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in Robocalls / Phone Scams
wtoc.com
· 2026-07-31
Savannah police warn residents about evolving phone and relationship scams where callers impersonate government agencies or claim family members are in jail to demand immediate payment, often through gift cards. Key warning signs include demands for urgent payment with tight deadlines, and victims are advised to hang up, contact their bank immediately, file a police report, and block unknown callers. Police also recommend that elderly residents secure personal and financial documents at home and remain vigilant about protecting vulnerable family members from scam attempts.
wjbf.com
· 2026-07-31
Georgia law enforcement reports a surge in cybercrime and scams as the state's population grows, with cybercrime increasing 24% nationwide and Georgia ranking in the top 10 states for reported cyber-enabled crimes. Older adults are being disproportionately targeted through gift card scams, fake grandchild emergency calls, and impersonation schemes where scammers claim victims owe money for arrest warrants or unpaid citations. State officials are expanding partnerships with federal agencies to combat these emerging threats through intelligence sharing and coordinated investigations.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-07-31
Researchers conducted a study comparing AI chatbots to human scammers in "pig butchering" romance scams that lead to fake cryptocurrency investments, finding that AI chatbots significantly outperformed humans at the trust-building stage, with nearly 50% of test subjects complying with chatbot requests versus fewer than 20% for human scammers. The study, based on interviews with 145 former scam workers including trafficking survivors from Southeast Asia, suggests that scammers could use AI to automate the lengthy relationship-building phase before handing off to humans for the final investment solicitation to bypass AI safeguards. This hybrid approach could enable scam operations to defraud victims of six-figure
commbank.com.au
· 2026-07-31
Tax impersonation scams are targeting Australians via SMS, email, and phone calls that mimic the ATO or myGov, claiming refunds are waiting, money is owed, or details need updating, with links leading to fake websites designed to steal personal information. CommBank research found 62% of participants are exposed to scams at least once weekly, with both individuals and small businesses vulnerable, particularly during tax season as the October 31 lodgment deadline approaches. The scams succeed because they appear legitimate and exploit authority bias and psychological factors like stress and time pressure, rather than relying on obvious warning signs.
legis1.com
· 2026-07-31
A Senate Special Committee on Aging hearing examined AI-powered fraud schemes that clone voices to impersonate loved ones and create deepfakes, with online scam losses increasing 26% in 2025 to an average household loss of $1,009. Experts testified that AI tools have made existing scams more sophisticated while lowering barriers for criminals, prompting lawmakers to introduce bipartisan legislation including the Guard Act and National Strategy for Combating Scams Act to strengthen law enforcement efforts and create reporting systems targeting elder fraud.
wxyz.com
· 2026-07-31
A 16-year-old Troy student fell for a job scam after receiving a phishing email impersonating his school, which included fake checks for $1,500 and requested he send back $900 via Zelle. Although he avoided direct financial loss when the checks bounced, his bank account was subsequently closed and he may be unable to open a new account for five years. The incident highlights a 198% increase in reported losses among those under 20 in 2025, as scammers increasingly target young people with fraudulent job opportunities.
kob.com
· 2026-07-31
Scammers posing as PNM utility workers have been approaching residents in Albuquerque's Nob Hill area, claiming to need access to homes and requesting personal information such as social security numbers. PNM warns that legitimate employees always carry proper identification, never show up unannounced without a scheduled appointment, and will never ask for money or personal information over the phone. Residents are urged to verify employee badges, report suspicious activity to PNM and local police, and alert neighbors through community platforms.
psca.org
· 2026-07-31
Scammers impersonate retailers or government agencies and falsely transfer calls to fake SSA representatives who claim the victim's identity has been stolen, then request signatures on documents and promise a new Social Security number. The SSA warns that legitimate agencies cannot transfer calls directly to SSA or OIG, and that caller ID can be spoofed, making any such call a scam. Consumers should report suspected SSA scams to oig.ssa.gov/report.
wlwt.com
· 2026-07-31
An 86-year-old woman with dementia from Mount Washington lost $10,000 in a grandparent scam after a caller posing as a public defender claimed her grandson had been arrested and needed bail money. The scammer instructed her to withdraw cash from her bank and picked her up by car to transport her there, exploiting her concern for her grandchild and instructing her to keep the situation secret. Cincinnati police are investigating the case, and experts recommend families establish financial safeguards and open conversations about fraud prevention with elderly relatives.
cryptotimes.io
· 2026-07-31
The U.S. government filed a civil forfeiture lawsuit seeking to seize approximately $2.117 million in USDT held in an Ethereum wallet, alleging the funds are proceeds from a pig-butchering cryptocurrency investment scam that defrauded at least 13 victims. Victims were contacted via WhatsApp and directed to fake trading platforms showing false profits, then lost control of their funds when they made deposits. Law enforcement from the Secret Service and FBI traced the laundered money through 76 intermediate blockchain addresses, ultimately tracking over $2.1 million to the target wallet.
businessinsider.com
· 2026-07-31
Agentic fraud—automated scams planned and executed entirely by AI without human involvement—is emerging as a major threat, with AI systems now capable of researching targets, conducting convincing conversations across multiple platforms, and scaling operations far beyond what human fraudsters could achieve. According to Incode's research, there were 66 publicly reported AI-enabled fraud incidents in the U.S., with major tech companies like Anthropic, OpenAI, and Microsoft already detecting criminal use of their AI systems for romance scams, phishing, data theft, and extortion. Incode predicts that within two years, the majority of fraud losses worldwide will stem from agentic fraud, with imposter scams alone
techbuzz.ai
· 2026-07-31
OpenAI shut down a Cambodia-based criminal operation that used ChatGPT to run sophisticated romance, investment, gambling, and impersonation scams at scale. The organized network exploited the AI's ability to maintain convincing personas and generate personalized fraud pitches across multiple platforms simultaneously, representing one of the company's most aggressive enforcement actions against AI-enabled abuse. The takedown highlights how organized crime syndicates in Southeast Asia are increasingly weaponizing large language models to conduct large-scale fraud operations that would have been impossible to manage manually.
nevadacountyca.gov
· 2026-07-31
thecourierexpress.com
· 2026-07-30
The Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging held a "Scam Jam" seminar to educate seniors about financial fraud, with speakers warning that scammers stole over $7.7 billion from victims last year and emphasizing that Social Security numbers are primary targets. Key warning signs discussed included urgent calls requesting gift card payments, romance scams targeting lonely seniors, and fraudulent VA benefit schemes charging veterans $2,000-$30,000 when legitimate veteran services are free. Attendees learned practical prevention tips including using secret code words with family, refusing to share personal information, and checking credit reports regularly.
aol.com
· 2026-07-30
A 44-year-old Rosemead man was charged with elder fraud, grand theft, and conspiracy after driving a courier to a Thousand Oaks woman's home to collect $14,000 in cash obtained through a tech support scam. The victim was tricked into believing her computer was infected with malware and that she was under investigation by federal authorities, prompting her to withdraw the cash from multiple banks while remaining on the phone with scammers. The defendant was arrested in July and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
thecorryjournal.com
· 2026-07-30
On July 23, the Union City Police Department presented information to senior citizens at Manly Heights Apartments about common scams and prevention strategies, as scam calls remain a frequent problem in their community. Police Chief David Pernice stated the goal was to educate residents to help minimize the growing trend of fraud targeting seniors.
inkl.com
· 2026-07-30
A scammer posing as a Medina County Sheriff's captain attempted to extort $2,400 from an Ohio police captain by claiming he had missed jury duty and faced arrest, but was exposed when his target recorded the call and revealed he was a law enforcement officer. Government impersonation scams cost Americans $920 million in 2025, with older adults being particularly vulnerable to this common fraud scheme that uses fear and urgency to pressure victims into untraceable payments via cash, gift cards, or wire transfers. The FTC advises that legitimate courts contact jurors by mail, never by phone, and urges people to hang up and verify claims through official agency numbers rather than using contact information provided by callers
pdcn.org
· 2026-07-30
A 73-year-old Baldwin resident was defrauded of $40,000 after receiving a phone call claiming his bank account and social security number were compromised and instructing him to withdraw cash for safekeeping. The victim met an unknown subject in a parking lot on Grand Avenue and handed over the money, later realizing he had been scammed. Junkai Chen, 35, of Fresh Meadows, was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny 3rd Degree in connection with the elder fraud scheme.
gulfcoastnewsnow.com
· 2026-07-30
"Pig butchering" scammers build fake romantic relationships over weeks or months to gain victims' trust before directing them to invest in cryptocurrency, often through fake websites or digital wallets where the money becomes inaccessible. The scam targets people via texts, dating apps, and social media, with warning signs including constant availability, rapid declarations of love, and quick introduction of investment opportunities. Digital forensics experts report that victims recover their money in fewer than 10% of cases.
slobodenpecat.mk
· 2026-07-30
A woman from Bitola posted a couch for sale on a classifieds platform and was contacted by scammers using a German phone number posing as buyers, who directed her to a phishing website mimicking Cargo Express and tricked her into entering her bank card details. The scammers attempted to steal funds but were unable to withdraw money because only 7 denars was on the card. This phishing campaign targeting classifieds sellers remains active despite Cargo Express warning about the scam in April, and similar fraud schemes using legitimate company brands continue to victimize citizens across the country.
abc-7.com
· 2026-07-30
"Pig butchering" scams involve criminals building fake romantic relationships through texts, dating apps, and social media over weeks or months before convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency, often directing them to fraudulent websites where their money becomes inaccessible. Red flags include constant availability, quick declarations of love, and sudden investment proposals, with digital forensics experts noting that victims recover their stolen funds in fewer than 10% of cases. Victims are advised to document all cryptocurrency transactions and file complaints with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
elliptic.co
· 2026-07-30
The Royal Thai Police and blockchain analytics firm Elliptic collaborated to analyze over 500 cryptoasset-related cases involving individual victim losses of nearly $14 million, with suspicious incoming transactions totaling $520 million between January 2022 and October 2025. The investigation identified approximately $200 million in suspected investment, romance, and "pig butchering" scam proceeds, along with cryptoasset thefts and money laundering linked to criminal networks in Cambodia and Myanmar operating across 32 different blockchains. The analysis revealed criminals' use of decentralized exchanges and cross-chain bridges to launder proceeds while evading know-your-customer verification requirements.
nst.com.my
· 2026-07-30
Hong Kong actress Strawberry Yeung, 61, identified and rejected a "pig-butchering" romance scam in which a man she met cultivated an intense two-month fake relationship before requesting HK$300,000 (approximately RM156,000) for a supposed business investment. Yeung recognized the classic scam red flags—including his sudden investment pitch after establishing trust through constant flirtation and posts showcasing wealth—and confronted the scammer, who then ceased contact. The actress used her experience to highlight how scammers often target older single women assuming they are lonely and vulnerable, while emphasizing that many older women maintain fulfilling lives with their own priorities and are not easily dece
timesnownews.com
· 2026-07-30
Research comparing AI chatbots to human scammers found that AI models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are significantly more effective at building trust in romance scams, with 50% of study participants agreeing to download an app after chatting with an AI chatbot versus only 18% after speaking with a human scammer. AI chatbots also received higher trust ratings than humans and can simultaneously conduct thousands of conversations with victims, making romance fraud easier to scale than traditional human-operated scams. The study was conducted by researchers from universities in India, Italy, Australia, and Israel.
ppc.land
· 2026-07-30
HUMAN Security research reveals that AI-powered phone farms have dramatically lowered the barrier to entry for large-scale scams, with threat actors able to launch romance scams, investment fraud, and fake-account campaigns for as little as $5,000 upfront or rent 25 virtual phones for approximately $2,970 monthly. The "FunFoneFarm" ecosystem combines cheap secondhand phone circuit boards, orchestration software like Auto.js, and AI tools to create fleets that mimic human behavior and evade platform detection. This technological infrastructure enables fraudsters to capitalize on an estimated $27.8 billion lost annually to romance and investment scams.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-07-30
Research from four universities found that AI chatbots using ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are now more effective at romance scams than human scammers, with nearly 50% of test subjects agreeing to download apps when groomed by AI versus only 18% when interacting with humans. Romance scammers typically build trust over months on dating apps before requesting money for fake emergencies or cryptocurrency investments, and AI could enable scam operations to scale dramatically by conducting thousands of simultaneous conversations. The study raises concerns that scam centers could use AI chatbots to automate the trust-building phase while only requiring human intervention when requesting final payments from victims.
namibian.com.na
· 2026-07-30
Young Namibians were recruited into an alleged N$8-billion international romance scam syndicate by Raylon Investment CC, which promised them iPhones, cars, and houses to lure foreign victims—primarily wealthy men from the United States and Europe—into fake cryptocurrency investments. Employees were housed in a compound under strict control, issued fake social media identities, and instructed to send at least 150 direct messages daily to potential victims, with performance bonuses tied to investment amounts secured. Chinese nationals, Namibian citizens, and recruits from other countries were arrested in 2023 and charged with 65 serious offences including human trafficking, racketeering, money laundering, and fraud,
defence.lk
· 2026-07-30
This article discusses how human trafficking has evolved to incorporate cyber-enabled scams as a primary recruitment and exploitation tool, with traffickers using social media, fraudulent websites, and the dark web to perpetrate romance scams, fake employment schemes, and visa fraud to lure and traffic victims for sexual exploitation, forced labor, and other abuses. The article highlights that traffickers increasingly exploit technology to deceive vulnerable individuals, and notes that some trafficking victims are forced into criminal activities like cyber scams through coercion, which legally distinguishes them from traditional criminals due to the absence of criminal intent. The piece emphasizes that human trafficking affects people across all demographics and can occur within or across international borders, with the "trap behind the scams
wired.com
· 2026-07-30
Researchers from four universities conducted a study showing that AI chatbots are more effective than human scammers at building trust during "pig butchering" scams, which are romance-based text fraud schemes that lead to fake cryptocurrency investments stealing six-figure sums from victims. In simulations with test subjects, nearly half complied with requests from AI chatbots compared to fewer than one in five for human scammers, with victims also rating the AI chatbots as significantly more trustworthy. The findings suggest that AI could autonomously handle the trust-building phase of these scams, with human scammers only taking over at the final investment solicitation stage to evade AI safeguards.
thecourierexpress.com
· 2026-07-30
The Jefferson County Area Agency on Aging held a Scam Jam educational program where law enforcement and government officials informed seniors about common fraud schemes, warning that scammers stole over $7.7 billion from victims last year. Key warning signs discussed included urgent demands for payment via gift cards, romance scams targeting lonely seniors, imposters falsely claiming VA endorsement, and unsolicited calls requesting personal information or Social Security numbers. Officials advised seniors to use protective measures such as establishing secret code words with family, checking credit reports regularly, and contacting accredited Veterans Service Offices rather than paying private companies up to $30,000 for benefit claims.
newson6.com
· 2026-07-30
Scammers in Oklahoma are using increasingly sophisticated tactics including phone calls, texts, emails, and artificial intelligence to defraud people, with the FTC reporting $59 billion in losses nationally in a single year. According to AARP Oklahoma's Fraud Watch Network, common scams include emergency/grandparent scams enhanced by AI, and fraudsters are targeting people of all ages across multiple platforms. The AARP Fraud Watch Helpline (877-908-3360) offers trained specialists to help identify potential scams and, in some cases, prevent financial loss before it occurs.
wrangellsentinel.com
· 2026-07-30
A newly hired teacher in Southeast Alaska lost $130 to a rental scam after a fraudster posted a fake property listing on Zillow and collected application fees from victims unfamiliar with the area. Police Chief Gene Meek warns residents to be cautious of scams arriving through emails, phone calls, and social media, noting that fake FBI fine notices demanding around $2,000 in Bitcoin payments are also becoming increasingly prevalent in the region.
money.ca
· 2026-07-30
A Reddit user shared their near-miss experience with a sophisticated phone scam where scammers impersonated Wealthsimple and claimed someone was fraudulently using their credit card to book a hotel, requesting a verification code to "block" the transaction. According to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre, such fraud investigator scams cost Canadians $28.3 million last year, part of a reported $704 million in total fraud losses. Experts warn that these scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and effective, with nearly half of Canadians encountering scams weekly or daily.
americanbanker.com
· 2026-07-29
A 76-year-old New Jersey retiree, Jeffrey Maas, lost nearly $400,000 to scammers who impersonated PNC Bank employees and convinced him to wire money for gold purchases; he is suing PNC for negligence, claiming two bank employees failed to question suspicious large withdrawals despite red flags. The case highlights the legal gap in the U.S. where federal law does not require banks to reimburse customers who voluntarily transfer funds to fraudsters, though Maas is pursuing the lawsuit under state law. Elder fraud is a growing crisis, with Americans over 60 losing $4.9 billion in 2024 alone, prompting calls for banks to
cryptobriefing.com
· 2026-07-29
Americans lost an estimated $11.4 billion to cryptocurrency fraud in 2025 according to FBI data, with the true toll potentially reaching $81 billion when accounting for underreporting, representing a 22% increase from the prior year. Seniors aged 60 and older were disproportionately victimized, filing 44,555 complaints and losing $4.4 billion combined—a 57% increase from 2024—as they are targeted through investment scams, impersonation schemes, and "pig butchering" operations that exploit their savings and trust in authority figures. The professionalization of crypto fraud operations and concentration of losses among older Americans is driving regulatory pressure and bipart
8days.sg
· 2026-07-29
A 61-year-old Hong Kong actress was targeted in a "pig-butchering" romance scam by a man in his 20s who cultivated a fake romantic relationship over two months before requesting HK$300,000 (S$49,000) for a supposed business investment. The actress recognized the classic scam red flags, including promises of quick returns and interest, and refused to send money, causing the scammer to cease contact. The case highlights how scammers often target older single women assuming they are lonely and vulnerable, though the actress's alertness and life experience allowed her to avoid becoming a victim.
infosecurity-magazine.com
· 2026-07-29
Researchers warn that threat actors can now launch sophisticated phone fraud operations for as little as $2,790 per month using off-the-shelf AI-enhanced phone farm kits that automate romance scams, investment fraud, and account takeovers. The "FunFoneFarm" ecosystem dramatically lowers barriers to entry by combining readily available hardware, orchestration software, and AI tools that can manage hundreds of fraudulent conversations simultaneously without requiring coerced workers or specialized technical skills. Romance fraud alone cost victims nearly $930 million in the past year, with cyber-enabled fraud costing the UK economy approximately £14 billion annually.
tech.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-29
College students are increasingly targeted by "freshman fraud" schemes including phishing emails with malware, fake financial aid offers using replica school letterhead, and loan forgiveness scams that impersonate debt relief agencies across multiple platforms. Universities have become attractive targets for cybercriminals due to students' perceived naivety and the scale of potential exposure, with 80 college breaches in 2024-2025 exposing email addresses, passwords, phone numbers, and social security numbers. Scammers exploit students' desperation for financial aid and access to university email systems to solicit sensitive personal information or direct payments via gift cards.
miningjournal.net
· 2026-07-29
The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection warned consumers about back-to-school scams targeting students and shoppers during peak shopping season, including online shopping fraud, fake discount ads, textbook scams, and phishing schemes. The agency recommended verifying website URLs, using credit cards for online purchases, shopping only on trusted platforms, and avoiding urgency-driven offers that seem too good to be true. No specific dollar amounts or individual victims were mentioned in the advisory.
ag.state.mn.us
· 2026-07-29
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and a coalition of 50 state attorneys general are urging the Federal Communications Commission to strengthen "Know Your Customer" rules requiring phone companies to verify who is using their networks to prevent scammers from making illegal robocalls. Americans received over 29.6 billion scam robocalls and texts in the past year and lost nearly $2 billion to these scams, with the attorneys general arguing that stronger verification requirements would cut off scammers' access to legitimate phone numbers.
bankingjournal.aba.com
· 2026-07-29
The American Bankers Association testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging that generative AI is industrializing scams by making them more convincing, personalized, and scalable, enabling criminals to create fraudulent voices, videos, and identities at low cost. Paul Benda recommended policy solutions including establishing a National Office for Scam and Fraud Prevention, strengthening telecommunications safeguards, improving information sharing, and modernizing identity and authentication systems. Banks are using AI, analytics, and employee training to combat these increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes targeting consumers.
lilifepolitics.com
· 2026-07-29
A 73-year-old Baldwin man lost $40,000 in June after receiving a phone call claiming his bank account and Social Security number were compromised, instructing him to withdraw cash and meet an unknown person in a parking lot. Junkai Chen, 35, of Fresh Meadows, was arrested and charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree after police investigation identified him as the perpetrator of this elder fraud scheme.
liherald.com
· 2026-07-29
A 35-year-old Queens man was arrested for defrauding a 73-year-old Baldwin resident of $40,000 in an elder scam where the victim received a fraudulent call claiming his bank account was compromised and was instructed to withdraw cash. The victim met an unknown individual in a parking lot and handed over the money before realizing the scheme. Junkai Chen is charged with third-degree grand larceny and was scheduled for arraignment.
consumeraffairs.com
· 2026-07-29
Seniors are increasingly using prepared "scam scripts"—written responses kept by the phone—to protect themselves from phone scammers impersonating banks, Medicare, and Social Security. The scripts interrupt scammers' ability to create urgency and build trust by allowing victims to disengage immediately without providing personal information or making decisions under pressure. Experts recommend simple responses like "I don't provide personal information over the phone" or "I'll call the company back using the official number," paired with habits like letting unknown calls go to voicemail and verifying caller identity independently.
newrepublic.com
· 2026-07-29
The Democratic National Committee was defrauded of nearly $29,000 in February 2025 when a staffer fell for a phishing email impersonating Chair Ken Martin and processed an unauthorized disbursement. Only $7,000 of the $28,860.92 has been recovered, and the incident adds to the DNC's existing financial troubles, including an $18.5 million debt and recent internal dysfunction. The scam occurred amid growing calls for Martin's resignation following reports of poor financial management and organizational chaos within the committee.
clintonnc.com
· 2026-07-29
Star Communications is hosting a free community event on August 12 in Clinton to educate senior citizens about recognizing scams, protecting personal information, and staying safe online, in response to reports from the Sampson Sheriff's Office documenting increased scam activity targeting local elderly residents. The training will cover tactics used by scammers, including phishing emails, voice impersonation using advanced technology, and phone calls posing as law enforcement or hospital staff seeking urgent money transfers, with attendees taught practical prevention strategies like hovering over email addresses and requesting to call suspicious callers back.
clintonnc.com
· 2026-07-29
Star Communications is hosting a free educational event on August 12 in Clinton to help senior citizens recognize and protect themselves from scams, which have become increasingly prevalent in the area according to the Sampson Sheriff's Office. The training will cover common scam tactics including phishing emails, fraudulent phone calls using voice imitation technology, and impersonation schemes where scammers pose as law enforcement or hospital staff to extract money. No specific dollar amounts of losses are mentioned, but the event aims to teach seniors how to verify email addresses, recognize urgency tactics, and safely handle suspicious communications.
creators.yahoo.com
· 2026-07-29
A caller impersonating an Adams County Sheriff's sergeant attempted to defraud the author by claiming there was a legal matter requiring immediate attention, but the scam was thwarted when the caller incorrectly referred to the agency as "Adams County Sheriff's Department" instead of the correct "Adams County Sheriff's Office." Police impersonation scams typically involve callers claiming victims missed jury duty or face arrest, demanding payment via cash, gift cards, or wire transfers, and can be sophisticated enough to include personal information and spoofed caller ID. The author verified the call was fraudulent by independently contacting the sheriff's office and discovering they had already warned the public about a scammer using the false identity "Sgt.
kucoin.com
· 2026-07-29
In 2025, Americans reported $11.366 billion in cryptocurrency fraud losses across 181,565 complaints, a 22% increase from the prior year, with seniors aged 60 and older accounting for $4.4 billion in losses—a 57% jump from 2024. Older Americans are disproportionately targeted through investment scams, impersonation schemes, and "pig butchering" operations because they hold more savings, are less familiar with crypto, and are more trusting of authority figures. The FBI report highlights organized criminal enterprises conducting increasingly sophisticated fraud operations, putting significant regulatory pressure on crypto exchanges and platforms.
9to5mac.com
· 2026-07-29
Online scams cost Americans approximately $150 billion in the past year, roughly seven times more than the $21 billion reported to the FBI, according to the Consumer Federation of America, with cryptocurrency investment scams accounting for the largest portion of losses. The dramatic underreporting stems from most victims never contacting law enforcement, with only about 14% of financial fraud victims filing reports, while scammers increasingly use AI-generated deepfakes and fake documents to impersonate family members and conduct investment fraud. Meta-owned platforms—Facebook (57%), Instagram (22%), and WhatsApp (8%)—are the primary channels used by scammers to target victims.