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crypto.news
A 71-year-old digital artist in India lost approximately $1,895 to scammers posing as an NFT art dealer on a fraudulent platform (nfttradeplace.com) between October 2023 and March 2024. The scammers promised to purchase his artwork for a substantial amount but then repeatedly demanded bogus "gas fees" and "delay fees" for platform transactions and withdrawals, with the victim making four payments before realizing the fraud. The victim filed a police complaint in April 2024, though authorities noted that tracing cryptocurrency transactions and identifying the perpetrators remains challenging.
breakingnews.ie
A fake social media account impersonated Transport for Ireland (TFI) and attempted to scam users by selling counterfeit leap cards for €2.35, falsely promising a year of free travel. TFI warned the public to avoid clicking suspicious links and to verify information only through official TFI channels. The fraudulent account used official TFI imagery but had minimal followers and directed victims to complete purchases through a link in the post.
cbsnews.com
Laura Kowal, a 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois, was victimized by a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as "Frank Borg," a Swedish investment adviser, beginning in October 2018; she eventually went missing in 2020 after losing significant money and being manipulated through sophisticated psychological tactics. Her daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother's disappearance and subsequently learned that over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion through romance scams in a single year, with victims often too ashamed to report the crime. Gowe has since dedicated herself to raising awareness
cbsnews.com
The FBI warns that online romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often perpetrated by organized crime rings exploiting dating app users. A victim named Carina lost $150,000 after being manipulated by a fake profile into investing in cryptocurrency over a three-month period, and in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware alone, 970 people reported romance scam losses totaling $33.5 million last year. Experts emphasize that victims experience significant emotional damage beyond financial loss and recommend approaching suspected victims with empathy rather than judgment, while noting that many scammers operate overseas, making recovery difficult.
cbsnews.com
A Townsend, Massachusetts woman was victimized by romance scammers posing as actor Thorsten Kaye, who manipulated her through sophisticated scripts and persuasive messaging into sending money and allegedly considering poisoning her husband with contaminated soup. After reporting the fraud to police in December 2023, Doucette was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder when her daughter discovered text exchanges with the scammers discussing "getting rid of" her husband, though toxicology tests came back negative and authorities acknowledge the case's complexity. The incident highlights a growing problem in Massachusetts, where over 14,600 imposter scams were reported in 2023, with federal agents noting that
sandhillsexpress.com
A widow named Laura Kowal lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scam perpetrator using the alias "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through emotional connection before coercing her into fraudulent investments and wire transfers; she subsequently died in the Mississippi River. The case exemplifies a growing epidemic of romance scams combined with investment fraud targeting dating app users, with over 64,000 reported American victims in 2023 and losses totaling $1.14 billion in 2022, though experts believe actual figures are significantly higher due to underreporting and shame among victims. Law enforcement officials acknowledge the response has been inadequate, with sc
ktvh.com
Impersonation scams are increasingly common, with scammers impersonating businesses and government agencies via text and email to trick victims into sharing personal information. The U.S. Postal Service, Amazon, Publishers Clearing House, GeekSquad, and Norton AntiVirus were the most impersonated organizations in 2023, with the FTC receiving over 330,000 business impersonation complaints and nearly 160,000 government impersonation complaints that year. Consumers should verify account status directly through official websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages, and be cautious of fake subscription renewal alerts and delivery notifications, as USPS will not contact customers via text or
jaxtoday.org
Impersonation scams in Florida have increased 84% per capita over the past five years, with scammers posing as IRS agents, FBI officials, court representatives, and other trusted entities to defraud victims. In 2023, impersonation scams were the third most frequent fraud in the U.S., resulting in over $1.3 billion in losses, often involving organized crime groups with international connections that pressure victims into sending money or personal information through urgent threats. To protect themselves, people should verify caller identities by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, avoid sharing personal information when pressured, and report suspected scams to law enforcement.
wcpo.com
This educational piece identifies impersonation scams as a growing threat, with the U.S. Postal Service being the most impersonated organization in 2023 according to the Better Business Bureau. The FTC received over 330,000 business impersonation complaints and nearly 160,000 government impersonation complaints last year, with text and email fraud increasing while phone scams decline. The article advises consumers to verify account status directly through official websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages, and notes that USPS will not initiate contact via text or email unless customers request tracking notifications.
bbc.co.uk
This episode of the BBC's "You & Yours" program covers three consumer-related topics: the struggles of Amazon Fresh grocery stores despite their frictionless checkout technology, scams targeting churches and charities through fake Facebook event flyers that solicit upfront payments for fundraising events, and the oversaturation of the UK holiday lettings market following the post-pandemic boom. The program features interviews with affected organizations including St Mary's Church in Beverley and Worcestershire Animal Rescue Shelter, along with industry experts and consumers.
kpax.com
Aging services agencies in Montana are warning Medicare enrollees about a scam where fraudsters pose as government officials and offer free medical equipment (such as catheters) in exchange for Medicare numbers, which are then used to commit identity theft and fraud. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General reports that scammers contact victims via phone, email, or social media claiming to represent Medicare or state health departments, requesting personal information under false pretenses like settling debts or providing grants. Medicare beneficiaries are advised to hang up immediately on unsolicited offers of free equipment, never provide their Medicare number to callers, review Explanation of Benefits statements, and report suspected fraud to the H
techtimes.com
Cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly individuals have surged dramatically, with investment fraud losses among Americans aged 60+ rising 38% to $4.57 billion in 2023, and crypto-specific investment fraud increasing 53% to $3.96 billion. Scammers exploit social media platforms to establish trust with seniors through fake investment opportunities featuring artificially high returns, gradually escalating requests for larger amounts. Recovery solutions exist through specialized blockchain forensics and asset recovery services, while protection measures include verifying contacts through face-to-face communication and avoiding suspicious links or unsolicited requests.
kxoradio.com
Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz is hosting a senior fraud awareness workshop on Wednesday in El Centro with representatives from the Federal Trade Commission, Social Security Administration, IRS, and Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program. The workshop will educate seniors on recognizing and avoiding common scams including identity theft and Medicare fraud, while providing guidance on steps to take if they suspect they are victims of fraud.
scmp.com
Hong Kong police reported a resurgence in WhatsApp account hijacking scams in the first quarter, with 864 cases resulting in losses exceeding HK$20.4 million (US$2.6 million). Fraudsters use phishing links to steal user information and take over messaging accounts, then access victims' contact lists to conduct further scams. Police are intensifying enforcement, international cooperation, and public education efforts to combat the trend.
michigan.gov
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel reissued a ticket purchasing alert ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit, warning consumers about scams targeting ticket buyers. Scammers use fake websites, counterfeit tickets, and peer-to-peer payment apps to defraud fans purchasing VIP draft tickets (priced from hundreds to thousands of dollars), while general entry remains free through official registration. The AG recommends buying only from reputable vendors using credit cards, researching sellers through the Better Business Bureau, and avoiding P2P payment apps like Venmo and Cash App that offer no fraud protections.
jdsupra.com
On April 16, the FTC proposed extending the Telemarketing Sales Rule to cover inbound calls for technical support services in response to advertisements, allowing the agency to pursue civil penalties and consumer redress against tech support scammers. Consumer complaints about tech support scams rose from 40,000 in 2017 to nearly 115,000 in 2021, with reported losses exceeding $55 million in 2018, disproportionately affecting seniors over 60 years old. The proposed rule defines technical support services broadly to address evolving scam tactics and seeks public comment by June 17.
boredpanda.com
This educational piece outlines common online and phone scams while providing prevention advice from SafeWise safety expert Rebecca Edwards. Key recommendations include not answering unknown calls, changing passwords every six months, avoiding suspicious links and unreviewed websites, and recognizing common schemes like extended warranty calls, fake giveaways, and ticket scams. According to Gallup data, 8% of Americans fell victim to scams in the past year, with Edwards attributing the rise in scams to increased internet reliance, weak law enforcement consequences, and online anonymity that embolden fraudsters.
cbsnews.com
Laura Kowal, a widowed healthcare executive, lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scammer operating under the name "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through months of calls and emails before pressuring her into fraudulent investments and coercing her to help defraud other victims; she was found dead in the Mississippi River. The FBI and Justice Department reported over 64,000 American romance scam victims in 2023 (with experts believing the true number is significantly higher due to underreporting), with financial losses ballooning from $500 million in 2019 to $1.14 billion in
news4sanantonio.com
The FBI warns of a text message scam targeting drivers nationwide, where scammers impersonate toll agencies and claim unpaid balances with threatening late fees. Victims receive texts with malicious links leading to fraudulent websites mimicking legitimate transportation agencies like TXTtag. The FBI recommends recipients delete such messages and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
tulsaworld.com
Arvest Bank offered financial literacy guidance to help people avoid fraud scams, emphasizing the importance of spotting potential fraud and managing money wisely. According to the Federal Trade Commission, people reported losing $10 billion to scams in 2023—$1 billion more than 2022—with a median loss of $300 per person, while Oklahoma residents reported $29.8 million in total fraud losses with a median loss of $430 per person. The article highlighted imposter scams as the top fraud category in 2023, accounting for $2.6 billion in losses, and recommended steps such as avoiding suspicious links, contacting official business numbers directly, and researching before
wthr.com
The Hendricks County Sheriff's Office warned the public about fraudulent Facebook accounts impersonating Deputy Fred Fislar's funeral services ahead of his public visitation and funeral on April 21, 2024. Scammers created fake accounts titled "Deputy Fred Fislar Funeral Service Line" and "Deputy Fred Fislar Funeral Service Live Stream" requesting personal information and payments, though the family explicitly requested no livestream be held. The Sheriff's Office advised people not to click links, accept friend requests, or share personal or payment information with these fraudulent accounts.
abc7chicago.com
This article addresses two separate issues affecting young people: delays in the redesigned FAFSA form that are leaving high school students uncertain about financial aid packages before college decision deadlines, and job recruitment scams targeting college graduates. Career expert Francisco Tobon warns that identity thieves posing as recruiters are targeting job-seekers, advising students to be wary of red flags including upfront payment requests, poor grammar, offers after a single interview, and requests to move conversations off professional platforms like LinkedIn.
buffalonews.com
An online romance scam orchestrated by Nigerian nationals Tochukwu Okerulu and Nicole Dibba defrauded 26 victims of more than $1.5 million, with one local woman losing her entire life savings of over $400,000. Okerulu was sentenced to 11 months and 25 days in federal prison Friday after suffering a debilitating stroke that delayed his case; he acted as a "money mule" in the scheme, posing as a romantic interest to extract funds from victims who believed they had found love online. The second defendant, Dibba, is expected to receive a lighter sentence given her circumstances.
thehindubusinessline.com
Sterling Holidays and Resorts, a vacation ownership company with over 100,000 members in India, warned members of a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonated company representatives and pressured members to sell their memberships at inflated prices. Members reported receiving calls with threats that their memberships would lapse, and became abusive when offers were refused; Sterling Holidays confirmed no data breach occurred and advised members to use only official contact channels and avoid sharing personal information over the phone.
breitbart.com
The FBI issued a warning about a "smishing" scam active since March 2024 that uses fake SMS text messages claiming recipients have unpaid toll fees, directing them to fraudulent websites to steal payment information or malware. Over 2,000 complaints were received across three states, including Pennsylvania and Illinois, with scammers impersonating legitimate toll services and threatening late fees. Victims are advised to verify toll balances through official channels, avoid clicking suspicious links, delete fraudulent messages, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
the420.in
This compilation covers six major elder fraud and scam cases: Nigerian "Yahoo Boys" used AI-generated deepfakes in romance scams causing $650 million in losses (2021), with recent cases totaling $25 million and a Salt Lake City jury indicting seven members for laundering $8 million; a Montreal woman lost $25,000 to a crypto scam featuring a fake Elon Musk deepfake; Greek police arrested nine individuals who defrauded victims of €305,789 through phone impersonation scams; a Myanmar trafficking operation forced victims into romance scams via torture and exploitation; and a UK survey found 22% of young adults
wfmynews2.com
The North Carolina Department of Transportation warned of a "smishing" scam in which fraudsters impersonate tolling agencies nationwide and send text messages to randomly selected phone numbers demanding payment for unpaid tolls. Victims should verify legitimacy by confirming NC Quick Pass never requests payment via text and that official links contain ncquickpass.com, and should report suspicious messages to the IC3 at www.ic3.gov.
mdjonline.com
The North Georgia Elder Abuse Task Force, a nonprofit organization of law enforcement and social service professionals, trains investigators and conducts prevention workshops to combat elder abuse and financial exploitation in Georgia. The organization identifies "romance scams" as the most prevalent type of fraud targeting seniors over 65, in which scammers build fake romantic relationships through social media and dating sites to manipulate lonely, isolated older adults into sending money or serving as money mules for laundering schemes. Victims often delay reporting because they are embarrassed by significant losses and reluctant to accept they were deceived, with only about one in 30 victims filing police reports.
wired.com
The article highlights a romance scam trend where a group of con artists known as "Yahoo Boys" use AI-powered face-swap technology to deceive victims during video calls, impersonating different people to solicit money. The piece also covers several other cybersecurity issues including UK websites blocking deepfake nude image generators, a ransomware attack on Change Healthcare resulting in $872 million in response costs, and various other cybercriminal activities.
7news.com.au
A couple lost $800,000 during a home purchase when criminals hacked their solicitor's email system and sent a fraudulent invoice with altered bank details requesting the settlement payment. The scam involved cybercriminals gaining access to a business's IT systems and sending emails appearing to come from legitimate employees, with fake invoices containing the scammer's bank account information. Scamwatch recommends verifying invoice details directly with businesses and immediately contacting banks and the relevant business if a fake invoice scam is suspected.
mirror.co.uk
The Metropolitan Police contacted 25,000 UK residents via text and email on April 18 after shutting down "Labhost," an online platform used by over 2,000 criminals since 2021 to create phishing websites impersonating banks, healthcare providers, and postal services. Around 70,000 people in the UK fell victim to the scams, having their card numbers, PINs, and passwords stolen before the operation was dismantled. Recipients of the police notification should verify its authenticity, change passwords on sensitive accounts, monitor for suspicious activity, and report any confirmed fraud to Action Fraud or their bank immediately.
wtop.com
In the past year, 2.5 million Americans lost $10 billion to scams—a $1 billion increase from 2022—with investment scams being the costliest at $4.6 billion despite ranking fourth in frequency, and imposter scams (claiming to be government, banks, or companies) being most common at $2.7 billion in losses. The FTC warns that scammers use increasingly aggressive tactics including promises of guaranteed investment returns, pressure to act quickly, and requests to move money via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, while legitimate businesses never unexpectedly contact people asking for money or personal information. Experts estimate these reported figures represent only a
minnesotasnewcountry.com
A Minnesota resident nearly lost all their funds when scammers impersonated their bank's fraud department after obtaining a six-digit two-factor authentication code. The victim responded to a text claiming a fraudulent $400 transaction was pending, then provided the verification code to callers posing as bank staff, who subsequently drained both their account and their child's account. The bank confirmed no unauthorized transfers had been made and assured the victim that funds would be replaced, though the victim has since closed all accounts and reported the incident to police and credit bureaus. The key warning is to always call your bank directly using a number from their official materials rather than responding to unsolicited texts or using contact information from the message itself
vindy.com
AARP identifies four emerging scams to watch for in 2024: check cooking (using software to digitally alter stolen checks rather than chemical washing), voiceprint scams (using deepfake technology to impersonate victims' voices for financial fraud), delayed-action sweepstakes scams (collecting personal information for identity theft that may be exploited gradually), and virtual celebrity scams (exploiting fans' connection to online celebrity presence). Prevention strategies include using safer payment methods, avoiding phone calls from unknown numbers, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, and remaining skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
atlantanewsfirst.com
The FBI has warned the public about a "smishing" scam affecting Peach Pass toll road users across multiple states, in which scammers send text messages impersonating toll collection services and demanding payment through fraudulent links. Since early March, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center has received over 2,000 reports of the scam, which uses varying phone numbers and spoofed toll service names to trick recipients. The FBI advises recipients to file complaints, verify charges through official toll authority websites, and monitor financial accounts if they clicked any links or provided personal information.
waka.com
Tax impersonation scams cost Americans over $300 million last year, with thousands of victims targeted by callers posing as IRS agents who threaten arrest and demand payment via gift cards or personal information. Scammers use caller ID spoofing technology and fear-based tactics to pressure victims, though the IRS confirms it rarely initiates contact by phone and instead communicates through mailed or certified letters. The best defense is to hang up on suspicious calls, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails claiming to be from the IRS or tax software companies, and verify tax matters directly through IRS.gov.
thesun.co.uk
Wendy Falconer, 63, lost £400 to a phone scammer who spoofed her bank's phone number in Wales; the fraudster emotionally abused her during the call, mocking her with the words "you're so thick," which traumatized her more than the financial loss itself. Police warn that scammers commonly impersonate banks, Amazon, utilities, tech companies, and even healthcare providers using caller ID spoofing, and advise people never to give personal information or take financial actions based on incoming calls, regardless of the displayed phone number.
the-sun.com
Connie Seddon, a retired radiation technician from Arizona, lost $35,000 to scammers who impersonated McAfee through a phishing email in January. After calling the fraudulent number, the scammer convinced her that money had been incorrectly deposited into her account and instructed her to withdraw cash and deposit it into Bitcoin machines at gas stations, with the bank teller's concerns dismissed by Seddon's false claim that she was buying a car. Seddon reported the incident to local police, the FBI, and the FTC, though authorities indicated recovery of the funds was unlikely.
deseret.com
The FBI has warned of a widespread smishing scam targeting residents across multiple states by impersonating highway toll services through fraudulent text messages containing fake links and phone numbers. Smishing (SMS phishing) scams have cost victims approximately $300 million, with over 400,000 texts sent daily, and the FBI advises recipients to delete messages immediately, verify toll status through official state websites, and report incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. To protect against future attacks, users should avoid clicking suspicious links, enable multifactor authentication, keep devices updated with security features, and watch for red flags such as urgent language, typos, and requests to act immediately.
wired.com
Romance scammers known as "Yahoo Boys," primarily based in Nigeria, are increasingly using deepfake and face-swapping technology in real-time video calls to impersonate fake romantic partners and defraud victims of thousands of dollars each. The FBI reports over $650 million was lost to romance fraud last year, with the scammers openly sharing their techniques and recruiting accomplices across Telegram and social media platforms. These experienced con artists, who have evolved their tactics as AI technology has improved, operate in loosely organized clusters without formal leadership structure and show little fear of consequences.
cnet.com
Zelle, a peer-to-peer payment service owned by major U.S. banks and launched in 2017, has experienced hundreds of millions of dollars in consumer losses due to fraud since its inception. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau filed a lawsuit against Early Warning Services (Zelle's operator) in December alleging the platform failed to safeguard against fraud, with scammers exploiting the service's instant, irreversible transfers and minimal verification requirements through social engineering tactics like phishing and impersonation of banks and utilities. Protection strategies include avoiding responses to unsolicited messages and verifying requests independently by calling official bank numbers.
cbsnews.com
Americans lose millions of dollars annually to wire transfer fraud scams, with the Senate Banking Committee reporting over $10 billion in consumer fraud losses in 2023. The committee is pressing JP Morgan Chase, Citibank, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo to provide reimbursement and strengthen security measures, though banks argue they are generally exempt from reimbursing wire transfer losses under the Electronic Funds Transfer Act. Individual victims profiled—including Jennifer Davis ($25,000), Andrew Semesjuk ($15,000), and Nikki Kelly ($48,000)—reported being denied reimbursement by Chase despite being deceived into authorizing the transfers.
kvue.com
Drivers across Texas received fraudulent text messages claiming unpaid toll road balances with threats of escalating late fees, directing recipients to fake websites impersonating legitimate toll services like TxTag or the Central Texas Mobility Authority. The FBI identified these "smishing" messages as social engineering scams designed to steal personal information and money, and advised recipients to avoid clicking links, file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, monitor accounts, and contact actual toll services directly to verify legitimacy.
shu.edu
Job scams targeting the Seton Hall community are on the rise, with fraudsters impersonating legitimate employers or university staff to lure job seekers into revealing personal and banking information through fake job offers that appear too good to be true. Victims are typically asked to deposit counterfeit checks and transfer funds, risking financial losses and potential legal consequences for facilitating criminal activity. The university recommends verifying sender information through official channels, avoiding unsolicited job offers, and reporting suspicious messages to IT Security.
kob.com
Tax scammers impersonate IRS agents via spoofed phone calls and phishing emails, threatening victims with jail time for unpaid taxes and demanding payment via gift cards. Over $300 million was lost to government impersonation scams last year, with losses jumping $150 million between 2022 and 2023. The IRS never contacts people by phone, email, or social media—legitimate contact comes only by postal mail, often certified—so recipients should hang up on callers and delete suspicious emails without opening links.
aarp.org
The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, a free service staffed by over 160 trained volunteers nationwide, responds to approximately 150 calls daily from fraud victims seeking support and guidance. A caller named Becky lost $16,000 in a PayPal impostor scam after clicking a malicious link in a phishing email, and volunteer Dan Smith helped her understand next steps including malware removal and account security measures. The helpline, which has operated for a decade, provides victims with crime reporting assistance, financial counseling referrals, and emotional support during what are often devastating financial losses.
nbcdfw.com
The FBI has received over 2,000 complaints since March 2024 from at least three states about smishing scams impersonating toll collection services, with fraudsters sending text messages claiming recipients owe unpaid tolls of around $12.51 and directing them to fake websites to steal personal and financial information. The agency advises recipients to verify toll amounts through official websites, file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center, and secure their financial accounts if they clicked any links or provided information.
wrdw.com
Tax impersonation scams cost Americans over $300 million last year, with thousands of victims receiving threatening phone calls from individuals posing as IRS agents who use spoofing technology and demand immediate payment via gift cards or personal information. The IRS rarely initiates contact by phone and instead communicates through mailed or certified letters, making unsolicited calls a clear indicator of fraud. To protect yourself, hang up on suspicious calls, avoid clicking links in suspicious emails, and contact the IRS directly through www.IRS.gov if you have concerns about your account.
kwch.com
Over $300 million was lost last year to IRS impersonation scams, in which fraudsters use spoofing technology to spoof caller IDs and threaten victims with arrest to pressure them into sending money via gift cards or revealing personal information. The IRS rarely initiates contact by phone—it communicates through mailed letters—so recipients should hang up on such calls and be cautious of phishing emails claiming to be from the IRS or tax software companies. The best defense is to avoid clicking links in suspicious emails and to contact the IRS directly through www.IRS.gov if questions arise.
wral.com
An NC State student lost $41,000 after being victimized by a global dating agency scam that began with contact through a dating app and progressed to cryptocurrency investment schemes. The scam was discovered when family members noticed unusual bank withdrawals, prompting a welfare check by university police on April 10, which led to federal involvement and an investigation handed over to Chinese officials. According to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, these romance scams—which typically move victims to encrypted messaging platforms before soliciting cryptocurrency investments—cost Americans $3.5 billion in the past year and have been steadily increasing since 2020.