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forbes.com
· 2025-12-08
The IRS's 2024 Dirty Dozen list identifies 12 major tax scams targeting taxpayers, including phishing emails/texts, fraudulent charities, impersonator phone calls, social media scams, dishonest tax preparers, and fraudulent tax credits. The scams particularly target non-English speakers and elderly individuals through threats and false claims. Taxpayers are advised to verify information directly through official IRS channels, use reputable tax professionals, and report suspicious activity to the IRS or Treasury Inspector General.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Satishkumar Rameshchandra Patel, a 39-year-old Indian national living in Chicago, was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and ordered to pay $631,336.40 in restitution. Patel acted as a money courier for an India-based call center operation that defrauded primarily elderly victims (in their late 60s and 70s) through two schemes: impersonating government officials claiming victims were in legal/financial trouble and demanding payment, and perpetrating tech support scams involving fake computer refunds. Nine victims lost between $9,000 and $375,000 individually through Patel
bobsullivan.net
· 2025-12-08
Cybercriminals are sending fraudulent text messages to drivers claiming unpaid tolls (typically $12-$13) and threatening $50 late fees, directing victims to fake toll authority websites to steal personal and financial information. The FBI received 2,000 complaints from three states by April, expanding to 12 states by May, with Florida authorities issuing a crackdown due to the state's 700 miles of toll roads. Authorities advise recipients to independently verify toll claims through official channels rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages.
kaaltv.com
· 2025-12-08
A 46-year-old Byron woman lost $1,200 in a fake law enforcement scam when a caller impersonating an Olmsted County Sheriff's Office captain claimed she missed a court date and demanded payment via Bitcoin to avoid arrest. Despite two suspects being arrested in connection with in-person collection schemes, Bitcoin-related scams targeting Olmsted County residents continue, and police emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never solicits payment by phone or accepts cryptocurrency.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate fraud schemes by transmitting stolen funds to international fraudsters. The operation resulted in approximately 2,970 warning letters to individuals (many unknowingly recruited through romance or lottery scams) and criminal charges against more than 20 individuals knowingly facilitating fraud. The initiative specifically targets schemes that harm vulnerable populations, including older Americans victimized by lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams.
krforadio.com
· 2025-12-08
A law enforcement impersonation scam has victimized at least five residents in the Rochester, Minnesota area, with losses totaling over $25,000. Scammers spoofed local police and sheriff's office phone numbers to convince victims they owed money for missed court dates or legal violations, demanding payment via bitcoin and instructing victims to meet at the Olmsted County Government Center; two out-of-state men have been charged in connection with one case. Rochester Police emphasize that legitimate law enforcement never calls to collect money and no government agency accepts bitcoin as payment.
kitchener.citynews.ca
· 2025-12-08
Two 18-year-olds from the Greater Toronto Area were arrested in Woolwich Township for operating a "grandparent" scam that targeted seniors by impersonating relatives and requesting financial assistance. The arrests followed police recognition of similarities between two fraud cases in the St. Jacobs area, leading officers to locate and apprehend the suspects. Both individuals were charged with two counts of fraud under $5,000 and are scheduled to appear in court in June.
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
Authorities in Austria, Cyprus, and Czech Republic dismantled a cryptocurrency fraud ring that defrauded investors of at least €10 million between December 2017 and February 2018 by promoting a fake initial coin offering (ICO) and non-existent cryptocurrency. The scammers accepted Bitcoin and Ethereum payments while falsely claiming to have proprietary software technology, then shut down all operations after accumulating funds. Six Austrian members were arrested, and authorities seized €500,000 in cryptocurrencies, €250,000 in cash, and luxury assets, though the total number of victims remains undetermined as investigations continue.
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency user lost nearly $68 million in an address poisoning scam but recovered over 96% of the stolen funds after negotiating with the attacker, who agreed to return 22,960 ETH (approximately $65.7 million) in exchange for a 10% fee. The victim's security team identified leads about the attacker's identity, which aided in the negotiation. The incident underscores the importance of verifying wallet addresses before sending cryptocurrency and demonstrates that calm communication can sometimes lead to fund recovery in crypto scams.
cryptotimes.io
· 2025-12-08
Forensic Risk Alliance (FRA) was selected by the DOJ to oversee cryptocurrency exchange Binance Holdings Ltd. following its guilty plea to money-laundering and trade sanctions violations, with access to Binance's records and employees to ensure compliance with the plea agreement. The DOJ rejected law firm Sullivan & Cromwell for the role, reportedly due to the firm's prior work with collapsed exchange FTX, though Sullivan & Cromwell remains a candidate for a separate five-year Treasury Department monitorship focused on Binance's suspicious transaction reporting.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal law enforcement agencies completed the Money Mule Initiative, an annual campaign that resulted in criminal charges against over 20 individuals and warning letters to approximately 2,970 money mules involved in facilitating fraud schemes. The initiative targeted networks that transmit stolen funds from fraud victims to international fraudsters, with cases including two men accused of laundering $4.5 million from romance scams and business email compromises targeting elderly victims, and five defendants who acted as couriers collecting cash from grandparent scam victims. The agencies emphasized the importance of public education to prevent unknowing individuals from becoming money mules, as many are initially victimized by romance or lottery scams before being manipulated into ass
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office and Department of Justice announced completion of the Money Mule Initiative, a campaign that disrupted transnational fraud networks by taking action against over 3,000 money mules who facilitate scams targeting Americans, particularly elderly victims of lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams. More than 20 individuals were criminally charged, including cases involving $4.5 million laundered from romance scams targeting elderly victims, a grandparent scam operation using couriers to collect cash from seniors, and a tech support fraud scheme that collected approximately $7 million from elderly victims. The initiative combined criminal prosecutions, warning letters to unknowing participants,
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A Colorado homebuyer lost nearly $100,000 in down payment savings to a wire transfer scam after receiving a realistic-looking email that appeared to be from his bank requesting the transfer to complete his home purchase; the scammers had gained access to his emails and included accurate account information to make the request seem legitimate. The FBI received over 2,000 wire fraud complaints daily in 2023, with Americans losing $311 million total to wire transfer scams according to the FTC. To protect themselves, homebuyers should verify wire transfer requests by calling their bank directly using a number they find themselves, use secure portals through title companies, and never send funds without direct verbal confirmation from the intende
thezebra.org
· 2025-12-08
Senior Services of Alexandria and the Alexandria Bar Association are hosting Senior Law Day 2024 on June 8 in Alexandria, VA, a free educational event featuring panels on protecting against financial scams, housing and end-of-life decisions, and essential legal documents like wills and powers of attorney. The event highlights that financial fraud affecting older adults totals approximately $3 billion annually, with fraud by known individuals averaging $120,000 in losses per incident, and will include presentations from AARP's fraud prevention director, local law enforcement, and elder-care attorneys.
irs.gov
· 2025-12-08
Dolapo Lawal of Baltimore pleaded guilty to access device fraud and aggravated identity theft for operating a stolen identity tax refund scheme that defrauded elderly victims of over $3 million. Lawal obtained fraudulent tax refunds using victims' identities, loaded them onto debit cards opened in the victims' names, and withdrew the funds in cash for personal use; law enforcement recovered 24 fraudulent debit cards and over $80,000 in cash from his vehicle in April 2022, and found over 300 additional debit cards during a June 2023 search warrant of his home. Lawal faces a maximum of 10 years in
freepressjournal.in
· 2025-12-08
A 73-year-old engineering consultant from Grant Road was defrauded of Rs 45,000 after receiving an unsolicited message claiming his gas connection would be disconnected for an unpaid bill. The scammer posed as a gas company employee, convinced the victim to download a malicious link under the pretext of updating bill details, and siphoned the funds from his bank account. Police registered a case under cheating and IT Act provisions as scammers expand from electricity bill fraud to gas connection schemes.
localnewsmatters.org
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's San Francisco office warned of an escalating cyber threat involving criminals using AI technology to create highly convincing phishing emails, voice clones, and video impersonations to deceive individuals and businesses into revealing sensitive information or approving fraudulent transactions. The bureau noted that AI-enhanced attacks are particularly effective because they feature proper grammar, spelling, and personalized content tailored to specific targets. The FBI recommended that individuals remain vigilant against urgent requests for money or credentials, while businesses should implement technical safeguards, employee training, and multi-factor authentication to combat these sophisticated scams.
huffpost.com
· 2025-12-08
The "grandparent scam" targets seniors by impersonating grandchildren in emergencies, typically claiming they need bail money after an arrest, with the FBI charging 16 defendants in 2024 for a scheme that defrauded hundreds of older Americans across the Northeast out of millions of dollars. Scammers use personal information found online and increasingly employ AI voice cloning to make calls convincing, but experts recommend victims focus on what is being asked rather than voice recognition, verify bail payment procedures, and question requests to keep secrets from family members.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Joseph Tyler and his wife Amelia Tyler were sentenced for operating a tree-trimming scam targeting 50 residents across six Colorado counties, primarily elderly victims over age 80. Joseph Tyler received an eight-year prison sentence and was ordered to repay $23,000 after pleading guilty to two felony theft counts, while Amelia Tyler received three years probation; the couple would solicit tree-trimming work, collect payment by cash or check, and abandon the job after completing minimal work between February 2020 and their arrest in October 2022.
taipeitimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Taiwan's Cabinet approved several anti-fraud bills that would impose 3-10 year prison sentences and fines up to NT$30 million for convicted scammers, while requiring foreign online platforms to register with the government and remove fraudulent content or face penalties. The legislation was prompted partly by a viral Facebook post from a woman whose 76-year-old father lost a NT$30 million house after being scammed through a stock group chat, though the article notes that fraud is rising globally, with Taiwanese losing over NT$8.8 billion to fraud in 37,823 reported cases in the prior year. The article emphasizes that combating increasingly sophisticated scams requires not only legal reforms
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
A 92-year-old South Carolina woman combated relentless scam callers by responding to their pitches with absurd nonsense—including claims she would be "raptured" and requests for senior discounts—which repeatedly frustrated the scammers into hanging up. Her granddaughter documented these interactions in videos, showcasing how humor and distraction can be an effective defense against fraud attempts, though the article notes that elderly people remain particularly vulnerable to scams, with nearly 70,000 people losing $1.3 billion to romance scams alone in 2022.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A study of 644 older adults in the Chicago area found that 16.4% were vulnerable to government imposter scams, falling for a fictitious Social Security and Medicare benefits fraud attempt by providing personal information or Social Security numbers, while an additional 15.1% engaged but remained skeptical. The research, published in JAMA Network Open, revealed that vulnerability to fraud affects many seniors regardless of cognitive status, though those with lower financial literacy and scam awareness were most susceptible. The findings underscore that elder fraud poses significant public health and economic threats, with victimization potentially leading to serious consequences including hospitalization and depression.
mymotherlode.com
· 2025-12-08
Canada experiences significant fraud across multiple schemes, including identity theft, phone scams impersonating government officials, and mortgage fraud, with Canadian authorities estimating over $30 million lost since 2014 from RCMP impersonation and tech support scams combined. A survey found 34 percent of Canadians have experienced at least one type of fraud, with experts recommending protective measures such as creating unique passwords, screening calls, shredding personal documents, and using licensed professionals for financial transactions. Mortgage fraud has risen dramatically in Canada due to vulnerabilities in the borrowing process that rely heavily on borrower-provided information, making it easy for fraudsters to submit false details about income, employment, or
baytobaynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Delaware lawmakers unanimously advanced House Bill 317 in May, a consumer protection measure requiring retailers to display warnings about gift card scams at point of sale. Delaware reported 6,742 fraud cases in the prior year with a median loss of $700 per person, with older adults particularly vulnerable—those aged 70-79 lost a median of $800 and those over 80 averaged $1,500 per incident, as scammers increasingly pose as government agencies to trick victims into purchasing gift cards as untraceable payment.
krcgtv.com
· 2025-12-08
Three California residents—Bowen Chen (21), Jiacheng Chen (19), and Vianne Chen (41)—were charged in federal court for their roles in a conspiracy to defraud senior citizens, including a Missouri couple. The scheme involved creating fake student checking accounts using fraudulent immigration documents to launder money stolen through scams, with the three defendants depositing a combined $2.355 million in illicit funds. The investigation was triggered when a 78-year-old Missouri man nearly fell victim to an extortion scam demanding $88,000 under false pretenses; his suspicions prevented the loss, leading to arrests as part of the Department of Justice's Money Mule Initiative.
ca.movies.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Stan Lee's former manager, Keya Morgan, was charged with elder abuse against the Marvel Comics co-creator, facing five counts including false imprisonment, fraud, and forgery. Court documents alleged that Morgan isolated Lee by controlling his Hollywood Hills home, hiring security to keep away family and friends, and moving him to an unfamiliar residence following the death of Lee's wife. Lee died in November at age 95, months after a temporary restraining order was issued against Morgan based on abuse allegations.
phillyburbs.com
· 2025-12-08
Crystal Bianca Brito, 29, a former health aide at Lutheran Community of Telford personal care home, was charged with 127 felony and misdemeanor charges for allegedly stealing debit and credit cards from at least three elderly residents and making over $5,800 in unauthorized purchases between November and January. The victims—ages 79 and 90—had their cards used for in-person and online transactions in the Allentown and Macungie areas where Brito lives, with surveillance footage and matched transactions linking her to the thefts. Brito is currently free on $50,000 unsecured bail and scheduled for a preliminary hearing.
highlandcountypress.com
· 2025-12-08
Brenda Cowden, 55, a senior service provider employee in Hamilton County, was indicted on 10 felony charges for allegedly defrauding a 79-year-old isolated victim by befriending her, obtaining a fraudulent Power of Attorney, and stealing $13,600 while gaining control over $1 million of the victim's assets through unauthorized account modifications. The fraud was discovered when credit union investigators froze the accounts, preventing Cowden from inheriting the victim's entire estate upon her death. Cowden faces up to 61 years in prison if convicted on all charges.
kbtx.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported a 14% increase in elder fraud complaints in 2023, with seniors over 60 losing $3.4 billion across 101,000 reported cases, averaging $33,000 per victim. In Texas alone, over 7,000 seniors lost $278 million, with investment scams, government impersonation schemes, and romance scams showing the largest growth; investment scams averaged $270,000 per victim in Texas. The FBI advises seniors to avoid trusting unknown contacts, verify caller identities independently, and report fraud to enable broader conspiracy investigations.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Dongyi Guo, a 27-year-old Chinese national, was indicted on wire fraud conspiracy charges for his role as a cash courier in a scheme targeting elderly victims. Guo collected $95,000 in total from a 79-year-old Missouri woman over four days in March after scammers impersonated financial institutions and Social Security representatives, falsely claiming her accounts were compromised. He was arrested on March 7 while attempting to collect an additional $15,000, and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Seven California residents were federally indicted for operating a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting elderly victims nationwide through tech support scams, romance fraud, and imposter schemes, using fraudulent Taiwanese passports and fake immigration documents to open bank accounts that funneled over $7 million in victim cash through money mules. Three additional conspirators—Bowen Chen, Jiacheng Chen, and Vianne Chen—were added to the indictment on May 8, joining four others previously charged, with the largest deposits ($1.3 million, $615,000, and $440,000 respectively) traced to specific defendants. The case was part of a federal Money Mule Initiative that prosecut
ilmattino.it
· 2025-12-08
A woman from Summonte, Italy, posted used furniture for sale online but was defrauded by a fake buyer who posed as an interested purchaser and convinced her to transfer €550 to a prepaid card. The Carabinieri identified and charged a 55-year-old man from Macerata province with fraud following the victim's report. The police issued a warning about this emerging scam targeting online sellers who are deceived into sending money by individuals posing as buyers.
tradingview.com
· 2025-12-08
A cryptocurrency investor lost $71 million in Wrapped Bitcoin (WBTC) in a May 3 wallet poisoning scam, where an attacker created a near-identical wallet address and the victim mistakenly transferred funds after only checking the first and last characters. The thief unexpectedly returned all $71 million worth of Ether on May 12, possibly after being identified by on-chain security firms investigating the attack and potentially facing legal consequences based on IP analysis linking them to Hong Kong.
mlive.com
· 2025-12-08
Kari Melissa Morales, a 51-year-old Michigan woman, was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud for her role in an IRS/FBI impersonation scam targeting at least one victim. Morales and co-conspirators attempted to extort $60,000 by presenting fake FBI arrest warrants and IRS receipts, with Morales carrying a loaded firearm and fraudulent badge during the money exchange; the scheme was discovered when a text meant for the victim was accidentally sent to a Kent County officer. If convicted, Morales faces up to 20 years in prison.
buckscountycouriertimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Crystal Bianca Brito, a 29-year-old health aide at Lutheran Community of Telford personal care home, was charged with 127 felony and misdemeanor charges for stealing debit and credit cards from at least three elderly residents and making over $5,800 in unauthorized purchases between November and January. The victims, aged 79 to 90, had their cards used for in-person and online transactions primarily in the Allentown and Macungie areas, with surveillance footage and testimony from staff confirming Brito's involvement. Brito was arrested in January and is currently free on $50,000 unsecured bail pending a preliminary hearing.
fox13news.com
· 2025-12-08
An 80-year-old Bradenton veteran was defrauded of $1.5 million in a multi-state gold bar scheme in which scammers impersonated federal agents, gained his trust over weeks, and manipulated his military patriotism to convince him to transfer his retirement funds. Swetaben Patel, 42, was arrested as an alleged "mule" in the operation, which involved multiple perpetrators across several states and coordinated drop-off locations. The Bradenton Police Department reports that elder fraud cases in their jurisdiction have increased 50% this year, with the FBI noting that Americans 60 and older lost over $3.4 billion to
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven members of a nationwide elder fraud ring—including three California residents charged in May—were indicted on conspiracy charges for defrauding elderly people through tech support scams, fake immigration documents, and fraudulent bank accounts. The scheme collected over $7 million from victims, including an elderly Missouri couple who were threatened with prosecution unless they paid $88,000 after seeing a fake virus pop-up warning. The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri as part of the Department of Homeland Security's Money Mule Initiative targeting elder fraud networks.
cbs12.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Annual Report documented a significant surge in financial exploitation of Americans over 60, who reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion—an 11% increase from 2022. Tech support fraud was the most commonly reported scam type, while investment schemes caused the largest financial losses; Florida ranked second nationally with seniors losing over $90 million to investment scams, $51.5 million to tech support fraud, and $40 million to romance scams. The FBI emphasizes the importance of timely reporting despite victims' reluctance due to shame, and encourages affected individuals to contact local FBI offices or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
kttn.com
· 2025-12-08
Seven California residents were federally indicted for operating a conspiracy that defrauded elderly Americans nationwide using fraudulent Taiwanese passports, fake bank accounts, and money mules to collect victim funds through tech support scams, romance fraud, and imposter schemes. The scheme generated over $7 million in fraudulent deposits, with individual defendants depositing between $440,000 and $1.3 million into criminal accounts. The case was part of the Money Mule Initiative, which resulted in action against over 3,000 money mule networks in the year of prosecution.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
A 25-year-old Massachusetts woman, Rachel Chen, was charged with stealing $20,000 from a 75-year-old New Hampshire resident through an online support scam that impersonated Microsoft and the victim's bank, instructing the victim to withdraw cash for supposed FBI pickup. Chen allegedly received the box of money in person while working with unknown accomplices and faces charges of theft by deception with potential penalties of 7½ to 15 years in prison and a $4,000 fine.
natlawreview.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Department of Justice charged 16 defendants in April 2024 for a scam that defrauded hundreds of elderly Americans out of millions of dollars using impersonation tactics. In 2023, individuals over 60 reported losses exceeding $3.4 billion from elder fraud—an 11% increase from 2022—with common scams involving investment fraud, tech support impersonation, and government impersonation. To prevent losses, experts recommend regular financial account monitoring, setting wire transfer restrictions, and establishing verbal verification processes before sending money.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Five members of Ternion Group International LLC, a religious-based company, were charged with wire fraud conspiracy for defrauding a 92-year-old World War II veteran of over $300,000 from his retirement account. The scheme promised the victim $13 million in returns and ownership stakes in purported construction and job training projects, but he received nothing and one defendant allegedly used legal documents to gain power of attorney and control over the victim's accounts and property. Each defendant faces up to 20 years in federal prison and $250,000 in fines per count if convicted.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Approximately 191,000 consumers who were fraudulently induced by Texas-based online lender Think Finance to repay loans they did not owe are receiving $384 million in restitution through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's victims relief fund, with distributions beginning May 14, 2024. The CFPB, which has distributed over $19 billion to more than 195 million defrauded consumers since 2010, is providing compensation through its Civil Penalty Fund after law enforcement stopped the company's operations.
miaminewtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, romance scams resulted in over 64,000 reports and $1.1 billion in losses, predominantly affecting elderly victims who were deceived by scammers posing as romantic partners on dating apps and social media. Cristine Petitfrere, a 30-year-old from Florida, was arrested and sentenced to 30 months in prison for laundering nearly $3 million from romance scams by funneling money to Ghana; she personally facilitated transfers from three elderly victims in their 60s-70s who lost over $158,000 combined. Federal law enforcement has intensified prosecution efforts against romance scam networks, with romance fraud losses increasing
newlinesmag.com
· 2025-12-08
A 36-year-old Indian woman named Jhumpa Biswas was targeted by a romance scammer posing as "Mark Anthony," a Scottish cosmetic surgeon who initiated contact via Instagram with flattering messages. Over weeks of increasingly intimate communication across social media and WhatsApp, the scammer built emotional trust through romantic gestures, personal attention, and carefully crafted backstory, exploiting Biswas's limited romantic experience and emotional vulnerability. The article details how the scammer's grooming tactics—including flattery, validation, and demonstrations of care—set the stage for financial exploitation that would follow.
chicago.suntimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau distributed $15 million in compensation checks to 13,413 Illinois residents who were victims of an online lending scam by Texas-based company Think Finance, which collected payments on loans that were legally void under state interest rate caps and licensing requirements. The settlement, part of a larger $384 million payout across 17 states to 191,000 victims, resulted from a 2017 lawsuit against Think Finance for making illegal electronic withdrawals and debt collection calls on non-existent debts. Affected Illinois residents received an average of $1,100 per check from the CFPB's victims relief fund.
bbc.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
This is a documentary series titled "Scams & Scandals" that covers various UK frauds, scams, and scandals across multiple episodes. Episodes feature investigations into diverse crimes including a £50 million benefit fraud scheme, £5 million golden toilet theft, government loan fraud involving millions of pounds, fake medical procedures, ticket fraud, cyberattacks, and online exploitation cases. The series follows victims attempting to recover money and authorities uncovering the truth behind these schemes.
collins.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters are impersonating U.S. Marshals and federal officials by spoofing their phone numbers to target Maine residents, claiming they must pay fines to avoid arrest or promising payments that require upfront fees. The scammers use convincing tactics such as publicly available personal information, fake badges, and case numbers to appear credible. Victims are urged to report suspected scams to the FBI or FTC, and to avoid taking immediate action on unsolicited calls demanding payment or personal information.
wusa9.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Sunyu Qian, 31, from Fairfax, Virginia, pleaded guilty to defrauding elderly people of approximately $1.1 million through gift card scams between November 2020 and August 2023, as part of a larger criminal organization that used the cards to purchase electronics. In a separate scheme from April 2023 to March 2024, Qian used counterfeit price tags to purchase baby formula at deep discounts from retailers, defrauding them of $124,000. Qian pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit access device fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, with sentencing scheduled for September 18 and a
money.com
· 2025-12-08
Young job seekers, particularly students seeking remote work, are being targeted in "money mule" scams where fraudsters trick them into transferring stolen money through their bank accounts, digital wallets, or cryptocurrency accounts. These scams often originate from lottery fraud, romance scams, and grandparent scams, and unwitting participants can face identity theft and potential criminal charges for money laundering. The Justice Department took action against over 3,000 money mules in the past year, with criminal charges brought against more than 20 serious offenders, including a case involving three people charged for recruiting college students to launder approximately $7 million from elderly tech fraud victims over three years.