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usatoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty to money laundering conspiracy related to a romance scam that defrauded at least three women of $2.3 million. Garcia's role involved providing bank accounts to receive fraud proceeds and using cryptocurrency to conceal the money's origin before transferring funds to his Nigerian co-conspirators, who remain at large; he was ordered to forfeit approximately $465,000.
michigan.gov
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel issued a warning in April 2024 urging consumers attending the NFL Draft in Detroit to watch out for scams including phishing emails, smishing texts, and credit card skimming at ATMs. The advisory provided guidance on avoiding these common fraud tactics, such as not clicking suspicious links, using cash when possible, and monitoring bank statements for unauthorized charges. Victims of fraud were directed to contact local police and the Michigan Attorney General's Consumer Protection Team for assistance.
ivpressonline.com
· 2025-12-08
Congressman Raul Ruiz held a senior fraud awareness seminar in El Centro after his own mother nearly fell victim to a "grandparent scam" in which a scammer impersonated a relative in Mexico requesting $5,000 for bail. The event highlighted that fraud is a national epidemic affecting seniors, with Ruiz noting that 198 fraudulent cases were reported in the prior year (likely representing only a fraction of actual incidents due to underreporting caused by embarrassment and fear), and emphasized the importance of reporting scams to law enforcement and sharing fraud prevention information within communities.
aol.com
· 2025-12-08
An elderly Birmingham, Alabama woman with medical needs was defrauded of over $200,000 by five individuals employed to care for her, including two live-in caretakers, a house cleaner, and a hairdresser, who were charged with wire fraud and identity theft between December 2020 and February 2022. The perpetrators used the victim's credit card information and banking services to make unauthorized purchases and transfers, with the hairdresser alone charging over $130,000 to her Square account. The case reflects a broader trend of elder financial exploitation in the U.S., with the Treasury reporting approximately $27 billion in suspicious elder fraud activity in a single year.
kdhlradio.com
· 2025-12-08
A Facebook phishing scam using posts with messages like "It Won't Be The Same Without Him" is circulating in Minnesota and Wisconsin, tricking users into clicking malicious links by exploiting emotions and the assumption that a friend has died. When clicked, the scam compromises Facebook accounts, allowing scammers to steal personal information and spread the scam to the victim's friends through fraudulent posts and tags. Users who fall victim should immediately reset passwords, check privacy settings, remove suspicious friends, run antivirus software, and report the malicious links to Facebook.
psychologytoday.com
· 2025-12-08
Between January 2021 and June 2023, Americans lost $2.7 billion to social media scams on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, with investment scams accounting for 53% of total losses despite representing fewer reported incidents than shopping scams. While younger adults and minors are heavily targeted, the article provides protective measures including verifying companies before purchase, using credit cards instead of debit cards, being cautious of unsolicited money requests and romance scams, and avoiding targeted advertising features that scammers exploit.
timesgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Highland County Community Action Agency and commissioners are offering free in-person digital literacy training for seniors to address growing online safety risks. The training covers key protective measures including identifying phishing scams, securing social media privacy settings, creating strong passwords, and enabling two-factor authentication to help older adults safely use technology for connecting with family and accessing services.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Jorrel Tyler Jackson, a 31-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 6.5 years in federal prison for his role in an international fraud conspiracy that targeted senior citizens across multiple states, causing $1,584,077 in losses to 22 victims. Jackson's role involved collecting cash packages from victims and recruiting others; the scam began with fake virus warning pop-ups that directed victims to call numbers where Indian-based scammers impersonated tech companies or federal agents, then convinced them to surrender money through various ruses including fake bank compromise claims, criminal investigation threats, and technical support fees. Authorities emphasize that victims should never click unsolicited pop-ups,
wpxi.com
· 2025-12-08
The Pennsylvania Turnpike and FBI issued warnings about a widespread texting scam targeting tolling customers across multiple states, with over 2,000 complaints received from at least three states. The fraudulent texts falsely claim recipients owe money for unpaid tolls and direct them to click links that compromise personal and financial information. Officials advise customers to delete suspicious messages immediately and contact their financial institutions if they have already clicked malicious links or submitted information.
therecord.media
· 2025-12-08
Cybersecurity researchers at Akamai found that text message scams impersonating the U.S. Postal Service are generating "shocking" levels of traffic to fraudulent websites, with the top malicious domain receiving over 169,000 queries in five months—sometimes exceeding legitimate USPS website traffic. These smishing scams typically direct victims to fake USPS sites where they are tricked into paying fake "redelivery fees" by entering their payment information, with scam activity surging during peak holiday shipping seasons. Despite awareness campaigns and reporting options, the scams remain highly profitable for attackers and continue to victimize large numbers of people.
fox5atlanta.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Duluth couple lost their entire life savings of $49,000 to phone scammers in February 2024 who impersonated Chase Bank employees by spoofing the bank's phone number and text short code. Despite not sharing passwords, Social Security numbers, or account details, the scammers kept Gloria Moss on the phone for approximately 20 minutes while they drained her account via wire transfer to a Wells Fargo account, from which only $700 was recovered. Chase Bank initially refused to reimburse the couple, claiming they had verified the wire transfer was valid, though Gloria Moss disputed this claim.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Online dating scams have increased 72% since 2023, with 27% of dating app users targeted and 42% of those actually defrauded, as artificial intelligence tools make romance scams easier to execute and harder to detect. Scammers now use AI-generated images and chatbots to create convincing fake profiles, while legitimate daters also adopt AI for profile optimization and pickup lines. Protection strategies include requesting recent photos, avoiding delayed in-person meetings, refusing to click unknown links, and being alert for bot interactions that may lead to malware or blackmail schemes.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to four years in federal prison for his role in a romance scam network that defrauded at least three women of $2.3 million. Garcia provided bank accounts to co-conspirators who posed as romantic interests to victims aged 40 to 80, requesting money for fake overseas oil sales and other expenses, then used cryptocurrency to launder the proceeds before sending funds to accomplices in Nigeria. He was ordered to forfeit approximately $465,000, while his four Nigerian co-conspirators remain at large.
fox35orlando.com
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old from Winter Haven, Florida, was sentenced to two years in prison for laundering over $2.3 million in proceeds from Nigerian romance scams and business email compromise schemes by receiving funds into bank accounts and converting them to Bitcoin for co-conspirators. He was ordered to forfeit nearly $465,000 in personal proceeds, with four additional defendants remaining at large in the scheme.
mauinow.com
· 2025-12-08
Following the August Maui wildfires, residents rebuilding their homes face increased risk from fraudulent contractors who exploit disaster survivors' vulnerability through high-pressure sales tactics, fake discounts, and promises of quick completion. A retired San Diego prosecutor warned that post-disaster scams are common and sophisticated, often involving organized crime rings using cryptocurrency payments, and advised victims to obtain multiple quotes, verify contractor licenses, avoid cash payments, and reject time-limited offers. Key warning signs include pressure tactics, unsolicited contact, and claims of special discounts or fake home inspections.
shorenewsnetwork.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece provides guidance for recognizing and protecting against scams and fraud. Key recommendations include ending communication with suspected scammers, verifying suspicious offers through online searches, resisting artificial urgency, avoiding unsolicited contact, never sharing personal information or money with unverified sources, maintaining updated security software, blocking pop-ups, exercising caution with email attachments, and monitoring financial accounts if compromised. The advice emphasizes prevention through vigilance and immediate reporting to authorities if safety is at risk.
recorder.com
· 2025-12-08
This opinion piece describes the author's frustration with repeated scam phone calls, including grandparent scams, fake IRS calls requesting personal information, impersonations of police and political organizations, and fraudulent refund offers. Rather than providing fraud prevention advice, the author humorously proposes installing a lengthy, confusing voicemail recording designed to waste scammers' time as revenge for the disruption they cause.
courant.com
· 2025-12-08
Federal officials recovered more than $2 million that had been stolen through email scams targeting the City of New Haven and a New Haven-based healthcare company. The funds were seized and returned to the victims as part of the federal investigation into the email fraud scheme.
fox13seattle.com
· 2025-12-08
A Mercer Island mother warned about scams on the popular gaming platform Roblox after her 9-year-old son, who uses the game during cancer treatment, fell victim to a trade scam where he lost valuable in-game items despite declining the fraudulent trade. Two main types of Roblox scams exist: code-sharing scams that give scammers account access to steal money or items, and rigged trades designed to fail for the victim while succeeding for the scammer. The mother emphasized the importance of awareness about how quickly these scams can occur and called on players and parents to understand the risks on gaming platforms.
livemint.com
· 2025-12-08
India registered 1.13 million fraud cases in 2023, with "pig butchering" emerging as a growing cyber scam where fraudsters build trust with victims through social media and dating apps before convincing them to invest in fake opportunities or job offers. The scam relies on emotional manipulation and fake investment platforms or job postings, with victims ultimately losing significant sums once trust is established. To protect against these scams, individuals should verify investment and job offers thoroughly, avoid sharing personal financial information with online strangers, resist pressure to make rushed financial decisions, and consult trusted advisors before proceeding with any financial transactions.
muskoka411.com
· 2025-12-08
Kaspersky's 2024 survey of 2,000 North American adults found that scams are widespread across online platforms, with 42% encountering fraud on dating apps, 38% on Facebook, and 29% overall falling victim to scams. Phishing attacks increased 40% in 2023, with scammers using AI tools and social engineering across social media, gaming, banking, and cryptocurrency platforms. The survey also revealed that 75% of consumers want new privacy regulations and 77% are concerned about AI-generated deepfakes, while experts recommend users employ multi-factor authentication, strong passwords, and skepticism when clicking links.
uk.news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
This is not an article about elder fraud, scams, or elder abuse. It is a standard privacy and cookie notice from Yahoo explaining how the company uses cookies and personal data on their websites and apps. No summarization for the Elderus database is applicable.
ottawacitizen.com
· 2025-12-08
Scam text messages claiming Ottawa residents were caught speeding in a school zone and demanding immediate payment via a link began circulating over the weekend. The City of Ottawa warned residents that it never solicits payments by text and that legitimate speed camera tickets are issued by mail with detailed infraction photos and information, allowing 15 days to pay or request a trial. Anyone who received the scam text and shared personal information was urged to contact Ottawa Police Service.
businessinsider.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams on dating apps cost Americans over $650 million in 2022, with the FTC reporting even higher losses of $1.3 billion and alleging that 25-30% of daily Match.com sign-ups were scammers. These scams, which primarily target older adults, include phishing attacks and sextortion schemes, and victims rarely recover their stolen funds due to the difficulty of tracing money once it leaves the country. Match Group's CEO acknowledged empathy for victims but emphasized the company's focus on platform safety, though the FTC has filed a lawsuit against the company over inadequate fraud prevention measures.
kjct8.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI Internet Crime Center has issued a warning about fraudulent SMS texts impersonating toll services like Colorado's ExpressToll, which request recipients to pay outstanding tolls to avoid late fees and direct them to fake payment websites. The Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO) does not use text messaging for toll collection, and while no complaints have been filed locally, the FBI has received over 2,000 complaints about this toll fraud scheme nationwide. Recipients are advised to verify toll balances through official websites, report suspicious texts to the FBI's IC3, and secure their personal information if they clicked any links or provided details.
finance.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Renato Calalang, a 60-year-old Australian warehouse worker, lost nearly $150,000 in life savings to an inheritance scam after receiving an email from someone claiming to be a Philippine bank owner offering him a €3.8 million inheritance from a deceased cousin. The scammer, posing as "Steve Golds," provided forged documents including a death certificate and instructed Calalang to open a new bank account and deposit funds to facilitate the transfer, exploiting Calalang's family ties to the Philippines and his trust in his existing bank. After months of transfers and communication, Calalang realized he had been defrauded and lost his retirement
bleepingcomputer.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraudsters on online dating platforms are using fake "identity verification" schemes to trick victims into providing personal and financial information and signing up for recurring monthly subscription charges. The scam begins when a fraudster develops romantic rapport with a victim and directs them to a fraudulent verification website claiming to check whether potential dates are sex offenders or criminals; victims unknowingly submit credit card details and are subsequently charged monthly fees to unknown businesses while their data is harvested for identity theft or sold on cybercrime marketplaces. The FBI recommends keeping conversations on dating platforms with safety features, avoiding sharing personal information with new online contacts, monitoring financial accounts for unauthorized charges, and reporting suspicious sites to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint
hellocare.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australian seniors aged 65 and above lost more than $2.7 billion to scams across over 601,000 reported cases, representing a significant increase from 2022's 507,000 reports. Investment scams were the leading threat, accounting for $1.3 billion in losses, followed by remote access scams ($256 million), romance scams ($201.1 million), and phishing scams ($137.4 million), with tactics including deepfake videos and celebrity impersonations. The ACCC reports that the true scale is likely much larger, as an estimated one in three victims never report their fraud, and the government has launche
choice.com.au
· 2025-12-08
Australia reported $2.74 billion in scam losses in 2023, a 13% decline from 2022, though people aged 65 and over bucked this trend with losses increasing 13.3% to $120 million, often involving social media-based investment scams targeting retirement savings. Investment scams led all fraud types at $1.3 billion in total losses, while job scams surged over 150%, disproportionately affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities. The ACCC's coordinated multi-agency approach is credited with helping reduce overall losses, though advocates call for stronger consumer protections and greater accountability from tech platforms facilitating scam activity.
thesenior.com.au
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians aged over 65 experienced a 13.3% increase in scam losses totaling $120 million, bucking the national trend of overall scam losses declining by 13.1% to $2.74 billion. Seniors were disproportionately targeted by investment scams discovered on social media and via phone calls, with one elderly woman losing her life savings after clicking a deepfake Elon Musk video that promised investment returns she could not withdraw. The ACCC reports that scammers specifically target older Australians with retirement savings, while text message scams increased 37.3% overall and job scams more than double
deccanherald.com
· 2025-12-08
Common online scams in India include UPI fraud, credit/debit card theft, and "FedEx" extortion schemes, all using social engineering to trick victims into authorizing payments or revealing sensitive information. A Bengaluru banking executive lost Rs 25,000 after a friend's WhatsApp account was compromised by a hacker who impersonated a telecom operator to intercept account registration codes. To protect themselves, victims should immediately report fraud to their bank and police within an hour of discovery, file cybercrime complaints, and remember that "digital arrest" is a scammer tactic—police cannot arrest or interrogate people online.
securityboulevard.com
· 2025-12-08
Phishing scams impersonating the U.S. Postal Service generate traffic volumes nearly equal to the legitimate USPS website, particularly during holiday shopping seasons, according to Akamai research. Scammers use "combosquatting" techniques—adding keywords to fake domain names—to deceive victims into revealing personal information or sending money, with smishing (SMS phishing) attacks impersonating delivery services ranking among the top three most common fraud methods globally. The FTC reported over 330,000 business impersonation scams in 2023 resulting in $1.1 billion in losses, with delivery service impersonation attacks being especially lucrative for fraudsters
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
Match Group CEO Bernard Kim acknowledged "empathy" for victims of romance scams on the company's platforms (Match.com, Tinder, Hinge, and others), but stated the company cannot prevent financial losses once users voluntarily send money to scammers. Foreign-based criminals stole over $1 billion in 2023 through romance scams on dating apps, with romance fraud cases sharply increasing from 2017 to 2023 as scammers exploited lonely and vulnerable users, affecting tens of thousands of victims including an estimated 40% men. Match Group emphasized its use of automated detection tools, user warnings, and trust and safety protocols to identify and prevent scams,
headtopics.com
· 2025-12-08
A joint FBI and Highmark Health initiative reports that elder fraud targeting people 60 and older is rising, with over 88,000 complaints involving romance scams, tech support fraud, and grandparent schemes, though most cases go unreported due to shame and uncertainty about reporting. The report emphasizes that seniors are vulnerable targets because they tend to be trusting, and scammers use emotional manipulation—invoking joy, hope, or fear—to extract money and personal information, often victimizing the same person repeatedly. Key prevention advice includes hanging up on unsolicited calls, never providing financial information to unknown callers, and reporting suspected fraud to law enforcement and financial institutions.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A West Covina man, Tai Su, 48, was arrested in an HSI-orchestrated sting operation for attempting to collect $35,000 from two elderly victims who had already lost $25,000 in a phishing scheme. The scam began when the victims opened a malicious email link that locked their computer and displayed a fake "Microsoft Support" number; they were then manipulated by callers posing as bank fraud investigators and fake federal agents into withdrawing and handing over cash on multiple occasions. Su faces federal conspiracy to commit wire fraud charges carrying a maximum 20-year sentence.
dailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
Tai Su, 48, was arrested for operating a sophisticated phishing and impersonation scam targeting two elderly Encino residents in April. The scheme involved sending malicious emails to trick victims into believing their computers were hacked, then impersonating Microsoft Support and bank officials to coerce them into withdrawing $60,000 in cash for fake "federal agent" pickups at their homes. Su faces up to 20 years in federal prison on wire fraud conspiracy charges after Homeland Security Investigations intercepted the second payment attempt.
english.news.cn
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, Australians reported over 601,000 scams—an 18.5% increase from 2022—though total losses fell 13% to 2.74 billion AUD, marking the first year-on-year decline since 2016. Investment scams were the most costly at 1.3 billion AUD (47% of total losses), followed by remote access and romance scams, with seniors aged 65+ being the only age group to lose more money than the previous year. Job scam losses surged 151.2% to 24.3 million AUD, disproportionately affecting culturally and linguistically diverse communities
technode.global
· 2025-12-08
Malaysia experienced a 37% increase in e-commerce fraud cases from January to November, with total losses reaching RM1.13 billion, affecting 8,800 victims primarily through fake motorcycle advertisements and impersonation of legitimate sellers. Scammers exploit sophisticated tactics including fake listings, stolen identities, and artificial urgency to defraud buyers seeking motorcycles for business, transportation, or livelihood purposes. Combating these crimes requires enhanced consumer awareness, thorough research before online purchases, and addressing root causes of fraud to create a safer digital marketplace for Malaysians.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
Jenny and Jian Lim lost $138,000 to an HSBC "spoofing" text message scam in October 2023, in which scammers impersonated the bank using authentic-appearing SMS messages and knowledge of account details to gain access and extract funds. This scam alone defrauded HSBC customers of $6.3 million between July 2023 and March 2024. While Australian authorities cited a 13% decrease in reported scam losses ($2.74 billion in 2023 versus $3.1 billion in 2022), consumer advocates argue the remaining losses remain "unacceptably high" and call for
cbc.ca
· 2025-12-08
Austrian weatherman Sigi Fink discovered his photos were being stolen and used by romance scammers to deceive victims across multiple platforms, with scammers creating dozens of fake profiles using his image and real name. Romance scams have grown dramatically, with reported losses in Canada increasing from $15.6 million in 2013 to over $52 million in 2023, and victims have sometimes reached out to the real Fink after discovering the deception. The unauthorized use of his likeness has left Fink feeling violated and concerned about his reputation, while experts note that image theft in romance scams can be traumatic for innocent people whose photos are misused.
wjla.com
· 2025-12-08
The top three brands that scammers impersonate in 2024 are USPS, Microsoft, and Meta, according to a recent Guardio report. USPS phishing attacks typically come via email or text claiming package delivery issues and direct victims to fake websites to steal credentials; Microsoft impersonators urge victims to click malicious links that install malware or phish for information; and Meta scammers send fake account restriction warnings that lead to fake login pages. The FTC recommends protecting yourself by installing updated security software, updating your phone, enabling multi-factor authentication, and backing up data regularly.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
A Nigerian citizen, Efe Egbowawa, was sentenced to five years in federal prison for his role in an international romance scam ring that defrauded victims across the United States, including Tennessee, from 2017 to 2021. The conspiracy involved members using fake identities on dating sites and social media to build romantic relationships with victims before requesting emergency financial assistance in escalating amounts, with money then laundered through shell companies and bank accounts. Two co-conspirators, Igocha Mac-Okor and Kay Ozegbe, also face charges in connection with the scheme, with one awaiting sentencing and the other scheduled for trial.
dhs.gov
· 2025-12-08
A 48-year-old California man was arrested in a sting operation for attempting to collect $35,000 from an elderly couple who had already lost $25,000 to an online phishing scam. The scheme involved malware that locked the victims' computer, fake Microsoft Support calls, impersonators posing as bank fraud investigators and federal agents, and coordinated cash pickups from the victims' home. Su was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
wafb.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI released its 2023 IC3 Elder Fraud Annual Report warning of rising fraud targeting elderly people, with call center fraud (tech support, consumer support, and government impersonation scams) being the most common method and investment scams causing the greatest financial losses. In Louisiana alone, over 700 reported victims lost more than $18 million in 2023, though officials acknowledge the actual number of victims is significantly higher due to underreporting. The FBI provides protective measures including recognizing scam attempts, verifying contact information online, resisting pressure to act quickly, and safeguarding personal information and devices.
clickorlando.com
· 2025-12-08
A Brevard County couple thwarted a grandparent scam when a caller impersonating their grandson "Bram" claimed he was in jail and needed $9,000 for bail after hitting a pregnant woman. Chris Scott, an insurance claims adjuster, grew suspicious when the scammer's story contained inconsistencies (incorrect bail percentage, unusual procedures) and his wife confirmed via text that their real grandson was safe, prompting the scammer to hang up. The Scotts shared their experience and provided a checklist of questions to ask and steps to take—including contacting the supposed loved one directly and verifying details with police—to help other seniors recognize and avoid this common fraud scheme.
journal-topics.com
· 2025-12-08
The Prospect Heights Police Department hosted a community education event where officers shared crime statistics and fraud prevention advice with residents. Police highlighted that over 2.6 million seniors are victims of identity theft annually and more than 13% of older Americans experience financial fraud each year, with the top scams being cryptocurrency, family emergency, and romance schemes. Residents were advised to never share banking information, verify URLs, avoid unsolicited contacts, and report suspected scams to ftc.gov or reportfraud.ftc.gov.
boston25news.com
· 2025-12-08
Cyber threat researcher Willis McDonald demonstrates how easily hackers execute phishing, spear phishing, job scams, and romance scams, with billions to trillions of attack attempts occurring daily and costing Americans multiple billions of dollars annually. Criminal marketplaces operate like legitimate businesses, selling malware-as-a-service tools that allow attackers to steal credentials, deploy ransomware, and remotely control computers within seconds using readily available open-source software. Protection measures include scrutinizing links and URLs before clicking, avoiding pirated software, enabling two-factor authentication, changing passwords if compromised, and freezing credit to defend against identity theft and financial fraud.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Scammers are targeting recent college graduates entering the workforce by posing as recruiters and faculty members, using fake job offers to deceive vulnerable job seekers. The scheme typically involves convincing applicants to pay upfront money for home office equipment or other expenses that goes directly to the scammers instead. The Federal Trade Commission warns job seekers to verify company information, request written job details, consult trusted advisors, and remember that legitimate employers never ask employees to pay money upfront.
theconversation.com
· 2025-12-08
Job scams in Australia experienced a dramatic 150% increase in financial losses in 2023, making them among the top ten scam categories despite an overall 13.1% decline in reported scam losses nationally. Scammers use fake job advertisements across social media, emails, and employment websites to extract upfront fees, personal information, or banking credentials from vulnerable victims—particularly targeting unemployed individuals, students, recent graduates, and immigrants unfamiliar with legitimate employment practices. To protect themselves, job seekers should use only legitimate job boards, verify employer information independently, and be wary of positions offering unrealistic pay, upfront fees, or requests for sensitive personal details.