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pennwatch.org
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is conducting educational outreach events throughout June 2024 to help seniors, service providers, and the general public recognize and avoid scams, fraud, and identity theft. The programs include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO," "$camJam" (featuring law enforcement and state agency experts), senior expos, and sessions on common scam tactics, offered at various locations across Pennsylvania at no cost to attendees.
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Chinese embassy in Dhaka warned citizens against "buying foreign wives" through marriage scams and trafficking networks, noting that social media matchmaking offers often lead to financial losses and human trafficking. A surplus of 35 million unmarried men in China—caused by the legacy of the one-child policy—has driven demand for foreign brides, particularly from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Russia, fueling criminal networks that traffic women under the guise of arranged marriages. Both Bangladesh and Pakistan have issued their own warnings, with authorities threatening arrests for involvement in cross-border marriage trafficking, while Human Rights Watch has documented risks of sexual slavery for Pakistani women and girls trafficked to China.
wsoctv.com
· 2025-12-08
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are among the top cybersecurity threats of 2025, with scammers now using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and AI automation to make deception more convincing and targeted than ever. Adults aged 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), with phishing/spoofing and tech support scams hitting this demographic hardest, while investment fraud alone caused $6.57 billion in losses and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion. To protect against these evolving threats, individuals and organizations should employ straightforward defense strategies including
wgauradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Social engineering and AI-powered fraud are recognized as major cybersecurity threats in 2025, with scammers increasingly using deepfakes, hyper-personalized phishing, and automation to deceive victims at scale. Adults 60 and older reported the highest losses in 2024 at over $4.8 billion (up 43% from 2023), particularly falling victim to phishing/spoofing and tech support scams, while investment fraud caused $6.57 billion and cryptocurrency fraud reached $9.3 billion in total losses. The article emphasizes that while classic scam methods like phishing and business email compromise remain dominant, AI technology is making
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
The Fremont Police Department reported a rise in medical impersonation scams where callers pretend to be healthcare providers and demand immediate payment or sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers and insurance details from residents. Scammers use tactics like spoofed phone numbers, medical terminology, threats of arrest or coverage termination, and requests for payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers to appear legitimate. Residents are advised to be cautious of unexpected medical calls and recognize red flags such as pressure to act quickly or demands for personal data.
wtap.com
· 2025-12-08
The Parkersburg Police Department reported a significant rise in bitcoin scams using tactics such as phishing, romance scams, and fake law enforcement threats claiming outstanding warrants. Once victims send money to bitcoin machines, the funds are transferred overseas to criminals with no possibility of recovery. The department advises against sharing financial information with unknown contacts, investing based on online advice, and emphasizes that legitimate law enforcement will never request bitcoin payments for fines.
welivesecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
Docusign, a widely-used digital document signing platform with over 1 billion users, has become a target for cybercriminals who send phishing emails impersonating the service to steal login credentials and financial information. These scams typically trick victims into clicking on fake "review document" buttons or scanning QR codes that lead to spoofed login pages, with recent incidents including fake invoice schemes, refund scams, and impersonation of suppliers and government agencies. To protect against Docusign phishing, users should verify destination URLs, look for security codes in legitimate emails, avoid clicking attachments in initial emails, and watch for spelling errors and mismatched sender information.
wtvr.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are spoofing the Richmond SPCA's phone number to target owners of missing pets, claiming they've found an injured pet and demanding immediate wire payment via Zelle or Venmo. The scammers obtain victims' contact information from social media posts about lost pets and exploit their emotional vulnerability, though the Richmond SPCA reported four targeted calls with no actual money lost. The SPCA advises victims to hang up and call the organization directly to verify claims, and to file police reports if targeted.
zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonate legitimate customer service for airlines, banks, retailers, and other companies by posting fake support numbers and accounts online, particularly targeting frustrated consumers posting complaints on social media platforms. Amazon reported a 33% increase in customer service impersonation scams between December 2024 and February, with criminals using fake accounts to direct victims to malicious links, request personal information, or demand payment via gift cards. Consumer watchdogs advise against posting complaints publicly online and warn that red flags include requests for upfront payment, gift card payments, or claims of fraud investigations.
blog.google
· 2025-12-08
Google's threat advisory identifies four evolving scam trends in 2024: customer support scams using fake phone numbers and social engineering, malvertising targeting sophisticated users with valuable assets like crypto wallets, fake travel websites exploiting vacation bookings with counterfeit hotel sites, and package tracking scams impersonating delivery companies to collect fraudulent fees. The advisory comes as global fraud losses reached $1 trillion in 2024 and U.S. fraud reports increased 25% year-over-year, highlighting scammers' ability to evolve tactics and exploit user vulnerabilities despite growing awareness.
prospect.org
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece argues that the rollback of federal enforcement against white-collar crime and corporate misconduct during the Trump administration creates conditions for widespread fraud and scams. With consumer protection agencies defunded or disabled, enforcement actions dropped, and corporate executives pardoned, the article warns that dishonest businesses now have a competitive advantage over honest ones, creating particular vulnerability in sectors like healthcare, higher education, and consumer lending where people are desperate for services or financing.
manchestereveningnews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Oliver Wright, a 23-year-old HGV driver from Warrington, died by suicide in December 2022, years after being scammed out of £10,000 at age 18 through an online financial scheme that promised quick profits. His mother attributes the scam's significant impact on Oliver's mental health—including shame and stress over losing money he had worked hard to save—as a contributing factor to his tragic death, though he had appeared to recover in the months before his passing.
thatslife.com.au
· 2025-12-08
John Young, a 71-year-old from Geelong, Victoria, lost over $500,000 of his life savings to a sophisticated investment scam that falsely used TV personality Eddie McGuire's image and promised returns of $1,000 per day. Over several months, Young deposited increasingly large amounts—eventually including his superannuation—after seeing initial "returns" of 60 percent on his first $300 investment, encouraged by a fraudulent broker named Edgar claiming to be based in London. When Young attempted to withdraw $200,000 in July 2024 to fund the next phase of his dream home construction, the bank confirmed the entire scheme was fraudulent,
bernama.com
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old company director in Perak, Malaysia lost over RM1.47 million in an online trading scam that began in April when he received a call from an unidentified woman offering him a partnership opportunity. The victim was persuaded to download an app called SHV Shop and was promised 30% commissions on purchases, but deposited funds across six different bank accounts from April to May without receiving any returns. The case is under investigation for fraud under Section 420 of the Penal Code.
moneyweek.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, fraudsters stole £144.4 million through investment fraud in the UK—a 34% increase from 2023—despite a 24% reduction in the number of cases, indicating victims are losing larger amounts per scam. Investment fraud involves criminals convincing victims to invest in fictitious funds or fake opportunities (cryptocurrencies, property, commodities, etc.), often amplified through AI deepfaking on social media. Overall UK fraud losses reached £1.17 billion across 3.31 million confirmed cases in 2024, with unauthorised fraud (particularly card fraud and remote purchase fraud) being the most prevalent type.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Toll fee smishing scams—fraudulent text messages claiming users owe payment for tolls—have surged in waves since 2024, with the FBI and FTC issuing warnings and state DMVs in New York, Florida, and California recently alerting residents to the threat. In April 2025 alone, Americans received 19.2 billion spam texts, and text-based fraud attempts generated approximately $470 million in criminal revenue according to the FTC's 2024 data. The article advises consumers to verify sender phone numbers and domain names, check official toll agency websites, avoid engaging with messages, use mobile security features, and report suspicious texts to the FBI's Internet Crime
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Alameda County's Adult and Aging Services is hosting a "Scam Jam" event on June 16th to help older adults protect themselves against increasingly sophisticated digital scams targeting seniors. The free community event at the San Leandro Senior Community Center will feature expert presenters from state agencies, consumer protection organizations, and high school students whose family members were scam victims. Older adults 60 and over can register via QR code or by calling (510) 577-3463 to learn how to recognize and prevent elder fraud.
pa.gov
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is hosting multiple free educational events throughout June 2024 aimed at seniors, service providers, and the general public to help them avoid scams, detect fraud, and prevent identity theft. Events include interactive presentations such as "Fraud BINGO" and "$camJam" held at senior centers and community locations across Pennsylvania, with Pennsylvanians encouraged to report scams via 1-866-PACOMPLAINT or pa.gov/consumer.
kclyradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Kansas state agencies—the Department of Insurance, Department for Children and Families, and Department for Aging and Disability Services—are partnering to host World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events from June 9–13 and June 20, 2025, featuring presentations on recognizing and preventing financial scams targeting older adults. The initiative aims to educate Kansas communities about elder exploitation, with resources available through multiple state agencies and hotlines for reporting suspected investment fraud.
plansponsor.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, U.S. financial fraud losses reached $10 billion (up 14% from 2022), with investment scams accounting for $4.6 billion of that total and representing the fastest-growing fraud category at 21% year-over-year growth. The article provides plan sponsors and participants with resources and tools to identify vulnerable individuals, detect cognitive decline, and report financial fraud to protect retirement plan assets.
wgrz.com
· 2025-12-08
Chautauqua County DMV is warning residents about phishing text messages falsely claiming to be from the New York DMV, demanding immediate payment for traffic fines and threatening vehicle registration suspension. Phishing scams have doubled since 2022 and are among the top three scams reported to the Better Business Bureau, affecting people across all age groups with some victims losing over $1,000. To protect themselves, residents should avoid clicking suspicious links, verify messages directly with their local DMV, check for spelling errors and suspicious web addresses, and never share personal information via text or email.
wistv.com
· 2025-12-08
A rise in phone scams impersonating law enforcement has been reported in South Carolina's Midlands region, with scammers using spoofed caller IDs, real deputy names, and personal information to convince victims they owe fines for missing court dates or jury duty. Two victims—a doctor and a homeowner—nearly lost $3,000 each before recognizing the fraud, with the scammer in the first case threatening medical board reporting to create urgency. Law enforcement advises that legitimate agencies never request payment by phone or online and urges people to verify calls independently rather than trusting caller ID or acting under pressure.
foxbusiness.com
· 2025-12-08
Retail return fraud cost retailers approximately $101 billion of the $743 billion in total returns in 2023, with scams including "wardrobing" (returning used clothing), empty box schemes, and "bricking" (removing key components from electronics before return). Retailers face the challenge of implementing fraud detection systems while maintaining lenient return policies that influence purchasing decisions, particularly among younger consumers. Companies are increasingly investing in data analytics and end-to-end return management systems to identify suspicious patterns and verify item condition before processing refunds.
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending unsolicited text messages impersonating legitimate job websites like Indeed, offering unrealistic wages ($300-$900 per day for minimal work) to lure victims into providing personal information including Social Security numbers for identity theft. These fraudulent messages direct recipients to untraceable messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram and lack legitimate company details, making them easily identifiable as scams. Consumers should recognize that legitimate employers never initiate job contact via text and offers that sound too good to be true are red flags for fraud.
bendbulletin.com
· 2025-12-08
Text scams create false urgency to trick recipients into clicking malicious links and entering sensitive information; one SELCO member recently fell victim to a phishing text impersonating the bank, entering her credentials on a fake site before fraudulent activity was caught and prevented. While reported text scams decreased slightly in 2024, losses increased more than fivefold since 2020, indicating scammers are becoming more effective, with common schemes including fake security alerts from banks and major companies, fake delivery notifications, and fraudulent job offers. The article advises consumers to avoid clicking suspicious links, verify senders, use phone spam filters, and remember that legitimate financial institutions never request passwords or account numbers via text.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting Georgia drivers with threatening text messages impersonating the "Georgia State Department of Motor Vehicles," claiming recipients have outstanding traffic tickets that must be paid immediately to avoid license suspension or prosecution, with links leading to fraudulent websites designed to steal personal and driver's license information. The Georgia Department of Driver Services clarified that they never contact customers via text to request payment or confidential information, and notes that the "Department of Motor Vehicles" does not exist in Georgia—a key red flag that such messages are fraudulent. Residents are advised to delete such messages immediately and verify ticket or license status through the official DDS website at dds.georgia.gov.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated methods—including AI-powered technology—to conduct online scams, with reported fraud losses reaching $12.5 billion in the previous year, a 25% increase. Google's report identifies five trending scams: customer support impersonation, malvertising (fake ads spreading malware), fake travel websites, package-tracking phishing, and toll road scams, and emphasizes that many people remain uninformed about recognizing these fraud tactics. The report recommends verifying contact information directly with companies, downloading software only from legitimate sources, being skeptical of unrealistic deals, and avoiding clicking links in unsolicited messages.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, the UK experienced £12,332 crore in reported fraud losses, with banks blocking even greater unauthorized attempts, yet emerging threats like remote access scams, social engineering, and platform-enabled fraud continue to outpace defenses. Seventy percent of authorized push payment scams originated online, while investment fraud and romance scams increasingly target victims through social media and polished digital ads, often exploiting emotional manipulation or false financial promises. Experts warn that fraud now represents 40% of all UK crime, yet the fragmented regulatory approach places disproportionate responsibility on banks rather than holding tech platforms, telcos, and other enablers accountable, necessitating a unified national strategy
ibsintelligence.com
· 2025-12-08
UK fraud losses remained at £1.17 billion in 2024, with 70% of authorised push payment fraud cases originating online through social media and messaging platforms. Investment and romance scams are surging despite fewer reported cases, with victims often losing life savings to sophisticated social engineering tactics that bypass bank warnings. Experts warn that fraudsters are evolving tactics—particularly toward remote purchase fraud—and call for a unified national strategy involving banks, law enforcement, and technology providers to address fraud, which now represents 40% of all UK crime.
lsj.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Transnational organized crime groups operating "scam factories" in Southeast Asian countries (Philippines, Myanmar, Cambodia) force trafficked workers into sophisticated multilingual fraud operations targeting international victims. Between January 2024 and February 2025, Australia lost $384.2 million to scams, with investment scams causing the largest losses ($225.7 million), while over 300,000 people are estimated to be forced laborers in scam operations across the Mekong region, generating approximately $43.8 billion annually for criminal enterprises. These operations employ advanced technologies including deepfakes and AI language models to impersonate authority figures and craft convincing fraud scripts.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted in cryptocurrency scams because scammers view them as wealthy, trusting, and less technologically savvy, exploiting the irreversible nature of crypto transactions and victims' reluctance to report fraud. The FTC reports growing losses from crypto investment fraud, romance scams, and government impersonation, with seniors in Beaufort County, South Carolina alone losing over $3.1 million in 2024, while sophisticated schemes using AI voice cloning and fake websites are becoming more prevalent. Examples include British pensioners losing hundreds of thousands to romance fraud operations in Cambodia, Minnesota crypto ATM scams that cost over $189 million in 2023, and government impersonation
columbiamagazine.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers operating on dating apps and social media platforms defrauded Americans of over $1 billion in 2023 and at least that much in 2024, with one notable victim being a 72-year-old widower named Gary who lost $50,000 to a scammer posing as a woman named Nasha. Scammers use tactics including requests for money for travel or investments, pressure for gift cards, and AI-generated photos to impersonate real people and celebrities. The U.S. Secret Service recommends avoiding financial transactions with people you've never met in person and being wary of red flags such as urgent money requests, pressure for gifts, an
plansponsor.com
· 2025-12-08
This article presents resources and statistics on financial fraud affecting retirement plan participants. In 2023, nationwide financial fraud losses exceeded $10 billion (up 14% from 2022), with investment scams accounting for over $4.6 billion of those losses—the largest category. The piece curates tools and educational resources from government agencies and medical institutions to help plan sponsors and participants identify fraud vulnerabilities, recognize signs of cognitive decline, and report fraudulent activity.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Nearly 7,500 AARP members and New Yorkers delivered letters to state legislative leaders urging support for bills (S.6379 and A.7019) to protect older adults from financial exploitation, following an FBI report showing scams targeting New Yorkers age 60+ resulted in over $257 million in losses from more than 6,200 victims in 2024—a significant increase from $203 million in 2023. The proposed legislation would require bank employees to identify signs of financial exploitation, place holds on suspicious transactions, and refer cases to law enforcement. AARP is calling on lawmakers to pass this measure before the 2025 legislative session ends in June
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
North Vancouver RCMP reported a spike in fraud targeting seniors, including an incident on May 15, 2025, where an older woman lost $23,000 after being contacted by someone impersonating a bank fraud investigator who later visited her home to collect her cards; eight similar frauds have been reported in the area, with suspects potentially operating throughout the Lower Mainland. The RCMP advises seniors to avoid sharing personal information, verify the legitimacy of organizations before engaging with them, recognize spoofing tactics, and report suspicious contacts to police immediately.
okcfox.com
· 2025-12-08
This editorial discusses the evolution and pervasiveness of fraud from ancient times to 2024, noting that the FBI received 859,532 online crime complaints in 2024 with losses exceeding $16 billion—a 33% increase from the prior year. The article highlights emerging threats including cryptocurrency fraud ($24.2 billion in illicit transfers in 2023), AI-powered deepfakes (which surged 1,740% in North America between 2022-2023, with one incident targeting a Hong Kong firm for $25 million), and voice-cloning scams targeting individuals through fake calls from loved ones. Williams emphasizes that fraud affects all demographics—not just the
nbcchicago.com
· 2025-12-08
Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias warned residents about phishing text messages falsely claiming to be from the state's DMV, which threaten to suspend vehicle registration and driving privileges while attempting to extract personal or financial information. The official clarified that legitimate DMV communications via text are limited to appointment reminders, and urged residents to report suspicious messages to the Federal Trade Commission.
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Beginning in June, the federal government will resume aggressive collection of defaulted student loans, offsetting up to 15% of Social Security benefits (with $750 monthly protected) and garnishing up to 15% of wages for approximately 5.3 million borrowers. This financial crackdown is expected to trigger a surge in student loan scams, with fraudsters using unsolicited calls, texts, and emails to target vulnerable borrowers with offers of fake debt relief in exchange for upfront fees or to charge them for free services like income-driven repayment plans available directly through StudentAid.gov.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Funnull, a Philippines-based company run by Chinese national Liu Lizhi, for providing infrastructure to cybercriminals operating "pig butchering" crypto investment scams that defrauded American victims of approximately $200 million, with an average loss of $150,000 per victim. Funnull generated fraudulent domain names and website templates to help scammers impersonate legitimate brands, and also conducted the Polyfill supply chain attack to redirect website visitors to malicious gambling and scam sites. These services enabled criminals to quickly evade detection by switching domains and IP addresses when legitimate providers attempted to shut down their operations.
investopedia.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common cryptocurrency scams and protection strategies. According to the FBI, crypto fraud losses surged 45% year-over-year to $5.6 billion in 2023 based on 69,000 complaints, with scams ranging from phishing attacks to fake ICOs and rug pulls. The article advises crypto investors to verify website URLs, enable two-factor authentication, and remain vigilant about suspicious links and messages to protect their digital assets.
fox13memphis.com
· 2025-12-08
A "reshipping scam" targets job seekers by recruiting them as "shipping coordinators" to receive packages at their homes and forward them elsewhere, but perpetrators never pay the promised wages while victims front shipping costs and unwittingly handle merchandise purchased with stolen credit cards. The Better Business Bureau warns that this organized crime scheme is particularly deceptive because it appears legitimate, with at least one Tipton County woman losing $1,500 and her personal information, including her social security number, over the course of a month. Job seekers should avoid positions offering unusually high pay with no interview process, those requiring upfront payment, or any that involve shipping received goods.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
According to a Federal Reserve survey on U.S. household economic well-being, more than one in five adults experienced financial fraud or scams in 2024, with older adults (ages 45+) significantly more vulnerable than younger individuals. Credit card fraud was the most common type of fraud at 17% of respondents, while non-credit-card fraud affected 8% of adults and resulted in an estimated $84 billion in losses, with roughly one-third of victims unable to recover their money.
wxii12.com
· 2025-12-08
Government impersonation scams stole $789 million in 2024, with scammers now using fake FTC agent credentials and badges to target victims through urgent alerts about viruses, compromised accounts, or identity theft, then pressuring them to transfer money. The FTC warns it has no agents and never requests money transfers, advising victims to verify claims by contacting their banks directly using official numbers and to report suspected scams at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
home.treasury.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Funnull Technology Inc., a Philippines-based company that provided computer infrastructure supporting hundreds of thousands of "pig butchering" virtual currency investment scam websites, resulting in over $200 million in reported U.S. losses. These sophisticated scams, often perpetrated by Southeast Asian criminal organizations using trafficked workers, deceive victims into fake investment platforms through elaborate romantic or trust-based schemes, with average individual losses exceeding $150,000. The FBI is publishing a cybersecurity advisory with technical details to help the private sector identify and dismantle Funnull-associated websites.
oprahdaily.com
· 2025-12-08
Scams targeting consumers are rising dramatically, with phishing, deepfakes, tech-support scams, and spoofing becoming increasingly common. Readers shared varied experiences including fraudulent tax and loan collection calls, fake rental listings, phishing texts posing as delivery services and financial institutions, and sextortion emails with personal information. The advice emphasized by victims includes not answering unknown numbers, immediately deleting suspicious messages, verifying requests independently, and never providing personal information or upfront payments to unverified sources.
10news.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors in San Diego County lost at least $108 million to elder fraud scams in 2024, with over 1,300 victims over age 60 reporting an average loss of $80,000 each. The FBI reports sophisticated scams—often originating from overseas criminals in India—typically involve fake tech support or overpayment schemes where couriers are dispatched to collect cash from victims' homes, with the money laundered internationally. In response, San Diego created the Elder Justice Task Force, a first-of-its-kind multi-agency collaboration combining local law enforcement, the FBI, social workers, and Adult Protective Services to combat the crime.
theledger.com
· 2025-12-08
A Palm Beach County couple based in Westlake was arrested in May for operating a "SIM swap" scam that targeted at least 50+ victims across the United States. The scheme involved tricking victims into transferring their phone numbers to different carriers, which allowed the scammers to bypass two-factor authentication and gain unauthorized access to bank accounts and email—in the documented case, they stole $1,500 in cash and attempted to wire transfer over $200,000 from a single victim. SIM swapping complaints have decreased from a peak of 2,026 cases in 2022 (with $72.6 million in losses) to 982
abc10.com
· 2025-12-08
A Sacramento man received an unsolicited $1,700 check with instructions to deposit it, purchase gift cards, and email the card numbers to the sender in exchange for a bonus—a classic check scam he wisely rejected after recognizing the red flags. Law enforcement confirmed the scheme, warning that victims who deposit fraudulent checks face serious consequences including financial liability and potential account closure, even if unaware of the fraud; the FTC reported Americans lost over $217 million to gift card scams in 2023 alone. Authorities recommend investigating any unsolicited checks through the Better Business Bureau and reporting suspicious checks to police and banks immediately.
whio.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article explains how to identify fake social media profiles used by scammers on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Tinder. Key warning signs include fake or AI-generated profile pictures (verify with reverse image search), brand-new accounts with unusual activity patterns, generic or automated posting behavior, and follower lists consisting of random unconnected accounts. The article advises online users to maintain skepticism about profiles they encounter and check for these indicators before engaging with unfamiliar accounts.
thebridgechronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
Deepfake technology is increasingly being used in online dating scams to create fake profiles with AI-generated faces and manipulate videos and voice messages to deceive victims emotionally before requesting money or sensitive information. Victims experience significant psychological harm including trust issues, anxiety, shame, and trauma from the emotional manipulation. To protect themselves, users should reverse image search photos, request real-time video calls early, avoid sharing personal information, and watch for red flags like overly polished photos, declined video calls, and generic or rehearsed responses.