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4,158 results in Government Impersonation
azfamily.com · 2025-12-08
Senior citizens lost $3 billion to financial scams and fraud in the past year, with an average loss of $33,915 per victim, according to the FTC and FBI. Scammers target adults 60 and older through imposter scams (posing as banks, utilities, or the IRS with false urgency claims) and romance scams (developing fake relationships on social media before requesting payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency). Experts recommend that families discuss these fraud tactics with older relatives as a preventive measure, particularly during June's Elder Abuse Prevention Month.
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
supertalk.fm · 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens nationwide, including in Mississippi, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money. These scams use tactics such as fabricating urgent debts or prize claims, threatening arrest or deportation, and demanding payment through untraceable methods like gift cards and cryptocurrency. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency and to report suspected scams to the IRS at 1-800-366-4484.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Medicare Fraud Robocall / Phone Scam Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
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.
cisa.gov · 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) employees to target individuals and organizations, requesting payment via wire transfer, cash, cryptocurrency, or gift cards. Legitimate CISA staff never request money, secret discussions, or use these payment methods; victims should hang up, note the phone number, and verify contact through official CISA channels at (844) 729-2472 or report to law enforcement.
justice.gov · 2025-12-08
Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the Elder Justice Coordinating Council at the Department of Justice, highlighting the agency's commitment to combating elder abuse and fraud. Over the last five years, the Justice Department has pursued more than 1,500 criminal and civil cases targeting older adults, provided services to over 1.5 million elder victims, and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in restitution. Garland emphasized the critical role of interagency coordination and partnerships in addressing evolving threats to elders, including emerging challenges from artificial intelligence and transnational fraud schemes.
katc.com · 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors nationwide, particularly in Louisiana, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use advanced tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated debt claims, and pressure for immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers to exploit victims. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls about tax issues and verifying legitimacy by calling official IRS customer service at 800-829-1040.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Medicare Fraud Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
irs.gov · 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning on June 12, 2024, about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors who are deceived by fraudsters posing as IRS or other government agency representatives. Scammers use manipulated caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios, and pressure victims to make immediate payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to steal personal information and money. The IRS recommends that anyone receiving unsolicited calls from alleged IRS representatives should hang up immediately and verify legitimacy by calling the official IRS customer service line at 800-829-1040.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Medicare Fraud Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
saga.co.uk · 2025-12-08
Four people over 50 are victims of fraud every minute in the UK, according to Age UK research, yet most cases go unreported due to stigma and shame surrounding fraud victimization. The article identifies common scams targeting older adults including QR code fraud (fake codes redirecting to fraudulent payment sites), ATM skimming (devices that capture card details and PINs), and card trapping, while emphasizing that fraud is a crime of manipulation by criminals rather than a reflection of victim vulnerability. Experts recommend checking for tampered codes, protecting PINs at ATMs, reporting suspicious activity, and learning to recognize warning signs across emails, social media, phone calls, and in-person interactions
thv11.com · 2025-12-08
In May, 86-year-old Sandra Jung fell victim to a fake Microsoft support scam after a malware warning prompted her to search for Microsoft's phone number online. A scammer posing as a Microsoft representative convinced her that an accidental $15,000 refund had been deposited and pressured her into sending back nearly $10,000 to "fix" the error. Jung lost approximately $10,000 that she had intended to use for her partner's care, and although she reported the fraud to the Attorney General's office, the money could not be recovered; experts recommend bypassing sponsored search results and contacting companies directly through their official websites.
californiademocrat.com · 2025-12-08
Sherry Cox of California, Missouri lost $20,000 to a tech support scam after clicking a cancellation link in a fraudulent "Geek Squad" email. A scammer posing as "Justin" manipulated her through remote access and psychological coercion—claiming she had mistakenly authorized a $40,000 refund and threatening to lose his job—to withdraw cash, wrap it in a book, and overnight it to California, before attempting to solicit an additional $10,000 wire transfer to Thailand, which was prevented by her bank's intervention. Cox publicly shared her story to raise awareness that anyone, regardless of intelligence or caution, can fall victim
newslj.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, issued in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The advisory highlighted key protections: the IRS does not demand immediate payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers; does not threaten involvement of law enforcement; does not demand payment without allowing dispute or appeal; and does not request card numbers over the phone.
chicagocrusader.com · 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting seniors in Illinois and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS, never returning calls using provided numbers, and verifying legitimacy by contacting IRS customer service at 800-829-1040.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Medicare Fraud Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
wyomingnews.com · 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about IRS impersonation scams targeting seniors, part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day efforts. The IRS clarified that it does not demand immediate payment via gift cards or wire transfers, threaten involvement of law enforcement, or request card numbers over the phone—tactics commonly used by scammers.
carolinajournal.com · 2025-12-08
North Carolina's Senior Consumer Fraud Task Force held a press conference highlighting the rising epidemic of elder fraud, with statistics showing that approximately 1 in 10 seniors becomes a victim, resulting in $3.1 billion in losses nationwide in 2022 (an 84% increase from 2021), with individual victims losing an average of $40,000. The task force identified five major scam types targeting seniors: sweetheart scams, sweepstakes scams, impostor scams, tech support scams, and grandparent scams, while warning that scammers increasingly use AI to replicate voices. Victims can report fraud to local authorities, the FBI's Internet Crime
wdam.com · 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting Mississippi seniors, where fraudsters pose as IRS or government agency representatives to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use pressure tactics, fake urgency, and demand payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, often spoofing caller IDs to appear legitimate. The IRS advises that anyone receiving an unexpected call claiming to be from the IRS should hang up immediately and not return the call, as the IRS initiates contact by mail about account issues.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Medicare Fraud Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
effinghamradio.com · 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting seniors in Illinois and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as IRS or other government agency officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics such as spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent scenarios (false tax debts or refunds), threats of arrest, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to pressure victims into immediate action. The IRS advises recipients of unsolicited calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and contact legitimate IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify any communications.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Medicare Fraud Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
news.bloomberglaw.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting older adults, in which fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money. The alert highlights an increasing threat to seniors from scammers using government impersonation as their primary tactic.
newsweek.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about scams targeting elderly Americans, where fraudsters impersonate IRS agents and demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency for fictitious tax debts or false refunds. Common tactics include spoofed caller IDs, threats of arrest or deportation, and pressure for urgent action without time for verification. The IRS advises that it never demands immediate payment through unconventional methods, threatens law enforcement involvement, or requests financial information over the phone—legitimate tax bills are sent by mail first.
fox61.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting seniors, in which fraudsters pose as IRS or other government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers pressure victims into immediate payments via gift cards or wire transfers by threatening arrest or promising false refunds, often using spoofed caller IDs and creating false urgency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls, contacting IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify communications, and remembering that the IRS initiates contact primarily through mail and never demands payment via gift cards or wire transfers.
milfordlive.com · 2025-12-08
Delaware Hospice reported that elder fraud is rising nationwide, with the "phantom hacker" tech support scam being particularly successful against seniors; between January and June 2023, $542 million was fraudulently transferred, with two-thirds of victims over age sixty-five. Common scams include fake tech support calls requesting remote access to computers, fraudulent bank/brokerage contacts directing victims to transfer funds to "protected" accounts, and impersonation of government agencies (IRS, Federal Reserve) urging fund transfers via wire, cash, or cryptocurrency. To protect elderly family members, avoid responding to unsolicited hacker alerts, never allow unknown parties remote computer access, verify company contact information independently
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
bctv.org · 2025-12-08
The Internal Revenue Service has issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, where fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use high-pressure tactics and spoofed caller IDs to demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency for fictitious tax debts or false refunds. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls claiming to be from the agency to hang up immediately and instead contact IRS customer service directly at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Medicare Fraud Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
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
lavanguardia.com · 2025-12-08
Digital fraud targeting seniors in Spain has surged dramatically, with scam cases against people over 65 increasing 78% between 2019 and 2022 (from 7,568 to 13,479 cases), and digital fraud cases alone rising 21.73% in 2022 compared to 2021. Seniors are vulnerable targets due to lower technology familiarity, trustfulness, and susceptibility to social engineering tactics such as fake investment schemes and fraudulent shopping charges, with 15% of victims losing over €10,000 according to one survey. Experts emphasize that enhanced digital education and protection measures are needed to help older adults navigate the internet safely and avoi
sbs.com.au · 2025-12-08
During Australian tax season, scammers are targeting residents with sophisticated phishing scams impersonating government agencies like the Australian Taxation Office and myGov; Commonwealth Bank data shows 24 percent of Australians have already been exposed to tax-related scams, with only 69 percent able to identify them correctly. Scammers use robocalls, emails, and SMS messages containing malicious links to trick victims into providing personal information or payment under false pretenses of urgent debts or refunds. To protect themselves, Australians should recognize that legitimate ATO communications never include unsolicited links or QR codes, request passwords, show a caller ID, or threaten immediate arrest.
federalnewsnetwork.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers impersonating federal agencies caused Americans to lose approximately $1.3 billion in the past year, with financial losses surging over sevenfold since 2019. Generative AI technology, particularly voice cloning, has made these impersonation scams more convincing and successful, with criminals posing as Medicare, IRS, law enforcement, and other federal officials to pressure victims into disclosing sensitive information or paying fraudulent fees. The article emphasizes that federal agencies need enhanced tools and tactics to combat these evolving threats, as these scams exploit public trust in government institutions.
wect.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about impersonation scams targeting older adults in North Carolina, where fraudsters pose as government officials or businesses to steal personal information and pressure victims into making payments via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Common tactics include fabricating urgent tax debts or refund claims, spoofing caller IDs, and threatening arrest or deportation to create a sense of urgency. The IRS recommends hanging up on unexpected calls and verifying communications through official channels (800-829-1040) or their online account portal.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Medicare Fraud Robocall / Phone Scam Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
adirondackdailyenterprise.com · 2025-12-08
Saranac Lake Police Chief Darin Perrotte provided guidance on protecting oneself from financial scams, emphasizing the importance of skepticism toward unverifiable communications and resisting artificial urgency tactics. He outlined why seniors are vulnerable targets—including accumulated assets, trusting nature, and isolation—and recommended verification strategies such as calling organizations back using independently verified numbers and questioning requests for information companies should already have on file. Perrotte stressed protecting Social Security numbers, avoiding text-based financial requests, and remaining aware that exploitation often comes from trusted individuals like family members and caregivers rather than strangers.
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.
the-sun.com · 2025-12-08
86-year-old Sandra Jung of Little Rock, Arkansas lost nearly $10,000 in a tech support scam after seeing a malware pop-up and calling what she believed was Microsoft's official number from a Google search result. The scammer convinced her that an erroneous $15,000 refund (instead of the promised $150) had been deposited and manipulated her into sending back nearly $10,000 to "resolve" the issue. Jung filed a report with the Attorney General's office but is unlikely to recover the funds.
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
whig.com · 2025-12-08
Phishing remains one of the most prevalent fraud tactics, with scammers using emails, text messages, and phone calls to steal personal information and money by impersonating banks, government agencies, and tech support. The Better Business Bureau reports phishing text messages are increasing in frequency and now incorporate artificial intelligence to create more convincing messages. Common warning signs include requests to confirm financial information, claims of account problems, urgent language with typos, and unsolicited links or offers; victims should verify suspicious communications directly with legitimate organizations before clicking links or providing information.
justice.gov · 2025-12-08
On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, U.S. Attorney Henry C. Leventis highlighted the Justice Department's multi-faceted approach to combating elder fraud, including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative that target foreign-based schemes and fraud networks. The office detailed common scams affecting older Americans—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and cited a 2023 federal conviction where a defendant defrauded an elderly widow of approximately $1.2 million by posing as her personal representative and spending her money on luxury items and lottery tickets.
postandcourier.com · 2025-12-08
In observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the IRS Criminal Investigation's Charlotte Field Office is promoting fraud awareness to combat the rising tide of financial crimes against seniors. 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 from scams including tech support fraud, government impersonation, phishing, and romance schemes. The IRS employs education, criminal investigations, and public-private partnerships to combat elder fraud, with recent prosecutions including a home health care operator sentenced to 45 months for stealing over $1 million from elderly clients and an investment fraudster sentenced to
hayspost.com · 2025-12-08
IRS
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens in Kansas and nationwide, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and texts. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, fabricated tax debts or refunds, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises recipients of suspicious calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and contact IRS customer service at 800-829-1040 to verify any legitimate tax issues.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Medicare Fraud Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
webcenterfairbanks.com · 2025-12-08
Scammers are impersonating IRS agents to target seniors, using spoofed caller IDs and stolen personal information to create false urgency around unpaid taxes, refunds, or lottery fees, then requesting payment via unconventional methods like gift cards or wire transfers. The IRS never initiates contact via text, email, or social media, never demands immediate payment, and never requests prepaid cards or credit card information over the phone; victims should hang up and call the official IRS number (800-829-1040) to verify. Anyone targeted by such scams should contact the Elder Fraud Hotline at 833-FRAUD-11.
cpapracticeadvisor.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS has renewed warnings about impersonation scams targeting older adults, where fraudsters pose as government officials to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including spoofed caller IDs, fabricated urgent debts or prize claims, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises recipients of unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS to hang up immediately and verify legitimacy by calling the official IRS number (800-829-1040) rather than using any number provided by the caller.
Lottery/Prize Scam Government Impersonation Phishing Identity Theft Medicare Fraud Cryptocurrency Wire Transfer Gift Cards Payment App
aol.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI reports a significant increase in elder fraud cases, with $1.6 billion in losses from January to May 2024—nearly $300 million more than the same period in 2023—and notes that Texas alone lost over $278 million in 2023. The most common schemes targeting older adults include tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams, and government impersonation scams, with investment fraud showing the sharpest growth (up 419% in losses from 2021-2023, largely due to cryptocurrency). The FBI emphasizes that seniors should verify unknown contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid sharing personal information with unverified sources, and monitor their
becu.org · 2025-12-08
Elder fraud continues to rise significantly, with older Americans losing over $3.4 billion in 2023 alone—an average of $33,915 per victim and representing an 11% increase in losses from the prior year. The most common scams targeting seniors include tech support fraud (where scammers pose as legitimate companies to gain computer access), imposter scams (impersonating government agencies or financial institutions), and romance scams (criminals building fake relationships to extract money). Protective measures include avoiding unsolicited contact, never downloading software from unknown contacts, and never sharing sensitive information or credentials with unverified callers.
newsantaana.com · 2025-12-08
The FBI reports that elder fraud losses reached $1.6 billion from January to May 2024, a nearly $300 million increase from the same period in 2023, with complaints rising 14% annually. Common schemes targeting older adults include tech support scams, romance scams, investment scams (which saw 419% increase in losses from 2021-2023), and government impersonation scams. The FBI recommends seniors verify unfamiliar contacts, resist pressure to act quickly, avoid unsolicited offers, never share personal information with unverified sources, and report suspected fraud to the FBI or IC3.gov.
fox23maine.com · 2025-12-08
In Maine, nearly 400 seniors over age 60 lost a combined $7.1 million to elder fraud last year, with the FBI attributing the rise to increased romance and investment scams using hard-to-trace payment methods like cryptocurrency. To protect themselves, seniors should be cautious of unsolicited communications, resist pressure to act quickly, never share personal information with unverified sources, and recognize gift cards and bitcoin requests as red flags. Experts note that actual victim numbers are likely higher due to underreporting driven by fear and embarrassment.
dtnext.in · 2025-12-08
A 23-year-old pharmacist from Rajasthan was arrested by Chennai police for his role in a FedEx scam that defrauded a city doctor of Rs 15.26 lakh. The victim received calls impersonating FedEx and Mumbai police officials claiming a parcel in his name contained illegal substances, then convinced him to transfer money for "investigation and verification" by the RBI. The accused had lent his bank accounts to the scammers for commission, with over Rs 70 lakh flowing through the accounts in just two days.
justice.gov · 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, the U.S. District of South Dakota joined national leaders in recognizing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, emphasizing that one in ten older Americans are victims of elder abuse annually. The District highlighted ongoing efforts through initiatives like the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative to combat common schemes targeting seniors, including romance scams, tech support fraud, Social Security impostor scams, lottery scams, and IRS impersonation scams.
newstalkkzrg.com · 2025-12-08
U.S. Attorney Teresa Moore recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlighting that one in ten people over 60 experience elder abuse and an estimated $28.3 billion is lost annually to elder fraud scams. The Justice Department is committed to prosecuting elder abusers through various initiatives, including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Money Mule Initiative, while providing public awareness resources on common schemes such as romance fraud, tech support scams, and Social Security impostor scams. Recent cases include the sentencing of Henry Asomani to 10 years in federal prison for a romance fraud conspiracy that stole over $3 million from more than a dozen victims.
goldrushcam.com · 2025-12-08
The IRS issued a warning about rising impersonation scams targeting senior citizens, in which fraudsters pose as government officials (IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare) to steal personal information and money through phone calls, emails, and text messages. Scammers use tactics including caller ID spoofing, false claims of tax debt or prize winnings, threats of arrest or deportation, and demands for immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. The IRS advises seniors to hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from the IRS, verify communications through official channels at 800-829-1040, and report suspicious activity.
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devdiscourse.com · 2025-12-08
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) in India issued a public alert warning of fraudsters impersonating customs officers who use phone calls and SMS to extort money from victims by threatening legal action or claiming to hold packages. The scammers exploit fear of customs violations and penal action to coerce payments from targeted individuals. In response, the CBIC launched a multi-modal awareness campaign utilizing newspapers, social media, and field formations to educate the public on recognizing and protecting themselves from these scams.