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in Robocall / Phone Scam
zoomtventertainment.com
· 2025-12-07
Kannada actors Upendra and his wife Priyanka had their phones compromised after Priyanka fell for a fake delivery message and called a suspicious number with unusual symbols, a common scammer tactic. After both called the number, scammers accessed their phones and began requesting Rs 22,000 through UPI from their contacts; the couple subsequently filed a complaint alerting the public to the cybercrime.
nltimes.nl
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in the Netherlands have been placing fake QR code stickers on parking meters that direct users to spoofed EasyPark payment websites designed to steal banking and credit card information. The municipality of The Hague removed approximately 70 fake stickers from parking meters across multiple districts, with similar reports emerging from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Alphen aan den Rijn, and Maastricht. The municipality stated it does not know how many victims were affected, urged anyone who fell victim to report the scam to police, and committed to removing the counterfeit stickers while forgiving parking fines incurred through fraudulent payments.
arkansasbusiness.com
· 2025-12-07
This opinion piece describes how an intelligent person fell victim to a sheriff's office impersonation scam demanding over $1,000 via PayPal, illustrating that scam susceptibility depends on human psychology rather than intelligence. The scammer used known personal details and created artificial urgency and fear to manipulate the victim into making an emotional rather than logical decision. The author argues that scammers employ deliberate psychological tactics—including creating panic, exploiting trust, and inducing urgency—and recommends pausing to evaluate information rationally when stakes are high as a protective measure.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
An 89-year-old woman from Vaudreuil, Quebec, lost over $50,000 in February 2024 when a scammer posing as an anti-fraud squad member convinced her to provide bank information, resulting in bounced rent cheques and the threat of losing her home. The incident exemplifies a broader problem in Canada, where seniors are the most targeted demographic for fraud; the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported $638 million in fraud losses in 2024, with impersonation scams being among the fastest-growing types. To protect themselves, seniors should verify caller identity before sharing personal information, confirm relatives' whereabouts when contacted about emergencies, an
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A phishing scam impersonates Evite event invitations with emotionally charged subjects like "Special Celebration of Life" to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that can steal personal information, capture login credentials, or install malware. The scam uses realistic Evite branding and design to appear legitimate, but can be detected by verifying sender email addresses, hovering over links to check URLs, and using antivirus software with phishing detection.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in Beaver County impersonated law enforcement and financial institutions to defraud residents of over $300,000 by claiming the victims' bank accounts were at risk of theft. The perpetrators convinced victims to withdraw large cash amounts or convert funds to Bitcoin, either by claiming police would collect it as evidence or instructing them to leave money in unlocked cars, while falsely telling them not to contact authorities or banks. Aliquippa police warned residents that legitimate police and government agencies never request such actions and advised victims to verify callers by contacting their local police department directly.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman posing as a federal agent scammed a North Carolina resident out of $25,000 in a two-stage scheme that began with a phone call claiming the victim had committed a crime. When the scammers initially failed to convince the victim to transfer funds via cryptocurrency, they escalated by sending the woman to the victim's home to collect cash in person. The suspect was captured on camera and authorities released her image to the public seeking identification.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
AARP has supported passage of gift card fraud laws in 11 states during 2025, addressing two main types of fraud: scammers impersonating government agents or IT specialists who trick victims into purchasing gift cards, and criminals who drain gift card values from store shelves before purchase. A 2022 AARP survey found that 34 percent of U.S. adults reported being targeted by gift card scams, while legislation creating legal frameworks to prosecute these crimes helps deter criminals and protects consumers from financial harm.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are sending fraudulent emails to seniors claiming their Social Security numbers are involved in criminal activities and threatening to suspend benefits unless they act immediately. The Social Security Administration never sends emails (only letters from .gov addresses), and Social Security numbers cannot be suspended; victims who engage with scammers risk losing money and having their identities stolen. Seniors should ignore these emails, never click links or call numbers in suspicious messages, and contact official Social Security field offices directly or consult trusted family members or financial professionals with questions about their benefits.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-07
Orange and Osceola counties' state attorney reported a 14% increase in scams targeting seniors from 2023 to 2024, with romance scams and law enforcement impersonation schemes being the most prevalent. Scammers build fake online relationships with older adults, then create urgency to extract money via wire transfers or gift cards, while others impersonate law enforcement claiming outstanding warrants or bail needs. Prevention is critical since perpetrators are often overseas and difficult to prosecute; residents are advised to hang up on unsolicited calls, avoid clicking links, never send cash or gift cards to strangers, and verify suspicious emails through search engines.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-07
From 2023 to 2024, Orange and Osceola Counties, Florida experienced a 14% increase in scams targeting seniors, prompting State Attorney Monique Worrell to issue a public warning. The two primary scam types are romance scams—where perpetrators build online relationships and request money for emergencies or travel—and law enforcement impersonation scams claiming outstanding warrants or bail requirements. Worrell emphasized that prevention is critical since many scammers operate overseas and are difficult to prosecute, advising seniors to avoid sending cash or gift cards to unknown individuals, verify suspicious emails through search engines, and pause when confronted with urgent requests.
wxxinews.org
· 2025-12-07
Eight individuals across the United States were arrested on federal charges for defrauding senior citizens in the Rochester region of more than $11 million through various schemes including romance scams, fake customer support, and government agency impersonation targeting 139 elderly victims. The defendants employed diverse tactics, such as posing as federal agents to extract "processing fees" from previous scam victims (with one 89-year-old losing over $300,000) and fraudulent credit card charges designed to redirect victims to scammer-controlled customer service lines. Charges include wire fraud, money laundering, mail fraud, identity theft, and computer fraud, carrying maximum penalties of 15 to 30
hastingstribune.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece describes four common scams targeting seniors age 60 and older: Social Security impostor scams (where criminals falsely claim account suspension and request gift card transfers), tech support scams (fraudsters pose as company representatives to gain remote device access and charge bogus fees), lottery scams (perpetrators claim victims won foreign lotteries and demand fees until funds are depleted), and romance scams (scammers use dating sites to build relationships and solicit money). The Elder Justice Initiative provides information on these fraud schemes to help older adults recognize and avoid becoming victims of financial exploitation.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Kannada actors Upendra and Priyanka fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam when a fraudulent courier delivery call convinced Priyanka to dial a code (219279295167#) that compromised her iPhone and subsequently her husband's phone, allowing the scammer to take control of their WhatsApp accounts. The fraudster used their WhatsApp to impersonate Priyanka and solicit money from contacts, resulting in at least four people, including their son, transferring approximately 55,000 rupees via UPI before the couple alerted authorities and filed a complaint with police.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Bengaluru-based Sandalwood actors Upendra Rao and Priyanka Upendra fell victim to a phone hacking scam after Priyanka dialed a fraudulent code provided by someone impersonating a courier delivery executive, which gave hackers access to their phones. The fraudsters then impersonated the couple via WhatsApp, sending messages to their contacts requesting Rs 55,000 each, resulting in at least four people (including their son) transferring money through UPI before the couple alerted authorities. The couple reported the incident to the cyber helpline and filed a police complaint under the Information Technology Act, with authorities freezing the fraudster's account
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers posing as a delivery company called Priyanka about an undelivered parcel from Dubai and tricked her into dialing a code (*21*9279291567#) that hacked her iPhone and forwarded her phone number to the fraudsters. The hackers then accessed WhatsApp, sent messages to her contacts claiming urgent financial need and requesting Rs 55,000 via UPI, resulting in at least four people transferring money before the fraud was discovered. The victims filed a police complaint under the Information Technology Act, and authorities took measures to freeze the fraudsters' accounts; the couple also warned of additional threats including AI voice cloning and phishing links being used in such
whec.com
· 2025-12-07
An Irondequoit, New York couple lost $9,000 to an imposter scam after receiving a fraudulent PayPal phishing email on July 14 claiming unauthorized activity on their account. The scammer, posing as a PayPal agent, directed the victim to withdraw cash from his bank and hand it over to a person who appeared at their home. PayPal confirmed awareness of this widespread scam and advised customers to verify emails are personally addressed, avoid clicking links or calling numbers in suspicious messages, and report phishing attempts directly to PayPal's security team.
chipchick.com
· 2025-12-07
A TikToker nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam in which a caller posing as a deputy threatened her with jail time for missed jury duty and instructed her to withdraw all her bank money and deliver it to Walgreens. A coworker alerted her to the scam before she completed the transaction, preventing financial loss. The incident sparked comments from multiple social media users sharing similar experiences, revealing this type of fraud—where scammers impersonate law enforcement or officials to pressure victims into transferring money through retail locations or gift cards—affects people of all ages and occurs more frequently than commonly realized.
saga.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams targeting people over 55 have surged 52% in the past year, with victims aged 75-84 losing an average of £8,068 and the typical loss across all age groups being £5,219, according to Lloyds Bank data. Scammers build trust through false relationships and isolation tactics before requesting money, often using excuses like "working on an oil rig" to avoid video calls or in-person meetings. Victims can become so psychologically invested that they resist warnings from bank employees and even authorities, making it difficult for them to accept they are being deceived.
firstcoastnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Scams are increasing in frequency and complexity, with consumers losing over $12.5 billion to fraud last year—a 25% increase from the previous year. Common scams include fake investment opportunities promising unrealistic returns, government impersonation schemes (particularly jury duty scams), and toll violation text messages; victims should watch for red flags like requests for secrecy, pressure to act quickly, and payment through peer-to-peer apps. The Better Business Bureau recommends reporting suspected scams to BBB.org and law enforcement, researching businesses before hiring them, and verifying legitimacy through official channels rather than unsolicited contact.
cbs8.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are sending fake court documents with forged judicial signatures through mail and phone calls, demanding immediate payment to resolve alleged unpaid fines, missed jury duty, or outstanding warrants. Red flags include out-of-state area codes, misspellings, formatting errors, and demands for immediate payment via cash, Venmo, or PayPal—legitimate courts never use these methods. The San Diego Superior Court advises verifying suspicious documents by calling the courthouse directly or checking case numbers online, as authentic court communications are sent only by mail or email, never by phone or text.
fox29.com
· 2025-12-07
Job scams have surged 118% in recent years and now rank as the fourth most common fraud type in the U.S., with 75,364 cases reported to the FTC in the first half of 2025 alone, resulting in a median loss of $2,100 per victim. Nevada emerged as the most vulnerable state, with residents losing over $1.7 million to job scams in six months. To protect yourself, research opportunities thoroughly, verify website security, protect personal information, and be wary of unsolicited calls, fake accounts, and unrealistically lucrative job offers.
freep.com
· 2025-12-07
Michigan's Department of Treasury warned residents about smishing scams involving fraudulent text messages falsely claiming tax refunds are pending and requesting banking information to release them. The scam, which has circulated nationwide, exploits urgency and the threat of forfeited refunds; residents should recognize that the state only communicates via official mail, not unsolicited texts, and should immediately delete suspicious messages and report them to authorities.
thebeacon.net
· 2025-12-07
The Ottawa County Task Force on Aging held a 2025 summit to educate seniors about common scams including grandkid scams, tech support fraud, IRS impersonation, lottery/sweepstakes schemes, and identity theft. Financial experts from local credit unions and banks emphasized that victims should verify suspicious calls by hanging up and calling back on known numbers, never pay upfront fees for winnings, and report suspected fraud to their banks and local law enforcement without shame. The presentation highlighted that while scammers are persistent, seniors have access to community resources and protection through banks, nonprofits, and law enforcement agencies.
auroranewsregister.com
· 2025-12-07
Bank fraud prevention experts presented findings at a senior center on common scams targeting older adults, including tech support, phishing, vishing, and grandparent scams that use fear and emotional appeals to steal money. According to Federal Trade Commission statistics cited, consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023—a 14% increase from 2022—with tech support fraud being the leading crime type for those over 60, resulting in nearly $600 million in reported losses. The presentation advised seniors to recognize red flags in phishing emails, be skeptical of unsolicited tech support offers, and trust their instincts to avoid becoming victims.
kfvs12.com
· 2025-12-07
A 31-year-old Missouri man and 12 others were charged for operating a grandparent scam that defrauded over 300 elderly victims across five states of more than $5 million, with victims averaging 84 years old. The scheme involved callers posing as grandchildren or their lawyers claiming emergency situations, using rideshare drivers to collect cash from victims' homes or accompany them to banks. Law enforcement warns that scammers increasingly use AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate family members convincingly, making victims more likely to act urgently without verifying the caller's identity.
financialservices.house.gov
· 2025-12-07
A congressional Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing examined the escalating threat of financial fraud to American consumers, with particular concern for seniors and vulnerable populations. In 2024, there were 2.6 million reported fraud cases resulting in $12.5 billion in losses, involving schemes such as check fraud, romance scams, voice cloning, and AI-driven impersonation targeting grandparents. Federal lawmakers and banking industry representatives discussed the sophistication of criminal operations, many operating overseas, and called for improved federal agency coordination and consumer outreach to combat these growing threats.
nbcmiami.com
· 2025-12-07
I appreciate you sharing this, but the content you've provided appears to be only the navigation menu and header structure of an NBC 6 News website, not an actual article about fraud or elder abuse.
To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, I would need the actual article text, which should include:
- The headline
- The body content describing the scam, fraud, or abuse incident
- Details about victims, amounts, and outcomes
Could you please share the full article content?
fedweek.com
· 2025-12-07
According to the Senate Aging Committee's latest report, scams targeting older adults are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, and person-to-person payment transfers to defraud victims who are targeted for their accumulated assets and trusting nature. Reported losses to those age 60 and over surged by over 40% in 2024, with cryptocurrency-related losses jumping by two-thirds, while scammers employ AI-enabled tools like voice cloning and deepfake videos to make imposter scams more convincing and easier to deploy at scale. Common fraud types include imposter scams, online shopping fraud, lottery scams, and investment fraud, with cryptocurrency and P2
greenwichsentinel.com
· 2025-12-07
In August, the author and her community experienced a surge of email scams, including a fake Microsoft security alert, a spoofed "friend in crisis" requesting money, and church phishing using the pastor's name to solicit gift cards and cash from congregation members. Experts warn that scammers operating from Eastern Europe, Russia, and China are increasingly difficult to stop, and that AI-generated emails are making scams harder to detect, with elderly individuals who lack computer experience being particularly vulnerable to these schemes.
financialservices.house.gov
· 2025-12-07
Subcommittee Chairman Dan Meuser announced a House Financial Services Committee hearing focused on examining financial fraud affecting American consumers, noting that the FTC reported 2.6 million fraud cases in 2024 with over $12 billion in losses—a 25% increase from 2023. Meuser highlighted that seniors experience the most devastating financial losses from scams while young adults are especially vulnerable, and emphasized the need for coordinated efforts across government, financial institutions, technology platforms, and telecom companies to combat various fraud schemes including romance scams, identity theft, and check fraud. The hearing aimed to strengthen consumer education, promote best practices, and improve fraud prevention while the Trump Administration pursued related efforts
startribune.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers posing as the Minnesota Department of Revenue sent fraudulent text messages to residents claiming tax refunds were approved and requesting bank information by September 17, 2025, with threats of permanent forfeiture. The Department of Revenue received approximately 500 calls about the scam starting September 15, though the total amount lost remains unknown, and officials confirmed taxpayer data was not compromised. The agency advised residents to verify official websites before sharing personal information and to report suspicious messages to their banks if any information was disclosed.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-07
According to an AARP study, seniors lost $2.4 billion to scams in 2024—a 43% increase from 2023—with over 147,000 complaints filed to the FBI and $745 million lost in just the first quarter of 2025. Artificial intelligence and deepfakes have made scams significantly more convincing in 2025, with fraudsters using AI to impersonate trusted figures and create false urgency across multiple scam types targeting senior citizens' retirement funds.
wired.com
· 2025-12-07
Cybercriminals are increasingly using portable "SMS blaster" devices—fake cell phone towers that can be transported in vehicles—to send millions of scam text messages while evading carrier security measures. These devices force nearby phones to connect to insecure 2G networks and can send up to 100,000 messages per hour across a 1,000-meter radius; the technology originated in Southeast Asia and has recently spread to Europe and South America, prompting warnings from cybersecurity agencies. SMS blasters operate outside traditional mobile networks, making the fraudulent messages immune to the filtering and detection systems that telecom providers have deployed to block scams.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, impersonation, and emotional manipulation. AI-generated audio and video impersonations cost over $200 million in losses in early 2025, while cryptocurrency scams like "pig butchering" (romance fraud hybrid) and pump-and-dump schemes manipulate victims into investing in fake platforms. Traditional fraud methods—phishing, tech support scams, and fake job listings—have evolved with AI to become more convincing, with scammers leveraging emotions like duty, fear, and hope to exploit targets across all demographics, particularly elderly victims.
abc45.com
· 2025-12-07
Guilford County, North Carolina is experiencing a surge in "court scams" where criminals impersonate deputies, spoof official numbers, and demand immediate payment claiming victims have missed court or owe fines; residents have lost at least $100,000 to these schemes over the past two years. The Guilford County Sheriff's Office emphasizes that legitimate deputies will never demand immediate phone payment or request personal information via call or email, and is launching community education initiatives including a free senior fraud prevention academy starting September 25th to help residents recognize and avoid these scams.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in 2025 exploit AI, cryptocurrencies, and stolen data to target vulnerable individuals through deepfakes, emotional manipulation, and evolving traditional fraud methods. AI-generated audio and video impersonations caused over 105,000 deepfake attacks in the U.S. in 2024, costing more than $200 million in Q1 2025 alone, with elderly victims particularly vulnerable to fake emergency calls from supposed relatives. Cryptocurrency scams include pump-and-dump schemes and "pig butchering" (romance fraud leading to fake crypto investments), while phishing, tech support scams, and fake websites continue to exploit victims by impersonating legitimate
mocoshow.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old Gaithersburg resident lost over $26,000 in a government impersonation scam where fraudsters falsely claimed to be U.S. Treasury Department agents demanding payment to avoid criminal charges. James Smith, 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, was arrested in Culpeper County when he arrived to collect an additional $10,000 that authorities had arranged as part of an undercover operation, and he was charged with money laundering, conspiracy to commit a felony, and obtaining money by false pretenses. Authorities indicate the scheme was part of a larger operation intended to send collected funds overseas and warn residents to report suspicious demands for money
wsls.com
· 2025-12-07
Virginia reported nearly 4,000 residents aged 60 and older lost over $106.6 million to fraud in 2024, ranking the state 11th nationally in elder fraud losses, though actual cases likely far exceed reported figures. Common scams targeting seniors exploit their fixed incomes and fears through impersonation schemes (like fake Microsoft or bank calls), with experts recommending victims never share personal information with unknown contacts and verify requests through official channels. Professionals emphasize that fraud can affect anyone regardless of experience, and encourage open communication and consultation with trusted individuals rather than hiding shame about becoming a victim.
english.mathrubhumi.com
· 2025-12-07
A Kochi resident was defrauded of ₹25 crore between March 2023 and 2025 through a fake online trading platform operated by an international cyber fraud syndicate with suspected Malayali masterminds. The scammers, who posed as legitimate traders and used a call center in Cyprus to contact victims, transferred stolen funds across multiple bank accounts to obscure the money trail, with one Malayali woman already arrested for receiving a share of the proceeds. Investigators believe the fraud operation was planned in California and involved purchasing bank accounts to facilitate transfers while evading detection.
koco.com
· 2025-12-07
Approximately 700 families in Minco Public Schools received fraudulent text and phone messages claiming a $244 Best Buy charge needed to be processed through Bank of America, sent through the district's emergency alert system. The scam was quickly resolved by Apptegy, the district's software provider, and originated from a third-party company servicing the district's website; to the superintendent's knowledge, no parents were deceived by the messages.
providencejournal.com
· 2025-12-07
Craig Clayton, a 75-year-old Rhode Island man, laundered $35 million from internet-romance and elderly-fraud scams between 2019 and 2021 through his fake "virtual CFO" business, Rochart Consulting, using shell companies and fraudulent bank accounts to send victim funds overseas to countries including China, Switzerland, and Thailand. Clayton pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy and obstruction of justice, and was sentenced to four years in prison with $40,000 in restitution ordered. One of his shell companies, Providence Sanitizer, alone laundered at least $16.8 million from elderly victims and romance scam targets.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams targeting students and recent graduates are increasing, with victims losing an average of £2,228 per scam, according to new Tinder research that found 44% of young adults share personal details with people they've never met in person. Love Island star Georgia Steel has joined a campaign with Tinder and Get Safe Online to raise awareness after she was defrauded by a man posing as a wealthy American, who was revealed to be convicted fraudster Medi Abalimba (jailed for four years in 2021 for £170,000+ in total deceptions). Experts emphasize that romance scams exploit emotional manipulation and are difficult to spot, with young
9news.com
· 2025-12-07
Anthony Wright-Brown was arrested in Larimer County, Colorado, for using catfishing scams on dating apps to lure at least two victims into his vehicle, where he trapped them, threatened them, and in one case demanded sexual acts while threatening to call police. Both victims were transgender individuals, and investigators are examining whether they were deliberately targeted based on gender identity and seeking other potential victims. Wright-Brown faces multiple charges including criminal extortion, false imprisonment, assault, and theft.
dearmedia.com
· 2025-12-07
This article recounts a romance scam case involving Christy's father in Sydney, Australia, who fell victim to a manipulative woman named Rose after becoming vulnerable following family upheaval and his parents' separation. Rose gradually isolated him from his support system, drained his finances by having him pay all household bills, and took over his time and energy while contributing nothing to the household. The piece advises adult children to recognize warning signs of elder romance scams—including sudden isolation, financial requests, emotional manipulation, and unexplained behavior changes—and suggests using non-accusatory conversations and awareness-building to help protect vulnerable parents.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Two New York men, Didi Huang, 47, and Li Geng Lin, 58, were indicted on class A felony charges of attempted theft by deception for targeting a 76-year-old Seabrook woman in a PayPal overpayment scam on June 2. The scammers called the victim claiming to be PayPal employees and convinced her to prepare $20,000 for pickup, then arrived at her home to collect the money before being arrested by Seabrook Police. If convicted, each man faces 7½ to 15 years in prison and a $4,000 fine.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are increasingly targeting Social Security recipients with cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) fraud schemes, contributing to the $12.5 billion in fraud losses reported by the FTC in 2024. The Social Security Administration warns recipients to watch for four red flags: being told they must apply for COLA (which is automatic), unsolicited calls/texts/emails claiming to be from SSA, requests for Social Security numbers or banking information, and threats or pressure tactics claiming benefits will be cut off. Recipients should remember that the SSA communicates primarily through mailed letters and will never demand personal information over the phone or threaten immediate action.
wtkr.com
· 2025-12-07
A coordinated fraud ring targeting Navy Federal customers throughout Hampton Roads has victimized hundreds of people and stolen over $2 million through a "parking lot scam." Ten suspects have been arrested and face wire fraud, bank fraud, and money laundering charges after approaching victims near Navy Federal branches, requesting to use their phones, and then making unauthorized loan applications, transfers, and withdrawals from victims' accounts using the Navy Federal mobile app. The scheme has affected at least 33 documented victims in the recent indictment, with one victim losing $7,000 in seconds.
ainvest.com
· 2025-12-07
Elderly individuals are increasingly targeted by sophisticated cryptocurrency scams, with Beaufort County, South Carolina reporting $3.1 million in crypto-related losses in 2024 and Minnesota experiencing over $189 million in losses from crypto kiosk fraud in 2023, using tactics such as voice cloning, fake websites, QR codes, and emotional manipulation. A prominent councilman was released without charge during an investigation into one such scam, highlighting authorities' challenges in tracing funds through irreversible cryptocurrency transactions. Experts recommend seniors protect themselves through education, using trusted platforms with two-factor authentication, discussing large transactions with family members, and promptly reporting incidents to law enforcement and the FTC
indianexpress.com
· 2025-12-07
Actor-director Upendra and his wife Priyanka fell victim to a WhatsApp account takeover scam involving a fake delivery call from Dubai; when Priyanka clicked a malicious link and shared a WhatsApp linking code with the scammers, they gained access to her account and sent fraudulent money requests to her contacts using AI-cloned voice technology. Cybersecurity experts explain these scams exploit human behavior rather than technical vulnerabilities, with fraudsters posing as delivery agents, merging calls to capture WhatsApp codes, and impersonating victims to their networks. To protect against such fraud, users should never merge calls with strangers, avoid clicking unknown links, enable