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delawarebusinessnow.com
· 2025-12-08
Rakeshkumar Patel, 36, of Flushing, NY, pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims nationwide of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. Patel and co-conspirators impersonated federal agents over the phone, falsely claiming victims' identities were compromised and involved in federal investigations, then convinced them to liquidate savings and transfer cash or gold to couriers posing as agents. Patel faces more than five years in federal prison upon sentencing.
sunburymacedonranges.starweekly.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia's National Council on Aging reported that people aged over 60 lost $3.4 billion worldwide to financial elder abuse in 2023, with victims often unable to recoup their losses. To raise awareness on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15), Macedon Ranges Council and the Kindness to Elders Institute screened the film "Thelma"—about a grandmother scammed out of $10,000—followed by a discussion with actor Ian Rooney and finance expert Bob Nixon on protecting finances against fraud.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Rakeshkumar Patel, a 36-year-old Indian national living illegally in the U.S., pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scheme that defrauded elderly victims of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. Patel and co-conspirators posed as federal agents over the phone, convincing victims their identities were compromised and their accounts under investigation, then instructed them to withdraw life savings and convert them to cash or gold bars, which Patel and other couriers collected in person. Patel faces more than five years in federal prison at sentencing.
turnto10.com
· 2025-12-08
Artificial intelligence-powered voice-cloning technology is making grandparent scams increasingly convincing, allowing scammers to impersonate family members using just one minute of audio from social media. A Canadian call center operation arrested in 2024 stole $21 million from Americans over three years by using AI-cloned voices combined with phone spoofing and money mules to collect cash, claiming victims' relatives needed bail money. Experts recommend asking security questions only family members could answer and establishing family code words to protect against these evolving scams.
newschannel5.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP reports that $12.5 billion was lost to scams and fraud, with financial advisor David Globke providing guidance on identifying warning signs of fraudulent schemes. The segment offers practical tips for recognizing potential fraud before victims lose money.
thenews-gazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Between May 1 and May 15, Lexington Police received reports of multiple scams including someone impersonating the Planning Commission chair, a fake lost cat emergency surgery scheme, a deputy sheriff impersonation demanding $400 in gift cards for jury duty non-appearance, an EBT card fraud, and a Publisher's Clearinghouse scam that defrauded a Rockbridge County resident of over $4,200. Police Chief Angela Greene advised residents not to provide personal or financial information to unsolicited contacts, never to purchase gift cards for fines or legal matters, and to independently verify emergency claims involving loved ones or pets.
consumer.ftc.gov
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece advises borrowers on protecting themselves from student loan scams by using the official StudentAid.gov website to verify loan information and servicer details. Key warnings include never paying upfront fees for loan assistance, not sharing FSA IDs, and avoiding scammers who impersonate government agencies or promise special access, with instructions to report suspected fraud to the FTC.
wktn.com
· 2025-12-08
One in four North American households are scammed annually, with Central Ohio consumers reporting $6,218 in losses to scams in June 2024, including nine cases involving fraudsters falsely claiming issues with Social Security Numbers. The Better Business Bureau advises residents to never provide personal information to unsolicited callers and to remember that the Social Security Administration will never contact you requesting your SSN, demanding payment, or threatening benefits, and that SSNs cannot be revoked or frozen. Residents are encouraged to report scam experiences to BBB's Scam Tracker to protect others.
umassd.edu
· 2025-12-08
Job scams targeting students and job seekers involve impersonation of real employers offering unrealistic pay, requiring upfront payments, and requesting sensitive personal information through unprofessional communication channels. Common scam types include fake check/money mule schemes, remote data entry tasks requiring software purchases, phishing, and company impersonation. Job seekers can protect themselves by researching companies on official sites, verifying recruiter identity through official phone numbers, never sharing SSN or financial information upfront, and requesting detailed written job descriptions and formal offers before proceeding.
wkyc.com
· 2025-12-08
Consumers reported losing $470 million last year to text message scams, according to FTC data. A viewer received fraudulent texts impersonating Facebook, claiming account suspension and requesting personal information to verify ownership—a common phishing tactic that uses urgency and threats to family members to manipulate victims. The Better Business Bureau advises ignoring unsolicited texts from unknown numbers and using reverse image searches to verify suspicious content before responding.
media.srpnet.com
· 2025-12-08
SRP (Salt River Project) and AARP issued a joint warning about utility scams targeting older adults, particularly around the Memorial Day weekend, noting that Arizona has the highest fraud rate against seniors in the country at 289 cases per 100,000. Common scams include fake payment websites, phishing texts/emails impersonating utility companies, and fraudsters posing as utility workers, all designed to create urgency and pressure immediate payment. Customers should protect themselves by calling SRP directly to verify account status, avoiding suspicious links and unusual payment methods (gift cards, cryptocurrency), and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned of a sophisticated scam involving AI-generated text and voice messages impersonating senior U.S. government officials, targeting current and former federal and state officials and their contacts. Scammers use realistic voice cloning and malicious links designed to steal login credentials and personal information, which could then be used to impersonate victims and target other officials or their associates. The FBI advises verifying sender identity through independent contact, scrutinizing details for subtle alterations, and never clicking suspicious links or sharing sensitive information with unverified contacts.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Lisa Nock, a 44-year-old woman with autism from Staffordshire, was scammed out of £11,000 over 18 months by a romance fraudster posing as TV vet Dr Chris Brown on Instagram. The scammer used "love bombing" tactics, claiming to love her and proposing, then requesting money for flights, visas, and cryptocurrency payments, which Lisa transferred while sacrificing her own activities and disability allowance. The scam ended in December 2024 when Lisa could no longer afford to send money and the fraudster ceased contact.
droitwichstandard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Between 2022/23 and 2024/25, dating scams cost UK residents over £271 million across 21,976 reported cases, with West Mercia residents losing a collective £3,857,217 (averaging £12,206 per victim). Reports to Action Fraud increased 17% in 2024/25 to 8,122 cases with £102.2 million in losses, with women and transgender victims experiencing disproportionately higher per-case losses (£16,370 and £27,234 respectively) despite fewer reports than men, and victims averaging 49 years old.
wellingtonadvertiser.com
· 2025-12-08
Between February and April 2025, a Guelph-Eramosa resident lost more than $80,000 in a romance scam after developing an online relationship with an unidentified individual who repeatedly requested money via e-transfers and cryptocurrency under false pretenses. The scammer used a fake profile with stolen photos and fabricated backstory to build trust, then exploited the victim's emotions to extract funds. Police warn residents to be alert to common romance scam indicators, including reluctance to meet in person and claims of fictitious emergencies requiring financial assistance.
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
"Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" is a Hulu documentary series following three women from Connecticut, Ontario, and Frankfurt who were defrauded by the same anonymous romance scammer using stolen photos and multiple fake identities (Scott Donald Hall, James Richards, Michael Silver). The scammer exploited each woman's emotional vulnerability through social media and private messaging, eventually extracting thousands of dollars under false pretenses, with one victim losing over $30,000 and another compromising her Social Security information. Despite the victims' collaborative investigation, the scammer's true identity remains unknown, illustrating how AI technology and deepfakes enable modern romance fraud, which resulted in $16.6
theherald.co.za
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Police in Limpopo arrested a man who used a fake Facebook account under the name "Jeff Rals" to lure women with false promises of employment, then kidnapped and repeatedly raped a young woman from Pretoria after transporting her to his homestead in Limpopo. The victim was rescued within five hours when the suspect ran out of petrol at a filling station and could not afford fuel; he now faces charges of rape and kidnapping. Police warn online dating users to exercise caution with unknown contacts and recognize that scammers establish false trust before requesting meetings or money that can lead to kidnapping and assault.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Tom Grauburger of Lakin, Kansas lost $30,000 to a sophisticated tech support scam that used fear tactics and constant phone monitoring to manipulate him over three weeks. The scammers posed as Microsoft Defender and the FTC, falsely claiming illegal activity was occurring on his computer and demanding cash sent to Boston as "proof of assets," while threatening him with a fake non-disclosure agreement to prevent him from telling family members. His bank ultimately prevented a larger loss by flagging a $100,000+ wire transfer attempt to his retirement fund, but Grauburger and his family are still fighting to recover the initial $30,000.
fox5vegas.com
· 2025-12-08
This FOX5 investigative piece provides guidance for identity theft victims, noting that an estimated 18 million Americans fell victim to identity theft last year. The article recommends immediate steps including reporting to the FTC and local police, contacting your bank to secure accounts, freezing credit reports, placing fraud alerts, and continuously monitoring accounts and credit reports for unauthorized activity.
thecut.com
· 2025-12-08
An 82-year-old retired urban planner named Brian Ketcham lost significant money to romance scammers on the dating website Dream Singles, communicating with profiles of women (primarily one named "Vasilisa") who likely did not exist in real life. After his death in 2024, his children discovered hundreds of printed chat transcripts and documented evidence of the scheme, which required him to purchase credits for each message sent to the fake profiles. The article explores how his initial skepticism gradually eroded as the scammers built emotional connections with him, ultimately resulting in financial loss before his death.
connecticut.news12.com
· 2025-12-08
Chase Bank, Eisenhower Senior Center, and Bridgeport police held an educational seminar to help seniors recognize and prevent scams and fraud, which disproportionately target older adults due to their age and assets. Key warning signs include unsolicited requests for sensitive information delivered urgently and scammers using emotional manipulation to create fear or excitement. Recommended protective measures include setting up credit monitoring and account alerts, verifying caller identity by contacting the organization directly, and reporting suspected fraud without shame.
easyreadernews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Scam Type:** Grandparent scam using AI voice mimicry and emergency impersonation
**What Happened:** Kayla Smith's grandmother lost $4,000 after receiving a call claiming her son was held hostage and demanding Target gift cards; the caller used AI or similar technology to mimic her son's voice, exploiting her maternal concern. Inspired by this incident and her grandparents' subsequent experiences with other scams, high school student Kayla Smith created SeniorSafe, an educational awareness program to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud targeting their population.
**Key Findings:** Seniors lost $4.9 billion to sc
oysterbaytown.com
· 2025-12-08
Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino partnered to host an educational seminar on June 9th to help seniors and caregivers recognize and combat fraud schemes. The seminar covered common scam tactics, identification strategies, personal information protection, and fraud reporting resources, targeting seniors who face heightened vulnerability due to limited technology familiarity, loneliness, and other risk factors.
mondaq.com
· 2025-12-08
On May 12, 2025, the DOJ's Criminal Division announced a new white-collar corporate enforcement plan prioritizing ten "high-impact areas," including elder fraud schemes involving variable interest entities, investment fraud targeting individuals, and Ponzi schemes. The plan offers clearer incentives for companies to self-disclose misconduct and cooperate with investigators, with assurances that proper self-disclosures will result in criminal prosecution declinations. Elder fraud is explicitly listed as a priority area for DOJ investigation and prosecution.
decorahnews.com
· 2025-12-08
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wgmd.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Flushing, New York man pleaded guilty to wire fraud conspiracy for his role in an elder fraud scam that defrauded elderly victims of at least $2.15 million between May 2023 and May 2024. The scheme involved fraudsters posing as federal agents who convinced victims their identities had been compromised, then instructed them to liquidate life savings and convert funds to cash or gold bars, which couriers like the defendant collected from victims' homes. The defendant faces more than five years in federal prison at sentencing.
koco.com
· 2025-12-08
A scam expert discusses the rising threat of elder fraud, noting that nearly 4 million people have reported scams with average losses of $19,000, with criminals increasingly using AI and voice spoofing technology to impersonate grandchildren and celebrities. Key protective measures recommended include securing mailboxes, installing video doorbells, regularly monitoring financial statements, enabling two-factor verification on accounts, using biometric identification on smartphones, and establishing secret passcodes with family members to verify identities during unexpected calls.
fingerlakes1.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly targeting low-income renters across the U.S. with fraudulent Section 8 housing voucher schemes, using fake websites, phishing emails, social media ads, and "expedited processing" offers to steal personal information and application fees. Victims should only apply through official .gov websites verified through HUD's directory, never pay application fees, and report suspected scams to the FTC, HUD's Office of Inspector General, or local law enforcement.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cuyahoga County Scam Squad released a 23-page guide to help residents identify, prevent, and report scams by explaining how fraudsters manipulate emotions and what information they target. The guide includes an action plan section where people can pre-plan responses to suspicious calls, texts, emails, or letters—such as verifying bank contacts independently rather than following caller instructions. Paper copies are available at local libraries and online.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns of an ongoing malicious campaign using text and AI-generated voice messages to impersonate senior US officials, targeting government officials and their contacts with the goal of stealing login credentials and sensitive information through malicious links and vishing (voice phishing) attacks. To protect themselves, individuals should independently verify caller identity through alternative methods, examine message origins carefully, listen for voice inconsistencies, and report suspected incidents to the FBI or IC3. As AI-generated content becomes more sophisticated, staying vigilant and contacting security officials when in doubt is critical.
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Mail fraud through the USPS takes several forms—imposter scams (posing as government agencies or banks), sweepstakes/lottery schemes (claiming unearned prizes), unsolicited offers (unusually low prices or phony inheritances), and mail theft—all using sophisticated tactics to extract money or personal information. Red flags include unsolicited contact, pressure to act quickly, requests for payment before receiving benefits, and offers that seem too good to be true. To protect yourself, verify communications directly with official sources, never send cash through mail, use tracking services like Informed Delivery, and report suspected mail fraud to the United States Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.
mirror.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A 44-year-old disabled woman from Staffordshire lost £11,000 to a romance scammer who impersonated Australian TV vet Dr Chris Brown on Instagram, extracting money over 18 months through love bombing, fake proposals, and cryptocurrency transfers funded partly from her disability allowance. The scammer convinced her to send funds for flights and visas, with the largest single payment being £7,000, before she recognized red flags in January 2025 and reported the case to West Midlands Police and Action Fraud. Lisa Nock shared her story publicly to warn vulnerable people, noting she never received a phone or video call from the fraudster and had sacrificed social activities and lessons
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
"Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" is a documentary series examining how AI and deepfake technology have made romance scams more sophisticated and harder to detect, following three women who were victimized by a scammer using fake personas and stolen photos. The victims suffered significant financial losses (including one woman who wired over $30,000) and psychological harm, while scammers exploit these technologies to create realistic video calls, voice messages, and convincing personas that build trust quickly. The series highlights that romance scams comprised an increasing portion of the $16.6 billion in online fraud losses reported in 2024, and demonstrates how these technologies enable criminals to evade law enforcement identification.
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
"Hey Beautiful: Anatomy of a Romance Scam" is a three-part docuseries released on Hulu in May 2025 that follows three women—Annette, Roxy, and Gabby—who were defrauded by the same man posing as their online romantic partner. The series explores how scammers exploit emotional vulnerability through psychological manipulation, examines common warning signs and patterns of online romance fraud, and documents the victims' journey from discovering the deception to confronting their perpetrator and seeking accountability.
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting older Australians with "sextortion" scams, which now account for over 30% of personal scams, where perpetrators threaten to release compromising sexual images or videos unless victims pay ransoms in cryptocurrency. These emotionally manipulative schemes use artificial intelligence and personal information from data breaches to personalize threats and appear credible, with victims including seniors who were traditionally not targeted and who often experience profound shame and fear that prevents them from seeking help. Experts recommend protecting oneself by avoiding sharing intimate photos online, being skeptical of unsolicited emails with demands, verifying whether personal details actually indicate device compromise, and reporting incidents to the Australian Cyber Security
liherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Over 80 seniors attended an educational seminar in West Hempstead to learn scam prevention strategies, as the FBI reported that people aged 60 and older suffered the largest losses in 2024's $16 billion in online scams and cybercrimes. Nassau County Police Officer Eugene Messmer presented the SCAM framework (Stop, Check, Alert, Mention) and detailed common scams including phone/email fraud, IRS imposters, sweepstakes schemes, and identity theft, emphasizing that scammers use professional tactics and recommending verification steps like calling back through official numbers. Key prevention advice includes never clicking suspicious links, refusing to pay via wire transfer or gift cards, protecting personal
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Cambria County Area Agency on Aging held an educational luncheon where seniors learned to identify financial scams from local police and Pennsylvania Attorney General's office officials. Attendees received information about common fraud tactics including online relationship scams, tax filing schemes, and fake toll fee requests, which have resulted in some elderly victims losing thousands of dollars or even their homes. The agency reports receiving calls almost weekly about financial exploitation in the county, emphasizing that financial crimes against seniors are among the fastest growing in the United States.
crowdfundinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Greenlight launched Family Shield, a subscription plan that helps caregivers protect seniors from financial fraud and physical safety risks through features including financial account monitoring, fraud/identity theft insurance (up to $100,000 for deceptive transfer fraud and $1 million for identity theft), real-time location tracking, and crash detection. The service addresses a significant problem: financial exploitation costs adults 60+ an estimated $62 billion annually, while seniors face rising digital threats including scams and money management errors. The plan includes educational resources and a monitored debit card to help caregivers oversee their senior loved ones' finances and safety comprehensively.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
AARP New York is advocating for passage of legislation (S.6379/A.7019) that would allow banks to place holds on suspicious transactions and refer cases to law enforcement to prevent elder financial fraud. According to an FBI report, scams targeting New Yorkers age 60 and older resulted in over $257 million in losses from more than 6,200 victims in 2024, an increase from $203 million stolen from 4,300 victims in 2023. The proposed measure, already adopted by 24 other states, would train financial institution employees to identify and intervene in cases of financial exploitation before transactions are completed.
fox5vegas.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams continue to evade email security filters by using legitimate file-sharing services to host malicious content and by impersonating trusted contacts to solicit sensitive information, wire transfers, or gift cards. The article emphasizes that individuals are the most effective defense against these attacks and recommends verifying unusual requests directly with senders, avoiding clicking suspicious links, and reporting suspicious emails to IT departments or the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns that veterans and military personnel face increased fraud risk around Memorial Day from scammers using fake charities, bogus benefit programs, and phishing schemes that exploit patriotic appeals and emotional triggers. Veterans reported over $419 million in fraud losses in 2024, a significant increase from $350 million in 2023, with scammers impersonating VA officials or using military-sounding names to solicit donations. The BBB recommends verifying charities through sites like give.org, avoiding wire transfers, using credit cards for donations, and reporting suspicious activity to combat these scams.
thv11.com
· 2025-12-08
Summer months see increased fraud attempts as scammers exploit busy schedules and vacations to target consumers who let their guard down. Common summer scams include moving fraud, travel scams with fake rentals or flight deals, fake job offers, and event ticket fraud, with a recent BBB report noting younger generations are increasingly vulnerable to losing money. Experts recommend slowing down before decisions, researching unfamiliar offers, avoiding unusual payment methods like gift cards, and contacting your bank immediately if victimized.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. authorities seized over $868,247 in cryptocurrency from perpetrators of a confidence scheme in which criminals posed as investment advisors through text messages, dating apps, and professional groups to gain victims' trust and direct them to fake investment platforms. The scheme involved criminals encouraging victims to transfer bank funds to cryptocurrency accounts and then to fraudulent platforms that displayed false profits while routing all deposits to perpetrator-controlled wallets, ultimately locking victims out and stealing their funds. The FBI Honolulu Field Office investigated the case with assistance from the Department of Justice and cryptocurrency platform Tether.
gript.ie
· 2025-12-08
Irish police (An Garda Síochána) warn the public about romance scams, in which fraudsters build fake online relationships to extract money from victims over extended periods. Reported cases include a Dutch woman whose account was used to launder stolen money after a three-year fake relationship, and an Irish woman who lost €48,000 to a romance scammer over 13 months; scammers typically request money for travel costs, medical emergencies, or business investments, with amounts escalating as trust builds. Gardaí emphasize that many victims delay reporting due to embarrassment and are working with Europol to disrupt organized romance scam operations.
about.meta.com
· 2025-12-08
Facebook Marketplace provides guidance on identifying and avoiding scams affecting both buyers and sellers. Key fraud indicators include fake payment confirmations, requests to move communication off-platform (especially for vehicles and rentals), suspicious links requesting personal information, significantly underpriced items, and pressure to rush decisions. Users should verify payments directly with their payment app, never share banking information via external links, report suspicious activity to Facebook, and immediately cancel transactions showing red flags.
b105country.com
· 2025-12-08
The Minnesota Department of Transportation warned motorists about a phishing scam where scammers send fake text messages and emails impersonating E-ZPass toll agencies, claiming recipients owe money and requesting payment through fraudulent links to steal personal and financial information. MnDOT emphasized that legitimate tolling agencies never request sensitive information via text or email, and advised recipients to verify any toll debt through official websites and contact customer service directly rather than clicking suspicious links.
cascadiadaily.com
· 2025-12-08
A Whatcom County resident lost more than $100,000 to a California man who impersonated federal agents (claiming to be from the Federal Office of the Inspector General) between April and May, convincing the victim that money needed to be transferred to a federal reserve for safekeeping due to alleged money laundering and drug trafficking concerns. The suspect was arrested on May 20 and charged with first-degree theft; he is believed to be part of a larger criminal organization perpetrating multi-million dollar fraud schemes nationwide. Law enforcement emphasized that legitimate agencies never request money or valuables over the phone and urged people to verify any official claims directly with the agency.
theintelligencer.net
· 2025-12-08
The Marshall County Sheriff's Office warned residents of an increase in scam calls impersonating Norton Anti-Virus and PayPal tech support representatives attempting to steal personal information or gain remote device access. Authorities advise verifying callers' identities by hanging up and calling official company numbers, never sharing passwords or financial details over the phone, and reporting suspicious calls to local law enforcement.
eccalifornian.com
· 2025-12-08
Smishing (SMS phishing) scams are increasing across San Diego County, with fraudulent text messages impersonating banks, delivery services, and government agencies to pressure victims into clicking malicious links or revealing personal information. The article provides warning signs of scam texts—including unfamiliar numbers, spelling errors, urgent language, and requests for sensitive data—and recommends protective measures such as avoiding suspicious links, enabling spam filters, reporting messages to 7726, and forwarding concerns to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
lifehacker.com
· 2025-12-08
Storm chasers—fraudulent contractors and fake organizations—target homeowners affected by severe weather disasters, using unsolicited offers of quick, cheap repairs or fake donation sites to steal money through upfront payments, shoddy work, or identity theft. Red flags include demands for cash or prepaid cards, vague pricing, pressure to decide immediately, refusal to provide contracts, and avoidance of inspections. Homeowners should verify contractor licenses and insurance, obtain written estimates, contact their insurance company first, and avoid acting out of urgency to prevent falling victim to these post-disaster scams.