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in Scam Awareness
nsjonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Overseas criminal networks are stealing tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through sophisticated internet and telephone scams, with losses to those over 60 estimated between $28.3 billion and $137 billion per year. Law enforcement agencies are overwhelmed and under-resourced to investigate these crimes, particularly those originating overseas where stolen funds are quickly converted to cryptocurrency or transferred to foreign accounts, allowing perpetrators to escape prosecution. The problem is projected to worsen as the aging population increases and AI technology makes fraud easier to execute, while many victims remain unreported due to shame and police departments that fail to treat financial fraud with appropriate seriousness.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-08
Overpayment scams—in which fraudsters send fake checks or donations and pressure victims to return the "excess" amount—continue to evolve beyond job offers to target non-profits, according to consumer advocates and Better Business Bureau experts. Recent victims include job seekers who were asked to purchase equipment with fraudulent checks and wire refunds via Bitcoin, and a Detroit non-profit that received a fake $7,000 donation with a request to return funds via wire transfer. Red flags include unsolicited job offers, requests for payment through cryptocurrency or specific accounts, and pressure to refund money quickly before checks clear.
mycentraloregon.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS and Security Summit warned tax professionals to guard against evolving identity theft schemes targeting their businesses and clients, including fraudsters posing as new clients via phishing emails, fake calls and texts, and attempts to steal sensitive tax information like Central Authorization File (CAF) numbers and practitioner credentials. These scams threaten both tax professionals and their elderly and vulnerable clients who may be victims of fraudulent tax return filings. The warning is part of an annual awareness campaign called "Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself" aimed at educating tax professionals on security threats and identity theft prevention.
autoremarketing.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS warned car dealerships to remain vigilant against phishing and smishing scams where fraudsters impersonate IRS representatives to trick recipients into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or providing personal and financial information. The agency advised businesses to avoid clicking unsolicited email and text links, enable multi-factor authentication, and verify sender identity through independent contact methods to protect against these attacks and potential ransomware infections.
postandcourier.com
· 2025-12-08
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs warns consumers about four types of summer scams: fake toll charge texts claiming overdue payments, travel scams including fraudulent vacation offers and hijacked rental listings, disaster relief scams where imposters pose as repair workers or FEMA employees, and job scams requesting cryptocurrency payments or personal information. The agency advises consumers to verify contacts independently, never pay for free services or government relief, avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages, and be wary of unannounced repair workers or unsolicited job offers.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Sebastian Chelemen, a 38-year-old Canadian national, was sentenced to 50 months in prison on July 11, 2024, for his role in a grandparent scam targeting elderly Americans between April and June 2023. Operating as a fake bail bondsman, Chelemen and co-conspirators in Canada called seniors posing as arrested grandchildren and collected over $380,000 directly, with co-conspirators obtaining an additional $78,000 through mailed funds, while attempting to fraudulently obtain at least $290,000 more. Chelemen was ordered to pay $460,350 in restitution and was found with over $
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Irfan Gill, 62, of Portage, Michigan, was convicted of seven counts of mail fraud and 11 counts of money laundering for operating an international telemarketing scam in partnership with a Pakistani call center from June 2018 to March 2022 that targeted over 1,400 elderly Americans. The scheme involved cold calls offering fake cable, satellite, and internet service upgrades; victims sent payments to Gill's post office boxes, which he deposited and partially transferred to the Pakistani solicitors via money transfer services. Gill faces up to 30 years in prison for the mail fraud charges and up to 20 years for money laundering, with
elizabethton.com
· 2025-12-08
A 50-year-old man from Brooklyn seeking asylum in the U.S. was arrested and charged with fraud and financial exploitation of a Carter County woman in a tech support scam scheme. The victim was deceived by a fake virus notification that led her to withdraw $30,500 from her bank account and hand the cash to the suspect at her residence. The arrest was aided by photographs and identification information the victim provided to authorities, and investigators coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security after discovering the suspect's temporary visitor status and pending asylum application.
nationalseniors.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Between December 2023 and May 2024, Australian scammers targeted victims of previous scams with false promises to recover their stolen funds for upfront fees, with Scamwatch receiving 158 reports totaling over $2.9 million in losses—a 129% increase in reports compared to the prior six months. Australians aged 65 and older were the largest affected group, suffering the highest average losses, prompting National Seniors Australia to urge seniors to be suspicious of money recovery schemes and to report scams immediately to their banks and the National Anti-Scam Centre. The organization advocates for increased digital literacy training and online safety education to help older Australians protect
rock929rocks.com
· 2025-12-08
A 42-year-old man, Weikai Zhang, was arrested in Florida after attempting to defraud a 74-year-old woman through a phone scam where he convinced her that her bank account was at risk and persuaded her to purchase over 13 pounds of gold (valued at approximately $500,000) for delivery to her home, which he then planned to steal. Law enforcement officers learned of the scheme before the package arrived and apprehended Zhang near the victim's residence, preventing the loss of her life savings.
wxxv25.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting Mississippi residents with fraudulent phone calls and emails impersonating federal court officials, threatening prosecution, fines, and jail time for allegedly missing jury duty in the Southern District of Mississippi. The U.S. Courts do not contact citizens via phone or email to request sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers or driver's license numbers. Citizens are advised to be vigilant against these recurring scams and avoid providing confidential information to unsolicited callers or emails.
paymentsjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial advisors play a critical role in protecting affluent clients from rising cyber fraud and scams that target investment and retirement accounts. The article advises advisors to take a proactive approach by educating clients about common scams (particularly romance and wealth management scams), positioning themselves as trusted first contacts for victims, and helping remove the shame that prevents people from reporting fraud. Advisors should also leverage their multi-generational relationships to safeguard both younger and older clients from cyber threats.
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
A text and phone scam impersonating the Minnesota Department of Transportation is circulating in Grand Marais and Cook County in northern Minnesota, falsely claiming victims owe $35 in late fees for express lane usage and directing them to fraudulent payment links. The Minnesota Department of Transportation had previously warned about this scam in June, and officials note the messages appear convincing; scammers have also made multiple follow-up calls to victims even after being blocked. Residents are advised to avoid clicking links in unsolicited messages and to verify urgent notifications through official channels.
techzim.co.zw
· 2025-12-08
MetaMax was a global Ponzi scheme that promised cryptocurrency-based returns through a fake "media manipulation" service where members would supposedly earn money by rating YouTube videos and social media posts. The scheme collapsed after swindling people from multiple countries, including Zimbabweans who invested approximately US$146,396, using a compensation structure that relied on recruiting new members rather than actual product services. The fraud operated similarly to the previous E-creator scam, offering daily returns of 3-20 USDT and fixed investment plans with daily returns up to 1.2%, with an arrest reported in Cyprus.
kkco11news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Mesa County Sheriff's Office warned the public about a phishing scam in which drivers receive fraudulent text messages claiming they have outstanding express toll charges and requesting personal information. The scam messages do not originate from ExpressToll or the E-470 Public Highway Authority, and legitimate toll fees are never collected via text message or unsolicited requests. Authorities advise recipients not to click links or provide personal information if they receive such messages.
thomsonreuters.com
· 2025-12-08
Elder financial abuse has escalated dramatically, with fraud losses jumping from $2.4 billion in 2019 to over $10 billion in 2023, with those aged 60 and older experiencing disproportionately high victimization rates (101,000+ reported victims in 2023 versus 18,000 for those under 20). Scammers target elderly individuals because they typically have accumulated savings, are often less technologically sophisticated, may be lonely or seeking companionship online, and are reluctant to report fraud due to privacy concerns. Financial abuse extends beyond theft by close acquaintances to include complex fraud schemes involving dating apps, digital currency platforms,
nbcsandiego.com
· 2025-12-08
San Diego County has tracked nearly $98 million in elder-related scams, with a 70% increase in tax support scams, according to the District Attorney's office. Scammers commonly use pop-up warnings claiming computer compromise to trick seniors into calling fraudulent support numbers and withdrawing cash. Authorities recommend seniors close suspicious pop-ups, seek help from trusted contacts or professionals, and report scams to law enforcement to enable recovery efforts and prevent further victimization.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Irfan Gill, 62, of Portage, Michigan, was convicted of seven counts of mail fraud and eleven counts of money laundering for operating an international telemarketing scheme from June 2018 through March 2022 that defrauded over 1,400 elderly victims nationwide. Working with a call center in Pakistan, Gill posed as multiple cable and satellite companies, collecting victim payments via post office boxes and money transfer services like Western Union and Remitly. He faces up to 30 years in prison on the mail fraud charges and up to 20 years for money laundering.
wwmt.com
· 2025-12-08
Irfan Gill, a 62-year-old from Portage, Michigan, was convicted of seven counts of mail fraud and 11 counts of money laundering for operating an international telemarketing scheme in conjunction with a Pakistan call center from June 2018 to March 2022. The scheme defrauded over 1,400 elderly and other U.S. victims by cold-calling them with fake offers for cable, satellite, and internet service upgrades, then directing payments to Gill's post office boxes, which he deposited into bank accounts and partially transferred to Pakistan-based solicitors. Gill faces up to 50 years in prison at sentencing, scheduled within three
midmichigannow.com
· 2025-12-08
Irfan Gill, a 62-year-old from Portage, Michigan, was convicted of seven counts of mail fraud and 11 counts of money laundering for operating an international telemarketing scheme with a Pakistan call center from June 2018 through March 2022. The scheme victimized over 1,400 people nationwide by using fake business names to solicit payments for nonexistent cable, satellite, and internet service upgrades, with Gill depositing victim payments into his accounts and routing portions to Pakistan-based solicitors. He faces up to 50 years in prison at sentencing, which is expected within three to four months.
krcu.org
· 2025-12-08
Older adults with Alzheimer's disease and dementia are particularly vulnerable to scams due to cognitive changes affecting memory, decision-making, and judgment, with research suggesting financial difficulties and scam susceptibility may be early warning signs of cognitive decline. Loneliness, isolation, and social trust increase risk, making extra protective support essential. The BBB recommends caregivers watch for warning signs (frequent unsolicited calls, unfamiliar payments, secretive behavior), educate loved ones about common scams, reduce solicitations through registry opt-outs, and discuss financial security measures and account monitoring.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Money recovery scams are targeting previous fraud victims with offers to retrieve lost funds for upfront fees or percentages. Between December 2023 and May 2024, Australia's Scamwatch received 158 reports totaling over $2.9 million in losses, with adults aged 65 and older representing the largest victim group and suffering the highest average losses. Scammers impersonate government agencies, lawyers, and recovery services via multiple channels, requesting personal information and device access, while legitimate recovery is difficult since only law enforcement can seize criminal assets.
khou.com
· 2025-12-08
I appreciate you sharing this, but this appears to be a generic website notice about downloading the KHOU 11 news app rather than an article about elder fraud, scams, or abuse.
To provide an appropriate summary for the Elderus database, please share an article that covers:
- A specific scam or fraud incident
- Elder abuse case
- Fraud prevention advice or awareness information
Do you have another article you'd like me to summarize?
mainlinemedianews.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational article highlights the vulnerability of seniors to fraud and emphasizes the importance of ongoing vigilance. Common scams targeting older adults include check washing (altering stolen checks), grandchild impersonation schemes, raffle ticket scams with sold contact lists, phone scams, and online fraud, with fraudulent reports reaching a record $10 billion in 2023 according to the FTC. The Phoenixville Area Senior Center and other organizations offer regular fraud prevention education, stressing that while seniors are increasingly aware of basic scam tactics, emerging schemes and seemingly innocent situations—like entering raffles at retail stores—continue to expose them to risk.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Amazon Prime Day Scam Spike (July 16-17)**
During Amazon Prime Day, scam reports to Amazon spike dramatically—last year rising from approximately 5,000 to over 14,000 per week—as cybercriminals exploit shoppers' eagerness for deals through phishing emails, text messages (smishing), fake product reviews, and counterfeit merchandise posed as legitimate third-party seller listings. Criminals also create lookalike websites to steal personal information, and the psychological urgency of time-limited deals makes consumers more vulnerable to fraudulent activity, with abnormally low prices on expensive items serving as a red flag for counterfeit products that
schoolnewsnetwork.org
· 2025-12-08
North Rockford Middle School students participated in "Scambusters," an educational program by the Better Business Bureau of Western Michigan, where they learned to identify scam red flags, recognize warning clues, and avoid sharing personal information with potential fraudsters. The program used a game show format to teach fraud prevention strategies to students in an engaging manner.
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
Two vehicle scams were circulating in the Ozarks region as of July 2024, though specific details about the scams' methods, victim counts, or financial losses were not provided in this brief report. The article also covered upcoming sales events from major retailers including Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
trendmicro.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, cryptocurrency-related crimes evolved significantly, with ransomware attacks reaching a record $1 billion in extorted payments despite impacting fewer victims, while money laundering via crypto decreased 29.5% to $22.2 billion and stolen cryptocurrency funds fell 54.3% to $1.7 billion compared to 2022. The shifts reflect criminals adapting methods—increasingly using DeFi protocols and gambling services for laundering—even as crypto platforms and law enforcement improved security and recovery capabilities.
twistedsifter.com
· 2025-12-08
A Miami dental patient named Seema nearly fell victim to an unethical dental practice that pressured her into unnecessary procedures including CT scans, expensive laser cleanings, and quarterly visits instead of standard six-month cleanings, claiming she had severe gum disease despite no prior diagnosis. After consulting a dentist friend who confirmed the practice's unethical reputation, Seema left the appointment and is now warning others to be cautious of dental offices that recommend excessive testing and aggressive treatment plans.
houstonlanding.org
· 2025-12-08
Following Hurricane Beryl's devastation of the Houston area, officials warned residents to be cautious of scammers posing as contractors or disaster aid representatives seeking personal information or upfront payments. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved a disaster declaration allowing residents to apply for federal aid, but the Federal Trade Commission advises verifying caller identity, avoiding clicking unknown links, hiring only licensed and insured contractors, and reporting suspicious activity to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Scammers exploit post-disaster vulnerability through phone calls, texts, emails, and door-to-door solicitations using urgent language and threats to manipulate vulnerable residents.
whitehavennews.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Martin Lewis and other high-profile figures including Taylor Swift, Elon Musk, and Adele have had their identities misused in celebrity profile scams, with analysis of Action Fraud data from 2022-2023 revealing that scammers impersonating Lewis's profile alone were responsible for over £20 million in reported losses, with individual victims losing up to £500,000. Scammers use these celebrity endorsements in fake investment and product advertisements to increase click-through rates and deceive victims into parting with money. The article advises victims to contact their bank, police, or Action Fraud immediately, and notes that many banks now offer a 159 hot
coloradocommunitymedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The 2024 Senior Law & Safety Summit in Colorado will bring together local law enforcement and experts to educate seniors on fraud prevention, elder abuse, ID theft, and related topics through various classes. The July 13 event in Lone Tree covers online scams, estate planning, investment fraud, and health and safety matters, with registration costing $10 (including lunch) or free for those unable to pay.
mcall.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is an educational piece emphasizing that seniors should remain vigilant about fraud risks, noting that while many are aware of basic scams, unexpected tactics make them vulnerable. An FBI representative spoke about fraud prevention at the Phoenixville Area Senior Center to raise awareness among older adults about prevalent scam risks.
keyt.com
· 2025-12-08
Dozens of seniors in Goleta, California attended an anti-scam educational seminar featuring experts from the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation and the Department of Justice to learn fraud prevention strategies. The seminar addressed increasingly sophisticated scams targeting older adults, including identity theft and financial fraud, with key advice being to verify caller identity by independently calling known numbers and to avoid providing sensitive information like bank account numbers or routing numbers over the phone. Attendees learned to report suspected fraud to local police, the National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311), or the Federal Trade Commission, and were encouraged to overcome shame and seek help if they become victims.
kwch.com
· 2025-12-08
Kansas enacted the Protect Vulnerable Adults from Financial Exploitation Act on July 1, 2024, joining over 40 states in giving financial advisors, brokers, and investment representatives the authority to halt suspected fraudulent transactions and report them to authorities. The law addresses a significant problem: according to the FBI, scams targeting people 60 and older resulted in more than $3.4 billion in losses in 2023, with seniors targeted due to less experience with technology and online security practices.
vinetur.com
· 2025-12-08
Casey Alexander, a 27-year-old British national, was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $202,195.58 in restitution for his role in a wine and whiskey investment fraud scheme that targeted elderly Americans through cold-calling tactics. The scheme defrauded more than 150 victims across the country of over $13 million by promising substantial returns on fine wine and whiskey investments stored in European warehouses. The case was investigated following a report in 2020 when a victim's son discovered his father had lost over $300,000 over an 18-month period.
vinetur.com
· 2025-12-08
Casey Alexander, a 27-year-old British national, was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $202,195.58 in restitution for his role in a fraudulent wine and whiskey investment scheme that defrauded over 150 elderly victims across the United States of more than $13 million. The scheme involved cold-calling tactics that promised substantial returns on fine wine and whiskey investments stored in European warehouses, encouraging victims to make repeated investments. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted under the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative.
readingeagle.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors remain vulnerable targets for fraud despite widespread awareness of common scams, with experts emphasizing the importance of continued vigilance. Recent prevalent schemes include check washing (where stolen checks have ink removed and amounts altered), grandchild impersonation calls, raffle list sales, and phone/online scams. According to the FTC, Americans reported a record $10 billion in fraud losses in 2023, though actual losses are likely much higher due to underreporting, with 42% of American adults having experienced fraud personally.
metroeastsun.com
· 2025-12-08
State Representative Kevin Schmidt partnered with the Illinois Attorney General's Office to present fraud prevention education to seniors at an assisted living facility in Millstadt, covering how to protect themselves from increasingly sophisticated scams. Schmidt emphasized the critical need for awareness and proactive measures, and announced a follow-up free presentation scheduled for July 18th at the Millstadt Senior Center.
theitem.com
· 2025-12-08
Sophisticated overseas scammers steal tens of billions of dollars annually from Americans through internet and telephone fraud, with law enforcement agencies overwhelmed and catching few perpetrators due to limited resources and difficulties investigating crimes that originate overseas. The article highlights the growing crisis as the U.S. population ages and AI technology facilitates fraud, illustrated by cases including an 81-year-old Ohio man who fatally shot an Uber driver after being targeted by a scammer demanding $12,000, and notes that victims rarely recover lost funds and often don't report crimes due to discouragement and shame.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting seniors 65 and older with fake IT technical support calls, texts, and emails claiming to be from Microsoft or other companies, using a "spray and pray" approach to contact many potential victims. Once victims grant remote access to their computers, scammers lower security settings to steal passwords, personal information, and money through payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Experts recommend seniors hang up on unsolicited contacts and independently verify any tech support claims by directly contacting the company themselves.
wcjb.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement agencies, the FBI, and the Better Business Bureau in North Central Florida are warning of a significant increase in scam calls and texts, with residents like Jacqueline Johnson experiencing multiple fraud incidents including unauthorized credit cards and cash app fraud. Officials recommend not sharing personal information, verifying caller identities, and spreading awareness about scams to friends and family, as advancing technology enables increasingly sophisticated fraud including voice cloning and impersonation schemes.
kfyrtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonated a sergeant from the Ward County Sheriff's Department, calling citizens and falsely claiming they had missed jury duty and had an arrest warrant issued against them, then demanding Bitcoin payment for bail. The sheriff's office warned residents that legitimate law enforcement will never request payment over the phone and advised citizens to report suspicious calls to local authorities.
pymnts.com
· 2025-12-08
OCC official Hsu addressed the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, noting that while artificial intelligence enables new fraud methods, traditional scams remain prevalent, particularly those involving fraudsters impersonating banks or government agencies to trick victims into wire transfers that cannot be recovered. Banks can prevent such fraud through verification of wiring instructions, identity confirmation, authentication controls, customer education about trending scams, and staff training to identify unusual transactions. Financial institutions should also maintain strong internal controls, file timely Suspicious Activity Reports, and offer personal support to defrauded customers, as effective fraud prevention builds consumer trust and confidence in the banking system.
oregonlive.com
· 2025-12-08
This advice column addresses a suspected romance scam involving a man planning to marry a foreign woman he has never met in person, potentially jeopardizing his assets and family obligations. Red flags include the online-only relationship, pressure to marry abroad in a country where foreigners cannot own property, and the scammer's likely need for money. The columnist recommends the concerned cousin use reverse image searches on photos, consult FBI resources on romance scams, and gently encourage the man to slow down the relationship, while noting that the FTC reported over 64,000 romance scams in 2023 resulting in $1.14 billion in losses.
nj.com
· 2025-12-08
A man plans to marry a foreign woman he has never met in person and travel overseas to do so, raising romance scam concerns from his family. The advisor confirms this is a common scam pattern and recommends the cousin verify the woman's identity through reverse image searches, discuss his family care plans, and report suspicions to the FTC or FBI if concerns persist, noting that the FTC reported over 64,000 romance scams totaling $1.14 billion in 2023.
dlnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Huione Guarantee, a Cambodian online marketplace, operates as a bazaar for crypto scam software, money laundering services, and tools for "pig butchering" romance scams affecting Southeast Asia, with crypto wallets associated with the platform receiving over $11 billion since 2021 according to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic. Hun To, cousin of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, serves as a director in one of the Huione Group units, implicating the prime minister's family in the crypto fraud scheme despite the government's stated commitment to stopping such scams. The platform facilitates transactions primarily in USDT stablecoin and acts as an esc
coinfomania.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Coinbase users fell victim to a sophisticated impersonation scam in which fraudsters sent phishing emails posing as customer support representatives, directing victims to fake websites to steal their cryptocurrency seed phrases. One high-profile victim lost $1.7 million, and at least four users were targeted; the scammers likely exploited data from a 2022 CoinTracker breach. In the first half of 2024, crypto phishing attacks resulted in over $900 million in losses, with experts urging users to never share seed phrases or private keys regardless of who requests them.
derbytelegraph.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Criminals are placing fake QR codes over legitimate parking payment signs at car parks, directing motorists to fraudulent payment websites where they steal card details and drain bank accounts. A Derbyshire woman lost approximately £80 (though she was reimbursed), while another victim in northeast England lost £13,000; experts advise against scanning QR codes in public spaces where tampering is possible, as users cannot verify the destination before scanning.