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10tv.com
· 2025-12-08
A coordinated scam targeting both rideshare drivers and older adults in central Ohio manipulated victims into dangerous situations by falsely claiming packages or bail money needed to be picked up. The scam resulted in the fatal shooting of Uber driver Loletha Hall by 81-year-old William Brock, who believed she was part of the scheme after receiving threatening calls, and similarly endangered Lyft driver David Young two days earlier when a homeowner tried to detain him after being targeted by the same scammer.
noozhawk.com
· 2025-12-08
The city of Goleta partnered with the Santa Barbara District Attorney's Office and the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club to hold a community scam-prevention presentation called "Name that Tune, Stop that Scam!" on April 15. The program educated seniors and caregivers about current local and nationwide scams, protection strategies, and victim resources, addressing the fact that one in five seniors becomes a victim of abuse or fraud, with nearly 90% of elder abuse cases involving family members.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A senior in Oceanside, California, was defrauded of $50,000 through a pop-up scam falsely claiming their bank account was compromised; when scammers attempted to collect an additional $40,000, police and the FBI Elder Justice Task Force coordinated with the victim to apprehend 44-year-old Chi Hung Duong, who was arrested and charged with bail set at $200,000. The case highlights the dangers of pop-up scams and courier-based fraud schemes targeting seniors.
shawlocal.com
· 2025-12-08
Kendall County TRIAD, a senior safety organization, is hosting educational and social events throughout 2024 to help seniors protect themselves from scams, including a new "Scam Awareness Road Show" that brings fraud prevention education to remote areas of the county. Upcoming events include spring townhalls and resource fairs in May, a June picnic with activities, and a fall scam awareness event, all designed to empower seniors with fraud prevention knowledge and connect them with community resources.
orilliamatters.com
· 2025-12-08
The Orillia OPP has launched a new podcast called "Couchiching Cops in Conversation" in partnership with OrilliaMatters to raise public awareness about local policing issues, crime trends, and support resources, with episodes published twice monthly. The inaugural episode focuses on senior fraud and abuse, with future episodes planned to address mental health crises, impaired driving, and boating safety, while accepting listener questions to foster community engagement on policing matters.
au.finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A NAB banker in Hobart prevented an 80-year-old customer from losing $10,000 to a phone scam after noticing red flags when he requested a cheque and gave inconsistent explanations for the withdrawal. The scammers had called the man, instructed him to drain his account and lie to bank staff, and made threats to prevent him from seeking help. The banker's intervention and questioning saved the customer's entire account balance and highlighted the importance of bank staff vigilance in protecting vulnerable elderly customers from increasingly sophisticated fraud.
wsiltv.com
· 2025-12-08
Multiple scams targeting senior citizens were reported to Marion Police Department over two weeks, occurring at self-checkout stations in large retail stores. Suspects distracted shoppers by pointing out money on the floor, then stole their debit/credit cards from the checkout station and fled; in one case, a suspect followed a victim to their vehicle to attempt the same ruse. Police advised shoppers to cover the keypad during checkout, remain aware of surroundings, and report suspicious activity to authorities.
freebeacon.com
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Ohio man fatally shot an Uber driver after both became entangled in a telephone scam involving threats and demands for money. William Brock received calls from a scammer claiming a relative was incarcerated and demanding payment, while the same scammer directed driver Lo-Letha Hall to pick up a package from Brock's home, leading to a confrontation in which Brock shot Hall three times. This case illustrates the growing danger of phone scams targeting elderly individuals, particularly those involving false claims about incarcerated relatives.
wccbcharlotte.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in Charlotte issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, noting that victims often suffer substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and lost $3.4 billion to fraud, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted "Fraud Bingo" education sessions at senior centers to teach older adults about fraudster tactics and encourage reporting to help identify trends and recover stolen funds.
yourvalley.net
· 2025-12-08
Donald Franklin Huegel, a California resident, was sentenced to four years in prison for his role in a romance scam that defrauded two elderly Arizona victims of nearly $400,000 combined. Operating for two years, Huegel funneled money from victims who were contacted by scammers posing as romantic interests online (using fake profiles "Chad Callahan" and "Michael Williams") and later threatened with identity theft claims to extract additional payments. Huegel was convicted of fraudulent schemes, illegal enterprise, money laundering, and theft, with restitution to be determined at a future hearing.
mesquitelocalnews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Mesquite, Nevada (population 21,000+) was rated the safest city in Nevada for 2024 by SafeWise, improving one spot from the previous year through community-police collaboration, increased patrols, and social media crime prevention campaigns that reduced property and violent crimes. The Mesquite Police Department is also prioritizing elder fraud prevention and senior safeguarding as part of its ongoing public safety efforts.
wibc.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating U.S. Marshals Service officials and law enforcement are making phone calls claiming victims' identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then instructing them to withdraw money and purchase gift cards under the false promise of opening new bank accounts and providing new social security numbers. The FBI and USMS warn that these fraudulent calls have been reported nationally and in northern Indiana, often targeting elderly victims who lose thousands of dollars; authorities urge recipients to hang up, report the calls to the FTC, and contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311 if victimized.
wowo.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are warning of a surge in sophisticated phone scams where criminals impersonate law enforcement officials, using real badge numbers, officer names, and spoofed government phone numbers to appear credible. Victims in the Northern District of Indiana and across the nation have been deceived into withdrawing cash, purchasing gift cards, and transferring funds under false claims that their identities were stolen or bank accounts compromised, with losses reaching tens of thousands of dollars. Authorities urge victims to report incidents to the FBI and FTC, and remind the public never to share financial information with unsolicited callers or send money to anyone claiming to be law enforcement.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Canadian man, Patrice Runner, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for operating a psychic mass-mailing fraud scheme that defrauded over 1.3 million victims—primarily elderly and vulnerable Americans—of more than $175 million between 1994 and 2014. The scheme involved sending fraudulent letters falsely attributed to psychics Maria Duval and Patrick Guerin, promising wealth and happiness in exchange for fees, then bombarding victims who paid with dozens of follow-up letters requesting additional payments. Runner, who operated through shell companies in Canada and Hong Kong while living in multiple countries, was extradited from Spain in 2020 to face federal charges of mail
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office in North Carolina warned the public about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes targeting older adults, particularly around Tax Day. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals 60 and older filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, phishing, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors used an interactive "Fraud Bingo" educational tool at a senior center to help older adults, caregivers, and community workers recognize fraud tactics and report suspicious activity to help recover stolen funds and identify emerging
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are impersonating U.S. Marshals, judges, and police officers in phone scams targeting the elderly and others, claiming their identities have been stolen and bank accounts hacked, then convincing victims to withdraw money and place it on gift cards. The scammers use fake badge numbers and caller ID spoofing to appear legitimate, with some victims losing tens of thousands of dollars; the U.S. Marshals Service urges recipients to report such calls to the FBI and FTC, noting that legitimate agencies never request money over the phone.
kpq.com
· 2025-12-08
Police departments in Grant County are warning residents about door-to-door home improvement scams that surge during warmer months, where fraudsters pose as contractors offering discounted paving or tree trimming services using leftover materials or available time. These scammers typically deliver substandard work at inflated prices and demand cash payment upfront to avoid traceable transactions, making it impossible for victims to dispute or cancel payment afterward. Homeowners should verify contractors are licensed and bonded, check for permanent business addresses, request non-cash payment methods, and report suspicious solicitation to local law enforcement, with particular attention paid to warning elderly neighbors who are more vulnerable to these schemes.
kbsi23.com
· 2025-12-08
In Marion, Illinois, scammers targeting senior citizens at retail self-checkout stations used distraction tactics to steal debit cards. One victim had his card taken after a suspect distracted him by claiming he dropped money, while an accomplice grabbed the card and used it to purchase approximately $7,000-$8,000 in gift cards; a second victim was approached but the scam was unsuccessful. Police Chief David Fitts advised the community to shield their PIN entry, stay aware of their surroundings, and monitor their wallet and purse, as the suspects—described as Middle Eastern or Arabic males speaking fluent English and Russian—remain at large.
vermilioncountyfirst.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL) and Troy Balderson (R-OH) introduced the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, bipartisan legislation directing the Federal Trade Commission to issue a comprehensive report on senior-targeted scams, their frequency, and policy recommendations to help older adults avoid them. The bill also directs the FTC to update its consumer portal with searchable scam information by region and coordinate with media and law enforcement to distribute awareness materials to seniors and caregivers, with the goal of preventing seniors from losing their life savings to fraudulent schemes.
crossville-chronicle.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes the 127 Senior Center's Friday morning gatherings, which offer seniors coffee, fellowship, games, and social connection. The article highlights that members receive fraud awareness education, including warnings about computer and telephone scams targeting seniors, and features regular entertainment and lunch for attendees.
cnhi.com
· 2025-12-08
This article describes programming and social activities at the 127 Senior Center in Crossville, highlighting their Friday morning gatherings that include bingo, meetings, and entertainment. Members Linda Kondrach and Lynda Ennis raised awareness about common scams targeting seniors, specifically warning about fraudulent computer messages and telephone scams where callers record victims saying "yes." The center also hosts weekly Thursday evening live music events open to the community.
govtech.com
· 2025-12-08
Law enforcement arrests alone are insufficient to combat ransomware; a multi-pronged approach targeting various ecosystem vulnerabilities—including cryptocurrency wallets, initial access tools like Qakbot, and criminal infrastructure—is more effective. Defenders should address basic security gaps and be aware that many successful ransomware attacks use decades-old techniques rather than sophisticated methods, while youth perpetrators in communities like "The Com" often employ social engineering tactics targeting specific employees on LinkedIn. Experts recommend early intervention and legitimate opportunities (such as bug bounty programs) to redirect tech-savvy individuals away from criminal activity rather than relying solely on arrests and imprisonment.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Chase customer's account was compromised, with over $1,000 fraudulently transferred via Zelle to someone using the name "Adam," which Chase initially refused to refund despite the customer being an account holder for over 30 years. After media intervention, Chase reversed its decision and credited the victim $1,094 to her account. The article notes that one in five older Americans falls victim to financial exploitation, losing an average of $120,303, and provides recommendations for protecting seniors including disabling Zelle, monitoring accounts, and never giving remote device access to unknown parties.
wftv.com
· 2025-12-08
SunPass issued a warning about rising phishing scams in which fraudsters impersonate toll operators and send text messages demanding payment to avoid fees, directing recipients to fake websites designed to steal personal information. The toll collection system emphasized that it does not send such unsolicited text messages to customers.
wimsradio.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Marshals Service and FBI are alerting the public to widespread imposter scams in which callers falsely claim to be law enforcement officials, telling victims their identities have been stolen and instructing them to withdraw cash and purchase gift cards—tactics that are entirely fraudulent. The Marshals Service has received daily inquiries from victims nationwide who have lost tens of thousands of dollars, and emphasizes that it never requests money, financial information, or monetary instruments by phone. Victims are urged to report suspected scams to the FBI and Federal Trade Commission, or contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-372-8311.
classaction.org
· 2025-12-08
A class action lawsuit filed in South Carolina in April 2024 alleges that Bitcoin Depot and Circle K Stores knowingly failed to implement adequate safeguards against cryptocurrency ATM scams targeting elderly consumers, despite awareness that their machines are commonly used to facilitate elder fraud and money laundering. The defendants allegedly maintained minimal anti-fraud measures because they profit substantially from charging inflated markups on Bitcoin transactions, with the FTC reporting over 46,000 cryptocurrency scam victims losing more than $1 billion between January 2021 and June 2022, primarily through Bitcoin.
newstopicnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office issued a warning about IRS imposter scams and other financial fraud schemes disproportionately targeting older adults, which cause substantial monetary losses and emotional distress. According to the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report, individuals aged 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses, with tech support scams, government impersonation, romance scams, and non-delivery schemes being the most common schemes. Federal prosecutors conducted educational "Fraud Bingo" sessions at senior centers to help older adults recognize scam tactics and encourage fraud reporting to authorities.
iredellfreenews.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of North Carolina is warning residents about IRS imposter scams and other fraud schemes that disproportionately target older adults, with the FBI's 2023 Internet Crimes Report noting that individuals 60 and above filed 101,068 complaints and sustained $3.4 billion in losses—the highest among all age groups. Common scams include government impersonation (IRS, SSA, sheriff's office), tech support scams, romance scams, grandparent scams, and non-delivery schemes, with authorities emphasizing that reporting fraud helps recover stolen funds and identify emerging criminal trends.
independent.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An 81-year-old Ohio man, William Brock, fatally shot Uber driver Loletha Hall, 61, in March 2024 after falling victim to a bail scam where scammers falsely claimed his relative was in jail and demanded cash. Hall, an innocent victim herself, had been directed through the Uber app to pick up a package at Brock's home as part of the same scam operation; when she arrived, Brock confronted her at gunpoint and shot her multiple times as she attempted to flee. Brock was charged with murder, felonious assault, and kidnapping, while the actual scammers who orchest
kiplinger.com
· 2025-12-08
A Senate report reveals that retirees across multiple states have been targeted by scams resulting in both significant financial losses and substantial IRS tax bills, with victims unable to deduct theft losses under current tax law. The report profiles cases such as a Pennsylvania retiree who lost $765,000 to a cryptocurrency scam and subsequently faced a $220,000 tax bill, highlighting how the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act narrowed the theft loss deduction for individuals to only federally declared disasters. Senator Bob Casey calls for reversing these tax limitations to protect fraud victims from bearing additional tax burdens on their stolen retirement savings.
calgaryherald.com
· 2025-12-08
A 41-year-old Vermilion man was charged with fraud after posing as a lawyer in a grandparent scam targeting a 75-year-old woman in Lethbridge, Alberta. The scammer convinced the senior that her grandson needed bail money, resulting in her handing over $3,400 in cash to a courier who arrived at her home; he was arrested when he returned for additional money, and some cash was recovered during a search of his motel and vehicle. Police commended the victim for contacting a family member despite being told not to discuss the matter, and are investigating whether there are additional victims.
which.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
An Age UK survey found that nearly 4.9 million people over 50 fear answering the phone due to scam risks, with 2.8 million also anxious about opening their doors, leading some to withdraw from society by avoiding the internet, smartphones, or going outside. Analysis of ONS data indicates approximately four people over 50 are scammed every minute, with older adults particularly vulnerable to doorstep scams (90% of victims aged 65+), postal scams (average victim age 75), and phone scams involving impersonation and number spoofing technology. Age UK recommends five prevention steps: stop and avoid on-the-spot decisions, check credentials,
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Representatives Balderson and Kelly introduced the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, which directs the FTC to create an updated web portal allowing seniors and caregivers to search for scams by region and access law enforcement contact information. In 2022, seniors aged 60 and older filed 88,262 fraud complaints with the FBI, resulting in $3.1 billion in losses.
ky3.com
· 2025-12-08
The Department of Justice notified Medicare recipients in the Ozarks of a May 2023 data breach involving personally identifiable information compromised on systems of Greylock McKinnon & Associates (GMA), a DOJ contractor. While no confirmed cases of identity theft or fraud resulting from the breach have been reported, affected individuals were offered fraud resolution services and credit monitoring; experts recommend recipients verify letter authenticity by calling the DOJ directly at 1-844-979-6702 and consider freezing their credit as a proactive protective measure.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Representatives Troy Balderson and Robin Kelly introduced the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act to combat fraud targeting older Americans by directing the FTC to create an updated web portal allowing consumers to search for scams by region and access law enforcement contact information. The legislation aims to raise awareness through coordination with media outlets and law enforcement agencies, responding to 2022 data showing seniors aged 60+ filed 88,262 fraud complaints with the FBI, resulting in $3.1 billion in losses.
zanesvilletimesrecorder.com
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Representatives Balderson and Kelly introduced the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, legislation directing the Federal Trade Commission to create an updated web portal with searchable information about senior-targeted scams by region, including law enforcement and protective service contacts. The bill aims to raise awareness and protect older Americans through coordinated distribution of scam information via media and law enforcement, addressing a significant problem where seniors aged 60+ filed 88,262 fraud complaints in 2022 alone, resulting in $3.1 billion in losses.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are using caller ID spoofing to impersonate Medicare, Social Security, and doctors' offices in order to steal seniors' personal and medical identity information. The New York StateWide Senior Action Council highlighted this as its April Medicare Fraud of the Month, recommending seniors hang up on unexpected calls, verify caller identity through trusted numbers, never share personal information with unsolicited callers, and regularly review Medicare statements for suspicious claims. Medicare fraud costs taxpayers over $60 billion nationally per year.
moneysense.ca
· 2025-12-08
Young Canadians aged 18-34 are increasingly targeted by phishing scams, with nearly one-third falling victim despite being digitally native. Common schemes include fake boss emails requesting gift card purchases, fake delivery notifications from online shopping, employment scams offering unpaid gig work, and romance scams involving coerced intimate photos, with fraudsters contacting victims via email/text (74%), phone calls (64%), social media (43%), and online dating apps (10%). Cybersecurity experts recommend vigilance against authority figures requesting unusual favors and caution when sharing personal information in response to unsolicited messages.
tucsonlocalmedia.com
· 2025-12-08
Oro Valley residents are being heavily targeted by scammers who initiate contact via phone, email, text, and online, then exploit fear, greed, or isolation to request payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards, or payment apps. Attendees at a local "Outsmarting Scammers" presentation shared losses ranging from $15,000 to half their fortunes, with common scams including romance schemes ("pig butchering"), tech support fraud, and grandparent impersonation scams. Law enforcement emphasized that scams follow predictable patterns and are nearly impossible to recover from, advising residents to verify suspicious emails, avoid providing remote computer access, and remain skeptical of unsolicite
wbez.org
· 2025-12-08
Older adults collectively lose $28.3 billion annually to scams and financial exploitation, with particularly severe consequences since retired individuals cannot recoup these losses. Victims often fail to report fraud due to embarrassment or, in cases of abuse by trusted individuals, fear of damaging relationships or involving the criminal justice system. The article provides practical prevention strategies including using caller ID, avoiding pressure to act quickly on financial requests, verifying sender identity before clicking links, consulting with lawyers or financial advisors, and reporting suspected exploitation to banks or Adult Protective Services.
wbrc.com
· 2025-12-08
Five people were charged in a central Alabama elder fraud scheme involving multiple forms of financial exploitation. The defendants—including two caretakers, a house cleaner, a hairdresser, and the caretaker's husband—allegedly defrauded an elderly victim of approximately $213,000 between December 2020 and March 2022 through unauthorized credit card charges, forged checks, identity theft, and fraudulent Square account transactions. The defendants face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with maximum penalties of 20 years in prison.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five individuals were charged in a coordinated elder fraud scheme spanning from 2020-2022, in which in-home caretakers Mykia Henderson and Cynthia Mixon (mother and daughter), along with accomplices Corey Webb, Whitney Wallace, and Shakira English, defrauded an elderly victim of over $173,000 through unauthorized credit card charges, fraudulent checks, and identity theft using Square and Stripe payment accounts. The defendants face charges including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and aggravated identity theft, with potential sentences up to 20 years imprisonment.
banking.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
U.S. Senators Brown and Reed urged the CEOs of JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Citi to strengthen protections against wire fraud and provide data on fraudulent transactions at their institutions. Wire fraud causes significant financial harm to consumers—often wiping out savings during major purchases—and consumers lost over $10 billion to fraud in 2023, with bank transfers being the most common fraud payment method. The senators called on banks to improve fraud prevention, monitor unauthorized transactions more proactively, and reimburse customers when they fail to prevent fraud.
thesentinel.com
· 2025-12-08
A 34-year-old California man was arrested for his role in a government-imposter gold bar scam that defrauded an elderly Leisure World resident of over $700,000 in Montgomery County, Maryland. The scammer impersonated FTC and FBI officials, falsely claiming the victim was an identity theft victim requiring protective measures, and instructed her to purchase gold bars from an online retailer; the victim wired approximately $788,000 in two transactions and handed over the gold bars to couriers in parking lots before realizing the theft. This represents one of a dozen similar incidents reported in Montgomery County over six months, targeting vulnerable seniors in the community.
moco360.media
· 2025-12-08
A Silver Spring woman lost nearly $800,000 in a gold bar scam after receiving a fraudulent call claiming to be from the FTC's Office of the Inspector General, instructing her to convert assets to gold for "safekeeping" by the FBI and Treasury Department. Montgomery County police report approximately a dozen similar victims in the past year losing over $5 million total, with only one arrest made—courier Wenhui Sun, 34, who allegedly picked up gold bars from victims; scammers target this method because gold is untraceable and has universal value across countries. The FBI warns that government agencies and legitimate businesses never request citizens purchase gold or precious metals, and urges
thetomahawk.com
· 2025-12-08
The Johnson County Senior Center hosted a presentation on property fraud awareness, highlighting that Americans lost $10 billion to scams in 2023, with imposter scams accounting for $2.7 billion of that total. Seller impersonation schemes—where scammers create fake deeds to sell property they don't own—were recognized as the "Scam of the Year" and have been reported across the U.S., including in nearby Nashville, Tennessee. The senior center aims to educate and protect its members by providing fraud resources and regularly hosting informational presentations on scams and other elder-related services.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old Fort Liberty soldier, was sentenced to over three years in prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering for his role in romance scams. Frimpong impersonated love interests, military personnel, and other figures to defraud victims of thousands of dollars, which he laundered through personal bank accounts across state lines and to contacts in Ghana, targeting vulnerable populations including seniors and military veterans. He was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to his victims.
wral.com
· 2025-12-08
Sanda Frimpong, a 33-year-old active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Liberty, was sentenced to over three years in prison in 2024 after pleading guilty to three counts of money laundering related to romance scams. Frimpong impersonated love interests, diplomats, military personnel, and others to deceive victims and steal thousands of dollars, which he laundered through personal bank accounts across state lines and to contacts in Ghana. In addition to his prison sentence, Frimpong was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in restitution to his victims.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old active-duty Army servicemember stationed at Fort Bragg, was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison for laundering hundreds of thousands of dollars from romance scams. Frimpong and co-conspirators impersonated romantic interests, military personnel, diplomats, and other personas to defraud victims—including seniors and military veterans—before funneling the illicit proceeds through his bank accounts across state lines and contacts in Ghana. He was ordered to pay substantial restitution to the victims of these elaborate fraud schemes.
nhbr.com
· 2025-12-08
Gift card draining—a scam where fraudsters obtain card codes from retail displays, reseal the packaging, and drain the balance once consumers load money—resulted in $217 million in losses in 2023 as part of a broader $10 billion fraud crisis. States including New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island have enacted laws requiring retailer warnings and employee training, while Maryland recently approved legislation mandating secure packaging to conceal activation information, though retailers and manufacturers have resisted such regulations.