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in Scam Awareness
rcmp-grc.gc.ca
· 2025-12-08
This is a general informational page from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police website describing their services and departments rather than a specific article about a scam or fraud incident. The page mentions that Canadians lose millions yearly to fraud and references the Anti-Fraud Centre as a resource, but provides no specific case details, victim information, or fraud scheme descriptions to summarize.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
· 2025-12-08
The Indian government is planning to establish a Cyber Fraud Mitigation Centre under the Cybercrime Coordination Centre to combat the surge in online scams by coordinating real-time responses across banks, telecom providers, IT companies, and law enforcement. The centre will co-locate representatives from major banks, telecom service providers, and police departments to enable seamless cooperation and prevent financial losses, with the project targeted for completion within the government's first 100 days in office.
sunlive.co.nz
· 2025-12-08
Eastern Bay of Plenty Police are warning of increasing home maintenance scams, particularly targeting older and vulnerable residents, where individuals request 50% deposits for roofing or painting work that is either never completed or poorly executed. One known perpetrator in Whakatane collects deposits for waterblasting and painting, completes only the initial waterblasting stage, then disappears with the money. Police urge the public to verify credentials before paying any deposits and report suspected scams to help prevent further victims.
channelnewsasia.com
· 2025-12-08
This commentary discusses "scambaiting"—intentionally engaging with scammers to waste their time—as an unconventional tactic some people use against fraud. While it can provide psychological satisfaction and prevent scammers from targeting vulnerable victims, scambaiting carries legal risks under harassment and stalking laws, and may provoke retaliation including doxxing or threats to the person's loved ones.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
A Westchester resident was scammed out of $28,000 after clicking on a fake Microsoft security pop-up and calling the number provided, which led scammers to convince them a cash payment was needed to repair their computer. Brooklyn resident Jinguan Li, 48, was arrested and found with over $100,000 in cash; he was charged with felony grand larceny and additional charges are expected as the investigation continues with multiple law enforcement agencies.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A retired Chicago worker lost over $19,000 in a wire transfer scam after a fraudster impersonating a Chase Bank representative gained remote access to his computer through a phishing email about an unauthorized credit card. The scammer deposited $20,000 into his account, then manipulated Thomas into transferring back $19,450 of his own money by claiming it was an error and using emotional manipulation. Chase Bank denied his refund claim, stating he had compromised his account by sharing sensitive information, despite multiple similar cases affecting Chase customers.
pottsmerc.com
· 2025-12-08
The Association of Health Care Journalists reported that elder scams have become increasingly sophisticated through artificial intelligence, making them harder to distinguish from legitimate interactions. The AARP Fraud Watch Network received nearly 100,000 calls in 2023, and the National Council on Aging documented 88,000 fraud victims age 60+ in 2022 alone, losing $3.1 billion collectively. Common schemes include the grandparent scam (impersonation requesting wire transfers), romance scams (nearly 70,000 reported in 2022 with $1.3 billion in losses), government impersonation, tech support fraud, and voice recording scams, with
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Between 2013 and 2018, as many as 25-30 percent of new Match.com members were reportedly using the platform to perpetrate romance scams, according to an FTC lawsuit against parent company Match Group. American victims lost over $1 billion to romance scammers in 2023 alone, with dating apps serving as primary "hunting grounds" for scammers targeting vulnerable individuals, including a case where an Illinois widow lost her life savings of $1.5 million to a fake profile. Despite Match Group's reported $125 million annual investment in trust and safety measures, critics argue the company has not done enough to prevent scammers from accessing the platform
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Long Island woman lost $468,000 in a romance scam perpetrated by someone claiming to be an engineer in the Philippines who built an emotional relationship with her during the pandemic before requesting money. When she sought help through Facebook support groups, she was victimized again by scammers posing as FBI officials who promised to recover her funds. Experts advise that romance scam victims should recognize red flags such as rapid declarations of love followed by requests for money, and note that funds sent via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency are typically unrecoverable, especially when perpetrators are located overseas.
wtop.com
· 2025-12-08
"Smishing" is a text message-based scam combining "phishing" and SMS that tricks recipients into clicking malicious links by claiming unpaid toll balances are due. The FBI issued a warning after more than 2,000 complaints across North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, though Virginia has not yet reported cases; authorities advise never clicking links in unsolicited toll-related texts and instead using official websites or calling legitimate customer service numbers to verify account status.
wdet.org
· 2025-12-08
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warned residents and visitors attending the 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit about two primary parking scams: fraudsters selling unauthorized parking spaces in privately owned lots (leading to tickets, towing, or theft) and scammers issuing fake parking citations via QR codes or websites requesting online payment. The AG recommended obtaining receipts for legitimate parking, verifying valet services beforehand, and authenticating tickets through official city websites before making any payments.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Government impostor scams, particularly those impersonating the Social Security Administration, cost victims nearly $617 million in 2023 according to the FTC. Scammers use emotional manipulation—fear about suspended benefits or excitement about higher payments—to bypass victims' logical thinking and steal money and sensitive information. To protect yourself, hang up on unsolicited Social Security calls and verify contact through official SSA channels; report suspected scams to local law enforcement or AARP's Fraud Watch Network.
foxrgv.tv
· 2025-12-08
The Better Business Bureau warns of an escalating "grandparent scam" targeting senior citizens nationwide, where callers impersonate relatives claiming to need urgent bail money or emergency funds. Scammers use emotional manipulation and request payment through hard-to-trace apps like CashApp or WhatsApp to prevent fund recovery. The BBB recommends seniors verify caller identity by hanging up and calling back on known numbers, avoid sharing personal information over the phone, and report suspected scams to the BBB helpline (969-1804) or scamtracker website.
citizennewspapergroup.com
· 2025-12-08
Representatives Robin Kelly and Troy Balderson introduced the Protecting Seniors from Emergency Scams Act, bipartisan legislation directing the Federal Trade Commission to issue a comprehensive report on senior-targeted scams, including their types, frequency, and policy recommendations. The bill also requires the FTC to update its web portal with regional scam information and resources for law enforcement and adult protective services to help seniors and caregivers identify and prevent fraud. The Elder Justice Coalition endorsed the legislation as a commonsense approach to combat financial abuse that can devastate seniors' life savings.
wvua23.com
· 2025-12-08
Tuscaloosa hosted its annual Fraud Awareness Summit to educate seniors about phone scams, social media fraud schemes, and evolving technology-based tactics used by fraudsters to target older adults. The summit is particularly significant given that Tuscaloosa ranks as the No. 1 metro area in the U.S. for fraud reports and identity theft per capita, according to Federal Trade Commission data.
thesun.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
MOTOR experts are warning drivers about a rising tide of parking-related scams involving counterfeit QR codes, fake websites, and fraudulent parking ticket emails that exploit cost-of-living pressures on British motorists. The article advises drivers to download parking apps only from official sources (Apple App Store, Google Play Store), avoid unauthorized QR codes on parking meters, monitor bank statements for unrecognized charges, and verify parking instructions directly with operators rather than through suspicious links. Additionally, the article reports on related vehicle scams, including "resteal" fraud where used cars are sold and then stolen back multiple times, with this practice reportedly increasing particularly in Northern England.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Laura Kowal fell victim to a romance scam where she was emotionally manipulated over two years, then coerced into becoming a "money mule" by setting up fake companies and bank accounts to launder stolen money for overseas scammers. This increasingly common tactic exploits victims' emotional vulnerability and creates legal complications for prosecutors, who must decide whether to charge these individuals as victims or criminals, as they have technically committed fraud and money laundering while being manipulated by their scammers. Law enforcement agencies like the FBI are developing psychological profiles and issuing warnings about this scheme, as scammers use the threat of criminal charges as additional leverage to control their victims.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
Niselio Barros Garcia Jr., a 50-year-old Florida man, was sentenced to 48 months in prison for laundering over $2.3 million in proceeds from romance scams and business email compromise fraud schemes orchestrated by Nigerian co-conspirators; he used bank accounts and cryptocurrency exchanges to conceal and transfer the funds. Garcia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering and was ordered to forfeit $464,923.91. Four additional defendants remain at large in this transnational fraud operation.
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois lost $1.5 million to a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as a Swedish investment adviser between October 2018 and August 2020. The victim's daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother had been victimized after a federal investigator's call and subsequently found a suicide note, motivating her to advocate for romance scam awareness. According to the Federal Trade Commission, over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion by romance scammers in a recent year, with victims often reluctant to report due to shame and embarrassment, though law enforcement emphasizes
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
Mai Watanabe, a 25-year-old Japanese "sugar baby," was sentenced to nine years in prison and fined $52,000 for defrauding three men in their 50s out of over $1 million between 2021 and 2023 through dating app romance scams, claiming she needed money to pay debts. She also created and sold a manual instructing others how to execute similar scams, which aided another woman in defrauding a victim of approximately $64,000, and evaded taxes by concealing a quarter of her scam proceeds.
prnewswire.com
· 2025-12-08
A 2024 Norton survey found that while 64% of online daters are interested in using AI as a dating coach, romance scams have increased 72% since 2023, with 27% of dating app users targeted by scams and 42% of those falling victim. The report warns that AI technology, while potentially helpful for profile writing and photo enhancement, can also be exploited by scammers to make dating fraud harder to detect, and advises users to watch for red flags such as avoidance of video calls, limited profile images, and rapid relationship progression.
deseret.com
· 2025-12-08
A Citi survey reveals that while 90% of U.S. adults believe they can spot financial scams, 27% have actually fallen victim to one, highlighting a significant gap between confidence and reality. The FTC reported $10 billion in losses to scams in 2023, with scammers using email, text, phone calls, and mail to target victims. The article outlines five emerging scam types—QR code scams ("quishing"), student loan forgiveness schemes, peer-to-peer payment fraud, and virtual celebrity impersonations—and provides protective measures for each.
kpcw.org
· 2025-12-08
Utah residents lost over $55 million to financial scams in 2023, with impostor scams being the most commonly reported type, according to the FTC, which received 2.6 million fraud reports that year. Investment-related scams caused the greatest financial losses at over $4.6 billion nationally, often involving pressure to act quickly and demands for payment via money transfer or gift card. The FTC advises verifying financial concerns by contacting institutions directly using numbers on official statements and filing reports at ReportFraud.ftc.gov if victimized.
beaconjournal.com
· 2025-12-08
The Ohio Turnpike Commission is warning Ohioans about a "smishing" scam (SMS phishing via text message) where scammers falsely claim recipients owe unpaid tolls and demand payment through suspicious links. The FBI reports receiving over 2,000 complaints about nearly identical toll-related smishing texts since March across at least three states, with messages claiming outstanding toll amounts of $12.51 and threatening $50 late fees. To protect themselves, recipients should never click unknown links or call unfamiliar numbers, verify any toll claims directly through official websites, and report suspicious texts to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
13newsnow.com
· 2025-12-08
The Virginia Department of Transportation and FBI warned the public about a widespread "smishing" scam targeting over 2,000 people nationwide, in which fraudulent text messages claim recipients owe money for unpaid tolls and direct them to fake payment websites. The scam affects users of various toll systems including E-ZPass, NC Quick Pass, and SunPass, with messages often threatening late fees to pressure victims into clicking malicious links and providing financial information. Authorities advise recipients to verify toll balances directly through official websites, never click links in unsolicited texts, and report suspected fraud to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.
wdbj7.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud losses reached a record $10 billion in 2023, representing a 317% increase from $2.4 billion in 2019, with seniors frequently targeted through phone, email, mail, and in-person scams. AARP recommends seniors protect themselves by placing credit freezes with all three major credit bureaus using their social security number, birth date, and past addresses, and recording their PIN for future reference. Those who suspect fraud can contact the Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 1-877-908-3360 to report incidents.
abcactionnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office warned the public of a scam where fraudsters impersonate deputies, claiming victims have outstanding warrants and demanding cash payments via unconventional methods like Bitcoin or gift cards to avoid arrest. Law enforcement emphasized that legitimate agencies never solicit payments over the phone or accept cryptocurrency, and advised victims to hang up immediately and report suspicious calls to the sheriff's office at 813-247-8200.
homeownerhelpny.org
· 2025-12-08
The New York State Attorney General's Homeowner Protection Program (HOPP) is a free resource network of over 90 housing counseling and legal services organizations throughout New York that helps homeowners with foreclosure prevention, scam avoidance, and related issues. Homeowners can contact the program Monday through Friday during business hours to receive personalized referrals to local partners who provide high-quality counseling and legal services at no cost.
chicagotribune.com
· 2025-12-08
The city of Aurora is partnering with the FBI to offer a free "Empowering Seniors Against Scams" workshop on May 15 at two locations, designed to help seniors, caregivers, and service providers recognize and avoid scams threatening their financial security. The workshop will focus on common scams such as fraudulent credit card calls rather than complex computer-related issues, and has already generated over 100 applications in its first weekend, indicating strong community interest in fraud prevention education.
mtpr.org
· 2025-12-08
Organizations in Montana are warning of increased scams targeting Medicare enrollees, where fraudsters solicit victims' Medicare numbers by offering free services, gift cards, or medical equipment. Scammers then use stolen numbers to bill Medicare fraudulently before disappearing. Montana's Senior Medicare Patrol advises Medicare recipients to never share their numbers with unknown callers and to regularly review their Medicare summary notices for unrecognized providers or services.
prunderground.com
· 2025-12-08
"Senior Savvy: A Comprehensive Guide to Avoiding Scams," authored by retired investment advisor Andy LaPointe, is an educational resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud targeting them both online and offline. The guide covers scam types ranging from door-to-door schemes to cryptocurrency fraud, and provides practical advice on internet safety, password creation, phishing recognition, and steps for reporting fraud and recovery. Bulk purchase discounts are available for organizations seeking to use the book as an educational tool for community workshops and seminars.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
A couple aged 71 and 68 in Lancaster County, Nebraska lost $115,000 to scammers who used fear tactics after the couple's computer shut down, falsely claiming the FBI had connected them to child pornography and theft. The scammers convinced the couple to withdraw $115,000 from their bank, purchase gold bars, and hand them over to a man in a silver Ford Explorer who promised to deliver them to Washington D.C. for safekeeping; police believe the gold bars have likely left the country. This represents the largest fraud case Lancaster County Police Department handled in 2024, highlighting how sophisticated scams now involve in-person collection of funds rather than traditional wire transfers
orilliamatters.com
· 2025-12-08
This article announces a new podcast series addressing senior fraud and abuse in Ontario, featuring an OPP officer discussing common scams like grandparent fraud and red flags to watch for. The episode highlights that over 60,000 Ontario residents lost millions of dollars to scammers in 2023, and provides guidance on reporting these crimes and accessing support through victim services organizations.
law.georgia.gov
· 2025-12-08
Lawrence Montgomery, Jr. pleaded guilty to exploiting his 77-year-old mother, Ruth Montgomery, who had Alzheimer's disease, by diverting her social security checks to himself over five months (October 2019–February 2020) while she was in a nursing home, putting her at risk of discharge. He was sentenced to 10 years of probation, ordered to pay restitution, and barred from serving as a guardian or power of attorney. Georgia's Attorney General emphasized that protecting seniors from family-member exploitation remains a priority and noted that the state's Medicaid Fraud Division has secured 90 convictions for elder abuse and fraud since 2019.
cryptopolitan.com
· 2025-12-08
The SEC released a comprehensive guide for elderly investors covering strategies to protect assets through education, diversification, regular portfolio monitoring, and fraud prevention. Key recommendations include establishing trusted contacts on brokerage accounts, understanding investment fees, conducting background checks on advisors, using strong security practices, and planning ahead for potential incapacity by organizing documents with trusted family members.
jocoreport.com
· 2025-12-08
A Smithfield resident attempting to sell a $1,000 lawnmower online fell victim to a check overpayment scam when a fraudster claiming to be out-of-state sent a counterfeit $4,200 check and requested the victim wire back $4,200, resulting in a financial loss when the check was discovered to be fake. The FTC advises sellers to never accept checks for more than the asking price, verify buyer information, request checks from local banks, and confirm check validity by calling the bank directly before depositing.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
A 71-year-old digital artist in India lost approximately $1,895 to scammers posing as an NFT art dealer on a fraudulent platform (nfttradeplace.com) between October 2023 and March 2024. The scammers promised to purchase his artwork for a substantial amount but then repeatedly demanded bogus "gas fees" and "delay fees" for platform transactions and withdrawals, with the victim making four payments before realizing the fraud. The victim filed a police complaint in April 2024, though authorities noted that tracing cryptocurrency transactions and identifying the perpetrators remains challenging.
breakingnews.ie
· 2025-12-08
A fake social media account impersonated Transport for Ireland (TFI) and attempted to scam users by selling counterfeit leap cards for €2.35, falsely promising a year of free travel. TFI warned the public to avoid clicking suspicious links and to verify information only through official TFI channels. The fraudulent account used official TFI imagery but had minimal followers and directed victims to complete purchases through a link in the post.
news9live.com
· 2025-12-08
A 52-year-old businessman in Bengaluru lost Rs 5.2 crore after being added to a fraudulent WhatsApp investment group and persuaded to download a fake stock trading app, through which scammers collected money under the guise of stock market investments. After being unable to withdraw his funds, he filed a complaint with cybercrime police in April, and authorities have initiated investigation under the IT Act with efforts to freeze the fraudsters' accounts for potential recovery.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
Laura Kowal, a 57-year-old retired hospital executive from Illinois, was victimized by a romance scam perpetrated by someone posing as "Frank Borg," a Swedish investment adviser, beginning in October 2018; she eventually went missing in 2020 after losing significant money and being manipulated through sophisticated psychological tactics. Her daughter, Kelly Gowe, discovered her mother's disappearance and subsequently learned that over 64,000 Americans were defrauded of more than $1.14 billion through romance scams in a single year, with victims often too ashamed to report the crime. Gowe has since dedicated herself to raising awareness
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warns that online romance scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often perpetrated by organized crime rings exploiting dating app users. A victim named Carina lost $150,000 after being manipulated by a fake profile into investing in cryptocurrency over a three-month period, and in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware alone, 970 people reported romance scam losses totaling $33.5 million last year. Experts emphasize that victims experience significant emotional damage beyond financial loss and recommend approaching suspected victims with empathy rather than judgment, while noting that many scammers operate overseas, making recovery difficult.
cbsnews.com
· 2025-12-08
A Townsend, Massachusetts woman was victimized by romance scammers posing as actor Thorsten Kaye, who manipulated her through sophisticated scripts and persuasive messaging into sending money and allegedly considering poisoning her husband with contaminated soup. After reporting the fraud to police in December 2023, Doucette was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder when her daughter discovered text exchanges with the scammers discussing "getting rid of" her husband, though toxicology tests came back negative and authorities acknowledge the case's complexity. The incident highlights a growing problem in Massachusetts, where over 14,600 imposter scams were reported in 2023, with federal agents noting that
sandhillsexpress.com
· 2025-12-08
A widow named Laura Kowal lost her $1.5 million nest egg to a romance scam perpetrator using the alias "Frank Borg" on Match.com, who manipulated her through emotional connection before coercing her into fraudulent investments and wire transfers; she subsequently died in the Mississippi River. The case exemplifies a growing epidemic of romance scams combined with investment fraud targeting dating app users, with over 64,000 reported American victims in 2023 and losses totaling $1.14 billion in 2022, though experts believe actual figures are significantly higher due to underreporting and shame among victims. Law enforcement officials acknowledge the response has been inadequate, with sc
ktvh.com
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams are increasingly common, with scammers impersonating businesses and government agencies via text and email to trick victims into sharing personal information. The U.S. Postal Service, Amazon, Publishers Clearing House, GeekSquad, and Norton AntiVirus were the most impersonated organizations in 2023, with the FTC receiving over 330,000 business impersonation complaints and nearly 160,000 government impersonation complaints that year. Consumers should verify account status directly through official websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages, and be cautious of fake subscription renewal alerts and delivery notifications, as USPS will not contact customers via text or
jaxtoday.org
· 2025-12-08
Impersonation scams in Florida have increased 84% per capita over the past five years, with scammers posing as IRS agents, FBI officials, court representatives, and other trusted entities to defraud victims. In 2023, impersonation scams were the third most frequent fraud in the U.S., resulting in over $1.3 billion in losses, often involving organized crime groups with international connections that pressure victims into sending money or personal information through urgent threats. To protect themselves, people should verify caller identities by hanging up and calling official numbers directly, avoid sharing personal information when pressured, and report suspected scams to law enforcement.
states.aarp.org
· 2025-12-08
Government impostor scams, particularly those impersonating the Social Security Administration, cost victims nearly $617 million in 2023, with criminals exploiting emotional states like fear or panic to bypass logical thinking. To protect yourself, hang up on unexpected calls claiming to be from Social Security and independently verify contact by calling your local Social Security office directly. Report suspected scams to local law enforcement or contact the AARP Fraud Watch Network for assistance.
wcpo.com
· 2025-12-08
This educational piece identifies impersonation scams as a growing threat, with the U.S. Postal Service being the most impersonated organization in 2023 according to the Better Business Bureau. The FTC received over 330,000 business impersonation complaints and nearly 160,000 government impersonation complaints last year, with text and email fraud increasing while phone scams decline. The article advises consumers to verify account status directly through official websites rather than clicking links in unsolicited messages, and notes that USPS will not initiate contact via text or email unless customers request tracking notifications.
americanbanker.com
· 2025-12-08
FinCen's analysis of elder financial exploitation found that approximately 80% of reported cases involve scams (fraudulent transfers to strangers) while 20% involve theft by trusted individuals, with account takeover being the most common exploitation method. Warning signs include sudden changes in banking practices, unexplained large withdrawals, and abrupt changes to wills or financial documents, with approximately 10% of people aged 65 and older experiencing some form of elder abuse annually. Financial institutions play a critical role in identifying and preventing elder financial exploitation through compliance reporting and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, while research indicates that susceptibility to scams correlates with lower income, reduced cognitive function, and limited financial literacy.
techtimes.com
· 2025-12-08
Cryptocurrency scams targeting elderly individuals have surged dramatically, with investment fraud losses among Americans aged 60+ rising 38% to $4.57 billion in 2023, and crypto-specific investment fraud increasing 53% to $3.96 billion. Scammers exploit social media platforms to establish trust with seniors through fake investment opportunities featuring artificially high returns, gradually escalating requests for larger amounts. Recovery solutions exist through specialized blockchain forensics and asset recovery services, while protection measures include verifying contacts through face-to-face communication and avoiding suspicious links or unsolicited requests.
news.yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Sanda G. Frimpong, a 33-year-old Army service member stationed at Fort Bragg, was sentenced to over three years in federal prison for operating a romance scam in which he impersonated military officials, diplomats, and romantic interests to defraud victims. Frimpong used aliases and tricked at least one victim into sending $100,000 in cashier's checks following a recent divorce, and was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands in restitution. Romance scams cost American victims $1.3 billion in 2022, often targeting older adults and military veterans who lose retirement savings and life insurance to these schemes.