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timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Romance scammers in Indian metro cities create fake identities on dating apps to build emotional connections with victims before luring them to expensive restaurants or clubs where accomplices present inflated bills ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 rupees. To protect themselves, users should verify identities through reverse image searches and video calls, meet in public places of their own choosing, avoid rushing into emotional commitments, and remain cautious about sharing financial information with online contacts they haven't thoroughly vetted.
thetomahawk.com
· 2025-12-08
Tennessee experienced $36.6 million in elderly fraud losses in 2022, affecting 1,462 residents aged 60 or over (averaging $25,012 per victim), with an incident rate of 87.4 victims per 100,000 elderly residents. Nationally, investment scams caused the largest losses to seniors ($404 million), followed by business impostor and romance scams, with online contact methods and bank transfers being the most common fraud channels. Elderly residents aged 60+ were significantly more vulnerable to tech support scams, being 517% more likely to fall victim compared to younger age groups.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
New York State Attorney Letitia James warned of rising "pig butchering" romance scams targeting New Yorkers through dating apps and social media, where fraudsters build fake relationships before convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. Victims reported losses ranging from tens of thousands to over $1 million, with two-thirds of crypto complaints to the State Attorney's office linked to online fraud, with communication often conducted through platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned of rising "pig butchering" romance scams in which fraudsters use dating apps and social media to build fake romantic relationships with victims before pressuring them to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. Victims have lost between tens of thousands and over $1 million, with two-thirds of the Attorney General's cryptocurrency complaints tied to these online crimes. The scammers typically move conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp or WeChat before directing victims to fraudulent investment platforms, often operated by overseas perpetrators.
troyrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, where fraudsters build romantic relationships with victims on dating apps and social media before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or currency schemes. Victims typically deposit tens of thousands to over a million dollars before discovering they cannot withdraw funds or are asked to pay fake fees, at which point the scammers disappear. The Attorney General recommends verifying people's identities, consulting financial advisors before investing, and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the relevant platforms.
elliptic.co
· 2025-12-08
AI-enhanced scams are emerging as a potential threat in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, though not yet widespread. Criminals are exploiting AI technology through deepfake videos of celebrities and public figures to promote fake crypto investment schemes, and by creating fraudulent "AI-related" tokens designed for pump-and-dump schemes and rug-pulls that defraud investors. Elliptic released a horizon scanning report identifying five typologies of AI-enabled crypto crimes and recommends industry stakeholders implement best practices and develop strategies to prevent these threats from becoming mainstream.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
A scam-baiter named Jim Browning exposed a cryptocurrency investment scam operation based in Georgia, Eastern Europe, that targets victims worldwide by posing as financial advisors and recovery services. The scammers use fake celebrity endorsements and fraudulent websites to lure victims, then display fake cryptocurrency portfolios to convince them their money is growing, with some victims—including an Australian man Browning monitored in real-time—losing thousands of dollars. Australians reported losing over $2.74 billion to scams in the previous year, with attackers particularly targeting older adults with retirement savings.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 19-year-old California man was indicted for stealing over $20,000 from a 74-year-old Kettering woman through a tech support scam that began with a phishing email. The victim was manipulated into mailing cash and transferring funds through multiple interactions before police arrested the suspect during an attempted in-person money exchange. The case highlights the prevalence of tech support scams targeting seniors, which the FBI identified as the most common elder fraud type in 2023, with victims aged 60+ losing an average of $33,915 each.
wbtv.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Americans over 60 experienced elder fraud at record levels, with 101,000 complaints filed and estimated losses of $3.4 billion—a 14% increase from 2022, with investment scams being the costliest type of fraud targeting this age group. The FBI urges seniors to avoid unsolicited calls from supposed government agencies, watch for red flags like pressure to act quickly or requests for prepaid cards and wire transfers, and register with the National Do-Not-Call Registry. Financial institutions and family members are encouraged to help protect seniors by verifying callers and discussing fraud awareness.
sportskeeda.com
· 2025-12-08
A Counter-Strike 2 player lost over $2,000 worth of in-game skins, including a rare Gamma Doppler Falchion Knife, through an API scam that used a phishing link to fraudulently authorize trades without a trade request or Steam Guard notification. API scams in CS2 work by sending fake links that direct victims to fraudulent Steam pages where scammers collect login credentials and execute unauthorized trades. Community responses included filing Steam support tickets, sharing similar experiences, and emphasizing the importance of verifying API pages and avoiding suspicious links to prevent such theft.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
A cybercrime gang operating in Zambia was convicted and sentenced in Lusaka Magistrates Court, with 22 Chinese nationals and one Cameroonian receiving jail terms ranging from 7 to 11 years for orchestrating a sophisticated internet fraud syndicate that targeted victims across Singapore, Peru, the United Arab Emirates, and other countries. The gang members, who worked for the Chinese-run Golden Top Support Services company, used deceptive online conversations via WhatsApp and Telegram, spoofed phone numbers, and recruited Zambian call-center agents to defraud unsuspecting mobile and bank account users; they were each fined $1,500-$3,000
starofmysore.com
· 2025-12-08
Three Mysuru residents lost a combined Rs. 40,42,779 to sophisticated fraud schemes between May and June 2024. The victims included an engineer duped by a fake HDFC Securities investment scam on Instagram/WhatsApp (Rs. 22,58,779 lost), a man impersonated by fake Mumbai Crime Branch officials posing as FedEx and ICICI Bank representatives (Rs. 7,00,561 lost), and another victim defrauded by a fraudulent stock trading website (Rs. 10,84,460 lost). Police have registered cases and advise residents to verify identities before sharing personal information or making financial transactions.
ca.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
British Columbia authorities warned 10 suspected "money mules" in Metro Vancouver in late May after the BCSC identified them transferring funds obtained from investment fraud victims, with an estimated hundreds of thousands of dollars involved. Money mules—who may knowingly or unknowingly facilitate money laundering for criminal networks—are recruited through false job offers, romance scams, or false identities, and face potential criminal charges for possession or laundering proceeds of crime. The investigation revealed that organized crime groups behind these investment fraud schemes have shifted from Nigeria and Eastern Europe to primarily southeast Asia since the BCSC began investigating in 2020.
vancouversun.com
· 2025-12-08
The RCMP and B.C. Securities Commission delivered warning letters to 10 suspected "money mules" on May 29 who were allegedly laundering proceeds from offshore investment scams involving hundreds of thousands of dollars through cash and cryptocurrency transfers. The operation targets individuals who may be unwittingly assisting criminals, willfully ignoring the illegal activity, or knowingly participating in money laundering schemes that originate from Eastern Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia. British Columbians reported $46.4 million in investment scam losses in 2023, though authorities estimate actual losses are significantly higher, with the true figure likely in the hundreds of millions of dollars.
moneymarketing.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Fraud affects one in 17 people in the UK and comprises 38% of all crime, according to an Anti-Money Laundering Professionals Forum. The article outlines seven increasingly sophisticated fraud types targeting victims: impersonation fraud (posing as banks or authorities), social media fraud (fake websites and phishing), cryptocurrency investment scams (promising false high returns), courier fraud (impersonating officials to extract money), romance fraud (building fake relationships to steal assets), investment fraud (promoting worthless overseas properties or shares), and payment diversion (using nearly-identical email addresses to redirect payments). Pension providers and authorities must work together to combat these scams through reporting and vigilance.
baltimoresun.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland's attorney general and comptroller held a public awareness event in Annapolis to warn older residents about financial fraud risks and prevention strategies. According to AARP data cited in the warning, one in five older adults has fallen victim to fraud schemes, highlighting the widespread nature of this problem in the state.
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported an 11% increase in elder fraud losses in 2023 compared to 2022, with people over 60 losing $3.4 billion nationwide and $43 million in Tennessee alone. Common scams targeting seniors include cryptocurrency investments, tech support fraud, business scams, and romance scams, with scammers exploiting older adults' disposable income and lower proficiency with online services. The FBI advises victims to stop sending money, cut off contact with scammers, and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center immediately.
mageenews.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) was recognized by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi to promote awareness of elder fraud and abuse. The Justice Department highlighted common scams targeting seniors—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and emphasized that information and vigilance, along with partnerships between law enforcement and the public, are key to prevention. Resources like the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Senior Scam Alerts are available to help older individuals and families identify and avoid fraudulent activity.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and highlighted that financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, costing older adults an estimated $23 billion annually. The U.S. Attorney's Office has expanded efforts to combat elder fraud through initiatives including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, which targets foreign-based schemes, the Money Mule Initiative to disrupt fraud networks, and Senior Scam Alerts educating the public about common schemes such as Social Security impostor scams, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) by partnering with law enforcement agencies, AARP, Meals on Wheels, and the FBI to combat elder fraud through community education. The office hosted three public outreach events in Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Supply to help seniors recognize signs of financial scams and connect them with resources and support services. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley emphasized that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters and prioritized prosecuting cases involving elderly victims as part of broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
crapo.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams, an 11 percent increase from 2022, prompting Senator Mike Crapo to co-sponsor a unanimously passed Senate Resolution to combat elder fraud. Common scams targeting older Americans include romance schemes, fraudulent tech support, cryptocurrency conversion fraud, and investment scams, with warning signs including unexpected contact with pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, and demands for untraceable payments. The Idaho Attorney General's office and other agencies provide educational resources and encourage seniors to report fraud without shame, noting that scammers are sophisticated and victims should contact law enforcement, their financial institutions, and relevant agencies rather than remaining silent due to
capitalgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland policymakers held a public awareness event warning older residents about financial fraud, which affected 1,985 adults age 60+ in the state last year. A 79-year-old Montgomery County woman lost over $500,000 to an FBI imposter scam involving fake fentanyl trafficking investigations, experiencing severe physical and psychological health consequences. State officials announced expanded protections for seniors and encouraged fraud victims to report incidents to law enforcement at 833-372-8311, emphasizing that reports help build cases against scammers targeting vulnerable populations nationwide.
says.com
· 2025-12-08
Deepfake videos featuring former Malaysian badminton champion Datuk Lee Chong Wei are circulating on social media promoting fake investment schemes. Lee warned the public to verify claims through his official social media accounts and advised remaining vigilant against "too good to be true" offers, noting that fellow shuttler Lai Pei Jing lost most of her life savings to a similar bogus investment scheme. Lee is collaborating with Malaysian authorities to combat scams, which resulted in RM1.218 billion in losses from 34,497 reported cases in 2023.
newportnewstimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Social media scams are currently the most prevalent fraud type, surpassing phone and text fraud. The article identifies four common tactics: giveaway scams requiring personal information or suspicious link clicks, investment scams promising unrealistic returns, fake shopping deals with pressure tactics and unusual payment requests, and impersonation scams where fraudsters pose as trusted contacts requesting urgent financial assistance. Protection strategies include verifying account authenticity, avoiding unsolicited offers, using secure payment methods, enabling two-factor authentication, and confirming unexpected requests through independent contact channels.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud in late 2022 when over $3,000 in unauthorized charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement after a Florida vacation, though her family's dispute with Citibank was closed due to insufficient information. The case highlights a broader problem: Massachusetts residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults. Experts recommend families monitor elderly parents' financial accounts closely and discuss common scam tactics, including requests for unusual payment methods and pressure to act quickly.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about crypto romance scams, where fraudsters pose as romantic interests on social media, build emotional connections, and then pressure victims to invest in cryptocurrency with promises of guaranteed high returns. Scammers use untraceable payment methods like gift cards and crypto transfers, with victims reporting losses ranging from thousands to millions of dollars. The FTC advises people to disconnect from suspected scammers immediately and report them to both the social media platform and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission issued a warning about the rise of "romance scams" (also called "pig butchering scams"), in which scammers pose as romantic interests to trick victims into making fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, with over $75 billion lost to these schemes between January 2020 and February 2024. The FTC advised that scammers establish emotional connections, conduct background checks on victims, promise unrealistic risk-free returns, and disappear after obtaining funds, and recommended that victims cut off contact and report incidents to the FTC. Notable cases include a Philadelphia woman who lost $450,000 in 2024 and crypto exchange Debiex, which allegedly solicite
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer warning about romance scams involving cryptocurrency, in which scammers build emotional relationships with victims over time before convincing them to invest in crypto schemes with false promises of guaranteed profits and expert guidance. The FTC noted these scammers have stolen millions of dollars and advised consumers to watch for warning signs such as promises of large returns, guaranteed risk-free investments, and requests to send money. Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre similarly reported a surge in crypto romance scams on dating apps and social media, urging consumers to be cautious of online contacts promoting cryptocurrency investments.
steinbachonline.com
· 2025-12-08
**Jewelry Scam Alert - Southern Manitoba**
Steinbach RCMP is warning the public about a resurgent roadside jewelry scam where fraudsters pose as stranded motorists selling jewelry at discounted prices, claiming car trouble or financial hardship. One victim purchased a gold ring for $200 from a scammer claiming to be a stranded traveler from Dubai along Provincial Road 311; similar incidents have been reported across southern Manitoba with vehicles bearing out-of-province license plates, and authorities advise the public never to purchase items roadside or feel pressured into transactions.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
An anonymous victim lost approximately $1.1 million to two pig-butchering romance scams between January 2021 and December 2022, where scammers posed as a romantic interest and investment advisor on Facebook to manipulate the victim into transferring funds for false business opportunities and cryptocurrency investments. The US government has filed a forfeiture complaint to seize nearly $200,000 in Tether (USDT) held on Binance that was traced to the scam and converted by suspect Izuchukwu Henry Okolo, with the funds now in FBI custody. Pig-butchering scams use romantic relationships and false investment promises to gain victims' trust
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
A 41-year-old businessman in Nagpur lost Rs 87 lakhs (approximately $104,000 USD) to an online investment scam after accepting a Facebook friend request from a fraudster posing as "Jesleen Prasad" who promoted fake trading on a counterfeit New York Stock Exchange platform (newyorkstockexchangev.top). The scammer initially showed small investment gains to build trust, then persuaded the victim to invest large sums (Rs 30 lakhs and Rs 57 lakhs) before the account was frozen and additional payment demanded, ultimately resulting in a police complaint filed with Nagpur's Lakadganj police station.
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
**Article:** "Raising awareness about fraud targeting seniors"
The FBI reported seniors lost $3.4 billion in 2023, an 11-percent increase from 2022, through scams including romance fraud, fake tech support, cryptocurrency schemes, and investment fraud. The article outlines six warning signs of scams and provides guidance on prevention measures and reporting channels, including contacting local police, the FTC, FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
wtov9.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorneys' offices for West Virginia's Northern and Southern districts hosted a Bank Secrecy Act and Anti-Money Laundering Conference in Wheeling to educate banking officials, compliance officers, and other financial professionals on identifying and preventing money laundering, elder financial exploitation, and romance scams. The conference featured panels with FBI agents, IRS agents, and federal prosecutors discussing strategies to better protect older West Virginians, with particular focus on the challenge of preventing victims from sending additional money to their exploiters. Officials noted an uptick in elder financial exploitation cases across the region and committed to improving protective measures.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud when over $3,000 in fraudulent charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement in late 2022, shortly after she vacationed in Florida. Her daughter spent more than a year attempting to dispute the charges with Citibank, but the case was closed due to insufficient information, highlighting challenges elderly fraud victims face in resolving disputes. The incident reflects a broader trend in Massachusetts, where residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors being significantly more vulnerable to online scams, investment fraud, and imposter schemes.
theintelligencer.net
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia hosted a financial crimes conference in Wheeling to educate bank officials, credit union staff, and other financial professionals on identifying and preventing fraud targeting vulnerable populations. The conference covered multiple fraud types affecting West Virginians, including elder financial abuse (subdivided into "elder thefts" by known individuals and "elder scams" by strangers), romance scams, and money laundering, with federal law enforcement and prosecutors sharing current trends and investigation insights. The training emphasized helping financial professionals recognize suspicious activity, properly file reports, and understand why victims—particularly elderly and trusting West Virginians—often resist warnings about ongoing scams.
newarkadvocate.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud cases are rising significantly across Ohio, with the Ashland Police Department reporting a 62% increase in fraud and forgery cases, while the FBI documented a 14% increase in fraud allegations against older adults in 2023, resulting in average losses of $33,915 per victim and over $3.4 billion in total losses. Scammers target all demographics—including business professionals and online daters—using tactics such as requesting gift card payments, threatening account hacks, and romance manipulation. Police recommend avoiding unsolicited money transfers to unknown individuals, using buyer-protected payment services, recognizing deals that seem too good to be true, and contacting local police if feeling uneasy
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
A USA-based businesswoman lost approximately Rs 6 crore (approximately $720,000 USD) in a jewelry scam involving Jaipur jewellers who sold her 9-carat gold instead of 14-carat and moissanite stones instead of diamonds, supported by fraudulent hallmark certificates. One suspect, Nand Kishore, who issued the fake certificates, was arrested, while the primary jewellers Gorav Soni and Rajendra Soni remain at large; the fraud was discovered when the victim had the jewelry authenticated at a USA exhibition and the USA embassy subsequently intervened in the investigation.
k99.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado woman who co-owned a jewelry store was defrauded of over $700,000 over two years after meeting a man on Instagram who posed as a legitimate gold jewelry seller; she discovered the items she purchased were cheap silver worth approximately $4 each made to look like gold. After traveling to India to confront the scammers, she contacted authorities, and while one man involved in creating fraudulent authenticity documents was arrested, the father-and-son perpetrators remained at large as of June 2024.
hudsonvalleycountry.com
· 2025-12-08
New York officials are warning residents about a rising "pig butchering" scam targeting romance seekers on dating apps and social media. Scammers build trust with victims over time before convincing them to invest money in cryptocurrency or foreign currency schemes, often moving conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp to evade law enforcement. New York Attorney General Letitia James recommends verifying people's identities, avoiding wire transfers to unvetted contacts, and being suspicious of those who resist video calls, pressure for investments, or request personal financial information.
euronews.com
· 2025-12-08
Deepfakes are being weaponized by cybercriminals and fraudsters faster than anticipated, with politicians representing nearly 40% of targets (primarily for election interference) and celebrities/businesses increasingly victimized in scams worth millions of euros. Trading scams using deepfakes are the most prevalent (35%), followed by retail and gambling, with recent incidents including a €23 million fraudulent transfer and impersonations of public figures like Tom Hanks and Elon Musk to promote investment schemes.
wuky.org
· 2025-12-08
Elder Kentuckians lost $12.8 million to scams in the previous year, with projections to double to $12.7 million by May of the current year, according to FBI officials who warn the problem is not declining. The three most common scams targeting Kentucky elders are investment fraud (including cryptocurrency and precious metals schemes), tech support fraud (phishing and fake security alerts), and romance fraud, with a detailed case study showing a 72-year-old woman losing nearly $200,000 to a military officer imposter who cultivated a romantic relationship with her over months before requesting money for military contract payouts and travel expenses. The investigation resulted in the indictment of three U
sf.gov
· 2025-12-08
San Francisco's Mayor London Breed joined city, state, and federal leaders on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to announce that over 1,200 seniors were reached through a multi-agency fraud prevention campaign, with presentations delivered in six languages across 37 locations. The coalition educated seniors on identifying red flags for scams including blessing scams, AI-based impersonation, grandparent schemes, and "pig butchering" cryptocurrency fraud, while highlighting that elder fraud caused over $3.4 billion in losses nationally in 2023, with the average victim losing $33,915. The effort aimed to help seniors and families recognize fraudulent schemes and report crimes to prevent victimization.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2024, major consumer protection organizations reported that elder real estate fraud losses increased 14 percent since 2022, with nearly 1,500 Americans ages 60 and older losing $65 million in real estate scams in 2023 alone. The fraud includes forged documents, Power of Attorney abuse, deed theft, and deceptive financial schemes targeting seniors' property and money. Organizations including AARP, the National Association of Realtors, and the National Consumer Law Center are urging states to implement stronger protections such as uniform power of attorney laws, multi-factor authentication, property record monitoring, and enhanced enforcement by adult protective services and law enforcement.
wthr.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported that elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion from January to May 2024, a $300 million increase over the same 2023 period, with tech support, romance, investment, and government impersonation scams being the most prevalent. To protect themselves, seniors should verify unsolicited contacts through independent research, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information or money with unverified sources, and monitor financial accounts for suspicious activity. Victims should document details of the scam and report it to their local FBI office or IC3.gov.
wgme.com
· 2025-12-08
Maine seniors lost $7.1 million to elder fraud in the past year, with nearly 400 victims over age 60 falling prey to scams including romance and investment schemes often involving cryptocurrency. The FBI reports a double-digit increase in financial scams across New England, with regional losses reaching $1.6 billion between January and May of this year. Victims are advised to avoid unsolicited communications, resist pressure to act quickly, never share personal information with unverified sources, and recognize gift cards and cryptocurrency payments as red flags, while authorities emphasize that actual victim numbers are likely higher due to underreporting.
sebastopoltimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Financial exploitation of elderly residents in Sonoma County increased significantly, with Adult Protective Services reporting a 9% rise in abuse reports and 14% increase in investigations from 2022 to 2023, with 19% of over 7,800 allegations involving financial exploitation. Common scams targeting seniors include investment fraud, tech support scams, phishing schemes, and romance scams, which collectively cost victims $3.4 billion nationally in 2023, with romance scams proving particularly damaging due to the emotional manipulation involved. Experts advised seniors to avoid clicking links in suspicious emails or calls, contact companies directly to verify account issues, and be wary of requests for money from online dating
al.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers exploit emotional connections formed on dating apps and social media to lure victims into fake investment schemes, particularly cryptocurrency fraud. In 2021, romance scams cost Americans $547 million, with cryptocurrency-based scams being the most expensive, and victims have lost tens of thousands to millions of dollars. Red flags include promises of guaranteed profits, "no risk" investments, offers to teach investment strategies, and requests for payment via gift cards, payment apps, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency—anyone meeting online who pitches cryptocurrency investment is running a scam and should be reported immediately to the platform and the FTC.
wmtw.com
· 2025-12-08
Seniors are increasingly targeted by scammers using phone calls impersonating banks or relatives to steal personal information and money. According to FBI data, older Americans lost $1.6 billion to fraud from January-May 2024, with Maine victims alone losing $7.2 million in 2023 (397 cases averaging $18,040 per victim). Experts recommend pausing to verify unexpected urgent calls through known phone numbers and educating older adults about common scams, with organizations like Kennebunk Savings partnering with the Southern Maine Agency on Aging to provide fraud prevention resources and support.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
In observation of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts emphasized its commitment to prosecuting elder fraud and financial exploitation, noting that nearly one in 10 adults aged 60 and older experience some form of elder abuse annually. The office highlighted a recent case where Chukwunonso Umegbo was sentenced to over three years in prison for operating a romance scam that defrauded at least 45 victims of more than $568,000 between 2018 and 2019, including a senior who lost her home, car, and retirement savings. The District of Massachusetts has launched an Elder Justice Out
punchng.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. government announced increased efforts to pursue international scammers targeting American citizens, following a business email compromise scheme that defrauded a U.S. company of approximately $8 billion (N8 billion). Scammers used spoofed emails to redirect payments to fraudulent accounts, with funds transferred to cryptocurrency wallets and banks in multiple countries including Nigeria; U.S. authorities successfully seized approximately $5.3 million held in domestic banks before it could be transferred overseas. The Department of Justice is directing victims of cryptocurrency scams, romance scams, investment scams, and business email compromise fraud to report through a dedicated government website to support investigation and recovery efforts.