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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
winnipegfreepress.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, fraudsters deceived 1,009 Manitobans out of $9 million, with 22 different scam types employed including service scams, investment scams, and romance scams that exploited vulnerabilities in victims' situations. Investment scams were the most costly, with 85 Manitobans losing an average of $85,000 each ($3.32 million total), while service scams affected 226 people for $535,477 in losses. Across Canada, 41,111 people were defrauded of $553.9 million in 2023, representing fewer victims than 2022 but with significantly
kmvt.com
· 2025-12-08
Members of the Twin Falls, Idaho community are receiving phone scams impersonating Sheriff's Office officials who falsely claim victims missed jury duty and have arrest warrants issued, demanding immediate payment via untraceable methods like gift cards or wire transfers. The scammers use fear and urgency to manipulate victims, and losses can reach thousands of dollars, with lasting emotional and psychological impacts. Residents are advised to verify caller identity through official channels, reject unsolicited payment demands, and report incidents to local law enforcement and the FTC.
nationalpost.com
· 2025-12-08
An RBC poll found that 75% of Canadians are increasingly concerned about AI-powered fraud, with 88% believing AI will increase scam prevalence. Despite these concerns, only 28% of Canadians are taking proactive protective steps, revealing a dangerous gap between awareness and action. Recent cases illustrate the threat: a man in Ontario lost $8,000 to voice-mimicking AI impersonating a friend, a Newfoundland fraudster used AI to trick eight people out of nearly $200,000 by mimicking grandchildren's voices, and a Hong Kong company lost over $3.4 million in a deepfake video conference scam.
thenew961.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using Facebook bot accounts to target concert-goers by posting identical messages offering to sell excess tickets in comment sections, a tactic that has intensified as concert season approaches. The article advises users to research sellers before purchasing tickets online, avoid clicking unfamiliar links, never send cash or personal information to unknown contacts, and verify website legitimacy before completing any transactions.
kyoutv.com
· 2025-12-08
Wapello County, Iowa receives at least one scam report weekly, with senior citizens being the primary targets. Sheriff Don Phillips reported a notable case involving two Chinese nationals who scammed a local farmer out of $1 million through a "pig butchering" scam that began on Instagram, with the case involving federal authorities including the Department of Homeland Security. To address the growing problem, the Iowa Fraud Fighters—a coalition of AARP, the Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services, and the Iowa Attorney General's Office—held a public awareness event to educate residents on scam prevention tactics.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A kidnapping scam targeting Nebraska residents has defrauded at least one family of $2,500, with another family targeted for $20,000. The scam involves fraudulent calls claiming a loved one has been kidnapped, using spoofed phone numbers, scripted dialogue, and audio of someone screaming in the background to pressure victims into sending money via ATM. Authorities warn residents never to send money based on such calls and to hang up immediately, as police will never collect money by phone; investigators believe at least one scam originated in Mexico.
republicworld.com
· 2025-12-08
A 77-year-old doctor in Delhi lost approximately Rs 3 lakh in a fake electricity bill scam after receiving a threatening message claiming to be from BSES electricity provider. The scammer posed as a utility company representative, requested Rs 10 for an upgrade, and obtained the doctor's debit card details through a fraudulent link, leading to unauthorized transactions and further compromise of his WhatsApp, e-wallet, and Aadhaar details. Police registered a case under cheating and impersonation charges after discovering at least two additional victims linked to the same mobile number, suggesting an organized fraud operation.
webcenterfairbanks.com
· 2025-12-08
Two phone scams are circulating in Fairbanks, Alaska: a Medicare scam where callers impersonate Medicare representatives to obtain Medicare or Social Security numbers, and a hospital scam where fraudsters pose as Fairbanks Memorial Hospital demanding payment on overdue accounts. Residents are advised to hang up on unsolicited callers, independently verify phone numbers before returning calls, and never provide Medicare or Social Security numbers to callers they did not contact, as legitimate Medicare will not request this information unprompted.
boothbayregister.com
· 2025-12-08
Social Security impostor scams cost victims nearly $509 million in 2022, with criminals impersonating government agencies to steal money and sensitive information. The article advises that the Social Security Administration never initiates contact unexpectedly and recommends verifying account status directly through ssa.gov/myaccount rather than responding to unsolicited calls, texts, or emails claiming issues with Social Security numbers. Victims should report suspected scams to local law enforcement or contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network for assistance.
forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
AI-powered scams, including deepfakes and robo-calls, are increasingly targeting older Americans, with government agencies moving slowly to address the threat. Financial institutions are deploying chatbots and AI customer service tools that can provide inaccurate information, cause consumer harm, and potentially violate federal consumer protection laws. To protect yourself, seek human customer service representatives when resolving financial problems rather than relying on chatbots or AI-driven interactions.
khmoradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has issued a warning to Missouri residents about 13 active scams currently targeting the state, including adoption fraud, investment schemes, business email impersonation, charity fraud, elder fraud, romance scams, ransomware attacks, and skimming at ATMs and gas stations. The advisory emphasizes that elderly Missourians are particularly vulnerable targets and recommends citizens verify legitimacy before responding to unsolicited contacts, providing funds, or clicking links from unknown sources.
ketv.com
· 2025-12-08
A fake kidnapping extortion scam has targeted Douglas County families, with victims losing between $2,500 and $20,000 after receiving calls claiming their loved ones were being held hostage. Scammers use online research to make calls convincing, employ voice actors, and spoof police phone numbers while pressuring victims to withdraw cash from ATMs and threatening them not to contact authorities. Law enforcement advises that legitimate police will never call demanding money and recommends hanging up immediately on such calls.
doorcountydailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece outlines the anatomy of the "Grandchild Scam," explaining how perpetrators use caller ID cloning to appear legitimate, create emotional urgency (such as claiming a grandchild is injured or jailed), isolate victims from seeking outside advice, and request wire transfers or money card purchases. The article emphasizes that scammers follow consistent methodology across fraud types—elevating emotion to lower logic—and advises potential victims to end suspicious calls immediately and adopt a decisive "hard target" approach to discourage further contact.
kpel965.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning Louisiana residents about an increase in scams targeting people receiving tax refunds, particularly phishing attempts via text messages and automated calls impersonating legitimate companies like UPS and Amazon. Residents are advised never to click links from unknown senders and to verify suspicious messages by searching them online, as most are phishing attempts designed to steal sensitive information.
the-daily-record.com
· 2025-12-08
Wayne County, Ohio has launched a free scam education and awareness program for residents ages 60+ with incomes below 300% of the poverty line, partnering the Gilcrest Center with county commissioners and Job and Family Services through an Ohio Department of Aging grant. The initiative addresses the growing vulnerability of older adults to sophisticated online scams, including COVID-19 fraud, medical equipment sales, and phishing schemes, by providing mentoring and practical safety tips such as verifying sender identity, avoiding suspicious links, and protecting personal information.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Wayne County, Ohio is launching a free scam education and awareness program for residents ages 60 and older through a partnership between the Gilcrest Center, county commissioners, and Job and Family Services, funded by an Ohio Department of Aging grant. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to online financial scams due to declining cognitive abilities, lower technology familiarity, and susceptibility to tactics using fear or urgency, with common 2023 scams including COVID-19 fraud, fake medical equipment sales, and bogus genetic testing. The program emphasizes protective measures such as verifying sender identity, avoiding suspicious links, and protecting personal information to help seniors safely navigate digital transactions.
castanet.net
· 2025-12-08
**Fraud Landscape and Impact:**
Canadian fraud and cybercrime losses reached $530 million in 2022, a 40% increase from 2021, with AI and emerging technologies enabling criminals to create personalized scams and voice replications. While young adults (20-29) report fraud most frequently, older adults suffer substantially larger financial losses, exemplified by cases including a 68-year-old losing $3,000 to cryptocurrency fraud and an 80-year-old losing $5,000 in a grandparent scam.
**Key Prevention Strategy:**
Experts recommend four protective measures: remain alert to red flags and share scam awareness with
thetimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Lauren McEwen, a 70-year-old Missouri woman, fell victim to a romance scam using stolen photographs of Dr. Christian Boving, a Danish doctor and television personality, who was impersonated by scammers on Facebook under the alias "Ace Swift." The article reveals that an estimated 140,000 people lose money annually on Meta platforms, with romance scams causing £18.5 million in losses in the first half of the prior year, and notes that Meta has failed to remove numerous fake profiles using Boving's images despite repeated reporting and complaints about inadequate identity verification measures.
todayonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Since January, at least 334 people in Singapore fell victim to Taylor Swift concert ticket scams, losing a combined S$213,000 after being directed to pay via PayNow, bank transfers, or virtual credits on platforms like Telegram and Facebook. Scammers either failed to deliver tickets or provided invalid ones that were rejected at venue entry. Police advised the public to purchase only from authorized sellers like Ticketmaster, pay only after receiving tickets, and avoid payment methods like gift cards.
audacy.com
· 2025-12-08
The Oakland County Sheriff's Office warned residents of a scam where callers impersonated deputies, claiming victims had missed jury duty and faced arrest warrants requiring immediate payment via bitcoin or gift cards. Multiple Rochester Hills residents received these calls in late February 2024, but none were defrauded; the scammers used fake names and badge numbers to appear legitimate. Sheriff Michael Bouchard emphasized that the department never demands phone payments and advised residents to simply hang up, noting that actual jury duty delinquencies are handled by mail.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
A San Francisco woman lost $3,500 through a Zelle imposter scam where fraudsters, using spoofed Wells Fargo caller ID and a real employee name, convinced her to make eight transfers under the guise of protecting her account from unauthorized charges. Zelle acknowledged that half a billion dollars in fraud occurred on its platform last year but has pledged only vague reimbursement for "certain imposter scams," with banks arguing victims technically authorized the transfers even though they were deceived.
colorado.edu
· 2025-12-08
This educational guide advises international students on recognizing and protecting themselves from five common scam types: threatening calls impersonating government officials, employment scams with suspicious job offers, requests for gift card payments, phishing emails/texts, and caller ID spoofing. The resource recommends reporting any scams to local police and federal agencies like the FTC or Colorado Attorney General, and directs victims who shared personal information to on-campus support services including victim assistance and counseling.
coloradocommunitymedia.com
· 2025-12-08
A 79-year-old Highlands Ranch woman lost approximately $120,000 after clicking a popup on her computer and calling the provided number, where she was deceived into purchasing gold bars in a scam. Law enforcement officials from Douglas County and surrounding areas reported widespread scam activity targeting elderly residents, including over $800,000 in cryptocurrency-related fraud losses in Parker alone over six months, and emphasized that victims should contact authorities immediately as time is critical for potential recovery.
1079ishot.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI is warning Louisiana residents about a surge in scams targeting people receiving tax refunds, particularly phishing attacks via unsolicited text messages and calls impersonating legitimate companies like UPS and Amazon. Residents are advised never to click links from unknown senders and to verify suspicious messages by searching them online, as most are attempts to steal sensitive personal information.
todayonline.com
· 2025-12-08
A Philadelphia tech professional named Shreya Datta lost $450,000 in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency romance scam after being targeted on a dating app by a scammer posing as a French wine trader named "Ancel," who used deepfake videos and sophisticated manipulation tactics to build trust over months before convincing her to invest in a fake crypto trading app. The scam, orchestrated by crime syndicates operating out of Southeast Asia, drained Datta's savings, retirement funds, and left her with debt, with victims collectively losing billions of dollars in the United States and having little recourse for recovery. The fraud works by using romantic manipulation and false investment promises to gradually
dcsheriff.net
· 2025-12-08
Douglas County law enforcement agencies announced the arrest of 26-year-old Sagar Patel for scamming a 79-year-old Highlands Ranch resident out of over $120,000 in gold bars through a months-long investigation involving cell phone and credit card records. Multiple police departments partnered to launch a public awareness campaign promoting the SCAM acronym (Stop, Call, Ask, Make informed decisions) and provided education on common scam tactics, emphasizing that victims should watch for pressure to act quickly, requests for unusual payment methods, and demands for secrecy.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old woman in Seremban lost RM173,500 in a phone scam involving callers impersonating a courier company and police officer who falsely claimed she was involved in money laundering and had an arrest warrant issued against her. The victim transferred her savings into accounts provided by the scammers before realizing the fraud when she could no longer contact them. Police are investigating the case and remind the public to verify suspicious calls through official channels.
dailydodge.com
· 2025-12-08
The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Dodge County warned residents about social security scams delivered via text messages and phone calls, in which fraudsters impersonate Social Security offices to steal sensitive financial information. The Social Security Administration will never threaten legal action, demand payment via gift cards or wire transfers, promise benefit increases for payment, or request personal information through email or text. Residents who suspect fraud should contact their local Social Security field office or the ADRC at 920-386-3580 rather than responding to suspicious communications.
chinadaily.com.cn
· 2025-12-08
Qilu Bank partnered with the Jinan Elderly University to establish 41 educational schools offering courses designed for seniors, including anti-telecommunications fraud awareness training alongside health and lifestyle classes. The bank also implemented digital monitoring systems and staff protocols to identify and prevent fraud attempts among its 1.7 million elderly customers, successfully blocking telecommunications fraud totaling 3.89 million yuan in 2023.
northfortynews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece describes the widespread "scam-demic" of computer fraud, emphasizing that intelligent, trusting people fall victim to scams daily through sophisticated social engineering rather than technical hacking. Common scams include fake refund/receipt emails (impersonating companies like Amazon) and fraudulent tech support calls (posing as HP, Microsoft, or other companies), where scammers trick victims into providing financial information or remote computer access. The author stresses that scammers succeed by manipulating human psychology rather than exploiting computer security, comparing their tactics to convincing someone to unlock their front door rather than picking the lock.
terracestandard.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary as requested. The content provided is a website homepage/navigation menu for a news outlet, not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide an actual article or transcript that discusses a specific fraud case, scam scheme, or elder abuse incident.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
Singapore's Minister of State for Home Affairs criticized Meta for repeatedly refusing to implement government-recommended safety features on Facebook, despite the platform accounting for nearly half of the 9,783 e-commerce scams reported in 2023, which resulted in S$13.9 million (US$10.3 million) in losses—more than double the prior year. Meta has rejected recommendations including government ID verification and secured payment options for Marketplace users, causing Facebook to rank lowest (one tick) in Singapore's E-commerce Marketplace Transaction Safety Ratings for the second consecutive year, while competitors like Shopee and Carousell have cooperated and seen scam reductions of up to 71
decrypt.co
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" romance scams using cryptocurrency surged 85 times higher from 2020 to 2023, with revenue doubling between 2022-2023, according to Chainalysis research. These scams involve fraudsters building fake romantic relationships before tricking victims into cryptocurrency investments they don't understand, resulting in an average loss of $4,593 per victim in 2023—the highest financial impact of any scam type. The scammers, often organized criminal groups, frequently operate through human trafficking networks in Southeast Asia and use sophisticated money laundering techniques to hide their activity, though a December 2023 Interpol operation arrested 3,500
thebamabuzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Alabama college students are vulnerable to common fraud schemes including fake apartment listings, online marketplace scams, dating app fraud, and credit card loan scams that specifically target their lifestyle needs and desires. A banking fraud expert emphasizes that scammers use phishing via email and text to initiate contact, then tailor their approach based on publicly available personal information, making password management, multi-factor authentication, and privacy settings critical defensive measures.
inews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece from Which? highlights that fraud is the most common crime in England and Wales (40% of all crimes), with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics including fake celebrity endorsements, "recovery" scams targeting previous victims, advert cloaking, and recurring payment traps ("scamscriptions") that victims may not notice for months or years. The author advocates for a coordinated national response including appointing a dedicated fraud minister, strengthening the Online Safety Act, and requiring banks to reimburse victims of authorized push payment fraud, while consumers can protect themselves by staying informed about emerging scam tactics.
beincrypto.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams have surged 85-fold since 2020, with scammers using fabricated personal narratives and cryptocurrency to steal millions from vulnerable victims seeking companionship. Notable cases include an Indian software engineer losing $120,500 to a fake investment scheme on a matrimonial website and a Myanmar operation ("KK Park") linked to over $100 million in stolen funds through "pig butchering" scams that exploit victims' emotional vulnerabilities. Cryptocurrency's anonymity features make it the preferred payment method for scammers, with scam wallets accumulating at least $4.6 billion in 2023, though actual losses are likely much higher due to undetecte
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Undercover video obtained by software engineer Jim Browning reveals a "pig butchering" scam operation based in Dubai employing hundreds of people, including real models, to pose as glamorous individuals on dating apps and romance-bait victims into fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. The scammers use VPNs, multiple messaging platforms, and scripts to target victims globally across countries ranging from South America to Central Asia, with workers operating from eight-story buildings under exploitative conditions. The operation, run primarily by Chinese nationals using migrant workers from North Africa and Southeast Asia, commits romance and investment fraud to extract large sums of money from unsuspecting victims worldwide.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jean Richard Audate, a 38-year-old New York City man, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for his role in a grandparent scam conspiracy that defrauded elderly victims across the United States of over $867,000. Audate traveled to multiple locations, including Rhode Island, to collect cash that victims had been tricked into sending after receiving phone calls from scammers posing as grandchildren or lawyers claiming a relative needed bail money. The scammers also falsely invoked "gag orders" to prevent victims from discussing the requests with others.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
San Ramon police investigated multiple phone scams targeting elderly residents in which callers impersonated Publishers Clearing House representatives and claimed victims had won prizes requiring upfront tax payments via cashier's check. Police emphasized that legitimate businesses never solicit money over the phone and urged residents to avoid providing funds, financial information, or computer access to unsolicited callers.
panow.com
· 2025-12-08
Leo Ekhaguere, president and CEO of Lions Security Incorporated in Prince Albert, conducted an educational workshop at Points West Living to teach seniors how to identify and report scams. Ekhaguere emphasized that while everyone faces scam risks, seniors are specifically targeted by cyber criminals and remain particularly vulnerable to fraud schemes.
pembinavalleyonline.com
· 2025-12-08
The Grandparent Scam, currently prevalent in Manitoba, involves criminals calling seniors pretending to be relatives who need bail money for a supposed arrest, then arranging cash pickup at the victim's home. RCMP Sergeant Joanne Ryll advises recipients to hang up, verify the story by calling other family members, never share personal information, and establish a family safety word, noting that fraudsters often make multiple calls requesting additional money once they identify a vulnerable victim. Recovery of money lost to these scams is nearly impossible once handed over to the criminals.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Vancouver police held anti-fraud workshops for seniors after a Broadway Lodge resident lost approximately $5,000 to phone scammers, highlighting the need for fraud prevention education. The workshops cover common scams including grandparent scams (which cost victims over $10 million in 2022), bail scams, distraction theft, and cybersecurity threats, with officers noting that fraudsters are increasingly using artificial intelligence and social media to target vulnerable seniors. Police emphasize that prevention through education is critical since recovering stolen funds—often sent overseas—is extremely difficult.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, the FTC reported over 2 million fraud cases in the U.S. resulting in $10 billion in losses, with the most common scams being imposter calls, online shopping fraud, prize/sweepstakes scams, investment schemes, and fake job listings. The FTC advises consumers to watch for red flags such as unsolicited requests for money, promises of guaranteed or unusually high investment returns, and notifications about winnings from contests never entered, and recommends verifying contacts by calling them directly rather than using numbers provided by callers.
mha.gov.sg
· 2025-12-08
During Singapore's 2024 budget debate, the government announced a comprehensive anti-scam strategy in response to scam cases increasing nearly 50% in 2023, driven primarily by social engineering and deception targeting money transfers. Key initiatives include the "Add, Check, Tell" public awareness campaign, targeted programs for vulnerable groups like the elderly through Silver Generation Ambassadors, a consolidated one-stop anti-scam information portal, and enhanced community partnerships to build cyber vigilance. The government is also introducing legislation to deter misuse of local SIM cards for scams, requiring online platforms to implement stronger user verification and anti-scam measures, and pursuing international cooperation through participation in the Global
citizensbank.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, cybercrime losses exceeded $12.5 billion across over 800,000 FBI complaints, representing a 22% increase from the prior year. The article provides guidance on identifying common scams including impersonation calls from fake banks requesting passwords or transfers, phishing emails and texts with malicious links or requests for personal information, and fraudulent messages from fake charities or financial institutions. Key protective measures include verifying caller identity through official bank numbers, hovering over links to check URLs before clicking, and refusing to share confidential information via email or text.
entergynewsroom.com
· 2025-12-08
Entergy issued consumer protection guidance recognizing that utility imposters continue scamming customers by impersonating company representatives to obtain money or personal information. The FTC reported consumer fraud losses reached a record $10 billion in 2023, with 1 in 5 people victimized by imposter scammers using phone calls, texts, emails, and in-person visits. Entergy advised customers to avoid sharing information with unsolicited callers, verify identities independently, watch for fraudulent websites, be skeptical of disconnection threats, and report suspected scams to Entergy, their bank, or authorities like the FTC and Better Business Bureau.
hawaiinewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonated Honolulu Police Department officers in recent phone scams, falsely claiming victims had outstanding arrest warrants and demanding payment via Federal Deposit Box at supermarkets. The Honolulu Police Department warns that legitimate law enforcement agencies never request payment over the phone and urges anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.
azcentral.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old Mesa woman lost $25,000 of her life savings in a tech support scam that lasted less than five hours, in which scammers posing as Microsoft employees convinced her that her account had been hacked and created fake evidence on her computer and bank website to create urgency. The scammers isolated her from family and friends, took control of her device, and ultimately tricked her into depositing the money into a Bitcoin wallet, after which authorities indicated the funds could not be recovered. Her daughter created a GoFundMe campaign that nearly reached the $25,000 goal through community donations, and both mother and daughter are now speaking publicly to warn others that scams
gobankingrates.com
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated phone scam cost journalist Charlotte Cowles $50,000 after scammers impersonating Amazon customer service, an FTC investigator, and a CIA agent convinced her that her identity had been compromised and linked to illegal activities. The perpetrators manipulated her through fear and urgency, instructing her to withdraw cash and hand it over to an unknown individual, falsely promising it would be secured and returned as a Treasury check. The article emphasizes the importance of skepticism toward unsolicited calls, verifying caller identities through official channels, and resisting pressure tactics commonly used by scammers.
thestar.com.my
· 2025-12-08
Investment scams continue to victimize Malaysians across all education and income levels, with recent cases including a trader losing RM6.2 million to a fake investment scheme and an elderly woman losing over RM10 million to a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme. Phone scammers posing as officials also defrauded senior citizens of RM3.83 million in retirement funds and savings. Between 2019 and 2023, Malaysia recorded 14,488 investment-related fraud cases totaling RM1.34 billion in losses, prompting police and the Securities Commission to increase collaboration efforts to combat such crimes.