Search
Explore the Archive
Search across 19,276 articles about elder fraud. Filter by fraud type, payment mechanism, or keywords.
2,459 results
in Crypto Investment Scam
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
Philippine authorities arrested 99 individuals (64 foreign nationals and 35 Filipinos) during an August 22 raid on a Chinese-run scam center in Manila that was operating cryptocurrency investment and romance scams. The operation deceived victims by using fake wealthy model personas to lure them into fraudulent trading platforms, with some arrested workers claiming coercion. The raid reflects intensified government crackdowns on unlicensed crypto services and online gaming operators following regulatory efforts announced by the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.
columbuscountynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal investigators in North Carolina seized approximately $5 million in cryptocurrency tied to a "pig butchering" scam, in which criminals pose as romantic partners to build trust with victims before directing them to fake cryptocurrency trading platforms. The scammers promised high investment returns on these fraudulent platforms, then prevented victims from withdrawing funds and demanded additional payments for supposed taxes and penalties. The FBI traced victim funds through multiple cryptocurrency wallets used to launder the proceeds, with one victim losing an entire individual retirement account to the scheme.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
McDonald's official Instagram account was hacked, and scammers used it to promote a fake cryptocurrency giveaway that directed thousands of victims to a phishing website, stealing personal information and cryptocurrency wallet credentials and netting $700,000 in Solana tokens in what became known as a "rug pull" scam. McDonald's confirmed the incident, apologized for offensive language posted during the hack, and stated the issue had been resolved. The scam demonstrates how compromised high-profile social media accounts can be weaponized to conduct large-scale fraud by exploiting users' trust in official brand accounts.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
McDonald's official Instagram account was hacked in August 2024, resulting in a cryptocurrency scam that defrauded users of approximately $700,000 (Rs 5.8 crore). Hackers posted a fake giveaway promoting free cryptocurrency and directed users to a phishing website designed to steal personal information and wallet credentials; the scammers later bragged about the "rug pull" before McDonald's deleted the post and resolved the breach. The incident highlights the risks of cryptocurrency giveaway scams and underscores the importance of verifying the authenticity of digital currency offers before sharing financial information.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
An 83-year-old Maryland woman named Mae fell victim to tech support fraud when she clicked a malicious link claiming to be from Apple, leading scammers posing as tech support and bank fraud personnel to convince her to purchase gift cards totaling thousands of dollars over a 10-hour period. The case illustrates a larger problem: an estimated $8 billion is stolen annually from seniors age 60 and older through stranger fraud, with gift cards increasingly becoming the preferred payment method for scammers because they lack consumer protections afforded to credit and debit cards and are easily converted to untraceable purchases or resold on dark web marketplaces. The investigation reveals that federal regulators have consistently
helpnetsecurity.com
· 2025-12-08
In the first half of 2024, Hiya detected nearly 20 billion suspected spam calls globally, with spam flag rates exceeding 20% of unknown calls in 25 of 42 countries, alongside a significant rise in AI deepfake voice-cloning scams—including a January robocall impersonating Joe Biden in New Hampshire. Medicare, health insurance, and tax scams dominated in the United States, while France and Spain experienced the highest European spam rates (53% and 51% respectively), Brazil received the most spam calls per capita (26 monthly), and Canada and the UK saw surges in Amazon and tax authority impersonation scams. Researchers anticipate voice
dfpi.ca.gov
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams have surged 900 percent since the pandemic began, with over 46,000 Americans losing more than $1 billion to crypto fraud in 2021 alone. Common scams include phishing attacks, Ponzi schemes, fake ICOs, and fraudulent exchanges that exploit crypto's decentralized and hard-to-trace nature. Consumers should exercise caution by only investing what they can afford to lose, verifying information through credible sources, using secure storage methods, and consulting state and federal watchdog organizations like California's Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI).
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Kansas bank CEO Shan Hanes was sentenced to 24 years in prison for embezzling $47.1 million through wire transfers to cryptocurrency wallets as part of a "pig butchering" scam in which he was the victim-turned-perpetrator. His actions directly caused Heartland Tri-State Bank to collapse, resulting in $9 million in losses to investors, with the FDIC absorbing the remaining $47.1 million. Hanes circumvented internal banking controls with the help of employees to facilitate the fraudulent transfers between May and June 2023.
blockonomi.com
· 2025-12-08
On August 22, 2024, Philippine authorities arrested 99 people (67 foreign nationals and 32 Filipinos) in a raid on AIA Company, an unregistered cryptocurrency scam hub in Parañaque City that operated romance scams and fake investment schemes. Customer service representatives were coerced into posing as wealthy models to lure victims into investing in manipulated cryptocurrency platforms, with some employees forced into additional exploitative activities. Authorities seized electronic devices and are preparing charges under cybercrime and securities regulations laws.
ibtimes.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Shan Hanes, CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to over 24 years in prison for embezzling $47 million after falling victim to a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam. Over eight weeks in 2022, Hanes transferred stolen funds from the bank, a local church, an investment club, and his daughter's college savings to cryptocurrency wallets controlled by scammers, ultimately losing all the money and causing the bank's collapse and FDIC takeover. The scheme devastated shareholders and community members, with victims losing 70-80 percent of their retirement savings and facing severe financial hardship.
1011now.com
· 2025-12-08
A 68-year-old woman in Lancaster County lost $7,000 after receiving a pop-up window on her computer warning of suspicious banking activity; she was directed to withdraw the money and convert it to Bitcoin, a common fraud tactic. In a separate incident, a man was targeted in an attempted sextortion scam via a dating app and Snapchat, where a woman threatened to share explicit photos unless he paid $2,000, though he avoided losing money by hanging up. The Lancaster County Sheriff's Office warns residents that anyone instructed to purchase Bitcoin by phone should hang up immediately, as these scams affect people of all ages.
theverge.com
· 2025-12-08
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, was sentenced to 24 years in prison after embezzling $47.1 million from the bank and routing it to cryptocurrency accounts controlled by pig butchering scammers. Between May and June 2023, Hanes made 11 wire transfers using stolen bank funds while also embezzling from a local church, investment club, and his daughter's college savings account, ultimately causing the bank to collapse. Pig butchering scams, which lure victims into fake cryptocurrency investments through relationship-building on messaging apps and social media, have cost victims over $75 billion globally in recent years
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Shan Hanes, former CEO of Heartland Tri-State Bank, fell victim to a pig-butchering cryptocurrency scam and subsequently embezzled $47 million from the bank to fund fraudulent "investments," resulting in the bank's collapse and his conviction on embezzlement charges. Before stealing from the bank, Hanes had already victimized a local church, investor club, his daughter's college fund, and a neighbor in attempts to feed the scam. He received a 24-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to embezzlement.
androidauthority.com
· 2025-12-08
Phone scams are increasingly sophisticated and cost US consumers $2.7 billion in reported losses in 2023 alone, with numbers rising annually. The article identifies 12 common phone and text scams including the "loved one in need" (grandparent scam), government impersonation (FBI/IRS), and other fraudulent schemes that exploit emotional pressure and official-sounding tactics. Key prevention strategies include verifying caller identity through alternative contact methods, refusing to send money to unknown callers, and being skeptical of urgent payment demands, especially via wire transfers or gift cards.
abc7news.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI launched a new public awareness campaign called "Take a Beat" to educate the public about major fraud schemes, including impersonation scams (posing as banks or law enforcement), cryptocurrency investment fraud, grandparent scams using AI voice cloning, and recovery scams targeting previous fraud victims. One Bay Area victim lost $950 to a scammer impersonating a Citibank employee, illustrating how fraudsters exploit emotional urgency and personal information to manipulate victims into sending money or revealing passwords.
livebitcoinnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Tether, the issuer of the largest stablecoin USDT, assisted the US Department of Justice in recovering approximately $5 million stolen in a romance (pig-butchering) scam, where victims were deceived into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. Since 2014, Tether has recovered $108.8 million in stolen USDT across more than 145 enforcement agencies in 40 jurisdictions by tracking and blocking wallets associated with illicit activity.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
Tether, a stablecoin issuer, has assisted over 145 law enforcement agencies in recovering more than $108.8 million in USDT linked to illegal activities since 2014, including a recent $5 million seizure from "pig-butchering" romance scammers who deceived victims by posing as romantic interests. The company has voluntarily blocked over 1,900 wallets connected to illicit activity and collaborated with the DOJ, FBI, and US Secret Service on investigations, with romance scams showing an 85-fold increase since 2020.
9now.nine.com.au
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" is a sophisticated romance scam operating from compounds on the Myanmar-Thailand border, where trafficked workers—held captive and beaten by Chinese organized crime gangs—use AI-generated avatars and psychological manipulation scripts to build romantic relationships with victims on dating apps, then convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms. The scams have become so prevalent and profitable that they rival the drug trade; Australian victim Sarah lost $100,000 after months of grooming, and law enforcement officials warn this criminal enterprise poses an unprecedented global threat to vulnerable populations worldwide.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Hannah, a woman in her 70s, lost $300,000 in a cryptocurrency scam and nearly lost another $25,000 to a recovery scam perpetrated by the same fraudster posing as an investigator named "David." She avoided disclosing the losses to her family out of fear of losing independence, becoming increasingly isolated until a bank teller identified the second scam attempt. The case illustrates how older adults are vulnerable to follow-on scams exploiting emotional isolation, with people aged 55+ accounting for 47.6% of reported scam losses in the first half of 2024.
media.anz.com
· 2025-12-08
ANZ reported a 49% reduction in customer scam losses between October 2023 and June 2024, preventing over $100 million in funds from reaching cybercriminals, while implementing multiple protective measures including AI-based scam detection, cryptocurrency payment restrictions, and enhanced customer education. The bank identified online platforms as the most common scam source (45% of reports), followed by telephone/SMS and email, and emphasized that community awareness and victim willingness to share experiences are critical to combating increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
lowyat.net
· 2025-12-08
Former Heartland Tri-State Bank CEO Shan Hanes was sentenced to 24 years in prison for illegally wiring $47.1 million from the bank in a "pig butchering" cryptocurrency scam, ultimately causing the bank's collapse. The scheme harmed multiple victims including church funds, investment clubs, and children's college savings, resulting in $9 million in losses for bank investors and forcing the FDIC to absorb the $47 million loss. Hanes faces an additional 28 charges in North Dakota with a potential 86-month sentence scheduled for trial in October.
abc7.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using fake QR codes placed over legitimate parking meter codes to redirect drivers to fraudulent payment websites that steal credit card and personal information. In San Clemente and Redondo Beach, California, victims entered their payment details on fake sites mimicking legitimate parking apps, resulting in unauthorized charges detected within minutes. The FTC warns consumers to verify QR code destinations for misspellings, as fake codes can also install malware or direct users to phishing sites designed to harvest personal data.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Brookdale Senior Living released educational guidance on protecting seniors from fraud, noting that crimes against seniors totaled over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 100,000 complaints filed by people over 60—an 11% increase from the previous year. The article identifies common scam types including tech support scams, romance scams, investment schemes, and non-payment fraud, advising seniors to recognize red flags such as urgent demands for payment, requests for wire transfers or cryptocurrency, and threats from authorities. Resources provided include awareness information at Brookdale.com and the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) for reporting suspecte
multivu.com
· 2025-12-08
Crimes against seniors resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with more than 100,000 complaints filed by people over 60—an 11% increase from the previous year, according to FBI data. Common senior scams employ tactics such as demanding urgent payment, requesting non-conventional payment methods (wire transfers, cryptocurrency, gift cards), or threatening to contact authorities. Red flags include unsolicited emails, calls, or texts using pressure tactics, and victims or their families can report suspected fraud to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
coindesk.com
· 2025-12-08
Australians lost AUD$180 million (USD$122 million) in cryptocurrency investment scams over 12 months, representing 47% of the AUD$382 million lost to investment scams in the 2023-24 financial year. Contrary to assumptions that only older people are targeted, 60% of scam reports came from people under 50 years old, with scammers using pressure tactics, pig butchering schemes, and deepfake technology to deceive victims into making poor investment decisions.
miragenews.com
· 2025-12-08
This awareness piece highlights sophisticated investment scams targeting Australians, particularly "pig butchering" schemes where scammers build trust over weeks or months before soliciting cryptocurrency investments. A Queensland victim lost approximately $244,000 AUD after being befriended on Facebook by a scammer who gradually encouraged increasingly larger investments in cryptocurrency, promising substantial returns; when the victim attempted to withdraw funds, the scammer blocked all contact. Recent data from the AFP-led Joint Policing Cybercrime Coordination Centre shows Australians lost at least $180 million to cryptocurrency investment scams in 12 months, with nearly half of all investment scam losses involving cryptocurrency and victims now more likely
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Investment and cryptocurrency scams pose the highest fraud risk for seniors aged 65 and older, with romance scams ranking as the second most prevalent threat. Senior citizens are increasingly falling victim to scams, according to Better Business Bureau experts who emphasize the need for targeted prevention awareness among this vulnerable population.
2news.com
· 2025-12-08
Washoe County partnered with the Better Business Bureau to educate seniors about common scams, as fraud targeting this population is increasing. Imposter scams (posing as Social Security, revenue agencies, or retailers like Amazon) are most frequently reported, while investment, cryptocurrency, and romance scams pose the highest financial risk to those 65 and older; scammers often use phone calls rather than online methods, exploiting seniors' likelihood of answering calls. The BBB emphasizes that reporting scams—even those without financial loss—is critical since only about 5% of victims report fraud, and encouraging community reporting helps prevent others from becoming victims.
nst.com.my
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate your request, but I'm unable to provide a summary because the text you've shared appears to be only a website navigation menu and header structure from the New Straits Times website, not an actual article about fraud or elder abuse.
To create a summary for the Elderus database, please provide:
- The actual article content or transcript
- Information about what scam, fraud, or elder abuse case is being described
Once you share the full article text, I'll be happy to deliver a concise 2-3 sentence summary focused on the key details relevant to elder fraud research.
coindesk.com
· 2025-12-08
Chainalysis reports that crypto scams remain the dominant form of crypto crime in 2024, with "pig butchering" scams—where fraudsters build trust through romantic contact before stealing cryptocurrency investments—posing particular danger to crypto wallet holders. The report identifies Huione Guarantee, a Cambodian online marketplace that has processed $49 billion in crypto transactions since 2021, as a key off-ramp used by scammers to convert stolen digital assets into usable funds, as traditional exchanges have strengthened their compliance measures.
decrypt.co
· 2025-12-08
This content does not contain a suitable article for summarization. The post is a brief social media announcement from Chainalysis about a cryptocurrency crime update, followed by an unrelated list of cryptocurrency prices. To provide an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please share the actual mid-year crypto crime update report or article that discusses scam trends, CSAM-related activity, and the Huione Guarantee marketplace.
ag.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned New Yorkers about deepfake investment scams using AI-manipulated videos of celebrities like Elon Musk and Warren Buffett to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes on social media and messaging apps. Scammers move victims to private encrypted platforms, encourage initial investments on fake websites showing gains, then demand additional fees or taxes before cutting contact, with victims sometimes losing hundreds of thousands of dollars. The alert provides red flags including guaranteed return promises, urgency tactics, celebrity endorsements, and requests to move conversations to encrypted messaging, and recommends victims verify investment professional credentials through FINRA's BrokerCheck and report suspected scams to law enforcement.
cyberscoop.com
· 2025-12-08
Chainalysis reports that online scam cycles have accelerated dramatically, with average scam duration shrinking from 271 days in 2020 to just 42 days in 2024, as cybercriminals shift toward shorter, more targeted campaigns using disposable infrastructure. Forty-three percent of tracked blockchain scam revenues went to newly created wallets, indicating a surge in fresh campaigns, with criminals increasingly employing "pig butchering" tactics—building trust with victims before requesting large sums—rather than broad, long-term schemes. This evolution reflects criminals' adaptation to improved detection methods and represents a more profitable, lower-risk strategy for laundering stolen cryptocurrency and evading law enforcement
fingerlakesdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued an alert warning about deepfake investment scams using AI-manipulated videos of celebrities like Elon Musk and Warren Buffett to promote fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes on social media platforms. Scammers use these convincing fake videos to lure victims into sending money to fraudulent platforms, often moving conversations to encrypted apps and progressively requesting larger investments before cutting off contact and preventing withdrawals. The AG recommends verifying investment opportunities independently, watching for red flags like guaranteed returns and urgency tactics, and reporting suspicious content to law enforcement and social media platforms.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
College students ages 18-24 reported the highest median losses to scams in 2023 for the second consecutive year, according to the Better Business Bureau's 2023 Scam Tracker Risk Report. The most common scams targeting this demographic include employment scams (offering remote work with high pay to collect personal information), online purchase fraud (items never delivered or counterfeit), and investment/cryptocurrency scams (median loss of $3,800), which the BBB warns are now the riskiest. The BBB advises students to scrutinize messages for red flags like poor grammar, misspellings, suspicious job offers requesting sensitive data, and investment opportunities that seem too good to
komando.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans over age 60 lost $3.4 billion to fraud schemes in 2023, an 11% increase from the previous year, with tech support scams being the most commonly reported type and investment scams causing the highest losses at $1.2 billion. Seniors are targeted because they typically have larger nest eggs and assets, and roughly 68% of elder fraud cases begin with personal information leaked online, with underreporting being a significant issue as many victims do not report incidents due to shame or uncertainty about how to report. Common scam types affecting seniors include tech support fraud, romance scams, government impersonation schemes, and data breaches, with warning signs including unsolicited contact
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Bitcoin ATM Fraud Surge Targeting Seniors**
Reported losses from Bitcoin ATM scams rose nearly tenfold since 2020, totaling over $110 million in 2023, with consumers over 60 being more than three times as likely as younger adults to fall victim. Scammers impersonate customer service representatives, government officials, or tech company employees, directing victims to scan QR codes and deposit cash into Bitcoin ATMs that converts their money to cryptocurrency immediately transferred to fraudsters. One 76-year-old Indiana woman lost $31,500 after receiving a fake security alert, highlighting how scammers exploit urgency and confusion about
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
"Pig butchering" cryptocurrency scams—which combine romance fraud with fake investment schemes—surged in 2024, with fraudsters using dating apps and social media to build trust before directing victims to bogus platforms and extracting escalating payments. The U.S. recorded $4.57 billion in investment fraud losses in the prior year, with victims often accumulating significant debt and struggling to recover funds once scammers disappear. This shift from traditional Ponzi schemes to more targeted cons reflects increased law enforcement pressure and reflects a broader trend affecting Americans alongside victims in China and Southeast Asia.
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird raised awareness about rising romance scams targeting state residents, highlighting a case where an Iowa woman lost over $10,000 to a Facebook scammer who fabricated a story about needing money for travel documentation from Turkey. The scammer built trust through shared interests before exploiting the victim's goodwill with repeated requests for money via Bitcoin ATM, with little prospect of recovery. Bird advises Iowans to avoid sending money to online contacts, sharing personal information, or responding to unsolicited communications.
golaurens.com
· 2025-12-08
**QR Code Fraud Schemes**
Scammers are increasingly exploiting QR codes through multiple fraud methods including fake parking meter payments (where victims pay via QR code but still receive tickets or towing), romance scams involving cryptocurrency wallet transfers (victims lose thousands after months of relationship-building), phishing schemes that direct users to malicious websites or malware, and impersonation scams mimicking utilities or government agencies to demand immediate payment. Most QR code fraud victims encounter the codes through unsolicited communications or in public locations, and the difficulty in verifying a code's destination before scanning makes it an effective tool for fraudsters.
cbs6albany.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning about deepfake investment scams using AI-manipulated videos of celebrities like Elon Musk and Warren Buffet to fraudulently solicit investments, often in cryptocurrency. Scammers use these convincing fake videos on social media to lure victims into making initial investments on fraudulent platforms, then pressure them for additional funds or prevent withdrawals, sometimes extracting hundreds of thousands of dollars before disappearing. The AG recommends New Yorkers verify investment opportunities independently, be cautious of video solicitations, avoid sending money to unverified platforms, and report suspected scams to law enforcement.
nbcnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reported a nearly tenfold increase in consumer losses from crypto ATM fraud scams since 2020, with reported losses exceeding $110 million in 2023. The scam typically involves victims being deceived into sending cryptocurrency through Bitcoin ATMs, with one victim alone losing tens of thousands of dollars.
goldrushcam.com
· 2025-12-08
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office presented senior fraud awareness training to the Retired Active Men (RAMs) group on August 31, 2024, providing guidance on protecting against scams targeting seniors. Key protective strategies include trusting your instincts, avoiding pressure to make quick decisions, and verifying the identity of anyone contacting you before sharing information or money.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Bitcoin ATM scammers defrauded seniors of $110 million in the past year, a nearly tenfold increase from 2020, with Americans over 60 being more than three times as likely to fall victim than younger adults. The typical scheme involves fraudsters posing as customer service representatives or officials contacting victims about identity theft or account breaches, then directing them to scan QR codes and deposit money into bitcoin ATMs that flows directly to the perpetrators. One victim, a 76-year-old Indiana resident, lost $31,500 after being targeted by scammers impersonating Apple support, bank representatives, and government officials.
cryptotvplus.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scammers are increasingly using "pig butchering" schemes, where fraudsters build trust with victims through dating apps and social media before directing them to fake investment platforms with false promises of high crypto returns, eventually stealing their deposits. A major scam hub in KK Park, Myanmar—operating as a human trafficking center confining over 2,000 individuals—has funneled over $100 million in scam proceeds in 2024 alone, with nearly 43% of this year's scam funds flowing to newly created cryptocurrency wallets, while perpetrators purchase fake social media profiles to enhance their deceptive tactics.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
On August 22, a Mumbai resident was defrauded of approximately Rs 73,000 on a dating app date when presented with an inflated bill, one of several similar incidents occurring across major Indian cities involving fake profiles, overpriced charges, and intimidation tactics. These organized dating scams also extend beyond restaurant bills to cryptocurrency fraud, with victims losing substantial sums after being lured by scammers posing as romantic interests who later pressure them for investments or money through fabricated emergencies. To protect themselves, users should verify profiles before meeting, avoid financial dealings with new acquaintances, meet in public locations, and preserve all communications as evidence.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers cost Australians over $40 million in 2023, with South Australia accounting for $2.1 million in losses, according to police warnings during Scams Awareness Week. A case study involved Karen from Adelaide, who lost $50,000 to a fraudster who posed as an overseas boyfriend, built trust over weeks online, and requested money for education before disappearing when they were supposed to meet in person. Scammers typically target people over 55 through dating websites and social media by creating fake profiles, building emotional connections, and requesting money for various emergencies or investments; victims can protect themselves by never sending money to people they haven't met, verifying ident
thefintechtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Chainalysis research reveals a significant shift in cryptocurrency scams in China, with 43% of fraudulent inflows in 2024 going to newly created wallets—the highest on record—while individual scam lifespans have dramatically decreased from 271 days in 2020 to just 42 days in 2024. Scammers are pivoting from large-scale Ponzi schemes to targeted romance scams (pig butchering scams), which have grown 85 times since 2020 and cause the worst financial impact per victim; one fraud shop alone received $10.5 million from romance scammers between 2022-2024.
boredpanda.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article compiles Reddit users' perspectives on widespread consumer practices they view as scams, including premium TV services adding advertisements despite paid subscriptions (particularly Amazon Prime), and for-profit healthcare systems in the United States. The piece presents commentary on how these industries generate profit through deceptive practices and discusses systemic issues like healthcare-related bankruptcies and rising subscription costs, without reporting on any specific fraud cases or victims.
dailyhodl.com
· 2025-12-08
Tens of thousands of UK customers lost approximately $8 million (£6 million) to fake shopping websites in the past year, with scammers impersonating popular brands like House of Fraser, Office, and Superdrug on social media to lure victims. Customers were deceived by fake sites offering discounted products that either never arrived, were counterfeit cheap knockoffs, or were incorrect items entirely, leading to a 211% rise in credit card payment disputes. Experts advise consumers to verify website domains, be wary of unrealistically low prices and countdown timers, and remember that suspicious deals are typically too good to be true.