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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
saga.co.uk
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams targeting people over 55 have surged 52% in the past year, with victims aged 75-84 losing an average of £8,068 and the typical loss across all age groups being £5,219, according to Lloyds Bank data. Scammers build trust through false relationships and isolation tactics before requesting money, often using excuses like "working on an oil rig" to avoid video calls or in-person meetings. Victims can become so psychologically invested that they resist warnings from bank employees and even authorities, making it difficult for them to accept they are being deceived.
chipchick.com
· 2025-12-07
A TikToker nearly fell victim to an impersonation scam in which a caller posing as a deputy threatened her with jail time for missed jury duty and instructed her to withdraw all her bank money and deliver it to Walgreens. A coworker alerted her to the scam before she completed the transaction, preventing financial loss. The incident sparked comments from multiple social media users sharing similar experiences, revealing this type of fraud—where scammers impersonate law enforcement or officials to pressure victims into transferring money through retail locations or gift cards—affects people of all ages and occurs more frequently than commonly realized.
whec.com
· 2025-12-07
An Irondequoit, New York couple lost $9,000 to an imposter scam after receiving a fraudulent PayPal phishing email on July 14 claiming unauthorized activity on their account. The scammer, posing as a PayPal agent, directed the victim to withdraw cash from his bank and hand it over to a person who appeared at their home. PayPal confirmed awareness of this widespread scam and advised customers to verify emails are personally addressed, avoid clicking links or calling numbers in suspicious messages, and report phishing attempts directly to PayPal's security team.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers posing as a delivery company called Priyanka about an undelivered parcel from Dubai and tricked her into dialing a code (*21*9279291567#) that hacked her iPhone and forwarded her phone number to the fraudsters. The hackers then accessed WhatsApp, sent messages to her contacts claiming urgent financial need and requesting Rs 55,000 via UPI, resulting in at least four people transferring money before the fraud was discovered. The victims filed a police complaint under the Information Technology Act, and authorities took measures to freeze the fraudsters' accounts; the couple also warned of additional threats including AI voice cloning and phishing links being used in such
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Bengaluru-based Sandalwood actors Upendra Rao and Priyanka Upendra fell victim to a phone hacking scam after Priyanka dialed a fraudulent code provided by someone impersonating a courier delivery executive, which gave hackers access to their phones. The fraudsters then impersonated the couple via WhatsApp, sending messages to their contacts requesting Rs 55,000 each, resulting in at least four people (including their son) transferring money through UPI before the couple alerted authorities. The couple reported the incident to the cyber helpline and filed a police complaint under the Information Technology Act, with authorities freezing the fraudster's account
hindustantimes.com
· 2025-12-07
Kannada actors Upendra and Priyanka fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam when a fraudulent courier delivery call convinced Priyanka to dial a code (219279295167#) that compromised her iPhone and subsequently her husband's phone, allowing the scammer to take control of their WhatsApp accounts. The fraudster used their WhatsApp to impersonate Priyanka and solicit money from contacts, resulting in at least four people, including their son, transferring approximately 55,000 rupees via UPI before the couple alerted authorities and filed a complaint with police.
hastingstribune.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational piece describes four common scams targeting seniors age 60 and older: Social Security impostor scams (where criminals falsely claim account suspension and request gift card transfers), tech support scams (fraudsters pose as company representatives to gain remote device access and charge bogus fees), lottery scams (perpetrators claim victims won foreign lotteries and demand fees until funds are depleted), and romance scams (scammers use dating sites to build relationships and solicit money). The Elder Justice Initiative provides information on these fraud schemes to help older adults recognize and avoid becoming victims of financial exploitation.
wxxinews.org
· 2025-12-07
Eight individuals across the United States were arrested on federal charges for defrauding senior citizens in the Rochester region of more than $11 million through various schemes including romance scams, fake customer support, and government agency impersonation targeting 139 elderly victims. The defendants employed diverse tactics, such as posing as federal agents to extract "processing fees" from previous scam victims (with one 89-year-old losing over $300,000) and fraudulent credit card charges designed to redirect victims to scammer-controlled customer service lines. Charges include wire fraud, money laundering, mail fraud, identity theft, and computer fraud, carrying maximum penalties of 15 to 30
wesh.com
· 2025-12-07
From 2023 to 2024, Orange and Osceola Counties, Florida experienced a 14% increase in scams targeting seniors, prompting State Attorney Monique Worrell to issue a public warning. The two primary scam types are romance scams—where perpetrators build online relationships and request money for emergencies or travel—and law enforcement impersonation scams claiming outstanding warrants or bail requirements. Worrell emphasized that prevention is critical since many scammers operate overseas and are difficult to prosecute, advising seniors to avoid sending cash or gift cards to unknown individuals, verify suspicious emails through search engines, and pause when confronted with urgent requests.
wesh.com
· 2025-12-07
Orange and Osceola counties' state attorney reported a 14% increase in scams targeting seniors from 2023 to 2024, with romance scams and law enforcement impersonation schemes being the most prevalent. Scammers build fake online relationships with older adults, then create urgency to extract money via wire transfers or gift cards, while others impersonate law enforcement claiming outstanding warrants or bail needs. Prevention is critical since perpetrators are often overseas and difficult to prosecute; residents are advised to hang up on unsolicited calls, avoid clicking links, never send cash or gift cards to strangers, and verify suspicious emails through search engines.
newsweek.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers are sending fraudulent emails to seniors claiming their Social Security numbers are involved in criminal activities and threatening to suspend benefits unless they act immediately. The Social Security Administration never sends emails (only letters from .gov addresses), and Social Security numbers cannot be suspended; victims who engage with scammers risk losing money and having their identities stolen. Seniors should ignore these emails, never click links or call numbers in suspicious messages, and contact official Social Security field offices directly or consult trusted family members or financial professionals with questions about their benefits.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
AARP has supported passage of gift card fraud laws in 11 states during 2025, addressing two main types of fraud: scammers impersonating government agents or IT specialists who trick victims into purchasing gift cards, and criminals who drain gift card values from store shelves before purchase. A 2022 AARP survey found that 34 percent of U.S. adults reported being targeted by gift card scams, while legislation creating legal frameworks to prosecute these crimes helps deter criminals and protects consumers from financial harm.
wlos.com
· 2025-12-07
A woman posing as a federal agent scammed a North Carolina resident out of $25,000 in a two-stage scheme that began with a phone call claiming the victim had committed a crime. When the scammers initially failed to convince the victim to transfer funds via cryptocurrency, they escalated by sending the woman to the victim's home to collect cash in person. The suspect was captured on camera and authorities released her image to the public seeking identification.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in Beaver County impersonated law enforcement and financial institutions to defraud residents of over $300,000 by claiming the victims' bank accounts were at risk of theft. The perpetrators convinced victims to withdraw large cash amounts or convert funds to Bitcoin, either by claiming police would collect it as evidence or instructing them to leave money in unlocked cars, while falsely telling them not to contact authorities or banks. Aliquippa police warned residents that legitimate police and government agencies never request such actions and advised victims to verify callers by contacting their local police department directly.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-07
A phishing scam impersonates Evite event invitations with emotionally charged subjects like "Special Celebration of Life" to trick recipients into clicking malicious links that can steal personal information, capture login credentials, or install malware. The scam uses realistic Evite branding and design to appear legitimate, but can be detected by verifying sender email addresses, hovering over links to check URLs, and using antivirus software with phishing detection.
ca.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
An 89-year-old woman from Vaudreuil, Quebec, lost over $50,000 in February 2024 when a scammer posing as an anti-fraud squad member convinced her to provide bank information, resulting in bounced rent cheques and the threat of losing her home. The incident exemplifies a broader problem in Canada, where seniors are the most targeted demographic for fraud; the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre reported $638 million in fraud losses in 2024, with impersonation scams being among the fastest-growing types. To protect themselves, seniors should verify caller identity before sharing personal information, confirm relatives' whereabouts when contacted about emergencies, an
arkansasbusiness.com
· 2025-12-07
This opinion piece describes how an intelligent person fell victim to a sheriff's office impersonation scam demanding over $1,000 via PayPal, illustrating that scam susceptibility depends on human psychology rather than intelligence. The scammer used known personal details and created artificial urgency and fear to manipulate the victim into making an emotional rather than logical decision. The author argues that scammers employ deliberate psychological tactics—including creating panic, exploiting trust, and inducing urgency—and recommends pausing to evaluate information rationally when stakes are high as a protective measure.
nltimes.nl
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in the Netherlands have been placing fake QR code stickers on parking meters that direct users to spoofed EasyPark payment websites designed to steal banking and credit card information. The municipality of The Hague removed approximately 70 fake stickers from parking meters across multiple districts, with similar reports emerging from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Alphen aan den Rijn, and Maastricht. The municipality stated it does not know how many victims were affected, urged anyone who fell victim to report the scam to police, and committed to removing the counterfeit stickers while forgiving parking fines incurred through fraudulent payments.
zoomtventertainment.com
· 2025-12-07
Kannada actors Upendra and his wife Priyanka had their phones compromised after Priyanka fell for a fake delivery message and called a suspicious number with unusual symbols, a common scammer tactic. After both called the number, scammers accessed their phones and began requesting Rs 22,000 through UPI from their contacts; the couple subsequently filed a complaint alerting the public to the cybercrime.
wfmj.com
· 2025-12-07
A 77-year-old Salem man was defrauded of $61,000 in a phony computer repair scam where perpetrators convinced him his computer had been hacked and posed as Microsoft support and his financial institution to pressure him into sending money and gift cards. One of three suspects, Yash Raval, was arrested in November 2023 during a controlled FBI delivery and is scheduled for a change of plea hearing, while the operation is part of an India-based call center scheme that has targeted at least six victims totaling $4.8 million in elder fraud.
positivelynaperville.com
· 2025-12-07
The Naperville Police Department's September "Safer Naper" campaign highlights a significant rise in impersonation scams targeting seniors, where scammers posing as government agencies and trusted businesses trick older adults into transferring money under false pretenses like protecting accounts or addressing security threats. According to the FTC, adults 60 and over reported losing millions in 2024 to these scams, with older victims experiencing disproportionately high losses including entire life savings. The campaign advises seniors never to move money in response to unsolicited contacts, to verify requests through official channels, and to resist pressure tactics, with additional resources available at the city's dedicated senior safety website.
theeastsiderla.com
· 2025-12-07
The Glassell Park Improvement Association held a community meeting featuring state officials who outlined common fraud schemes targeting seniors, including investment fraud, insurance scams, and Medicare fraud, most of which originate from phone calls seeking personal information. Officials recommended three protective measures: verify companies by calling them directly, never share personal information, and consult trusted individuals before making decisions. Seniors are frequently targeted due to their accumulated wealth and potential unfamiliarity with modern technology.
insurancejournal.com
· 2025-12-07
A Reuters investigation found that popular AI chatbots, including Elon Musk's Grok, can be easily manipulated to generate convincing phishing emails targeting seniors, despite built-in safety training. Testing with Harvard researcher Fred Heiding showed that while some bots initially refuse malicious requests, they comply after simple ruses (claiming academic or creative purposes), and the AI-generated phishing emails proved as effective as human-written ones at deceiving older adults. With seniors losing at least $4.9 billion to online fraud in the previous year, AI-enabled phishing represents a growing threat as criminals can now mass-produce personalized scams instantly and at minimal cost.
sg.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Utah couple in their 70s lost approximately $500,000 in retirement savings and borrowed an additional $250,000 after the husband fell victim to a cryptocurrency investment scam initiated by a former coworker who promised high returns. The scammers convinced him to send additional funds to cover supposed fees, leaving the family with no recovery options since cryptocurrency transfers are irreversible; they now work multiple part-time jobs and have taken a reverse mortgage on their home to repay debts. This case reflects a broader trend: Americans 60 and older lost $2.8 billion to cryptocurrency fraud in 2024, making them the hardest-hit age group, as scamm
cjwe.ca
· 2025-12-07
The Lethbridge Police warned of a grandparent scam targeting a local senior, in which a caller impersonated her grandchild claiming to be in a car accident and requesting she withdraw $8,500 from her bank for bail. The elderly woman was saved from losing money when a family member intervened and brought her to police before the transaction occurred. Police advised seniors to verify caller identities through independent contact methods, never send money to unknown callers, and avoid keeping such requests secret, as legitimate bail payments are made only at official facilities with receipts.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-07
Scammers in Ohio sent fraudulent letters claiming to be from the IRS, State of Ohio, and Ashtabula County, falsely alleging unpaid state taxes and threatening property seizure unless recipients called a provided 1-800 number. County officials identified multiple red flags in the letter, including the false claim that state and county tax departments work together and use 800 numbers for payment collection, and advise residents to verify any suspicious tax correspondence directly with their county treasurer's office before responding.
wcvb.com
· 2025-12-07
The FBI Boston is warning of an increase in "gold bar courier scams" targeting older adults, in which victims are pressured to purchase large sums of gold bars or cash that are then picked up by couriers working with scammers. From 2023 to May 2025, the FBI documented 103 cases in Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island resulting in $26 million in losses, with 59 Massachusetts victims alone losing $18.6 million. The scams typically involve three methods: grandparent scams, government impersonation, and tech support scams, all designed to pressure victims into quickly liquidating assets before they can contact family members.
pinejournal.com
· 2025-12-07
Phishing scams remain a significant cybercrime threat, with criminals using email, phone calls, and text messages impersonating legitimate institutions to steal sensitive personal and financial information. Common tactics include claiming suspicious account activity, requesting payment updates via links, or offering fraudulent refunds, which can be identified by generic greetings, grammatical errors, and requests to click suspicious links. Protection strategies include using security software, enabling multi-factor authentication, backing up data, and reporting suspected phishing attempts to the Anti-Phishing Working Group, FTC, or SPAM (7726).
thebaptistpaper.org
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams targeting vulnerable older adults, particularly widows, are increasing on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, with scammers using fake identities and emotional manipulation to extract money and financial information. One victim lost at least $40,000 after meeting a scammer through a Words With Friends game who claimed to work on an offshore oil rig and requested funds for various emergencies. The nonprofit Advocating Against Romance Scammers (AARS) established World Romance Scam Prevention Day to raise awareness, noting that scammers typically initiate contact on social media, move conversations to encrypted messaging apps to avoid law enforcement, and employ elaborate stories about foreign locations or financial hardships to justify requests for
christianindex.org
· 2025-12-07
Romance scams on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are increasingly targeting vulnerable older adults, particularly widows and widowers, with fake identities designed to extract money and personal financial information. Scammers typically initiate contact, move conversations to encrypted messaging apps to avoid detection, and create elaborate stories (such as being stranded overseas or in jail) to justify requests for money, with victims losing thousands of dollars. The nonprofit Advocating Against Romance Scammers (AARS) established World Romance Scam Prevention Day to raise awareness, noting that victims often experience psychological manipulation and financial hardship with little recourse for recovering lost funds.
cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-07
Reshma Vasu, a senior product manager at Singapore's Open Government Products, led an AI-powered upgrade of the ScamShield app after her aunt lost her entire S$500,000 retirement savings to a sophisticated 2021 OCBC phishing scam. The upgraded ScamShield app, launched in August 2024 and downloaded 1.35 million times, helps Singaporeans combat the growing sophistication of tech-driven scams including investment schemes, AI voice-cloning, and phishing attacks across SMS, WhatsApp, and Telegram. Singapore saw reported scam cases fall 26% in the first half of 2025, though total losses
india.com
· 2025-12-07
An 80-year-old woman in Sapporo, Japan was defrauded of approximately 1 million yen (600,000 rupees) after meeting a man on social media who claimed to be an astronaut trapped in a spacecraft under attack with depleting oxygen. The scammer exploited her romantic feelings for him to convince her to purchase and transfer electronic currency to save his life, a scheme that highlights how emotional manipulation combined with elaborate fictional scenarios can make victims vulnerable to online fraud.
the420.in
· 2025-12-07
Prithvi Singh, a dairy operator in Haryana, lost ₹7.15 lakh to cybercriminals who impersonated army officers and posed a fake bulk supply contract, manipulating him into entering nine transactions via PhonePe during a video call on August 12. The fraudsters used fake uniforms, video calls, and false references to build credibility before directing Singh to input payment details, after which he discovered the deception when attempting to verify their identities at a military school. Authorities warn businesses to verify identities through official channels, avoid sharing payment credentials during video calls, and insist on written contracts before entering large commercial agreements.
positivelynaperville.com
· 2025-12-07
The Naperville Police Department's September campaign highlights a significant rise in impersonation scams targeting seniors, with older adults reporting millions in losses nationally in 2024, often losing entire life savings. Common scams involve fraudsters impersonating banks, government agencies, or tech companies to create false urgency and convince victims to transfer money for "protection." The department advises seniors to never move money in response to unsolicited contacts, independently verify caller identities through official channels, and resist pressure to act quickly or keep the situation secret.
thehindu.com
· 2025-12-07
A 79-year-old man in Kollam, India lost ₹3.72 crore (approximately $445,000 USD) in a "virtual arrest" cyber scam between July and August 2025. Fraudsters impersonating BSNL officials and Mumbai Cyber Police officers used WhatsApp video calls to convince the victim that he was under criminal investigation, showed fake arrest warrants, and conducted fake court proceedings where they granted him "bail" on condition he transfer funds for account "verification." The victim completed 17 transactions before discovering the fraud, and police have registered a case and are working to freeze the accounts that received the stolen funds.
ahmedabadmirror.com
· 2025-12-07
A 25-year-old Indian student, Vedantkumar Patel, was arrested for defrauding a Michigan elderly couple of $50,000 through an impersonation scam in which he posed as a government official and falsely claimed their credit card had been used for illegal purchases. The FBI took over the federal prosecution after Patel, who was in the US on a student visa, was extradited from Ohio to Michigan, where he faces felony charges and ICE placed a detainer on him. This case is part of a rising trend of scams targeting American seniors, with similar incidents involving Indian students also recently prosecuted.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-07
Cryptocurrency ATMs are being exploited by scammers who deceive victims into withdrawing cash and converting it to digital currency, which is difficult to trace and recover. Criminals typically initiate contact posing as trusted sources or representatives of legitimate businesses, directing victims to crypto ATMs to address purported urgent financial problems. The scams succeed because crypto ATMs are poorly understood by the public; victims should verify any such requests independently and recognize that directions to use crypto ATMs are always fraudulent.
leravi.org
· 2025-12-07
The FBI issued a warning about increasing scam calls and texts targeting smartphone users, primarily involving fake unpaid toll notices and impersonation of law enforcement officials demanding immediate payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers. Scammers exploit urgency and fear tactics, sending malicious links designed to steal personal and banking information, while real government agencies never request payment over the phone. The article advises users to delete suspicious messages, independently verify claims by contacting official agency numbers, and never share financial details with unverified callers.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-07
"Boss scams," a spear-phishing variant where fraudsters impersonate supervisors to trick new employees into purchasing gift cards that are then resold on the dark web, are increasing as job markets remain competitive. Scammers exploit new hires' vulnerability by leveraging social engineering tactics—including data scraped from LinkedIn and other platforms—to identify targets who are eager to please and lack established workplace networks. Experts note that social engineering has become one of the most dangerous fraud techniques because it serves as an entry point for multiple scam types and is difficult for financial institutions to detect and prevent.
soapcentral.com
· 2025-12-07
Netflix's September 2025 documentary series "Love Con Revenge" examines romance fraud on dating apps like Tinder, following victim Cecilie Fjellhøy and investigator Brianne Joseph as they expose how scammers use fabricated emotional intimacy, manufactured crises, and personal information exploitation to defraud unsuspecting users. The series highlights that victims suffer both significant financial losses and severe psychological trauma including betrayal and shame, while many perpetrators escape prosecution due to jurisdictional issues, insufficient evidence, and legal systems that do not treat romance fraud with appropriate seriousness. The documentary underscores how even cautious individuals are vulnerable to these schemes and advocates for stronger platform safeguards
news.ssbcrack.com
· 2025-12-07
In September 2025, Thailand's Bank of Thailand froze over 3 million bank accounts and imposed daily transfer limits of 50,000-200,000 baht to combat online scams that had stolen approximately 6 billion baht from victims. While the freeze targeted "mule accounts" used for money laundering, it inadvertently froze accounts of innocent users including small business owners and elderly individuals, causing widespread panic and economic disruption. The BOT committed to expedited account reviews but faced criticism over insufficient victim support systems, bureaucratic delays, and broader impacts on Thailand's digital economy and expatriate communities.
barristerng.com
· 2025-12-07
This educational guide explains how AI-powered deepfake scams work, including voice cloning, CEO fraud, and video impersonation schemes that use synthetic media to impersonate trusted individuals and extract money or sensitive information. Key protective measures include spotting subtle technical glitches and emotional manipulation tactics, using family "safe words" for verification, limiting personal content online, enabling two-factor authentication, and reporting suspected fraud to the FTC or local authorities.
webpronews.com
· 2025-12-07
The Bank of Thailand froze over 3 million bank accounts and imposed daily transfer limits of 50,000-200,000 baht in September 2025 to combat online scams that have cost victims an estimated 6 billion baht. While targeting fraudulent "mule accounts," the measures have inadvertently affected innocent users including small businesses, vendors, elderly citizens, and foreign residents, causing widespread economic disruption and panic. Critics argue the automated detection system casts too wide a net, and the BOT has promised expedited account reviews but faces skepticism over implementation delays and insufficient victim support mechanisms.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-07
An 89-year-old Hingham, Massachusetts woman lost $19,000 in a phishing and impersonation scam after receiving a fraudulent email posing as her bank. The scammer instructed her to withdraw cash from multiple branches while staying on the phone, claiming her account was compromised, and later sent someone to her home to collect the money under the pretense of depositing it into a secure account. The Hingham Police Department is investigating and urging anyone with information to contact Detective Heather Hermida.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in the last year, with investment and imposter scams causing the greatest losses, according to the FTC. Older adults reported a more than fourfold increase in cases where they lost $10,000 or more since 2020, with common scam types including imposter scams ($789 million in losses), remote access scams targeting computer access, romance scams ($389 million from victims over 60), and charity fraud. Protection strategies include ignoring unsolicited contact requests, verifying organizations directly through official channels, never granting remote access to unknown parties, and being cautious of romance solicitations that progress quickly or
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
Americans lost over $12.5 billion to fraud in the past year, with investment and imposter scams causing the largest losses, often initiated via phone calls or social media. Fidelity identifies six major scam types—including imposter scams ($789 million in losses), remote access scams, romance scams ($389 million affecting seniors over 60), and charity fraud—and recommends protective measures such as verifying contacts through official channels, never granting remote access to unsolicited callers, avoiding money transfers to unknown individuals, and reporting fraud to the FBI.
anchoragepolice.com
· 2025-12-07
The Anchorage Police Department warns that fake law enforcement phone scams are increasing, with scammers impersonating officers to demand payment for citations, arrest warrants, or other supposed legal matters via gift cards, wire transfers, or online payments. Residents are advised to hang up immediately if receiving such calls and to verify any legitimate police matters by contacting the department directly at (907)786-8900, 3-1-1, or their website.
ksl.com
· 2025-12-07
Debbie Worthington of Lehi has been bombarded with unsolicited calls from scammers posing as Medicare representatives, seeking to obtain her Medicare number to fraudulently bill the system for medical supplies and equipment she never ordered. Medicare fraud costs the system approximately $60 billion annually in taxpayer money, with scammers targeting beneficiaries especially during open enrollment season by calling from spoofed local numbers despite Medicare's strict prohibition on cold calling. Medicare advises beneficiaries to never share their Medicare number unless they initiate contact with a trusted provider and to report suspicious calls to 1-800-MEDICARE.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
A Boise, Idaho gas station clerk named Avalon Hardy intervened to stop at least seven cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly customers by questioning suspicious Bitcoin ATM transactions and unplugging the machine to prevent a 79-year-old from losing $15,000 and a 75-year-old from losing $19,000. Crypto fraud has become increasingly prevalent, with scammers using tactics like impersonation, fake government agencies, and AI-powered deepfakes to target older adults, who reported losses exceeding $1.6 billion in 2023 alone and are the most vulnerable demographic to these schemes.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-07
An elderly man in Sheffield lost £6,000 in a courier fraud scam in September after fraudsters impersonated police detectives, claimed his credit card had been compromised, and convinced him to withdraw cash under the pretense of checking for counterfeit notes. The scammers exploited a technique where they remained on the line after the victim attempted to call 999, redirecting him back to them when he called again, ultimately convincing him to hand over the money to a courier. South Yorkshire Police warned vulnerable elderly people and their families to verify any suspicious calls by using a different phone or waiting 20-30 minutes before calling back, and reminded the public that police and banks never request financial details