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durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
At a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on protecting older Americans from scammers, Senator Dick Durbin questioned witnesses about crypto ATM fraud, which resulted in nearly $247 million in losses to seniors in 2024, and introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to combat the scams. Witnesses from AARP, USTelecom, and the National Elder Fraud Coordination Center confirmed that criminals are funneling elderly victims to crypto ATMs by convincing them they are saving themselves from legal prosecution, with crypto transactions now common in nearly all transnational elder fraud cases. Durbin also warned seniors to be skeptical of unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from government agencies and urged passage of
durbin.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Senator Dick Durbin testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on elder fraud, reporting that Americans aged 60 and older lost nearly $4.9 billion to fraud in the prior year, with average losses of $83,000, representing a 43 percent increase year-over-year. He highlighted the particular threat of cryptocurrency ATM scams, which caused nearly $247 million in losses in 2024, a 31 percent increase, with one case involving an elderly Illinois woman losing her entire $40,000 life savings. Durbin introduced the Crypto ATM Fraud Prevention Act to require operators to register with regulators, display scam warnings, implement transaction limits, and ref
ghanaweb.com
· 2025-12-08
Ghanaian businessman Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng and multiple associates have been charged in coordinated U.S. federal prosecutions for operating transnational romance and inheritance scams targeting elderly Americans between 2013 and 2024. Boateng allegedly led a decade-long scheme convincing seniors they could claim gold and jewels if they paid fabricated taxes and fees, while related defendants in Ohio and elsewhere defrauded elderly victims through fake romantic relationships and fraudulent business deals, laundering proceeds to Ghana and other countries. These cases represent part of a broader Department of Justice crackdown on international fraud networks preying on seniors, announced in conjunction with World Elder
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
aOK, a new identity-verified chat app, launched to address the growing threat of romance scams and catfishing in online dating. The app requires government-issued ID verification for all users and uses end-to-end encryption to create a secure messaging environment, addressing a critical gap where conversations typically move to less secure platforms like WhatsApp after initial dating app contact. Romance scams cost victims £94.7 million in the UK and $1.3 billion in the US in 2024, with individual losses averaging over £10,000, making robust identity verification tools increasingly urgent for dating safety.
graphic.com.gh
· 2025-12-08
Three separate indictments targeting Ghanaian nationals were unsealed in U.S. federal courts as part of a crackdown on transnational romance fraud schemes targeting elderly Americans. The cases involve multiple defendants accused of operating romance and inheritance scams from 2013 to 2024, using fake romantic engagements and false promises of wealth to defraud seniors of large sums of money, with proceeds laundered through Ghana and other locations. Joseph Kwadwo Badu Boateng was arrested in Ghana and faces extradition, while other defendants face wire fraud and money laundering conspiracy charges.
wknofm.org
· 2025-12-08
Randy Hutchinson, CEO of the Better Business Bureau of the Mid-South, warns of rising sweepstakes and lottery scams in which fraudsters impersonate legitimate organizations and trick victims into paying upfront fees or taxes by falsely claiming they've won prizes. Red flags include winning contests never entered, requests for payment to improve odds, and solicitations for financial or personal information.
cnn.com
· 2025-12-08
US law enforcement seized over $225 million in cryptocurrency stolen from more than 400 victims worldwide in a sophisticated investment scam, marking the largest-ever recovery in so-called "crypto confidence" or "pig butchering" schemes. The scammers, traced partly to the Philippines, conducted hundreds of thousands of transactions to launder the stolen funds, with authorities working to return assets to victims. Crypto investment scam losses have surged dramatically, reaching $5.8 billion in 2024 compared to $2.57 billion in 2022, with scammers often preying on vulnerable individuals including elderly Americans.
app.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers have been sending SMiShing (SMS phishing) text messages impersonating the New Jersey DMV since at least May 2025, threatening recipients with vehicle suspension, credit damage, and increased tolls to coerce immediate payment of alleged unpaid traffic tickets. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission confirmed these fraudulent messages are designed to steal personal and financial information, and emphasized that the legitimate DMV only sends appointment reminder texts and never requests payment or personal details via unsolicited communications. Consumers are advised to avoid clicking links in unexpected texts, visit official websites directly to verify any account issues, and report suspicious messages to the FTC, FBI's IC3, and local cybers
mashable.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are online confidence schemes where cybercriminals build trust with victims (often through romance or friendship) before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency opportunities, with the U.S. Attorney's Office recently seizing $225 million in cryptocurrency stolen from 400 victims worldwide. These scams, which operate at an industrial scale from compounds in countries like India, the Philippines, and Myanmar, typically target older Americans and lonely individuals, using fake identities and fabricated investment platforms from which victims cannot withdraw funds. To protect yourself, remain skeptical of unsolicited contact from strangers online, especially those promoting investment opportunities, and verify the legitimacy of any investment before sending money.
foxnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Android is launching enhanced security features across Android 16 and select earlier devices to combat phone scams, fraud, and theft. Key protections include in-call blocks that prevent scammers from manipulating device settings during calls with non-contacts, AI-powered scam detection in Google Messages that identifies suspicious patterns in real-time, and Key Verifier for identity verification through encrypted keys. These features are designed to protect users from toll road scams, cryptocurrency fraud, financial impersonation, and tech support scams, with most analysis occurring on-device to maintain privacy.
ttnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple states are warning residents about text message scams impersonating state motor vehicle agencies and demanding payment for fraudulent traffic violations or unpaid tolls, threatening driver's license revocation if victims don't pay. The scam has been reported across at least 17 states and represents an evolution of earlier toll-payment scams; the FBI reports text-based scams accounted for $470 million in losses in 2024, with toll scams alone generating $129,624 from nearly 60,000 complaints. State authorities advise residents not to click suspicious links and to contact their state motor vehicle departments directly if they receive threatening messages about unpaid traffic violations.
malwarebytes.com
· 2025-12-08
Malwarebytes research surveying 1,300 people across the US and Europe found that 78% encounter scams on their smartphones at least weekly, with 44% encountering them daily, primarily through email (65%), phone calls/voicemails (53%), text messages (50%), malicious websites (49%), and social media (47%). Despite the high frequency of scam encounters, only 15% of respondents strongly agreed they could confidently identify a scam, highlighting the need for caution when receiving messages from unknown senders or urgent requests for money or personal information.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A Broken Arrow woman testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about romance scams targeting seniors, sharing how her mother lost $350,000 to a scammer before passing away—a tragedy April Helm attributed directly to the fraud and sleep deprivation tactics used by scammers. Advocates testified that adults lose between $7 billion and $62 billion annually to romance scams, urging Congress to establish a task force and strengthen enforcement measures to prosecute these criminals and protect elderly victims.
fox23.com
· 2025-12-08
A Broken Arrow woman testified before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee about the rising threat of romance scams targeting seniors, sharing how her mother lost $350,000 to such a scam before her death. The hearing featured multiple advocates presenting data showing Americans lose between $7 billion and $62 billion annually to romance scams, emphasizing the need for federal action including the creation of a task force and stronger protections for elder victims.
americascreditunions.org
· 2025-12-08
Credit unions are actively combating senior fraud through financial education programs, fraud task forces, and legislative advocacy. The industry urged Senate support for the TRAPS Act to establish a task force examining payment scams, while opposing expanded fraud liability that would strain resources and undermine consumer protections. Credit unions emphasize educating older Americans and their families about fraud detection methods to prevent scams targeting seniors.
lbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Four young Londoners lost £5,000 in a sophisticated rental scam after being pressured to find housing quickly due to an eviction notice. The scammers posed as legitimate estate agents and property managers on established rental websites (OpenRent and Rightmove), collected a holding deposit and first month's rent, but the property was already occupied and never theirs to let. This case reflects a broader trend in which nearly £9 million was lost across around 5,000 reported rental fraud cases, with 18- to 39-year-olds accounting for almost three-quarters of such reports.
theglobeandmail.com
· 2025-12-08
A "pump and dump" scam impersonated economist David Rosenberg and his investment firm, defrauding investors of over $1 million through fake Facebook and Instagram ads that promoted a nonexistent "Wolfpack program." Victims were lured into WhatsApp investment groups where scammers recommended obscure stocks that initially showed dramatic gains before collapsing, with individual losses ranging from $16,000 to $450,000.
nationwidemediacentre.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A Nationwide Building Society survey of 2,000 students found that 28% have been scammed, with purchase fraud (46%), WhatsApp impersonation scams (39%), and blackmail/sextortion scams (29%) being the most common types. The research revealed a rising trend of blackmail scams targeting younger people on social media, often linked to romance scams where perpetrators extract private images or information before demanding money under threat of exposure to victims' contacts.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jamaican national Sherwayne Benjamin Bellinfantie was extradited to the United States in June 2025 to face charges for participating in a romance and lottery sweepstakes scheme that defrauded an 85-year-old Arizona resident of over $400,000 between 2015 and 2019. Bellinfantie and co-conspirators posed as romantic interests and falsely claimed the victim had won lottery prizes, requesting money for taxes and fees, while sending flowers to reinforce the deception. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
Family members can commit financial fraud against seniors in retirement, with red flags including unusual account activity, missing valuables, suspicious signatures, and unauthorized changes to wills or powers of attorney. Experts recommend protecting yourself through estate planning, forming a trusted financial care team, automating bill payments, securing personal information, obtaining legal documents like powers of attorney and wills, and implementing dual signatures or co-trustees to prevent any single person from having complete financial control.
nasdaq.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults are vulnerable to financial fraud from family members and trusted individuals, not just external scammers. Experts recommend protecting against family financial abuse by establishing a trusted team to oversee finances, automating bill payments, monitoring accounts regularly, organizing legal documents (power of attorney, wills), requiring dual signatures for major transactions, and watching for red flags such as unusual financial activity, missing valuables, and unauthorized account changes.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Scammers are sending text messages impersonating Florida's Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles agency, claiming recipients have unpaid traffic tickets and threatening driver's license suspension. The texts contain malicious links designed to steal personal information, and law enforcement advises recipients not to click the links and to report the scams to local authorities.
fox35orlando.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are sending deceptive text messages to Florida drivers claiming they owe unpaid tolls or traffic tickets, using lookalike characters to impersonate the Department of Motor Vehicles and threatening license or registration suspension to pressure victims into clicking malicious links. State authorities warn that legitimate government agencies never contact residents by text for payment—official notices are sent by mail—and urge Floridians to delete such messages and report them to the Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division or FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
3dvf.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI has alerted the public to two growing smartphone scams targeting Android and iPhone users: one falsely claiming unpaid tolls requiring immediate payment, and another impersonating government agents threatening legal action. Both scams use spoofed official numbers and fraudulent links to steal personal and banking information, with payments often routed through untraceable methods like cryptocurrency and gift cards, resulting in financial loss, identity theft, and lasting psychological damage to victims. The FBI recommends ignoring urgent payment requests, never sharing personal information over the phone, verifying requests directly with official organizations using verified contact information, and exercising caution with unexpected links.
turnto23.com
· 2025-12-08
California seniors lost nearly $833 million to scams in 2024, a 43% increase from the previous year, with romance and technology scams being the most prevalent in Bakersfield and Kern County. The FBI highlighted a case involving a retired educator who was defrauded after being contacted by a scammer posing as an attractive woman through a text message, demonstrating how emotional vulnerability can be exploited. To protect themselves, seniors should independently verify claims, check with the Better Business Bureau, resist pressure to act quickly, and never send money or gift cards to unverified individuals.
lethbridgeherald.com
· 2025-12-08
**Seniors and Financial Fraud - Overview and Rising Threats**
People age 60 and over lost $3.4 billion combined to fraud in 2023, with scammers increasingly targeting older adults through evolving methods including phone impersonation, online platforms like Facebook, and cryptocurrency schemes. Common scams include the grandparent scam, tech support fraud, romance scams, and investment schemes that exploit seniors' trust and lower technological proficiency. Law enforcement notes that fraudsters now use sophisticated tools and AI to appear more credible, making it essential for seniors to remain vigilant about unsolicited contact and requests for personal or financial information.
secondwavemedia.com
· 2025-12-08
The United Way of Bay County is hosting a free Senior Fraud Prevention Workshop on June 27 to educate seniors and their families on protecting themselves from financial scams, with topics including recognizing common fraud tactics and steps to take if fraud is suspected. According to the FBI, scammers defraud senior citizens of approximately $3 billion annually, making this educational initiative part of a broader effort supported by a $30,000 Huntington Bank grant to assist vulnerable residents in Bay County.
theprescotttimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Since January 1, 2025, the Prescott area has experienced over $2 million in reported scam losses, with seniors particularly vulnerable to romance scams, bank impersonation schemes, warrant scams, and gift card fraud. Notable cases include a $632,000 romance scam and gift card losses exceeding $33,000, with scammers using emotional manipulation and pressure tactics to request untraceable payments via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or electronic platforms. The Prescott Police Department urges residents to remain vigilant, hang up on suspicious callers, and contact their 24/7 dispatch line at (928) 445-3131 if they suspect fraud.
analyticsinsight.net
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are increasingly using AI-generated deepfakes to create fake romantic identities on dating apps, establishing emotional connections with victims before requesting money for emergencies or investments. Incidents have risen from dozens to hundreds per month globally in 2024, with reported losses ranging from ₹3.6 lakh to over ₹20 lakhs in India and £93 million in the UK in 2023, including a notable case where a French woman lost €830,000 to someone posing as Brad Pitt. Detection relies on identifying technical inconsistencies (fuzzy edges, unnatural eye movements, poor lip-syncing) and behavioral red flags (pressure to move
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost $1.14 billion to romance scams, with the FBI reporting 17,910 complaints and $672 million in losses in 2024. Scammers build fake online relationships through stolen photos and personas on dating apps and social media, using emotional manipulation ("love bombing") to gain trust before requesting money, gifts, or sensitive information. Victims—who are often lonely, grieving, or trusting—experience lasting emotional and financial damage, with cryptocurrency increasingly used as the payment method due to its difficulty in tracing.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
Two Indian nationals on student visas, Kishan Rajeshkumar Patel and Dhruv Rajeshbhai Mangukiya, were convicted in a $2.69 million elder fraud scheme targeting at least 25 elderly U.S. citizens through phishing and impersonation of government officials; Patel received 63 months in prison and was arrested in Texas attempting to collect $130,000 in illicit proceeds. The U.S. Embassy in India issued a formal warning that visa holders engaging in illegal activities face immediate visa revocation and permanent ineligibility, highlighting a growing pattern of international student fraud exploited for elder scams.
news.outsourceaccelerator.com
· 2025-12-08
Pranav Patel, a 33-year-old Indian national, was sentenced to 6 years and 3 months in federal prison for operating as a money collector in a $1.79 million government impersonation scam that targeted elderly Americans, with co-conspirators posing as government agents and threatening victims with arrest to extort cash and gold. Patel traveled along the East Coast collecting packages from vulnerable seniors, including one victim who was forced to sell his home after losing his life savings. Law enforcement recovered most of the funds after arresting Patel during a planned collection operation, though overseas call center operators remain under investigation.
wsbradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Atlanta is participating in a national initiative to prosecute perpetrators of elder fraud through cooperation with domestic and international law enforcement agencies. The office employs a two-pronged strategy combining prosecution of offenders with community education and prevention efforts, as these scams—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandparent scams—cost seniors billions of dollars annually and often deplete life savings. Victims or those aware of elder fraud can report incidents to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
wect.com
· 2025-12-08
The FTC reported $12.5 billion lost to fraud in 2024, with the Social Security Administration being a top target for imposter scams. Scammers are increasingly sophisticated, mimicking federal logos and sending fake links and documents to both younger and older adults, though elderly victims (70+) lose significantly larger dollar amounts. Government agencies never request payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, or precious metals, and victims should report suspicious activity to the SSA's Office of Inspector General.
wifr.com
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau and ComEd warn that con artists intensify scams during summer months, exploiting busy vacationers through fake vacation rental listings, fraudulent ticket sales, impostor utility worker calls threatening service disconnection, and door-to-door home repair schemes. Both organizations advise consumers to research companies before engaging with them, never send cash or personal information to unsolicited contacts, verify utility worker identities through official ID badges, and contact companies directly rather than responding to suspicious calls or visits.
asic.gov.au
· 2025-12-08
This page provides information on reporting investment scams through Australian regulatory channels (ACCC's SCAMwatch, the ATO, or ReportCyber) and offers resources for scam reporting via Moneysmart. The majority of the content consists of administrative instructions for various business registration and licensing processes through ASIC's online portals, which is not directly related to investment scams themselves.
wsbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams defraud victims through fake online relationships, with Americans losing an estimated $1.14 billion in 2023 and the FBI reporting $672 million in losses from 17,910 complaints in 2024. Scammers build emotional trust through "love bombing" on social media and dating apps (40% and 19% of cases respectively), then manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or cryptocurrency—with crypto transfers showing the highest median losses. These schemes cause lasting emotional and financial damage to vulnerable individuals seeking companionship, with the real toll likely higher due to underreporting.
wxyz.com
· 2025-12-08
The "Remote Job Scam" is resurfacing in metro Detroit with increased frequency, targeting residents through unsolicited text messages offering too-good-to-be-true opportunities (such as $800/week for 1-2 hours of work). One victim, Dina Berry, fell for a pharmaceutical company job offer and received a fraudulent $1,700 check before realizing the scam. The Social Security Administration's Office of the Inspector General issued a fresh alert warning of imposters claiming SSA affiliation, advising that legitimate job opportunities come only through USA Jobs, and urging people to watch for red flags including unsolicited contact, requests for personal information, and pressure to
ksl.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam Jam, an educational event held in Sandy, Utah, brought together FBI and AARP experts to educate residents about common fraud schemes including romance, internet, cryptocurrency, and tech support scams. The event featured a personal testimony from Rita, who lost several thousand dollars to a romance scam impersonating a celebrity, emphasizing the importance of reporting fraud despite the emotional and financial toll. Utah reported over 150,000 fraud cases totaling $61 million in losses, with experts stressing that fraud prevention through awareness and recognizing red flags is more effective than recovery efforts.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice seized $225.3 million in cryptocurrency linked to investment scams, marking the largest cryptocurrency seizure in Secret Service history. Over 400 victims lost funds after being deceived into making fraudulent crypto investments through a sophisticated money laundering network. Cryptocurrency investment fraud caused more than $5.8 billion in reported losses in 2024, with law enforcement and banking organizations working to raise public awareness about these scams.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans lost an estimated $1.14 billion to romance scams, emotional cons in which scammers build fake online relationships to manipulate victims into sending money, gifts, or sensitive information. The FBI reported 17,910 romance scam complaints in 2024 totaling $672 million in losses, with scammers increasingly using cryptocurrency for faster, harder-to-trace payments. These scams typically begin on social media (40%) or dating apps (19%), where perpetrators use stolen photos and fake personas to establish emotional trust through "love bombing" before requesting money from vulnerable targets who feel they are helping a romantic partner in crisis.
ruralradio.com
· 2025-12-08
Sheriff Paul Vrbka of York County, Nebraska is directing senior citizens to the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative website (justice.gov/elderjustice) to help them protect themselves against scams. The website provides current information about the latest scam tactics, which scammers continuously update and often deliberately target older people. Sheriff Vrbka emphasizes the resource helps seniors recognize warning signs and avoid becoming victims.
wsaz.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, with the Social Security Administration being a top target for imposter scams that are becoming increasingly sophisticated, including fake logos, fraudulent emails, and malicious links. The Social Security Administration's Office of Inspector General reports that while younger adults (29 and under) report scams frequently due to unfamiliarity with how government agencies operate, older adults (70-84 and 85+) report similar numbers of scams but lose significantly larger dollar amounts. Real government agencies never request payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, prepaid cards, or precious metals, and victims should report suspected scams to the SSA's Office of Inspector General.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia announced increased efforts to combat elder fraud schemes—including romance fraud, lottery fraud, tech support fraud, and grandpament scams—that cost victims billions of dollars and deplete life savings. The office employs a two-pronged approach: prosecuting domestic and foreign criminals involved in elder fraud and money laundering, and conducting outreach to law enforcement and community groups on prevention and detection. The National Elder Fraud Hotline (833-372-8311) provides free support to seniors age 60 and older who have experienced financial fraud, offering victim assessment, reporting assistance,
floridadaily.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, Americans reported over $12.5 billion in fraud losses, with investment and cryptocurrency scams ranking as the top threat (median loss $5,000), followed by employment scams ($1,500 median loss) and romance scams ($6,099 median loss). Active-duty military members are most vulnerable to scams at 55.5%, while Americans aged 35 and older face the highest risk from investment and cryptocurrency schemes, and social media remains the primary channel for reported financial losses. Though fewer Americans fell victim to scams year-over-year (down 14.6%), median losses increased 30%, indicating that victims are losing significantly larger amounts.
keralakaumudi.com
· 2025-12-08
Singer Amrutha Suresh lost Rs 45,000 to a WhatsApp account takeover scam after a hacker gained access to her cousin's account and impersonated her requesting urgent money transfer. Suresh discovered the fraud when her cousin called to warn her that her WhatsApp had been hacked through a phishing call posing as a courier delivery inquiry; she immediately reported the incident to police, who froze the recipient's account and recovered Rs 124 of the transferred amount.
wmtv15news.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission reported $12.5 billion lost to fraud in 2024, with the Social Security Administration being a top target for imposter scams. Scammers increasingly use sophisticated tactics including mimicked federal logos, fraudulent texts with fake links, and phishing emails requesting document downloads, targeting both younger adults unfamiliar with government operations and older Americans who report larger dollar losses. The SSA Office of Inspector General warns that legitimate government agencies never request payment via cryptocurrency, gift cards, prepaid debit cards, or precious metals, and urges victims to report suspected scams.
local10.com
· 2025-12-08
A 66-year-old Miami woman lost approximately $90,000 to a romance scam after connecting emotionally with a scammer online during her divorce, and she is now sharing her story to warn others. Romance scams affected over 7,625 victims older than 60 last year, resulting in $389 million in losses, with scammers typically professing love without meeting in person, isolating victims from family, and requesting money or compromising content. The FBI recommends victims research profiles carefully, go slowly when meeting online contacts, never send money or sensitive information, and be cautious about what personal details they share publicly.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Sandy Hunter fell victim to a text message toll scam in January after receiving a fraudulent text requesting payment for tolls from her cross-country trip; she clicked the link and made a payment, resulting in $300 in unauthorized purchases on her credit card in California. The scam exploited her hurried state and emotional response to the threat of driver's license suspension, demonstrating how toll text scams are currently common in Utah. Hunter and FBI officials at a Scam Jam awareness event in Salt Lake City advised victims to verify sender information (checking country codes), avoid using debit cards for online payments, and take time to review websites carefully before entering payment information.
the420.in
· 2025-12-08
A Panchkula resident lost ₹19 lakh to an online trading scam conducted via WhatsApp, where fraudsters posing as investment consultants lured the victim into a fake trading app that displayed fabricated profits before becoming unresponsive when withdrawal was attempted. Police registered a case under IPC and IT Act sections and launched an investigation into the suspects' phone numbers and bank accounts. Authorities advised the public to verify credentials of financial advisors and avoid transferring large sums based on online promises of unrealistic returns.