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in Scam Awareness
wjla.com
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are sending approximately one billion fraudulent toll notification texts daily targeting drivers nationwide, impersonating legitimate agencies like EZPass and SunPass, with the DMV region experiencing a 900% surge in complaints since January 2024. Experts warn that any engagement with these messages—even replying—signals to AI-powered scam networks that a number is active, leading to further fraud attempts; consumers reported losing $2.95 billion to impersonation scams in 2024 overall. Authorities including the FBI, FTC, and state transportation departments advise drivers to never click links in unsolicited toll texts and instead verify toll status directly through official agency channels.
ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams cost nearly $3 billion in reported losses during 2024, with the FTC receiving approximately 850,000 reports of such fraud that year. The FTC's Impersonation Rule, which marked its one-year anniversary in April, has enabled the agency to file multiple lawsuits against scammers impersonating government agencies, utility companies, banks, and delivery services, and has successfully shut down over a dozen fake FTC websites designed to trick victims. The FTC advises consumers to avoid sending money or personal information to unexpected contacts, not to trust caller ID (which can be faked), and to verify requests by contacting organizations directly using independently verified contact information
cnbc.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 survey of over two million FTC and FCC complaints found Ohio leading the nation with 859 scam call and text complaints per 100,000 residents, followed by Illinois and Delaware. The study identified the top 10 states most targeted by phone scams, with common schemes including IRS fraud, Medicare scams, debt relief, and toll violations, possibly due to large population centers, favorable regulations, and high concentrations of seniors. The article advises screening calls, avoiding suspicious links, and considering identity theft protection services with credit monitoring and insurance coverage.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
An 87-year-old retired doctor in Mumbai lost ₹16.14 lakh after a scammer posing as a BMC pest control official sent her a phishing link, compromising her mobile banking and enabling over 40 unauthorized transactions across multiple accounts between December 2024 and January 2025. The fraudster initially tricked the victim by requesting a ₹50 registration fee and assuring a refund, but once the malicious link was clicked, funds were systematically siphoned from her Kotak Mahindra, Punjab National, and Axis Bank accounts. The West Cyber Police registered an FIR and are investigating the case as a phishing scam
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Hawaii consumers lost $61.6 million to scams in 2024, a 32 percent increase from the prior year, with the most common frauds involving imposters, identity theft, and investment scams conducted via social media and cryptocurrency. AARP Hawaii is hosting a series of webinars in April featuring FBI agents and fraud prevention experts to help residents, particularly older adults (kupuna), recognize and report fraud including business imposter scams, online shopping fraud, and Medicare-related schemes. The webinars aim to educate consumers on protecting themselves and their families while encouraging fraud reporting despite the stigma surrounding victimization.
communitynewspapers.com
· 2025-12-08
Frauds and scams are escalating in Miami-Dade County, with consumers nationwide reporting over $12.5 billion in losses to fraud in 2024—a 25 percent increase from the previous year—and seniors facing particular vulnerability to identity theft, telemarketing fraud, and fraudulent solicitations. In response, District 5 Commissioner Eileen Higgins launched Lunch and Learn workshops in partnership with the county's Consumer Protection Division, which have educated over 100 seniors across low-income housing communities with ten workshops planned total. The workshops provide practical fraud prevention strategies, including guidance on protecting personal information, recognizing scams, monitoring financial accounts, and reporting suspicious activity to
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This AARP article provides cybersecurity best practices from four professionals to help protect against digital scams. Key recommendations include: regularly restarting your phone to remove potential scammer access, storing sensitive documents on external hard drives rather than desktop computers, enabling two-factor authentication on accounts, and changing passwords every six months. The article emphasizes that these preventive measures are essential as digital scams become increasingly sophisticated.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting 401(k) retirement accounts through multiple methods including phishing emails, fake investment platforms, impersonation phone calls and text messages, robocalls with AI voice impersonations, and fraudulent rollover schemes. To protect retirement savings, individuals should use two-factor authentication, create strong unique passwords, monitor account notifications, and only conduct rollovers with trusted financial institutions while remaining vigilant against suspicious communications and fake investment opportunities.
sjcda.org
· 2025-12-08
This article combines information about San Joaquin County's District Attorney's office commitment to public safety with educational guidance from the Federal Trade Commission on protecting families from text message scams. The FTC advises parents to teach children to recognize scam texts impersonating legitimate companies and banks, avoid clicking links or sharing personal information, and report suspicious messages, as these scams can lead to identity theft and financial loss. The article also describes Family Justice Centers as collaborative resources that provide comprehensive support to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, sexual assault, elder abuse, child abuse, and stalking.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's financial regulator (ASIC) obtained a court order to shut down 95 companies linked to "pig butchering" scams—sophisticated investment and romance fraud schemes where criminals build trust with victims over weeks before directing them to fake trading platforms for forex, crypto, and commodities. These organized criminal networks, often operating from countries like Myanmar and Eastern Europe, target high-income individuals globally by using fake websites, stolen identities, and complex deception tactics to create false legitimacy. Despite regulatory efforts to remove scam websites and shut down fraudulent companies, Australians lost AU$2.74 billion to financial fraud in the most recent reporting period, though losses declined 13.1
bristolpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Nationwide Building Society study found that 25% of Brits have been defrauded by ticket scammers, losing an average of £82 per person, with the problem expected to worsen as Glastonbury's final ticket resale approaches. High demand, limited supply, and fear of missing out create ideal conditions for fraudsters, with over half of respondents willing to buy from unofficial sources and 40% willing to purchase counterfeit tickets. The research highlighted victim stories, including a café owner who lost £1,500 to a fake crew pass seller, and Nationwide urged ticket buyers to use their free Scam Checker Service before making purchases.
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Research by Nationwide Building Society reveals that one in four Britons (25%) have fallen victim to ticket scams, losing an average of £82 each, with high-demand events like Glastonbury creating ideal conditions for fraud exploitation. Over half of survey respondents admitted they would consider buying from unofficial sources, with those aged 25-34 showing the highest risk tolerance, and victims experiencing significant emotional distress beyond financial loss. Nationwide urges ticket buyers to use their free Scam Checker Service to verify transactions and avoid purchasing from unauthorized sellers, particularly during high-demand resale periods.
thenationonlineng.net
· 2025-12-08
Popular crossdresser Bobrisky lost $990 to a romance scammer who had been communicating with him for several months, claiming to be based in the U.S. and Canada. The scammer gained his trust through frequent calls and regular contact, then convinced Bobrisky to receive a payment via CashApp on his behalf before blocking him once the money was transferred. Bobrisky publicly shared details of the incident on Instagram, warning his followers to be cautious of similar romance scams.
dailystar.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Julie-Anne Kearns, a 47-year-old NHS worker and anti-scam TikTok creator, was targeted by a dating scam in November 2022 when a fraudster posing as a military surgeon attempted to trick her into buying an iTunes gift card; she avoided the scam through image verification but later discovered her identity had been stolen. In December 2024, Kearns learned that identity thieves had used her personal information to apply for loans with three different lenders (Lendable, Moneybarn No 1, and Billing Finance Limited), prompting her to lock her credit file to prevent further fraud attempts.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Julie-Anne Kearns, a 47-year-old NHS worker from Dorset who runs a TikTok scam awareness account with over 10,000 followers, fell victim to identity theft in December 2024 when fraudsters attempted to take out loans in her name through three different lenders (Lendable, Moneybarn No 1, and Billing Finance Limited), likely using cloned copies of her passport and driving licence. Despite her extreme vigilance and efforts to prevent fraud, she discovered the identity theft through a credit report and subsequently locked her credit file, though she remains uncertain how the criminals obtained her personal information.
johnsoncitytn.org
· 2025-12-08
The Johnson City Police Department reported a rise in phone scams where callers impersonate law enforcement, government agents, or company representatives to pressure victims into purchasing gift cards, sending cryptocurrency, or sharing financial information by claiming urgent issues like pending arrests or compromised bank accounts. Victims have been contacted via phone, social media, text, and other platforms, with scammers requesting gift card numbers after purchase to access funds immediately. The JCPD emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement never demands payment to avoid arrest and advises the public to hang up on suspicious callers and report them to Crime Stoppers, noting that older adults are particularly targeted in these scams.
myupnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning about a Bitcoin ATM scam targeting unsuspecting victims, particularly older adults. The scam involves fraudulent calls or messages claiming financial accounts are compromised, with callers impersonating legitimate companies or law enforcement and threatening prosecution to coerce victims into withdrawing cash and depositing it into Bitcoin ATMs, after which the money is irretrievably converted to cryptocurrency. Because Bitcoin ATMs lack regulation and oversight, unlike traditional banking systems with fraud prevention measures, victims have no meaningful consumer protections and funds cannot be recovered once the transaction is complete.
wtsp.com
· 2025-12-08
A Manatee County, Florida woman lost $2,400 in a spoofed bank and FTC impersonation scam after receiving a fraudulent email claiming an unauthorized Apple charge on her Chase account. The scammer posed as both a bank representative and FTC official, convincing her to purchase gift cards at multiple retailers (Lowe's, Walmart, and Winn Dixie) under the false premise that authorities were tracking a hacker. The FTC reports that fraud losses increased 25% in 2024, with seniors losing over $2.3 billion, and emphasizes that legitimate government agencies never demand gift card payments or threaten to freeze accounts.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a consumer alert warning residents about Bitcoin ATM scams targeting older adults, in which fraudsters pose as representatives from companies like Apple, Google, or law enforcement to convince victims their accounts are compromised and demand immediate payment. Victims are instructed to withdraw cash from banks and deposit it into Bitcoin ATMs, where it is converted to cryptocurrency and sent to scammers; once transferred, the money cannot be recovered because Bitcoin ATMs lack oversight, regulation, and fraud prevention measures unlike traditional financial institutions. The alert advises consumers never to deposit money into Bitcoin ATMs at anyone's request, to be wary of urgent calls, to verify requests with their banks, and to report suspecte
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Secret Service seized the web domain NFT-UNI.com, which was used in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam that defrauded a Warren County victim of approximately $172,405.61 between November 2023 and March 2024, with total losses across all victims reaching approximately $4,564,936.47. In pig butchering schemes, scammers build trust with victims through dating apps, social media, or text messages before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms, then disappearing with their funds. This is the second domain seizure by the Secret Service in Warren County related to this type of scheme, as part
mitrade.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) shut down 95 companies operating as fronts for crypto romance scams following Federal Court approval, with liquidators appointed to manage the wind-down. Over 1,500 victims from 14 countries have filed claims totaling more than $35 million, with scammers using fake company registrations, stolen identities, and AI-generated content to perpetrate "pig butchering" schemes that increased 40% between 2023-2024. Despite ASIC taking down over 10,000 fraudulent websites, regulators warn that scams remain persistent and evolving, though Australia saw a 26% decline in total sc
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Australia's corporate watchdog (ASIC) secured court approval to shut down 95 "hydra" companies suspected of operating "pig butchering" scams—romance and cryptocurrency investment frauds where scammers build fake relationships to manipulate victims into investing in fraudulent schemes. Nearly 1,500 investors across 14 countries filed claims totaling over $35.8 million in losses, with the scam activity believed to originate largely from Southeast Asia. ASIC has removed over 10,000 scam websites in recent efforts, though the regulator warns that new fraudulent sites continue to emerge rapidly.
onlineathens.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Athens residents fell victim to different fraud schemes in late March: a 31-year-old man was extorted after sharing nude photos on Grindr and had images sent to family members; a 76-year-old woman was scammed out of $1,400+ by a romance fraudster posing as an Irish boyfriend requesting medical funds; and a 71-year-man nearly lost personal information after granting remote computer access to a tech support scammer. Police advise residents to avoid sharing personal information online, be cautious with unsolicited messages and calls, and immediately contact banks and credit bureaus if compromised.
kaynewscow.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, of Pawnee was arrested for laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting four elderly women (ages 64-79) between September and December 2024. One victim sold her house and sent $600,000 after believing she was in a romantic relationship with a scammer; Echohawk converted the illicitly obtained funds through bank accounts and cryptocurrency before sending payments to an unidentified suspect. She faces five counts carrying 24 to 62 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, with the Better Business Bureau identifying investment/cryptocurrency schemes, employment scams, and romance/friendship scams as the year's most dangerous, often involving financial grooming tactics where scammers build trust over time. Victims of investment and cryptocurrency scams lost money at rates exceeding 80%, while young adults aged 18-34 were primary targets for employment fraud, and imposter scams frequently involved fraudulent claims from PayPal, Publishers Clearing House, and the U.S. Postal Service. Experts recommend verifying credentials, asking questions about unsolicited offers, and confirming communications to avoid falling victim
ktul.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, was arrested in Pawnee County on charges of money laundering and computer crimes for allegedly facilitating approximately $1.5 million in funds stolen from four elderly women (ages 64-79) through online romance scams between September and December 2024. Echohawk received the victims' payments via gift cards, cash, wire transfers, and bank accounts, then converted the funds to cryptocurrency and sent them to an unidentified suspect; one victim sold her home to send $600,000. Echohawk faces five counts carrying potential sentences of 24 to 64 years in prison and up to $260,000 in fines.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, a 53-year-old from Pawnee, Oklahoma, was arrested and charged with laundering approximately $1.5 million obtained through online romance scams targeting senior women between September and December 2024. The victims, all between ages 64 and 79, believed they were sending money to men they were in online relationships with before the funds were diverted through Echohawk's accounts.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Employment scams have nearly tripled since 2020, with Americans losing $501 million to job and fake employment agency scams in 2024, according to the FTC. Scammers target vulnerable job seekers—particularly recently laid-off federal workers—by creating fake job listings that mimic legitimate employer websites and request sensitive personal and financial information, with victims losing an average of nearly $3,000 per scam. Red flags include requests for expensive equipment purchases or banking information before employment begins, as illustrated in a case involving a Washington state woman who was approached via LinkedIn with a fraudulent remote transcriptionist job offer.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-08
A Georgia man was jailed for allegedly impersonating a police officer ("Sergeant Harding") to scam a registered sex offender in Pennsylvania out of $1,000 in August 2022, claiming he could make a fake warrant disappear if the victim purchased gift cards and paid cash. Law enforcement agencies nationwide report that scammers intermittently target people on sex offender registries with similar police impersonation schemes, though the scams are difficult to track and prevalence varies by jurisdiction. In 2023, American adults lost over $25.4 billion to telephone-based scams overall, with young adults aged 18-44 being three times more likely than older adults to
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost a record $12.5 billion to scams in 2024, according to the Federal Trade Commission and a new Better Business Bureau report analyzing the year's most dangerous schemes. The top scams involved investment and cryptocurrency schemes (80% loss rate), employment scams targeting young adults 18-34, romance and friendship scams on dating platforms, and imposter scams impersonating major companies. Experts advise consumers to verify credentials, ask questions about investment claims, and verify unsolicited communications to protect against scammers using financial grooming tactics to build trust before exploitation.
wmar2news.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI launched "Operation Level Up" in January 2024 to proactively contact victims of cryptocurrency investment scams in progress, using emails and phone calls to prevent further money transfers. From January 2024 to February 2025, the FBI contacted over 5,000 victims and estimated it saved approximately $318 million in planned transfers, with 76 percent of contacted victims unaware they were being scammed. The scammers typically pose as romantic interests or influencers on social media, build trust over weeks, then direct victims to fake investment websites promising high cryptocurrency returns before requesting increasingly larger deposits.
marketplace.org
· 2025-12-08
Frank Abagnale, a former con artist, identifies red flags for detecting phone scammers, including suspicious bank activity. The Federal Trade Commission received over 500,000 imposter scam complaints in 2018, though prosecuting perpetrators remains rare, prompting federal regulators to develop new strategies to combat coordinated fraud efforts targeting victims.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Research identifies loneliness and financial fragility as the two most significant risk factors for elder financial fraud victimization. Socially isolated individuals are more vulnerable to relationship-based scams (romance, pig-butchering, affinity fraud) because they lack trusted contacts to validate suspicious offers, while financial stress impairs rational decision-making and increases willingness to take risky financial gambles that fraudsters exploit.
actuarialpost.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
The Pensions Regulator (TPR) and Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG) are using technology and multi-agency collaboration to combat pension scams, having reviewed 830 websites, removed 29 high-risk sites, and made 94 referrals to partner agencies. A new Fraud and Cyber Crime Reporting and Analytics Service will replace Action Fraud later this year, improving intelligence gathering and police investigation timelines. Only 11% of pension schemes correctly understood that scams should be reported to Action Fraud, highlighting the need for continued education and reporting compliance.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, scammers targeted elderly residents and visitors in Beaufort County, South Carolina, stealing over $3.1 million across 62 cases by impersonating law enforcement and demanding cryptocurrency transfers via Bitcoin ATMs. The scams exploited urgency and fabricated threats of arrest or legal consequences, with victims directed to convert cash to cryptocurrency at predatory ATMs with high transaction fees. Officials across South Carolina are calling for government oversight of cryptocurrency ATMs, as these machines have become primary tools for targeting aging communities, with the FTC noting that cryptocurrency scam losses in the U.S. increased tenfold between 2020 and 2023.
thestar.com
· 2025-12-08
Toronto police warned the public of a phone scam targeting seniors in which callers impersonating bank representatives use spoofed numbers matching debit cards, claim fraudulent transactions, and request PINs and passwords before sending couriers to collect bank cards. The advisory also noted a "dramatic increase" in scam calls impersonating Toronto Police Service officers, demanding Bitcoin payments or threatening deportation based on false claims of compromised information or warrants. Police emphasize that legitimate banks and law enforcement never request banking information or payment over the phone, and advise victims to contact their bank immediately and report scams to police or credit monitoring agencies.
sjvsun.com
· 2025-12-08
Rep. David Valadao's Romance Scam Prevention Act advanced through the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, requiring dating apps to notify users who have interacted with accounts banned for fraudulent activity. The Federal Trade Commission reported romance scam victims lost over $1.1 billion in 2023, with fraudsters exploiting the 60 million users of online dating services by using fake identities to manipulate people for financial gain. The bill addresses a gap in current protections where scammers move conversations off dating platforms to avoid detection, though similar notification requirements already exist in Vermont, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New York.
upi.com
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims across Missouri, New Jersey, and Minnesota between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi and co-conspirators used social media to build fake relationships with victims and convince them to send money for various pretexts, with one victim losing over $27,400; he was ordered to pay $311,500 in restitution. The investigation involved multiple federal agencies and resulted in charges for money laundering conspiracy.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Badetito O. Obafemi, a 42-year-old Georgia man, was sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded elderly victims in Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey of approximately $311,520 between 2016 and 2018. Obafemi received wire transfers from victims who were deceived by scammers posing as individuals like "Kevin Condon," who fabricated stories about business expenses, medical issues, and legal problems to solicit money. The court ordered Obafemi to pay full restitution and serve three years of supervised release following his incarceration.
bucks.crimewatchpa.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common scams targeting seniors—including phone scams, phishing, romance fraud, investment schemes, charity scams, home repair fraud, identity theft, and grandparent scams—and provides practical prevention strategies. Key protective measures include being skeptical of unsolicited contact, safeguarding personal information, avoiding rushed decisions, recognizing communication red flags, verifying identities before trusting, staying informed about technology, and building a support network. The article emphasizes that seniors can protect themselves and their finances through knowledge and vigilance, offering resources like the AARP Fraud Watch Network and National Elder Fraud Hotline for additional support.
kxii.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau is warning of a rise in AI-powered identity theft scams, which have generated nearly five million reports across North America since 2021. Scammers use advanced AI tools to create convincing emails, texts, and even fake phone calls mimicking loved ones to steal sensitive information like social security numbers and bank details, then open fraudulent credit cards and loans in victims' names. Employment scams are the most common vector, as job applicants voluntarily provide personal information during the application process.
securitymagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity experts warn that AI is enabling increasingly sophisticated tax fraud and scams, with malicious actors using AI-generated phishing emails, deepfakes, and voice impersonations to target individuals during tax season, capitalizing on the $9.1 billion in tax and financial fraud identified by the IRS in 2024. Key threats include AI-enhanced phishing attacks mimicking trusted entities like the IRS, credential stuffing exploiting reused passwords, and malicious files hosted on legitimate cloud platforms. Defenders are advised to verify requests through independent channels, use strong unique passwords with multi-factor authentication, implement fraud alerts with credit bureaus, and remain skeptical of urgent communications received via email
6abc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to perpetrate tax-related fraud, sending realistic emails, texts, and calls impersonating the IRS while also creating fake tax filing websites and using AI voice technology to pose as legitimate tax preparers. The schemes aim to steal personal information, demand payments, or redirect refunds. Consumers should avoid clicking unsolicited links, verify the authenticity of preparers and websites before sharing information, and remember that the actual IRS does not initiate contact via phone, text, or email to demand payment.
bop.gov
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) employees and contacting incarcerated individuals and their families, claiming to offer community placement services or early release in exchange for money or personal information. The FBOP clarifies that it never contacts people to request personal information or payment. Victims should report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or 1-877-382-4357.
cheshire-live.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A survey of 2,000 scam victims found that over a quarter feel too ashamed to discuss their experience, with nearly half having lost an average of £481 in the past year, primarily through marketplace and impersonation scams, though romance scams generated the most shame. Only 22 percent reported incidents to police or fraud services, citing lack of faith in assistance and self-blame. To combat this silence, money transfer app Wise and We Fight Fraud launched "Scam Safe Space," an initiative encouraging victims to share experiences, as research shows hearing others' stories helps people identify and avoid similar scams.
wpgtalkradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Salem County, New Jersey are impersonating correctional facility employees and calling victims claiming that an inmate has been approved for early release due to prison overcrowding and needs a $2,100 ankle monitor fee paid via PayPal or Venmo. The Salem County Sheriff's Office warns that they and the correctional facility never request payments through payment apps for inmate release or services, and urges anyone contacted to refuse payment and report the scam to local police.
devonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
A survey of 2,000 scam victims found that nearly half lost money in the past year, averaging £481, with marketplace and impersonation scams being most common, though romance scams carried the greatest stigma. Over 26 percent of victims felt too embarrassed to share their experiences, and only 22 percent reported incidents to authorities, yet research shows hearing from victims helps others recognize warning signs. In response, money transfer app Wise and We Fight Fraud launched the "Scam Safe Space," a judgment-free platform encouraging victims to speak openly, as experts emphasize that education and breaking the silence around scams are critical to prevention.
peoplemattersglobal.com
· 2025-12-08
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cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Chicago graduate student fell victim to an elaborate employment scam involving a fake remote proofreader job listing impersonating a legitimate California school serving international students; the victim provided personal information including her Social Security number and bank account details during the fake onboarding process, only recognizing the scam when asked to purchase equipment for reimbursement. Her Social Security number was found on the dark web within two days of enrolling in identity theft monitoring services, and the real school reported receiving inquiries from approximately 10 other victims of the same scam.
skynews.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Christine Joan Echohawk, 53, of Oklahoma was arrested and charged with laundering approximately $2.4 million obtained through online romance scams targeting elderly women ages 64-79 between September and December 2024. The victims, believing they were in relationships with men, sent money, gift cards, and checks to accounts owned by Echohawk, who converted the funds into cryptocurrency and sent them to unknown suspects; one victim sold her house to send $600,000. Echohawk faces five counts of unlawful use of criminal proceeds and computer fraud, carrying potential sentences of 24-62 years and up to $260,000 in fines.