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in General Elder Fraud
mha.gov.sg
· 2025-12-08
Singapore's police force reported receiving some deepfake-related scam complaints in 2023, though the number was not high and cases were not being systematically tracked. The government addressed deepfake scam risks to elderly residents through its "SG Cyber Safe Seniors Programme" launched in 2021, which includes physical and online educational sessions, digital ambassador outreach, and multilingual handbooks designed to teach safe mobile application use and scam prevention tactics.
dailyrepublic.com
· 2025-12-08
Solano County launched an online Senior Fraud Prevention Center to address increasing scam reports targeting local seniors. The county's public education campaign recommends seniors verify government communications, watch for fake social media identities and sweetheart scams, scrutinize investment offers, avoid urgent account compromise notices without proof, monitor finances closely, and protect Power of Attorney documents. The center provides resources, reporting strategies, and contact information for regulatory agencies, law enforcement, and Adult Protective Services through SolanoCares.org.
cbs2iowa.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement in Cedar Rapids, Iowa is warning seniors about an evolving "grandparent scam" that uses AI to impersonate distressed relatives and manipulate victims into withdrawing large cash amounts, sometimes picked up by couriers posing as family members. Scammers use social media information and spoofed phone numbers or deepfake voices to create urgency and pressure victims to act quickly without verification. Police recommend establishing a family password system for emergencies, verifying unexpected requests by calling trusted contacts directly, and reporting suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article warns Gen Z that scammers target all age groups, not just seniors, with a particular focus on employment fraud. The article highlights two common remote work scams: shipping scams where victims unknowingly process stolen merchandise and face criminal liability, and equipment scams where victims deposit fraudulent checks and lose their own money purchasing non-existent job equipment. Gen Z is particularly vulnerable because they grew up with technology and are less skeptical of digital communications and remote work offers.
thepointsguy.com
· 2025-12-08
Advances in technology and social engineering are enabling sophisticated scams that cost consumers billions of dollars annually. Visa's 2024 Threats Report identifies four major scams on the rise, including pig butchering (romance) scams where fraudsters use AI and deepfake technology to build trust with victims over weeks or months before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms—affecting 10% of surveyed adults and resulting in billions in losses. The report notes that beyond financial victims, these scams often involve human trafficking victims forced to participate in the fraud operations.
calcoastnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Brett E. Lovett, a 53-year-old former insurance agent from Camarillo, was found guilty of 29 counts including embezzlement, fraud, elder abuse, and money laundering for defrauding at least nine seniors of approximately $1.2 million between 2011 and 2016. Lovett targeted victims he met at a Jehovah's Witnesses congregation and through his legal aid information business, then misappropriated their funds for personal expenses including cosmetic procedures, travel, and jewelry. He was scheduled for sentencing on May 9, 2024.
soyacincau.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old Malaysian civil servant nearly lost her life savings of RM150,000 to a phone scam in which fraudsters impersonated Maybank and government officials, instructing her to withdraw cash for alleged unauthorized transactions and mule account activities. A quick-thinking Maybank branch manager recognized the scam during the withdrawal and froze the victim's accounts, preventing the loss. The incident highlights the importance of bank staff vigilance and customer awareness of common scam tactics, particularly unsolicited calls requesting personal banking information or fund transfers to unknown accounts.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Two residents of south Delhi lost over Rs 60 lakh combined in separate investment scams. In the first case, a 48-year-old man lost Rs 43 lakh after being contacted by fraudsters impersonating a legitimate investment firm who promised up to 600% returns through stock trading via fake chat groups and educational materials over three months. In the second case, a 54-year-old lost Rs 15 lakh investing through a third-party app that promised to double his money, later discovering the scammers were operating from Pakistan using hawala channels.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An 87-year-old woman in Rochester, Minnesota lost $18,000 in a grandparent scam on February 22 when a caller impersonated her son, claimed to be in a car accident, and directed her to a fake attorney who demanded bail money. A man in a medical mask collected the cash from her home, and she only discovered the fraud after calling her actual son to verify. Police noted the in-person collection was unusual for phone scams, and without surveillance footage or a clear suspect description, identification was unlikely.
wflanews.iheart.com
· 2025-12-08
A 72-year-old Hialeah man was charged with exploiting his 95-year-old mother by gaining unauthorized access to her bank account and withdrawing approximately $57,000 between March and August 2024, leaving her facing eviction. The victim, a mentally sharp widow who had previously managed her finances independently, was persuaded by her son to grant him account access under the pretense of helping her. Diaz was charged with exploitation of an elderly person, grand theft, organized fraud, and misuse of a communication device, while authorities secured emergency housing for the victim.
upnorthlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Cheboygan County Sheriff's Office hosted an educational presentation for seniors to help them avoid financial scams, with Undersheriff Josh Ginop sharing recent local cases including a dating scam where a victim lost approximately $380,000 that was traced overseas. The presentation covered traditional scam methods (emails and phone calls) as well as newer techniques like cryptocurrency transfers, and attendee Mali Thomas shared her experience being nearly scammed into buying gift cards to reduce her phone bill until a clerk recognized the fraud. About half of the attendees reported having either fallen victim to a scam or prevented one using knowledge from similar educational events.
sfstandard.com
· 2025-12-08
On March 27 in San Francisco, 68-year-old Vickie Wong lost $50,000 in gold and over $1,000 in cash to a "blessing scam" perpetrated by three Cantonese-speaking women who convinced her she was cursed and needed a purification ceremony. The scammers switched Wong's valuables with another bag during the ritual; this incident is part of a pattern of such crimes targeting monolingual, superstitious older Chinese women in San Francisco's Chinese community, with over 60 recorded victims. Law enforcement has launched an education campaign, though the true number of victims may be higher due to underreporting, and some scamm
bemidjipioneer.com
· 2025-12-08
Lisa Lovering, a retired law enforcement officer with 31 years of experience in fraud investigation, will present an educational program on frauds and scams targeting seniors on April 9 at the Headwaters Center for Lifelong Learning in Park Rapids. Lovering now works as a senior financial exploitation investigator for the Minnesota Department of Commerce, collaborating with financial institutions and law enforcement to help older adults protect themselves from fraud.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2022, seniors aged 60 and older filed 88,262 fraud complaints resulting in $3.1 billion in losses, according to FBI data. Solano County responded to this spike by launching the Solano Senior Fraud Prevention Center (SolanoScamCenter.org) to educate residents and provide resources for fraud prevention and reporting, offering guidance on identifying government impersonation, social media scams, prize schemes, and urgent account compromise claims. The center provides contact information for filing reports with Adult Protective Services, law enforcement, and regulatory agencies to help victims respond and protect their finances.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Indian nationals are being targeted by human traffickers who lure them with fake high-paying job offers in Cambodia and other Southeast Asian countries, then coerce them into participating in online financial scams and forced labor. The Indian government has issued warnings urging job seekers to use only legitimate employment channels and thoroughly verify employer credentials, following recent arrests of key cybercrime syndicate members and incidents where victims were smuggled into forced cybercrime operations in Laos and Cambodia. Authorities recommend exercising caution with online job offers, researching companies through embassies, avoiding sharing personal information, and informing family of travel plans when seeking employment abroad.
muskogeephoenix.com
· 2025-12-08
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond warned consumers about rising Bitcoin ATM scams targeting elderly victims who are deceived into withdrawing bank funds and depositing them into unregulated virtual currency kiosks at retail locations. Scammers employ various tactics including fake bank failure warnings, romance schemes, investment advisor impersonation, and fake antivirus alerts to convince victims to convert their money to irreversible cryptocurrency transfers. The Attorney General advised Oklahomans never to pay anyone who requests advance payments in cryptocurrency, gift cards, or money transfers, and to contact relatives or the Oklahoma Attorney General's office if they suspect they have been victimized.
veronapress.com
· 2025-12-08
On March 28, Verona Police arrested 23-year-old Jiale Yang after receiving an anonymous tip that he would commit elder fraud that afternoon; Yang falsely identified himself as an IRS agent and obtained $30,000 in cash from the victim, who had been deceived by a pop-up claiming her computer had a virus and directed her to "Apple Support" where she was told her money was involved in criminal activity. The article also outlines five common types of elder fraud schemes: grandparent scams, government impersonation scams, phishing scams (which increased from 114,702 reports in 2019 to 298,878 in 2
wiltsglosstandard.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Five elderly residents in Gloucestershire fell victim to courier fraud on April 2 when scammers impersonated police officers, claiming unauthorized bank card purchases had been made and instructing victims to withdraw cash and buy Euros to hand over to a "police courier" as evidence. The fraudsters used fake names and called local numbers, targeting victims with an average age of 79 years old. Gloucestershire police urge residents to warn elderly friends and relatives about this scam and report suspicious calls to stopthinkfraud.
weareiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
This article warns about eclipse-related scams targeting travelers heading to the path of totality during the 2017 Great American Eclipse. Scammers are posting fake vacation rental listings on sites like Airbnb and Facebook Marketplace at inflated prices, and selling counterfeit eclipse glasses with forged safety certification seals. The Iowa Better Business Bureau advises consumers to book through legitimate websites with refund policies, pay by credit card rather than gift cards or Venmo, verify rental listings aren't duplicated across multiple communities, check seller credibility, and purchase eclipse glasses from trusted vendors or the American Astronomical Society's approved list.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
A senior citizen in Delhi lost approximately Rs 3.35 lakh after searching Google for Swiggy's customer care number and calling a fraudulent number, initially losing Rs 35,000 and then having his SIM cloned and credit card details stolen by scammers. His son, Nikhil Chawla, raised awareness on social media and contacted Delhi Police, while Swiggy clarified they offer only in-app chat support and urged customers to report such fraudulent numbers to cybercrime authorities. The incident highlights the vulnerability of elderly populations to tech-enabled scams involving impersonation of legitimate service providers.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A 65-year-old man in India lost over Rs 3 lakh after contacting a fake Swiggy customer service number found through a Google search to report an undelivered order; the scammers initially defrauded him of Rs 35,000, then exploited his attempt to recover the money by extracting his credit card details, cloning his SIM card, and gaining phone access to steal an additional amount. His son, an influencer, shared the incident on social media to raise awareness and sought assistance from Delhi Police, emphasizing the vulnerability of elderly, less tech-savvy individuals to such frauds. Swiggy clarified they do not operate an official customer care number
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Chukwunonso Umegbo, a former New Bedford man, was sentenced to 42 months in prison for wire fraud and money laundering related to romance scams between 2018 and 2019. Umegbo used fake identities to open bank accounts in the Boston area that received over $568,000 from romance scam victims, which he then withdrew as cash, converted to cashier's checks, or spent; he was arrested in London in 2022 and extradited to face charges in 2023. He was ordered to pay $578,954.78 in restitution and forfeiture.
longisland.com
· 2025-12-08
A 94-year-old man in Valley Stream was defrauded of $246,968 in September 2022 after receiving a phone call from someone posing as a Publishers Clearing House representative who claimed he had won a prize but needed to pay taxes first. The victim wrote multiple cashier checks before realizing the scam and contacting police; after an investigation spanning nearly two years, 27-year-old Jamario Smellie of Brooklyn was arrested in April 2024 and charged with Grand Larceny in the second degree.
capenews.net
· 2025-12-08
This educational article discusses aging in place and the rising threat of elder fraud, reporting that seniors age 60+ filed 88,262 fraud complaints in 2022 resulting in $3.1 billion in losses—an 82% increase from 2021. Scammers target older adults due to accumulated savings, daytime availability, lower tech literacy, and potential cognitive vulnerabilities, with the five most common scams being government imposter schemes (Medicare, IRS, Social Security), sweepstakes/lottery fraud, phishing/vishing/smishing, tech support scams, and grandparent scams. The article emphasizes that seniors may underreport scams due to fears
earlytimes.in
· 2025-12-08
This report documents major corruption scandals in Jammu and Kashmir since 2021, with 70 percent of cases registered in Kashmir. Notable scams include the Roshni Scheme involving Rs 25,000 crore and 25 lakh kanals of land (with 11 FIRs filed against prominent figures including a former Chief Minister), a fake gun license distribution scheme involving four lakh licenses, a Rs 700 crore J&K Bank misappropriation case, and recruitment fraud affecting over 2,000 Sub Inspectors and JE civil positions. The CBI has increased anti-corruption efforts substantially, registering more than 40
lbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Times journalist and a Conservative MP were targeted in a Westminster honeytrap scam involving fake identities ("Charlie" and "Abi") who posed as acquaintances and sent sexually explicit messages in attempts to gather compromising material. MP William Wragg admitted to sharing colleagues' personal phone numbers after being contacted on Grindr, while journalist Harry Yorke recognized the spear-phishing attempt and did not engage, only understanding it was a scam after POLITICO's reporting. Leicestershire police are investigating the incident, which exposed vulnerabilities in how British political figures can be targeted for cyberattacks and potential blackmail.
countryherald.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Chesterton resident was targeted in a cash-by-mail scam that nearly cost him $20,000 in March. Police Corporal Alexis DeJesus and a UPS store owner collaboratively intercepted the package and prevented the funds from reaching the scammer. The Chesterton Police Department is now conducting community awareness campaigns to educate residents about similar scams and the importance of reporting suspicious financial requests.
startribune.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission warns that fraud losses exceeded $10 billion in 2023, with common scams targeting older adults including investment, grandparent, romance, tech-support, tax, and business impersonation schemes. The article emphasizes that anyone can fall victim to sophisticated fraud and recommends slowing down and resisting pressure to act immediately as a key protective measure against scammers.
fool.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article identifies five common Medicare scams targeting seniors: unsolicited contact from fake Medicare representatives, false claims that Medicare plans have been canceled, offers of free products or services not covered by Medicare, requests to replace or activate Medicare cards, and pressure to switch to alternative plans during enrollment periods. The article advises seniors to verify information independently through Medicare.gov, never respond to unsolicited contact, protect personal information like Medicare and Social Security numbers, and call Medicare directly with questions rather than trusting solicitors.
news5cleveland.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Cleveland woman fell victim to a tech support scam after clicking on a fake news story that triggered pop-ups impersonating Microsoft, resulting in an initial $200 loss and subsequent threatening calls demanding $6,800. The scammers gained remote access to her computer and obtained her driver's license and credit card information before she realized the fraud. Federal Trade Commission officials advise that legitimate companies never request personal or financial information unsolicited, and recommend deleting suspicious pop-ups, hanging up on scam calls, and restarting devices; the FTC recently secured a $26 million settlement against tech support scammers.
theolivepress.es
· 2025-12-08
Spanish police dismantled a criminal gang operating in Malaga province that defrauded 155 British expats out of approximately €1.8 million through fake timeshare and leisure club schemes. Seven suspects were arrested and €2.5 million was frozen in bank accounts, with the investigation revealing a sophisticated network of companies spanning the UK, Spain, and tax havens; the gang even created a fake legal claims service to further exploit victims seeking refunds.
edgemedianetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior UK Conservative lawmaker William Wragg admitted to a sexting scam in which he was tricked into sharing colleagues' phone numbers after sending intimate pictures to someone he met on a gay dating app (Grindr). The scammer used the compromising material as blackmail to extort the personal information, with authorities describing the scheme as "spear phishing"—a targeted cyber-attack designed to steal sensitive information from specific groups. Officials urged affected lawmakers to report to police, with Leicestershire Police confirming an investigation into the malicious communications.
thestar.com
· 2025-12-08
British Conservative MP William Wragg admitted to handing over colleagues' personal phone numbers to an unknown man he met on the gay dating app Grindr after being manipulated with intimate photos the man possessed, in what authorities describe as a "spear phishing" sexting scam targeting lawmakers. Multiple current and former parliamentarians were contacted via WhatsApp with compromising information, and police urged those affected to report the incidents immediately. Leicestershire Police confirmed they are investigating reports of malicious communications related to the scam.
ny1.com
· 2025-12-08
William Wragg, a senior British Conservative lawmaker, admitted to disclosing colleagues' phone numbers to an unknown man he met on a gay dating app after being blackmailed with intimate pictures he had sent. The incident is part of a broader "spear phishing" sexting scam targeting parliamentarians, where scammers pose as romantic interests to extract compromising material and sensitive information, with police urging affected lawmakers to report the crimes.
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
Mumbai Police released guidelines addressing a surge in online investment fraud schemes targeting residents through social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, where fraudsters pose as trading "experts" and lure victims into fake stock and IPO investment classes via video apps, ultimately freezing their funds and demanding additional payments to release them. Over the past year, police recovered Rs. 8.3 crores from victims and arrested multiple individuals involved in these schemes, with cases continuing to rise. Citizens are advised to verify investment platforms independently, avoid downloading unauthorized applications, refrain from sharing financial information online, and report suspicious activity to Mumbai Police at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.
nola.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP highlights that fraud schemes targeting older Americans persist in the digital age, with scammers continually developing new tactics to impersonate legitimate entities and access personal financial information. The organization provides comprehensive protective measures including securing sensitive documents, monitoring credit reports, using strong passwords, and verifying businesses before sharing personal information. In 2023 alone, Louisiana residents lost nearly $47 million to fraud with identity theft being the most common type, reflecting a broader national problem where known fraud losses reached between $10-43 billion.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A businessman from Mumbai was defrauded of approximately Rs 3 lakhs after receiving a fake text message directing him to download a malicious app ("vahanpalivahann.apk") to pay pending e-challan traffic fines. The scam works by tricking drivers into installing fake e-challan apps via SMS or WhatsApp links, which grants scammers access to their bank account information and enables fraudulent transactions. Security experts advise against downloading APK files from third-party sources and recommend using apps from official app stores and paid antivirus software for protection.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old San Francisco woman lost $50,000 in gold and over $1,000 in cash to a "blessing scam" in which three Cantonese-speaking women approached her on the street, convinced her she was cursed, and swapped her valuables bag with one containing water bottles and baby wipes during a fake ceremony. The scam, which targeted vulnerable elderly Chinese immigrants in the Sunset District, is part of an increasing pattern of fraud in Chinese-American communities perpetrated by scammers with visas who exploit monolingual and superstitious victims; the case remains under investigation and city officials are working to increase community awareness through forums and increased police presence
news4sanantonio.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly homeowner in Luling, Texas received an unsolicited package of precious metals worth approximately $100,000 after being contacted by a scammer posing as customer support; police intervention prevented the fraudster from collecting the package and led to the arrest of California resident Shalin Amin on money laundering charges. The scam targeted the victim by creating urgency and manipulating them into accepting a shipment they never requested. Authorities recommend avoiding unsolicited precious metals purchases, safeguarding personal information, and reporting suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center or the Elder Justice Hotline.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not suitable for the Elderus database as it does not concern elder fraud, scams targeting seniors, or elder abuse. The content focuses on political accusations and corruption allegations made during an election rally, along with a brief mention of a scholarship scam investigation. Neither topic relates to the exploitation or abuse of elderly individuals.
dailypioneer.com
· 2025-12-08
This article does not contain information relevant to the Elderus elder fraud database. It is a political speech by BJP president JP Nadda criticizing opposition parties and their leaders for various alleged financial scams and corruption, delivered at an election rally. The content focuses on political campaign rhetoric and allegations of governmental corruption rather than elder fraud, elder abuse, or scams targeting seniors.
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational podcast series covering consumer protection topics rather than a specific fraud or elder abuse incident. Key episodes address red flags in standard contracts, risks associated with rewards credit cards that can lead to debt, vehicle recalls affecting safety, and credit denial trends affecting consumers. The podcast provides advice on identifying problematic contract clauses, understanding credit card pitfalls, and navigating consumer financial decisions.
m.economictimes.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not about elder fraud or elder abuse and therefore is not suitable for the Elderus database. It is a political speech by BJP president JP Nadda attacking opposition parties and leaders on corruption charges during an election rally in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh. The content focuses on political accusations and campaign messaging rather than scams affecting elderly individuals.
mychesco.com
· 2025-12-08
AARP Pennsylvania is launching an educational campaign to combat Social Security fraud, which affected approximately 360,000 people through impersonation scams in 2021. The organization recommends protective measures including robocall-blocking applications, online account monitoring, and reporting suspicious activities to authorities, emphasizing that genuine unsolicited Social Security Administration contact is extremely rare. Victims of these scams face risks including identity theft, financial loss, and long-term challenges accessing credit and services.
ilmattino.it
· 2025-12-08
An Italian man in his forties from Naples was arrested by Carabinieri in Trento after defrauding an elderly woman using the classic "grandchild in accident" scam, in which he impersonated a marshal and convinced her to hand over over €30,000 in cash and gold jewelry by claiming her granddaughter needed bail money. Police conducting undercover surveillance of the area intercepted the suspect in a taxi with approximately €40,000 in cash and jewelry, and all stolen items were recovered and returned to the victim.
legalinsurrection.com
· 2025-12-08
Mexican drug cartel CJNG operates a sophisticated timeshare fraud scheme that defrauded Americans of approximately $40 million in 2022, with some estimates suggesting hundreds of millions annually, targeting elderly U.S. citizens and draining many of their life savings. The scam, which originated in Puerto Vallarta and expanded to tourist destinations like Cancun, involves fake escrow companies, shell corporations, and fraudulent sales pitches convincing victims to pay upfront fees under the guise of Mexican business practices, with documented cases of individual losses exceeding $1 million. The U.S. Treasury has sanctioned 40 Mexican companies and seven fugitives connected to the scheme
inews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Cyber crime expert Jake Moore discusses rising online fraud threats in the UK, where online fraud doubled in 2023 to cost £2.3 billion, with romance scams and identity theft among the fastest-growing categories affecting 1.4 million people. Moore advises individuals on essential security practices including using encrypted messaging apps like WhatsApp or Signal instead of SMS texts, keeping software and apps updated automatically to patch vulnerabilities, and being cautious about downloading apps like TikTok that pose data privacy risks. He emphasizes that consistent application of basic cybersecurity habits is the most effective defense against increasingly sophisticated scams and hacking attempts.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Remote access scams initiated by phone, text, email, or social media cost Australians $15 million in 2023, with nearly half of 8,975 reported cases beginning via phone calls impersonating banks or service providers. Scammers use increasingly sophisticated tactics—including spoofed numbers, fake social media profiles, and urgent requests for personal information or device access—to install malware, steal data, or make unauthorized purchases. Protection requires verification through official channels, refusing unsolicited requests, and immediately contacting your bank and reporting to Scamwatch if compromised.
grandrapidsmn.com
· 2025-12-08
The Senior LinkAge Line® offered two educational classes on May 8, 2024, teaching older adults how to detect, prevent, and report healthcare fraud, waste, and abuse. Participants learned to identify potential Medicare scams, protect their beneficiary numbers, and review suspicious Medicare paperwork through online instruction via Microsoft Teams.
newschannel20.com
· 2025-12-08
The Champaign County Sheriff's Office is launching a senior education initiative in partnership with Edward Jones to address rising fraud, reporting over 200 fraud cases annually in the county alone. The office warns of evolving scams including phone impersonation schemes claiming to be law enforcement demanding payment to avoid arrest, and advises seniors to hang up and independently verify caller identity. A free educational conference addressing phone scams, online fraud, and personal relationship-based scams is scheduled for April 23rd.