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in Grandparent Scam
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
The Grandparent Scam is a fraud scheme where criminals pose as a relative—typically a grandchild—claiming to need immediate financial assistance to exploit seniors' emotional attachments and trust. Seniors are targeted because they tend to be trusting, have financial resources, and may be reluctant to report fraud due to shame or fear of losing family confidence. To protect themselves, seniors should resist pressure to act quickly, verify caller information with family members, never wire money based on phone or email requests, and report suspicious calls to local police or the FBI.
wtol.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance and confidence scams are rising in Ohio and nationwide, with fraudsters creating fake profiles on dating sites and social media to build trust before requesting money, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or valuable items under false pretenses such as medical emergencies or legal fees. Ohioans lost over $15.3 million to these scams in 2023, while nationwide losses exceeded $652 million in romance fraud complaints and $823 million in 2024, with scammers primarily targeting women over 40 who are divorced, widowed, elderly, or disabled. The FBI and Ohio Department of Commerce advise the public to remain vigilant online, avoid sending money to unknown contacts, and verify investment tips through
vernonmatters.ca
· 2025-12-08
Kelowna RCMP reported a surge in grandparent scams targeting local residents, with multiple victims losing over $20,000 combined. Scammers impersonated grandchildren or lawyers claiming the grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, then arranged to pick up the cash at designated locations or victims' homes. Police urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited money requests.
dnronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Online scammers target people of all ages and backgrounds, not just seniors, with Americans losing $10 billion to fraud in 2023, according to Park View Federal Credit Union officials. Common scam tactics include creating false urgency, impersonating legitimate organizations (banks, the IRS, Norton Antivirus), and using AI to mimic voices in grandparent schemes, though one customer recovered $250 after scammers gained access to her account. Key defenses include pausing before clicking links, recognizing red flags like grammar errors and mismatched email addresses, and remembering that legitimate financial institutions will never request passwords or usernames.
thefintechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams have caused over $1.14 billion in losses, with victims losing an average of $2,000 each, and criminals are now using AI-generated deepfakes and synthetic identities to make these scams more convincing and personalized. Debbie Fox, a widow seeking companionship, was defrauded of $58,000 by a scammer using a fake identity who posed as a man named Russell and eventually requested money claiming to be in legal trouble. As generative AI becomes mainstream, fraudsters are increasingly exploiting the technology to automate romance scams, phishing attacks, and impersonation schemes, making them harder to
kingstonpolice.ca
· 2025-12-08
Kingston Police reported a significant increase in "grandparent" or "emergency" scams, with 15 reports received on February 11, 2025 alone. These scams target seniors by impersonating a grandchild in legal trouble and requesting $8,000-$9,000 in bail money via courier pickup, with scammers sometimes hiring legitimate courier companies unknowingly to transport the cash. Police emphasize that bail is never requested in cash and advise victims to verify caller identity through security questions, call back family members directly, and never send money to unknown persons.
wilmingtonbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article outlines common financial scams targeting seniors and the general public, including phishing, investment fraud, imposter scams (grandparent and IRS varieties), computer scams, romance scams, lottery schemes, charity fraud, and fake debt relief services. The article provides red flags and warning signs for each scam type, such as urgent requests, unsolicited offers, promises of guaranteed returns, and requests for upfront payments. Key protective measures include awareness of common scam tactics, verification of organizations before sharing information, and skepticism toward unsolicited offers or high-pressure requests.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly adults aged 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with scammers employing increasingly sophisticated tactics tailored to exploit seniors' wealth and vulnerabilities. The most common scams targeting seniors include romance scams (averaging $2,000 per victim), investment/cryptocurrency scams, gift card scams, texting scams, home improvement scams, and imposter scams, with scammers often using social media and high-pressure tactics to build trust before manipulating victims into sending money. Prevention strategies include staying connected with elderly loved ones, remaining skeptical of online connections, and being aware
kjzz.com
· 2025-12-08
Lehi Police Department officers interrupted an active Bitcoin ATM scam targeting senior citizens when they discovered a woman who had already deposited several thousand dollars with $15,000 remaining, and a second senior man preparing to deposit cash while both were on phone calls with fraudsters. Criminals typically convince elderly victims their bank accounts have been hacked or that family members have been arrested, instructing them to transfer funds via Bitcoin ATMs; the officers were able to seize the ATM through a search warrant and attempt recovery of the deposited cash.
lewistownnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Central Montana seniors face increasingly sophisticated scams at a rate of 5-10 reports weekly to the Council on Aging, with Montana experiencing disproportionately high fraud rates due to its elderly population (sixth-highest percentage age 65+ nationally) and rural vulnerabilities. Common scams include healthcare-related fraud, Medicare enrollment threats, grandparent impersonations using AI technology, fake donation solicitations, and mail-based schemes involving insurance lapses and fraudulent medical equipment billing to Medicare. The Council on Aging recommends seniors speak up about suspicious communications, verify caller identity through independent contact, and avoid providing personal information unsolicited.
fox17online.com
· 2025-12-08
An Ottawa County, Michigan man lost $23,000 to a tech support scam after a fraudulent Apple security alert appeared on his computer, instructing him to withdraw cash and convert it to Bitcoin. The scammer used shame tactics, falsely claiming the victim had authorized suspicious transactions involving gambling and illegal content, then instructed him to lie to his bank teller about the purpose of the withdrawal. Ottawa County Detective Joe Monger reports handling approximately 40 fraud cases, noting that common scams include romance, grandparent, and tech support schemes, with AI technology making scams harder to detect.
tribdem.com
· 2025-12-08
An 89-year-old grandmother in Windber, Pennsylvania lost $8,400 in a "grandparent scam" after receiving a call from someone posing as her grandson claiming he needed bail money for a car crash. Police report that seniors are being targeted with sophisticated grandparent scams at an increasing rate, and warn residents to verify caller identities, use call blocking, and contact family members or police if pressured for immediate payment.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
An 89-year-old Windber, Pennsylvania woman lost $8,400 in a "grandparent scam" after receiving a call from someone posing as her grandson claiming he needed bail money following a car crash. Windber Police Chief Andrew Frear warned that seniors are frequently targeted by sophisticated scammers impersonating relatives and legitimate organizations, and advised victims to hang up on callers using urgency tactics, verify requests with family members, and contact police rather than comply with demands.
monroenews.com
· 2025-12-08
Monroe Community Credit Union reports that fraud cases in Monroe County are doubling year-over-year, with criminals increasingly using artificial intelligence and spoofing tactics to target victims of all ages. The latest scams include AI-generated voice clones of loved ones, fake fraud alerts impersonating financial institutions, local number spoofing, and tech support scams, alongside traditional schemes like phishing, romance scams, and grandparent scams. The credit union advises residents to never share full Social Security numbers or online banking credentials with callers, verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling back using verified numbers, and scrutinize email addresses, URLs, and website security features before providing personal information.
local3news.com
· 2025-12-08
Elderly people aged 60 and older lost approximately $3.4 billion to scams in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with seniors targeted because they hold significant wealth and are susceptible to increasingly sophisticated fraud tactics. The most common scams affecting seniors include romance scams (averaging $2,000 per victim), investment/cryptocurrency scams, gift card scams, texting scams, home improvement scams, and imposter scams, which often involve refined variations of traditional schemes rather than entirely new tactics. Experts recommend staying connected with elderly loved ones and remaining vigilant about suspicious offers that create artificial time pressure or build false relationships, as scammers exploit lon
express.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams using AI-generated deepfake videos impersonating celebrities became the most reported scams in 2024, with criminals creating hyper-realistic videos and audio to trick victims into fraudulent relationships or investment schemes. A recent investigation by London's Proactive Economic Crime Team led to two arrests after victims handed over approximately £200,000, including one individual who lost £60,000, while a similar case involving a deepfake of Martin Lewis and Elon Musk defrauded a tradesman of £76,000. The technology has evolved faster than regulatory measures, making it increasingly difficult for the public to distinguish real from fabricated content, with deepfake attempts occurring every five
ukiahdailyjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly woman lost money to a romance scam in which an online suitor fabricated emergencies (car accident, medical bills) to request loans totaling over $1,000. The executive director of the Ukiah Senior Center describes this as part of a widespread trend of financial fraud targeting seniors, including romance scams, impersonation schemes (government officials, grandchildren), and lottery scams. The article advises victims to verify requests before sending money, watch for red flags in online relationships, and report suspected fraud to law enforcement or the Federal Trade Commission without shame.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Thirty New York organizations, including AARP, have signed a letter supporting Governor Hochul's proposal to allow banks to place holds on transactions suspected of involving elder financial exploitation. According to FBI data, elder fraud complaints increased 14% nationally in 2023 with associated losses up 11%, and New York ranks among the top five states for elder fraud complaints and monetary losses. An AARP survey found 88% of New Yorkers age 45 and older support the proposed measure to protect vulnerable seniors from scammers using sophisticated methods to target older adults.
moneywise.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans receive an average of two scam calls and three scam texts weekly, with reports showing $12.5 billion lost to cybercrime in 2023 alone. AI-powered scams are increasingly sophisticated, including AI-generated fake voice recordings and photos (particularly grandparent scams with fake mugshots), enhanced phishing emails with professional formatting, and counterfeit e-commerce websites using pressure tactics and chatbots to extract personal information. Protection strategies include verifying unexpected requests through independent contact, being skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true, and using security software that can detect suspicious websites and content.
abc7amarillo.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonated Randall County Sheriff's Office employees in two separate schemes: one demanding money from potential victims to avoid jury duty, and another targeting families of jail inmates by falsely claiming overcrowding required ankle monitor placement fees. The Randall County Sheriff's Office clarified that it never conducts financial transactions over the phone and urged the public to hang up on suspicious calls and verify directly with the agency.
dnronline.com
· 2025-12-08
Dayton Police Chief Justin Trout presented to community members about common elder scams, noting that Americans ages 60 and older lost $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023. Trout warned against multiple scam types including government impersonation (IRS scams, arrest threats), AI-generated fake messages, cryptocurrency payment requests, overpayment schemes, and phishing emails, emphasizing that money lost to most scams cannot be recovered. Key advice includes never paying money to avoid arrest, independently verifying company contact information, avoiding cryptocurrency transactions, and deleting suspicious emails without clicking links.
nugget.ca
· 2025-12-08
A 95-year-old North Bay woman nearly fell victim to a grandparent scam when scammers impersonated her son, falsely claiming he had been arrested for cocaine dealing and demanding $5,950 to keep him out of jail; the scammers even arranged a taxi to drive her to Scotiabank to withdraw the money. The bank teller's alertness prevented the loss when she questioned the elderly customer about the "emergency" withdrawal and contacted the son at work to verify the situation. This incident occurred amid a surge of grandparent scams targeting North Bay seniors, with several already losing thousands of dollars in recent days.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
The Marin County Sheriff's Office issued a warning about a surge in phone and internet scams targeting elderly residents, with scammers impersonating bank employees or law enforcement through fake pop-ups and bail scam calls. Common tactics include convincing victims to withdraw cash or purchase gold for collection, or claiming a loved one needs bail money. Authorities advise residents to contact financial institutions directly and verify suspicious claims with official sources rather than calling provided numbers.
globalnews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Kelowna, B.C. has experienced a spike in scams targeting seniors, with at least 14 reported incidents since January resulting in over $36,000 in losses, according to RCMP. The majority of scams involve the "Grandparent Scam," where perpetrators impersonate family members in distress and request immediate financial help, sometimes arranging in-person pickups by posing as couriers, police officers, or lawyers, while secondary scams involve phishing emails requesting computer repairs followed by extortion demands. Police urge seniors to avoid sharing personal information, never send cash to unknown individuals, and report all scam attempts to authorities.
quickcountry.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers in Minnesota and Iowa are targeting elderly residents with a "bail scam" where they claim a family member has been arrested and demand immediate payment to secure their release. The scam escalates by claiming a gag order prevents victims from telling anyone and requesting in-person payment, making the money impossible to recover. Law enforcement urges residents to inform elderly family members and report any such calls.
wevv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old woman in Danville, Kentucky lost her life savings of $179,000 to a combined federal impersonation and gold coin scam in January-February 2024. The scammer posed as the Social Security Administration and Inspector General's Office, threatening her with prison and fraud charges, then convinced her to meet in person at a Lexington bank where she exchanged cash for gold coins that were never returned. The victim became so distraught that she attempted suicide; her grandson is sharing the story to raise awareness and help the FBI investigation.
lex18.com
· 2025-12-08
A 74-year-old Kentucky woman lost $179,000 to a federal impersonation and gold coin scam in January 2024 after receiving fraudulent emails from scammers posing as the Social Security Administration and Inspector General's Office, threatening her with prison unless she paid money for investigation purposes. The scammer convinced her to purchase gold coins in person at a Lexington bank parking lot, after which he disappeared with her life savings; the traumatized victim attempted suicide but is now recovering, and her grandson is sharing their story to raise awareness and help prevent similar crimes.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old North Bay woman lost $300,000 to a romance scam after meeting a man named "Harry Burter" on a dating app who posed as a Los Altos resident traveling for work. The scammer used romantic language and fake identification documents to build trust before gradually requesting money for various work-related expenses, exploiting the victim's loneliness following her recent divorce. Experts note that dating app platforms need stronger safety measures and cross-platform information sharing to prevent fraudsters from using the same fake identities across multiple platforms.
local.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Fraud targeting older adults in Arizona and nationwide represents a significant crisis, with those 60 and over reporting $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, including $128 million in Arizona, according to FBI data. AARP volunteer Jerry Watterworth and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes are leading prevention efforts by educating seniors about evolving scams including romance frauds, Bitcoin schemes, identity theft, and tech-support scams, emphasizing that fraudsters continuously adapt their methods and prevention through awareness of red flags is key. The article stresses that because scammers exploit human nature—the desire to trust and connect—older residents must remain vigilant across all communication
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
This article highlights AARP Arizona's fraud prevention efforts in response to a significant crisis: people over 60 reported $3.4 billion in fraud losses nationwide in 2023, with $128 million in Arizona alone. The article details common scams targeting older Arizonans—including romance scams, Bitcoin/cryptocurrency schemes, identity theft, and tech-support fraud—and emphasizes that prevention through awareness of red flags (unsolicited contact, high-pressure tactics, requests for personal information) is essential, as scam methods continually evolve with changing technology.
grandforksherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Grand Forks Public Schools fell victim to a phishing scam in August when staff members transferred approximately $2.2 million to a fraudster posing as a construction vendor, resulting in a net loss of $842,730 after recovery efforts and insurance payments. The scam highlights the increasing prevalence of phishing and other online fraud schemes targeting both individuals and public entities, with the FBI reporting 298,878 phishing complaints in 2023 alone. The article emphasizes that phishing scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and persuasive, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds, and urges the public to exercise extreme caution with online transactions.
newsbreak.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Etienne Jackson, 39, of Menands, New York, was arrested on March 1, 2025, after attempting a "grandparent scam" targeting an elderly woman by calling and claiming her grandson needed $9,800 for bail. The victim contacted police instead of paying, and officers arrested Jackson without incident when he arrived at her home to collect the money. Jackson was charged with Attempted Grand Larceny 3rd Degree.
iomtoday.co.im
· 2025-12-08
Isle of Man residents lost £2.2 million to scams and fraud in 2024, with suspicious email reports surging 50.7% to 9,372 cases, according to the Cyber Security Centre's Annual Threat Update. Investment scams caused the most damage at £1,278,920 across 35 cases, while account compromise, bank fraud, gift card fraud, and fraudulent websites also affected residents through phishing attacks, credential theft, and impersonation schemes. The report highlights the need for stronger cybersecurity awareness, including password protection and verification of requests for personal information or financial transactions.
wnegradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service warns consumers about four types of imposter scams during National Consumer Protection Week (March 2–8, 2025): investment scams using "get rich quick" schemes, grandparent scams requesting urgent bail or medical fees, romance scams exploiting isolated individuals, and other fraudulent schemes that manipulate victims into sending money or revealing personal information. The agency recommends verifying information independently, being suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics and urgent requests, and contacting relatives directly before sending funds.
viconsortium.com
· 2025-12-08
During National Consumer Protection Week (March 2-8, 2025), the U.S. Postal Inspection Service warned of rising imposter scams in which fraudsters pose as trusted entities like family members, banks, or government agencies to manipulate victims into revealing personal information or sending money. The USPIS advises consumers to avoid responding to pressure tactics, verify contacts independently before sharing information, be cautious of grandparent and romance scams, ignore unsolicited USPS messages, and register with the National Do Not Call Registry. Suspected fraud can be reported to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455 or online at www.uspis
edmonton.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Edmonton residents lost over $48 million to fraud, with investment scams leading at $14.1 million, followed by romance scams at $1.7 million and employment fraud at $1.3 million. Police highlighted the emotional toll of these crimes, featuring the case of Heather Robicheau, who lost money to a year-long romance scam involving a fake cheque and false emergencies. During fraud prevention month, Edmonton Police and community partners urged residents to avoid sharing personal or financial information and to be skeptical of unsolicited requests for money, particularly those involving emotional manipulation or crisis scenarios.
edmontonjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Edmonton lost approximately $48.1 million to fraud in 2024, with investment scams being the largest category at $14.1 million, followed by romance, employment, and identity fraud scams. Edmonton Police Service launched Fraud Prevention Month to educate the public on common tactics used by increasingly sophisticated scammers, including phone spoofing, phishing, social engineering, grandparent scams, and person-in-authority scams that exploit psychological manipulation and urgency to steal money and personal information.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
The article outlines 11 common tax scams expected in 2025, including phishing emails, IRS impersonation phone calls, fake tax preparation services, social media fraud, and stimulus payment scams. Key protective measures include verifying sender authenticity before clicking links, never providing personal information to unsolicited callers, confirming tax preparers are IRS-registered, and remembering that legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or charge fees for assistance. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics targeting vulnerable taxpayers, making awareness and verification critical during tax-filing season.
vermontbiz.com
· 2025-12-08
On February 20, 2025, a federal grand jury indicted 25 Canadian nationals for operating a "Grandparent Scam" from call centers in Montreal that defrauded elderly victims in Vermont and 40+ other states between summer 2021 and June 2024. Scammers posed as arrested grandchildren or their attorneys, convincing elderly victims to provide bail money (totaling over $21 million) that was then laundered to Canada through cash deliveries and cryptocurrency; 23 defendants were arrested in Canada on March 4, 2025, while two remain at large.
wcax.com
· 2025-12-08
A cooperative U.S.-Canadian law enforcement effort resulted in the indictment of more than two dozen Quebec men accused of stealing over $21 million through "grandparent scams," in which they impersonated grandchildren in distress to manipulate seniors into sending money. Experts emphasize that scams targeting seniors have become increasingly sophisticated and difficult to combat across borders, and recommend that families establish code words to verify callers' identities and report suspicious contacts immediately to authorities. Vermont officials note that red flags include requests for urgent payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency, and encourage victims to report incidents without shame to help law enforcement understand the scope of fraud affecting their communities.
radio.wpsu.org
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadians, mostly based in Quebec, were charged with operating an elaborate "grandparent scam" that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans across 46 states of more than $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. The scheme involved call centers in the Montreal area using spoofed technology to impersonate relatives in distress, claiming bail money was needed, with victims often targeted multiple times and referred to as "whales" if they provided substantial funds. All 25 defendants face conspiracy to defraud charges carrying up to 20 years in prison, with five also charged with money laundering conspiracy.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal prosecutors charged more than two dozen Canadian nationals operating from Montreal call centers in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded over 300 elderly victims across 40+ U.S. states of more than $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. The scammers posed as grandchildren or lawyers claiming relatives needed bail money after accidents, used spoofed U.S. phone numbers, sent in-person "bail bondsmen" to collect cash, and sometimes targeted repeat victims ("whales") with inflated bail amounts, with proceeds laundered to Canada via cryptocurrency. Most of the 25 defendants arrested in Canada face up to 20 years in prison
shu.edu
· 2025-12-08
National Slam the Scam Day (March 6, 2025) is an awareness initiative by Social Security's Office of the Inspector General to combat government imposter scams, where fraudsters impersonate officials from trusted agencies like the SSA and IRS to steal money and personal information. The advisory highlights the "4 P's" of scams—pretend, problem, pressure, and payment demand—and emphasizes that legitimate government agencies never request payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfers, or other untraceable methods. Individuals are urged to stay alert, hang up on suspicious contacts, guard personal information, and report suspected fraud to the appropriate authorities.
wgme.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI voice-cloning technology to impersonate family members and loved ones in distress, with "grandparent scams" becoming more convincing and difficult to detect. According to the FTC, imposter scams were the most common fraud type in Maine last year, affecting more than 2,000 victims, and experts warn this number could rise as fraudsters refine their tactics. To protect themselves, consumers should verify unexpected calls by hanging up and calling back directly, establish family code words, not trust caller ID, and resist pressure tactics that create urgency.
rdnewsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
During Fraud Prevention Month, Julie Matthews, a Fraud Prevention Educator with the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association, emphasizes that anyone is vulnerable to scams regardless of age or background. She highlights that scammers deploy multiple fraud tactics—including shipping scams, grandparent scams, and investment scams—and recommends awareness and prevention strategies to protect against these threats.
boston.com
· 2025-12-08
Nearly two dozen Canadians were arrested Tuesday and charged in a "grandparent scam" conspiracy that defrauded elderly Americans in over 40 states of $21 million between 2021 and 2024. The perpetrators, operating from call centers near Montréal, called elderly victims claiming a grandchild had been arrested and needed bail money, with some posing as attorneys or bail bondsmen to collect funds that were then transferred to Canada via cash or cryptocurrency. The 25 charged individuals face up to 20-40 years in prison depending on their role in the scheme.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal prosecutors charged more than two dozen Canadian nationals in a "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly victims of over $21 million across more than 40 U.S. states between summer 2021 and June 2024. Scammers operating from Montreal call centers impersonated grandchildren claiming to need bail money after accidents or posed as attorneys, using spoofed U.S. phone numbers and sometimes extracting multiple payments from victims by claiming bail amounts had increased; money was laundered back to Canada through various methods including cryptocurrency. Twenty-three of the 25 defendants were arrested in Canada, with two remaining fugitives facing up to 40 years in prison
ice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadian nationals were charged in Vermont federal court for operating a multi-million dollar "grandparent scam" that defrauded elderly victims across more than 40 U.S. states of over $21 million between summer 2021 and June 2024. Perpetrators operating from call centers near Montreal posed as grandchildren claiming to need bail money for fabricated arrests or as attorneys representing them, convincing victims to provide cash that was collected in person and laundered through Canada using cryptocurrency. Canadian law enforcement arrested 23 of the defendants on March 4, 2024, following search warrants executed at the call centers where they were actively making calls to elderly victims.
npr.org
· 2025-12-08
Twenty-five Canadians, mostly based in Quebec, were charged with defrauding hundreds of American seniors out of more than $21 million through a "grandparent scam" that operated from call centers in the Montreal area beginning in summer 2021. The scammers used spoofed phone numbers and fake identities (posing as grandchildren in legal trouble and attorneys) to convince elderly victims across 46 states to send money via in-person pickups, mail, or cryptocurrency, with some victims targeted multiple times and referred to as "whales." The scheme continued until June 2024 when Canadian law enforcement executed search warrants at the call centers, leading to the arrests of
92moose.fm
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers in Maine are using artificial intelligence to clone voices and impersonate family members, with over 2,000 Maine residents falling victim to these AI-enabled scams in the past year according to the FTC. This evolved version of the "grandparent scam" uses voice spoofing to make fraudulent calls appear to come from relatives in distress asking for immediate money. Experts recommend verifying unexpected urgent requests by hanging up and calling back the person directly, as scammers rely on panic to succeed.