegbo opened fraudulent bank accounts using fake identity documents in Greater Boston to receive funds from romance scam victims, ultimately processing over $568,000 in stolen money before withdrawing it in cash or converting it to cashier's checks. He was ordered to pay $570,000 in restitution and forfeiture.
justice.gov
Chukwunonso Umegbo, a former New Bedford man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering related to romance scams between 2018 and 2019. Umegbo used fake identities to open bank accounts in the Boston area that received over $568,000 from romance scam victims, which he then withdrew as cash, converted to cashier's checks, or spent; he was arrested in London in 2022 and extradited to face charges in 2023. He was ordered to pay $578,954.78 in restitution and forfeiture.
abc6.com
Chukwunonso "Douglas" Umegbo, 39, a former New Bedford resident extradited from the United Kingdom, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for operating romance scams between 2018 and 2019. Umegbo created fake online personas to develop romantic relationships with U.S. victims, then solicited money and property from them, obtaining over $568,000 across multiple scams by depositing fraudulently obtained funds into bank accounts he opened using false identity documents. He was ordered to pay restitution and forfeiture totaling $578,954.78.
thv11.com
An Arkansas woman was arrested following an FBI raid in Little Rock on federal charges of mail fraud and money laundering related to fraudulent Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. According to court documents, she falsified employee counts and payroll amounts to obtain four separate PPP loans, which are designed to help businesses maintain payroll during economic hardship.
firstpost.com
Singapore reported a record 46,563 scam cases in 2023, resulting in SGD 651.8 million in losses, with an 18 percent increase in cases targeting migrants, particularly domestic workers from India, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar who fall victim to phishing, romance, and loan scams. The government is responding through mandatory anti-scam education programs for foreign workers during settlement orientation and ongoing awareness training to help them recognize and report scams within their communities.
connexionfrance.com
This article describes multiple fraud schemes targeting people in France, including overpayment scams where fraudsters pose as robbery victims to trick people into withdrawing cash on their behalf, and text message phishing scams impersonating official agencies like ANTAI (driving fine collection) and La Poste with fake links to fraudulent websites. The article also mentions that French authorities detected over 40,000 home renovation fraud cases in 2024 and notes that scammers often exploit victims' desire to help others or comply with authority by creating artificial urgency.
abc11.com
The FBI in North Carolina is warning consumers about a surging cryptocurrency investment scam that has cost North Carolina victims over $65 million in 2023, with investment fraud involving crypto rising 53% nationally from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.944 billion in 2023. Scammers use social media research and fake websites/apps to build trust with victims, displaying fake profits to encourage larger investments, then disappear with all funds when victims attempt major withdrawals. The FBI advises victims not to be embarrassed and to report scams quickly, though recovery is difficult since cryptocurrency is unregulated.
sandiegouniontribune.com
New York City authorities disrupted an online "pig butchering" cryptocurrency fraud operation that stole millions of dollars by gaining victims' trust through dating apps and social media, then directing them to fake investment platforms. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez seized 21 web domains used in the scheme; reported victims in Brooklyn alone lost over $4 million, with individual losses ranging from $22,680 to $118,000, though actual losses likely total billions nationally due to underreporting. Investigators traced stolen funds through multiple cryptocurrency addresses to foreign exchanges, with at least one perpetrator operating beyond U.S. jurisdiction.
veronapress.com
On March 28, Verona Police arrested 23-year-old Jiale Yang after receiving an anonymous tip that he would commit elder fraud that afternoon; Yang falsely identified himself as an IRS agent and obtained $30,000 in cash from the victim, who had been deceived by a pop-up claiming her computer had a virus and directed her to "Apple Support" where she was told her money was involved in criminal activity. The article also outlines five common types of elder fraud schemes: grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, phishing scams (which increased from 114,702 reports in 2019 to 298,878 in 2
the420.in
Indian nationals are being targeted by human traffickers who lure them with fake high-paying job offers in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries, then coerce them into participating in online financial scams and forced labor. The Indian government has issued warnings urging job seekers to use only legitimate employment channels and thoroughly verify employer credentials, following recent arrests of key cybercrime syndicate members and incidents where victims were smuggled into forced cybercrime operations in Laos and Cambodia. Authorities recommend exercising caution with online job offers, researching companies through embassies, avoiding sharing personal information, and informing family of travel plans when seeking employment abroad.
sfstandard.com
On March 27 in San Francisco, 68-year-old Vickie Wong lost $50,000 in gold and over $1,000 in cash to a "blessing scam" perpetrated by three Cantonese-speaking women who convinced her she was cursed and needed a purification ceremony. The scammers switched Wong's valuables with another bag during the ritual; this incident is part of a pattern of such crimes targeting monolingual, superstitious older Chinese women in San Francisco's Chinese community, with over 60 recorded victims. Law enforcement has launched an education campaign, though the true number of victims may be higher due to underreporting, and some scamm
umaine.edu
MoneyGeek published expert guidance from University of Maine social work professor Lenard Kaye on two topics affecting seniors: protecting loved ones from elder financial fraud and navigating the process of choosing and paying for senior care. The articles draw on Kaye's professional expertise as director of the Center on Aging to provide practical information for families managing financial and care decisions for older adults.
justice.gov
Yolanda Brooks, a 52-year-old Medicaid Supervisor in Indianapolis, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for stealing approximately $920,148.51 in checks intended for healthcare reimbursements. Between March 2018 and July 2021, Brooks deposited roughly 486 checks into two personal bank accounts opened under her maiden name, falsely representing herself as authorized to negotiate them, and spent the stolen funds on personal expenses including shopping, gambling, and vacations. The court ordered Brooks to pay full restitution of $920,148.51 and serve three years of supervised release following her prison term.
portlandoregon.gov
On April 2, 2024, Portland Police Bureau officers conducted an eight-hour enforcement mission in North Portland's Jantzen Beach and Delta Park areas, resulting in 13 arrests, 3 recovered stolen vehicles, 1 seized firearm, and drug seizures. One arrest involved a subject wanted for Aggravated Identity Theft and Elder Abuse Fraud, apprehended in coordination with the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.
z100portland.iheart.com
On Tuesday, Portland Police conducted an enforcement operation in the Jantzen Beach and Delta Park areas, resulting in 13 arrests including one individual wanted for aggravated identity theft and elder abuse fraud. Officers also recovered three stolen vehicles, one stolen firearm, and narcotics during the eight-hour mission targeting chronic criminal activity.
thepointsguy.com
Advances in technology and social engineering are enabling sophisticated scams that cost consumers billions of dollars annually. Visa's 2024 Threats Report identifies four major scams on the rise, including pig butchering (romance) scams where fraudsters use AI and deepfake technology to build trust with victims over weeks or months before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms—affecting 10% of surveyed adults and resulting in billions in losses. The report notes that beyond financial victims, these scams often involve human trafficking victims forced to participate in the fraud operations.
spotonflorida.com
Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill was suspended by Governor Ron DeSantis after being arrested on charges of elder exploitation, personal identification fraud, and mortgage fraud. Hill pleaded not guilty to seven felony counts related to the charges. The suspension came shortly after her arrest on Thursday.
usatoday.com
Romanian national Marius Oprea was sentenced to six years in federal prison for leading an ATM skimming operation that used pinhole cameras and card readers to steal bank information from low-income individuals receiving unemployment benefits in California. The sophisticated scheme, which involved smuggling skimming devices from Austria and cloning over 100 ATM cards, reflects a nationwide rise in skimming fraud—with a 96% increase in compromised debit cards in 2023 and estimated annual losses exceeding $1 billion to financial institutions and consumers.
chinaglobalsouth.com
I cannot provide a meaningful summary of this content. The text provided is primarily website navigation and subscription information for The China-Global South Project, not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. While the title mentions "More Than 800 Suspected Scammers Arrested in Myanmar-China Joint Operation," the actual article content is not included—only the website header and promotional material. To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the full article text.
patriotledger.com
A 77-year-old Hingham woman lost $9,500 to a grandparent scam in which a caller impersonated her grandson, claiming he needed money for hospital bills after a car accident, then a fake federal agent arranged for a driver to pick up the cash from her home. When the scammer called requesting an additional $5,000 the next day, the woman became suspicious and contacted police, who intercepted the second pickup and arrested no one, though the investigation remains ongoing.
states.aarp.org
Two retired Georgia law enforcement veterans with combined 75+ years of experience—Joe Gavalis and Dan Flynn—volunteer with the North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force Foundation to combat elder fraud through training, education, and prevention work. They have facilitated over 60 law enforcement trainings and reached approximately 8,000 older adults with fraud prevention presentations covering common scams like credit card fraud, grandparent scams, and romance schemes. Their work addresses a critical gap, as Americans reported 2.6 million fraud incidents in 2023 with $10 billion in losses, with elder victims often experiencing catastrophic financial impact.
myprimetimenews.com
This is an educational resource from Social Security highlighting five key scam awareness articles designed to help protect vulnerable populations from fraud. The articles cover government imposter scams, identity theft prevention, fraud risks for people with dementia, scams targeting veterans and military families, and emerging scam tactics like fake QR codes. Social Security encourages the public to review these resources and share them with friends and family to raise awareness about common fraud schemes.