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in Romance Scam
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 Norton survey found that while 64% of online daters are interested in using AI as a dating coach, romance scams have increased 72% since 2023, with 27% of dating app users targeted by scams and 42% of those falling victim. The report warns that AI technology, while potentially helpful for profile writing and photo enhancement, can also be exploited by scammers to make dating fraud harder to detect, and advises users to watch for red flags such as avoidance of video calls, limited profile images, and rapid relationship progression.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Mai Watanabe, a 25-year-old Japanese "sugar baby," was sentenced to nine years in prison and fined $52,000 for defrauding three men in their 50s out of over $1 million between 2021 and 2023 through dating app romance scams, claiming she needed money to pay debts. She also created and sold a manual instructing others how to execute similar scams, which aided another woman in defrauding a victim of approximately $64,000, and evaded taxes by concealing a quarter of her scam proceeds.
fayobserver.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old former U.S. Army specialist from Fort Bragg, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for operating a romance scam and unemployment fraud scheme from 2019 to 2022 that defrauded thousands of vulnerable people, including elderly victims and military veterans. Frimpong and his conspirators impersonated romantic interests, diplomats, and military personnel to extract money from victims—including one person who lost $150,000—and laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars through bank accounts and contacts in Ghana, while also fraudulently obtaining over $100,000 in pandemic unemployment
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois lost $1.5 million to a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as a Swedish investment adviser between October 2018 and August 2020. The victim's daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother had been victimized after a federal investigator's call and subsequently found a suicide note, motivating her to advocate for romance scam awareness. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion by romance scammers in a recent year, with victims often reluctant to report due to shame and embarrassment, though law enforcement emphasizes
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for laundering over $2.3 million in proceeds from romance scams and business email compromise fraud schemes orchestrated by Nigerian co-conspirators; he used bank accounts and cryptocurrency exchanges to conceal and transfer the funds. Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was ordered to forfeit $464,923.91. Four additional defendants remain at large in this transnational fraud operation.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Laura Kowal fell victim to a romance scam where she was emotionally manipulated over two years, then coerced into becoming a "money mule" by setting up fake companies and bank accounts to launder stolen money for overseas scammers. This increasingly common tactic exploits victims' emotional vulnerability and creates legal complications for prosecutors, who must decide whether to charge these individuals as victims or criminals, as they have technically committed fraud and money laundering while being manipulated by their scammers. Law enforcement agencies like the FBI are developing psychological profiles and issuing warnings about this scheme, as scammers use the threat of criminal charges as additional leverage to control their victims.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams in the Chicago area are becoming increasingly sophisticated, utilizing AI-generated images and videos to impersonate real people and deceive victims into sending money, often via cryptocurrency like Bitcoin. According to the Federal Trade Commission, romance scams have cost Americans over $2 billion since 2021, with scammers using freely available AI software to create convincing fake content and cryptocurrency's instant transfer capabilities to quickly disperse stolen funds across multiple digital wallets, making investigation and recovery extremely difficult.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary because the text provided appears to be a website navigation menu and header structure rather than an actual article content. While the title mentions "How AI is revolutionizing Internet fraud and romance scams" and includes a reference to a 10-year prison sentence and $2 million restitution order, the full article text is not included. Please provide the complete article content for an accurate summary.
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
Laura Kowal became a victim of a sophisticated romance scam in which a man posing as "Frank Borg" initially romanced her, then manipulated her into becoming a "money mule" by setting up fake companies and bank accounts to launder stolen money for overseas-based scammers. This emerging tactic leverages victims' emotional attachment and trust to coerce them into committing fraud themselves, creating a legal dilemma for prosecutors who must decide whether to charge victims as accomplices or treat them primarily as victims of manipulation. The FBI has identified this pattern as increasingly widespread, with scammers using victims' criminal complicity as additional leverage to maintain control and coerce continued cooperation.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Long Island woman lost $468,000 in a romance scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be an engineer in the Philippines who built an emotional relationship with her during the pandemic before requesting money. When she sought help through Facebook support groups, she was victimized again by scammers posing as FBI officials who promised to recover her funds. Experts advise that romance scam victims should recognize red flags such as rapid declarations of love followed by requests for money, and note that funds sent via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are typically unrecoverable, especially when perpetrators are located overseas.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A former Nigerian romance scammer named Christopher, who operated fake dating profiles from 2016 to defraud women of large sums of money, was arrested and has since reformed by working for an anti-scam company and sharing his story to raise awareness. Romance scams are a widespread federal crime affecting tens of thousands of Americans annually, with cases often involving multiple victims and complex schemes that are difficult to prosecute; U.S. Attorney Erek Barron's office in Maryland has made scam and fraud cases a top priority through participation in the Justice Department's "Elder Justice Strike Force" and partnerships with organizations like AARP to prevent future victimization.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Between 2013 and 2018, as many as 25-30 percent of new Match.com members were reportedly using the platform to perpetrate romance scams, according to an FTC lawsuit against parent company Match Group. American victims lost over $1 billion to romance scammers in 2023 alone, with dating apps serving as primary "hunting grounds" for scammers targeting vulnerable individuals, including a case where an Illinois widow lost her life savings of $1.5 million to a fake profile. Despite Match Group's reported $125 million annual investment in trust and safety measures, critics argue the company has not done enough to prevent scammers from accessing the platform
pottsmerc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Association of Health Care Journalists reported that elder scams have become increasingly sophisticated through artificial intelligence, making them harder to distinguish from legitimate interactions. The AARP Fraud Watch Network received nearly 100,000 calls in 2023, and the National Council on Aging documented 88,000 fraud victims age 60+ in 2022 alone, losing $3.1 billion collectively. Common schemes include the grandparent scam (impersonation requesting wire transfers), romance scams (nearly 70,000 reported in 2022 with $1.3 billion in losses), government impersonation, tech support fraud, and voice recording scams, with
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Chicago worker lost over $19,000 in a wire transfer scam after a fraudster impersonating a Chase Bank representative gained remote access to his computer through a phishing email about an unauthorized credit card. The scammer deposited $20,000 into his account, then manipulated Thomas into transferring back $19,450 of his own money by claiming it was an error and using emotional manipulation. Chase Bank denied his refund claim, stating he had compromised his account by sharing sensitive information, despite multiple similar cases affecting Chase customers.
tribune.com.pk
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost approximately £40,000 to a romance scam after being deceived by a scammer posing as Elon Musk via deepfake video calls on Instagram. The scammer built trust by sharing convincing photos and personal details, then persuaded her to invest money in a fraudulent opportunity through a Korean bank account. This case reflects a broader pattern of criminals exploiting Musk's image and reputation to commit investment and romance fraud against unsuspecting victims.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A McKinsey woman lost over $3,200 to a romance scammer posing as a German cardiologist on Instagram, experiencing severe emotional trauma including suicidal ideation. The FBI reports 19,000 Americans fell victim to romance scams in the past year, losing $1.3 billion collectively, with scammers increasingly using AI-generated fake photos, audio, and videos to make schemes harder to detect—though federal prosecutors have successfully pursued cases, including a 2021 North Texas indictment of 35 people who stole $17 million from over 100 victims.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A Kaspersky survey of 2,000 North American adults found that scams are widespread across online platforms, with 42% encountering fraud on dating apps, 38% on Facebook, and 29% falling victim to scams overall. Phishing attacks grew 40% in 2023, with scammers using AI tools and social engineering to impersonate customer service representatives, daters, and celebrities across dating apps, social media, gaming platforms, and banking sites. The survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want stronger privacy regulations and that users recognize gaps in their own security habits, with 65% wanting to be more cautious about clicking links and 57
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
A Lancaster County man lost $165,000 in a "pig butchering" romance scam after being contacted on Facebook by a woman claiming to be "Libby Collins," who persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency. Despite warnings from his bank, Mark Heath sent three wire transfers; investigators have traced $80,000 of the funds to cryptocurrency, with recovery uncertain. The FBI reports romance scams increased 183% last year and often originate from Southeast Asia and China, typically targeting vulnerable individuals living alone.
news.clearancejobs.com
· 2025-12-08
Former Army specialist Sanda G. Frimpong was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison and ordered to pay restitution for laundering over $350,000 obtained through romance scams targeting vulnerable victims including seniors and military veterans. Frimpong and at least three conspirators executed multiple scams by impersonating romantic interests, diplomats, and military personnel via encrypted messaging apps, and also fraudulently obtained CARES Act funds and unemployment benefits using stolen identities across multiple states. The money was laundered through various banking systems, across state lines, and through contacts in Ghana while Frimpong remained on active duty at Fort Liberty, North Carolina.
usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to money laundering conspiracy related to a romance scam that defrauded at least three women of $2.3 million. Garcia's role involved providing bank accounts to receive fraud proceeds and using cryptocurrency to conceal the money's origin before transferring funds to his Nigerian co-conspirators, who remain at large; he was ordered to forfeit approximately $465,000.
ktvz.com
· 2025-12-08
A Long Island woman lost $468,000 in a romance scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be an engineer in the Philippines who persuaded her to send money over six months. Compounding her loss, she was subsequently scammed again by fraudsters posing as FBI representatives in online support groups who promised to recover her funds. Experts warn that romance scam money is often irretrievable, particularly when wire transfers or cryptocurrency are used and perpetrators are located overseas.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this content because the text provided appears to be only a navigation menu and header structure from a CBS News webpage, not an actual article with substantive content about romance scams or fraud.
To create an accurate summary for the Elderus database, please provide the full article text, including the body content that discusses the romance scam investigation challenges, specific cases, or statistics mentioned.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison for his role in laundering romance scam proceeds, having scammed $2.3 million in funds that he sent to criminal associates in Nigeria using cryptocurrency exchanges. Garcia worked with four other suspects to defraud multiple victims and was ordered to return $464,923.91 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering. Romance scams have grown significantly, with American victims losing over $1 billion to overseas criminals in 2023, though actual figures are likely much higher due to underreporting and the difficulty law enforcement faces in prosecuting transn
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Dating apps may be facilitating romance scams by providing scammers easy access to potential victims, according to CBS News investigations. Law enforcement and lawmakers are exploring regulatory solutions, but experts emphasize that the online dating industry itself must take greater responsibility for preventing fraudsters from operating on their platforms.
metro.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
In the first half of 2023, British consumers lost £580 million and US consumers lost $10 billion to various scams including ID theft, bank fraud, police impersonation, and romance scams (which rose 29%). A darker dimension of this fraud involves "cyber slaves"—trafficking victims coerced into scamming others: hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people are tricked into traveling abroad for promised jobs, then imprisoned in compounds where they are forced to conduct scams daily or face starvation and beatings, with their passports and phones confiscated to prevent escape. One Pakistani victim, Ali, was trafficked to Cambodia, paid $5,475 in fees, and force
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost $50,000 to a romance scam in which a fraudster impersonated Elon Musk using deepfake technology in video calls, gradually building an emotional connection before convincing her to "invest" the money in a fake Tesla opportunity. The scammer used fabricated details about Musk's life, official-looking ID photos, and a convincing deepfake video declaring "I love you" to manipulate the victim into transferring funds to a bank account. This case reflects a broader pattern of romance scammers exploiting emotions and celebrity identities, with romance fraud alone costing victims $1.3 billion in the U.S. in 2022.
psychologytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2021 and June 2023, Americans lost $2.7 billion to social media scams on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, with investment scams accounting for 53% of total losses despite representing fewer reported incidents than shopping scams. While younger adults and minors are heavily targeted, the article provides protective measures including verifying companies before purchase, using credit cards instead of debit cards, being cautious of unsolicited money requests and romance scams, and avoiding targeted advertising features that scammers exploit.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
FBI forensic accountant Daniel Booth warns that cryptocurrency scams are increasingly prevalent in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region, representing traditional fraud schemes updated to use digital currency. Three common types include ransomware attacks on businesses (demanding crypto payments for system access), fake tech support scams targeting individuals (gaining remote access to steal financial data), and "pig butchering" schemes (fake investment websites encouraging victims to deposit money with false promises of trading gains, sometimes resulting in loss of life savings). Victims of cryptocurrency fraud are encouraged to report cases to the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost 70 million won (approximately ₹41 lakh) in a romance scam after being deceived by a scammer impersonating Elon Musk using deepfake video technology. The scammer built trust over Instagram by sharing fabricated details about Musk's life, conducting a deepfake video call to appear authentic, and then convincing the victim to transfer money to a Korean bank account with promises of investment returns. This incident reflects a growing trend of scammers exploiting the identities of high-profile figures like Musk to defraud vulnerable targets.
7news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old woman was prevented from losing $10,000 after a vigilant NAB bank teller grew suspicious when the customer attempted to transfer funds to a man she had been communicating with on Tinder for 12 months but never met in person. The scammer had posed as an oil rig worker in Malaysia claiming to be locked out of his Australian bank accounts and needing money to return to the country, using romance scam tactics to build emotional connection through messaging. NAB reported a 29% increase in romance scam reports, with Australians losing an estimated $40 million to such scams in 2023, with those over 55 experiencing the highest
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Online dating scams have increased 72% since 2023, with 27% of dating app users targeted and 42% of those actually defrauded, as artificial intelligence tools make romance scams easier to execute and harder to detect. Scammers now use AI-generated images and chatbots to create convincing fake profiles, while legitimate daters also adopt AI for profile optimization and pickup lines. Protection strategies include requesting recent photos, avoiding delayed in-person meetings, refusing to click unknown links, and being alert for bot interactions that may lead to malware or blackmail schemes.
petapixel.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost $50,000 to a romance scam involving a deepfake video call with someone impersonating Elon Musk on Instagram, who convinced her to transfer funds by promising investment returns. The scammer used AI-generated photos of fake ID cards and deepfake video technology to establish credibility, exemplifying the growing trend of AI-enabled romance fraud that cost victims $1.3 billion in 2022 according to FTC data.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam network that defrauded at least three women of $2.3 million. Garcia provided bank accounts to co-conspirators who posed as romantic interests to victims aged 40 to 80, requesting money for fake overseas oil sales and other expenses, then used cryptocurrency to launder the proceeds before sending funds to accomplices in Nigeria. He was ordered to forfeit approximately $465,000, while his four Nigerian co-conspirators remain at large.
aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Criminologist David Maimon's research team at Georgia State University has documented extensive criminal activity on the dark web, where organized groups anonymously buy and sell stolen personal information, forged checks, and hacked financial accounts at minimal prices. The research reveals that stolen personal identification data is often more valuable to criminals than cash itself, as it enables them to open fraudulent bank accounts, obtain fake documents, and commit various financial crimes. Dark web criminals also engage in romance scams, mail theft using stolen postal keys, and bank fraud, operating through sophisticated networks that steal billions of dollars annually.
fox35orlando.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old from Winter Haven, Florida, was sentenced to two years in prison for laundering over $2.3 million in proceeds from Nigerian romance scams and business email compromise schemes by receiving funds into bank accounts and converting them to Bitcoin for co-conspirators. He was ordered to forfeit nearly $465,000 in personal proceeds, with four additional defendants remaining at large in the scheme.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
India registered 1.13 million fraud cases in 2023, with "pig butchering" emerging as a growing cyber scam where fraudsters build trust with victims through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest in fake opportunities or job offers. The scam relies on emotional manipulation and fake investment platforms or job postings, with victims ultimately losing significant sums once trust is established. To protect against these scams, individuals should verify investment and job offers thoroughly, avoid sharing personal financial information with online strangers, resist pressure to make rushed financial decisions, and consult trusted advisors before proceeding with any financial transactions.
muskoka411.com
· 2025-12-08
Kaspersky's 2024 survey of 2,000 North American adults found that scams are widespread across online platforms, with 42% encountering fraud on dating apps, 38% on Facebook, and 29% overall falling victim to scams. Phishing attacks increased 40% in 2023, with scammers using AI tools and social engineering across social media, gaming, banking, and cryptocurrency platforms. The survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want new privacy regulations and 77% are concerned about AI-generated deepfakes, while experts recommend users employ multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and skepticism when clicking links.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Match Group CEO Bernard Kim stated that while the company invests over $125 million annually to protect customers and removes 96% of fraudulent accounts within a day, he acknowledged romance scams with a dismissive "things happen in life" when asked about victims who lost their life savings. A CBS News investigation found that overseas-based romance scammers stole over $1 billion in 2023, affecting tens of thousands of victims—including younger, wealthier, and better-educated individuals, with an estimated 40% being men—with the FBI attributing the sharp increase since 2017 to the proliferation of dating sites.
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A South Korean woman lost $50,000 to a scammer who used deepfake videos to impersonate Elon Musk on Instagram, convincing her to transfer funds through a fake investment opportunity. The scammer built credibility by sharing fabricated photos, identification documents, and intimate details about Musk's life, ultimately conducting a convincing video call using deepfake technology. The victim later appeared on South Korean television to warn others about the dangers of this sophisticated fraud technique.
au.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Australians lost $2.7 billion to 601,000 reported scams in the past year, representing a 13.1% decrease in losses despite an 18.5% increase in reported incidents, according to the Australian Anti-Scam Centre. Investment scams caused the most harm ($1.3 billion), followed by remote access scams ($256 million) and romance scams ($201.1 million), with people over 65 being disproportionately affected—experiencing a 13.3% increase in losses to $120 million and being particularly vulnerable to investment and social media-initiated scams. Text messages were the most common contact method for scams
businessday.ng
· 2025-12-08
Nigerian "Yahoo boys" are using sophisticated deepfake technology in romance scams to create fake video identities on platforms like Zoom, employing readily available software to realistically alter their appearance in real-time during video calls. Scammers build trust through social engineering before exploiting victims financially, with experts warning that rapidly improving deepfake quality makes these deceptions increasingly believable and poses risks for significant financial losses. Security experts caution that this technology's ease of use could expand beyond romance scams to other fraudulent schemes.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams on dating apps cost Americans over $650 million in 2022, with the FTC reporting even higher losses of $1.3 billion and alleging that 25-30% of daily Match.com sign-ups were scammers. These scams, which primarily target older adults, include phishing attacks and sextortion schemes, and victims rarely recover their stolen funds due to the difficulty of tracing money once it leaves the country. Match Group's CEO acknowledged empathy for victims but emphasized the company's focus on platform safety, though the FTC has filed a lawsuit against the company over inadequate fraud prevention measures.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
I cannot provide a summary of this article because the text provided only contains website navigation menus and headers, not the actual article content. To summarize the piece about romance scam victims for the Elderus database, please provide the full article text or transcript, including the details shared by Jim Axelrod about the victims' experiences.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Yahoo Boys" scam is a sophisticated romance fraud scheme primarily conducted by Nigerian cybercriminals using deepfake technology to impersonate romantic interests via video calls. Scammers use face-swapping software on secondary devices to create realistic digital masks of fabricated identities, which they transmit to victims during video calls to build trust before manipulating them into transferring money. The FBI has reported over $650 million in losses to romance scams of this type, making deepfake-enabled catfishing significantly more dangerous than traditional romance fraud.
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters on online dating platforms are using fake "identity verification" schemes to trick victims into providing personal and financial information and signing up for recurring monthly subscription charges. The scam begins when a fraudster develops romantic rapport with a victim and directs them to a fraudulent verification website claiming to check whether potential dates are sex offenders or criminals; victims unknowingly submit credit card details and are subsequently charged monthly fees to unknown businesses while their data is harvested for identity theft or sold on cybercrime marketplaces. The FBI recommends keeping conversations on dating platforms with safety features, avoiding sharing personal information with new online contacts, monitoring financial accounts for unauthorized charges, and reporting suspicious sites to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint
popsci.com
· 2025-12-08
Online romance scams resulted in over $1.1 billion in losses during 2023, with victims losing an average of $2,000 each across all age groups and demographics, though experts believe actual scam incidents are significantly underreported due to victim embarrassment. Match Group, which operates popular dating platforms including Tinder, Match.com, and OkCupid, faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny for inadequate fraud prevention despite claims of $125 million invested in safety measures and removal of 96% of scam accounts daily. The FTC advises users to avoid sending money to online contacts they haven't met in person, conduct reverse image searches on photos, and report suspected scams to
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams cost victims over $1 billion in the last year, with Match Group CEO Bernard Kim stating the company prioritizes platform safety despite criticism. The FTC previously alleged 25-30% of Match.com's new accounts were fraudsters, though a federal judge dismissed liability claims under Section 230 protections; Match Group now claims to spend $125 million annually on safety and remove 96% of fraudulent accounts within 24 hours.
hellocare.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australian seniors aged 65 and above lost more than $2.7 billion to scams across over 601,000 reported cases, representing a significant increase from 2022's 507,000 reports. Investment scams were the leading threat, accounting for $1.3 billion in losses, followed by remote access scams ($256 million), romance scams ($201.1 million), and phishing scams ($137.4 million), with tactics including deepfake videos and celebrity impersonations. The ACCC reports that the true scale is likely much larger, as an estimated one in three victims never report their fraud, and the government has launche
choice.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia reported $2.74 billion in scam losses in 2023, a 13% decline from 2022, though people aged 65 and over bucked this trend with losses increasing 13.3% to $120 million, often involving social media-based investment scams targeting retirement savings. Investment scams led all fraud types at $1.3 billion in total losses, while job scams surged over 150%, disproportionately affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The ACCC's coordinated multi-agency approach is credited with helping reduce overall losses, though advocates call for stronger consumer protections and greater accountability from tech platforms facilitating scam activity.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians aged over 65 experienced a 13.3% increase in scam losses totaling $120 million, bucking the national trend of overall scam losses declining by 13.1% to $2.74 billion. Seniors were disproportionately targeted by investment scams discovered on social media and via phone calls, with one elderly woman losing her life savings after clicking a deepfake Elon Musk video that promised investment returns she could not withdraw. The ACCC reports that scammers specifically target older Australians with retirement savings, while text message scams increased 37.3% overall and job scams more than double